Reincarnated as a Duck: A beast progression litrpg isekai-Chapter 260 - 251: Change of desires

Fixing stuff was hard. Breaking havoc was like hoping for the natural storm to dissipate and the sky to clear up against godly irritations. Calming down, Manager Kil knew all that he could imagine about those things, for he had watched it ever since he was little Tontati. From past to here, bearing with the visor of Levandis, he was brimming with wisdom. And pain.

Trying, not that it would even matter from time to time, the happenings in Hellscape were already shitty. Razmund forced his ways ahead, playing with Fate, and that tamed in comparison to what Murai had caused a while ago.

He dreaded the word and that screen to display it, though Mindarch seemed to be fine or cleverly misdirecting everything. Like usual. He probably feared to show off that ridiculous Resonance that touched something that shouldn't be honorable.

Things about Lisa were mostly obscure variables that bordered very spontaneous timing. Again, it was for a good reason that it hadn't devolved into something else. Not cause.

If Kil ever knew anything, it was to never underestimate the obsessions of the Epochs and Levandis, whose whole demeanor shifted the moment she realized what had happened and what shall happen. Soon or later, this will crack. One bit at a time.

For now, she hadn't caused anything major, though her actions could do it any time. Lisa was the same, and the way she led Murai was one whole dimension away from what Levandis thought right now.

Smiling, not making a fool out of herself, Levandis considered her appeal and figured out three duties to fulfill.

'She definitely forced the heavens to that point, so be it a shell of the former. I will see the current lengths that will lead, follow your lead without obliging the hopes, Levandis thought, handing her subjects close.

Now, where was the end for her?

"What about Ozeki?" she asked.

"He became a Helper, weirdly enough." Manager Kil said. "How? Why? We don't know."

"I don't think you trust that lie yourself, Kil," she said coldly. "Now, what about Ozeki?"

"Could it be something that Vermillion knows? That devil of ours came out of weird timing anyway. Following that human brat that already visited this twice. Handling that broken sword."

[Ah, these Tontats. It is called a claymore, silly.] Mindarch argued.

"Leave it as a stick made of steel and it is what it could be. A stick. Sharper stick. The fact that he got Ozeki around him speaks of some facts. Like... the other thing. How could we let it happen? How had it happened? I mean..." Manager Kil said, hesitating over her tightening fit.

"What is it about sticks? What that silly fox created is just sticking out of my mind. I don't like it. Her play changed the world, yet for how long could it remain? It involves me now more than ever, so what is it that she is trying to accomplish?"

"Fight, my Lady." Manager Kil said. "There must be a witness. They clashed! That human defeated Ozeki, but that one must've heard the whispering fox. Or pretended it all along. We lost ways to do it after some private conversation devoid of our ears. Mindarch shouldn't have lied to us, is that right?"

[Hmmm.] Mindarch hummed, not denying a word or praise.

"Ozeki accepted some proposals, my Lady. I fear it with my ears. Take a fickle heart and it is hard to renounce. Something near the End, I bet, makes us do stupid things."

"Oh, I think that is more common than we think," Levandis suggested. "That former lackey of mine used to have some plentiful ways of his heart but lost his edge like a broken kite. I suspect they make a nice pairing. It is terribly timed, however." She continued without any mourning, figuring that the precarious advent of some situation slipped away from her hands.

They were long happenings. Very closely, however, and brought to her door like a whisper of help or death.

"She wants something..." Levandis whispered, thinking, almost dropping her subjects and glaring to the ground.

[I wouldn't worry about it all. The whole world is in danger.]

"Who gives a fuck about that. I am serious!"

[And you awake... I get it. Shame.]

Devils might be hard to deal with, but taking advantage of them was not that hard. From age, emotions, brutality, or appearance, many things could crack with one while not playing with any other. Ozeki was a bothersome fella with a defined military heart, yet like many devils, what divided them apart were no whispers of their blood.

"His position clashed against Vermillion's side, my Lady." Manager Kil said.

"In what way?"

"It moved Scorching Light. Well, they are still fighting, so what about some light?" Gesturing at his kneeling position above, pointing at the screen, he gave Mindarch an urge to get the worst out of sight. Pretend! Not ruin the already senseless moment.

