The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to training. I worked out the remaining tension in my body by clearing out enemies around Kyoting more of the remainiory under Haru-san’s trol. Other than the areas uhe aegis of the other Chosen didates, and the small areas of Kyoto that were more than ten kilometres away from Haru-san’s Anchor, we had now pretty much secured all of Kyoto. Attacks from the rge birds that dwelt in the hills and mountains outside Kyoto had now beeed, as they couldn’t easily breach the barrier of a Rank 3 Territory, but when I stepped outside that radius a swarm desded, g angrily, feathers buzzing with wind energies like razors.

  I guess it was as if they were indignant they had been blocked from their hunting grounds… I mused, looking around at the remaining scattered feathers, which Hyath was gathering up. I had brought her, Shaeu, Haru-san, Daiyu and Shiro here to hopefully gain them a few levels, though I was getting almost no experience from the kills myself. Well, that’s ly true. From prior experience, wiping out swarms of lower-level threats level me, just slowly. Nothing is wasted, and it’s all ether…

  “It is quite exhirating to se one’s worries with bat, is it not-not?” Shaeu grinned happily, running a hand through her damp amber hair. I shrugged, my own smile wry, as she had said what I had been thinking. Hyath agreed, ughing happily, the twisting vihat she had summoo help her gather the remains of the fallen enemies almost dang.

  “Do you think that too, Haru?” Shiro asked, yawning, and the ghost girl shook her head.

  “No, not at all. In fact, I’m rather tired of all this.” She sniffed, a slight smile on her face. “But I uand it’s important. It doesn’t make it any easier though. What’s worse is my backlog of work at the Ministry will be piling up…” she lowered her voice to a theatrical whisper, casting me a sideways gnce. “… I think Akio-san is trying to work me into an early grave. I don’t think he’s realised I’m already dead.”

  As Shiro burst out ughing at that quip, I shook my head. “All right, I get it. Well, we’re done for now anyway. We’ll take a break, grab some food, and thehe trainees arrive, those of us who are free start training again.”

  At Shiro’s loud groans, I ughed anew. Heading back through the Ring Gate, we returo my Territory, only to e across a surprising se. On seeing us, one of Ixitt’s engineers ran off in a hurry. “Do you think it was something I said?” I joked, only for my ao arrive moments ter as Bjarki came hurrying towards us, an intense expression on his face. Seeing that, Shiro ducked behind me.

  “Shit, best protect your beloved Shirohime, Aki! I don’t have the energy to give him any more buffs, not when I have to refresh the Trees and Asha ter. Be a man and tell him no for me!”

  Yeah, I know you’re joking, but it’s kind of cute… Before we could speak, Bjarki stopped in front of me.

  “So, you have returned, I ken? Excellent timing, m’blood it’n be boiling over! I have fi, t’masterpiece I hought I could fe, t’perfect blend o’ craft and artifice!” His breathing was heavy and his big, callused and scarred hands, spotted with burns, reached for mine. Instinctively I dodged to the side, Shir behind me.

  “Nae only that, inspiration, inspired by t’missy’s blessings here, struck me like thunder from t’fe. You must e’ once!” His breath was as hot as the fires of his fe, the skin behind his beard flushed.

  “All right, I’m ing.” I said, stunned by his eagerness. Several Mortal Engineers and some other dwarves visiting our Territory were looking on in amusement as we followed the dwarf the short distao his fe and workshop. When there, he disappeared inside, before bringing out a long, ed bundle. He prese to me, and I took it, feeling the weight. Heavy, but nothing I ’t handle.

  As I uned the cloth c the sword, the first thing I saw was the hilt. Unlike previous bdes, this one had been decorated, and was in the shape of a tree, the branches f the protective hilt, or tsuba, depending oher it was a Western or Japanese bde. A tree huh? ce, or… Trees seemed to be very iial on my life retly, whether it was the World Tree, or the Rhyming Trees that were allowing us to expand far faster than should have been possible for such a small Territory. Curious now, I uncovered some of the bde, seeing the slight curve of the metal. Yeah, it’s not quite a katana, too big. But it’s not a Western sword either. Some kind of hybrid on?

  The metal itself was a dark bck, with a hamon pattern of blue, white and red, swirling into shapes remi of the phases of the moon. It’s certainly eye-catg. And moons are also tral to my life at the moment as well. As I pulled the rest of the cloth free, my Eye fred, providihe details on the new sword, which I hoped would st lohan my previous ons.

