Previously on Reincarnated With A Glitched System: Why Is My MP Not Running Out?...
After waking up and realizing Master Felicia was missing, Sylphy found her in Armageddon's divine realm, tormenting the ant queen with a board game. Felicia had stayed behind to analyze Armageddon's body and the realm, much to Armageddon's distress. Sylphy comforted Armageddon, who cried like a child, before Felicia departed. Armageddon eventually calmed down and enjoyed a feast prepared by Sylphy, with her young children arriving to join them.
"Oho?" I looked at Armageddon. "Is that so? Really? Really? Wow! She sure is a good mother!"
"Eugh! E-Enough! What are you even trying to accomplish with this?!" Armageddon hissed at me. "Festerliel, sit down already."
"Ok~!" Festerliel ran toward her seat.
For a moment, an awkward silence hung between us as we stared at each other.
"I thought you were ruthless and that bonds were unnecessary?"
"W-What?! I never... well..." she groaned. "I am simply adapting! If even the gods build bonds with stupid little mortals to expand their power, then I am trying the same. I feel nothing, of course! This is all coldly calculated for my long-term benefit! With just a thought, I can easily slaughter them all if I want!"
"Hahaha, suuuure," I said. "That’s why you let her snuggle with you at night?"
"S-Shut up!" she cried angrily.
I suspected it was due to our bond. As master and familiar, a portion of my memories and emotions flowed into her, and vice versa.
Perhaps that was also the reason why I had become more mature and decisive lately. Familiars and masters influenced each other, after all.
Contact with an intelligent being would eventually make the other smarter, but the opposite could also occur if one was foolish.
It was a bond of souls, after all.
Still, there was more to it. As my mother had stated, this Armageddon was not the original. She was a recreation formed from my own soul.
My soul had consumed hers, digested it, absorbed her powers, and sealed her memories.
Then, I had simply excised that soul fragment carrying her memories and divinity and placed it back into her original body.
That was how she had been "reborn."
As something akin to my own soul fragment, she would naturally develop more human-like emotions over time as her memories blended with her new soul.
It was fascinating how hard she tried to deny her growing caring nature, perhaps even kindness.
Huh. I could now understand why my master had enjoyed analyzing her so much. She truly was a very interesting being.
"Anyway, heh! The food’s done! Boys, girls, get ready!"
Her children cheered loudly as I hurried to serve them. Divine Spirit servants, distinct from her own children who had been born from her eggs and possessed both spirit energy and flesh and blood, assisted me in bringing out the dishes.
The seafood was something they had never tasted before. They were immediately captivated, devouring the new flavors with eager surprise and celebrating as they clicked their mandibles cutely.
"Hmm! This is so good, Mother!"
"Incredible food!"
"Wow, amazing, amazing!"
"Incredible, I can’t get enough!"
"Mommy, this is the best!"
"Thank you dearly, Auntie."
"Hmm! Good! So good! Bwahahaha!"
"Stop laughing so much, you idiot! You’re spitting everywhere!"
"Give me that, it’s mine!"
Wow, it certainly was a lively family. Every ant possessed their own distinct personality, and they constantly clashed with one another.
I could see why Armageddon always seemed so stressed. She was raising them all by herself.
Yet this also proved they were not the same as before. They had been raised well and lacked the wicked personalities of the past.
Despite what she claimed, she was raising them with genuine kindness.
After half an hour, everyone had nearly finished eating.
Armageddon had consumed a significant amount as well. She ate in silence but very quickly, clearly savoring every bite.
"Hmph... it was... a fine meal," she said with a sigh.
"Is that so? Well, I’m glad," I replied, patting her hand. "Are you feeling better now?"
"Ugh, I am not a child for you to worry about!" she snapped angrily.
"I am not treating you like a child. You were crying a lot earlier, so I was worried," I said.
"..."
She fell silent and stared at the floor for a moment.
I surmised she wasn't going to say anything further, and that was acceptable.
I was simply happy if she was alright.
Despite everything, she was my dear familiar, and I wished for her to smile.
"Thank... you..."
"Huh?"
I looked back at her, disbelief evident in my wide eyes.
"W-What?"
"What?!"
"What did you say?"
"Ugh..."
"You said thank you?!"
I was stunned, my mouth agape in disbelief.
No way had she actually uttered thanks, right?
No way!
Or... had she?
"I did..." she sighed, meeting my gaze with meaningful eyes. "Thank you for protecting me and standing up for me... ugh... that crazy woman...! I hate her! Don’t let her enter my realm ever again, okay?!"
"Fine, I’ll try," I nodded. "Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better. I was really scared..."
"Scared?" she asked.
"To think you would face such hardship once more... after all you have endured throughout your lengthy existence... I truly wished to prevent that from recurring," I conveyed, offering her a gentle smile.
"A-Ah..." Her eyes expanded, and her exoskeleton deepened to a shade redder than before, with wisps of steam escaping her form. "U-ugh... You insufferable human...! Y-you are such a bothersome human!"
"What?! What have I done?" I inquired, feeling bewildered. "Say, are you alright? I don't fully grasp the intricacies of your species, but..."
Abruptly, her limbs encircled me, drawing me into a tight embrace.
Then, she planted kisses upon my face, her lengthy tongue exploring my skin.
"Foolish master! Utterly foolish! Swear to me that you shall never forsake me...! Unlike the others, vow that you will not abandon me... Promise me this!" she demanded with palpable anger.
"A-Armageddon..." Her declaration stirred profound emotion within me. She was finally revealing her inner feelings, and she had even bestowed a kiss upon me.
"I promise," I affirmed with a nod, returning her embrace. "Munch." A gentle kiss was placed between her two sizable, gem-like eyes. "You are utterly charming when you allow your heart to be seen!"
"Euugh..." Her mandibles clicked together in obvious embarrassment. "You are mine now, do you understand?! Absolutely mine and no one else's!" she proclaimed, holding me with an intense, zealous grip.
"A-Are you endeavoring to claim me as your possession?!" I exclaimed in surprise. "Listen, I already have Aquarina... And... well, you are my familiar... In reality, the roles are reversed. You belong to me."
"A-Ahh... Is that how it is?" She appeared even more flustered. "I see... Um... Ahem! W-well then..."
Swiftly, she moved her large mandibles close and kissed the top of my head once more.
"Then... if you make that promise to me... I shall belong to you."
"Whoa, isn't this progressing rather rapidly, my dear?"
Without warning, she flung me aside. I collided forcefully with the wall.
"Ouch! Hey, you are terribly cruel!"
Rising to my feet, I observed her. She met my gaze with a peculiar blend of fury, mortification, and, perhaps, a touch of affection.
"Stupid master! So stupid! Just leave me be already!"
"Aw, but affection from you is such a rare treasure! Grant your master another little smooch!" I requested, moving towards her once more.
"L-Leave me in peace, I implore youuuuu!" she wailed. "Ugh, you are as peculiar as your master!"