Mindarch did not know how to read souls, let alone think what that little man feared.

Levandis followed that sight, and Mindarch changed the pictures just enough to play it safe.

In a moment, the gray, light, and black screens flickered, showing a crazy battlefield close to the middle of the Scorching Light, Sector 43.

Ozeki was bleeding as if he was cut in half, while the pair of Paladins beside him still stood without a shred of blood. But their armor showed many cracks, leaking light, and portions of their strong skin. Ozeki wasn't losing, even if it seemed like that. Blood Domain squeezed like his Ize Spear, the heat spread, and his heart was singing, so he wouldn't back down today.

He could even die with dignity and out of nothing but spite.

"Are those Radiant Paladins? I thought she brought out... oh, I think I get it."

[Not in the slightest. No offense, but that blackmail rotted your brain.]

Levandis chuckled. Then squeezed, furious at that reminder. "She wants to see blood, eh?!"

[Hadn't realized you were this easy to harm. Ah, how times have changed.]

"Shut up! How does she even know that?"

[I don't know. How about asking a piece of the world itself that is currently in her grasp? Perhaps she is way out of our grasp without it. Where did she come from? How old is she? When did obsession with the Old One make one's life any better? Pondering questions, eh, Levandis? You ought to know. Fear.]

"Shut up!"

"My Lady!" Lorry screamed in agitation, speaking after a whole lot of silence. "This is preposterous! "

"And silly." Manager Kil said. "We should get behind our differences. Go forward. Forget this even happened."

[I fear the specifics no longer make that possible, little ones.]

By now, Levandis had enough and jerked both of those in her hands closer to her face. "Listen, you two, you played with me, and played me well. I get it. You wanted to see, and you see. I do now, so this situation is now mine. Got it?"

[I think they knew it weeks ago... But no, no one listens to a silly Mindarch. Not at all!]

Sizing what was happening above, there was only little that was right. "Where they are going?"

Her little pair trembled, praying for their own lives.

[That Priestess went ahead, including what remains of Lost Brothers. Ozeki got what he deserved, on all accounts of failure and success.]

"Where? Don't tell me they are seriously contemplating that... wait a second. It is really about them? That Mother... that pain. They want her, do they?"

[Doubtful. All interest points to the Old One and... well, Vermillion is trying something, clearly.]

Levandis blinked at those screens, then got fed up. "A pair is something I remember, yet not their ranks. They play with him, don't they?" Levandis said, half interested in how Ozeki was managing this fight and half certain these paladins were more exceptional than she thought. Hunting and killing them might be a good idea, yet how far could she do it for?

[Seems to be Violet Evergreens, but no badge is on them. Red and green indicate such fighting freaks, or Dukes in some ways, but we don't have enough words about Vermillion's Divine Kingdom. They do have some colorations that make some certainties.]

"Dukes, eh? What does that Priestess make, then?"

[I better not know, I suppose.]

"You don't, or don't want to?"

[Both. I am.... busy. If you hadn't caught that, something bad happened, and let's not go to the length of your whole temple, Hell, or what is going on above.]

"Hmmm. Ozeki kept up, and Razmund slipped away. Impressive." Levandis ignored his comment and contemplated as the screens completely shifted to make a ghostly face.

[That devil has his bounds, but tell it to a lunatic with a nice Calling. Let's cut to the chase. Stop denying those subjects as well.]

"He keeps at it... Perhaps I misjudged him."

[Levandis?!]

"Show me the end..."

Cursing, the screen shifted again. Above, Ozeki used his Domain to his best capacity and struck with his spear against both Paladins. All around them, the sand churred, cracks spread, and blood moved in weird patterns. Corpses of his former men littered the ground, fueling his Domain and allowing most of this fight to drag on this far.

It was a shame he hadn't dragged all of the Paladins under his terms, but it couldn't be helped. Razmund wasn't worth such delight.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Levandis waved her hand, almost stumbling Manger Kil down as she pushed him and Lorry away. "Endless battle of attrition. He is trying really hard. Very well. Leave that be. What of the others?"

