Stan's POV
"So, this is the Boiling Isles?"
Honestly, this place is incredible, but since I got here, I feel like something's calling me.
Besides this weird attraction, I also sense energy particles in the air. I could compare them to radiation, because they carry a form of energy unknown to my database.
I can feel that these radiations are harmless to life forms, but they'll inevitably cause various mutations.
It's really fascinating. I can already theorize about the origin of witches' hearts or magical organs.
Unfortunately, I don't have time to study the fauna and witches.
I rose into the air, heading towards the source of all this magical energy or radiation.
Normally, I have no idea about the glyph combinations needed to fly, but my current brains can deduce different effects based on previous results.
There's always a margin of error, but it's small. I admit I'm quite confident in reproducing the spell that sealed the Collector, but I'd need some time to study it.
That'll be handy against Bill.
"Who are you?" Two men in white plague doctor outfits greeted me.
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"Hello, I'm here to meet your emperor." I could force my way through, but I'm not an enemy, at least not for now.
I'm looking for a partnership, and the current rulers of the Boiling Isles are the coven heads, led by the emperor.
I'd like to study witch magic to try and recreate it with titan magic and, worst case, I'll have to add a fourth heart. It's the simplest solution, but I'd prefer to avoid tinkering with my new body if possible.
I also want to study the Titan's heart inside this castle. I don't know why, but I feel a connection with it since I arrived.
Anyway, I only came here to see if I could peacefully get access to more knowledge for future needs. If not, I can proceed with tests to check the limits of my body.
I'm sure this place will be ideal to let loose without having to worry much about the consequences.
"The emperor only receives by appointment," the guard stated bluntly.
"I see... I really tried the peaceful method. Sigh." I immediately activated the petrification glyphs before becoming invisible in front of them.
I admit that if I had had invisibility power in my past life, I would've been a real jerk, but that's not the case anymore.
I have so much more to discover and explore. So, using invisibility obtained through a simple manipulation of light through a glyph isn't as tempting anymore.
I also prefer to win a woman over by myself and not thanks to my powers if possible, but the opposite wouldn't be so bad.
"Where did he go?"
"Go report this to Lady Lilith..."
They didn't have time to say more before I had already petrified them. It's really a handy ability that Luz didn't really exploit.
"I'll unpetrify you later," I muttered as I walked away. I don't really have much time ahead of me. I left my nephews at home with my employees and two AIs.
If I had more time, I would've followed the normal procedure for an appointment. I literally have a life expectancy that runs into millennia in this body.
I continued my way through the castle, petrifying every member of the emperor's coven I crossed on the way.
"This place must be the basement," I muttered, heading towards the notes of the experiments conducted here.
I'm not a fan of brutal biological manipulation of sentient life forms, but it would be a waste to destroy this. The blood of these creatures would be shed in vain, right?
There were plenty of cages containing various creatures in the darkness. They all displayed desperate and sad faces.
I don't really intend to meddle in Belos's affairs by coming here, but my ethical side seems to be starting to push me to intervene.
As I was about to leave quickly after analyzing Belos's magical research, and to avoid going against my logic because of my morals, I recognized a familiar creature in a cage.
"Hey, number 5," I said, leaving my invisibility and showing myself in front of a cage.
"Huh..." At my appearance, it curled up at the back of the cage.
I let out a little sigh of fatigue, massaging my temple facing the situation. This creature has clearly suffered several traumas.
"I'm going to help you, I don't intend to harm you," I said, approaching. I also want to study this strange ability to devour magic.
If I manage to adapt it to any form of energy, I'll be a mini-Galactus or another version of Shaw from X-Men.
I could even absorb souls and get various interesting abilities.
"Really? You're not with the others?"
I melted the bars of the cage with a glyph before entering completely. I leaned slightly towards the little creature.
"Nah, I'm not with them, so don't be afraid," I said, extending my hand. Number 5 suddenly started absorbing my magic.
