The rest of the night passed in a flurry of activity. The upgrade to the Throne would cost two and a half millioher, which we didn’t have, as I’d dohe third Rank 4 Ether Spire earlier, but thanks to Asha’s Tree and Shiro, we were rapidly climbing towards having enough. Of course, then at two and a half thousand astral days to plete, rush building was the only viable option. It’ll take a couple of days ierial, but I’m sure we keep Ginneka under trol until then…

  If I was being ho, other than being irritating, Ginneka wasn’t causing any trouble, and my ill-feelings towards her were likely mostly reted to how she and her brother had almost killed Shaeu ahat was warring against my gratitude for her saving Eri’s life from our own blunders, so overall my feelings towards her were mostly mild annoyand exhaustion. It’s hardly the first time awhile enemy has bee an ally…

  “She’s certainly something, isn’t she Aki?” Shiro observed. “Absolutely no sense of shame or modesty as all. She’s all yes, I know I tried to kill you all, but that was like, ages ago nya…” Shiro mimicked her cutely. “And she’s as horny as a teenage boy. e to think of it, were you ever a horny kid, Aki?”

  “No, he never showed any overt i in girls.” Eri said, her cat ears flickering cutely. She had worked out having two sets of ears ainful assault on her brain and mao master shifting them. I had stopped her though, and even enced her to practise having more ears and eyes, even if only in private, as she had raged that there was no way she was going to let anyone else, specially not me, see her in such a hideous state. But if she master the jumbled storm of input that tries to shut down her brain, I think it quite likely she learn Split Thoughts. I’d imagihat she’d have great patibility with Body Enha as well, and possibly some sort of body modifications too, like a super soldier project, or the Space Marines from that wargame mom used to mention…

  “It was quite frustrating.” Eri puffed out her cheeks, aured casually, annoyed, but on seeing her normal, ordinary gestures aions, I felt a heat i’s so good seeing Eri healed… “It took me a long time to realise what I felt for Akio was love, but by the time I did realise, he’d mastered the art of ign girls’ feelings!”

  “Guess he was relying on porn mags and the i then.” Shiro said, her mog grin at odds with her beautiful features. “You o be more charming, Eri!”

  “Speak for yourself!” she frowned, crossing her arms under her chest. “I lenty charming. Besides, I didn’t see him making a move on you either until retly. As fazines and stuff… no way. The Oshiro’s had an old puter, but sihey were poor, the whole family had to share it. And Aiko and me were always in his room, messing around. She’d have dug out a porn mag in a sed and teased him about it forever.”

  “I see.” Shiro gri me. “It’s always fun to learn more about Aki’s past. But now…” she looked at Eri, her smile teasing. “… I’m more ied in the possibilities. Our slutty cat over there showed you the way Eri, if you ge into irls appearance-wise, then he’ll be desperate to bed you. Imagi, having your way with any celebrity you like. Hell, you could make a killing on fake porn videos.”

  “No way. Even if it doesn’t look like Eri, it’s still her, I’m not ied in showing off what’s mine.” I insisted. Eri blushed and hugged me, revelling in the feeling of her arms being able to grip me tightly again, aail coiled around one of my legs. “Besides…” I shuddered then, thoughts of one celebrity, and what she’d do to me if she found out, crossing my mind.

  “Whoa, quite the rea there, Aki!” Shiro smirked. “Guilty sce? Let me guess, you were thinking of Arisu. Am I right?”

  Sometimes it amazes me how the girls all seem able to read my mind. “Sorry, it was an instinctive rea. But if she found out about such pys…”

  “Yeah, squashed like a frog under a tire.” Shiro mimicked a pah her hands, while Eri giggled. “I have to admit, she’s certainly geous, but you know, I don’t think even replig the appearance would give you the proper experience. She’s a force of nature, all personality. Now, for a py that would be hot… how about a double Shiry, or a twin Shaeu? The possibilities are endless, my lewd little Eri.”

  “I’m not lewd… I just… is it s to enjoy sex with the man I love?” she protested.

