“Wele home Akio, everyone.” Eri smiled at us as we entered our home at the shrihe hour was te, but it seemed that she had waited up for us.

  “Yeah, it’s good to have you all back safely. I was worried.” Kana agreed. She was with Eri, holding the handles of her wheelchair, though there was no real need for that as Eri could move herself just fine using the motor.

  “Yes, I am… relieved? Yes, relieved to see you safe.” Daiyu said in passable Japahe fight… it was… difficult? Dangerous!”

  The st oct of our home was a surprise, sidering the hour, but with a wry smile, Haru-saed us too. “Wele home.” She echoed Eri. “Not that I had any doubts you’d succeed.”

  “It’s good to be back.” I said with a ugh. Grulgor had already headed to his own reside the training school, and Na was being flown back to Kyoto, so it was just me, Shiro, Hyath and Shaeu now. “I missed you all.”

  “What, me too?” Haru-san said, surprised, and I nodded.

  “Don’t worry, it’s nothing sinister. We’re friends, aren’t we, Haru-san?”

  There was a long pause before she nodded. “I suppose so. Yes, I guess we are.” She seemed a little surprised at that, perhaps thinkiatus as my Chosen Hero made her more of a co-worker or servant, but I certainly sidered her a friend, we’d been through a lot together.

  “If you’re done flirting with Haru-…” Kana grinned, a touch sourly, I thought. “… then why not e in and sit down. Are you hungry? I’m ly a great cook, but I throw something together.”

  “That would be most-most pleasing.” Shaeu grinned, slurring her words a little, as she had emptied a number of bottles of potent booze during the flight. “I could certai and drink some more-more.” She wobbled a little as she walked, her suppressed Ether Healing allowio get drunk, though any ordinary person without her stats having drank so much would certainly be unscious from alcohol poisoning right now.

  “I will help yooou!” Hyath began, but Kana shook her head.

  “Not today. You’ve just got back, saviours of Britain…” her lips quirked, amused, as she said the title that the British tabloid press was giving us. “… so let us pamper you. Besides, I have to show off my charm points as a girlfriend. Cooking a meal for a boyfriend is textbook. I’ll admit I’m not terribly fident it’ll taste great though.”

  “It’s the thought that ts.” I managed, while Shaeu carried the versation forwards, showing off the gleaming golden ring on her finger. On seeing that, Eri’s eyes narrowed.

  “That’s not a new e ring, is it?” she asked, and Shaeu held her words teasingly for a sed, before finally shaking her head.

  “No, it is not-not. Though it is a gift Akio won for me, certainly. It is spoils of war-war. A powerful ring that blesses oh great Fortune. I have this too…” She flourished the old sword she had taken from the Tower, the Material version of Mortal Fragarach. We had the physical forms refurbished a little, though there were limits to what we could do, as we had no wish to damage their spiritual properties, but with just that, Shiro’s mantle, my boots and Shaeu’s sword had been made presentable. Hyath’s cauldron too, though it still looks ominous. It’s a good job we flerivate pne, getting a sword through ight have been a challenge…

  As Shaeu talked at length about her sword, Shiro rolled her eyes. “Let’s just sit down. It was fun going on a trip with everyone, but now I’m tired. I’m a fragile girl, right Aki? If it was me from before, I’d have dropped dead.”

  “Fortunately, the new, improved Shiro is made of steruff.” I ughed as we all sat in the living room, except for Kana, who reparing a simple meal. She pulled over a crate of beer and dropped it beside Shaeu, who took several s, opening them for us.

  “You ’t improve perfe.” Shiro snickered. “Anyway, I see jealousy in your eyes, Eri, Daiyu. o worry though, Aki here made a deal that every woman he likes get a treasure. Oh, you too Haru.” Before Haru-san could react to that, Shiro pulled out her own cloth-of-gold treasure, grinning. “I got the jackpot though. Shaeu might be happy with her sword, but I got the treasure that shows I’m a faithful woman to Aki. Too bad, Eri.”

