"Please be careful in your actions, don't do anything foolish."
Artoria and the Ancient One chatted. Their relationship was very peculiar; though not relatives, there was a feeling akin to family. The gentler she was with Artoria, the more the Ancient One recalled the visions she saw under the Tree of Life. While conflicted, she also exhorted Artoria, hoping this child wouldn't do anything foolish for power. The Ancient One's admonitions were a bit nagging, but Artoria wasn't annoyed; instead, she happily accepted them. Being cared for by an elder like this truly warmed her heart.
"I understand, Master."
Artoria couldn't know the Ancient One's thoughts, but she was very happy with the Ancient One's concern. They chatted pleasantly, but their parting came quickly. Not only did the Ancient One have things to do, but Artoria also had some matters to attend to, such as finding the Aether Particle, the Reality Stone. Artoria regretfully glanced at the eye of agamotto hanging around the Ancient One's neck, which contained the Time Stone. If she could get that one Stone, and then the Reality Stone, then with a snap of her fingers, half the life in the Universe would disappear. This was simply too... this was too crazy.
"May the world treat you kindly, my child."
Before Artoria left, the Ancient One hugged her and murmured a blessing in her ear. Artoria smiled and nodded. The Space Stone opened a spatial door, and Artoria stepped through. Watching the spatial door gradually disappear, the Ancient One sighed deeply. This child, was she really that petty? The mystic ring was given away, and she had plenty of such items. Why hide it and not let me see it!
"This thing is mine now."
Artoria, who returned to her room in an instant, smiled like a cat who had stolen fish. Since she had already paraded around in front of Master Ancient One, and she hadn't taken back the mystic ring, then this item was hers, Artoria's. Although she now had the Space Stone for long-distance spatial movement, that thing was too conspicuous. Using the mystic ring would provide an extra means of attack and defense. In special situations, such as if the Infinity Stones were stolen, this could still help her move.
"What's making you so happy?"
As Artoria was excited, a voice suddenly came from beside her, startling Artoria's heart to slow down for a few seconds. Following the direction of the voice, she saw Gaea, holding a pure white, jade-like giant egg, sitting on the sofa and smiling at her. When did this great one return? She's truly elusive, but it's best not to play such tricks with people who have heart conditions, or it could really kill them. Artoria was very glad she didn't have heart disease, otherwise, she would surely have been scared to Death by this great one.
"You're back? Why didn't you play a bit longer?"
Artoria, who had been thoroughly startled, no longer treated the great one with the initial respect. Artoria spoke to Gaea with annoyance, wondering when her place had become somewhere these great ones could come and go as they pleased, leaving without even saying goodbye. This woman was truly infuriating.
"Are you angry?"
Gaea didn't mind Artoria's attitude, finding it amusing. She scooted closer to Artoria and poked Artoria's cheek with her finger, saying, this was the first time she had encountered someone getting angry. How could it be so cute? In the past, when she was with other gods, one or two would suddenly get angry for some unknown reason and start fighting, slowly dragging other gods into it. But she never expected Artoria's angry reaction to be so entertaining. It was the first time she had seen a creature get angry without fighting, which was a novel experience.
"No."
Artoria tilted her head to avoid the finger on her face, shamelessly lying and directly denying Gaea's words. She would never admit the fact that she was angry from being startled just now. Sitting on the soft sofa, she picked up a bottle of 'Fatty's Happy Water' and quietly watched Gaea, practically having the word 'angry' written on her face.
"I'll apologize, okay? Look what this is? Guess."
With an unexpectedly good temper, Gaea apologized to Artoria. After all, it was her fault for leaving without a word. She had simply placed the dragon egg in the magma to collect enough heat, using her special ability to lock the thermal energy of the magma inside the egg. This way, there should be enough energy for the child to be born. Gaea held the dragon egg in her arms and spoke happily to Artoria, a mischievous glint in her eyes that she couldn't suppress. Artoria still didn't know that she now had a powerful 'cub,' and that this cub was right in front of her.
"Isn't it just an egg? It's just a bit on the large side."
She thought Gaea was going to say something profound, but it turned out to be just this egg. She had seen this huge egg long ago, and there was nothing special about it, though it did feel somewhat familiar. It wasn't a big deal; could a giant dragon really pop out of it? Or would a Mordred pop out? Don't be ridiculous. The era of King Arthur ended long ago in this world. Forget Mordred, even Lancelot is long gone. Uh... though the Royal Sister still exists, that's only because she has a powerful bloodline and magical talent that allowed her to live until now. Other ordinary people shouldn't overthink it.
"You'll find out in the future."
Looking at the indifferent Artoria, Gaea simply gave a mysterious smile. She didn't intend to point at the giant egg and say, 'This is your child, you must raise and teach it well.' She wasn't some ordinary mother. After all, she was a god; being able to 'give birth' to a child with Artoria's bloodline was already quite good. It would be a huge mistake to treat her like a normal mother. She didn't need Artoria to raise or teach this child. In the future, this child would definitely appear before Artoria in some form. That was a certainty. She really wanted to see what Artoria's expression would be like at that time.
"I won't nag you about this anymore. Next time you go out, please say something. Don't just disappear and reappear so suddenly; you scared me half to death."
Although Artoria was surprised by what Gaea was saying so mysteriously, after thinking it over, she decided not to pry. She placed a hand over her chest; though she couldn't touch her conscience, she could still feel that her little heart had been trembling from the fright just now.
"I understand. You should get some rest early! I need to have a good rest as well."
Gaea had been exhausted these past two days. She spread her arms and gave a charming stretch. After saying a few words to Artoria while holding the giant egg, Gaea returned to her room to rest. This made Artoria roll her eyes. The sun was shining brightly outside, yet she was going to sleep. You're the big shot, you're amazing. Perhaps the schedules of gods and humans are different! Haven't people said that if a god wants to sleep, sleeping for thousands of years is no big deal?
"I'll go check on the company!"
Feeling that sleeping today would be quite a waste, Artoria drove her sports car away from home. After arriving at the company, an even weirder situation left her a bit confused. What was wrong with these women? Why did they all run here together today? What exactly were they planning to do? Were they trying to start a rebellion?
"Artoria, are you free these next few days? Everyone has been quite busy lately, and the holidays are coming up. How about we all go on a trip together? What do you think?"
Acting as the representative, Hope walked up to Artoria and spoke. Her words made Artoria breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't a rebellion, but rather a request for a vacation! This small matter was within her tolerance, but it seemed like they wanted her to come along too. What should she do? She didn't really want to go out, but looking at the bloodshot eyes and dark circles of the women (from staying up late on the island in the project), it wasn't like she had made them work overtime! Seeing the haggard looks of these women, Artoria couldn't bear it. Fine, she'd go along! She'd treat it as a way to relax.
"Alright, let's go together!"
Under the nervous gazes of the women, Artoria agreed to the request for a group trip.
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