With the deal done, despite my u the favour romised, the steps were set. Looks like Haru-san and I will be back to Kyoto tomorrow to establish her Territory. for the wicked indeed… Primal Forest seemed ied ierial world, especially since Shaeu had apparently mentioned some things about it at their prior meetings, and as I expihat Japan was two-thirds forested still due to its mountainous nature, he expressed a desire to see it someday.

  “Well, as a guest, you would be quite-quite wele.” Shaeu grinned. “Although I would ask you to not-not cause any trouble. After all, Akio will rule that nd soon enough.”

  Wait, what? “No, I don’t think so.” I disagreed. “Yes, I’ll be a figure of influence, but I’ll hardly be in a position to rule Japan.”

  She only gave me a pitying look, rolling her eyes at me, before turning back to the slowly ughing Primal Forest. “I fess, I have not-not seen too much of the nature of Japan, though Nishimorioka, his home town, has its fair-fair share of beautiful forests. Speaking of forests, I do believe Akio has gained trol over a forest inhabited by Yokai, and they have accepted him. Perhaps you would find those trees quite-quite appealing…”

  It's certainly true that whoever bees an Astral Emperor is going to have great power, and it seems acc to Tan they usually rule the world their Territory enpasses… there’s still no guarahat’ll be me though. But… I repared to rule, to protect those I cared about, and also to prevent those who would abuse their power from gaining authority. It was still hard to think of myself as a ruler though. We finished up our meeting with the treekin, and as it had taken quite a while due to his gcial pace of speed a, even with the greater time dition in the lower Astral, we had used up a lot of our time.

  “Right then.” I said, gathering the maids, including Hyath, and the new pntkin A, who was still holding the mushrooms for the Ring Gate. I expect she’ll be rep back to Primal Forest, but again, he has us over a barrel, as we really he Ring Gate. “Shall we return?”

  A, who was floating behind us as we headed out of the Spring and back towards the Ring Gate at the mansion, looked around curiously. Seeing the freshly reprees, which were noticeably youhan the rest of the forest around the mansion, she frowned, an unusual expression on her face which was rgely human-like, but on closer iion you could see the skin was made of woven-together vines and fronds. Seeing her displeased look, Shaeu shrugged.

  “Sacrifieeded to be made to save the Rhyming Trees and sy-sy the Myids. As you see-see, we are repnting, and the scars will be healed.”

  “I see.” A bobbed her head, her hair, which was a series of vines covered in white and gold flowers, dang. “To save a Rhyming Tree, much be risked. Even so, I pity the trees and pnts who perished.” Her expression ged, the slit in the vihat was her mouth narrowing. “And to sy the defilers of life, the pestilent fungi, I expect the trees rejoiced, knowing their sacrifice was not in vain, nor for mere vanity.”

  Vanity, huh? “Well, sometimes we o cut down trees, or remove pnts, right?”

  “I know that.” A agreed. “Though it paio see beautiful trees turned into mere lumber, or pnts picked for their beauty, only to wither and die. But we pntkin accept this as the circle of life, that some must give so that nature ehough you mortals…” her strange scowl intensified. “… you do go overboard, stripping the nd bare, polluting the soil and water…”

  “Yes, I ’t argue with that.” I aowledged that humanity had done a lot of ill to nature uhe banners of greed and progress. “But Japan is still a try with a lot of nature. And as for my Territory… yes, I want it to be modern and take advantage ress, but I also want it to be weling and peaceful too, full of natural beauty.” As we reached the Ring Gate, the mushrooms drinking in the shining ruby energy of the earth to fuel it, I addressed her worries. “I know you are here to scope out my Territory for Primal Forest, otherwise you’d have just given us the mushrooms, like what you did for Shaeraggo. But don’t worry, I think Primal Forest shouldn’t have any pints.”

  Passing through the Ring Gate there was the usual brief moment of dislocation, before I stepped out into Shirohebizumi shrine, followed by everyone else. The air was filled with the st of soil, bark and fruit, which was arahing, as without wind, how could the st spread? Still, all the talk of nature and trees made me appreciate it more, and I took a deep breath, enjoying the moment.

  Behind me, A looked up at the t Rhyming Tree. “I see. It is as you said.” She murmured. “An old Tree indeed. It’s loss would have been aragedy.”