Manger Kil grasped her fingers. "As you must fear, the randomness of this Gate lost its charm because of Vermillion and her deal. That must've happened with both Challengers, albeit in different matters. One was fair. The other propelled under no adviser. At the moment, the worst is closing on that portal, whereas that human has no intention of being a Challenger at all. He had his Hunt long before he came here. The Encounter's purpose is to threaten the bigger status quo. Not ours. Not yours, my Lady. This change is outer. You missed it."

"Interesting," Levandis said. "Someone thinks I am a joke while she is here. They don't know anything, do they?

[Not in the slightest. I think it is deliberate.]

"Good. Now, could that Mother be something out of the picture as well, considering how unexpected it moved and came? What could've forced her? Fate? Lordis?"

[Well,] Mindarch said, finding Kil's reaction cute. [It is highly light, but... it is mainly because of this...]

Mindarch shifted the screen, turning colors to the brightness of the sun and revealing Murai's current predicament inside the most precious section of mines.

Levandis perked her face, squinting and realizing where he was and fearing the obvious meaning.

"Oh, God!" She gasped, hands quivering, and Lorry dropped to the ground. Manager Kil was too busy holding onto her finger. "Ip'ur Mountain... He got down and... what am I watching? What are they doing!?"

[Resonance.]

"Of... what?"

[Brightness and Light and... many things outside of myself. It could be many forces together because something menacing is pushing some boundaries. Frankly, the Ultra Materium is an unexpected link. It moved by itself, as if alive, so the answer is obvious.]

Levandis dropped to the pillows, eying the ceiling. "One surprise after the other. They want to get hold of the Old One, but this is... not it. The Body?!"

[You aren't as stupid as I thought.]

"Does she know?!"

[It could be just an unfortunate incident.]

"Make sure to process all the data! I will want to hear more. Could this involve the secrets of Anatidaes or how the previous Epoch made use of endless changes?"

"Might as well ask him about it." Manager Kil offered.

[Who do you mean by that?] Mindarch asked.

"Amelius or the Old One. Just do it carefully because arising suspicion means nothing or something. I mean, what's the point anymore? Mother realized the truth, and Encounter is like a shadow compared to the lack of Battlewill."

Levandis grunted. "Forget them both! This is a sensitive research. Resonance is a blissful time with very little to lose. The fact that he had it the moment he entered that deep is mesmerizing. Is it the Bloodline? Body? Beast Core? Is the soul involved in this process as well because he is part of the Old Ones?" She blurred many questions in a few moments, hoping to grab some paper and quail, but she had none.

Manger Kil cupped his hands again, crawling to his feet and ignoring the flying skull beside him.

"It is a sensitive process, sure. Hunt is there, luring inside, while the human is coming as well, digging. Since the beginning of this temple, he has been using a Divine Artifact of Fate to find his prey. It went against no rules, frankly, as nothing of that sort is against any rules."

"Fate be damned!" Levandis perked up. "Damned, I tell. With all that is right, I know how the rules could change, which means problems. There are barely any rights in this temple right now, apart from the ways of these Gates."

"Yes. It is fitting to call it the best dungeon there is." Manger Kil fluttered her, bowing more deeply.

"It isn't about them. Remnant and Origin Dungeons are more than meets the eye, if not equal to mine. I mean, I've got you wrapped really fucking good, Mindarch." Levandis scoffed at him. "And this is no Depth, right? Lordis forced this to me, thinking that I am stupid."

[I don't care about any of that. Words carry no meaning to this world.]

"But its beings do carry the voice of truths. Some more, some less. Now that I know more, what's that to you? Had you feared it all along?"

[I don't deny that, nor Ravine.]

"As if you are his equal." Levandis teased him again. "Archie, you are sometimes very insensible. Almost like me. Are you that Bonded, or bored?"

[At least there is some self-awareness. ]

Manager Kil coughed again, shifting her attention back to him. "For that human who stepped in, it is a Hunt from the beginning to the end or one nasty trickery. I heard something; he cares for nothing else, for a promise must've been made.

He was forced to do something because it had no other course. It all falls down to choices, my Lady. The world will burn. How is another question." He provided plenty of details about where they mattered, alongside his comments that Levandis appreciated.

She should've asked about them in that room, but she focused on establishing that Hunt and order in her Gates, without knowing the right thing. So she changed some ideas soon enough, to the point that she was a rather good ruler than a terrible manager.