  “No, not at all.” Shiro looked out over the catgirl who was arguing with Shaeu, the pair of them like id fire. “I see why Shaeu doesn’t gel with Ginneka. Shaeu’s like you Eri, a lustful girl, but she only directs it to Aki and those Aki loves. Whereas our silver cat here, she’s just i. There’s no way Shaeu would let such a girl have any time with Aki. After all, the harem king doesn’t let his girls sleep around, right?”

  “True, I’d hate that.” I agreed. “But saying it that way makes me sound such a hypocrite and a selfish bastard.”

  “I guess you are…” Eri agreed. “But who cares? We don’t. Own it, aill love you anyway!”

  “Yes, that’s childhood friend pht there.” Shiro chuckled. “So, no triple Shiries for you. There’s no guy alive, not even you, who could hahree of me in bed anyway…”

  As we ughed about that, Shaeu came stomping over, looking back at Ginneka as she was being herded by Asha. “That damn-damn cat. So very annoying. But have no fear. Asha and Hyath will watch her so she causes no-no trouble.”

  “Do you think she will?” I asked, and Shaeu shook her head.

  “No, holy I do not-not believe so. She is a nuisance, but like most Yōkai, especially cats it seems, when she is defeated, she rolls-rolls over in submission. That does not-not mean we should rex our caution though.”

  “I agree. No point taking ces, so for a couple of days until we get the Throne upgraded, she’ll o be looked after.” I said.

  “Yes, and we will-will o prepare a wele for Asha. And…” Shaeu’s eyes shone e for a moment, her expression slightly troubled, before she smoothed it out. “… your family, no?”

  “That’s right. Eri checked out the e. It was nice, you said?”

  “Nice isn’t the word for it. The training school building is awesome, but… this is like being a noble, like Hinata, Motoko or Natsumi!” As she expined more about the house and its furnishings, Shaeu listened ily, suggestions and promising to speak to Karen- regarding them. When Eri was done, she turo me. “On a less happy note…” she said, a little unsure. “… I hear that yoing to see that ese woman in prison this afternoon?”

  I nodded. “First, I have a meeting with my at manager and also Haru-san’s father, as well as someone from Britain. After that… yes, we ’t put it off any longer. Especially now.” I tried to lighten the mood. “I really need someoo manage my schedule! Karen- and Haru-san are doing the best they . At least the meetings are starting to wind down.”

  “For now. There’ll always be more…” Shiro teased.

  “No kidding. At least I still train and do work in the Boundary while I’m wasting hours of my life iings now.” I joked.

  “In that case…” Eri said, her expression firm. “… I’m ing too. I spoke to her before, and I want to see just what decision she’s reached.”

  “Yeah, you were quite harsh, Eri. But maybe that was what she needed…” Shiro added.

  As they discussed her, I felt a little sick, as I found it far easier to fa enemy such as the golden-eyed devourer, or even Mary Stuart, ehat threatehose I had chosen to protect, than those like Nie Ling, who had some extenuating circumstances but had still tributed to terrible, terrible things… Yes, it might help to have Eri there, for moral support if naught else…

  ********

  “… t has already been w with Chase Midas Gold long before the Japanese gover and other banks became involved.” Takahashi James-san, my at manager here in Japan was saying. His looks were rgely Japanese, like mine, but his face had some subtle Westerures, so it was likely he was also a half. “I think that as the first financial institution tnise Oshiro-sama as an up-and-ing person of merit, erfectly pced to handle his financial needs, especially iroubled times.”

  “We would certainly rather keep his assets within Japan wherever possible.” Haru-san’s father was saying, having taken time out of his busy role as Minister of Fio address this. Beside me, Haru-san was giving me a sympathetic look.

  Did you enjoy the party? I thought at her, and she nodded, mouthing back that she did have fun, even if she still found it rather difficult being around men, but that her job involved it, so she would have to get used to it.

  Yeah. I know it’s small sotion, but there’s nothing to fear from your father, and the other two guys, they’re not Chosen, so you could defeat them before they could blink. My thoughts were reassuring. I’m here too.

