Shallot, the newly named artifact spirit, was happy.
She felt a surge of joy knowing that the prophesied one had been hiding in this seemingly insignificant world, honing his skills and avoiding immediate danger from his enemies.
She also took joy in the fact that Eren had no bond with any other Elder Seed Artifact, making her the first of her kind that he had discovered. She knew that her destiny was to vanish from the world of Anfang, as the immortal magic bound to her was unable to find a worthy successor after Shallot's passing. So, she was overjoyed that Eren had claimed her before that eventuality. Meeting him was a momentous occasion she wouldn't have wanted to miss.
Yet, amidst her happiness, the encounter with Eren also brought forth a realization for the artifact spirit. The man who had created her and the other Elder Seed Artifacts had indeed perished, unable to return in his former form. Seeing Eren, practically speaking a blood relative of her creator, carried a bittersweet touch to her elation. It reaffirmed the truth that her creator had lost his immortality and met his end.
The artifact spirit, now Shallot, tried her best to recall her original name as Eren inquired about it. She knew deep within that she had once been given a name at the time of her creation, but the veil of time had shrouded those memories. Or perhaps the ancient enchantments and immortal magic placed on her had intentionally obscured certain aspects of her past.
Despite this, Shallot felt a strange sense of comfort in adopting the name of her previous owner, Shallot Lancelot. It was a name that resonated with power and purpose.
"Eren, should I destroy the restrictions placed on me so that you can carry me?" Shallot asked as she looked at Eren with anticipation.
As Eren contemplated whether Shallot should release the restrictions placed upon her, she couldn't help but feel a surge of eagerness. Having found her true inheritor, she yearned to assist him in every possible way.
However, Eren's response was cautious.
"Please don't do that," Eren said quickly. "At least not right now. I have many preparations to be made before I ask something like that from you."
Perplexed, Shallot questioned Eren's reservations. She knew his response would lead to an in-depth conversation between them. With a wave of her hand, Shallot demonstrated her powers, freezing the entire lake's surface to create a mirror-like ground. Eren quickly jumped out of the freezing water, but as he touched the solid surface, he realized that the lake was more than just water; it was an accumulation of Spiritual Force from countless beings.
Shallot confirmed Eren's realization, explaining that the lake represented the essence of all those who had come in contact with the Elder Seed Artifact throughout history. It contained the energy of previous owners, their adversaries, and even beings who had unknowingly crossed paths with the artifact. This revelation left Eren in awe, understanding the incredible significance of Shallot's Mirror.
The vast reserves of Spiritual Force within the lake stretched endlessly in all directions, a testament to the artifact's potential. Eren's mind raced with possibilities, but he also realized the grave repercussions that came with harnessing such power. 'I… I am not ready to make use of such a foreign Spiritual Force to do my bidding,' Eren thought to himself and smiled mirthlessly.
The possession of Elder Seed Artifact had opened new possibilities for him. However, they were so grand and majestic that he couldn't make use of them right away. He needed something of his own level to conclude the Lazarus Project his own way.
"I need to be cautious, Shallot," Eren spoke with a mix of excitement and prudence. "There's this thing I'm working on right now…"
As Eren and Shallot joined hands, an extraordinary connection was forged. Memories flowed freely between them, allowing Shallot to gain a profound understanding of Eren's character, ambitions, and the significance of the Lazarus Project. She realized the importance of remaining sealed within the runic bindings imposed by House Lancelot, ensuring that the project proceeded as planned.
Curious to know more about Shallot's powers, Eren eagerly questioned her. Although she tried to answer as much as she could, Shallot's memories seemed to be veiled, held back by the immortal magic that brought her to life. Nevertheless, she shared valuable insights with Eren.
After a day spent in Shallot's realm, Eren knew he couldn't linger any longer. He returned to Baelin's smithy, where he had to present his progress in using Shallot's Mirror to create spiritual artifacts. Wanting to ensure the success of the Lazarus Project, Eren had to balance his time between impressing Baelin and deepening his bond with Shallot.
Eren decided to utilize the expertise he gained over the past nine years to craft a set of spiritual artifacts that would leave Baelin impressed. Thanks to his control and mastery over Shallot's Mirror, crafting spiritual artifacts became extremely easy for him. Of course, the spiritual amplification of his newly created weapons was also something that could awe anyone. However, he intentionally introduced some imperfections to avoid raising too many expectations and attracting unwanted attention.
As predicted, Baelin was thoroughly impressed with Eren's performance and considered him a rare artifact virtuoso. This led to an increase in Eren's workload, both from crafting spiritual weapons and fulfilling Amazonian assignments on the side.
Eren spent the next two months tirelessly toiling in Baelin's smithy, diligently completing all his assigned tasks. The weight of responsibility and the impending Lazarus Project drove him to push his limits without any recreational breaks.
By the time Eren emerged from the smithy, less than nine months remained until the official launch of the Lazarus Project. He had honed his skills with Shallot's guidance, impressing Baelin with his mastery of spiritual artifact creation. However, the core part of the Lazarus Project had just begun, and Eren knew he had to be well-prepared to face the challenges ahead.
