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  Gathered in a meeting room iional Diet Building, the florest lights flickering fitfully, I stifled a yawn, more mentally tired than anything else. Well, it has been a busy day. Not just for me though it seems.

  The red-eyed Prime Minister, Abe-san, was looking down at a number of ss, the built-iop surface PC’s showing a number of livestreams and recorded videos. It looked rather futuristic, but if the most important gover building in Japan didn’t have good teology, where would? To his side was Takakura-san, wearing a different red and white suit. Saionji-san had made the trip from Kyoto, picked up by a fast military helicopter, and strangely enough Akai was here too, already mostly asleep and drooling.

  Oher side, was Haru-san, here as her role in the Ministry as Undersecretary to the Minister, notepad in hand, her expression tense, as was the head of it, her boss, the Minister herself, Morita Yuna-san, in a smart, expensive charcoal grey suit and skirt, her bck-framed gsses and tight hair-bun making her look like a schoolteacher. Then there was Fujiwara-san, Miyu’s grandfather and head of his house, and stly Tsumura-san, Motoko’s grandfather.

  “So, that’s the situation. The question is, how do we py this?” Abe-san asked, clearly at his wits’ end. “The situation was… unpreted, even with our knowledge from the Lady Diviner…” at that, Saionji-san and Takakura-sama bowed in grief. “… and the US tip-offs. I uand that the Diviner perished?”

  Saionji-san looked at me, and I nodded. “Yes, she did. However, just like Haru-san here, we were able to ehe circumstahat she should be able to return in time. Don’t imagine we rely on that often, but because I knew of the threat to her in advance, I was able to set it up.”

  “I’m relieved.” Saionji-san said. “She’s a figure of support to the faiths, which are already reeling. Besides…” his smile was sly. “… you made bold promises to her, and all of us, at cve. I’d hate you to be a liar, Akio-san.”

  “Don’t worry, she’ll be back soon enough, I promise, though getting a Throne for her, well, we’ll see. Kudou-san has notified me we’ll be holding a funeral for her, as well as Esu-san and the other didate who died in Kyot the week. I’ll attend, of course.”

  “From a military perspective, we have to t this as a great victory.” Tsumura-san said. “Though not without worries. We lost two, and killed or captured twenty-three, if we just look in terms of these Chosen. In other terms, we lost the Shikishima and all crew, and three of the Special Forces you worked on were assassinated, and a number more ihough I hope you assist in rec them to full health?” he looked at me, and I had no reason to refuse. “The Chirurgery on our Special Forces certainly proved worthwhile, the survivors, as well as Major Sasaki and Lieutenant Banri, say that without the extra strength and speed, the death toll would have been in the dozens, a loss we could ill-afford.”

  “It isn’t as simple as that. We aren’t at war with a. We’re at war with the unknown. Every one of us lost is a disaster. But purely from a Japanese perspective, and ign the dead, only from looking at the absolute numbers, yeah we came out ahead in terms of didates. This information is top-secret for the Ministry aed parties only, but everyone here be trusted, else we have bigger problems. Saionji-san already knows, as does his subordinate Yasaka-san…” I fixed everyoh a stern gre. “… I learnt from Shaeu the Fae ways of maniputing spiritual bodies. It’s not perfect, but I sometimes extract the Divine Favour from a didate. I’m holding two, though one, I believe I’ve found a host for. Then we have Nie Ling, who we took into custody, as well as one Haru-san captured, though her Material body died… so potentially a gain of four.” o mention Shiro’s gain, though that’s a huge profit. The ese will regret letting that one go. Buffing abilities are huge…

  “We also took seven of these so-called Cultivators into custody.” Haru-san noted, reading from her papers. “The Renyu’s physical bodies had perished, so they remain in your Territory as captives too. But when Nie Ling’s gift wore off, the Cultivators returo the Material.”

  “Hiding them underground was a fasating trick.” Tsumura-san observed. “Fortunately Nie Ling and these ese fellows are cooperating with us pletely. Even so, to think…”

  “Yeah, that they would be able to ihe Boundary en-masse.” I agreed. “Let alone move equipment there. Really, without the preparations we made, we could have lost all of Boundary Kyoto.” At those words Akai woke up, bubbles of spit popping, sg her.

  “Uh, what, where am I? Uwa, it’s the scary man! He’s even scarier now!” she leapt to her feet, hiding behind Saionji-san, eyeing me warily.