  St Moonlight – Item Css: [Imperious], Item Type: [Artifice]

  A heavy single-edged bde made from hyper-pure dwarven-steel, dwarven silver and bluesteel alloyed together meticulously, bined with powdered feathers with strong wind element, clotted thunderbird blood taining potent refined lightning element, aherite powder infused with fme element, made by the renowned Dvergr craftsman Bjarki, who transded his limits and uanding via outside means and his own uanding. Spatial element has beeained via the careful salvaging of the previous bde, the Cutting Twilight, but instead of rending space, the bde itself gees a stant low-level field of spatial element, proteg against damage and leaving the bde’s sharpness unparalleled by previous ons.

  The bde has lost the ability to absorb elements via the bluesteel, but instead has the properties of wind, fme and lightning, and these be geed, and even unique winds, fmes and lightnings be held within the bde, as it has great affinity with such elements, and any damaging effects of these are dispersed by the spatial field. Mere Rules no longer describe its power, as a number were fed together to create this on which has, due to a flux of materials and a skilled craftsman w beyond his limits, buoyed by sudden insights, bee a on not fed on this world iuries.

  As I flourished the bde, giving it a few swings, proud Bjarki looking on, his eyes misted with exhaustion and fervent curiosity, Shaeu and Shiro were fussing over it.

  “Pretty cool Aki. I guess it’s close enough to a katana to satisfy your otaku soul, right?” Shiro teased me. “Now all you need is a leather trench coat and some suo plete the look.”

  “I feel an affinity for this-this bde.” Shaeu mused, her own Mystic Eyes glowing, before she nodded in satisfa. “Of course-course. You used the remains of the thunderbird blood, after I had taken what I needed, did you not-not?” She asked Bjarki, who nodded.

  “Aye. I did. It’n was nae easy f it into t’metal, aing it tae bah t’redients, but…” he looked at Shiro passionately. “… m’skills, they have reached new heights, ye ken? I hope you tiae offer me blessings, missy.”

  I exged a look with Shiro, who sighed. “Well, maybe not all the time, but sometimes, sure.” She gave in. “All right then, it looks cool, what else it do?”

  As I headed to one of our training grounds to test out the funs of St Moonlight, Bjarki said he had more to show us, and would catch up with us shortly. Wielding my bde, the weaselkin and others who were training there, including Grulgor and a number of trolls and a t giant, watg on with i, I put the bde through its paces, a few swings enablio check the bance. Yeah, it’s funally a katana, so specialised in fast, orike kills, but as it’s a bit thicker and heavier, more Westernised, it’s capable of going bde-to-bde with other ons without being overwhelmed. I see. Bjarki sacrificed a little speed for utility. With my stats I should be able to pensate for the weight and bance…

  Some rocks and other detritus were hauled over, and my bde sliced deep into them, and on iion after, there was no damage, a faint, lingering purple glow visible where the bde had struck stone. “Nice.” I praised the craftsmanship, before elliher, ing the bde in vibrating wind, further enhang destructive force. I then tried fme, and the bde was wreathed in yellow tongues of fire. All right then… I let out some Foehn, and the bde glowed like a white-hot, hungry star. My ssh left a boulder burning, Foehn ging deep ihe savage cut, and after I dismissed my Foehn, the bde was indeed unharmed.

  “Okay, so it handle unique fmes as promised. I see that being a trump card. Makes me wonder…” bining it with Promiwilight… there’s a lot of potential options…

  Lastly, I poured aether in to create lightning. It was hardly effit, but the bde bzed with shimmering lightning, and on a ssh I found I could throw out aic bolts of forked energy, giving the sword an effective ranged option, though the bolts dispersed quickly over distances of around twenty or thirty metres.

  “Yes, I do indeed-indeed approve.” Shaeu purred, watg lightning akin to hers as it bsted gouges in the hillside.

  “Yeah, no disagreement from me.” Shiro agreed. It was then that Bjarki spoke up, haviurned, a rge covered cart pulled behind him, sweat gleaming on his brow.

  “Aye, it’n be pying to yer strengths.” He said proudly. “Flexibility, and a on that is nae easy t’break. This’he sort of ons m’aors likely fed, ba t’distant past, before t’world ged. And that’ all.” He took the tarpaulin off, revealing a huge bundle of what looked like bd white cloth. Daiyu, who had been rather quiet all afternoon, perhaps embarrassed about earlier, went over and started feeling the cloth, surprised.

