Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

Clang. Clang. Clang.

The rhythmic resonance of a weaponsmith's hammer echoed through the air as it expertly tempered a demonic saber upon a sturdy anvil.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Sparks erupted from the intense collision, accompanied by the dazzling manifestation of Elemental Attainments from various elements. The demonic saber absorbed these energies, concurrently cultivating both mana and intent-based magic.

Within a self-made weaponsmithy, Eren diligently worked on tempering his demonic saber. Since completing the Lazarus Project, he had immersed himself in diverse projects, utilizing his time in Anfang to its fullest.

Leaving Anfang immediately wasn't an option due to the prolonged instability in the spatial fabric. Recently, as the situation normalized, Eren found himself able to address pending tasks before bidding farewell to Anfang.

Even if the Gate could transport him to the Immortal Planes right after the Lazarus Project's conclusion, essential matters were demanding his attention. Eren, having invested effort in preserving his creations within Anfang, aimed to ensure their longevity even after his departure.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

The demonic saber resonated sharply as Eren increased the force of each strike, activating the runes adorning the weapon. He then poured a peculiar potion over the curved blade.

Screeeeee.

The saber seemed to cry out in rage as it underwent tempering, giving off an impression that it despised being handled by Eren. A deep-seated hatred towards its owner emanated from the weapon. Strangely, this very rage and animosity seemed to empower it.

'Stop what you're doing and come out. "She" woke up.'

Alephee's sudden announcement caused Eren to freeze amid his actions. A subtle smile graced his lips. He touched the hilt of the demonic saber, deactivating the runes. Wrapping the blade with Elemental Attainments of water, he absorbed its scorching heat.

The weapon lost its form, transforming into a slime-like mass that seamlessly rejoined Eren's body. With a snap of his fingers, Eren vanished, leaving his weaponsmithy devoid of any presence.

For the past nine months, Reen had been in a state of recovery, her consciousness residing within Shallot's Mirror. It marked a unique use of an Elder Seed Artifact to heal another of its kind.

Eren prioritized ensuring Reen's well-being before making any significant moves. Hence, he didn't try to leave Anfang right away. Instead, he used this time to strengthen his foundations in every field that was part of his Ranking Path.

"Erni!"

Reen excitedly greeted Eren as he appeared in her room. She sat up, eager, with a room full of welcoming faces including Alephee, Nina, Agatha, Levine, Jiana, and other Rankers.

"You sure took your time to get up," Eren said with a smile, sitting beside Reen. "How are you feeling?" he asked, checking on her condition.

"I... I feel different," Reen expressed, hugging Eren. "As you should be," Eren responded, caressing her back. "You are an Elder Seed Artifact now. Technically speaking, your existence is on a higher pedestal than the one who made you, you know," he added, sighing.

Reen smiled at Eren's words. She really felt special after waking up. She could tell the change within herself as soon as she saw Alephee's face. It was as if the world around her had suddenly turned brighter and more beautiful than before.

She could tell that the world was the same as before. It was her perception of the world that had been changed since she had stopped being a mortal existence. She didn't feel alive. There were no heartbeats that could make her feel the same as before. However, for some reason, she found it easier to accept the changes that had happened to her.

"Eren, I did my best to heal Reen's consciousness. Spiritually, she is fully recovered now," Shallot, the artifact spirit of the Shallot's Mirror, appeared near Eren and spoke. She looked cute in her childlike form and princess-style dress.

"Thanks a lot, Shallot," Eren separated himself from Reen's bear hug and thanked Shallot. He ruffled her hair before letting her get inside the wristband he was wearing.

Eren had made Shallot take care of Reen's well-being for the last nine months. As an Elder Seed Artifact that harnessed the Spiritual Force, she had all the qualifications to take care of Reen. If it wasn't for the Shallot's Mirror, Reen might have taken a little more than a century to wake up.

Eren found it ironic that the positions had been reversed this time after the Lazarus Project concluded. He clearly remembered that it was him who had gone into a long slumber because of things happening to him in the Purgatory. At that time, it was Reen who had been beside him. They had to separate after Eren had woken up.

One could say that the Lazarus Project had really started from the moment Eren woke up from his slumber on an old Anfang. And it had ended for good after Reen opened her eyes to Ravendale on a new Anfang.

"Do you feel as hungry as you used to feel before?"

Eren asked Reen as he studied her features with his gaze. The latter pondered a bit before answering.

"Um… I kinda feel hungry. But it's quite different from what I used to feel. I don't think I'm hungry for food anymore. Not really."

Reen answered Eren's questions as she looked around. She then saw the Rankers who had come to meet her.

Reen only knew some of the Rankers through Eren's memories of them. She had not met them personally. However, that did not stop her from greeting them with a smile on her face. She really felt as if she had left her dark times behind.

Eren introduced Reen to all those who were present at the place.

Nina and Agatha were especially active in asking Reen a lot of questions about her. Reen felt as if she had won a battle against a terminal disease with the way people were looking at her. However, she didn't mind and answered the questions and queries thrown at her to the best of her abilities and knowledge.

The discussion went on for quite a while as Reen talked with people other than Eren. This was her first time doing so and she enjoyed speaking out loud.

Eren proceeded to take Reen out, to make her see the city he had built using his blood and sweat, over the skeletons of his enemies.