  “Calm down Akai, he’s a friend. Without his help, we could have died.” He chided her, talking to her as if she was a child. She ed her crimson hair around herself like wings and sat down, still scowling at me. “Akai and others like her helped itle too, hunting down soldiers and these Cultivators. Without them we would have lost more shrines and temples, as it was…” That’s right, I did wonder where Akai and a lot of the defenders of Kinkaku-ji were. I guess Kyoto retty rge for a few of us to cover alone…

  Takakura-san took over. “Sixteen minor shrines have suffered spiritual desecration, their kami sin. It is like the shrine of that fool who got themselves and their kami killed by being reckless.”

  Saionji-san agreed. “Yes, it seems that if a kami dies, the shrine ierial world shows it, sacred statues suddenly shattering, or fires breaking out, despoiling it. Symbolic, but saddening. Even so, pared to what we faced, it was a small price. You lost some allies too, didn’t you?” he asked me, and I agreed.

  “Yes, we lost some Fae. Shaeu was terribly angry. I have to agree though, the losses were moderate pared to what they could have been.” Thank the Gods for Kioration.

  “I believe pensation should be paid to those shrihat suffered loss, as well as to those of you who fought and suffered these losses.” Abe-san said, and Morita-san pursed her lips, tapping oouchs below her.

  “We have sidered these matters, but the legistion isn’t passed yet. We’ve been careful aive, so the Ministry for Spiritual Matters is barely funal, legally speaking. And then there’s the biggest issue…”

  “Civilian casualties.” Abe-san groaned. “Nine hundred and four dead. Too many the elderly, women and children. Could we have done more, dies, gentlemen? Could we have stopped this?”

  I shook my head. “Not without knowing the powers Nie Ling had in advahe only thing that could prevent that sort of clever attack is having a stroory to defend the area, which would prevery. I think that Territory is going to bee vitally important. It offers too many bes in the Boundary, to say nothing of the Material protes.”

  “I agree.” Saionji-san ented. “If I didn’t have a ptform to defend in Kinkaku-ji, my battle might have been very different. Besides, with monsters such as the golden-eyed devourer Akio-san described, we will need greater security.”

  “I hardly believe the reports.” Morita-san sighed, looking at the sketches and description of abilities I had provided. “And this was just a fragment?”

  “Yes, a e.” I agreed.

  “It was vile. A monster.” Haru-san shuddered. “I wouldn’t have dared to face it alone.”

  “a has a lot of issues, it seems, but from your talk of the Boundary fragmenting due to it, that’s a global . What does it mean for us?”

  “It means creatures like it might be regur visitors, even invading armies of them. And we don’t know if it’ll remain fio the Boundary. After all, the Renyu were given bodies en-masse while the e survived.” I warned.

  “So, what we do? We ’t invade a, not even spiritually.” Saionji-san pointed out. “The only thing I think of is strengthening the read power of the Territories all around Japan. We know the location of all of them in Kyoto, but trywide…”

  “Suzuki-san, a report, please.” Morita-san asked, and Haru-san swiped her touchs, and moments ter all of ours were dispying graphs and figures I had provided, as well as a map of Tokyo and the surrounds that the Gover had put together.

  “So, you trol this then?” Saionji-san asked, curious. “It’s rge.”

  “Yes, thanks to Shaeu’s family, we ma it all under my trol. Ten kilometres from the Anchor. We need more Rank 3 Territories in Kyoto, but right now there’s a slowing. Still, at a million for a rush-build to Rank 3, I io fuhat ether to Haru-san as soon as possible. I trust there’s no objes.”

  “Proteg Kyoto is the most important thing. The faith has suffered. We ot allow further blows.” Takakura-san spoke, and Saionji agreed.

  “I’m fih it, Akio-san. After all, we’re allies. I’ll also work on mine as well. Between us rotect a good swathe of Kyoto. But what of Tokyo?”

  “Well, as you see, we’ve identified a number of didates, as well as Territories that we haven’t identified the owner of. Usihods you suggested such as the pt of the tres, we have been able to narrow a lot down, but until we have full authority uhe w… well, we should be able to cover Tokyo with what you call Rank 3 Territories, I believe, but…” Morita-san expined.

  “Yeah.” I nodded. “One Rank 4 would offer an order of magnitude better defences. Potentially more…” I used my fio draw a line on the map.

