ShipTeaser

  “All right, let me give it a try.” Shiro said, lying down fortably. “You know, this feels a little strange. I’ve never been in a guy’s room before. It’s unusual for me to be worried about something like that, not at all like me. Oh well, this princess will have to get used to it, I suppose.”

  “This is not-not a male’s room.” Shaeu disagreed. “It is our room, for where Akio is, do we not-not belong?” With that said, she reparing to depart for our Territory first, lyio me on the rge bed. “I shall go ahead and gather our forces. I shall see you soon-soon.”

  With that her breathing stopped and her body y still, ay shell. Shiro raised an eyebrow at that. “That’s seriously creepy you know. So, go ahead, you be ho Aki, have you pyed with her while she’s not at home?” her grin turned mog. “Of course not.” I promised. “I am the perfect gentleman, you should know that.”

  “That just means herbivore.” she snorted. Eri was ughing at the banter. Hyath had also gone ahead, her body joining Shaeu’s in being still and immobile. “Well, I guess you don’t o, do you? Not when she’ll freely let you if you ask.”

  “Hey, a lot of the time, she es onto me. She may not look it, but Shaeu has quite the appetite.” I turned my attention to Eri. “Eri too.”

  “Akio! Don’t embarrass me in front of Shiro!” she protested, red-faced.

  “Well, isn’t it true?” I pressed, and she nodded shyly, a barest movement of her head.

  “Yes, but even so, embarrassing things are embarrassing.”

  “You know, this feels very fortable. Aimi would fit right into this versation.” Shiro smirked. “When we are healed, Eri, I’ll introduce you to them. You’ll hear a lot of iing stories about Aki here, I’m sure. Just watch out for Yasu, he’ll hit on you for sure. Just punch him. If he dies, he dies.”

  “Harsh.” Eri giggled. “But I admit to being curious about all the parts of Akio’s life I don’t know, which I missed out on by being too young. If only I was a bit older I could have joined him in Tokyo.”

  “No poiting what could never be. Now, fun though this is, the experiment?”

  “Oh stop being such a svedriver, Aki. sidering how many harem edies you used to enjoy, you should know having yirls get on well with each other is the most important quality-of-life issue you o be attending to. Hell, isn’t your favourite Sekirei a troublemaker who doesn’t py well with others?” At Eri’s bnk expression, she went on to expin.

  “So that’s the sort of girl Akio likes, huh?” Eri mused, and I felt the o defend myself.

  “Tsundere isn’t anywhere near as cute in real life as it is in fi. Well, unless it’s the way Shaeu sometimes still does it. But violent tsundere’s are a definite no-go. Now we please tinue?” I asked.

  “Stop being a whiner, Aki.” Shiro grinned. “Now, here goes.” She shut her remaining eye and tried to ehe Boundary, despite me willing the Territory to refuse her entry. For a few silent minutes Eri and I watched, before Shiro’s eye snapped open, beads of sweat on her skin. “Yeah, just as Tan thought. I ’t get in. The Barrier is to. I might be able to force my way through given enough time, but this close to the tre, if I do I’ll be utterly exhausted. Damn, putting a prio hard bour like me, Aki, if my legion of ad subjects knew about this, they’d have you executed for Lèse-majesté.”

  “I’m pretty certain that’s not what that is.” I disagreed, and she pouted.

  “e on Aki, you won’t be popur with girls if you don’t learn to let the details slide.”

  “I think that ship has sailed.” Eri chuckled happily. “So, I always thought it was strahe way these things worked. I must admit, I’m relieved.”

  “Me too.” I agreed. “Otherwise proteg an Anchor would be impossible, as assassins and saboteurs could just dive into the Boundary from a nearby hotel or some simir pd easily strike before defences respond.”

  “If I may…” Shiro’s eye turned ruby red, a sign Tan was taking charge. “Such things still happen, and do, even in the highest Astral, though the major Territories of the Pantheons are of course too well defended for such. But minor satellite Territories are ofteroyed that way, it is easier than ht war.” She sighed. “Battle is costly in resources and manpower. It is best avoided where possible.” She licked her lips, well, Shiro’s, in a seductive manner. “The rewards for destroying Anchored Territories are quite rich, as you no doubt know.”

