“… so, we are all agreed?” Chiyo-san said, having taken the role of moderator that Bankei-san usually performed, by virtue of being one of the ral shrines, at least up until this cve, and also by being the oldest there, supposedly a little older than Kudou-san, though of course I wasn’t about to ask her age. “To prevent a repeat of the unwele tragedy, not only will we respect Territorial boundaries for thistered with the new Ministry, those of us from the faith will actively cooperate to proted expand, settling disputes over locations and resources with mediation, performed by a cil, sisting of members selected from all the current fas. We will also make sure that ce over precious sites of faith, such as the most important shrines trywide, is secure and protected.”

  “There’s still the matter of ranking them by order of priority.” Kudou-san said, stroking his beard. “In Kyoto, we have the advahat numerous sacred sites are close together, but the numbers of the faithful who are Chosen is limited. More limited, now, I fear.” He sighed. “It seems we will struggle to protect them all.”

  “For now.” I said, weary after several hours of fierce bad-forth. Most of this had been agreed at cve iernoon session, but a good k of that had been wasted on recriminations and worries over the deaths, so this st session was needed. “As Saionji-san attest, as a Territrows, the area it cover expands. Eventually all of Kyoto should be protected by a sierritory. Likewise, I’m hoping to expand my sphere of influence over Tokyo in due course. As of now I’m merely taking a good k of the outskirts and suburbs.”

  “That would be beneficial.” Takakura-san agreed. “The nobility has few Chosen, and already…” he looked at me, and I knew what he didn’t want to say. The only known didate in the nobility is Miyu, right? And she’s already my Vassal. Probability wise, it’s not impossible there is another one, but if so, they are also keeping hidden. They do have the didates that Ichijou-san found, but proteg all the legacies of nobility throughout Japan with these numbers is futile.

  “Well.” He amended. “The Three Great Houses, as well as Takakura house, and Tsumura house, agree that you be trusted to trol the spiritual side of Tokyo, though parts of it will likely be in other hands, correct?”

  “Almost certainly. Tokyo should have a few hundred didates across it, even if some have already fallen, or chose not to participate.” I went over it again. “Even so, I io respect the autonomy of those who stay within the ws we are establishing, though perhaps being Vassals, or even relog with my support, might be options to explore for them.”

  “It would be f to have the Imperial Pa Tokyo, and the resideny family, under yis.” Yukiko-san spoke up. “I myself have experienced expanding the area of trol I possess, around the Grand Shri Ise. It isn’t trivial. How long do you think your expansion will take? You boasted about your Territory to Tsukiko-san and me, so it must be soht?” she smiled a little, pushing up her red-framed gsses with one finger, as she peered at me.

  “Soon? Hardly. Once you hit Rank 3, the jump to Rank 4 is massive. I o sort a bit of other infrastructure first, and ideally gather signifit quantities of resources ready for the push. There’s no way I leave my Territory so weakly defended for years. Besides… now doesn’t seem to be a good time. I’m sure you’ve noticed, those of you who are Chosen?”

  “You mean the way time there is fluctuating? Of course.” Saionji-san was again the oo answer. “It seems to be ing closer and closer to matg the time flow we experience here. Akai says…” he looked down at the still-sleeping phoenix, a little drool leaking from her mouth. “… that ebbs and flows iides of the spiritual world higher than we reach dictate that.”

  “Shaeu says the same. Looks like we are in a shallow etheric tide, a slowing. So we’ll gather less resources and take loo struct improvements. It’s a bad time for lengthy upgrades.”

  “I’m still amazed at how much detail you have about all these matters. I go mostly by instinct, although listening to you talk, I do get some ideas.” Yukiko-san mused. “I hope you’ll share information on how this all works, to be everyone.”

