Chapter 2272: Liberation

"This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I asked if you wanted to walk around town."

After indulging themselves for a couple of hours, Vahn and Yo took a nap in the same hallway where they had made love. Afterward, he asked her if she still wanted to go on a date, to which Yo readily agreed.

What Vahn hadn't expected was for Yo to want to walk around with time still frozen. As for her reason, it appeared she had always wanted to feel what it was like to walk around completely naked.

"Doesn't walking around like this feel free and liberating, though? I never really understood why people were so obsessed with things like clothing. I mean, I get that it helps us resist the natural elements, but humans are ultimately just animals. I don't get why so many people are afraid to just 'be' themselves."

Walking with her arms spread wide and an uninhibited smile on her face, Yo was enjoying every moment of her date with Vahn. Others might view her as a pervert, but she honestly didn't care. In her opinion, people were always too concerned about other people, and rarely in a good way. Now, for the first time in her life, Yo felt like there were no more obstacles in her way. She was finally free.

Feeling the need to express herself, Yo began laughing as she performed a series of playful pirouettes and gamboled over to the highest point of a stone bridge. Vahn was following close behind her, so, while enjoying the scene of the frozen river below, Yo leaned over the parapet, her butt and tail swaying from side-to-side as an open invitation. Whether or not Vahn accepted was ultimately up to him, and, as far as Yo was concerned, that was how it should be.

Though he did take a moment to admire the sight of Yo's perfectly pear-shaped bottom, Vahn didn't walk over and insert himself into her. Instead, he stood next to her, a complacent smile on his face as he leaned over the parapet and answered, "I won't deny it...it does feel liberating. Back when I was still living in the world of Danmachi, one of my favorite things to do was spend time with the Xenos. Though I have walked this path willingly, I would be lying if I said my heart didn't yearn for a simpler time..."

Recalling how he would spend hours cuddling with the Almiraj or lazing about and allowing Naho to groom him, a longing smile developed across Vahn's face. He wasn't as far gone as Yo, but he also disliked how society forced responsibilities onto people and forced them to fill specific molds. It was one of the reasons he would spend days on end just playing with Xysteria or cuddling Fenrir. It was just so...easy...so simple.

"Hey, if I jump down, will I fall into the water or remain above it...?"

Sensing Vahn's melancholy, Yo decided a change of scenery was in order. Thus, without waiting for his response, she issued a cheerful, "Yaho~!" as she leaped down onto the water's surface. It felt like landing on a sponge, but it didn't so much as deform when she landed on it.

"Whoa...how weird..."

Jumping down next to Yo, Vahn's expression had returned to normal as he asked, "Want to check it out? So long as we remain in constant contact, I can phase us through pretty much anything."

Fascinated by the notion of being able to stroll beneath the surface of the river, Yo leaped towards Vahn in a manner that compelled him to catch her in a bridal carry. Vahn dutifully did just that, so Yo rewarded him with a kiss on the cheek before raising her fist into the air and shouting, "Let's go~!" in an eager, excited tone.

Feeling Yo's body beginning to heat up, Vahn had a pretty good idea of what she had in mind once they reached the bottom of the river or found a more scenic location. Instead of feeling even remotely put off by this, a wolfish grin developed across his face as he returned her kiss and started their gradual descent to the river's depths...

...

..

.

"So you never entered one of Vahn's Actualized Worlds or spent time in a Game Board...?"

Though Vahn had expected it to come up, he couldn't help smiling wryly when the subject of Sandora's and Lily's conversation veered towards the specifics of his affiliation with the No Names and the development of their romance. However, instead of intruding upon their conversation, his two selves merely exchanged wry smiles with one another before continuing to give the two childhood friends a massage.

"Nnn...Vahn placed a magical seal on my body that helps to regulate and consolidate spiritual energy. I maintained my adolescent form for a while but chose to enter my third stage of development when everyone decided to enter the Game Board. As for my current form...well..."

Swaying her tails in a fluid motion, Lily's voice and smile gained a sensual undertone as she appended, "I believed my fourth form would help me to seduce a certain someone..."

Noticing Lily shift her attention to the Vahn massaging her back, Sandora briefly exchanged glances with the one being smothered by the kitsune's nine tails. He immediately returned a smile while the version kneading her back and shoulders spontaneously ran his middle and index fingers down the line of her back. A pleasant shiver ran through her body, and though it wasn't visible even in her revealing attire, she had a tiny nub of a dragon tail that twitched in response.

Though he had already gotten over his previous inhibitions, Vahn softly whispered, "Lily has always been a very mature girl. You've made a lot of progress these past couple of weeks, Sandora, but you still have a ways to go before I consider you an adult."

Hearing Vahn's words, Sandora attempted to form a pouty expression, but Vahn prevented it by pressing into one of the more sensitive nerves above her tail. As a result, a surprised yelp escaped her throat before mellowing out into a prolonged "Waaaauuuu~" as her tiny frame became increasingly limp.

Spoiling Vahn's attempt to keep Sandora subdued, Lily issued an amused giggle before adopting a squinting smile as she sonorously replied, "Don't worry, Sandora-chan. It may be a little difficult right now, but once Vahn recognizes your growth, you'll be able to experience a degree of pleasure that makes this massage feel like a gentle breeze..."