  “I see. So how do we defend against that?” I asked. It’s important to know, as my pn revolves around a stroory overpping the Material for the assorted bes.

  “Your barrier, to me it is but pretty paper, something I tear through easily, were I not bound to this mortal vessel.” Tan sighed. “But I fess, it is not terrible for how little time it has taken. Generally, stroerritories manipute their barriers, tring them around important points and leaving areas that be risked with lesser prote. This makes it far more difficult to siege a prepared Territory. Yes, you cause some damage to outlying areas, but the core remains stubborn and solid.”

  “I see. I remember…” There was a Barrier Anchor Spire amongst the choices. I decided not to go for that one, as I could only build three for now. Maybe when we reach Rank 4 I’ll sider adding it… “Well then.” I cpped my hands. “I guess this was worthwhile. Shiro, I wele you to my Territory. Try now.”

  “All right.” Shiro’s eye darkened once more, then after a few moments it slid shut, her ample chest rising and falling with her steady, soft breaths.

  “I guess she’s in.” I pointed out.

  “I guess so. Ugh, those scars are bsphemy. I’m a girl, and I have no i in that sort of thing, despite the rumours that used to go around about me and Aiko… even so, she must have been beyoiful. I mean, she still is…” Eri flushed, ashamed. “Scars and injuries don’t make people ugly, right?” her own insecurities were shining through. “… but I see why you were hopelessly smitten with her. She’s kind of funny too.”

  “I wouldn’t say I was smitten…” I protested. “Well, anyway, we might as well go in, and to answer your question…” I rolled over, kissing Eri softly. “… you’re still beautiful to me. Shiro too. Now e on, we o catch up.”

  “All right then.” She whispered, and I slid shut my eyes, quickly awakening in my Territory, beside a wide-eyed Shiro, who was admiring the Earth Altar, the Rhyming Trees that were t above the hill, and more.

  “This is wild, Aki. My Territory isn’t bad, but this is way better.” She puffed out her cheeks. “As a princess, I find it annoying my Territory is inferior.”

  “Well, it makes sense, does it not-not?” Shaeu chuckled, appearing with her brother trailing along behind her, as well as Ixitt, Bjarki, Asha the dryad and more. “After all, this is my Territory as well. And I am a prioo-too.”

  “I guess.” Shiro admitted, thrown for a loop by the crowd, as weaselkin, ratkin, trolls and more appeared. “Quite the eclectic group here. Looks like you are running this more as an RTS than an RPG. You know… this is what I wanted my game to be.” She looked down, lost in thought, only to jump in surprise as I pced an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into my embrace. “What?”

  “You said you wanted a world that’ll be kind to you. Well, if you still want to make yame, I won’t stop you. I’ll pay for as many helpers, programmers and artists as you need. But… look around. This is the start of that world. Everybody here will resped support you. And you’ll support me. Together we’ll make the world you wanted, I wanted. We wanted.”

  Shiro went silent for a moment, before surprising me by leaning over and kissing me, just a brush of our lips, but it was enough. “You’re just an Aki.” She pined. “No saying things that makes my heart race.” She the out a long sigh. “I get it. My game was just escapism. Because I had nothing else. But now, this is real life, and I ’t hesitate any longer. All right, Aki. I’ll help you.” She looked around, taking in all the details, only to pause, amused. “Eri, rog the cat girl look I see. What’s up with that?”

  Eri looked bashful, reag up with her good arm to feel her cat ears. “Oh, they’ve e back. I think it’s because my Astral body is more iwined with Ginneka, right?” she said. “I move by myself here, even if it’s difficult.” She wobbled beside me on shaking legs, her bck-furred cat tail shing.