  “Yes, from our prisoner, Nie-san, we have discovered that the ese are already f their Chosen to biheir efforts, and they are already w towards stroerritories. We should do the same. But we don’t have the power or authority of the CCP.” Abe-san admitted, frustrated.

  “Well, my Territory at Rank 4 would cover the ey of the greater Tokyo area, and just enpass Mount Fuji. I also further increase the defences, as I suspect I’d be able to build another Anchor Spire, and I could take the Barrier Spire. However…”

  “The cost. These figures are obse.” Haru-san chuckled dryly. “If I wasn’t already dead, I’d have had a heart attack!”

  “Ten million just to begin the upgrade.” Morita-san pursed her lips. “More than ten years in duration, and a cost to plete instantly of a further one hundred and sixty million units of this ether. How much have you raised so far, do you think, Oshiro-san? Just so we have a frame of reference.” she asked me.

  “Well, more than ten million, maybe as much as fifteen or so, but most of that came from defeating Duke Myrcoxriath. If we had twenty more of him, that’d be ohing, but… well, my Silos wouldn’t be able to protect it all anyway. All I think of is gather the ten million, go for it, then pour everything into speeding up the upgrades. We hurry it a bit with Miyu too.” I looked at the impassive and ptive Fujiwara-san. “Your daughter is blessed with a great skill. Even if she shorten an hour a day, which seems feasible…”

  “That would save a little over four pert, or two hundred days.” Morita-san mused. “Which by my calcutions… would save six point four millioher. It seems thirty-two thousaher would shave off a day.”

  “Well, the tides ebb and flht now time is only a bit above oo one. When it gets baore normal rate, each day here oerial would pass between two and three there. When I look at the numbers, it doesn’t seem impossible. And I’m w just what we could do with a buffed Miyu… oh, sorry Fujiwara-san, I don’t io abuse yranddaughter, but she’s resolved to use her skills for the be of us all.”

  “I ot say I was enthused at having my own precious granddaughter be one of you Chosen.” He said. “However I am pleased to see my timid granddaughter start to be more assertive, like Honoka. I trust you know what will happen if she is harmed though?”

  “I do. I look after my own, have no fear.” I promised.

  “All right then. we implement a tax in this ether, as a priinistry reition and support? I think pushing Oshiro-san’s Territory to Rank 4 would be the wisest course, sidering his status as the Advisor to the Ministry and his wide bag in politics, the military, nobility and faith. Are there other ether sources we gather?” Morita-san got straight to the point. She’s certainly dynamid decisive, I’ll give her that.

  “Well, experiments in Material to Boundary drawing should ence soon, when Ixitt gets some free time, and our stists have e up with the safety pns.” I said. “We also io flood Kyoto with Ixitt’s Artificial Ether Spires, made with every blue and greeherite we beg, borrow or steal. Not only do we hope that should slow the degradation in Kyoto, but it’s also all profit. Wheerritory begins to upgrade, it’ll drop my Ether gain a lot, but even so, I fu all in, shortening the time. I’ll o rely on others to defend the Territory, but…” pns such as Fae Stone Wards and more were discussed, and in the end, the decision was reached.

  “Rank 4. As soon as we . Multiple Rank 3’s in Kyoto and other major cities. Theually a Rank 5 would be able to cover all of Japan, I expect.”

  “Akio-san, you should gather more vassals. There will be a lot who would be more than happy to exge some freedom for prote. I know I am.” Haru-san observed. “Then you tax them directly tht?”

  That was something to think about. We had covered the military situation internally, now the issue was more pressing. “So what do we do about the leaks and the cover-up?” Takakura-san asked.

  “I field this one.” Abe-san sighed. “I wish I couldn’t though. We’re bming it on what it is. ese aggression. Though nothing supernatural happened. Fortunately with the previous event in Kyoto, the sed yer of our deception ties into this, reinf it. Some of the smarter iigative journalists and spirauts have already picked up on that trail of breadcrumbs. The USA has agreed to back our story, sihey still owe us for their as and our citizens. That reminds me…” he blinked. “… there is a ce we may be able to get our kidnapped citizens back, those that still live. Though from the hints I am receiving, they are… far from well.” He ched his fist. “Fug Ameris. If we didn’t heir support, and have their troops on our soil still… well, if we , they’ll be mentally damaged, most likely.”

