Evil Goddess (6)

As much as I cherished our conversation, eventually, the hum of Epsilon signaled the completion of its task. The device's container now held a small quantity of pure Aether, glistening with an ethereal light. This would enhance the potency of my medicine, way above any potions on the market.

However, amidst the success, my attention was drawn to a particular component—a poisonous residue resting on the barrel. It took the form of red crystalloids, exuding a sinister aura known as Pure Superadicals.

I sighed, I thought this time I would get a bluish liquid called Pure Mana instead. Superadicals in liquid form were rare, as they swiftly transformed into Mana upon contact with Malazyme from Anima. The fact that I had obtained them meant that this liquid lacked Malazyme.

Ugh, it's frustrating. I've tried breeding various types of Anima, extracting Aether and Malazyme from their blood and magicore. Yet, all I've managed to acquire is Aether, with no trace of Malazyme. Attempting to infect me with Anima would only result in death, so extracting the enzyme from them remains my sole option. Sadly, it seemed Malazyme denatured rapidly outside of Anima's body.

Welp no use crying over this. It's time to feed this to Kai and friends.

"W-Wait, don't throw it just yet, Celli!" Axel interrupted.

Surprised, I tilted my head in confusion. "Why not?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Axel hastily consulted his notes, his eyes scanning the pages. "Hey, don't you think this could be the key to end the war? The Savage God and Ultimate Eden have Anima residing within them too, right?" He paused for a moment, scribbling something down.

"Listen to me, I have an idea..." he paused, building anticipation within me.

"What if we inject the Pure Superadicals into them? Could it disrupt their magical homeostasis? With the right dosage, we might be able to drive his Anima into a state of berserk. That way, the Savage God and Ultima Eden would lose control over their body and their ability to wield magic. It would be our chance to strike them down!" he concluded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Wait a minute... Th-That's actually an intriguing idea. It never crossed my mind before.

"Dude, are you secretly a genius?" I asked Axel.

Axel grew flustered. "H-Hey, c'mon! I'm serious here, Princess."

I couldn't help but chuckle at Axel's flustered response. "Sorry, Axel. It's just... your idea is brilliant," I said, a smile playing at the corners of my lips. "Injecting the Pure Superadicals into Ultima Eden and Savage God to disrupt their magic homeostasis and render them vulnerable—it's a risky plan, but it just might work."

Axel nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "Then let's work on dosage calculations. Oh yeah, we should think about how to deliver the poison too. We'll need something that can administer the Pure Superadicals directly into their bloodstream," he suggested.

His enthusiasm ignited my own, and ideas began to spark in my mind. "A shot? No, I can't imagine having to inject it directly into Those Monsters. A gas? That could work, but what if we face them outdoors?" I mused, absentmindedly coiling a lock of my hair. Then, my gaze landed on Axel's sword, and a realization struck me.

"... A topical ointment... on a sword! Sure it took time, but he wouldn't realize it either. It'd sap their power little by little until they finally lost control of his body and-!"I trailed off, suddenly realizing that I had pushed Axel against the wall in my excitement.

"U-Umm, Princess, personal space?" Axel stammered, clearly taken aback.

Flustered, I quickly jumped back and cleared my throat. "Let's do this, Axel. Let's put an end to this war once and for all!"

Axel's eyes lit up with determination as he nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, Princess Celli! We can do this!"

Together, we delved into intricate planning, meticulously calculating the dosage of Pure Superadicals required for maximum effectiveness. We discussed the properties of the ointment, considering the best methods for application and absorption into the Savage God's skin. Axel sketched out diagrams and prototypes, his mind working tirelessly to design a practical and efficient delivery mechanism, while I worked on his blueprints swiftly.

Days turned into nights, and nights into days as we toiled relentlessly. Despite the challenges, we were having a blast with our project! I never thought that my gray world could turn into this colorful, just by having a purpose in life and someone to share it.

After countless failed attempts, our hands calloused, and brushes were worn, finally! Before us lay a mechanized black sword, adorned with a lion's head on its hilt. It was infused with special contraception that endowed it with two distinct features.

"Magic mode!"

I grasped the sword and pressed the switch on the lion's nose, causing the blade to burst into searing flames. With my magic energy generator, we successfully created a weapon that required no magic user to activate it! This alone was crazy, it could revolutionize our Domain's army and significantly enhance their battle prowess.

Pressing the switch again, I swung the sword, extinguishing the flames but illuminating the blade with an eerie red otherworldly glow. The Superadicals within it pulsed as I whispered, "God-eater mode."

Axel crossed his arms, clearly proud of our creation. "You should give it a name, Princess."

I looked at the sword again, mesmerized by its beauty and power. This sword was the ultimate weapon against god. One that would strip them from magic, their power. But it also symbolized hope for Justice Familia, carrying the potential to bring an end to this war with us as the victors.

Choosing to believe in the latter, I smirked, "I shall name you... Artemisia, The Harbinger of Victory."

[5-star sword - Artemisia R1 created!]

[Lvl. 1 STR 69 Substat Crit DMG 8%.]

[Special Effect - Harbinger of Victory

Magic mode: use a searing flame to inflict bonus Fire DMG based on 40% user INT. Inflict Burn. God-eater Mode: Inflict 2% Demonic Decree (DD) on the enemy each attack. Once reached DD 70%, the enemy can't use magic. Once DD reached 100% turns the enemy into Anima. Need to be recharged after 10 uses]

****

I couldn't contain my excitement as I walked back into Glasgow Palace, holding Artemisia tightly in my arms. My heart brimmed with a radiant smile as I anticipated sharing this special moment with Cleo and Mama.

Stepping through the palace's grand entrance, I marveled at the familiar opulence that surrounded me. The hallways echoed with my footsteps, and the walls adorned with captivating artwork and exquisite tapestries seemed to come alive. The palace staff, dressed in their regal uniforms, warmly acknowledged my return.

Finally, I reached Mama's office but was surprised to see the door open slightly. There, I could hear Cleo and Mama arguing. Filled with a mix of surprise and concern, I listened attentively from the doorway.

"You can't be serious," Mama raised her voice and slammed her desk, "Cleo! Y-You are a god, the heir of our family. But now, you want to toss everything for a mere human?!"

... Oh shit, seriously?

Cleo remained calm, "Even if Axel is human, he loves me. He takes care of me and does everything to make me happy. He even attained Karma and ascended to Demigod, just to be with me. He show me what true love is," she replied, looking at Mother with determination, "Seeing how much he devoted himself to me, how could I not fall for him, Mama?"

Mama lost at her words and sat down, "Don't tell me, you want to marry that human?"

Cleo nodded, "Yes, I love him, with all of my heart and soul."

Mama's initial resistance began to crumble as she saw the sincerity in Cleo's eyes. "... I understand that you're still young. This is just, yes, a fleeting infatuation. But marriage, oh please my dear Cleo..."

"Mama, all this time, there is only one thing that I wished for. Something that you never give to me. A life of happiness," Cleo answered and touched her belly, "Axel had given me happiness. And that's why, we've crystallized our love together."

Mama's eyes widened in surprise, and a mix of emotions flickered across her face. "Cleo... you're pregnant?"

Cleo smirked cynically, "Now, I'm not your perfect daughter anymore, Mama."

...!

Overwhelmed by the weight of the revelation, I leaned against the wall, struggling to make sense of everything. I... I didn't misheard it, right?

Cleo is pregnant...?