  “I quite agree.” A gentle voice said, as Asha appeared, a broad smile on her face. “Wele back.” She greeted us, before turning to the pntkin. “It is rare for me to see pntkin here. I greet you heless.” She nodded, her every motial, and A looked a bit overwhelmed.

  “The pleasure is mine, noble Dryad, daughter of Orion.” A curtsied, her skirt of white petals held in her dainty green hands. “Your Tree, may it be blessed with good growth and roots that run deep.”

  “Oh, it shall be.” Asha finished. “May your flowers never wither.” She returhe greeting. “Now, while you are here, would you like juice? Fruits?” she asked, gesturing to the burgeoning orchard. Before we could answer, A let out a gasp, as she was examining the mighty Tree.

  “What… what is this?” A gasped. “Your Tree, what are these?” she poio the row of stairs spiralling around the trunk, and the rge wooden ptforms up in the .

  “Oh, those?” Asha smiled calmly, amused. “It is nothing to be ed about, merely some funal orions.”

  “But… your precious Rhyming Tree, to have such crude stru bolted to it, the bark pierced, wood weeping… such bsphemy!” A insisted.

  “Bsphemy? Hardly.” Asha disagreed. “My Tree, it was dying. Only by falling into barbarism, preying on my weakened and dying sisters, did I mao ehat hell.” Her pretty eyes turned distant, as she remembered what she could of the horrors, fortunately she was not sa the time, so the worst was clouded. “At great risk, they saved me and my Tree. Aoo.” She poio the sed Tree, smaller but still growihily, ruby energies pying around it, rising like bubbles. “Even so, my Tree was sickly, dying. Yet the princess and Akio boured to remove the taint, cure the damages, and even now they fortify my Tree when they . If you would?” she smiled at me brightly, tilting her head.

  “Sure.” I reached out to the Tree, p my Wood element into it, trying to spread it evenly throughout the Tree. Watg this, A was shocked.

  “Great Primal Forest knew he had been blessed by a Dryad, offered her Kiss, but to think he has the power of nature within him… for a mortal, such is vanishingly rare!”

  “Rich earth and pure, shining water too.” Asha smiled, her pale, green-tinged skin trasted by her head of luscious red hair. As I watched the two Fae of nature verse and argue, I was struck by how Asha had ged. Her hollow-cheeked pallor had faded, and she had filled out her figure, now no lohin, but voluptuous and womanly, much as her Tree had recovered. “The earth element is weak pared to what the grove I dwelt in inally possessed, but it strengthens.” Her smile at me was joyful. “You promised, didn’t you? When you could, you would strehis… this temple…” she poio the magnifit Earth Altar. “… and the nd will be enriched.”

  “Yes, we should have enough earth element in the Elemental Silos now, it’s just a case of waiting for the open build queues.” Actually there are other reasons too. I want to see if the earth element levels and the believer levels stack. If so, that opens further opportunities…

  “See the fruit trees?” she gestured to her orchard. “The maid here…” she poi Hyath, who grinned bashfully. “… she helps too, growing her own fruits aables. There is a darkness in her, but her affinity for the nd is strong. Flowers too. The hillside is ging, growing.” She poio a brilliant carpet of white and purple. “That is not all.” She smiled, her fa wonder. “We have bees too, strange bees not of the Fae, yet they gather and pollinate, helping the forest, the grove, take shape… spreading seeds. The nd, this Boundary…” she gestured, arms wide, as indeed several flights e bees with shining reflective wings were gathering pollen from some of the fruiting trees and fl bushes. “… it will bloom anew, rich with nature ay.”

  “All the more reason to object to this… this…” words had failed A. Instead of replying, Asha merely smiled, and it was Shaeu who answered her.

  “All we know-know are the ways of the Fae, the Seelie Court. Other than the San and those who know him, we have little-little traffic with mortals. Even the San, he is old.” Shaeu snorted. “I doubt he knows much-much, if anything of the new ways. But I do. Hyath as well. We have travelled the mortal world, seen much that is good-good, and some which is evil.” She looked around, her eyes glowing. “Yes, the stenortal industry does not-not appeal, not-not to me, although Ixitt, he seems to adore it. But such is needed. Luxury, like we do not-not know… I would not-not be without games, and delightful food and alcohol. Travelling through the air is a wonder as well-well…”

  “But to make these, mortals rape the nd and savage nature…” A protested.

