The trip to Ryōan-ji had given us a lot to think about. On our way back to the lodgings we discussed it, and the only clusion we could e to was that nothing had ged. So Shaeu and Shiro had to live, else there would be disaster. Well to me, if either of them died, that would be the true disaster. Apparently one of the daughters of the Imperial Family was a didate too, and also o be saved. Well, I had no obligation to help her, but it was impossible to lie to myself, hearing about her potential danger, I would at the very least meet with her as the Diviner wished. The Diviner… I suppose if one see the future, even if its imperfect, the urge to accept it will creep up on you. Still, she did seem itted to ging it, and no wonder… if she knows her precious friend is going to die, and Japan will be ravaged too… and I expect there’s more. Whealked about the Red Dragon her voice wavered… Shaeu had asked me on the boat ride back whether I thought I was the ohe Diviner had prophesied, and I had answered that it was the wrong question. The right question was could I prevent the disasters to e and save these Princesses (and the Diviner) anyway?

  I don’t know, but I know I might want to try… Opening the door to our se of the ryokan I was greeted by a bit of a se. Kana and her family had returned, and Kana was lying on her ba a sofa, hugging a cushion to her chest and kig her legs like a child having a tantrum, her friends, and surprisingly enough my sis and Eri, trying to sole her. Her mother and father were around the table, drinking, and her grandfather was talking to Shirohebi, a bitter scowl on his face.

  “What happened?” I asked, and it was Hikawa-san, who had also arrived, who answered me on their behalf.

  “Wele back, Oshiro-kun.” He smiled slightly, looking a bit embarrassed. “Well, the Izumi family mao grab a mih Uchida-sama, which is quite an honour for such a small shrine. However…”

  “That arrogant prick!” Kana yelled, cheeks puffed out with annoyance, her face red. “… no time to listen to a little shrine like ours, that didn’t even boast any chosen.” She sneered. “Grandfather tried to reason with him, but…” she let out a frustrated yell and started pung the cushion, furious. “… it’s thanks to us that you are even here, Akio! We were the shrihat found you, I found you, and we brought Hikawa-san in! And now he gets all the glory! I’m so angry!”

  “Rex, Kana-!” Mio-san soothed her. “I get that you are annoyed, but you don’t want Akio-kun to see you like this, do you?”

  “Yeah, Akio-kun will put him in his pce!” Asami-san agreed, and even Takagi-san spoke up.

  “Well, sorry Izumi-san. At least… well, don’t you have your kami? Won’t that surprise him?”

  Eri looked at me, her eyes asking how our trip went, but before I could speak, Hikaologised. “Sorry Izumi-san. I think that Uchida-sama naturally assumed that as the more major shrine, all the achievements were ours, especially since I helped Oshiro-sa permission to attend cve. And I had mentioned Ren and my girls and their rength thanks to his Chirurgery.”

  “I find it quite vexing.” Kana’s grandfather pined. “Uchida-sama did not even listen. It does not bode well.”

  “He’s very stressed.” Hikaologised for him, before turning bae. “It seems that Susanoo fa is under signifit pressure, Amaterasu is in the asdant. However he does want to know more about your Chirurgery, as he hopes it offset their paucity of Chosen, apparently Amaterasu has more, even after the… well, the deaths.”

  “Don’t do it, Akio. Please!” Kana said suddenly. “I’d hate it if you helped that jackass! Toss him aside like the trash he is! If you do, I’ll… I’ll make it worth your while!”

  Eri rolled her eyes at that. “Do be quiet, Kana-san. Akio ’t make important decisions based on you having a fit of pique.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Eri-san.” Kana ged the way she addressed her, possibly in respoo Eri being more familiar with her. “But if you were in my position, and someoole all your achievements and told you that you weren’t worthy to stand beside Akio, you’d be fuming, right?”

  “She’s got you there, Eri!” My sis agreed, and the irls hey hadn’t spent much time together, only a few hours, but it looked like they had already worked her out.

  “Speaking of, how was your meeting, bro?” Aiko ged the subjeot liking the temosphere. “That Kudou guy, right?”

  At that, Hikawa-san’s focus sharpened, as it did for the Izumi men. They all looked at me questioningly, and I shrugged. “Well, it sure was iing. I met Takakura-san there again, and also the Diviner. She had a lot to say.”