  I exged a gh Haru-san, and she smiled, reassuring me. “Well, between Haru-san and I, we’ll help them somehow. But for now, we her iives, much as it pains me.” Getting them back to their families is important, and having more didates is vital. But right now…

  “The US issued a joint statement, and the UK, France, Germany and other tries we have warm ties with have supported us. We criticised ese militarism and terror on our soil, calling it an invasion. Of course, this…” he pressed his touchs and a video came up, of the ese Fn Minister and head of the People’s Liberation Army, soundly denying responsibility. There were subtitles, but Haru-san and I uood ese just fine.

  “We deny the unfounded and lurid accusations from the Japanese, accusations that could easily stoke a war that none of us want or afford.” The Fn Minister was saying, while the General looked on sternly, in full dress regalia. “Such rhetoric as invasion is rich sidering the history of Japanese Imperialism in the region, and their own history of sudden, illegal invasions and wars, and the atrocities they it during them.”

  The General took over. “Does the world really think if mighty a invaded, we would be so easily defeated, send such pathetic forces? No, if a is roused, then Japan would be squashed without any defiance. I do admit…” he put on a stern expression. “… that dissident, anti-Party elements did indeed defect, stealing our military assets, and strike at Japahank the Japanese for serving them the just desserts for their betrayal, but we are in no way responsible. Every try has terrorists, undesirable actors, and no try be held responsible for the as of such.”

  “We further deny…” the Minister spoke . “… the Japanese request for repense for the damages. While we grieve for the dead civilians, until the Japanese reise their historic culpability for…” the video was shut off, Abe-san looking sour.

  “Well, we don’t o rehash old history, open old wounds, do we?” he sighed. “Well, like us, the ese seem eager to keep their own mistakes and this new paradigm under s for now. So since all our stories match, it’s just… the public. When the J-Alert system activated, we mao get the majority of the citizens off the streets, but some fn tourists escaped the polid military response. Fortunately none were killed, or it’d be a diplomatiightmare, but we had to take them into custody, to prevent them leaking any footage they might have, which is a stopgap measure at best, and politically hot. Some has already got out, however, and what is worse…”

  “-in.” Takakura-san said sadly. “The shrihere has been streaming what they should have sworn to keep secret, and released a lot of lurid information to the i and media.”

  “Fortunately, we have signifit sway in the media. Most of it is owned by nobility.” Takakura-san said, frowning. “Though the i is a differe, a newer one. We mao capture a lot of the released data and scrub it, but it was impossible to stop it all.”

  “Some other Susanoo fa shrines were involved as well. Was Uchida-san?” Saionji-san asked, and Takakura-san shook his head, denying it.

  “No, he is still too grief-stri with the fate of young Yamato-kun to partake in such treachery. But rest assured, the faith will e together to prevent this happening again.”

  “Once more, the US is on our side. At a cost, of course, politically, but we have advantages. So they are also using their know-how to restrict the data oer. But this ’t st. We o accelerate our pns, to prepare for the iable, when the cracks shatter the dam of secrecy, and the water of truth floods out…” the Prime Minister said, and we all agreed, putting our heads together, pnning what we could…

  ********

  The sun was shining outside, our talks running through the te night and into the day. I was about to leave, when Fujiwara-san and Tsumura-san stopped me.

  “Do you have a minute, grandson-in-w?” Tsumura-san asked.

  “Of course I do.” I agreed, and we went to a separate room. “So, what I do for you both?”

  “Well, we o talk about the visit to Great Britain.” He said. “The date is set, two weeks from now. You will apany my Motoko as her husband-to-be, and attend a ga at Bugham Pace.”

  “My granddaughters will be going too, as will I.” Fujiwara-san said. “Ostensibly we have been invited as it is an iionally-focussed goodwill event, celebrating cultural, military and eic ties, so I represent Japan. As for your attenda is as a Chosen. With the information from the Lady Diviner, who sadly… is no longer with us… for now.” he amended. “… it seems that the Queen’s Granddaughter is an important Chosen as well, one we have to make tact with. It seems she has a team of her own, so you’ll scout them out, assess them, and hopefully build good ties. And if she is fag the dahat the Lady Diviner predicted, if rovide support, then we will accrue many favours and closer support from the United Kingdom.”

  “That sounds wise. Well, the UK are bag us in the cover-up with a, right? Besides, I’m half a Brit myself. That should earn us some favour.”

  “Yes. I do not believe there is any danger, Bugham Pace will be guarded by signifit strength, both mundane and… special. But I would like you to make sure my granddaughters are protected, should the worst happen.”

