The World Serpent

Chapter 189 - 189-Unexpected News

Deep within the Fortress Bastion, chaos dwelled. Every Inquisitor within the Fortress Bastion was heading towards the throne room as an unexpected situation had arisen. It was about the heir of the Nation of Azathoth. Great Rulers rarely have children as they were concentrated on their jobs. They also had long life spans, which was why there wasn't any need for an heir.

But, the Great Ruler of Azathoth came back with a young daughter with a comparable age of 8. How was that even possible when it hasn't been over 2 years since the Great Ruler entered the Realm of Piksyon. Some would think of adoption, but the heir brought in had the complete image of the Great Ruler with the exception of a single eye and the color of her hair. 

As the Inquisitors gathered into the throne room, they could finally see their Great Ruler sitting on the throne with a child atop her lap. They wanted to rub their eyes to be sure, but they didn't want to seem disrespectful. So they did what every subordinate in the Realm of Piksyon would have done if their Great Ruler had a daughter. 

The Inquisitors kneeled all together and congratulated at the same time. "We congratulate you, Master Persia. She is a very beautiful child, the spitting image of Master herself." They had good ways of speaking to their Master. Meanwhile, Ego and Nyx were gazing at Gloria in confusion. When did their Sister get a child out of nowhere? Such were the questions echoing within their mind. 

"There is no need to congratulate me. You may leave. I want to speak with my Sisters. Also, please prepare a celebration for Gloria." Persia said with her serene voice as the Inquisitors nodded at the same time and rose with their feet. They then left the throne room and were about to start a festival within the Fortress Bastion.

As silence enveloped the throne room, Persia then uttered with a calm voice. "I'm sure that you are curious about where this child came from and why she looks like me despite myself not having any relationships in the Realm of Piksyon. The answer is simple. This child is my future left-hand subordinate, the Artificial Intelligence Gloria." 

Upon hearing the words of Persia, Nyx and Ego were quite shocked and surprised. The Artificial Intelligence turned into a real child? Was she even an Artificial Intelligence to begin with? As seconds passed by, Ego sighed and shook her head. It appears that the Nexus Box she had created for a long time was a lot more special than she had expected. 

"So what happened for Gloria to be born? The Nexus Box was supposed to keep the Artificial Intelligence. I never expected the Nexus Box to become the body of it." Ego was curious about what happened and how Gloria was given life. Nyx, on the other hand, was also curious about the daughter of her Older Sister.

"For the Origin Skill of Life to activate, Statera said that a fuel known as Anima is used. I use my own Anima to have Gloria and after that. It is obvious to guess what had happened." Persia answered with her soothing voice. Ego nodded in understanding while Nyx herself had questions plaguing her mind. Nyx then questioned with a calm voice. 

"Then, why does Gloria have the eye color and hair color of Miss Statera? It shouldn't be a random mutation, correct? After all, I doubt that Older Sister would have a bad signature." The most important question then escaped from Nyx's mouth. Ego had a realization and gazed upon Persia with an emotionless face. Though, in terms of imagination, Ego had a face of disbelief. 

"I didn't know what Sister had swung that way. If I had known before, the accident between you and Statera should never have happened." Ego acted as if she had failed on her duty to protect her Sister. Meanwhile, Persia couldn't help but wryly smile as Ego, the emotionless one, was currently teasing her right now. 

"Well, that is to be expected. The Fortress Bastion is full of girls. It isn't weird for Older Sister to have a kink for girls. Though, I do wonder what kind of type she gazes upon girls? The Strong? Cold, Cool, Brave, or Sly? Mayb-" Before Nyx could continue, Persia flicked Nyx's forehead and made her stop talking about it.

"Why are you treating it as a fact? Ego was simply joking when she spoke of such things." Persia wanted to grind the head of Nyx with her knuckles. Nyx turned her head towards Ego and tilted her head in confusion. "Older Sister Ego was joking? With that kind of face?"