"..." x2

Resisting the urge to give Lily's pert yet pillowy bottom a firm smack, the two Vahn's, once again, exchanged glances. Then, at the same time, their fingers began to exude a faint rainbow glow as they softly chorused, "You are severely underestimating the potency of our massage..."

...

..

.

As they had spent the previous day exploring the city, watching parades, and visiting various stands, Izayoi and Asuka decided to take it easy by visiting one of the Festival's main attractions, the Corridor of Displays, an exhibit showcasing the various artisanal crafts of Salamandra Community and their affiliates.

Though the North Side was known for its abundance of Spirits, the sight of dozens of Tool Spirits, many taking the forms of Floating Lanterns and Candlesticks, was enough to make Asuka's eyes sparkle. One of the tales she had enjoyed the most as a child was a classical story called 'Beauty and the Beast', so she couldn't help comparing herself and Izayoi to the titular main characters. After all, while he may be easy on the eyes, Izayoi was definitely a beast at heart...

Fortunately, Asuka kept her thoughts to herself as she didn't want to ruin the mood. Instead, she allowed Izayoi to escort her, a contented smile on her face as she leaned against him and enjoyed the stone corridor and its many displays.

Unbeknownst to the young couple, their highly ranked [Child of Destiny] Innates were in full sway. As a result, they found themselves pulled along by fate's invisible current until Asuka, specifically, noticed a tiny, luminous figure flying around with a fretful expression on its face.

"Hmm? What's that...?"

Following Asuka's gaze, Izayoi noticed the tiny, humanoid creature flitting about like a vibrant candle. He didn't know the exact species, but he was pretty confident as he answered, "I'm guessing it's either a faerie or some form of house spirit. It's pretty cute."

Standing 4cm tall, the faerie in question was a vaguely humanoid and distinctly feminine creature that flittered about while releasing a vibrant, bright yellow aura. It had fluffy golden hair, simple facial features, and, as far as clothing was concerned, it wore a frilly yellow dress that flared out at the waist, a pointed yellow hat, tiny mittens, and oversized shoes. The only thing it was missing was a pair of wings to denote it, unequivocally, as a faerie.

Though she gave Izayoi a skeptical look when she heard him call the tiny creature cute, Asuka quickly returned her attention to the fretful-looking faerie, asking, "Do you think she's in trouble? Or perhaps she's lost...?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Izayoi replied, "Only one way to find out." before half-dragging-half-escorting Asuka towards the diminutive fae. The latter was a little annoyed by his shameless behavior, but, as she was genuinely curious about the tiny creature, Asuka allowed herself to be pulled along without a fuss.

Unfortunately, the moment they got close to the adorable little fae, Izayoi beat Asuka to the punch, asking, "Hey, chibi, you lost or something? Need help finding your Community...?"

Though she was startled by the sudden appearance of two giants, the fae was intelligent enough to understand Izayoi's words. As a result, it began flailing its mittened hands, shouting, "Rattenfanger~! Rattenfanger~!" over and over again.

"Rotten Finger...?"

Due to the faerie's accent, Asuka couldn't fully comprehend what it was trying to say. Izayoi, however, immediately recognized the word, stating, "Rattenfanger...it's a German word meaning rat catcher. The real question is, is that its name or the name its Community?"

Having learned to speak German and several other languages, Asuka was on the same page as Izayoi as she released his arm, stooped down, and asked, "Are you a member of the Rattenfanger Community? If so, do you need us to help you find them?"

Tilting her head to the side, the tiny faerie pointed to herself, repeating, "Rattenfanger!" in a cheerful yet insistent tone.

Voicing what Asuka was thinking, Izayoi stated, "I'm guessing that means it's her name?"

Though she had the same thought, Asuka felt compelled to say, "It could be both. For now, let's take her with us. We might be able to find someone who recognizes her."

Extending her hands towards the faerie, Asuka gave her best smile in the hopes of coaxing it into her palms. Fortunately, like most faeries, the tiny sprite was sensitive to people's intentions. It could tell that Asuka wanted to help, so, after a moment of hesitation, it promptly leaped into the palms of her hands before adopting a v-shaped smile.

Returning a smile of her own, Asuka rose to her feet before shifting her gaze to Izayoi and asking, "What do you think we should do? Should we try and ask the Salamandra Military Police for help?"

Spreading his arms and shrugging in a carefree manner, Izayoi answered, "Beats me. For all we know, it's someone's Familiar or a newly manifested Spirit without a Community. The Military Police can probably help, but I'm not exactly keen on the idea of going to a station and answering a bunch of questions. Authority figures and I rarely see eye to eye."

Hearing Izayoi mention authority, Asuka's thoughts shifted to Vahn and Sandora. The former seemed to know just about everything, and the latter was the Leader of Salamandra. If anyone could help them find the faerie's home, it was them...

...

..

.

(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Taking free-spirited to another level...','RIP Lily and Sandora...','Ah, yes, the illustrious Rotten Finger Community...')