Everywhere he looked, Eren witnessed the Amazonians diligently engaged in their respective tasks, each person contributing to the community's well-being.
Unlike guild-based organizations, the settlement's administration took on the responsibility of assigning missions and tasks to its members, ensuring an efficient distribution of labor and resources.
'Damn. No wonder Marla is so well-endowed. She is blessed by her roots.'
Eren thought to himself as he looked at curvaceous female Amazonians all around him. He wouldn't have minded staying in the Amazonian settlements for a week or two if he wasn't so pressed for time.
As they continued their journey, Eren couldn't help but acknowledge the never-seen-before vividness of the Amazonian society. The fusion of nature, culture, and practicality was evident in every aspect of the settlement.
The vibrant surroundings, the harmony between the people and their environment, and the strong sense of unity among the Amazonians left an indelible impression on one's mind. It was a captivating world that he was privileged to explore, filled with wonders and a unique way of life he was eager to understand and embrace.
As Eren ventured deeper into the first Amazonian settlement alongside Almera and Marla, he couldn't help but feel a palpable energy enveloping the air. It was a distinct mana, one that resonated with a foreign origin, seeping into every corner of the settlement. Eren recognized it as Nature Mana, a potent force harnessed by the Amazonians in their practice of intent-based magic.
The environment, saturated with this nurturing Nature Mana, seemed to foster and support the growth of the Amazonians in their ranking journeys. Eren observed that the Amazonians progressed at an astonishing rate compared to regular rankers, evidenced by the abundance of Adept and Expert ranked level individuals within the settlement.
This was a phenomenon rarely seen in the land of Anfang, where high-ranking entities tended to keep their distance from the normal populace, except for a few select locations like the capital city Edin. The Amazonian rankers clearly had some edge over the regular rankers of Anfang when it came to nurturing the high-ranking entities.
The realization struck Eren that the Amazonians enjoyed a higher concentration of powerful beings among their ranks. It was apparent that their proximity to the Great Mother and the abundant Nature Mana facilitated their expedited journey toward high ranks.
However, as Eren delved deeper into his observations, he noticed something peculiar. Despite their varying elemental affinities and Aspects, the Individualities of the Amazonian rankers seemed remarkably similar for the most part, almost as if their ranking paths converged towards a shared destination.
Puzzled by this discovery, Eren relied on his soul sense to track the mana signatures of the Amazonian rankers around him. It was then that Alephee, staying inside her Pendent Abode, reached out to him, explaining his confusion. In his mind, Alephee clarified the situation.
'Of course, their mana signatures would be similar, Eren,' Alephee's voice echoed in Eren's thoughts. 'The Amazonians worship the Great Mother, and in return, she guides them in the path of intent-based magic, shaping their ranking journeys irrespective of whether they have received her blessing or not. This allows the Amazonians to progress rapidly, but it comes at a cost. Their Individualities become compromised.'
Eren's surprise was evident as he absorbed Alephee's words. 'So, you mean these Amazonian rankers will never fully blossom in terms of their Individualities?' he questioned, seeking further understanding.
Alephee's response was swift and unwavering. 'Indeed. You shouldn't be surprised by this, Eren. This is the trade-off of being a follower of gods or demons.
While investing faith in these beings grants numerous perks, it also hinders the development of one's individuality. Once immersed in these matters, the damage to their individualities becomes irreparable.'
Eren contemplated the consequences of such devotion, realizing the weight carried by the Amazonians in their pursuit of power. It was a complex balance between reaping the benefits of divine blessings and sacrificing the full potential of their unique selves. The Amazonians had chosen their path, aware of the sacrifices involved, as their faith in the Great Mother propelled them forward on their ranking journeys.
At first, as Eren walked alongside Marla and Almera, he couldn't shake off the initial interest that had sparked within him—the desire to receive the Great Mother's blessing and acquire a corresponding runic tattoo. His mind swirled with plans as he contemplated approaching the Matriarchs he was scheduled to meet, offering them enticing deals in exchange for arranging the granting of the Great Mother's blessings. After all, divine magic, like demon magic, held an allure for him. The prospect of an instant power boost was too tempting to resist.
There was another aspect of Eren's curiosity that drove him—the desire to compare his Sin Series Marks with the divine mark known as Mother's Embrace. He yearned to witness firsthand how the powers of Mother's Embrace would fare against his own Sin Series abilities.
However, Eren soon abandoned the idea when Alephee revealed that embracing the divine marks would inevitably hinder his Individuality. The allure of the divine Abilities, much like their demonic counterparts, came at a price. They kept the rankers under the influence of the divine beings they worshiped, affecting their individualities in the process.
Eren possessed the unique Elder Ichor bloodline, rendering him nearly immune to the side effects of his demonic abilities. He assumed the same immunity would not apply to a divine power like Mother's Embrace. Additionally, the butcher couldn't dismiss the possibility of incompatibility between the demonic and divine abilities when they are wielded by the same person. These considerations led Eren to ultimately abandon the idea of receiving Mother's Embrace.
By this point, Marla and Almera had reunited with numerous friends and acquaintances as they made their way towards the towering statue of the Great Mother. Eren followed quietly behind, offering smiles and greetings when necessary, effortlessly engaging with Marla and Almera's friends.
Grimdawn couldn't resist the charm of the alluring Amazonian women, and with his natural confidence and unbridled spirit, he effortlessly flirted with them. His words and radiant smile drew them in, and Eren basked in the attention, receiving playful glances and waves from the female Amazonians he interacted with.
