Chapter 239 Digital Duel
Envy was startled, abruptly halting her drawing of the magic circle out of fear of making an error in her chaotic state of mind. She turned towards Daniel, who stood behind her.
His countenance wore a cold expression, yet a hint of panic mixed with relief at the safety of his daughter. His gaze, when fixed on Envy, was complicated. Daniel's feelings towards Envy were equally intricate. He recognized her as a capable mother, excelling in cooking, housework, and various skills that women from ancient times were known for.
However, there was a shadow of doubt in his mind about where her true loyalty lay. It was as if she had opened up to him and others, but something remained hidden in the depths of her being, a secret closely guarded and concealed from prying eyes.
Daniel understood that everyone had their secrets, a thing or two they preferred to keep to themselves, but a sense of unease gnawed at him. Perhaps it was merely his own paranoia and trust issues that led him to think this way.
"Give me a path, I'll help her out," Daniel declared before he began to slowly manifest Hecatonchires, a dormant force within him. Unknown energy started to take form, weaving into an energy construct that enveloped Daniel's being, where his heart would be.
The fiery red giant energy construct materialized in all its grandeur, standing at a towering height of 30 meters, floating in the air and gazing down upon the colossal bonsai, all in the presence of the base's inhabitants.
Envy was not just startled; her knowledge of ancient lore and long-lost magic that couldn't be reproduced in the modern day left her utterly astounded. What she had just witnessed from Daniel was the manifestation of the Avatar of the Titan, an entity dating back to a time before the era of God Hecatonchires.
This revelation raised two crucial possibilities: either Daniel had the blood of the Titans in his veins from birth, or he had somehow succeeded in devouring the souls of the Titans. The latter option seemed impossible, as the Titans were believed to have gone extinct long before the age of the gods.
"Wait! Daniel, what are you attempting to do?" Envy urgently inquired.
"I'll pull out this thing and help my daughter," Daniel replied, extending his hand, no it should be said Hecatonchires Avatar hands towards the colossal bonsai's roots and trunk. However, his actions were swiftly halted by Envy.
"Wait! Wait! This colossal bonsai miraculously grew through Sylvana's power! A colossal tree of this magnitude has the potential to become a guardian tree, capable of producing natural mana for your base. It possesses a range of powers that could benefit you. Its abilities lie dormant for now, but if you keep and care for it, when its powers awaken, it could even help protect your base!" Envy explained rapidly.
This colossal bonsai tree was a miraculous creation, nurtured by Sylvana while her magical power lay dormant. As Sylvana's magical abilities awakened, the tree absorbed the primal mana generated during this awakening, growing to its current size. Currently, it was a newborn colossal tree, but it had the potential to develop consciousness and the ability to communicate with others independently.
"Then, how do you plan to help Sylvana?" Daniel inquired, keen to ensure that Envy's plan was reliable, especially when it concerned the safety of his daughter.
"By talking with it first, wait a moment," Envy explained and then continued to draw the magic circle.
A few minutes passed, and by now, the emergency services of the base, including medics, firefighters, and security personnel, had arrived at the scene. However, they refrained from entering the area until Daniel granted them permission. Envy's intense focus on drawing the magic circle was evident, and the responders had to wait, with VTOL-cars hovering around and ground teams on standby, ready to evacuate people in case of an emergency.
Daniel patiently waited for a few more minutes while Envy completed her magic circle drawing and began the ritual to communicate with the tree's consciousness. Even though the consciousness of this newborn colossal bonsai was still dormant, it was far more developed than that of a tree lacking the ability to communicate with others.
As Envy's consciousness delved into the tree and initiated the conversation, Daniel remained on edge, ready for any unexpected developments.
Several more minutes passed, and Daniel detected movement from the tree. At the base of its roots, where his ruined home had once stood, an opening appeared, revealing a comfortable living space. Sylvana emerged from that space, her eyes filled with tears as she gazed at her father, filled with fear of being scolded.
"See? Negotiation is the best option, isn't it? You didn't lose this miraculous tree that will undoubtedly strengthen your base in the future, and little Sylvana is safe and sound," Envy said to Daniel.