  “I must say, I am rather displeased by this-this.” Shaeraggo grimaced, swaggering in, ign the look his sister gave him. “Another female? When you already have my adorable, darling sister? It beggars belief…”

  “I do not-not want to hear that from someone who sorted with many-many lowly females of ill-repute and made Selensha and your other wife sad, brother.” Shaeu admonished him, causing him to shift restlessly. Hyath appeared with the two weaselkin maids and started handing out juice made from the fruits of the dryad orchard, as well as honeyed mead and wine.

  “Thanks?” Shiro muttered, before taking a sip. “Hey, this is damn good. A drink fit for a princess!”

  “But of course.” Shaeu grinned, likewise partaking of the smooth alcohol. “After all, are we not-not princesses iruest-truest meaning? After all, we are Akio’s brides.” She took another long sip. “The bees from that hive have been produg well, I see. A wise acquisition indeed-indeed.” Her grin turned sinister. “I must surely take-take a few bottles with me when I return to the Spring. It might sweeten otiations.”

  “Great, anyway, I have an update oerritory? Shaeraggo, how goes matters?”

  “Everything is proceeding well.” He gave up trying to protest, merely scowling at me, his deep green eyes showing his irritation. “We have extehe Territory as you wished, bringing in the spirit tree grove and those Yokai who resemble cats.” He g Eri for a moment. “Since you have those-those Hunting Cats you took from your enemies…” Ginneka reacted at that within my bond, but this time I sent no ill-will towards her, only a soothing thought, tinuing to allow my aether to trickle towards her trapped spirit-light.

  “… iion has been smooth. We have also cimed much other nd within your sphere-sphere of influe shall not be long until all withien kilometres of here is cimed. Some other scattered beings did join too, though there were other flicts that ended with violence. Of course-course we triumphed though.” He puffed out his chest proudly, as if seeking praise from his sister, and with a sigh, she gave it.

  “Good-good work, brother. I am ined tet some of your many transgressions in light-light of this.” She smirked. “Now, tell me of the Spring. Do matters progress as pnned?”

  She certainly knows how to handle her brother. Hey, I wonder if she’s been learning from Aiko, as she pushes me around easily enough. Eri must have been thinking something simir, as she was smiling, her ears and tail twitg.

  “Of course there are few problems. Our father, Primal Forest, that elf, the annoying fairy, even that bastard Duke Formor, all seem quite-quite ied in the prote of the recimed Spring. Seeing giants and trolls bour to install Warding Stones is a strange sight. Your… alterations… around the Spring itself are progressioo. Many dwarves and other Fae who enjoy stru have been w hard.”

  “Excellent. When that is done, we see about setting up-up Fae Stones around the perimeter of this Territory.” Shaeu decred. “For now though, I have much-much to do. Brother, may I ask a favour of you?”

  At that he stood up straighter, and nodded pridefully. “Of course.”

  In my arms Shiro snickered, having worked out Shaeraggo already.

  “I need a Faerie Ring Gate pair and rather-rather urgently at that. you set up a meeting with Primal Forest for me?”

  Shaeraggo expressed doubt at the need and the cost, but Shaeu was resolute, and in the end, he departed, taking the Ring Gate back to the nearly rebuilt mansion he had gifted his sister, and then onto the Seelie Court proper.

  “That said, I be needin’ tae give ya my report.” Master Bjarki was . “T’mihat we build, they be all dug out.” His small, bearded face lit up. “Already, there be good metal in’ from them. Silver, gold and jewels for t’dies here as well.” He my fiancées, a little curiosity on his face at the newer, Shiro. “I hope ye nay be mad, but we took it upon us tae start the Foundry. If’n ye wants tae improve produ, it be a must.”

  I see. Well, I have pns of what to build, but this isn’t a bad idea either. I opened up the Territory build queues, and expio Eri and Shiro the current status.

  The first queue held a Build Queue Anchor Spire to Rank 2, and there was just under seven days remaining.

  The sed held the Ether Spire to Rank 4, with still a whopping two hundred and sixteen days left, though when it was do would gee a very nice amount of ether and adherence.

  The st queue now tained a Dwarveer And Foundry Rank 2 Special. It was wasn’t ing in at Rank 1, but it still had arou days left. Cheg my buildings, we also had two new Kobold Mines, o Rank 3 and o Rank 4, as well as three Dwarven Miwo Rank 4 and a Rank 5. Nio wohe materials are flowing.

