ShipTeaser

  “… shrouded by a providen rivalry to my own.” Yasaka-san read, his face pale, blood staining his lips. Having answered my final question with the Book of Providence, he slumped down, exhausted. “Damn, you shouldn’t work your elders so hard.”

  “You’re hardly that old.” I disagreed. “Even so, you’ve done good work.” I helped the older didate up. As he mopped the trickled red and silver blood from his face, we sidered the answers we had obtained. “It’s a shame we couldn’t get muformation, but at least the final answer was revealing.”

  “A providen rivalry to my own? It sounds like there is some obscurement that I ’t read through.” he agreed. “It didn’t occur instantly though, when we asked about before the ships left a, we were able to get an accurate read on them.”

  “Even so, what we got is troubling.” The details on the PLA divisions that were included in the breakaway were really detailed, and proved the value of the Book of Providence, but knowing the equipment and ons they had loaded was ing. Anti-tank onry, sniper and anti-material rifles, several attack helicopters, missile batteries and more. Sure, the JSDF could hahem easily enough, their numbers aren’t great, but the casualties if they attack Kyoto with those would be ruinous, and there’d be no way to cover it up. It could quite easily lead to war between Japan and a too…

  “There’s still no evidehat their destination is Japan.” Yasaka-san said. “But whether it’s Japan or not, there’s going to be trouble, right?”

  “Big trouble.” I agreed. “I’m certain that they will attack Kyoto. I’m starting to have my Fht buzz unpleasantly, and now that I have a much higher stat after Tsukiko-san gave me her Divine Favour, as well as the blessing of Tsukuyomi, I feel a rising dao Tsukiko-san, as well as those I’ve met in Kyoto such as Taishakama-san. While that still doesn’t mean it’ll be these deserters and rebels… there’s far too much tal about this. There’s the Sect forces, and the number of didates. Twenty-Three!” That was what really worried me. Well, it wasn’t like I was fortable handing attack helicopters or taking hits from anti-material rifles. But pared to more thay didates with varied abilities and powers, I’d take them on any day.

  “Some of them do seem… troubling.” Yasaka-san sulted his list. “And there were seven we’ve been uo read the information oher protected in the same way as the information after their departure, or simply… inaccessible.”

  Well of course. My Eye is Legendary, and even it struggles with question marks all the time. It’s only natural he ’t get information on powers that outcss the Book itself. That’s why he o grow stronger, Rank it up. “Even so, at least we know about some. Those with destructive abilities, well, it’s easier to deal with those thahers. Fming Wheels and incredible speed. The ability to freeze a wide area. Calling lightning. Tremendous physical strength. Those we ha’s the ability to pel others to fight beyond their limits, carry items to the Boundary and more that me. Even so, thanks to you, we start brainst termeasures.”

  “Well, I’m gd I could help. Does that mean I rest?” Yasaka-san asked, and I shook my head.

  “No way. for you. This shows more than ever we have to empower your ability. Fortunately you’re on easy street now though, since we have the Ring Gate. You get power-levelled against the sea creatures everyone is farming on my coastline for levels aher.” I spped the tired man on the back as he groaned.

  So, I o pass this information on to Tsumura-san, so the JSDF be made ready. But seriously, why the hell are all these didates as ing here? It makes no sehere’s got to be more to it that we aren’t seeing and ’t ask. Perhaps we don’t know the right questions…

  ********

  “… a series of is that defy description.” Detective Kato was saying, while Officer Usui sat beside him. Karen- brought them steaming mugs of coffee, which they took gratefully. After taking a sip, the Detective tinued. “Fortunately it only seems to be theft at the moment, but even so, a number of high-end jewellers have been robbed of their stocks, and a security firm transp a signifit sum of yen to be pced in ATM’s around Tokyo found that at their first destination, the van was empty, only a scattered handful of bills left behind.”

  “I see. Well, were there any clues?”

  “Fingerprints were found at the se, but they don’t maty on the police database.”

  “Whoever this is, they’re an amateur.” Officer Usui sniffed. “Not even wearing gloves. But nothing ever shows on the cameras, and there’s no sign of breaking ary.”

  “The officers dealing with it are wrag their brains trying to e up with a solution that might be pusible, but they’ve got nothing.” The Detective tinued. “Then I caught word of it, and thought it might be a case that would fall under Ministry jurisdi. Now I know…” he ceded. “… the Ministry isn’t operational yet, the legistion not passed through the Diet. But even so, I don’t want to just leave it alone.”