  Eri’s dark eyes fshed, but she didn’t rise to the bait. “I’m gd for you, Shiro. But I don’t hat to prove anything. Akio knows I would rather die tharay him.”

  “Uh, the atmosphere here is a bit heavy, I feel out of pce, I should just disappear into the air, like a ghost.” Haru-san said, but I shook my head.

  “Don’t mind them. The treasures are great, but not the most important point. So, while they bicker, how’s the Territory stru going?”

  Haru-san g Shiro, before produg a report, which I sed. “I see. The time flow is back to the usual variance of between two and three times what it is here oerial again. The calm is over. But without Shiro’s buffs we still end up pulling ihan with them, even with the time dition.”

  “I’m afraid so, so we are a little behind schedule.” Haru-san admitted, but I waved that apology away, knowing it couldn’t be helped, as saving Eleanor was more important than a little lost time.

  “Yes, the Rhyming Tree and Shiro bination is obse. The bright side is, now the calm has passed, it’ll only make us much more ether than before.” And of the pn works as I think it does… “So, you’ve mao upgrade three more Ether Spires to Rank 3, I suppose even without buffs, our bierritory still gees a det amount.” When the Spires in Haru-san’s Territory were all Rank 3, it would be time for the horrific cost of upgrading all my Ether Spires to Rank 4, with a total cost of eae when rush-built of a bit uwo millioher. One poi seven five million, if one wao be exact. Our only blessing is, thanks to the calm ending, we do it at a feasible speed.

  There was also a report on my build queues. It was something I could check myself easily enough, but Haru-san was as effit as ever, her previous skills as a Ministerial Secretary only further strengthened by her stats. Apparently, Miyu had been training her dang as well, which had a positive effe the Buildings being upgraded as always.

  Now we had the Ether Density Anchor Spire Rank 2 at just under sixty-one days

  Ether Spire Anchor Spire Rank 2 at the same.

  Ether Spire Rank 4 at one hundred ay days.

  While the Treasury Rank 3 was now nearly plete at just uhree days to go.

  Of course, if I wasn’t funnelling all the Ether to Haru-san, I could have finished rush building a k of this. But for now, we might as well keep the queues ihe Ether Density aher Spire Anchor Spires were going to be my first projects once all Haru-san’s Spires were at Rank 3.

  “Good.” I finished my beer, put down the dots and checked a few others. Impressed, I let out a whistle. “So many mastered earth element? That’s awesome, and Tsumura-san owes us. Thinking of Motoko’s grandfather, I smiled. Now we use them as engio set up the factory for Ixitt and prepare for the various building projects Hinata wants to do. Of course, they’ll still only have a limited supply of earth elemental energy and wouldn’t be that skilled in manipution, but it would fulfil two purposes. Helping create stru better than sce alone could, and sedly, training their skills and talents.

  “I have to admit, a lot of the success has been down to Kana-san’s efforts.” Haru-san said, and at that Kana popped her head through the doorway to the kit and held up her fingers in the victory pose, smiling.

  “I told you I could ha.” Kana said happily. “I’ve kept the training school running like clockwork. I’m a reliable woman. Though…” she paused, her smile wry. “I have to thank Ren-kun, he’s really stepping up as a leader, I’ve appointed him my sed-in-and. The twins too. With help from Haru- here, their abilities have really helped, bining all the experiend talents of everyoo one. Holy, I think I’ll mao master another element myself sooe the sed base element being far harder.”

  “That’s great. I did want to talk about that in more detail. Not tonight, it’s te, but we o gather everyone in the evening.” I replied, impressed. “I knew I could t on you, Kana. That day you called out to Shaeu and me was lucky for us all.”

  “I’m gd you know that.” Kana’s face ink with embarrassment and happiness. She vanished ihe kit for a minute, only t out a rge pte of snacks, which she pced oable, before squeezing in beside me, her shoulder toug mine. “I’ve been going through a lot of trouble. Not just me, but Mio-, Asami-, Hisano-… school has been crazy since you were on TV. I thought you were supposed to be keeping a low profile.”