  “She kept calling me a beast. It was quite-quite offensive.” Shaeu pouted. Hyath giggled, and started p us some aly sis snatched a gss and started drinking it too. When objes were raised she merely ughed it off, saying I’d heal her up. That didn’t please the elder Izumi, who was like my father, very old-fashioned, but since I was in charge here and she wasn’t his granddaughter, he kept his silence.

  “In any case, I learned something iing. It seems that the Imperial Princess is a didate too. Princess Mikasa.”

  “Really? That will just further bolster Amaterasu’s position. The Grand Shri Ise is dedicated to Amaterasu, so even though she remains in no fa, being part of the Imperial Family, there’s a certain expectation…” Hikawa-san mused. “Do you know which deity?”

  “Amaterasu.” I said, and he winced.

  “That’s a good omen for them. The fas are named after Gods, but obviously the Gods themselves are not involved, but we are superstitious, certainly. It will seem ao those who are wavering.” He looked at me cautiously then. “So, what of Kudou-san. Is he going to support you?”

  “Not yet. Tonight some of his didates are going to evaluate me, and I scout them out. Even so… I’m appreciative of your help getting me an in with Uchida-san, but I don’t need support from someone who disrespects my friends.”

  “Akio!” Kana cried, damp eyed. “I knew I could trust you!”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” I warned her, causio pout again. “The situation has ged, I’m signifitly more powerful with more allies than when I initially offered to aid him iurn for some support. I want a fair arra. To that end, I’ll o see him.”

  “Good.” Hikawa-san said. “Because he wants to see you before cve. So if you are free now, we go to Kiyomizu-dera. And bring these two.” He poio Eri and Aiko. “He’s curious about the Chirurgery, but these two aren’t chosen, nor are they from faith backgrounds, so seeing what they achieve… it will likely impress him.”

  “Cool, I wao go sightseeing. We should jump off the stage at Kiyomizu! It’s only thirteeres, I bet we take it! The a wish granted, right?”

  “Uh, it’d be a little risky with your stats, sis. Eri could tank it easily though.” I warned her.

  “You sure? Well damn, that’s no fun.” She pined, only for Eri to say something surprising.

  “I think you need Jishu-jinja shrine while we are there, Aiko. After all, if yoing to find love, it seems you need divine help!”

  “No way, you betrayed me, backstabber!” Aiko howled, and the mood lightened. It also gave me an idea.

  “Okay. Shaeu, ready to go back out? Hyath, you sit this o. I’ll take Aiko, Eri and Kana.”

  “Me?” Kana said, surprised, dropping her cushion.

  “Yes, you. You wao show Uchida-san you were important, right? Well, you were the one who found me, you weren’t wrong, so I’ll help you get the respect you are due.”

  “Damn, that’s sweet.” Mio-san muttered, and Asami-san agreed.

  “Good for you, Kana-san!”

  “Are you sure about this?” Masaji-san asked. “I do feel our family and shrine was insulted, but there is o promise your own is for us.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure. Besides, it gives me an opportunity to see just how flexible Uchida-san is, and if he is someone I work with. It’s too early to use Shirohebi as a trump card, and there’ll be the didates from Tsukuyomi fa ing over ter, so having Grulgor and Hyath here makes me feel better in case of trouble.”

  “Fihen” Kana bolted off the sofa, brushing down and straightening her shrine maiden hakama. “Mio-, grab me that brush, my hair is a mess. Damn, I do look a fright.” She caught sight of her refle, and again there was mhter, the tension lifting…

  ********

  “So where are Ren-san and the twins?” I asked Hikawa-san as we entered Kiyomizu-dera. My sister and Eri were looking around, fasated, and Kana walked fidently, having been here earlier.

  “My wife is with them. Once I’d introduced them and their newly strengthened spiritual abilities, the rest of the political discourse was too much for them, so it was best to let them rest.”

  “I do hope that Ren is w hard-hard on filling the mirror, as we instructed.” Shaeu said, and Aiko agreed.

  “Wow, that’s right! I’m supposed to be learning light element. I want that! If Eri is darkness, then this beautiful me is the light!” my sis giggled.

