“So, you are staying here for a while then, Shaeraggo?” I asked, and he nodded, still looking sour, but I could feel he had grudgingly accepted me, in a way he hadn’t before. Well, it makes sense. His sister has returned in triumph, and their enemies are on the back foot. No brother looks forward to the day his sister falls in love, but at least I’m a det catch. I had to keep in a grin at the thoughts I had, which would have been sarcasm ba July, but now I actually mostly believed them. If I didn’t, I’d make the girls who love me fools, which they aren’t…

  “Yes, I shall-shall keep an eye on this Territory while my sister is absent. Father and sister Shaeranna have much to do, many-maiations with troublesome pests.” He gred at Grulgor, who actually looked unfortable, perhaps his renewed intellect allowing him to prehend the aosition he was in with regards to our forces, as he and his trolls were of an opposing fa. No, that’s not really true. He’s pledged to me now, so he’s in our fa. I’m not sure whether Shaeu would be sidered a Royalist like her father or not? After all, she thinks she should be the Queen. Oh well, it doesn’t matter in the end. What Shaeu wants, I’ll see she gets. “Though I must decre, the Territory is a far-cry from the pathetic state it was in when I first-first arrived here. I thought then you were leaving my sister in danger with your inpetence, but this is better. Though of course an Unseelie raid or the Wild Hunt would still tear through this nd like it was-was nothing.”

  “What I think my darling means to say…” Selensha giggled, drawing our attention. “… is that you have impressed him, and he was wrong about you. I’m impressed too. To think you both mastered a water s, as well as transformed the nds so.” She gazed around at the gleaming red and gold Earth Alter, the Rhyming Tree with the winding stairs around it and the first stru of the Treetop café beginning, kobolds w away busily, and she nodded, impressed. “Yes, it is far weaker than the Seelie Court, but… this nd has been ience for what? A year? Less?”

  In astral days, yeah, eight or nine months at a rough guess. Might even be less. I nodded. “Somewhat less than a year. Though it was helped by the fact we mao seize what remained of Myrcoxriath’s domain and used it to build up here. It isn’t every day we get such a bounty. Though I like to think we ied it wisely for long-term gain.” Yeah, the way we built up nearly three huhousaher so quickly, when such sums before took ages, shows we have the geion part dow is defences…

  “Well, even so. Shaeraggo is impressed, aren’t you, darling?”

  He grunted. “I admit to being… irely displeased.” He paused then. “My bow. I hope it is being used by one who cares about the art of archery? Your sister, I believe you-you said?”

  Damn, remembering sis makes me a little mad right now. She’s really going to get a lecture… “Yeah, she likes it.” I saw no reason to lie. “She’s also mastered the fire element herself, which is quite the feat.”

  “Indeed. It seems talent runs in your bloodline.” Selensha praised, and I wondered why she was being so plimentary, looking at us with starry eyes, until Shaeu grinned fiendishly.

  “Do not-not worry. The water of the spring and the power it carries will be yours when the Spring repleself. I have promised, and I do not-not go bay word without good cause. Though that may take years until there is-is enough. Far faster perhaps to…” Shaeu looked at me then, her amber eyes tellio trust her, so I silently nodded, letting her scheme away. “… find a source of signifit water energy we hold withierritory. Akio and I - vert water element into the stronger, more potent spirit water, though it takes far-far more than I muster. But if-if we had such a source of water element, then yift es all-all the sooner.”

  “Dearest husband, we perhaps…” Selensha began then, making her own pleading eyes at Shaeraggo, and he ceded with a sigh. It’s amusing seeing he is a henpecked husband too. Makes me feel a little better.

  “Well-well, we always inteo remain here for a while.” His gaze strayed to us. “Sister, Brother-in-w, do you perhaps know of such a source that be captured?”

  No, but we have guesses. “Well, to the south of us is a rge bay. Where better to find water elemental energy than the sea? If you could cut a path to there, bringing the nd into my trol, I’d appreciate it. Shaeu tht?”

  “It would indeed be a fine-fine present would appreciate greatly, and remain thankful for.” Shaeu agreed, knowing how to provoke her brother and his sis instincts. “And it is ohat ot-not be destroyed either.”

  irely true, as we could always lose the Territory, but if there is water element there, we’d o move a couple of the Ether Spires there a up a fifth defensive front. We afford it though. Making Spirit Water seems a good pn. Eri, my sis, the trainees… I’m not sure how long it’ll take to make such a lot of water, but if they are going to learn, why not learn the best? No, I should prioritise my sis, Eri and the irls first, rather than my allies. Uhey support me fully at their cve of course. Another bargaining chip. …

  “Very well. We shall ha. Ulfuric should be more than capable of holding the Territory, and anding the other forces.” Shaeraggo agreed, and I thanked him, to which he growled that he “did not need my thanks, and was only doing it for his sister.” Yeah, male tsundere are so not cool, especially ohat have animal ears…

  “Excellent. I shall not-not be absent long, for I have much to discuss regarding my stewardship of the Spring. Oh, brother, they may-may be sending an elf over to be our liaison. If she arrives, treat her with all due-due respect. It would not-not do to alienate her.”