  “My Motoko as well, though I shouldn’t o ask about that, should I?” Tsumura-san grinned.

  “No, you should not. I’ll protect Motoko and Natsumi to the death.” I promised. “And Miyu is my precious vassal, and since Honoka is her cousin, and we’re already acquainted, leave it to me.”

  “That reassures me. Well, I will take my leave.” Fujiwara-san said, leaving me aloh Tsumura-san. There was a bit of an unfortable silence, before he spoke.

  “My Motoko is extremely excited about the first event as your fiancée. I believe Natsumi-, while she ot formally decre herself so, is also thrilled to be going with you both. I’ve prepared suitable clothing, watches, accessories and gifts. I’ll need you to e and have a final fitting a few days beforehand.”

  “Not a problem.” I promised. “I have to admit, I’m looking forward to seeing what dress they’ll wear.” They looked geous in their outfits st night, so at such a ga…

  “I see.” He smiled faintly, but I could sehe tension, and when he spoke, the question surprised me. “You do love Motoko, don’t you? You’ll not abandon her in shame…”

  I blinked, shocked. “Where did that e from? I’m offended. Sure, I’ve not spent much time with Motoko pared to Eri or Shaeu, Natsumi her, and the way we got together… yeah, it was awkward. But no, I do love them. Yranddaughter is a proud, dedicated girl, who shines wielding her ons, and also retains the elegand grace of a noble daughter, and is kind to everyone, even her fellow sisters. I’d be a fool to discard such a treasure, and I’m no fool. I do love her, and I’ll make her happy, just like the others, Natsumi too.” I vowed, meaning it. Going to o invade Kunlun though, stig to that joke…

  “I see. Well, five this old man for w about his granddaughter and her future happiness. Well, I am relieved to hear you so openly praise her.” His smile turned sly. “I hope you don’t mind if I tell my Motoko your exact words here, do you?”

  Wow, embarrassing. But I guess not. I should say them more myself. Shiro’s dead on. I have to maintain… no, it’s not an illusion, I do love them… but I have to maintain the effort, so that they know it’s true. Words are part of that. Words and deeds. “Feel free, though I should tell her myself, more often anyway. So, what’s this about?”

  “Well, this event has frightened me. If even our own try isn’t safe from attack by supernatural abilities… I want Motoko to be stronger, safer. I’ve spoken to the Hori family, and they agree.”

  “I see?” I asked, though I had an inkling.

  “If you will not forsake my granddaughter, and the marriage is set in stohen… for the sake of strength, safety… I give you my blessing.”

  “Your blessing? For what?” It only be…

  “As I said, I spoke to the Hori house, they discussed it with you, did they not? Lovers’ Link. With such, our beloved granddaughters gain strength simir to the Mirl, from your hometown, right? Strength that potentially keep them safe against these Chosen.”

  I k. “Yes, it certainly strehem a lot, with some extra training. Against a petent didate, they’d still lose hard, like Eri would, but… yeah. Uh… have you talked about this with them?” I asked, a his arm around me, smiling, a touch scarily, I thought.

  “While they do wish to maintain raditions, they and we reise the extraordinary nature of the times. It will be a secret, and medication has been prepared to prevent… acts. As far as the world knows, they will remain pure until the day of the wedding, preserving their honour, and not stirring up trouble with other noble daughters, who would be horrified. Do you have any objes?”

  I imagined Motoko and Natsumi in my arms. How could I object to that? And it’s true, I would like them to be safer. Hinata too, but I’m a bit resistant to her as she’s still young, even if old enough for marriage, but then, isn’t Daiyu a simir age to her, I haven’t asked… Shaking my head, I de. “Of course not. How could a man hate holding the woman he loves? Well, women.”

  “Well said. Then I leave my Motoko in your care. Just know… if you ever disgrad abandon her, I’ll use all my strength to crush you! Well, that will never happen, I believe in her charms! Besides, you’ll be showing her off as your fiao the world soon.” As he patted me on the back, ughiily as he walked away, I nodded, impressed at his guile. He’s trapped me good. After showing myself in front of the Queen of Engnd and assorted dignitaries worldwide, he knows there’s no way I’d ever be able to break my e then. Not that I ever would. When I decide, I decide. Well, as cages go, it’s a rather nice gilded oo be trapped in, but… how do I broach this to them? Feeling hot, I went outside to where a Ministry car was waiting for me, to take me back to Shirohebizumi shrine…

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