  Light, huh… The Diviner said I needed light, darkness and twilight to be the one she prophesised. Well, not that I believe it, but light… it’s not unobtainable, is it?

  “W my boy hard, huh?” Hikawa-san said, and I shrugged.

  “Well, it is great training on how to trol aether and light element. We might as well collect tuitiht?”

  “You’ve ged.” Hikawa-san said, spping me heartily on the back, and I was amused to see him wince, his hand reddening. “Before, you were eager to aodate, now… well, you drive harder bargains and are more vocal in what you want. It’s not a bad thing, I’d rather work with someone shrewd, but… I ’t help but feel Uchida-sama has missed out. If cve was sooner…”

  “Well, that is only natural, is it not-not?” Shaeu ughed as we passed by the vendors selling talismans, charms and fortunes, as well as numerous shrine maidens and priests, some of which bowed respectfully to Hikawa-san. “Once Akio realised that to get what he wanted, he o be greedy, he learned rather-rather quickly. Besides, Hinata is a good influen him. She hates allowing others to exploit him.”

  “Yeah, she’s a precocious one.” Aiko smirked. “hough. Having a rich sister-in-w is the best. Though I guess my bro is rich too. Wait, no, with the money you’ve given me and Eri, we’re rich tht? Wow, mind blown!” she giggled.

  As we talked, I noticed the feel of a Territory around us. Shaeu had noticed as well, and she my gaze. The ether density here is even higher than Shirohebizumi shrine. I guess having a better starting spot for spiritual matters makes a differehough it’s slowly but measurably creeping up bae…

  “Well, I still believe in Uchida-sama and the Susanoo fa, so try not to rip him off too badly.” Hikawa-san said wryly. “And his son Yamato-sama is a Chosen of Kannon, so try to get along with him. Though I admit, the honour seems to have goo his head a bit. Anyway, here we are.” Hikawa-san said, not aware of the Territory around us. We arrived at a small side entra the main shriwo priests were guarding it, and when they saw Hikawa-san they greeted him warmly and stepped aside, eyeing the girls with us curiously.

  Kannon, huh? I should have brought Haru-san then, but she was ih wheurned. Not that I bme her, the hot springs rocked. Oh well, it’s arump card in our back pocket. “All right then. Lead on, Hikawa-san.”

  Onside, we were ushered by a pair of shrine maidens through the main hall and past the impressive many-armed golden statue of Kannon, which was bustling with tourists, to a small ba, where a middle-aged man in richly appointed robes was seated, a young man perhaps a couple of years youhan me beside him, and several other men and women of varying ages also bustling about, carrying dots and typing into a ptop. On seeing them, Kana’s face twisted into a bitter scowl.

  Guess that must be Uchida-san and his son Yamato-san then.

  “Think happy thoughts, Kana-!” My sis whispered, and with an effort she smoothed her face out.

  “Hiroto-san, you returned. Is this him?” Uchida-san’s gaze flickered over us all, and Kana was even more insed when he didn’t show any reition of her, as if she was fotten already. This time it was Eri who whispered to her to remain calm, and that I would put him in his pce. Uh, no. not unless I have to…

  “Yes, this is Oshiro Moonstone Akio, the one you agreed to allow a voice at cve. And this is Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan, Mori Eri-san, Oshiro Sapphire Aiko-san, and Izumi Kana-san, who you met earlier, from Shirohebizumi shrine…”

  “Did I? I’ve met so many minor shrines and temples today it’s hard to keep them all straight.” Uchida-san said, dismissing her when he heard of her shrine. I could hear Kana’s teeth clig from here. “So, you’re him, huh? I must say what you do is impressive. Hiroto-san’s childreo have blossomed, their gifts noticeably improved.” He looked at the girls behind me. “So, these too? Your divine ability is the ability to improve others? If so, put it to use for my Yamato, support him, and I definitely find you a pce of honour when we uhe shrines and temples of Japan. There are plenty of shrihat could use a custodian. Even more, now, with the… unfortunate… casualties.”

  Not the first I’ve heard about those. The Night Parade, other Boundary threats or… hopefully not infighting, that would be insanely wasteful…

  Shaeu broke the sileer that statement, bursting with ughter, clutg at her chest, tears of mirth springing from her amber eyes. Hikawa-san looked embarrassed, and my sister and Eri exged looks, while I detected satisfa on Kana’s face.