  “That’s one of the duties of the Ministry, for those that sign up.” I agreed. “Although I also ihose who join my training school to have a grounding in such matters. After all, using them in bat… well, we’ve seen how that went. Far better to just know how to protect themselves, but have uses iory development, item crafting, healing and other supp roles.” I aement for the training school plummeted after the deaths, though during cve I offered proposals and mao reassure some that such reckless disregard for their safety wouldn’t happen under my watch. Some still approached Haru-san, firming their ihough, mainly those with ambition, or bloodline powers they wished to enhance…

  “Speaking of support… so, Uchida-san is uandably still in no fit state to make decisions, and Susanoo is effectively a splinter fa now…” I don’t regret taking Yamato-san’s power and giving it to Aiko. It was a sin to let it be wasted. I do certainly have rets though. “… I want to firm that it is agreeable for me to set up a e between my Territory and Kyoto, managed by Haru-san? I o find a suitable location, but if so, Haru-san and my forces cooperate to ensure safe expansion of Kyoto, as well as head off the disaster that Tsukiko-san saw in the near future.”

  “I have no objes, of course. But I ’t help but notice you’ve been addressing her and Princess Mikasa very casually, Akio-kun.” Kudou-san grinned.

  “Well, I don’t know if I’m the one she saw in her visions, and I don’t care. I’ve made up my mind to protect her and Yukiko-san, because I don’t was like yesterday’s to happen again. And I have the power to do it. Besides, for the first time, Tsukiko-san took a ce, trusting to her own instincts, rather than to her visions. How I, as a man, not respect that resolve?”

  “Respect, huh? Of course, of course.” Kudou-san chuckled. “I’m pleased to see her getting along with you and the Princess. It warms this old man’s heart. Her duty to the Gods is a heavy burden, and I appreciate your efforts to lighten it.” He smiled, still toying with his long, white beard. “Well, anyway, I’m not a Chosen, and I haven’t had the Chirurgery yet. I’m an old man, so I’m in no rush. But those of mine who are, they are more than happy to have the support of you and yours. What say you, Gin?”

  “Well, Yasuhide, you old fox, you know I’m in no position to say no. Besides, I’m a little hurt, Akio-san.” He put on a bright smile, but I could see the sly amusement in his eyes. “Yasuhide’s fellows here had the advantage of you helping expand their Territory. That foolish boy Yamato did as well, though that effort was wasted. Where was the help for me?”

  “Well, I was closer to the other fas…” I began.

  “Well, what abut our dear friend Kikuchi-san? I’m hurt that you didn’t use him as a bridge between us more. Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter. After all, we’ll be w together from now ht?”

  “Yes. Yasaka-san definitely o be supported to grow his strength.” I agreed. “His Divine Favour is excellent, but only if nurtured. When I get set up, I’ll be sure to have him taken out levelling, along with any others who he growth. I’m not uimating the dangers of Kyoto anymore, so don’t risk him without support.” I warned. Book of Providence is surely a power simir to The Future Reflected In The Moon, although querying future events seems to lead to backsh… Even if we were uo use it frequently to detect future events, it was still able to gather information even my Eye couldn’t, so I definitely wa him up to speed, but his bat abilities were likely woeful.

  “Bankei has no issues.” Chiyo-san agreed. “We wish for Kyoto to be protected, if it takes your aid, so be it.”

  “Well, it seems that the ball is in your court, Akio-kun.” Kudou-san grinned. “How long will the setup take?”

  As I discussed it, time was tig away, and I expined quickly that I wasn’t sure, as it relied on pr Ring Gates from a third party. When that was done we discussed a few more minor matters, such as increasing the number of Throhat other didates had, and the meeting was finally brought to a close at around three in the m.

  “So, the cve is cluded. Though to the other shrines and temples, it finished five ho.” Chiyo-san yawned, and I knew how she felt. Still, for me it’s definitely mental exhaustion, not physical. It’s been a long weekend, long and painful. But as my mother says, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. I’m not sure I entirely agree, but…

  “So, a question for you, Akio-san.” Saionji-san said, as we were preparing to leave, me for the Boundary, hopefully to quickly find a suitable location for a Territory, and also to iigate the s outside Kyoto. I nodded my acquiesce, and he asked it, eyes searg mine. “Haven’t you ever thought of just taking charge? You have great powers, I knoerhaps I could defeat you with the Gaze of Avalokiteshvara, it is powerful, even if you suggest it is irresponsible to use it carelessly. But it is certainly not a sure thing. Akai here…” he patted the cheeks of the sleeping girl until she started squirming, muttering that she was awake. “… seems terrified of you and yours. You faurarihyon from legend and lived to return, and apparently slew many from the Hyakki Yagyō. You have military and political es, and a lot of knowledge, that perhaps only Yasaka-san might be able to rival.” His words were intense, and I could feel some of the others listening. “So why not seize power? It must frustrate you, seeing squabbling like the cve, or fools refusing to grasp what you offer because of a few deaths that were caused by someone who overreached without the necessary power or wisdom.”

