Previously on Reincarnated With A Glitched System: Why Is My MP Not Running Out?...
Sylphy reveals Armageddon, her new familiar, to everyone in Armageddon's Divine Realm. This causes initial outrage from Aquarina's parents, Shade and Nepheline, who believed they had killed Armageddon. Sylphy intervenes, defending Armageddon and revealing her new strength by holding back her father-in-law. Aquarina steps in to de-escalate the conflict. Afterward, the group explains Armageddon's survival and Sylphy's absorption of her divine soul, which has significantly increased Sylphy's power.
"Mom..." I offered a slight smile. "It's alright. She's under my command, and our objectives align perfectly. Isn't that right?"
"I suppose so," the irritable ant responded. "My goal is the annihilation of the gods, and hers is the same. That's all there is to it. We cooperate, aiding each other's ascent in power. It's all thanks to me that Sylphy has reached her current strength, and her armaments too. Without the materials I've cultivated right here, her sword, Scarlet, could never have attained such might. Her shield, Sapphire, similarly reached this pinnacle because Scarlet generously shared fragments of her own divine essence as the ultimate components."
"That's truly astonishing," my father exclaimed. "I'm filled with excitement too! This signifies that in the future, it might actually become feasible to enact change, to alter the very fabric of this world, to break free from their manipulation, Faylen!"
"I understand. The implications are clear," my mother affirmed with a nod. "I've observed the numerous divine spirits she's nurturing. Are those her offspring? Regardless, each possesses the potential to evolve into deities themselves. Sylphy is indeed meticulously crafting her own divine assembly..."
"Well, I... *ahem*, I'm unsure how to respond," Nepheline admitted, crossing her arms and giving a nod. "But yes, perhaps I owe you an apology, Sylphy. We certainly overreacted."
"...Yes, I am truly sorry," Shade concurred, nodding. "I vow to never repeat such a transgression. It was foolish of me to utter those words."
"It's understandable. Frankly, I anticipated some level of reaction, though nothing quite like this," I stated. "You battled her and harbored animosity, but you must comprehend that she truly atoned for her transgressions. She perished and remained deceased for months until I resurrected her. In essence, she persists in a state of death. This Armageddon is, in fact, a replica of the original entity, fashioned from fragments of my own soul – an extension of my divinity physically manifested."
"*Ugh*, that makes it sound as though it isn't even me...!" she protested.
"Well, technically, it isn't you," my mother clarified. "You are a new entity who inherited the memories of your prior self. Sylphy annihilated you and assimilated your divine soul. After several months, the remnants of the original identity dissolved within her consciousness. Subsequently, she bifurcated her own soul to reconstruct you, reawakening your former memories within a novel sentient being. You may resist this notion, but you are entirely composed of her essence, apart from your physical form."
"...?!" Armageddon gasped, aghast. "W-What are you implying? That I'm merely her clone?!"
"Not precisely, but you are a fragment of her soul that has attained individual consciousness and been imbued with another's memories," my mother elaborated.
*Wow*. Was all of that truly necessary? Now Armageddon was destined for a profound existential crisis.
"I-I... I am not myself?" she murmured, clutching her head. "I..."
"Rally yourself. You are unequivocally yourself," I asserted firmly. "Armageddon Aegis. That is your designated appellation, yet you remain fundamentally you. You have inherited your recollections and your sense of self. Is that not sufficient, irrespective of your origin from another being?"
She gazed at me in profound contemplation for an extended moment, undoubtedly processing a multitude of thoughts. I found myself engaged in parallel introspection. Perhaps the reason I exerted such absolute command over her actions, and could dictate her behavior without impediment, stemmed from the literal fact that she was a shard of my own soul. I possessed the ability to mold her according to my will.
Which was, quite frankly, an astonishing revelation.
"I... I require time to deliberate on this matter," she sighed. "Am I at liberty? May I retire to my chambers now?"
"Of course. Proceed to rest," I acknowledged with a nod. "And my apologies for mischaracterizing you as a pet earlier. You are not a pet. We stand as allies. Comrades."
She departed with a somber expression, uttering no further words.
This was the first instance I had witnessed such uncharacteristic gravity surface within her. It was genuinely startling.
I had always presumed she would respond with anger, perhaps a growl or a hiss, and then resume her previous course as if unaffected.
However, my mother's disclosure must have struck a deep chord within her, compelling a reevaluation of her entire being, the very purpose behind her struggles and earnest efforts.
I felt a twinge of regret... I ought to converse with her later.
"In any event, that encapsulates the entire account," I concluded with a nod. "I trust you will refrain from posing any further outlandish inquiries without provocation. I have divulged all. The complete truth has been laid bare."
My family and companions remained momentarily silenced by the narrative they had absorbed, yet they swiftly regained their composure.
"Well, isn't that simply magnificent?" my father chuckled. "We've grown somewhat accustomed to your audacious endeavors anyway. Hahaha! But still... it's truly remarkable. I was pondering, though, would it be permissible for me to frequent this location, Sylphy? I believe it could significantly accelerate the development of my Divine Spark, alongside my Physique and Magic Circle. The very air here, the pervasive atmosphere, encompasses all my elemental affinities: Fire, Magma, Lava, Volcanic Stones, and even Metal, which harmonizes perfectly with my swordsmanship."
"I had no idea your secondary element was metal, Dad. I thought it was holy light?" I inquired.
"Ah, you are not mistaken," he responded with a smile and a nod. "It is. I am currently developing a combined Divinity Aspect for Heavenly Flames, and my Divinity Spark complements this through the Divine Heavenly Blazing Blade Swordsmanship. I am taking the sword arts passed down from my family and your grandfather and shaping them into something distinctively my own. To further my cultivation of my Sword Art, Metal Elemental Divine Materials are essential, though they are exceptionally scarce, even within the most ancient mountain ranges."
I cast my mind back to the last time I witnessed my father in combat, nearly a year prior, when he confronted Allocer. This supremely powerful True Demon Archduke had been summoned into my dungeon by the Evil God of Dungeons. The resulting invasion had plunged everything into widespread chaos.
During that momentous battle, my father underwent continuous evolution. Utilizing True Unification, he merged his Physique, Magic Circle, and all his accumulated knowledge into a single core. It was there that he developed his own Divinity Aspect and achieved greater mastery over his Divine Heavenly Blazing Blade Arts.
It had been an absolutely incredible fight, and I was afforded the immense honor of fighting alongside him.
As his most devoted admirer, the techniques I observed that day served as a profound inspiration as I began to develop my own unique abilities.
"Of course, Dad! You are welcome to come here any time," I declared. "Here, please give me your hand."
"Oh?" He extended his hand. I then touched it with mine, imbuing his palm with a special rune. "This is a unique Gate Rune. It can only be activated by you, and it will allow you to teleport directly to this dungeon floor whenever you desire."
"Ooohh! This is absolutely amazing!" he exclaimed with laughter. "Hahaha, thank you, my dear princess! With this, I can finally grow even stronger and protect you and our family more effectively." He enveloped me in a warm, comforting embrace.