  “Is there something I said that was amusing?” Uchida-san asked, puzzled. Beside him his son was frowning, displeased, and most of the other members of Susanoo in the room were aggrieved, scowling at us, except for one irl, who was hiding a smile.

  “Why yes, it was quite-quite hirious.” Shaeu said, wipiears, when she could speak again. “Akio, his power is to improve others? You are mht than you know, yet not-nht at all.” She looked at my fondly. “Perhaps we should see if your son is worth Akio’s support.”

  “I don’t know who you think you are, but…” Yamato-san began, only for Shaeu to unleash her League, oppressing the two of them. Yamato-san merely turned a little pale, resisting, but his father went white, stunned.

  “… was I not-not introduced? I am Shaeu Tu Shae Dannan, royal princess of the Seelie. And I find your ck of respect for Akio most-most offensive.”

  One of the other priests looked to be a didate, aether rising, but I pced one hand on Shaeu’s shoulder, squeezing her gently, while I raised the other hand in pcation. ”All right, no need for p. We should all just calm down.”

  Shaeu nodded, restraining her League, and colour returo the face of Uchida-san. “You… you are a kami, no, something simir? I had heard that bastard Gin cimed to have brought kami back to the world. That gives him a major advantage…”

  Kana looked smug at that, no doubt thinking of Shirohebi. Still, it was his son who spoke . “I serve Kannon, goddess of Mercy. You stand in her shrine, one of, if not the greatest that vees her. In this troubled age, which goddess best guide us? With her many golden hands, she will cradle and shelter those who need prote, while she will strike down those who would do evil.” He decred.

  That has the air of a rehearsed speech. It wasn’t just me that thought that, as my sis whispered simir to Eri, who hid a smile behind her hand. She had the decy to keep her voice low, but Yamato-san heard it anyrobably as his senses were enhanced. He looked a little annoyed, but Hiroto-san tried to calm things down.

  “Look, it seems we got off on the wrong foot here. Oshiro-san is actually very iial. He has the ear of Takakura-sama, and old dy Chiyo from Yushima Tenjin shrine. In fact, he has had the honour of meeting Lady Diviner.” I notice he didn’t mention Kudou-san…

  “I see.” Uchida-san mused. “Well, that is different to your initial overtures as, Hiroto-san.”

  “Yes well, Oshiro-san tends to move quickly and has a habit of surpassing expectations.” At Hikawa-san’s ent, all the girls were beaming, surprisingly enough including Kana. On seeing that, Yamato-san reached out to shake my hand. As he grasped it, he tightened his grip, trying to assert his strength, no doubt. Not bad, strohan Kondou Kazuo, definitely. About… three hundred and fifty Might, give or take. It’d be dangerous for Eri to go against him, but Shaeu or I… not a problem, unless his skill is something special… I wasn’t petty enough to squeeze back, but I held my ground, and after a moment he relinquished his grip.

  “You have some skill.” He ceded, and my opinion of him rose a little. “Though, perhaps we should see what you really do.” And there it goes, dropping again.

  “Oh? And what do you mean by that?” I asked.

  “Before the goddess of Mercy, all evil shall be vanquished, and the worthy sheltered in her golden hands.” Yamato-san intoned, aher surged around us. The ether density, which still paled pared to the Boundary, but was a noticeable portion of it, responded, and a shimmering rainbow cloud appeared, a brilliant silver and golden radianing a roughly humanoid shape, standing some seveall.

  “Son, is that…” Uchida-san said, surprised, and Yamato-san nodded, looking very proud of himself.

  “Indeed, I ow ma one of the golden warriors of Mercy here.” It was obviously straining him though, as he was sweating quite a lot. As the light resolved, Kana, Eri and Aiko were impressed, as were the onlooking members of Susanoo and Hikawa-san. Standing there was an armoured statue of a woman, with a face locked in to a benevolent, fiving smile, her skin golden and her hair likewise. In one hand was an uhed bde, and the other, a golden shield.

  “Behold, a golden warrior of Kannon, one of many I and.” Yamato-san decred grandly, though my perception picked up the miniscule tremors in his muscles that indicated he was rather fatigued by his efforts. Even so, not bad. Maing abilities oerial, even with this ether density, is going to be an order of magnitude harder than in the Boundary. I guess it works on the same principle as Shaeu’s body, maybe?