  “Invisibility seems the most likely answer.” I mused. “They could slip in behind the guards as the van was loaded, the out as they panic, money safely hidden.” With improved stats, carrying a lot of money should be pusible, as should keeping quiet. Even so, it does seem risky. “Though who knows? Maybe they teleport, via some sort of Spatial ability?”

  “Really, we o have a better idea of everyone who use these crazy abilities.” Officer Usui pined. “This registry ’t e soon enough.”

  “Well, I believe that the didates from the JSDF are f a map of Tokyo, and have identified quite a few smaller Territories. Of course, that doesly narrow down the didate behind them, but it’s human nature to have their Anchor somewhere they feel safe…”

  “Yes, a number have been brought to the attention of the Goverhat way. We also…” the Detective had the grace to look ashamed. “… took a leaf out of the USA’s book, and mao uh more via phone records and other… less than stitutional means.” He frowned, unhappy. “But I uand. Just as the ws have to ge to aodate these new powers, we ’t be picky in what methods we use to at for everyo sits badly with me, but I’ve learned from nearly dying I have to be a little more… flexible.”

  “Yes, well, if people want to get rich, then there are plenty of ways they use their Favours food. I’d be prepared to pay for assistance from those with the right abilities.” I mused. “So, I happen to know a guy who get detailed ao questions…” I grinned. “Uhe thief here is protected somehow, I daresay we get their name or more…”

  “I doubt that would be admissible as eviden court.” The Detective leaned forwards, i in his eyes. “But I admit, being able to put a o this case would be a great boost to our standing, and make the Tokyo PD more likely to support us when we go live…”

  “Well, in that case, give me a few minutes…” I said, realising I had to return to the Boundary, mere minutes after leaving it. Shit, I’m overworked. I know my mom says ‘ for the wicked’, but other than my maionships with girls, I swear I’m a good guy!

  ********

  “Hey Ixitt.” I yawned, as the ratkiered my office, ptop in hand. I olishing off an evening beer, after a very long day, running errands, talking to numerous people, and arranging matters. The girl from Hoeruokami shriaking her into the Boundary was hard work in her shocked mental state, but Bintara mao restore her eyes, g it was far easier tha Shiro’s blind orb. Ren-san too, as well as Keomi-. Now all the physical scars are healed, it’s just the mental ones… Haru-san had used Mind-Healing Light a little, in her few spare moments, and now it was just that pirl who was still unstable. Hopefully in time she’ll make a full recovery. In addition to that I had also performed Chirurgery on annifit batch of Special Forces, as well as Lua and a few squad leaders from the Bck Wolf pany.

  “Good evening.” He answered, a knowing smile on his face. “A hard day, I see.”

  “Every day is hard. I haven’t even had time to sleep.” I stifled a yawn. “Well, there’s stuff only I do, I guess. The burdens of being a leader…” I paused. “So, how are your pns progressing for the new industry? Mayumi-san is eager to get started, and they ’t exactly struct the necessary buildings and facilities without a solid pn.”

  “Well, the ideas are sound.” Ixitt seemed delighted to be asked about his mortal engineering. “Tests of Alchemy devices in the Boundary have proved the cept works, though on far from a scale we require. No, first we need ae method of geiher here in the mortal world. The increasiher density is helpful, but it is still far too sparse to manage such feats.” He stroked his , deep in thought. “I have ideas, of course. In fact, I have been exging messages with someone who lives in a far-flung nd. It is really quite impressive. Yes, simir devices for unication, sg pools and so such, do exist in the Court, but they are rare and often used only by the greatest and most powerful Fae.” He sighed in wonder. “Here, even the poorest child have a device that cross the world. Fasating.”

  Now I’m curious. Just who is Ixitt unig with, and how did he find them? Well, he is pretty inquisitive… “So, what’s your solution?” I asked.

  “Well, why reihe wheel, as I believe you humans say?” his smile broadened. “Electricity, of course. I have been studying, having easily uandable tomes avaible for a yperson, all the to the most esoteric stific textbooks for experts, has given me numerous fresh uandings. The Royal Element of Lightning, that the noble Queen of the Seelie wields to smite her ehat must surely use electricity, though I suspect she does not know or uand that. And though I wield no elements myself… yet… having watched and listeo the training of you and the princess, it seems that aether be verted into elements directly. So the reverse should surely be true. Therefore, electricity, it should be able to bee aether, no?”