"No one is at fault for their Fate or choices," Levandis said. "They do what they have to do. Whatever we do and they do, everyone does their best or worse. My Hell isn't some backyard, nor this temple is some garden. It is just one path across many others. Some problems go where they should. This is just what I like. What should be, always."

[You didn't look like that when you woke up, or literary a few minutes ago.]

She hissed at him to shut up and let Manager Kil continue his message.

"That Child is a peculiar problem. I saw him in Gate 2 alongside the... issues you've created for yourself. I gave the due report over that golem already, so I won't repeat myself."

"I know. Go on." She nodded.

"The whole situation revolves around the acts and consequences of many minor plays and a couple of massive storms. Blessed fools and tools that aren't what they seem like are there, yet who blames them? I don't. We know."

[No one would. This world resolves about the power and its principles long before it becomes something new.]

"Like a spider web," Manger Kil said, "it is hard to see where the original threat started, but some grow and everything keeps going. No one could see reason in that besides someone like Ravine, or someone close to everything since the beginning. Making it disappear might solve nothing or everything!"

"So, helping them is what you are saying? Is that a choice?" Levandis asked, furrowing her sharp and thin brows. "What are the details that deny or confirm such a choice? My position could become very difficult depending on what help is. Sky doesn't really like where a Hell Ruler moves, you see. No matter what I know, the moment it goes to the light, everything changes. "

[As if it ever stopped you.] Mindarch chuckled and dissipated all of his screens to appear in his favorite form.

"As with Encounter, it is full of holes and problems that are yet to show its irritations." Manager Kil said. "It is literary in its first step, yet it already makes this mess. It is hard to discern the truths from exaggerated truths, but I am fine to tell it as is."

"Your points?"

"There are two," Manger Kil said as he stood up, feeling bigger than he was. He lifted his palm and stretched two fingers up.

"Centralis Kingdom has been our problem for a long time. They are far too cheeky across everything they do, and their point in this game is almost urgent, if not alluring in their tries for something. It isn't even fitting for them to do be that, yet they always succeed in overcoming all shortcomings. Like paws. Their strategists are reasonable, second for the powerful army, yet that doesn't convince me."

Levandis nodded. "Me neither. They are still stuck at Tier A yet think they are bigger. Silly humans. We can't just twist the world apart where the Surface is more prominent. They might think, be full of enemies around the Surface as conquerors, but few would like my Hell to crash such power outright. So what would? Good that it is a problem, so what about them?"

"They do their diligence towards this Encounter and that man seeking that Child."

"I figured that one out by myself, thank you. So, they are just tools? Ah, give me a break. Tell me something new."

"My second point hides under the former blissfulness. The other Challenger. An Anatidae who Blessed us all, hiding something awfully ancient within."

"I can see where are you going with it, but the course of the Encounter can change at any time. I can force it, but I chose this hunt to be a bit on the weaker side. It is only right. It is my RIGHT!" Levandis commented as if she knew the truth, yet she stopped herself from speaking more because she realized how stupid one point was. "Wait, it doesn't work anymore, right? What does? What could? She... What does she want to do?"

"Indeed, my Lady. Everything is strictly under the weight of Ravine, or... this time, Vermillion. How well it goes is difficult to comprehend, while that Resonance is a matter of outer Realms! Dimensions! It might be not that heavy because she shouldn't meddle with too sensitive things."

[Or she long did.]

Levandis laughed as if she had heard a joke. "Silly. That is so silly. She already touched something far too practical. It is almost messed up. If she knows what is good for her, she wouldn't do something so stupid."

[She could've done something far worse.] Mindarch said. [There is only so far such a blunder goes, but it hit Lordis where it hurt. She might survive this. We can as well because it is a fine chance of misdirection. Think about it!]

"But..." Manager Kil hesitated, feeling he was about to anger his Lady with his next words.

"Tell me, Kil," Levandis insisted with a forceful shift of her head that moved closer. Her eyes were large for him, looking straight at him. And that gaze. Oh, that gaze of a God!

"The Temple has a fair share of following rules that are just excuses to many, stop or halt them, or denounce some matters. For many denizens, they aren't there at all. Chaos ensures that, so large chunk of your willful authority goes unnoticed, frankly. Then, we have the Will of the Battleworld, which is limited, yet known to possess lawful duties. Now, it is nowhere, but it has always done something good for this world regardless of the Divides or godly tributes, or pantheons."