  Yes, but you are the most dangerous one of all, Akio-san. I was surprised whehoughts came to my head without the aid of the twins helping Haru-san form a link. On seeing my surprise, she held in a giggle. Why so shocked? I practise too. I’ve o, otherwise going out into somewhere like Ginza would have been impossible to bear. I shut out external thoughts unless I’m very stressed, and I unicate with one person at a time, so long as they don’t resist me. But yes, if you tried to attack me, I’d be helpless, wouldn’t I?

  Oh e on, you know I wouldn’t do that, Haru-san. But I’m gd you feel fident enough to make jokes. The atmosphere here is tense…

  No kidding. Daddy is in a tough spot. There’s a lot of talk in goverhat Britain might entice you away, you know? And other tries such as Ameriow that the news is out, have been scrambling to catch up. Rumour is the President of the Uates is going to offer US Citizenship and a signifit amount of money and privileges to any Chosen who emigrates there and agrees to provide support to their gover and military. He tries to solve everything with money… she paused. Tempted? Ameri girls be quite pretty, I hear. Suzu- certainly is.

  No way! Suzu-san is … a little too special for me. Besides, everyone I love is here.

  Yes, but the world is ging. Ties such as the try you are born in will hardly matter as muymore. But for now… best pay attention.

  She wi me, and I answered the question that the representative on behalf of Jeremey Staveley, a British Asian who spoke fluent Japanese, had just asked. Trust a major bank to have good staff for any situation. Mr Staveley knows I speak English, but he’s catering to me as a show of respect, I suppose. That or it’s to help with iations with the Japanese gover.

  “Yes, I do uand about portfolio diversification. But iroubled times, assets abroad might be vulnerable to seizure or other problems. Besides, I don’t make financial decisions without Hinata’s input.”

  “It is rather unpreted, having a minor handle your financial matters. Legally, she is uo enter into any binding tracts, requiring parental, or in your case spousal sent, although since you are only engaged, rather than married, it is a little problematic.” The man replied.

  “Yes, I get that. I sign and seal all the agreements that Hinata ratifies after we’ve discussed it. Her grandfather oversees a lot of her decisions as well. If mistakes are made, so be it, but I have to delegate.” Besides, Hinata looks her most alluring when she’s pnning financial moves and business strategies. Hinata… I ’t really put it off much longer…

  See, I said you were the most dangerous one here!

  Laughing inside my mind, I tinued. “In fact, Hinata is the reason we have su asset portfolio now. Our shares in various panies and some money and property were all gaihrough her w.”

  “But your skills.” James-san interjected. “Now, there’s nothing wrong with that. My own wife supports me, while I earn. The issue is… your marital and familial assets will be… tao put it bluntly. The ws have been passed allowing polygamy, which caused a stir, I assure you. But other ws still need updating, for example, in the event of a divorce of one wife…”

  “That will never happen.” Haru-san said firmly, surprising her father, who looked at her, a bit put out. “Not to Akio-san, anyway. I know all the girls involved, and I know Akio-san.” Shaeu and Eri- would murder anyone who tried to leave and take some of your assets. Hyath… she’d scorch the earth on their whole family. You have a taste for scary women, don’t you? As she thought that at me, she tio address the others fidently. “Yes, the Ministry is w oing the required ws into pce, as it’s certainly not just going to be Akio-san who takes advantage of them, so such situations might arise, no, iably will. But for now… don’t worry about it. As for Hinata- making financial decisions… yes, it is difficult to accept, for those of us who have been involved in finand fields of a simir nature… but a number of Chosen are uhe age of adulthood. We will have to adjust our thinking.”

  “Haru, you’ve put a lot of thought into this…” her father said, and she nodded.