  That’s quite the leap. “I agree elements aher are linked. I worked that out quite quickly. They seem te in a web, while aether is at the heart of it. And yes, vertiher to other elements is something that be dohough the efficy is terrible. But the reverse… well, not everything is a trocess. You break an egg, but you ’t unbreak it. There’s a thing called entropy…”

  “Yes, I have had this discussion with my rade in the pursuit of the depths of knowledge.” He grinned. “I aided her with a simir problem. If everything she tries should work, but does not, then she is simply missing something, a spark, as it were. Likewise, she inspired me. After all, with aether, you could unscramble an egg, could you not?” he shot back my example.

  “Well, if your electricity costs are too high, then it’ll price everything else out of the market.” I warned, and he ughed at me.

  “Of course. I have been studying. Besides, if I am to meet your expectations, and secure a rger budget for my experiments going forwards, I have to excel.” He grinned. ”I believe I have discovered a way to gee electricity far in excess of any input, by merging Material and Astral ws. True mortal engineering. Though gathering the materials for my prototypes in both realms is proving challenging. Even so, I do believe that with your support, I make it work. It is good to have a wealthy patron.” I imagined if he was still in his rat form, his tail would be shing happily about now. “Prince Shaetanao was ied in my arts as well, and had his own cadre of mortal engineers, but your Territory, it is attrag us from across the nds of the Fae. While mao work on their own projects, I draw upon their eager manpower, in exge for promises of introdu to you or the princess.” He rubbed his hands gleefully. “So, here is my idea…”

  ********

  I still have a headache. Rubbing my temples, I dialled the number for Hinata’s grandfather Fukumoto Kenji. What Ixitt was describing is essentially a perpetual motion mae. Well, no, teically it isn’t, as it does have energy input into the system. But because of the interpy of both Material and Boundary, the Material side effectively is orag energy… it’s revolutionary, but could it actually work? Ugh, I may be a genius now with my stats, but I ’t suddenly know what I don’t know. The mathematid physics checks out though, if you ighe interpy with the Boundary and the Building he would need strug. Well, he does have a little experience making the Artificial Ether Spires, so…

  Putting that aside, I greeted my grandfather-in-w, who answered cheerfully, and ohe preamble was out of the way, we got down to business.

  “Akio-kun, the first beneficiaries of your marvellous healing have transferred over their assets as promised. My corporate wyers, as well as your representative from Chase Midas Gold, and support from Fujiwara and Ichijou houses, witnessed and firmed it all. You’re a very wealthy man now. I see my granddaughter’s future is secure.” He ughed. “Not that I had worries before. I alrided myself on being able to pick a winner, it’s how Nichibotsu grew as strong as it has today.”

  “Great. We’ll be needing that money if we are to establish our new industries. I don’t want to rely too heavily on Mayumi-san’s iments. In addition, we could really use expanding the amount of real-estate we own in my Territory. We still have to run experiments oerial to Boundary e and the effects of the aether drain on ordinary people too…” Now my head is spinning a little. Perhaps I’ve been awake too long. My body might not need sleep anymore, but I’m still only humae everything…

  “You have a lot on your pte. Especially now.” he iserated. “Hinata was worried about you. You o take care of yourself. A man shouldn’t worry his wife, and you have more thao worry.” His tone was lightly mog.

  “Yeah, I think I might take a nap afterwards. Just a few hours to freshen up. It’s all I spare.” Shiro and Eri were w with Bintara, and Shaeu, while she had finished showing her mother around aurned her to Kyoto, was dealing with matters at the Spring, as well as cheg on the defences in Kyoto. Shiro’s scars are fading. It’s a painfully slow process, but every time I see them shrink a little, healthy skin f on the edges of the wounds, I feel like g. As for Eri… While Bintara couldn’t heal what wasn’t an injury, she was incredibly experienced, so had given Eri exercises to do, and she was throwing herself into them with a vengeance, determio not let Shiro beat her to full health again. It also helps that apparently it will lead tthening her chakra work as well. A wele reward for her hard work.

  “It must be tough.” Fukumoto-san iserated. “I uand though. When I was a young man, I often had to go days with little rest, and…” he regaled me with a brief tale of his younger days, to which I listened respectfully, until he got to the point. “… anyway, you’ve done well listening to the ramblings of an old man. Hiroto would usually tell me to get to the point long before now. Anyway, our now-healed friends got the all-clear from their own personal physis, and were very eager to meet their saviour, especially Miss Lindiwe. Her father has been calling Ichijou house non-stop to see if he meet her miracle physi, as he called you. Obviously, we’ve protected your privacy, but rumours are already getting out. It’s a bit of a headache for the gover, but… a boon for us. I’ve had enquiries, as has Ichijou house. Turns out there’s no she of rien and women with ailih, or those with sick spouses, retives or children.”