  “I serong Qi from these.” She murmured. “Yin and also Yang… though…” she looked at me then, thinking. “From what I have observed, perhaps I should say darkness and light.”

  Twilight Cloth – Item Css: [Noble], Item Type: [Rule]

  This thin, lightweight metallic cloth is crafted by the renowned Dvergr craftsman Bjarki, aided by breakthroughs in his uanding. It is fed from trated dwarven silver and bluesteel, two light yet stroals, and its durability is further enhanced by the addition of processed parts from a fallen Unseelie Duke, mixed with Etherite powder. Further finishing lied by adding powdered feathers ri wind element to the bck cloth, and scales ri water element from sea beasts to the white, and then the cloth was fortified with darkness and light elements respectively.

  This has created two materials, the bck cloth that is able to mute the detectability of the wearer, darkness swallowing the light, casting dark shadows, and wind hiding sounds, and the white cloth, that protects and slowly infuses healing water element into the wearer. As a bined inner and outer material, it is perfeanufacturing armour.

  “Yes, you’ve a good eye, Daiyu’er.” I praised her, and her face reddened a little again. “So, Bjarki, armour too, huh?”

  He nodded. “Aye, now’erritory has light element avaible, tae match t’darkness we already possessed, it came tae me. Just as t’light and t’darkness be two sides o’the same , I figured it’n be possible to bi’best o’ both tae make armour eveer than before. I have t’skills now, ye ken?” he grinned, looking at Shiro again.

  “Yes, I see how they work together. A bination of stealth, defend minor healing? Yeah, it beats what I made.” I ughed self-depregly.

  “Well of course-course it does.” Shaeu shrugged. “You have beeing equipment for barely any time at all-all. Master Bjarki is one of, if not-not the fi craftsman in the Seelie Court. There be no-no parison.”

  “Ach, ye be makin’ me blush, princess.” Bjarki ughed, only for him to stop as she tinued.

  “In time, I have no doubts you will surely-surely surpass him, Akio, so do please take this opportunity to observe an expert at his craft-craft.”

  “Ouch, harsh burn.” Shiro smirked, and behind her Hyath giggled, pleased.

  “Well, enough of that. I’m appreciative anyway, master Bjarki.” I cut through the banter. “Well, I would like armour made for me, Shaeu, Hyath, Shiro, Haru-san…” I rattled off the names of those that , including all my fiancées, as well as a set for Yukiko-san. “Hmm, Grulgor as well, though since he tends to wreck armour like I break ons, make that st…”

  “I shall prioritise yours, and t’girlies you be goin’ away with.” Bjarki promised. We returned our old armour, which had served us well during the battle in Kyoto, and handed in all our ons for a tune-up.

  “Well, there’ll be no real fighting until all ear is redone. No point taking risks.” I said, and Shiro sighed in relief. “Instead, I’d like to focus oal training. Some of us are close to more breakthroughs, and every one ts.”

  “Speaking of your trip…” Shaeu said suddenly, as ns to return to the Material briefly. “I am most-most disappointed I ot-not attend. Those isles are the home of the Seelie Court, and though it roams-roams the world oides of the seasons and waxing and waning of the moons-moons, it spends much time there. But as, I have too much-much to do, the Spring ot-not spare me right now. So instead, take Hyath.”

  At that, Hyath looked surprised, but curtsied subserviently. “Mistress Shaeu, I shall dooo my utmost in your pce to proted serve Akiooo and the other mistresses!”

  “Well do not-not fet to have fun, too.” Shaeu grinned sheepishly. “But I would feel better if you were not-not the only warrior there, Akio. Miyu is no fighter, and Motoko and Natsumi ck the strength, even if they have skills.”

  “I don’t know if I take her, but…” seeing the pleading gazes of everyone else, I shrugged. “I’ll press for it. I uand. There’s no point taking ces, and if shit goes down, it’d be reassuring to have someone else who protect the irls, I admit.”

  “Good. Now-now that is settled, we should return…” Shaeu approved, and I agreed.

  “You go, I’ll follow in a minute. I just want to make a suitable sheath for this sword quickly…”

  ********

  On our return, after a quick meal, we had two groups of visitors. The first was Aimi-san and Hina-san, who had e over after doing their work for the day to see Shiro. The sed was Fujiwara-san, apanied by Miyu, Honoka-san and a number of bodyguards, including his two massive half-Japanese bodyguards niamed Left and Right. Motoko, Natsumi and Hinata were with them, as well as Motoko’s father, mother and grandfather.