  I o ahis properly. I’ve expined my stance several times, to the Prime Minister, Fujiwara-san and others. “I think in a way, I am prepared for it.” I said quietly, early. “After all, like you say, I’ve gathered power and influence, and I’m not afraid to use it. But I want everyoo e together without being forced to, if possible. It’s the metaphor with the bundle of sticks, again, right? Besides, one person ’t do everything themselves, nor should they have to. So, I’m tent to grow my strength, increase and empower my allies, and provide support to those who early wish the same. But…” my expression hardened. “… I’m not going to let the selfish and the stupid jeopardise everything. I have people I o protect, a try I o protect, a world! A rising tide raises all ships, right? Well that’s why I’m prepared to share my knowledge and expertise, and I certainly want advice from people with more experien all sorts of fields such as politid business. I don’t arrogantly believe I’m always right. If people want to stand aside, not help, then I’m not going to force them. But I’m not going to overlook those that want to harm others, abuse their powers.” I took a deep breath after my long speech. “It would be lovely if everyone could prove they didn’t need me to take charge. After all, I was a humble freencer, w on IT projects, just a few months ago. Now I run a Territory, and have tless lives to protect, both human and otherwise. I need enough power to make sure they are safe. Other than that, I’m not greedy. But Yamato-san was a harsh lesson. I thought I could protect my trainees, but they chose to follow someone else’s orders, and well, we all know what happened.”

  “I get it.” Yukiko-san said. “I see why Tsukiko-san offered herself to you…”

  “Wait, what?” Kudou-san said, stunned. “She… did what?”

  “Not like that, you dirty old man.” I said, embarrassed. “She simply allowed me to help carry her burden. Which I am gd to do. I’ve got broad shoulders, nowadays, anyway.” I smiled.

  “After what you said to her, I’m not sure…” Yukiko-san began, before flushing, her eyes behind her gsses swimming awkwardly. “… well, never mind that. No, I’m pleased to be someone you want to protect. And… well, cve has been helpful. I’ve seen that I’m not alone. Being a Chosen of the Gods is a lorial. Knowing others carry the same, and are even willing to offer aid…” she pced a hand to her chest, pumping herself up. “I’m still scared, but I’ll do my duty as a member of the Imperial Family, even if I’ve always been out of the spotlight.”

  “Well, Fujiwara-sama believes that your ambitions are necessary. Nobody who is not greedy has the drive to succeed against these odds. But he also approves that you are not avaricious. The way you handled his granddaughter ted his faith in you.” Takakura-san said. “Just as the nobility, Imperial Family, shrines and temples, and the Diet have their own spheres of influence, leading their own areas, I expect you will bee the leader of the Chosen of Japan. I hope you retain your willio allow others their share, and that resolve to work with others. Leaders are a y, Dictators, however, only lead to eventual ruin and rebellion….”

  At those wise words, I nodded. Yes, my ambitions have certainly scaled up, and I am prepared to take charge where I o, but I hope that I’m still doing it for the right reasons, not simply to accrue personal power ah. Well, don’t get me wrong, I need both, to protect those I love and give them a life they deserve, but I don’t want the means to bee the goal. Yamato-san, you fool. At least you bee an example of what not to do for me… As we finished our st few versations, I held in anh. Well, time to hurry to the Boundary. I don’t have long at all…

  ********

  I o the soldiers standing outside the hospital room where the twins, Keomi- and the girl from Hoeruokami shrine were resting. One opehe door for me and I strode in, Hyath behind me, a silent shadow. She had followed me to the Boundary, where after some searg we had found several unoccupied areas of elemental water ah strong enough to support a Ring Gate. We had then jouro the edge of Kyoto at haste, where we were assaulted by more of the giant birds that had pgued us before. We had tried to reason with them, testing their intelligence, and after we had defeated a few, Hyath showing off her signifitly improved might, they had retreated.

  They definitely uood, although they seem territorial and aggressive. We had ran to the s they had in the foothills around Kyoto, and gathered a signifit amount of shed feathers, more than enough for further crafting, as well as a number of Etherites, including another precious blue one. Ixitt will be pleased.