  There was also this.

  Kodama Grove Rank 4 Special – This grove of living trees has existed long within the Boundary. It gees noticeable quantities of ether as a by-product of its existence, as well as enriches the elemental energies of earth, water and air within the area. Mines nearby will produce additional resources aherites. The surrounding area will gronts, herbs and fruits of i.

  “Great. Looks like everything is well in hand then.” I said. “Although…” our Ether stocks were rather low, with only a couple of huhousand in the Silos. Even taking into at the spending on the mines and the Foundry, it was low. I guess the slowing is redug what ulling in noticeably as well. At least it should be affeg everyone. Well, it just gives us time to solidate. I want to keep that for now, as when the Build Queue Anchor Spire is done, I’ll have two slots avaible again…

  “Speaking of fivehough…” I looked to Bjarki, before handing him my Twin Fang, as well as Shaeu’s remaining pihough it’s hardly a twin anymore. “… sorry, but we came up against some really troublesome foes and one bde was destroyed.”

  “I… see.” Bjarki frowned, his eyebrows drawing down ferociously, giving him an angry mien. “So, where be the rest of’al?”

  “I… I used it.” Retrieving the bag full of feathers and other materials I had brought from Kyoto, I showed him how the feathers worked, that they vibrated dangerously with only a little aether added. “It was an emergency, I o make gear for someone, so I used the scraps.”

  “I… see.” He said again, ominously. For a moment, there was silence, before he sighed explosively. “Well’n, there be nae point ’ over spilt milk, right Ixitt?”

  Ixitt cackled his agreement, before Bjarki tinued. “Fine. I be makin’ ye a new set of ons. And more o’these pioo. Thinkin’ about it, I be sure I improve them. Ye be not bad as a craftsman, for a human, but ye has a long way t’go afore ye be ready to match dwarven crafts.”

  “I shall help too.” Ixitt griail shiedly. “But first I have some matters to discuss, my ows.”

  “You certainly do have a rather… colourful… cast here.” Shiro observed. “It reminds me of Suzu. She’s been colleg a lot of weird creatures. She calls them cute, but I think they are just creepy and odd. That girl has weird tastes.” She paused. “I’m still going to punish her for running off aing in your way, though.”

  I patted her head, causio blush and mutter that she wasn’t a child, but she didn’t look to me as if she minded all that much. I waited for Ixitt to eborate.

  “I have been fasated by the ideas your mortal world holds, and I have been doing quite the amount of research. Books, the i, DVD’s, the sources of knowledge avaible are quite endless. I also found some rather fun people to talk to. Exging messages with fellow geniuses of mortal engineering is quite liberating.” He smiled, and I told him to get to the point, as I was quite busy.

  “Oh, of course, many apologies.” He shed his tail again. “Well, I have e up with three areas to focus on. onry of course, as we to improve your army. Then, and more pertio the mortal realms, peion and resource acquisition.”

  “I see. What do you mean by resource acquisition?” I asked, curious.

  “Well, firstly… here in the Boundary, you her, do you not? As much as be gathered. I have been w on an artificial Building for some time, gathering the silver material they are made from. It was not going well, but I have had a breakthrough, thanks to some knowledge from one of my new friends.”

  At that, my eyes sharpened, and it wasn’t just me. Eri spoke up, her tone harsh. “You’ve been giving away secret information? Hinata is going to skin you alive. I’m not sure if rat fur is good for anything, but…”

  “Hardly. I would never be so foolish.” Ixitt protested. “They have rather fasating ways of thinking, so even with my subtle obfuscations, their ideas were revolutionary. Behold…” he gestured, and a group of ratkin wheeled a device forwards, a solid metal carriage of some sort, with a thin silver spire rising out of it, the top of the spire sparkling with an orb of crystal embedded within the needle point, a blue glow winking within. “… the Artificial Ether Spire!”

  Okay, now he has my attention. My Eye fred, and looking at it, I was shocked.