For some reason, Persia could imagine a nerve appearing on Ego's head after hearing the words of Nyx. One would find it hard if Ego was joking or not with her face and voice. She was like Gloria, but the older version of her. As everything had calmed down, it was time for Gloria's introduction to Nyx and Ego. 

"Anyway, she is my first daughter, so I should take care of her. Why don't you talk to your aunts, Little Gloria?" Persia smiled while looking at Gloria with her golden amber eyes. Gloria nodded and looked at Ego and Nyx with an innocent yet emotionless expression. 

"It is nice to meet you, Aunt Ego and Aunt Nyx. I am Gloria... I was born from my Mother's body with the help of Statera. Though, Aunt Ego did create this body of mine." No matter how much they thought about it. The introduction was kind of weird. In comparison to normality, it was like a horror introduction of a monster child. 

Or maybe, it was like a drama series with numerous partners causing unnecessary drama that lasts for a thousand episodes. With clips being repeated over and over again in different slides when some introduction happens. 

"I can't believe that I am now called Aunt. A young girl like me..." Nyx said as her sarcastic voice echoed within the throne room. Both Persia and Ego wanted to grind their knuckles onto Nyx's head. Well, personality-wise, Nyx was young Persia. As she was comparable to young Persia, her sarcastic remarks were something to expect.

"Anyway, I want Gloria to grow up into a fine one. So I might need your help, Ego. I want you to teach me how to teach my daughter. " Persia said as Ego was shocked upon hearing Persia's words. After all, one would expect that Persia would leave the education of Gloria to Ego like before with the Inquisitors. It appears that Persia would educate Gloria herself. 

"Alright, I'll help Sister raise Gloria. After all, she is the Artificial Intelligence or the one that would hold the Azathoth Army under her grasp." Ego smiled as she said with her monotone voice. Since her Sister wanted to raise Gloria personally, it was Ego's responsibility to help her Sister achieve it. 

Days passed within the Realm of Piksyon. After the small festival for the birth of Gloria, the Inquisitors got sent into the Major Fronts of the Great Forest. Most of them were sent into the Elven Nation of Elda, meanwhile, the remaining ones got divided into even numbers into the remaining Major Fronts. 

During that time, Persia had learned and taught a lot of things. Taking care of a child was extremely hard. Fortunately, Gloria was rather mature despite her current appearance and possible age. She was learning very fast as she could remember everything she had seen, heard, and known ever since her birth. It was a useful memory ability. 

Other than that, Gloria was learning to control the Azathoth Army. The Class 1 and Class 2 Battleships got supplied with ammunition and energy. They were ready to rise to the heavens and fight for the Nation of Azathoth. Though, they would have to wait until Gloria was good at strategizing and ordering units into battle. 

Everything was going well that even Persia herself couldn't help but relax. She was also controlling herself so that she wouldn't be overly greedy and arrogant in front of her daughter. Even then, no matter how much she controlled herself. There were times when she would slip up. Fortunately, Ego was always with her during such times. 

Persia was sleeping soundly along with her daughter. She was smiling as she was relaxed during these days. But then, a dream echoed within her mind. A terrifying dream that would remind Persia of everything that she could lose if she relaxed herself during the Great War.

A Reminder about the Cold Truth.

Deep within Persia's consciousness, Persia was standing under a mountain of corpses. The dark ashen heavens were above her, along with a collapsing star. The mountains crumbled, the plains sunk, and the forest burned into crimson ashes. With corpses of enemies and allies enveloping the land, Persia found herself alone once again. 

Persia's body was bloodied and injured. Right beside her were the corpses of everyone and everything she loved, her family, her friends, and her people. Such was their fate. Persia had a broken emotionless expression. She couldn't feel anything, She couldn't feel sorrow, anger, hatred, and even regret. 

As a giant hand within the heavens slowly fell into the Crumbling Fortress Bastion. Persia then pointed her finger to something and uttered her last words.

"Protect them no matter what..." 

Then, Persia woke up covered in a cold sweat and was shaken in fear.

It was a reminder of her insignificant self.