  “As you see, my son is truly favoured by Kannon.” Uchida-san said. “Who else mahe glory of the Gods here on this mortal pne? Surely is it the duty of all right-thinking Japao aid the faith, as the faith will aid Japan in the ging era, guidand prayer.”

  “Really? How very… amusing.” Shaeu sniggered, the only one who wasn’t impressed. “Such a tin female is not-not impressive.”

  “Mind your tohis is a warrior of…” Yamato-san began, before Shaeu took a siep forwards, peering at the statue with her glowing amber eyes. With one small fist she surprised everyone, knog on the gilded breastpte.

  “Rather weak.” She scoffed. “Akio could break it with one-one hand if he wished. He would not-not even need a on.”

  At that some ughed, and I could see one of the shrine maidens, who looked like a fashionable uy student, with bleached blonde hair, one side shaved short, and numerous piergs in her ears and nose, smiling broadly, amused by everything. This mirth seemed to annoy Yamato-san and Uchida-san further, but in an act of self-trol I could only appud, they didn’t let Shaeu’s provocation tip them over the edge.

  “Really? Well, would you be prepared to show the proof of that, Shaeu-san, was it?” Uchida-san asked, frowning.

  “Just Shaeu. I am not-not from these nds.” She said, flexing one small fist. The moment there was a loud g, and the shield shattered, arm carried away as well. Hints of jade energy were dispersing, and Shaeu shook her hand, grinning. “A little harder than I thought. But you will kiss it better, will you not-not, Akio?”

  Before anyone else could move, the golden warrior reacted, remaining arm swinging bared bde at Shaeu’s throat, moving quickly. I stepped forwards, making sure that my Might of the Furious Earth was still buffing my Fortitude. Catg the falling bde with my closed palms, I s, before shing out with a kick that broke the statue to pieces, leaving it fading bato ether.

  “Yeah, that’s a bit dangerous. Not that I’m worried about Shaeu, no way some crappy golden sword is going to hurt her. But we have other people here.” I said. “Still, I have to admit, that’s a pretty great skill. I assume they are a bit stronger or you call upon more of them in the Boundary?” I mitigated my casual insult by sprinkling in some praise, and I was genuinely curious. It’s got the toughness of one or’s trolls, I’d say, if a little less strength. If he call upon a few of those, he expand without too much trouble…

  Yamato-san looked shocked at the way Shaeu and I had manhandled and wrecked his golden warrior, but at my pliment he puffed up, regaining his poise. “Yes, you do well t. I indeed call upon more of the warriors. Through dedication to Kannon, I ow call upon six at once.” He paused, before feeling he had to give some ground back. “You are quite impressive, Shaeu. You too, Oshiro-san.”

  “Yes, he is.” Kana spoke up. “And I was the first from any shrio find them. It’s thanks to me and my family he is even here!”

  “Well, that’s true.” Hikawa-san allowed. “Though I did a lot of the legwrowing his support.”

  “Hey, wow, o fight.” My sis chimed in, and she was seded by the shrine maiden from Susanoo.

  “That’s right. Like, that was totally a show. I’ve not had the ce to see anything like that since I got here.” She giggled. “Hey, o meet you, I’m Minatogawa Mine, but you all call me Mine, inatogawa is such a mouthful. Our shrine is in Kobe, so we’ve had quite the trip down here. Our enshrined kami is pretty much a nobody, but it retty wild to meet him, you know?” she talked rapidly, as if she was worried people would stop listening if she didn’t say everything she wao. “But yeah, I had a dream of Ugajin, which was damn weird, let me tell you. Ugh, it o make up its mind whether it’s a man or a woman. Anyway, so I got these powers, and …”

  “Mine-san, you please be quiet?” Uchida-san pined, and she shrugged.

  “Whoops, sorry. I just got excited by the show. Uh… carry on!” she said, abashed. Even so, she wi us, and I found myself amused.

  “All right then. I think we have wandered off-topic.” I sighed. “I improve the abilities of others.” I gestured to the girls. “But I’m also pretty strong with a few other tricks. And I have other itments, so ing under you and running a shrine isn’t something I would be ied in, I’m afraid. An alliance, however… where both sides give and take, that I do.”

