Relief!
That's what Maya felt washed over her knowing that she would no longer be confined to Sansara World 2.0. Was it truly how she felt, though? Or was it something her conscious-imitating runic array within her made her feel? She couldn't tell.
One had to say that Sansara Sage had done everything he could to make Maya feel almost all the emotions. They just lacked a certain shade of reality to them. It was clear to her that something was missing in her emotions as if they were restricted and lacked the depth of genuine experiences.
Maya's emotions felt constrained as if they were held back by invisible limits. She could smile, but the joy in her heart couldn't fully manifest as laughter. She could shed tears, yet the depth of her pain and anguish remained elusive. Maya yearned to break free from these limitations and experience the full range of human emotions.
However, to feel such a heightened form of emotional shades, she needed something she never had till this point. She needed a soul.
Maya yearned to cultivate a true soul within herself and transcend her artificial existence. To achieve this, Eren proposed that she travel and explore the world in all its vastness, embracing every facet it had to offer. With no other viable option, Maya wholeheartedly embraced the idea.
Sitting at a garden table, sipping tea, Eren and Maya engaged in extensive discussions to plan her departure. Eren provided her with a list of recommended places to visit, both within and outside the borders of Edinburgh. With her Grandmaster-level powers, Maya possessed the strength to overcome any potential dangers, enabling her to explore even the most restricted areas. Eren's suggestions included cities, settlements, and regions that held unique wonders and mysteries.
***
Even the partial decryption of Sansara Sage's space-element runes provided Eren with confidence he needed to explore Anfang.
Over the past nine years, Eren had ventured beyond the confines of Edinburgh, embarking on an extraordinary journey. He had explored the Asikha Empire and the neighboring Amazonian settlements, experiencing a warm reception. In secrecy, he uncovered the hidden elven civilization within the kingdom of Layos, witnessing its advanced glory.
But Eren's explorations didn't end there.
The butcher ventured into other parts of Anfang that he had never imagined setting foot in. From the sovereign city-states beyond the Amazonian settlements, stretching towards the borders of the Asikha Empire, to the vast deserts ruled by formidable tribes in the south, and the snow-covered regions governed by democratic powers in the north, Eren left no stone unturned.
With the aid of the remarkable artifact known as Echidna's Authority, Eren even braved the Badlands, traversing the boundary lines between various powers and engaging with leaders of monster tribes.
The Inheritor of Elder Ichor's bloodline powers became invaluable tools during his explorations, allowing him to seamlessly assume new identities and bypass borders without detection. His wealth served as a key that opened doors, enabling him to acquire the resources and knowledge he sought without concern for cost.
Throughout his travels, the butcher dedicated himself to honing his skills and pursuing various projects. Each destination enriched him as a Ranker, compensating for the gaps in his knowledge and experience. He eagerly sought out Ranking Techniques of diverse elemental affinities, Classes, backgrounds, types, and weapon compatibility, acquiring them from every major location he visited. This broadened his repertoire and granted him the versatility he desired.
The vast distances between these places provided Eren with a glimpse into the unique Ranking Journeys undertaken by native Rankers. He encountered unfamiliar Ranking Classes, witnessing the distinctive paths these individuals followed to advance in their ranks.
Utilizing Lin Lehan's space-element runes, Eren managed to cut down his travel time and make effective use of these 9 years. He immersed himself in the intricacies of these regions, simultaneously studying the Sansara Sage's enigmatic runes and testing their various modifications in real-world scenarios.
One of the most rewarding outcomes of Eren's travels was the completion of his Rootless Ranking Technique for his current rank, along with significant progress in developing the technique compatible with the Master rank. This achievement liberated him from relying solely on his bloodline powers to make progress in his Ranking Status. It allowed him to focus on diligently practicing and refining the Rootless Ranking Technique to enhance its effectiveness as he traveled.
Eren's extensive travels also greatly contributed to his prowess as an artifact crafter. Through observation and interaction with diverse weaponsmiths, he assimilated a wealth of techniques and approaches.
By the end of the 8th year since the initiation of the Lazarus Project, Grimdawn had acquired profound insights into the techniques employed by foreign Rankers to enhance their artifacts. Through his extensive travels and interactions with skilled weaponsmiths, he absorbed a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Additionally, the invaluable guidance and knowledge of Hex artifacts provided by Ariella Lowin of House Lowin propelled Eren to become an exceptional weaponsmith within his generation. This was how he became capable of being seen as a worthy apprentice by Baelin.
***
With his extensive experience gained from his long and challenging travels, Eren provided Maya with invaluable guidance and bestowed upon her various exclusive knowledge, items, and resources to aid her in her forthcoming journey.
Maya attentively absorbed Eren's words, posing numerous questions as they engaged in hours-long conversations. Despite her formidable power, Maya possessed limited knowledge of the world's affairs due to her isolated upbringing and artificial consciousness, which had been shaped by the database created by Sansara Sage. Recognizing this, Eren focused on imparting knowledge, tips, and insights that couldn't be found within Maya's database.
As the discussion drew to a close, nine hours had elapsed, yet the ever-changing hues of the sky within the isolated dimension created the illusion of weeks passing by.
"I believe I have provided you with everything you need for your journey, Lady Maya," Eren remarked, taking a deep breath. His fingers danced lightly across the surface of the tea table as he fixed his gaze on the artificial being seated before him.
Then, he voiced a question he had long planned to ask.
"Now that we have covered that, I would appreciate it if you could shed light on the true purpose behind Sansara Sage's creation of this isolated dimension and JJ Edgar's fervent desire to possess it," Eren inquired, casting a glance around him.
Fragments of insight regarding Sansara Sage's underlying motives had started to form within Eren's mind, but he required Maya's confirmation to solidify his assumptions.