  “We did try.” Shiro snorted, amused. “At least to start with. But it all went to shit fast.”

  “That is correct.” Shaeu smirked, face red. “Akio did not-not wish the Prio suffer, despite her rudeness before. I think even if she was not-not the Princess of Humans, his decision would have beehe same.”

  “She has repented ooof her rudeness.” Hyath said, though I could tell that even though she had fiven Eleanor, she hadn’t fotten. “She will nooot go against us now. And Akio should make her pay up fooor all our aid!”

  “That’s right!” Shiro approved, king beers with Hyath. “Hence why we are going to draiower dry. So don’t feel bad about accepting an artefact, Haru. We’ve ear many times over. We protected Eleanor’s chastity, life, brother, Territory and more. If she doesn’t feel the o pay us back, then I’ll throw her out of the princess club!”

  “Since when was there one of those?” Eri said with a big sigh. “I know Akio didn’t move for the gaioo soft-hearted, but… we didn’t have a choice, did we? We need her alive. Still, I was extremely angry when Motoko and Natsumi told me about her attitude.”

  “You’re always angry, Eri.” Shiro retorted, and for a while we merely enjoyed each other’s pany again. Daiyu was the quietest, as always, so I asked her how her Cultivation was ing on.

  “I do not wish to push my Foundation any further, until I have acquired both the Yang energy I need, and the Spiritually Pure Physique. I would rather hold myself baow, solidifying my Foundation, than press ahead.” She paused, looking a little ashamed. “I uand this is selfish, tales of your battles against powerful foes show the need for us to gain strength as fast as we , but…” she frowned, a toueasy.

  She let out a yelp of surprise as I pulled her into a hug. She stiffened, uo make tact, before she rexed, her face slightly pink. Shaeu and Hyath were ughing, Shiro was rolling her eyes, while Kana and Eri looked resigned, not uanding her words, but guessing from her body nguage. I decided to accept what ’t be ged. Just like with Asha, it’s not love, not yet, but I respect her a lot, and her dedioves me. I certainly don’t hate her… “I get it. Cultivation is your everything. And you don’t want to risk your Foundation with some tempains. That was one of the things I wao talk about.”

  “It is not my everything.” She said, embarrassed. “Not any more.” Even so, she was watg me ily, her dark eyes curious.

  “We might have a little leeway in terms of time now. Our pressing issue shave been resolved, and though there’s a lot to do, we have to take advantage of this.” I said, ying out my pns briefly. “So, we’re going to be focussing on training and pushing our Territories to new heights.”

  Haru-san spoke up, her voice dry. “Push the Territory? We are already going well beyond what is normal. I don’t see what else be squeezed out.”

  “There’s a possibility. But I want to speak to Asha first, and it depends on Hyath.” At my words, Hyath stood, finishing the food she was holding.

  “I shall gooo and start setting up the Ring Gate immediately. I shall nooot dey…” I reached out, grabbing her hand, stopping her, and she blinked her silver-violet eyes at me in surprise.

  “No, you’ll sit here with us and unwind. We don’t dohis minute.” At my touch, she reddened, before sitting down again, to some ughter from the others.

  “You o learn to rex, or you’ll just make Aki sad.” Shiro warned her, and while Hyath pouted, Eri joined in.

  “That’s right. Akio knows you like serving, it’s in your nature, but you also agreed to be a mistress tht? It’s times like these, quiet times with the family…” she looked at Haru-san then. “You might not be one of Akio’s women, but you’re certainly important to us, Haru-san, so don’t look so unfortable…” as Haru-sa out a little nervous ugh, Eri tinued. “… you’ve been on a long trip, so make the most of this quiet time together. I think that’s what Akio means. We don’t have anything specific to dht now, so it makes seo make what gains we . I’m only sorry I’ll miss out.”

  “You’ve been w hard too.” Kana chimed in. “Eri-, you move your toes and fingers nht? And your limbs a little. Ihe Boundary you’re able to fun reasonably well, if far from your best. Don’t be down on yourself. It doesn’t suit you.”