  Artificial Ether Spire, Rank 2.5??? – This device, made from Alchemy, Mortal Engineeriher Crafting and other esoteric arts, is structed from extracted materials created by upgrading and strug Buildings, as well as anchored by a Blue Etherite. It gees around half as much ether as a Rank 3 Ether Spire, but has a side-effect of redug the ether density within the area over time, though this will recover when the device is moved. This side-effect also lends itself to the creation of red and occasionally e Etherites in the viity.

  Seeing my look of wonder, Ixitt grinned proudly. “Once I had the idea to catalyse the materials to life with Etherites, I made progress. Though any below green shatter and break from the strain. Such a waste.” He sighed. “Fortunately a blue one was recovered from the grove, and I took the liberty of borrowing it for my research. I hope you find it tive me.”

  Fihen. I tossed my two blue Etherites to Ixitt, who caught them in surprise. “Set up another couple with these. We ’t have too much ether ing in.” This’ll work out better loerm than breaking them down for ether. We just have to remember to keep the spires in an out-of-the-d rotate them regurly to prevent over-depletion. “ you make any other artificial buildings?”

  Ixitt shrugged. “I was focussed oher Spires, but I believe at the least I make mobile Defensive Empts. As well as oher idea.”

  “Yeah, that would be great too. Damn, now we need as maherites as we get. No wohey are supposedly always in demand, even in the higher Astral.” I wonder what the other idea is?

  Ta out a snicker using Shiro’s mouth at that observation, and I realised I could use her knowledge more often, if I could persuade her to share it. “Anyway, do you have anything else for me?” I asked.

  “I do. Since I am tasked with ing up with a product you sell in the mortal world… oh, how my blood boils with excitement at the thought…” he waxed lyrical food few minutes. “… anyway, I wondered, clearly my Material body is made from something that exist on that pne, so why I not simirly create something that will exist there? I ran experiments on my body.” He grimaced. “It was rather painful, I admit, but I came up with some iis!”

  “Well, I suppose it isn’t uhical if you are doing it to yourself, but wow, that’s messed up.” I echoed what Aiko might have said. Ixitt merely ughed.

  “Perhaps, but I am prepared to suffer fress. For many years my throat, skin and lungs were horribly mutited thanks to experimental catastrophes, until you healed me, for which I am most grateful.” He bowed. “But this shows progress always es at a personal cost. This was trivial in parison. Anyway, I believe that I make an artificial variant of your Throne of Heroes. Though not how you are thinking.” He y sudden shock at the idea.

  “But the Throne creates the matter that makes up a Material body and moderates it. So I do believe we create a facsimile that may be able to, if not create, at least support the existenatter oerial. Thus peion.” He grinned. “I have so many ideas for batteries and more. As for resource acquisition, there is so much waste in your world. Now, Alchemy easily separate matter, and it is used by great bcksmiths like Bjarki as well. What if…” he grinned. “… well, let me set the se first.” he decred grandly. “I did speak to your noble wife Hinata first, and…”

  “He’s quite the attention-seeker.” Shiro muttered. “Reminds me of Yasu.”

  “No way, Ixitt has tons of wives and kids. He’s surprisingly enough a riajuu. Despite being a researd development otaku.” I was both plimentary and not.

  “… made her promise not to tell you until I was ready, but her eyes were sparkling. She does like money.” Ixitt grinned. “So, for this factory, we shall make devices for peion and ste with half, while the other half… waste goes in…” he smirked. “… po resources e out.” He then revealed an artistic sketch of old refrigerators, tin s, bottles, old books and more in a veyer belt, going through some devices, and then oher side… ingots of various metals, piles of bck powder, yellowing crystals and more…

  “They will pay handsomely for you to take their waste.” Ixitt grinned. “And theurn it from waste to a treasure trove of resources, you either sell or use yourself. I believe the saying Hinata used rinting money!”

  No kidding. If that could be possible… I sidered the joiure with Ichijou house. With their clout, and if Ixitt could make the devices in my Territory that supported the factory… damn, it’s making money by ing up the world!

  ShipTeaser