  Karen- had stayed te again, helping serve uests, looking particurly nervous, and I spotted Kana and Keomi-, as well as several other trainees, looking on in admiration at the number of extremely expensive bck fn cars parked at the shrine. I’m a terrible liar. I kept promising Karen- overtime was rare… well, at least she’ll get paid well for it…

  “Fujiwara-san, father-in-w, mother-in-w, grandfather.” I greeted them all politely. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

  “I uand that you are a busy man, and it has been made clear you are not at our bed call.” Fujiwara-san got straight to the point, with little preamble. “However, this visit directly impacts on your s and ours, so I felt it wise taters in person.”

  “I see.” I said as Karen-san brought out some of the expensive brandies and whiskeys I had stocked for personal use, as well as tea and juice for the girls. Taking a brandy, I s, before taking a sip. It’s good. But it should be at this price. “Yes, making links with Princess Eleanor is vital, for Japan and the world. Tsukiko-san prophesied as much, and I have no reason to doubt it. But… I’m many things, but despite being half-British, I don’t walk in those circles. There’s the old joke that says when the Ameri tourist visits Yorkshire, he asks the first person he meets ‘do you know the Duke of York?’. Well, obviously, that’s not the case.” I remember my mom saying she was asked a simir question a few times when she was youhough she then gloated that the Ameris were probably just hitting on her…

  “That is your task.” Fujiwara-san said. “I have been tasked, along with Katsuro-san and Minoru-san…” he Motoko’s grandfather and father. “… with meeting the Queen and Prime Minister, and seg cooperation for loerm colboration, especially in research, mutual defend spiritual matters. With the situation in a unstable, and further issues cropping up in the Pacific theatre that we are only retly being privy to, our diplomatic ties rengthening. And America is unreliable right now…”

  “Well, grandson.” Tsumura-san said with a faint smile. “Thanks to Fujiwara-sama’s great influence, you’ll be attending a grand ga on Saturday. The Queen, Princess Eleanor, and many others like you will be in attendahe United Kingdom has also been fairly proactive at gathering their Chosen, and has formed a number of teams. You will be apanying my Motoko as her fiancé, and Natsumi will be allowed to attend as her bodyguard. As for you…”

  “Father, Hori- will pass, as high society is aware of our ways, but Oshiro-san won’t be permitted a male bodyguard, it’s too much.” Motoko’s father pointed out.

  “What about Hyath?” I asked. “Having a servant apany us seems like a hing to dht? And as she’s a girl, it won’t arouse any suspi or cause problems.”

  “A servant?” Fujiwara-san mused. “Well, it would be… unusual, as the ga will have a full staff catering to every need, but… it isn’t strictly a breach of etiquette…”

  “There are going to be Chosen there. While I’m fident I handle myself, having to protect everyone, including Miyu, Honoka-san…” I smiled reassuringly at the girls. “… and yourselves, it would be useful to have Hyath there. Between us, it would be far safer in the event of an emergency.” And of course, worst case sario, Hyath annihite those that oppose us with her spores and other biological attacks, not that I’ll be mentioning such…

  “Nooone shall hurt the mistresses, or those Akio wishes tooo protect while I am there!” Hyath decre proudly, eyes shining.

  “I would be most reassured to have you with us. I sed the suggestion.” Motoko said, and Natsumi agreed.

  “Yes, Hyath is reliable. Just… if you see a servant making a mistake and dropping the wine, don’t try and strangle her, okay?” she giggled softly, amused.

  “I too would ask this, grandfather.” Miyu said, surprising her cousin, as it wasn’t often Miyu made requests. “Hyath is strong, much strohan me, and … well, I am not a fighter, as Akio-san says. I am shamed at my weakness, but… my heart lies in danot in strength. I am grateful that is enough to be useful, but it means were a bat-focused Chosen to attack you, grandfather, Honoka-san…” her brown eyes were serious. “… I do not wish to see you hurt. I could not bear that. So take advantage of the strength we have. Hyath is ideal, as she does not look threatening, not like…” she g Left and Right, the two t bodyguards. “… your favourites, grandfather. She is surely perfect for this.”

  “Ordinarily, it should be unthinkable for dao befall us when at su event. It would throw mud on the reputation and standing of the United Kingdom all around the world.” Tsumura-san mused. “But… these are far from normal times. And we have noticed that Choseo have rather extreme temperaments. I would certainly feel safer with Motoko under her watch. ass it off as an idiosyncrasy of the Japanese nobility, such as our daughters having their female bodyguards while they are of school age.”

