"Haah... It's done."
Lensa exhaled breathlessly. Swiftly, the volumetric flask shrank to palm size, transforming into a translucent potion vial suffused with light-element mana. Its contents, an enigmatic purple brew, seemed to simmer perpetually.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Applause broke out, accompanied by Eren's appreciative smile. Drawing close, he enveloped Lensa in his embrace, his hand caressing her hair as she nestled against his chest.
"Do… Do you want me to summon the Spectral Beast?" Lensa inquired between breaths.
With a chuckle, Eren responded, "Keke, no need. With this, you're fully prepared, my darling."
Lensa found solace in Eren's agreement to allow her another attempt at Minerva's tests. While she remained uncertain about her own capabilities, she placed strong faith in Eren's discerning judgment. His words infused her with newfound assurance.
"Eren," Lensa murmured gently, her head resting upon his chest.
"The way you're doing changes within your city, and the presence you carry around those close to you... Are you planning to go somewhere?
Another period of introspection and secluded training, perhaps to deepen your Ranking Path? But you have just broken into the Master Rank. Why would you…"
Eren hesitated briefly before replying.
"Well, in a way, I'm indeed planning to go somewhere very far, Lenny. The future is still kinda a blur to me, but one thing is clear – I won't wait for opportunities to come to me.
The space I have here has served its purpose. Let's just say I'll gather all the valuable tools and toys I can and venture out in search of a "bigger playground.""
Lensa sensed Eren was planning something big, though the details eluded her. She understood he wouldn't readily share them either. It appeared this had been a long-considered plan, and she refrained from burdening him with probing questions.
"Hmm. I... I want to accompany you to that 'bigger playground,' wherever it may be. Take me with you," Lensa implored, her arms encircling Eren, absorbing his comforting presence. Eren chuckled before responding.
"Fear not. This place will forever remain a home I can return to, Lenny.
I'll just go ahead and have a look, securing a foothold. And then I'll pave the way for others to follow.
And if your eagerness cannot be contained, there's a possibility within Minerva's Utopia that might lead you to that 'bigger playground.' Sage Minerva will explain everything.
That is, if you can truly become her rightful heir," Eren assured, his hand tenderly tracing circles on Lensa's back.
Lifting her head, Lensa met Eren's gaze, and an unspoken understanding flowed between them. Moving closer, their connection deepened, and their lips met in a tender kiss. The secluded potion lab transformed into a realm exclusively for the couple to share this intimate moment.
***
Around four months remain until the conclusion of the Lazarus Project.
The pace of events on the battlefield between the kingdoms of Edinburgh and Layos was intensifying. The Ace and Adept Rankers were no longer adequate cannon fodder, as the deployment of Master and Grandmaster-ranked entities was becoming increasingly common.
Eren didn't wait for Carvel's aggression. Instead, he initiated a preemptive strike on House Horin, located within the kingdom of Layos. With Slyphie's assistance, he tapped into cultist organizations and rogue Rankers, leveraging them against House Horin without the need to personally enter Layos.
Carvel Horin, a Master Ranker elf, had overtly threatened Eren following the death of Birmond on the battlefield. Armed with a wyvern named Akass from the kingdom of Layos, Carvel sought vengeance for his nephew Hamang's death at Eren's hands.
Unbeknownst to him, Eren had already marked the entire Horin clan due to Carvel's hostile words. Instead of spewing venom verbally, the butcher preferred to take decisive actions.
House Horin experienced significant losses, and their control over ranking resources within Layos suffered due to various surprise attacks sponsored by Eren. Carvel's intentions to avenge Hamang were sidelined as he grappled with the aftermath of Eren's devastating strike against his clan.
Though Eren had carefully concealed his involvement, anyone familiar with the dynamics between the two kingdoms would likely deduce his hand in the attacks against House Horin. He had harnessed the fringe elements within Layos to cause another internal upheaval.
Eren's focus on consequences appeared to have waned as the war between the kingdoms approached its end. It seemed that he just didn't care if he would be persecuted by the Anfang Alliance after the war.
Carvel now deeply regretted provoking Eren. The latter came across as a vengeful demon to him, uninterested in mere threats but inclined to deliver ruthless blows that left enemies devastated.
Carvel came to a conclusion regarding Eren. This was a form of enemy one shouldn't mess with unless they had a way to completely get rid of them with one swift move.
Of course, Carvel had attempted similar tactics against Eren, exploiting his wealth and connections. However, curiously, cultist organizations and rogue Rankers within the kingdom of Edinburgh didn't accept offers to harm Eren's forces no matter how tempting Carvel made them out to be.
The Grimdawn's reputation seemed to deter any attempts to target him or his forces in Edinburgh. His previous actions had become a shield against the enemy's potential aggression.
As a long-standing powerhouse in Layos, House Horin's recent tribulations had a ripple effect on the kingdom's military strength along the border dispute. The kingdom of Edinburgh benefitted from this turmoil– scoring more victories on the battlefield as the two sides kept settling border disputes across various regions.
To safeguard itself from potential targeting by Layos' fringe elements, House Horin found itself resorting to drastic measures. The house relinquished its resource-abundant territories and shut down all of its businesses. Additionally, they relocated most of their members to remote areas.
These actions tarnished House Horin's reputation, paving the way for rival houses within Layos, which had long standing grievances with House Horin, to capitalize on their vulnerability and seize what was once rightfully under House Horin's domain.
The butcher didn't need to intervene directly once House Horin's adversaries began their maneuvers. It could be argued that his prior actions had set off a chain reaction, compelling these adversaries to act against House Horin.
AN: Carvel Horin threatens Eren in chapter 1435.