  “Of course. I am undersecretary to the Ministry, it’s my job. But I am also a Vassal of Akio-san here. Some might call it a flict of i, but I believe it give some invaluable experiend es to those who matter, allowio do my job properly. And for now, I agree with Akio-san, assets held abroad are at risk of forfeiture…”

  “Not with us!” the man insisted. “Britain would never betray a hero like that, and our chairman instructed me personally and at length to show you no disrespect, as he says he owes you a personal debt of gratitude mere money ot repay. Your assets would not only be safe with Barcys, but we have many ideas to help them grow. Although…” he looked at James-san. “Chase is an Ameri bank. I uand your reservations. The US has adopted a very America-tric set of policies as of te, and rumours say you’ve had your fri with them, Oshiro-sama. Seizure of assets under some nonsensical terrorism or national security w are not beyond the realms of possibility, unlike in civilised Britain.”

  “That’s an insult, sir!” James-san shot back, insed. “Our bank never bows to political pressure! Besides, while I’m sure you have several more Chosen on your books, just like we do…” he used the Japaerm for us. “… Oshiro-sama is a valued er, even before that. Ms ors would have my guts if I allowed his assets to be frozen! Besides, imagihe damage it would do to our reputation iionally. Stealing from the hero of Britain…”

  “The official position of the Prime Minister is that we should bring your assets uhe umbrel of the gover. There is less risk that way, and more recourse should fn powers py hardball.” Suzuki-san said. “There are many advantages as well.”

  “And just as many downsides!” the man from Barcys insisted. “Money is all very well, but… dead money is of little value. Iment is the key. And not necessarily to make more money, but…” the man gririumphantly, obviously having gathered information from somewhere. “… it seems that Chosen have a great need of wealth for other reasons. And we are world leaders in iment funds!”

  “World leaders? Hardly. When you think of ats for the rich you think Midas Gold!” James-san insisted.

  “If it is iment, the gover…” Suzuki-san began, but Haru-san shook her head.

  “I’m sorry father, but Japan is already stretched, and tensions are starting to rise. Akio-san has already garnered favourable terms, though he should have been further rewarded for his efforts.” She insisted. “A gover loan to an individual…”

  “It’s not advisable. However…” James-san said. “…Midas Gold specialises in substantial loans for business dealings, on a scale into the billions of dolrs. Perhaps even a trillion yen.” He grinned.

  “Bullshit. That’s like a tenth of your bank’s yearly profits.” The other man scoffed. “You’d have to be crazy…”

  “Is poor little Barcys overawed? What did you make st year? Ten billion dolrs in profit? Sure, you’ve a good reputation in Europe, but pared to our financial clout…”

  Does it feel good being fought over by these banks, Akio-san? Haru-san smiled at me. I know Fukumoto-san is wealthy, but Nichibotsu profits are still only in the billions of dolrs bracket, after expenses, and he is most of it bato the business, it’s why he is a world leader. He support you, and has been, but…

  That’s right. He’s already spent a lot buying up suitable plots of nd for me, as well as iing in staff and resources to help set up our new businesses. Speaking of… we o ramp up preparations, as soon…

  “It’s true. I do need money. But I’m also not ied in paying back vast sums of i.” Although when Ixitt’s products be made here, we’ll have moo burn…

  “Of course. You have bag.” James-san agreed. “But while I am most definitely in it to make a profit… after all, my yearly bonus depends on it!” he winked, and Haru-san held her hand over her mouth, hiding her smile. “We are also more ed with what ’t be bought with money. In that we are in agreement with our little friend from Barcys here.”

  As the other man nodded, I gestured for them to go on.

  “Our proposals are thus.” James-san said. “Oshiro-sama, we know you are pnning several revolutionary businesses. Fukumoto-sama, as well as the esteemed Ichijou-sama, have made of it. Now, colteral for loans keeps the rate of i low…”

  “I’m not risking shares in our pany or teology.” I said firmly. Hinata would be so disappointed if I did. Other than the split project with Mayumi-san, nobody is getting in on our projects… “That’s noiable for now.”