  “Well, obviously we need more resources. But now isn’t a good time.” Danger was closing in, my Fht could feel it. “I also feel pretty bad… maybe I should do some secret charity work as well, ba out. Visit a children’s hospital, or something. The only problem is…”

  “Yes, secrecy. I admit to thinking it would be easier if all this was out in the open.” Fukumoto-san mused. “I uand why the Gover wants to prevent panic. But held by more than a single person is ever safe, and there are a lot of people in Japan and abroad that know.”

  “Yes, it’s why we are having to rush everything, get the Ministry in pce as fast as we . Well, for now…” as I talked with Fukumoto-san, I stifled a yawn. Yeah, I’m definitely going to grab a little sleep, before I start another round of Chirurgery…

  ********

  “Vile creatures, die!” I cried, Foehn surging from me, p out over the oning ants. They were a dull, sooty red, the size of horses, with goldehat glittered hungrily. The lead ant was bathed in fmes and fell, screeg, but a wall of ice erupted, blog Foehn from spreading further. Behind the rger ants came a swarm of smaller ohough these were still the size of dogs, and they leaked a trail of slime, poisonous and stinking, the streets of Kyoto melting uhe discharge. I could hear cries for help, and explosions rocked the distance, further ants, these like a mob of army ants I had seen in nature dotaries, rag forwards like a thiket, surging towards the distant Tsukuyomi-jinja.

  “No, you’ll not pass here!” I cried again, and the ground shattered, a trening. Ants tumbled into it, falling to their deaths, yet soon the survivors were f long bridges, crossing the crevasse. The moon shone overhead, and even as I fought, some of the dead ants were stumbling to their feet, red shells fading to ashen grey.

  “It is too te.” A voice said, and I turo see Tsukiko-san, the red and white of her shrine maiden hakama reversed, red fiery ants crawling all over her white robes, while her red trousers were covered in bone-grey ants that bit through cloth. She smiled even as more red was added to the picture, crimson blood soaking from her torn flesh as ants burrowed into her, her sad smile leaking blood down her faow bereft of her veil, violet eyes shining with tears. “I shall be ed, my role here done. I leave the moon to you. Guard it well!” Even as she gave me f words, ants were crawling out of her open mouth, slick with gore, and she was shrinking, as if being hollowed out from within, sagging like a defting balloon.

  My vision blurred, and it was as if I could see the se through water. Fme boiled, searing away the many ants ing her, shells popping uhe heat. For a moment, the ragged, defted version of Tsukiko-san smiled, a painful expression, ohat filled me with grief. Then she was once more buried under a writhing tide of ants, the creatures falling from the sky like rain. I looked up, and the moon was shining, like an unblinking eye, and it was surrounded by a serpentine dragon, coiling around it like a figure of eight. Many scales were missing, yet the dragon’s body was so massive these gaps were barely ks in armour, and even as I watched one loose scale fell, striking the ground in aion of foul liquids, before ging inte ant, which greedily charged off into the shadows of Kyoto.

  The Red Dragon Of The Numberless East. A voice echoed in my head, and azes met. The Dragon smiled, mouth gaping open, fmes drooling like saliva, setting Kyoto alight, but as my own Eye shimmered, I could see some of the teeth were rotten, as was the flesh around it, and uhe scales c the face around its left eye I could see squirming fn flesh underh. The eye looking at me blinked, a dirty gold, and the dragon licked its lips, putrid tongue also rotting.

  “Well, it seems there are many delightful delicacies here.” the dragon spoke, voice rumbling across the heavens, slimy and ravenous. “With a good meal, I regain my strength that was taken from me.” It ughed then, and several more scales fell, revealing transparent, getinous flesh, yellowing bones hidden within. “After all, I smell… quite the hidde.” With that the other eye of the dragon opened, shimmering with a rainbow of colours, and it arched, back starting to crack, peaks of bone and stoing from flesh, as it spewed fmes, Kyoto, no, the very try abze, and…

  With an indrawh, I opened my eyes, jolting awake. Covered i, I felt wretched. Blinking blearily, I checked the clock, for once alone in my bed. That’s right, everyone else is still busy. I thought I’d have a quiap… Looking at the clock, I had only been asleep for a bit uwo hours, but it had seemingly been long enough to dream. No, that was no dream. That rophecy. Ugh, if Tsukiko-san has had to ehis, no wonder she’s on the verge of giving up. Shit. Cursing to myself, I stumbled to the sink and washed my face, feeling a little better as the cold water woke me up.