  “That is settled then.” Fujiwara-san ceded. “She will apany us. As for the rest… our flight will depart from Haneda airport Thursday m, flying directly to London City airport. We will be taking my private pne, of course. Due to the flight duration and time difference we will arrive te Thursday afternoon, local time. In terms of aodation, rooms have been arra the Savoy Hotel, irand, London.”

  “Oh, I remember that.” Honoka-san chimed in. “We stayed there a few years ago, didn’t we grandfather?”

  He nodded. “Yes, on our st visit. Oh, that must have been… nearly seven years ago now. Time makes fools of us all.” he looked at me then. “I shall arrange another room for your maid…”

  “Nooo need. I shall stay with master.” Hyath denied him. “He might be lonely without me tooo warm his bed!”

  “I think that Motoko might want to do that.” Tsumura-san ughed, and while Motoko’s mother flushed, looking a bit ashamed, Motoko remained poised.

  “Of course. I am his fiancée, all the more so on this trip. I expect the rooms are more thae for the four of us…” she looked at Natsumi. “… to share?”

  “Well, you two do have a suite.” Fujiwara-san agreed.

  “So that’s settled.” I mahinking to the likely fun at the weekend, staying in a room with the three girls.

  “In terms of itineraries…” Fujiwara-san tinued. “Ohursday evening we will be dining with some civic dignitaries, and I will introduce you to some important politis and figures in the business world. Motoko- will of course be attending as your fiancée. We o make an impression.”

  “I will not fail. I am a Tsumura, be it battle or politics, I am aloised and ready!” she pumped her fist cutely, at odds with her normal serious expressions, and Natsumi giggled softly.

  “As for Friday…” he tinued. “That day is free until the evening, when there will be further meetings. So… spend it how you wish. Theurday will be the ga. Sunday is then also free, though I am hoping that we will have made suitable es with Princess Eleanor and others, so that you meet with her to discuss mutual is. Then we fly baonday.”

  “I see.” I sidered it all. “Well, I work with that.” So, a rgely free Friday, huh? I wonder…

  “Well, I have my own preparations then. Haru-san’s Territory is on-track, so I’d like to spend the time training.” I looked at Motoko and Natsumi. “I think I’d like you to get a before you go. It might not be much use against a Chosen, but … well, if you cat attacker off guard, it could buy enough time for Hyath or me to step in.” I looked over to see Hinata was talking with a red-faced Shiro, Aimi-san and Hina-san. “Hinata, I think you should get in on this training. We’ll borrow the twins and Haru-san. I’m sure we make it work.”

  “Oh, sure. Yes, I’d love to.” She said. “Oh, before that, where’s your apology for w us?”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry. But I didn’t do it on purpose. But look, I’m fine nht?”

  Hinata pouted. “I suppose that’s true. Well, I won’t hold it against you, but I’m really jealous I’m not going with you to the United Kingdom. I want to shout from the rooftops I’m your fiaoo!”

  “Well, you , sihe w has ged. Well, we o wait until the special passports are issued, but you know what I mean…”

  “It’s not the same. I get why she’s so envious.” Natsumi shrugged. “I’ll be there, but to those present, I’m just a bodyguard. I want…” her face went red. “… you to make it up to me at night!”

  “Sure thing, though Motoko and Hyath will heir share. Oh, so… what were the three of them talking about? They look rather embarrassed.”

  “Well, I didn’t really uand it, and they didn’t want to expin, but…”

  “Oh for the love of god, don’t say anything!” Aimi-san begged, red-faced, while Hina-san was looking away.

  “Something about BL manga not being accurate, and that lots of lubrication was required…” Shiro cmped a hand over Hinata’s mouth.

  “That’s quite enough of that, young dy. This is not the pce for that. Needless to say, we were doing it wrong Aki. Well, not that I didn’t still like it, but… uh, ime I know what to do…”

  “Oh god, I ’t even look at the two of you!” Aimi-san whimpered, and Hina-san nodded like her head was on springs… Well, isn’t that the capstoo diffuse a serious situation?

  With that settled, Fujiwara-san and Motoko’s families withdrew, leaving us to our evening. All right then, we have three evenings to train hard. I’m fident that we make some breakthroughs, with Shiro, the twins and Haru-san at our disposal…

  ShipTeaser