  I see. Leaving Kana to help Eri has definitely brought them clether. I’m pleased, as Kana was the girl Eri liked the least out of the others.

  “Hopefully we’ll have an expert soon who assist you.” The spirit light of Ginneka was brilliantly bright to my Eye, and I could hear her fragmehoughts and feel her scattered emotions far more frequently now. “If she doesn’t know, well, you’ll just have to keep up your rehabilitation. But I did promise you a holiday, just the two of us, remember?” Eri that. “So once we’ve matters in hand… how about it?”

  “I’d like that.” Eri said happily, and ign the jealous pints from some of the others, I moved on to outlining my pns. When I was done, everyone seemed excited, though Kana had a troubled expression.

  “What’s up, Kana?” Shiro asked, ed, and her answer surprised us.

  “Look, I don’t want to miss out. But… I’m als to take it easy, have a normal boyfriend and girlfrieionship, you know? I don’t want to have to rush through all the steps. I want more dates, more romance… but I don’t want to be left behind. It’s frustrating!”

  “Such a foolish worry. There is always time for such things, is there not-not?” Shaeu disagreed, but Kana shook her head.

  “You don’t get it, because you’re not a human girl. That’s not a bad thing, you’re in love and enjoying your life, that’s great. But… this is my first and only love.” There were nods at that. “I want to do everything I dreamed of. Jumping straight to the end seems a bit sad.”

  “I agree. It’s… rexing, having a normal retionship.” I admitted. “Fortunately, your situation isn’t as difficult as Hinata’s. You don’t have the level cap to worry about. But we’ll work something out. Just because we know that the Fae-Bonded css be gaihrough lovemaking, doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways. Initially, I got mine from Shaeu, and we definitely weren’t lovers then.”

  “Indeed not-not.” Shaeu snickered. “You had just-just attempted to kill me, as I had you. I merely surrendered because I was a shameless coward, my boasts of fag death rather than-than dishonour mere empty trifles. Of course, I would not-not have it any other way. My choice was the root of so much joy, even if built on shameful foundations.”

  “Hey, why didn’t I get that css? It’s not like we haven’t been making love, is it?” Shiro said, pletely unbothered by the admission.

  “I’m not sure. I have my ideas though. That’s anood aveo test. I suspect it’s because you don’t have as deep a e to the Fae as the others, as your chakra work is different. It might also be because you ck elements, though that’s a bit more of a long shot. It’s not like Eri, Motoko and Natsumi were wielding many themselves. Lastly, it might have to do with Tan. I am definitely hoping there are non-sexual ways to grant the css though, either through me or Shaeu, as I want Aiko to have it as well, and you too, Haru-san.”

  “Kami-Blessed sounds easier though…” Kana ged the subject, having said her piece earlier. “We do a tour of the Boundary Tokyo and Kyoto, asking the kami to bless us all. I doubt anything in Tokyo threaten us now, and Kyoto is mostly under your trol nht Haru-?”

  “Yes, we have it in hand.” She agreed.

  “We’d have to find the root kami for each person though. It either has to be their home shrine, or oing to the core of their being, right? So for Motoko and Natsumi, some sort of martial shrine or temple?” I pointed out.

  “You just leave that to me.” Kana grinned. “I’ll get my dad and grandfather to put in some work. The list of true shrines be sorted through. There might be some travel involved, but frowing stronger, we do it.”

  “Get Karen- and the others to help. As for elemental abilities and mutated elements… the spirit water has to go to Daiyu.” I said warmly. “Shaeu and I will vert all our water element the Territory has accumuted to it, and if Daiyu master the Spiritually Pure Physique, we then think about gifting others with the remainder.”

  “I am most grateful.” Daiyu said, still close to me. “As for… other matters. We could… Cultivate together?” she said shyly, and I nodded, feeling my own face flush a little.

  “I want to make sure it won’t have any side effects oher yrowth or mine, but… yes, I am curious to see just what strength it bring us. It’s not something we share with others though.”