  “You’ve seen my daughters and son.” Hikawa-san agreed. “And these girls here are even bigger successes. The limit on those able to ehe spiritual realm is what each fa is running up against, right? Well, with Oshiro-san that limit be broken.”

  “It’s still dangerous.” I said. “Sure, there are boosts and gains, but most will be far, far weaker than those chosen by the gods.”

  “Most?” Uchida-san noticed my phrasing, eyes narrowing.

  “Well, there are obviously exceptions.” I patted Eri on the shoulder, and though she was shy, being with so many unfamiliar people, she steeled herself and nodded politely.

  “Good afternoon. I am Mori Eri. Akio helped me a lot, and now… well, I’m nothing pared to Shaeu and some of the others, but… I hold my own.” She said proudly, a flicker of fme on her hands as she dispyed a little of her elemental abilities. “And I had absolutely no e to any spiritual matters or any talents before this.”

  “Except for hard work.” I hugged her, causing Mine-san to whistle. “I open doors, but it’s up to those who step through how much effort they put in.”

  Yamato-san was looking at us, deep in thought. “I see. Well, how about this?” he said. “I ot show off my true value here. Why not take this to the spiritual realm? I was having an… issue, that if you are that fident, I could use your help resolving. And I see with my own eyes just how strong these girls are. Will that be all right, father?”

  Uchida-san sidered it. “I see no issues. Take Mine-san with you, as well as Naruhito-san.” The didate I had spotted nodded, while Mine-san seemed pumped up.

  Well, this is an opportunity, but even so… “Shaeu, Kana, you two stay here.”

  Shaeu nodded, grasping my meaning, but Kana shook her head in protest. “No, I o go, to show I’m not fettable!” she tried to appeal to me.

  “But… it could be dangerous.” I said, and she grabbed my arm fiercely.

  “I know, but you are taking Eri-san and Aiko-san, right? Besides, with you there, I’ll be safe, won’t I?” she appealed to me, and I felt myself waver. Well, it’s true that I am fident of keeping her safe, but… fine.

  “All right, but you do what I tell you without question, all right? No pints!”

  At that Kana blushed, and my sister snickered, while Eri rolled her eyes. I ighem and turo Shaeu. “Looks like it’s just you then. You get it?”

  “Of course. Leave everything to me-me.” She promised. “Now, is there a room we - use?” She gets it. I don’t think that Uchida-san would pull anything, but leaving our bodies vulnerable is not a good pn. But Shaeu defend us with ease…

  “Before we do this though, it’s all very well evaluating each other, but it seems like you get the better end of the bargain here.” I said. “I assume you want us to deal with a problem blog your expansion. That entails danger and bes you a lot.”

  “And why would you not want to be us?” Uchida-san looked at his son, who nodded. “After all, are you not looking for influen our fa? Despite not being of the faith, Hikawa-san and… this shrine…” he gestured to Kana, annoying her again by his dismissal. “… as well as others, have vouched for you, and if you have the ear of Takakura-sama… well, the nobility should keep their noses out of our business, but faith ot exist without support. So, sider this your entry fees.”

  A bad deal. I know it, and Hinata would be pining bitterly right now. But… “Fine. But sider that when you want further aid from me, I’ll be setting a simir price. Don’t regret this.” I lose a bit here, but loerm…

  “Very well. Show them to a side room.” Uchida-san said, and one of the priests led us to a modest alcove. Shaeu took up her position, guarding us, while the girls id out bedding to sleep on. Kana looked at me, chewing her lip, clearly worried, so I patted her on the head.

  “Don’t worry Kana. I get it. They do seem rather arrogant, but then they are men of power and influehe nobility are the same way. That doesn’t make them bad, just… trying. Still, won’t that make it better when you finally show them they were wrong about you and your shrine?”

  She nodded, smiling brightly. “That’s true. And I bet poor Marika- and her family went through the same shit. So… I want you to blow that guy away with your awesomeness.” She smiled. “The look on his face when you and Shaeu smashed up his statue… I loved that!”

  “I bet you did.” As I slumped dowing my sciousness drift, I was excited to see just what a shrine of this magnifice would look like in the Boundary…

  ShipTeaser