"Truth often stinks," Levandis said. "I don't mind hearing what I lack. If it is a problem is a whole different discussion. For me, it doesn't stink like nothing. Lives live how they could. I shouldn't question how they live. Being a God for them is just a position. A word."

Manager Kil cupped his hands before him again. "That is a fact. Some Hells and powers go far too long before they realize the obvious. You are different. Your benevolence has its perks but also shortcomings. You know the greatness of Endless. You felt that. Knows what many do not.."

"Is it that weird?" she said, frowning.

[It certainly goes far when you are lacking in many things for a long time. Well, what would one expect from someone who lived through some really fucking old problems? I wouldn't go anywhere as far as calling you benevolent. You are just ridiculous.]

"She is a God!" Manager Kil shouted at Mindarch. "She doesn't deny anything. She doesn't have to."

"Yet I am still a rather humane, huh?" Sighing, Levandis calmed down considerably.

"I haven't said that."

[Nor had I.]

Levandis gave up. "I voiced my rules. You work with them, so... Kil, what is it that you suggest? You reek of some hope, while I now know mine, and get it. What I do is mine. What you do is yours."

"Then excuse my bluntness. The situation with this Encounter is far from being solved. It is not up to us, frankly, so sending it away is what I recommend. Getting them out is the best choice to solve the tense situations in many places and thinking of what we can do next is good for you. That is if you don't include the Paradise, or what goes with Centralis. One of those is inevitable, however."

"So... you want me to go against my regulation or go against the flow? They are puny humans... while my rules are firm. Choices is what reputation holds." She said unhappily. "Forcing them out by force? Challengers? I don't want to crush my words apart. What would other think?"

"I... I apologize." Manager Kil knelt again, feeling sorry for his actions. "No one would blame you. With that Mother and world apart, shifts of attention go everywhere."

"Right. All it needs is a good excuse," Lorry shouted, becoming the center of Levandis's attention.

"Excuse?" she asked. "Do I need one?"

"Give a chance for those seeking it. That is an excuse when it troubles all parties. It is like killing a wounded dog. It heeds no sympathy," Lorry said after coming up with a good excuse on his own. "Forcing the Challenger means no end, but the forfeiture of their chance and stay can lead to a new beginning and new chances. Knowing where to give up is brilliant. The end of their stay in this temple, in itself, is the same as playing the role of God!"

Levandis didn't like how it sounded; wasn't she too old for this shit? "Sending them away without decency is an insult to this entire temple and my reign, alongside what I and Lordis decided so long ago. We have a set of rules. We both agreed to that."

[So what? All I hear are excuses of someone who found her ways but is too afraid of something completely inferior.] Mindarch chuckled.

Levandis did as well, figuring that his snarky comments had their use. "Oh, I see where this goes. Lordis is the cheeky one, are you right? No. You aren't!"

[What? Aren't many trying to see in the dark while having their own light? My screens have shown you enough of that already. This current world can make us mad and option good.]

"Even for someone like me?"

[Even you. What is your position, again? What armies do you have? What power do you serve, or what makes you hesitant?]

"You flatter nobody, Archie." Levandis smiled. "Not when Skies aren't divided like Hells, or they are here."

[Yet Hells lives on, keeping their position. Why? How?]

"It can't be stopped."

[Exactly. Can you be stopped, Lady of Thousand Graves?]

Levandis thoughtfully remained silent, figuring that stopping her meant a very tense problem few would want to see. She had no chains, but her position and Divinity could be that, followed by Hell and everything. Her task was slowly breaking, growing weaker when one side literary eclipsed the other.

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There was some truth in what Mindarch and Manager Kil said. Why make things even more complicated, even if they were upsetting and proper for some, or like curses for others? Making their problems disappear faster seemed like the best solution for prolonged problems, but what about those who were yet to come, be they eyesores or blessings in disguise?

Levandis grew expectant, and she didn't know how glad she should be.

"Fine," Levandis said. "There goes my three tasks for each of you. I agree and disagree with both of your points at some... words, but I can see roads to an interesting premise that shouldn't be bad for myself and this temple. It is gonna be amusing, I think."