  “It was worth a try. But you misuand. I doubt my colleague here does though…”

  The man nodded. “Our chairman has been a new man, these past weeks. His wife recovered from a terminal, degeive illness miraculously. Strangely enough, that was the eveni some important Japanese guests for dinner. He has kept his silence si has expressed more i in you thehe hero of Britais. He’s also stepped up financial support for Princess Eleanor and her ente. Now… colteral does not have to be tangible.”

  “In exge for a negligible i rate, just enough to secure our end-of-year bonuses ahe shareholders happy, Midas Gold is prepared to loan you signifit sums, allowing that you pledge the use of your abilities as colteral, and also promise to look favourably on any requests made. Nothing illegal or immoral, of course.” James-san grinned. “Ms ors would look poorly on that…”

  The more he mentioned Ms ors, the more I realised she was someone important. Buck sure did introduce me to someone ected… though at the time she came across as just an employee. There’s definitely a story there. “So what are we talking? Healing? Sure, that’s just aension of my current business. There are likely others out there that be bought cheaply…”

  “True. There was one Ameri Chosen, but he’s vanished. And we do know of others.” James-san agreed. “In fact, healing abilities are certainly the most sought-after. But the iing thing is… you’re not a healer, are you Oshiro-sama?”

  “That issue touches on the privacy of our citizens, and national security…” Suzuki-san began, but I nodded, sileng him.

  “I don’t like revealing too muy strength, but no, I’m certainly not primarily a healer. I do a lot of things.”

  You certainly . But the thing I find the stra is, those around you as well. Look at me…

  With a gehought of praise towards Haru-san, I tinued. “Now the world is talking about the Chosen after Kyoto and London, it’s only natural for rumours to spread. But any tract would have to be vetted by Hinata, her grandfather and likely the gover here as well.”

  “Most certainly. We won’t be prepared to have Oshiro-san sneakily taken by the backdoor.” Suzuki-san agreed. “Though…” he looked at his daughter. “Sadly, you are correct. Implementing all the reforms, the payments for Territorial prote, and more… the bills are endless. It’s almost enough to make me wish I had an easy job, like something i.”

  “I hardly thi is easy.” Haru-san chided her father, looking very professional. “sidering that managing the u of the popution requires signifit media and cultural efforts, that Ministry is almost as busy as yours. It’s not like we aren’t involved either…”

  “Speaking of culture…” James-san said suddenly, a look of i on his face. “Did you see the his m? It was running in a headline slot, and it’s all over the papers and the i.”

  Is that… I hadn’t the time to watch TV, after the hectic events of st night, but I had an idea. My thoughts were firmed as he tinued. “Arisugawa Arisu-san… I remember that old sdal. I was gutted over the whole mess.” He let out a quiet chuckle. “I admit to her being my dream woman. It’s that cold beauty… to think she was involved in embezzlement, bullying, cheating… but apparently it was all a setup. It all seems too perfect though…”

  “I assure you that it’s all true.” I interjected. Before I could eborate, our British guest looked puzzled.

  “Who is this woman? Some sort of celebrity?”

  “Oh, you poor fool, not knowing Arisugawa Arisu-san. She was the hottest young actress in Japan, there was even talk she could break into Hollywood. She was geous…” he pulled up a picture on his phone.

  She still is. In a cool way…

  If she could hear you think that, wouldn’t she be angry?

  Hey, it’s simply an objective truth. I’d never dare to hit on her. Besides, I promised her I’d make Shiro happy.

  “Yeah, she’s certainly something.” The man agreed. “A sdal, you say?”

  “The full works. The only thing she wasn’t accused of was taking drugs, though there were rumours. But it seems to all be a lie.” He looked at me, and I eborated to defend her honour.

  “Yes, it was. Having her name cleared is justice at st.”

  “It seems you know more people than I expected. Rumours are she’ll be heading the MEXT-sponsored Charity Ga for the victims of Kyoto.” James-san asked, and I nodded.

  “That’s right. As for how I know her… that’s not really important. Just… if you believed the initial sdal, then you should believe the truth that’s ing out now. And she’s a surprisingly iing woman. Frighteningly smart…”

  As we talked about that for a while, my other body, ba the Territory, had just accumuted enough ether to start the upgrade process for a Throne of Heroes to Rank 3. Now it would just take a couple of days of Material time to have enough to finish it off.