  Daiyu shook her head. “Those who wish to follow the teags of the Incorruptible Jade, I would be happy to teach.” She looked at everyone seriously, while I transted. “At least you all know your own Dao panion already.” Her smile was surprising, like a blooming orchid, and Shiro ughed that she was surprisingly girly, despite her stoic exterior.

  “All right. Lastly… and I apologise in advance…” I looked at everyone. “Ether Healing. It’s going to be brutal, but I want everyoo have it at least to Rank 6. It offers too much safety to not have it. And at that point, even without some sort of mystic vision, everyone fun as a det bat medic. Those who do have such eyes…” I looked at Kana, who gave me another victory sign. “… Chirurgery as well.”

  “Aiko- will be jealous.” Kana smirked. “I would like some help on how to train my vision though. Some personal tut perhaps?” she pushed her arms close together, emphasising her chest i-shirt she was wearing, fluttering her eyeshes at me, flirting. Shaeu snorted, saying she would teach her, to which Eri approved, and Kana pouted, though we all k was just banter.

  “Obviously I’ll go over everything iail in the evening, when everyone is here, but that’s the basics. As for the Territory…” I expined about the potential of what I had phough I kept a lot of details secret, so as not to betray my word to Eleanor and the Queen. When I was dohere was silence. Haru-san was the first to speak.

  “That… it will work?” she asked, and I nodded.

  “I think so. It’s not guaranteed, but I believe it’s got a good ce of w, assuming everyone does their part.”

  “In that case…” Haru-san rapidly calcuted. “I see. It’s possible. Very possible.”

  “Finally, there’s a few matters to take care of here ierial world. I still o find a holder for Laverna’s Divine Favour, we have to decide on Nie Ling’s fate, and then…” I looked at Shiro, an impish smile on my face. “it’s time to pay my debt to Arisu-san. I have an idea on that as well.”

  Shiro grinned. “I’m sure she’ll be happy, but… it’s not too crazy, is it? You don’t want to make her angry.”

  “Not at all. I was merely thinking about the uping charity event. Besides, Japan needs somethio take everyone’s minds off the shog events since Kyoto. I want her help with spatial element as well. I think I’ve got a shot of learning it. I’ll o gather all my vassals anyway, so that means Suzu-san and Bunta-san, right? Kikuchi Shuta-san too.”

  “There’s getting Ixitt’s business off the ground as well.” Haru-san said, notig I had left her name and Miyu’s off my list of vassals. That’s because I think you both are something more than just a vassal, you’re both true allies. Besides, you’ll be gathered anyway. “That would fulfil our itments to Ichijou house, as well as start bringing in more wealth. Your secretary Karen-san has drawn up a list of targets for purchase that would be you, but your funds, while ample, are hardly enough to be snapping up rge ks of the Tokyo outskirts, even with Ministry assistan some cases.”

  “Yes, so we have a lot to do, so now’s the time.” I finished off our discussion, downing the rest of my beer, before taking another bite of the snacks Kana had made. “You know, this isn’t as bad as you made it out to be, Kana.”

  She blinked, a mixture of annoyand happiness on her face. “Thanks Akio, I appreciate it. But you could have dohe manly thing and lied, telli was delicious.”

  “Is it too te for that?” I joked, and after some ughter, I stretched, stifling a yawn. I’m not really tired, it’s more just mental fatigue accumuted over the st few weeks. “All right then, I’m headed to the Boundary to speak to Asha and the others. Hyath, are you ready?”

  As she nodded, Shaeu chimed in that she wished to make sure her sister had not caused any trouble in her absence, while Shiro sighed that she would start buffing the Trees again now she was back, as well as the many others who were likely eagerly waiting her return.

  “I’ll pass. I’m a little tired.” Eri said, and Kana agreed.

  “Yeah, I have school in a few hours, I’d like to get a little sleep. Eri’s almost doh her work ohough. She’ll have graduated by Christmas if all goes well.”

  “It’s fine. Keep rested and fresh, and this evening… we’ll start putting all our pns in motion!”

  ShipTeaser