  “So, that was the Red Dragon that Tsukiko-san and Yukiko-san have to face. It had a golden eye. A ce? I don’t think so. The golden-eyed huhat Shiro and Tan are destio fight, they have to be reted.” I said out loud, relieved to hear my own voice, surprised how even with my high Resiliehe vision had unnerved me. “Well, it’s too soon to draw clusions, but… some of the ants, they were using powers that seemed very familiar…”

  Deg to check with Tsumura-saher the military and coastguard had any luck deteg the deserters from a, I dried my fad headed downstairs, ready for another round of Chirurgery, and a long night of other tasks that needed my attention…

  Damn, that golde reminded me of Tan, when she wao eat me. Shit, why did it have to turn its gaze upon Japan? Isn’t there enough food in a for it? Thinking sucharitable thoughts, I ughed bitterly. The world had ged, and such problems were only going to beore frequent over time…

  ********

  Finally. It’s been forever. Standing in front of the Territory Anchor, Shaeu, Hyath, Eri and Shiro at my side, I watched as the Build Queue Anchor Spire finally pleted, reag Rank 2.

  “This would have been done many-many days ago, were it not-not for the slowing.” Shaeu pined. “Well, it is done now.” she grinned. “So, what will you spend your bounty on?”

  “A good question.” I mused, having a bit under a millioher avaible. A signifit k of it was geed from the stant farming of sea-creatures in Sagami Bay, a tide which seemed rgely inexhaustible, and the rest was made up of the final bounty fing all of the Territory within ten kilometres under my trol. Though we ’t rely on Sagami Bay forever. Sooner or ter, either we’ll defeat all the creatures that make the Bay their home, or we’ll provoke a nastier response. I’m worried, but we he ether and more importantly, the levels. I was trying tthen not just my own forces, but those of didates with key abilities, such as Yasaka-san. It was already paying off, but soon I would be receiving the details of the didates Ichijou house and the other nobility had gathered, as well as the others in the military, and if any of those had usable Divine Favours, I’d o support them as well. Though, in exge for their support with my own projects of course. I’m not helping for free.

  “We should be quick.” Eri said, still unsteady on her feet, cat ears and tail flickerilessly. “After all, Aiko will be here this afternoht? She’ll be mad if we aren’t there to greet her.”

  “Now I’m rather enthusiastic.” Shiro grinned. “Meeting the legendary bro queen that is the object of Aki’s twisted sis affes is going to be great! Though I do wish I was able to make a better first impression. If the sister doesn’t like me, I’m done for. Aki will kick me aside, leaving me all alone. Sob sob sob!”

  “No monotone sobbing!” I scolded her affeately. “My sis won’t care about your scars. She’s probably the sort to think them cool. Besides, though they’ve only shrunk a bit, you tell they are improving. Bintara really is a genius healer.” Even watg her, I gain new insights.

  “True.” Eri agreed. “After all, she didn’t cry over mine.” She pouted. “I know she was relieved that I wasn’t dead and I got my arm and legs back, but she could have stood to be a touch more sympathetiyway, shouldn’t you be worried about some other people?”

  “That’s right. Oh God Aki, we’re meeting Aimi and the others this evening! Damn, I got carried away talking to her, but… what do we do? My chest aches and I feel nervous. This isn’t like me at all! I’m a princess, and…”

  Shaeu snorted, interrupting her, while Hyath giggled. “Really?” Shaeu said, smiling. “Well, you will not-not be alone, will you? All of Akio’s wives shall gather, and we shall discuss it together. I must admit to being eager-eager to meet these oft-mentioned friends too.”