  “I see. That.” He eyed me sourly, and I was a bit lost.

  “Do not-not worry about it. I shall expin ter. For now, I wish to rex in the mortal world for a while, py some games, drink some strong-strong alcohol, and enjoy myself. I shall aid you in perf more-more Chirurgery before returning, and I - show Hinata and the others around tonight?”

  “Sounds good. I have a busy day ahead, so you might as well take it easy.” With that we finalised our pns, and gathered the group to return to the Material…

  ********

  “Well, this is… unpleasant” Shaeu muttered. Shortly after opening her eyes, she discovered she was naked and resummoned her yukata after teasing me about mopping her naked body. Moments ter though, she started ejeg her own impurities. Uh me, where the massive flow forced me to fall unscious from the strain, Shaeu was merely dripping it out, as perhaps with her body being so new, it had not the long exposure to inants that accumuted through everyday living.

  “It sure is.” I iserated. “At least you only have a…” before I could finish my sentehe door to my room smmed open, and someone came bounding in, tremendously excited, exuding levels of energy ahusiasm that would put a hyperactive child to shame. What the hell is she wearing?

  “Master, mistress, this is yooour other home?” Her nose wrinkled in disgust as the smell of the impurities hit her. “Nooo this will not dooo, not at all. Such mess!” She began to bend down as she pulled out a ing cloth from her skimpy outfit, but I stopped her in a panic.

  “Hyath, don’t bend down or you’ll have a wardrobe malfun!” I decred, and she paused halfway, cog her head in fusion. “Seriously, what the hell are you wearing?” I asked. “That maid outfit isn’t funal like your usual o’s a maid café outfit, and a particurly sdalous o that!” Yeah, it’s a frilly French maid outfit, but the skirt is a mini, showing off her slender, long legs, and the front is so low cut that she’s bulging out just standing there. There’s no way she go out wearing that…

  “I dooo not uand? Is this not what you wanted, master?” she said slowly, and I paused, frowning, Shaeu chug beside me, though it was interrupted by coughing gasps as more impurities were pushed out of her pores. Well, I admit I’m attracted to Hyath, she’s very pretty with a rge chest. And her personality, it makes me want to shower her with affe, showing her life isn’t all bad… but do I want her dressed like that? I know I used to frequent maid cafés with Hayato-san and the gang all the time back at Uni, but even so… “Fine, I think we have scarves or shawls in Shaeu’s room. You cover that chest up before we go out. But before that, no ing. Not for now.”

  “But master…” she whined, and I got up, patting her head.

  “But nothing. You ter. After all, this is your home too now. But first we have to… oh, here he is now.” Well, holy shit, it’s like he stepped out of a manga…

  “Grul is here. This world is strahis body too. But Grul likes it, it looks strong!”

  “Damn, you are… looking good.” I had to decre. “Rog that Saitama look, though that suit harkens back to his businessman days rather than his hero ones.” Yeah, with that muscur body in an expensive suit, that bald head and those angry yellow eyes, I’m pretty certain the dies would find him attractive. Now there’s a scary thought.

  “Saitama?” Grulgor asked, and Shaeu answered for me.

  “I know-know that one. Yes, I do indeed see the resembnce. You would approve, troll. This Saitama is the stro being in his world, a single pund he defeat any foe. But that matters little. What does is do not-n any trouble for Akio while you are here. And ter, you shall e with me and persuade Duke Formor to back me. Uand?”

  “Grul uands. Grul will o find this Saitama and show Grul is strohough…”

  Uh, yeah, sure. Best keep him away from Akihabara then, don’t want him killing any unlucky cospyers. We dug out a fetg shawl for Hyath and she covered her cleavage, allowio finally look away. Shaeu outing a bit at my attention on Hyath’s chest, but it wasn’t like Eri was small either, though in her mortal body, it looked like Hyath had jumped a cup-size or two, as in the Boundary she was simir in size to Eri, but here she outcssed her.

  “So where is the White Snake and Haru?” Shaeu asked, and I shrugged.