  Onside the room, I could see the sleeping girls ihe soft beeping of maery and their faint she only sounds. They’ll live, though apparently they are quite traumatised. Well, that makes sense. I think I’ve bee numb to all the fighting, but I still remember my first battles, when even a zombie with a knife was enough to terrify me, almost persuadiet all about being an Astral Emperor, and I took a fair beating at the hands of Shaeu’s weasels… That was hardly the only time, too. In fact, in the early days, I had been injured a lot. To think I’ve reached the stage where I power through nasty wounds, relying oher Healing and my stats… I guess that might be my biggest ge, hoting of the danger I’ve bee…

  “Oh, you’re here too, Oshiro-san.” There was someone else in the room. Despite the early hour, it was Hikawa-san, atg his daughters silently. “So, did cve reach a clusion?” he asked, though I could tell his heart wasn’t in it.

  “Yeah, it panned out pretty much as I hoped. But we talk about that another day. So, how are they? I hear they are being discharged tomorrow.” I asked, looking at the sleeping twins.

  “I’m grateful.” He said solemnly. “The doctors here are amazed. They said such scars would have taken years of exteic surgery and skin grafts to heal, and they would have bee with internal injuries that would have hampered their ces of enjoying a normal life, having a family.” His eyes misted with tears at the thought. “But with the healing you and Shaeu have been applying, as well as their bodies being surprisingly strong for young girls… well, there’s hope of a full recovery. Physically, anyway.”

  “Don’t worry.” I promised. “Shaeu and I will have them good as new. As for the mental scars… well, the twins are tough. They showed that in the Boundary when they helped us all leare the disfort they were shouldering. They help each other. They’ll be fine.”

  “I know.” Hikawa-san agreed solemnly. “But the others… their wounds may be healing, but what of her eyes?” he poio the dark-skinned girl who was lying in another bed, her face baill.

  “That… well, we’ll fix them. It’s just a matter of time.” I was sure about that, and Shaeu agreed. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to. We’ve fixed the misaligned and broken eye sockets, it’s just that the eyes won’t regee. I think it’s an issue of either mentality, or we ck the knowledge. After all, closing some of the scars oher girls, or setting broken limbs, clearly regees more tissue than eyes would take. So it’s got to be either we subsciously think of eyes as a whole new body part, as we ’t fully regrow severed limbs yet, though again, in theory it should be possible, or it’s that eyes are too plicated. If it’s the tter, well, we’ll be studying more medical textbooks on our return to Tokyo.” I’ll add it to the pile. I have more lessons in ese, and when that’s up to fluent, I’ll be learning a ese, fog on the Kunlun dialect. I am very curious to know more about that heirloom seal we recovered…

  I also needed a teacher in cssit Japanese as well, and while they were hard to find, Kudou-san believed he could put me in touch with an excellent schor, who had some e to a Tsukuyomi fa shrine, despite being a professor at Tokyo Uy.

  “I see. That’s good.” Hikawa-san nodded slowly. “But… there’s the issue of her mind. This girl too.” He gestured to Keomi-. “She seemed rather hysterical when she woke up and realised what had happened. As for the irl, her cousin is dead. That’s not something we gloss over. Well, all of them khe dead students. But losing family…”

  “Yeah. Ether Healing doesn’t work on the mind. Though we do have a trump card. Haru-san has Mind Healing Light, which supposedly help stabilise and cure mental ailments. I’m not sure if it heal stress, depression and grief, but it’s worth a try. There are also… other options she could explore, though I’m loath to ask her, seeing what she’s already suffered.” Using her Sharing Light and Telepathy, she might be able to soothe the minds of others, though I expect that would e at the expense of sharing their pain…

  “It’s a cruel world.” Hikawa-san sighed. “Well, if my daughters, or my son, need her aid, I’ll beg her, even if I must get on my knees, even if I must bow my head. I ’t help but feel I failed them. I put politics ahead of the safety of my family.”

  No, I know where this leads. He’s thinking the same sort of thing I was until Yukiko-san, and then the girls, helped me recover. “No. the two things are uhere’s no way you could have anticipated it. Even Tsukiko-san couldn’t, I wager. There are mistakes we’ve made, but not everything that went wrong be id at our feet. Even so, whether it was our fault or not, all we have to do is put right as much as we . We ’t restore the dead, but we make sure the living recover.”