"You're right," Daniel agreed, wanting to approach his daughter. However, he hesitated when he noticed that Sylvana seemed apprehensive and reluctant to come near him. Believing that her fear might be due to his Hecatonchires avatar, he promptly dispelled it and descended to the ground to meet her. But before he could say anything to comfort his daughter, little Sylvana spoke fearfully.
"Papa… I'm sorry, your house…" Sylvana spoke with guilt, her eyes fixed on their ruined home.
"It's okay, honey. You're not at fault. You couldn't have known this would happen. It's the first time your magic power has shown itself, and you're still learning how to control it. The most important thing is that no one is hurt; that's what matters the most," Daniel reassured his daughter. He walked over to her, knelt down to her eye level, and enveloped her in a comforting hug, trying to ease her distress.
"But the house... and your work," Sylvana's voice quivered as she expressed her concerns, still fearful of her father's potential disappointment.
"It's alright, sweetheart. We can build a new house, and as for my work, don't worry. I've saved all the data on the server. Nothing's lost," he continued to reassure her, his soothing words aimed at comforting his little girl.
For the next few minutes, Daniel continued to console Sylvana until she calmed down, or at least enough to engage in conversation. However, her typically outgoing and playful personality, along with her mischievous smile, had yet to return.
Envy and Michaela joined Daniel in comforting Sylvana, and together, they guided her to a nearby restaurant. There, they intended to treat her to some delicious food while the base's services and engineers began the task of assessing and repairing the structural damage caused by the colossal tree's growth.
— Meanwhile - Germany - Heidelberg —
In the lavish lobby of the 5-star hotel in Heidelberg, Vlad reclined in a plush armchair, his poised demeanor creating a striking contrast with the modern surroundings. His presence exuded the refinement of a man in his mid-40s, yet beneath the veneer of age, an undeniable vitality shone through, defying the passage of time.
Vlad's attire was a testament to sartorial perfection. Draped in a blood-crimson luxury suit, meticulously tailored to radiate opulence, he stood out amidst the lobby's contemporary décor. Under the jacket, he sported a black shirt and impeccably fitted trousers of the highest quality, further enhancing his aura of sophistication. A bold choice of a blood-red tie completed the ensemble, hinting at his concealed identity beneath his composed exterior.
As he awaited instructions from his master's strategist, Odysseus, Vlad's presence did not go unnoticed. Numerous passing ladies couldn't resist stealing curious glances his way. His air of enduring affluence and perpetual youth, coupled with his elegant appearance, captured their fascination. In their eyes, he was an enigmatic figure, a harbinger of yet-to-be-unveiled adventures amidst the mundane.
Despite the appearance of boredom, Vlad found solace in the digital realm while he waited. Immersed in the world of social media, he engaged in spirited debates through his smartphone, his growing frustration evident in the furrow of his brow. The virtual realm provided a momentary escape from the tedium of waiting, even though it seemed to exacerbate his mood with each passing minute.
Daddy_Bat: German food is the best! Nothing beats a good bratwurst and beer.
Achilles_IS_An_A-Hole: I'm with you, Daddy_Bat. German food is top-notch.
Handsome_BusinessGenius: Agreed, German sausages are fantastic.
Wolfy_Biker: Daddy_Bat, you seriously think German food is better than British food?
Daddy_Bat: Absolutely! German food is way superior. But hey, to each their own.
Wolfy_Biker: I dunno, I've had some pretty questionable German dishes. And British food has some classics. Only some classless people who love d*ck would love German sausage.
Achilles_IS_An_A-Hole: What the f*ck is wrong with you, Wolfy_Biker?
Daddy_Bat: Wolfy, you're getting on my nerves, aren't you?
Handsome_BusinessGenius: Let's keep it civil, folks. We're civilized people here.
Wolfy_Biker: Oh, Daddy_Bat, don't tell me you can't handle a little debate. If you love German food so much, why don't you come find me and say it to my face?
Daddy_Bat: Haha, Wolfy, you're just looking for attention. But fine, where are you? I'll be there.
CardGame_Is_Man_Romance: Let's mind our manners. Wolfy_Biker, one more time, and I'll have to remove you from the chat.
Wolfy_Biker: Why are you only targeting me!? Achilles_IS_An_A-Hole also used the F-word.
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