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I smiled slightly, amused by this sudden attack. I simply sealed my artificial heart, which regulates the Titan's blood, and let my body function with my nuclear reactor heart and my artificial biological heart.
Number 5 seemed bewildered that her food source had suddenly become inaccessible.
I took advantage of this moment of inattention to take her in my arms, despite her small protests.
"Calm down, I'm not your enemy and it's really not nice to try to suck a stranger dry." She tried several escape attempts but in vain.
....
"What's going to happen to me..." I'm currently walking towards Belos with Number 5 in my arms. She seems slightly exhausted after struggling for about ten minutes.
I glanced at her out of curiosity. Surprisingly, she displays a pitiful expression resigned to her fate.
"Nothing, I just wanted to take you with me, you seemed too sad." This kind of bullshit wouldn't work on a child in 2024, but Number 5 is naive despite her intelligence.
She seemed surprised by my words before slowly wrapping around my waist and hugging me tighter.
I could compare this to a desperate person at sea, clinging to a small makeshift raft.
I had also planned to free the rest of the creatures in the basement after my conversation with Belos.
"You took your time, intruder." A surprisingly friendly voice came from a throne located under the thing that had been trying to contact me since my arrival in this dimension.
Yes, the Titan's heart is the source of this feeling of attraction and constant calling.
I could also see Belos, accompanied by the Golden Guard and Lilith at his side, but no trace of the coven heads. I guess they're not so easy to move, or they managed to hide from my senses.
I wasn't really surprised to see all these worlds here. I literally petrified all the guards on my way, and I remember that Belos had been able to sense that Luz was stealing an artifact from him.
"Hi, Philip." My words instantly changed the atmosphere in the room.
"Please all of you withdraw for a moment." Belos raised his hand towards Lilith, who tried to protest against this order.
I could read dissatisfaction on her face as she left the room with Hunter.
"Who are you?" Belos's calm voice echoed again, but it no longer had the relaxed or friendly tone from the beginning.
"I'm like you, a human." As I speak, I feel the call from the heart becoming stronger.
Apart from the Titan's heart, I can also sense a small figure watching me from the shadows.
"I had already guessed that from your appearance, I was asking for your identity." He tightened his grip on his scepter.
It seems that the peaceful way will be difficult, if not impossible, given his behavior and the disdainful look he gives Number 5.
"I'm Stan Pines, a human from Earth who travels through the infinity of realities," I said honestly after creating a wooden chair with a plant glyph.
Number 5 seemed surprised by my words and Belos. She must surely be shocked to learn that the emperor is a human.
"May I know why a human has come to meet me?" Although Belos's tone was relaxed again, the atmosphere remained uncomfortable.
"I came here initially just to take a walk, but that thing above you interests me, as does our friend hidden in the dark." I immediately used an ice glyph to block the grotesque creature summoned by Belos after the end of my words.
I hadn't moved from my position since I was holding Number 5 in my arms. I used my glyph with my feet.
A bit like when Jiraiya summoned his toads against Pain.
Belos didn't seem disturbed by the failure of his attack. I could sense that Number 5 was nervous, alternating her gaze between me and Belos.
"Although you're a compatriot, you came to my home uninvited, you stole my property and you covet others?" At the mention of "his property", his gaze fell on Number 5.
"I'm not finished, Philip. I also want you to be able to work for me." My words surprised Number 5 and Belos.
"It would be sad for a man like you to remain stuck in this dimension. I'm ready to forget your little racism problems and even help you get your real brother back one day and not a copy like a golden guard."
When I mentioned his brother, I could sense that Belos was slightly disturbed.
I do indeed have the confidence and capabilities to save his brother. Of course, without attracting time baby's attention by disturbing time.
"Your brother is a small price to pay for a man like you, and the Boiling Isles and your friend in the shadow then..." I stood up after putting Number 5 on the ground and headed towards Belos.
I had the confidence to protect Number 5 if Belos attacks her.
"Join me, Philip Wittebane!" I said, extending my hand to him.
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