  “Yeah. Shit.” Shiro cursed once more. “I won’t be alo least. But will that make it better? No, focus on the positives. I’m not a dateless loser who ’t find love because of her frail body anymore. That’s just Yasu. He’ll be crushed. That’ll be funny if nothing else… ugh, it’s not helping. Aki, do something to take my mind off this! You’re my boyfriend, man up! If you don’t help girls iime of hey’ll get snatched away from you, and none of us o see you as an NTR protagonist. That’s more Yasu, if he ever did get a girlfriend…”

  To ughter all around, which worried me a little, as I hoped that Eri, Shaeu and Hyath didn’t know what that a meant, I put that aside, remembering a past discussion I had been involved in with Shugo-san and Yasu-san over a few drinks in a bar in Shibuya, where we had rated various fetishes. Damn, Aiko was right, I was such a typical otaku virgin loser. But I’m not the worst. NTR and the other cheatiishes had rated at the bottom of the pile with us.

  “Well, enough talking about stupid stuff. Shiro, Aiko will like you, I promise. As for the gang, we’ll make them uand aheir blessings. Hayato-san will support us, I’m sure. He’s the sort of guy who just wants his friends to be happy.” I imagihe se ter, crag a smile. “Anyway, the Elemental Silos are full of earth element, so… time for an upgrade.”

  With that, three quarters of a millioher and two and a half thousah elemental essence were ed. The White Snake Earth Altar grew suddenly, more magnifit gold and ruby decorations appearing, mixed with white and green jade, life-like serpents crawling all over the gold, ruby and obsidian roof.

  “Now that’s impressive.” Shiro ughed. “Shit, I’m ing my Territory. I really o push for Rank 3, as you call it. I’m gd Arisu is looking after it in my absence…”

  Another problem to solve. Oh well, for now, let’s take a look…

  White Snake Earth Altar Rank 2 Uhis building only be structed at Shirohebizumi shri will further strengthen all earth-aspected creatures and allies under your and, and this ability will be magnified for the kami of the shrine and his adherents. The kami of the shrine will be able to gather more adherend utilise it more effectively. Earth element produ and purity in the area will be increased, further slightly increasing the ce of unique elemental earths f. Earth element aspected allies have their maximum level raised by two. The kami of the shrine, his adherents a worshippers have their maximum level raised instead by four.

  “Great. This should more than offset the drop ih element due to the extra Ring Gate. More to the point, Kana and Keomi- should be able to get four levels nht? And while it does say instead, it doesn’t rule out that if they learh element they’d get the extra two levels as well, right?”

  “Well, that wait.” Eri reiterated. “So, are you done?” she asked me, and I shook my head.

  “Not quite. Now we have two open Build Queues, and it’s actually ether rather than time that’s the problem, thanks to the slowing vastly redug our intake, and Sagami Bay being the st pce within our Territory worth farming, I might as well tie up the queues with something that makes us ine. Besides, we’ll have ay queue soon enough when the Dwarveer and Foundry pletes in a couple of days.” I didn’t want to experiment with rush-building Special Rank buildings uhere was a need for it, and right now there wasn’t.

  “So, what we need is more ether geion ay. So…” with that I queued iher Spire Anchor Spire, and the Ether Density Anchor Spire, both a huhousaher, and taking a hundred days to Rank 2.

  “Well, that’s us pain, and I ’t see us getting any rge bounties any time soon. Even Sagami Bay will surely dry up. Oh well, when the slowing ebbs out, we go back to being rich.” I grinned, before expining the final status of our build queues.

  The Build Queue Anchor Spire was now upgraded and funing again, and was holding the Ether Density Anchor Spire to Rank 2 at a hundred days. The queue that had been perf that upgrade was also free now, and thus held the Ether Spire Anchor Spire, also at a hundred days to pletiohen had the upgrade oher Spire to Rank 4, still a long way off at two hundred and nine days away, and stly, the Dwarveer and Foundry had about two days left, gging behind as it hadn’t shared the bes of Miyu’s regur visits to dahat also makes me wonder. We still seem to have a bit more ether than even Shaeraggo’s hard work would indicate. Miyu was dang he Rhyming Trees and a number of Ether Spires… putting aside ahing to test and quantify, I turo the girls.

  “Right then, we have to get ready. Tonight’s a big night. Aiko will be here soon, Hinata’s having her flown in by helicain. As for Hayato-san and the gang, we’re meeting them tonight in a hotel in Ueno I believe. Hinata says she’s booked out a number of suite rooms, as well as made reservations for dinner. So, shall we go?”

  As everyone smiled at me with varying degrees of worry aement, I couldn’t help but think about the dream, no, the vision I had received yesterday. Shit, well, we’ve done all the preparations we . The JSDF, the Gover, the faiths of Kyoto, Haru-san, even the Night Parade… all we do now is wait, and respond as appropriate… with those st thoughts, we returo the Material…

  ShipTeaser