  “You… you have a stronger look in your eyes.” Hikawa-san admitted. “Determined. I respect that. Although…” his wan face broke into a mog smile, a lot more like the old Hikawa-san, even if I could tell it was forced. “Tsukiko-san, huh? You certainly are close to the noble Lady Diviner now. What would your fiahink?”

  “Master says that nooothing is going oween them.” Hyath said, speaking for the first time. “I am nooot sure if I believe him, but it doooes not matter. I dooo not tell master who to love. If he wishes for her, then I shall simply have a new mistress tooo serve.”

  At that, a quiet ugh finally broke free from Hikawa-san. “You certainly have your maid well traihough sidering her nature, I would worry you might end up getting stabbed. Seriously though, you certainly do seem to attract the attention of powerful, important and most of all beautiful women. After all, you said behind her veil she retty, right?”

  “Stunning.” I admitted. “Like a statue crafted by a genius. I did persuade her to take off her veil when she was with Yukiko-san and me, but I was saddeo see she put it ba for the afternoon session at cve.”

  “So, you think that’s nothing?” he wi Hyath. “She has never let anyone see her bare skin for years, decades, and she just takes off her veil when he asks?”

  “Hey, I’ve already seen her with my Eye, and Yukiko-san is her dear friend, so…”

  “I’m not sure a man who has so many girlfriends should be so clueless.” He pined. “Though to be ho, I doubt she would have romantic feelings for you anyway. She’s not been a person, but an idol, someone revered, rather than a woman. She probably doesn’t even uand such things. Although, for her to lower her guard so…”

  “And mooore. She passed on her Divine Favour tooo master, saying it did nooot matter if he was the one she foresaw, he was the ooohat was there.” Hyath agreed with him, and her words shocked him.

  “Seriously? Well, isn’t that fasating.” He shook his head. “Yeah, I think you should be careful around girls and knives, Oshiro-san…”

  As Hyath again protested that she would never do such a thing, the temosphere calmed. With one final pint of “I’ll never let you have my darling daughters, no matter what Shaeu says.” which puzzled me, as I had never expressed any i iwins for anything other than their powers, Hikawa-san said he was going to visit Ren-san, so I agreed to e too and look over him.

  Yeah, the twins are definitely cute, and will be beautiful when they are older, but I’m not into middle-school girls. I found it awkward enough getting teased in Nishimorioka just because Shaeu look a little bit loli in a certain light. Besides, I have more than enough on my pte. Well, it won’t be just me getting khen, Shaeu better watch out Eri doesn’t have a stab at her if she’s back to her old tricks again…

  As for Ren-san, my opinion of him had improved for the better. He made the right call, fleeing, even though it was a trap. Better to do something risky than to do nothing when disaster hits. He made a good judgement call getting to us as soon as possible so that we could help. That saved lives, undoubtedly, thanks to the fact the Parade was toying with the victims. Yes, there was footage of Ren-san oer, causing us problems, but it was hard to hold that against him wheuation was so dire and so much at stake.

  We passed the guards, heading to the room, which likewise had soldiers outside. As the door slid open, the oct turo us, his face haggard, eyes dead. “Oh, Hiroto-san, Oshiro-san. Good… good m.”

  Uchida Ren-san. Ign the slight fusion of two different Ren’s being in the room, I nodded politely, feeling very unfortable around him. And food reason…

  “So, you’re here with Yamato-sama?” Hikawa-san asked, expression sympathetic.

  “I am. He still has nained sciousness.” He looked down at the sleeping figure below, lio more devices than Hikawa Ren-san, who was sleeping peacefully iher bed. Bandages were c his body, and even as I observed him, faint wounds were opening on his fad neck, thin trickles of blood leaking out, running down his deathly pale skin.

  A grim sight indeed. It looks like Nurarihyon hasn’t stopped toying with his prize, despite the fact I stole the Divine Favour. Once more I sidered the sequeny as, before my doleo his father, the hypocrisy stinging me. Well, done is do the time I made the best choice I could. Now I just o learn to live with it…

  ShipTeaser