  “Yes, they do-do. But… Akio, tell me true.” She said to me as I was finishing up with my meagre supply of Wood element. Although using it up like this does push me ever so slightly towards a breakthrough, I think.

  “How do you see this Territory, and indeed Japan? Will it be a nd of relentless progress, belg smoke-smoke and maery, or will it be a calm, peaceful nd of beauty, nature-nature allowed to flourish?”

  I grinned, knowing the answer. “Both, of course. Everything in bance. After all, my Territory, aually Japan, it won’t be just humans that dwell there. Fae, Yokai, other creatures… as long as their iions are good and the ws respected, all are wele. Hinata has pns too.” I smiled. “We create space for nature, while allowing people to live in nies, live a good life. Everyone tribute. I think people will be happier in a world full of parks, forests, kes and rivers, while also enjoying the luxuries of modern life.” Of course, what Hinata pns… the money we’ll need will run into trillions, no, quadrillions of yen. Really, it’s the sort of spending that only a nation afford, but… even so, she wants me to try. I want to try as well. At least we have that fifty million dolrs ing, and the dividends from the stakes in the new panies should be millions more a year.

  “Sd nature in harmony…” the ratkin maid muttered. Seeing everyourn to her, she looked nervous. “Oh, my apologies. I wasn’t supposed to speak out of turn…”

  Hyath was scowling at her, but at my gesture, she backed off, allowing the maid to speak. “You’re one of Ixitt’s family, right?” I asked, and she nodded.

  “Yes, I am Ixitt’s daughter, Quae. I am unmarried, a maiden, and eager to learn my trade. It beats all the smoke, metal and toil of my father’s work.” she sniffed, shiail. “I’ll do my best to bee a proud maid.” She curtsied, and Hyath nodded, giving her a passing mark.

  “I see. Anyway, you said sd nature as one, right?” I pressed, and she nodded.

  “Yes. Mortal Engineering is very misuood. My father, many of my brothers and sisters, they all throw themselves into it. But the end goal is not simply to make the Seelie Court another mortal world, but to take the best of both and meld it together, the whole greater than each part.”

  “Yes, there’s definitely a lot to be said for what we do together.” I agreed, before addressing A, who was a bit lost in our fervent versations. “And this is an example. The Tree is not harmed by the stru, we’ve been careful.” I grinned. “Every step was crafted with care, the Tree was healed carefully, and Asha was fully sulted. But…” I poio the steps. “…climb up and you’ll see.”

  A shot me a guarded look, but after lifting her petals a little, she began to asd, the group following her. Soon she reached the top, only to see the café and bar, staffed by weaselkin, several visitors there, including some rexing weaselkin mages and a Kamaitachi. On seeing us they greeted us, and a server rushed over, us drinks. We took them, and I pressed oo the palm of the fused A, before leading her over to a fenced viewing ptform at the edge, overlooking my Territory.

  A looked down, seeing the fl grove below, then looked out to the rest of my Territory. Taking a sip of my fruity drink I smiled, urgio do the same, and as she did so, she let out a pleased sound.

  “Good, isn’t it? And isn’t the view breath-taking?” I asked her, ae herself, she nodded, so I tinued. “See? The power ay of this Rhyming Tree, it’s not defiled or corrupted by the addition of this wonderful café, is it? No, instead, we all get to enjoy the fragrance of the leaves, the wonderful view. Nature and human ideas in harmony. Just as Quae said.” I praised the maid, who looked happy. “I hope you tell Primal Forest holy, that the Spring, this Territory, anywhere else… in the hands of me and Shaeu, they’ll be safe.”

  “I… I shall.” A said, moved. “The Tree, I feel its happiness.”

  “Of course you do.” Asha agreed. “Would I have given my Kiss to him, even if he was my saviour, if I felt no love in him for nature?” Her smile was gentle, yet allowed nument. “Now he even ands the very element of nature. My choice was n.”

