EX 5 | Aponia

Three months had passed since Aleph’s return. It did not cause a huge fuss to the world. Mei kept the illusion of Aleph appearing every now and then. As a result, the efforts to curb the honkai only became stronger.

Ever since Fire MOTH can no longer do information blockades and revealed its existence to the entire world, the entire Earth knew about the honkai. The first few months were the most chaotic.

Once the MANTISes’ strength was revealed, it became a stabilizing beacon. Some people are scared of what they could do while the others formed different fanbases. It is a mix of reactions.

Things only calmed down once their feats of defeating honkai beasts and even Herrschers became public. In the face of public enemies, MANTISes became humanity’s heroes.

Add to that Fire MOTH’s deliberate efforts to silence dissenters, things turned out to be the exact opposite of Previous Era’s original fate. As long as MANTISes remain on their victory streak, nothing bad will happen.

Since Aleph arrived a month ago, it became a completely trivial matter. A simple knock on the Cocoon’s door was all it needed to take it under his control. All that’s left is to use the honkai to let humanity collectively adapt against the cosmos’ wonders.

As for deaths, it’s very simple.

Aleph established a reincarnation cycle through the Spirit World. The people of Earth can be reincarnated after death. His acquaintances will receive special treatment, however.

The affairs of managing Earth, calming down the Aeon Wars that are about to happen, and handling different girls consecutively became Aleph’s normal routine.

“Mas… Sir Aleph.”

“How are things going?”

Aponia was previously given an exclusive hospital to take care of patients with honkai corruption. Unsurprisingly, a huge part of that population are children.

Once they are healed, they are sent to an orphanage near the hospital.

“The children adapted to their stigma. There are no longer any signs of adverse effects.”

As the controller of the Cocoon, Aleph copied what the parallel Mobius did in the parallel Earth. He gave everyone stigma. The quality depends on their willpower to withstand things. Those with stronger wills are given stronger stigmas, and as such, stronger powers.

This ‘upgrade’ has an even bigger effect on the MANTISes.

“I am responsible for watching them over.”

“Is it hard?”

“No. Not at all.”

The two talked for a while. It mainly consisted of Aponia’s daily life. 

“Sir Aleph. What is this for?”

“...”

Aleph did not reply quickly. He looked at the ninth Red String tied to his right pinky finger. It appeared three months ago, right when he met with Aponia to complete the Spirit King authority.

It wasn’t just Aponia. Elysia’s matter has been put on hold, too. She tacitly avoided Aleph. He could have caught her in a snap but chose not to. He gave Elysia enough time to process things.

As for Aponia…

She did not care until now.

“Are you familiar with eastern culture?”

“No.”

“...It is a string that ties two individuals. It connects their fates together.”

“Connected fates…”

Ever since their first meeting, Aleph asked Aponia to stop calling him ‘Master’. She viewed him as this world’s savior. Her repeated failures to save anyone dragged her to the bottom. 

It was not until Aleph, a person whose line cannot be seen, appeared did things turn for the better.

In the end, Aponia turned out to be right.

“Is it destiny?” She asked while looking down. “Or is it the result of breaking destiny?”

“...I prefer the second one. Destiny… does it matter in the face of infinite possibilities?”

 Aponia looked at him.

Aleph’s given role to her, Hod (Divine Majesty), granted her eyes the ability to see all things. It manifested in the form of threads, the one she is used to for the past two decades.

The most gratifying thing about it was the ‘infinite’ number of threads available per person. Some threads are thicker than the rest, representing the likelihood of it happening. 

The threads’ ends all go up above, towards the Ein Sof inside the Spirit World.

In such a world, only Aleph has no threads.

Just like back then.

“Master.”

Her gentle voice got swept away by the wind. Aleph heard it clearly, still. He no longer avoided her gaze.

Unlike before, her eyes are no longer filled with just reverence. There is also gratitude… and trust.

‘Blind trust. It is very gratifying to receive it.’

Aponia did not hesitate to place all her trust on him. It pushed Aleph to do his best to change the Previous Era’s future… to which he did.

It was not wrong to say that this very blind trust, which came from Aponia out of everyone, made a huge mark on him.

“You can drop the Master.”

“...No.”

Despite his dealings with several women—seven of them—Aleph was somewhat flustered with Aponia’s approach.

“I willingly gave my life to you back then… even now.” She softly said. “I am willing to do so for all eternity.”

Aleph saw the words she will say next:

‘Won’t you give me a chance?’

He never gave her the chance to say it.

Aleph proved himself with words. He leaned his head downward. Their height difference is not big.

Soon, their lips met.

Aleph’s left hand was tightly grasped by Aponia’s two hands. Surprisingly, she reacted calmly to it.

The kiss lasted shortly. Aleph gave Aponia a “helpless” look.

“You mustn't worry. I thought it over. Your relationship with Director Mei, Doctor Mobius…” She calmly recited all seven names at once. “We can… keep this a secret.”

“No. I will let them know.”

“Mn?”

He immediately changed when it came to the legitimacy of their relationship.

“I will love you all fairly. Nobody gets left out. As for the consequences… let me handle it.”

“...”

A strange sensation swept over her mind. Aponia willingly placed herself lower, going as far as to confess to him first. 

What she did not know was that Aleph saw her previous attitude.

Offering herself as a form of ‘payment’ does not bid him well. It is better if it is done out of trust… something Aponia managed to come to after three months.

His left hand ruffled a portion of her veil. Aleph’s head pat does not discriminate.

Her heart skipped a beat.

What she saw was not the messiah she imposed upon Aleph; it is the brightest light in her life.

Her body acted without restraint. She stood on her toes as she gave him another kiss on the lips.

‘...I forget Aponia is only in her twenties.’

Seeing her half-teasing and half-expectant gaze, Aleph’s talking skills went into play.