  “Well, this is Shirohebizumi shrine, so it look around all it wants. As for Suzuki-san…” I listened, and could hear TV going in one of the rooms downstairs. It could have been a trainee using a room, but sidering the sobbing I could hear, I doubted it.

  “Follow me.” I said, desding, and on reag the room I knocked softly on the door. “Suzuki-san. It’s me. I e in?”

  There was a moment of silence, before the door opened, revealio me. She was wearing a bck m dress, with long bck gloves and dark opaque tights, as well as a bck veil c her face. The only spsh of colour on her was a bit of thick white ce arouhroat. Pretty much all her skin is covered. It makes sense, I guess she has a lot of trauma.

  “Oshiro-san… I… it’s true. I’m back.” She was still sniffling, and I could see damp cheeks under her veil. “When I turned oV, watched the news, it hit me. I’m… I see daddy again. I go shopping, listen to music… everything I used to. Well, except live, I suppose. I’m still dead.” She managed a weak smile, before reag out one gloved hand to me hesitantly, her fear of men still strong. Still, I knew she his, so I took her hand.

  “Yeah. I need you to work for me, as agreed, but when you are having your downtime, you spend it however you waher in the Boundary or here. Nice veil by the way, Suzuki-san.”

  “Please, don’t be so formal with me.” She managed. “Call me Haru. After all, you are my boss, right? And… yht me home. I didn’t think it was truly possible. As for the veil… it helps me to have something to trate on to block out the voices. I hear a few people not far from here, but if I use the veil to trick my mind, I get silence.”

  “That’s clever.” I approved. “And I’m pleased that you mao learn to trol your Telepathy at least a bit… Haru-san.” I said her first hout stumbling, remembering how difficult I used to find it referring to girls so closely. No poiing embarrassed by things like that now, is there? “Still, don’t s your training, skill levels are important. Anyway, once I’ve introduced you to my secretary I’ll get her to make arras to meet your father.”

  She urning off the TV and wiping her eyes. “I’m ready.”

  “Great then, just Shirohebi to pick up.” I said, and it was found a few moments ter, blinking in the early-m sun as he surveyed the training school, a pensive expression on its face.

  “Thisss… isss my ssshrine?” it asked, and I nodded.

  “Yeah. The Izumi’s generously let me take over ownership and build this training school here. I have no iion of usurping them, don’t worry, but you must feel the lower level of ether here? This is high for the mortal world, due to that. Anyway, you go visit the Izumi’s ter. First we o che a your photographs taken so we get your koseki and passports done.”

  They looked fused at that, but Haru-san and Shaeu uood. “I see. I’ll need new dots. After all… I’m dead.” Haru-san said, and I soled her.

  “Yeah, but the name I chose for you was Suzuki Harumi, so there should be no dissonance, and if you respond to being called Haru, well, it’s a niame, right?”

  “That makes sense.” She agreed. “After all, I do look the same as before. Well, ly.” she shook her head, the bck veil moving with her breath as she spoke. “My hair and skin is perfect. I doubt I even need make-up now. Hooray for being dead…” she attempted to make a joke, her expression pained, and we all just smiled back warmly at her attempt to be strong.

  “All right then, follow me!” And with that, we headed for the outbuilding that was Karen-’s office…

  ********

  “So, it’s just one wild thing after another with you, isn’t it?” Karen- said, rubbing at her forehead. “Though… are maids your thing now? She’s a real beauty, I’ll give you that. She’s got a real punk vibe with those highlights and tacts. The outfit is lewd though.”

  “Ooof course, I must be ready tooo warm master’s bed whenever he wishes!” Hyath decred proudly, puffing out her massive chest, straining the knots on the coloured shawl.

  “Normally I’d say something like you sure are dedicated to your maid rolepy, girl but sihe world has gone mad, I doubt it’s that.” She looked at Shaeu. “And you are okay with her flirting right in front of you?”

  “Hyath has more than earned her right to be intimate with Akio. I could not-not deny her, nor would I wish to. She also satisfy Akio wheher I nor-nor Eri are present.” Shaeu grinned, and Hyath flushed, her face red, her breath ing in hot gasps.

  “Tonight.” I promised, causing Hyath to giggle wildly, and I was surprised to see faint spots of red dripping onto her shawl, her nose bleeding. “But before that I have quite a lot to attend to. Karen-. Tanaka-san, Hashimoto-san.”

  “I told you to call me Noboru.” Hashimoto-san protested, and Tanaka-san echoed him, askio call him Taku.