  Watg the Territory, I finished my drink, only to be passed some mead brewed from the Mirror Bee hohis time with added spices that grew down below. Yes, this is pleasant. But even so, we have a lot to do. I’d best send a ruo fetch everyone…

  ********

  “I have to admit, I’m shocked.” Mayumi-san decred. She was seated up on the café atop the Rhyming Tree, and was drinking the mead. I was loathe to give an underage girl alcohol, but my sis always weaselled some out of me nowadays., and besides, all the noble girls assured me they drank a little at parties, so I figured it couldn’t hurt. “Hinata, Motoko-san, they told stories, but the reality is quite different.” Tsurugi-san stood behind her, refusing the drinks offered, despite my urgings. In the end, both Natsumi and Kazumi-san told me to leave her to her pride, and that in time she’d rex.

  “I am too.” Miyu admitted. “pared to my Territory, this is spectacur. And even my Territory was built almost entirely with his help.” She fided in her fellow noble, looking ashamed.

  “Well, you do call him master, so I guess he’s just talking responsibility. I don’t approve though. No daughter of the three great houses should be so servile to a man. But I have to admit…” she looked out over the Territain. “… saying you are not his stretches the definition. After all, you certainly and a fief, as in the olden days.”

  “Yes, he has an army too.” Hinata grinned happily, enjoyiing the upper hand against the girl she wished for her friend, no doubt. “And numerous beings under his prote. And nd…” she grinned. “By my calcution, over three hundred square kilometres, soon. That’s more than most of the noble families boast.” She seemed smug.

  “Yes, I admit it. If you put together all the Ichijou holdings in Tokyo, wider Japan and abroad, we might surpass it, but not by a huge amount.”

  “Fujiwara house has extensive holdings abroad, but even so, this is a rge area.” Miyu firmed.

  “If only it could be used properly.” Mayumi-san sighed.

  “Why are you sighing? It’s not your nd!” Hinata pushed her.

  “I don’t like seeing assets lying unused. Besides, we are business partners!” Mayumi-san protested. “Why are you being so hostile, Hinata?”

  “I wonder.” She smirked. “I would have hoped you’d realised that what y to the partnership isn’t much at all.” She persisted. “You saw the workshops, right? Yes, you’ll be helping finand equip the factories, and Ichijou house is a powerful o unlock support and prevent problems, but… the teology is all ing from Akio’s domain. Remember the dispy?”

  “What dispy?” I asked, curious.

  “Well, they were testing some neons.” Hinata grinned. “Shiro is pretty smart, she dragged them down to the coast to help us all level.”

  Shired at the pliment. “I like efficy. Besides, I get tired of being the oo burn all those grotesque fish-creatures. Aki, it’s been tough, pamper me!” She leaned in, only for Eri to join her.

  “Tough? All you did was throw some fireballs. Even just climbing the stairs here is hard work for me right now!”

  “All right, all right.” I ughed, pulling them both close. Hinata’s eyes fshed regretfully at that, but Shiro smiled.

  “His p’s free, right?”

  “So it is! Sorry, Natsumi, Motoko, I’m going ahead!” And with that she sat down on my p, iween Shiro and Eri, the top of her head under my . “Well, this is nice.” She shifted position, and I felt myself heating up. Uh, your bottom is a bit close to… never mind.

  “What’s up, Aki? A bit too hot for you? Cradle snatcher!” Shiro taunted me cheerfully.

  “I’d like to see any man not react when a pretty girl like Hinata is sitting on his p, and her bottom is… well, you know.”

  “ you all stop making a fool of me?” Mayumi-san protested, face red. “And that isn’t proper, even with your fiancée!”

  “Why not? This is like a private resort, owned by Akio. Nobody here pin.” Hinata rebuffed her. “Anyway, the ratkin and weaselkin had these long traptions, a bit like fire-hoses, and then they went whoosh and sizzle!” Hinata grinned. “They were like giant fmethrowers, and soon the whole bay was abze. I could feel myself getting stronger just standing there. Not that I was allowed to just stand there.”

  “You have to get your hands dirty.” Eri said quietly. “I struggled at first, but when I realised sometimes you have to take the life of your enemies… well, it gets easier. At least they are fairly ugly. If they were cute rabbits it might be harder.”