  “All right then, that was a fun distra. But back to business…” James-san said, his expression ging. “I uand that you have s about funds and assets being frozen, but I assure you, the Japanese arm of Chase Midas Gold is fully pliant with Japanese olicies. There’s no way for us to simply walk off with it. What would be the be, anyway? Making Oshiro-sama an enemy bes nobody. But when it es to leveraging assets into increased wealth…”

  “Barcys do it as well. And we are better pced in the British market, and the Princess herself has publicly expressed ses that she seeks closer ties with Japan, and yourself especially, Oshiro-sama. It was in the Daily Sun!”

  “That rag… you British and your tabloid press…” James-san sniffed, and as the argument tinued, I exged a look with Haru-san. I get that a solid financial base is important, but this is quite the nuisance…

  ********

  “How much?” Shiro nearly choked as I told them about the meeting earlier in the day.

  “In the end, we decided on a credit line of around twenty billion yen, split between Barcys and Chase Midas Gold. Of course, there’s no fees for simply having the credit line.” I made sure of that, knowing Hinata would not be happy if I threw away money for no reason. “In terms of i, it’s low, but Hinata and her grandfather will have to vet the dotation. In terms of colteral, it’s loose too. They seemed sure that Japan would step in if I defaulted, seeing as I’m an important public figure now. Or if not, then I’d be beholden to them for a number of favours.”

  “But what will you do with that sort-sort of wealth?” Shaeu asked. Along with Shiro and Eri, who had met Nie Ling in prison before, Shaeu had tagged along, perhaps weary of dealing with Ginneka. “trolling more of our Territory here ierial makes sense, but even that amount of wealth will not-not go so far. Even oskirts of Tokyo, nd is most-most expensive, no?”

  “Yes, although that kind of money would go a long way. But… instead, we o make ourselves indispensable to Japan and ideally the world at rge, so that any try or Chosen than tries to oppose us will find themselves ostracised in turerrence is key.”

  “And the money will help with that?” Eri asked, as we headed towards the cell where Nie Ling was still being held. A number of soldiers, including one of the JSDF Chosen, was with us, sinie Ling couldn’t be left to normal guards.

  “It should. If Ginneka…” Shaeu scowled as I mentioned her name. “… tio py nice, and I’ve no reason to think she won’t, what with her brother still dead, I think we move matters along and even scale up our pns. Though I’m going to be busy too. I’m gd I split myself in two…” I ughed, a touch bitterly. Sure, I’m tinuing to train Tsumura Arts while I’m here now, but I will also o take up my crafting skills again. They’ve been gging as I’ve not had time, and Ixitt and Bjarki make better gear than I do…

  “… but really, there’s one more ingredient for perfe. But yes, I don’t enjoy draining Fukumoto-san’s coffers. Hopefully we leverage the money into a rapid expansion of our Material powerbase. Anyway, we’re here.” I took a deep breath at the pin, high security door of the cell. Nie Ling… I’d rather fa ehan her. But…

  The cell door buzzed, eleagic locks disengaging. The physical locks were then opened, and the door swung open. The cell itself was hardly remi of the sort of prisons one saw in fi, it was quite roomy, and had a rge window, though the gss was the toughest military-grade material, and it was secured by a number of sturdy metal bars. A bed was in one er, as well as a small desk, and there was a bookshelf that tained some ese literature, as well as a rge TV fixed securely to the wall. There’s even some potted pnts and her own dedicated bathroom…

  On seeing us, Nie Ling managed a weary smile, before speaking to me in Mandarin. “I see. I had worried I had been fotten. It has been a long time. So, have you e to decide my fate?”

  As I ehe cell, Shaeu, Eri and Shiro behind me, along with the Chosen soldier, the door was shut, the clig of the various locks eg loudly in the sudden silence. All right then. My hardest challe… making something worthwhile out of this terrible, shitty mess…

  ShipTeaser