  “Fine. I will in future.” I promised. “Anyway, I know Hinata has bound you under tract, and you know secret stuff is going on here. I uand if you want out, and as long as you keep secret what you learned here, I’ll give you glowing references and enough severao get you ba your feet. But if you want to stay, then you’ll o bee stroo aid me. As employees, I’ll expect a lot more from you than I would my traihough overtime will be paid at a fair rate, and you’ll find you have more energy, s long hours won’t kill you.” I smiled to rob that of its sting.

  Karen- was the first to accept. “When I heard about this, I knew I’d accept. You gave me a sed ce, and I do like this job. I’ll accept everything it entails.”

  “Great. Well… you accept the pain then.” When Karen- bnched, I shrugged apologetically. “It only hurts at first. And as a side be, you get prehensive medical care afterwards.” With Ether Healing, if they get ill or injured I fix them, so in a way it’s better than medical insurance.

  “I am in too!” Noboru-san decred, fidently. “I want my daughter to tio respect me, and to prove my ex-wife wrong. No pain hurt worse than my own daughter looking at me as if I am a worthless loser.”

  Taku-saated for longer, but in the end he agreed as well. “I’m not going to be the only one who quits. I thought I might be too old for this, but… Watanabe-san is right. You gave us sed ces, and I’d be a fool not to see it to the end. Besides, with Nichibotsu bag you, yoing pces. Their young dy is going to be your wife, right?

  “Oooh, another mistress? Hyath simply must meet her!” she cried, having been looking around the office at all the unfamiliar devices such as puters, the fax mae and more with ic excitement, although her urge to and tidy was rising, only held back by her lust, which was also on the rise, her face ruby red.

  “Putting her aside, I have to wonder, who are the other three? The pirl looks like she’s in m, but the other two… is she a girl uy? I ’t tell…” Karen- observed the priestly Shirohebi. “As for the hulk there, he’s a big guy. Love the suit though, makes him look like a professional bouncer.”

  “Oh, yeah. This is Grulgor.” I gestured to him, as he looked bored, standing there with his muscur arms folded. “He’s… well, the ultimate hired muscle. If we ever have more trouble with yakuza, he go and break some heads, or if you need an escort somewhere, like when you are depositing massive piles of money or something, he be used. As for this… err, well I don’t know if it even has a gender. It’s the patroy of the shrine, Shirohebi.”

  “Oh, that… what?” Karen- decred, and the other two looked equally shocked. “A kami? Really? Here?”

  “Yep, no kidding.” I ughed at their reas. “With all that goes on here I’d have thought you’d be more posed.”

  “posure is ohing.” Taku-san shook his head. “Meeting a god face-to-face is another. I had best start donating to the shrine!”

  “I think faith is good enough. Kami like your prayers.” I grinned. “Once we are done here I’ll introduce Haru-san here, and then one of you take Shirohebi to the shrine proper. I think the Izumi’s would want to meet the kami their family has served for all these years.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure they would!” Noboru-san said, shaking his head too. “But done here, what do you mean?”

  I grinned, still amused. “Well, first we have to perfect your works. We have a lot of others to do tonight, so I want to let my aether rebuild before then. e on you two. Shaeu will handle Karen-, but you boys are all mine.”

  The two of them exged wary looks before nodding. Might as well get this done. I’d probably enjoy Karen- more, but after her experiences with her boss, I’d never be so crass…

  ********

  “That hurt…” Taku-san said, shivering, as we re-ehe office. “… but my mind does feel clearer, and my ag joints don’t feel as bad as they usually do.”

  “Yeah, it’s like…” Noboru-san began, only to stop as we had visitors, the atmosphere tense. Karen-san and Shaeu were back, and Hyath was busy ing, my absence allowiain some sanity, leaving her pink delusions. Grulgor had actually gone back to the training school, as I told him about the special enhanced fitness room, so he had goo lift weights. I told him not to mess with the maes until I showed him how… they were ade and expensive, so he had better listen!

  Shirohebi was sitting quietly in the er, , and our visitors… they were eyeing up Haru-san, who was looking away, nervous.

  On seeier, Officer Usui waved at me brightly, us having grown closer since we busted the moneylenders and their scammer rades, but Detective Kato was focused entirely on Haru-san.

  “You are Suzuki Haru, right? You look exactly like the photos and videos of you we’ve seen. But you are dead! I’ve seen your severed hand!” His gaze dropped to her p, where both hands were resting.

  Oh, great. More plications… Still, we were going to have to face this sooner or ter, so I might as well get this handled now. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forwards, shielding her from view. “Well, Detective Kato, o see you again. You too, officer Usui. Now, why don’t you calm down, take a seat, let Karen- bring you some tea, and we’ll discuss this… unusual situation.”

  He gave me a very pointed look, before nodding, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “Yes, I think we should. I think we should.”

  ShipTeaser