  “Harder? But you’d still chop them up with your axe, right?” Shiro teased, having already established a rivalry with Eri in the short time they had lived together.

  “If I have to. Motoko and Natsumi are used to handling ons. They had no trouble. But Hinata isn’t.”

  “I don’t think it’s a very noble pursuit for women, martial arts. I know…” Mayumi-san looked at Motoko and Natsumi, who were about to protest. “Your family arts are different, being traditional and precious. Even so, it should be the sons who carry them on. But.. if your husband allows it, who am I to say differently?” she shook her head. “Well, yes, the fmethrowers were impressive, as were the ohat hurled clouds of jagged roeedles, and the ohat fired jets of pressurised water. I don’t uand how they work, but they would be horrible to fight against. They wouldn’t be a good product though. I am fairly sure such horrific ons viote Iional Law, and national dignity.”

  “Well, dad has others.” Quae spoke up. “I’ve seen my brothers using them.”

  “Enough talk of this. You made your point, Hinata.” Mayumi-san ceded. “Even so, I shall be a worthwhile partner. I’m Iayumi! Everything I do is destio succeed! Though…” she looked distented. “It’s hardly fair that you are all s. I feel wonderful, apart from the irritation, like needles prig at my veins.” She shivered. “I tell my body is faster, and my mind feels clearer. But pared to you, Hinata…”

  “Well, that’s just too bad. Anyone get Chirurgery, but to go further… well, sain.” she taunted her.

  “I think we should ge the subject.” I said, as I could tell Shaeu was gettied, and I could predict exactly what she was going to suggest , and wanted no part of it. Taking another drink, I looked at Miyu. “So, how was your dang?”

  “Tiring. I do practise traditional dance every day at home, but to dance for hour, after hour… after hour…” she did look fatigued. “It was gruelling.”

  “You looked like a angel!” Michiru-san protested. She then turo me. “Please praise Miyu-sama, she worked very hard!”

  “I have no doubt you did a good job. So, do we know the results?” I asked, having already checked and been pleasantly surprised, though I wao know more of the breakdown on how we achieved that result.

  “We do. One of your… uh, rat-people…” Miyu said, struggling to describe them. “… they were keeping track. At first, my dang had little effect. But as I tihe effecreased, the glow of ether in the air growing noticeably brighter around the Anchor. This tinued as I danced. If I rested for a short time, no more than a few mihe rate tio grow. If I stopped for longer, it resets.”

  I see. Well, it’s as great as I hoped. I’m so gd I didn’t stupidly try and remove her Divine Favour, Miyu is a treasure. “Well, you did well. Very well. Though I’m sorry to say… your ability is so useful I’m going to more and more. So to that end, you’ll o get stronger.”

  Miyu nodded slowly. “I uand. I am not eager to fight, but… if I must, I will.”

  “Miyu-sama, Natsumi and I shall aid you!” Motoko decred, only for Miyu to pull an upset face, surprising them.

  “I am grateful you would offer, Motoko-san. And I io accept yracious offer. I am not too proud to know I am g in many areas. But… do not call me Miyu-sama. You are the fiany master. That makes you my equal, certainly, even if Fujiwara house stands above. That goes for you too, Natsumi.”

  “I couldn’t.” Natsumi protested. “I am a bodyguard, and Hori house is nothing to…”

  “Well, learn to do it.” I reached out and patted her head. “It might be difficult, but Natsumi, you stand equal to my other fiancées. So learn to puff out your chest with pride!”

  As we tio talk and ugh, discussing what Mayumi-san had seen, and what the girls had achieved, I cast my gaze over to where A was sitting, drinking more refreshing juices. It was hard to read her face, but I could tell she was rather thrown by the situation in my Territory. Well, she’ll get used to it. I don’t think Primal Forest will be too displeased by her reports. Now, we o set up this side of the Ring Gate, then she’ll have to give me the other mushrooms. After all, A ’t ehe Material to travel to Kyoto. I was looking forward to seeing Tsukiko-san again, and starting to fulfil my promise, but as I appraised the progress of my Territain, I couldn’t help but be excited by the fact that the Build Queue Spire aher Spire upgrades had both adva a noticeably faster rate than the passing of time would at for…

  ShipTeaser