On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Four Hundred And Twenty-Seven

“It looks like I’ve really been missing out. I’m so jealous.” Hinata said, pouting prettily, though her face was red with excitement, her brown eyes sparkling as she looked around, still in the elegant and old-fashioned sailor uniform of Hanafubuki. She clasped her hands together, rubbing them eagerly as she continued. “It’s just like being over there…”

“Hinata, you’ve been well, I trust?” I said, greeting her happily as she ran into my arms. I gave her a hug, and her eyes were damp and her breath was coming fast, before I let her go when I heard someone coughing politely. Hinata backed away, a trace regretful, but she straightened her uniform and adopted a graceful mien. I turned to the amused Mayumi-san, who greeted me as well, her own curiosity soaring.

“Akio-kun…” she addressed me rather informally. “…is this… it must be, I can’t think of any other explanation…” Behind her was Miyu, as well as all their bodyguards, and a number of the new nobility, sons and daughters alike, who Shaeula and I had performed Chirurgery on, though there were a few female faces I didn’t recognise, so letting my Eye shine a little, I established they had received Chirurgery, and recently as well, as their networks were still flushing debris slowly. If it’s something Shaeula has done, I can trust her. Besides, getting further nobles in our debt is no bad thing.

“… it’s time then?” Mayumi-san finished.

“Not quite.” I amended. “But it’s a huge step closer.” Looking around, over the last two hours, Nie Ling and Ginneka had been worked to the bone, Shaeula and I constantly topping them up while Shiro kept them buffed. We had now brought over dozens of Fae from our Territory, as well as large amounts of equipment and samples to test. Conversely, on the mortal side we had gathered a number of the Black Wolf Company, and they were helping out in the experiments.

“Fucking hell, manual labour… if my hands get all calloused, I’ll lose the pleasure of touching the soft skin of a woman.” Aliyah was grumbling, as she hefted a heavy metal girder on her shoulders. Behind her, one of the men of the Company quipped that she never got her hands on any cute girls anyway, and he had to duck as she swung the heavy metal burden at him aggressively. The man rolled away, laughing, knowing she wouldn’t actually kill him with it, and as she grumbled, she set the heavy weight down on a roped-off area of ground with a great sigh. “This isn’t what I signed up for… but I guess it beats getting shot.” She grimaced, before a faint surge of ruby energy was unleashed from her, and the ground liquefied, the metal girder sinking down until it vanished. “Get the GPR over here.” she called, and another mercenary rushed over, carrying a small device.

“GPR?” Mayumi-san asked, and I explained we were testing rapid and enhanced construction techniques, and the ground-penetrating radar was used to check the results.

“I can do it with my Eye…” I finished. “…but I have more important things to look at, so use technology for what it’s best at...”

“…and Mortal Engineering for what it is not.” Ixitt declared, hopping over, still as ecstatic as someone who had discovered they had won first prize on a lottery. “Greetings to you, Hinata, Mayumi.” As always, Ixitt didn’t bother with niceties or social norms. Shaeula is the same. The Fae have their own customs and polite manners of speech, but the two of them seldom bother, and not for the same reasons. “I expect you are eager to get started on the factory, but we have some issues to work out. But… now we can make progress many orders of magnitude faster.” He smiled, eyes eager as he looked out over where Mortal Engineers were fussing over devices and samples excitedly, making notes, many marvelling over the laptops and tablet computers Ixitt had provided. With my money, of course. Mad science doesn’t come cheap…

Behind them, a number of ratkin and weaselkin were firing off assault rifles and pistols, others making notes. The equipment was from the Black Wolf, and was only allowed via special dispensation as part of the Ministry laws. Fortunately other more eye-catching laws took all the media attention. Also here was the dwarf Bjarki, who was looking towards the impressive structures of Tokyo proper in the distance, muttering to himself about such great feats of construction.

“Issues?” Mayumi-san asked, and Ixitt explained.

“Yes. Over the last few hours we have run many tests, confirming some results I have obtained before.” He shook his head mournfully. “I have so much to study, to learn, and so little time. But now we have the personnel available…” He paused meaningfully, and the nervous Nie Ling, who was sitting down, exhausted, sipping on a drink, shuddered. Seeing that, I sighed.

“Look, Nie Ling…”

“Call me Ling. When you say my full name, it sounds like you are angry with me.” she said softly, and I held in another sigh.

“Fine, Ling.” I persisted. “Yes, you’re working hard, but compared to what you were doing before, is this really a hardship? You don’t have to fight, or cause deaths, and you can make the world a slightly better place with your aid. I think you shouldn’t forget the situation that lead you to here, or forget to be grateful for another chance.”

Hinata agreed. “Yes, even if you just think about how many of your comrades in invasion died, I’d think you’d be a little grateful all you have to do is work.” She looked at me then, pouting once more. “I’m a little jealous of Motoko and Natsumi, you know. They’re at home, resting. I think they are more mentally exhausted than physically tired, but… it sounds like it was a lot of fun from what I hear!”

“Do you want to fight then, Hinata?” Mayumi-san was surprised. Behind her, Miyu smiled softly, remembering her own rough start in the Boundary, and the efforts I had made to break her of her terror of battle. “I thought you were more like me, interested in the practical side.”

“Fighting? That doesn’t interest me.” She confirmed. “But the challenges sounded a lot of fun, apart from the end… sorry Akio.” She apologised, seeing my expression, and I pulled her close for another hug.

“It’s fine. Fungbō, I don’t care about that bastard, but even though Shungbō was a bit of a prick, he didn’t deserve that end.” No, it was a grizzly end, but perhaps some good has come from it… It wasn’t quite there yet, but I could feel the faint stirrings of Kin Bonding linking me to Haanōbō, and also Arangbō and Tarōbō. I guess my words, the stupid bet… us fighting together… it all does mean something within me. I guess a part of me does see her, and by extension her brother and father, as family after all… “There won’t be a next time, though. Yes, some of the trials were fun. When we were in London, Motoko was a far daintier eater. I never knew she had such an appetite. And that’s the joy in my life now.” I tightened my hug, rubbing Hinata’s hair, and while Ixitt snickered and Miyu looked on warmly, Mayumi-san looked down, her face slightly pink. “Finding out more about you all excites me.”

“Of course.” Miyu said calmly. “In London, were you not usually with my grandfather or other dignitaries? Motoko-san is far too well-bred to shame herself. But… with you she can show her true self. We all can.” She looked at Michiru-san beside her, her expression happy.

“One thing about fighting is it brings in the wealth.” Hinata said to her friend, snuggling into my grip. “We have mount Atago now as well, right? Fire element?”

“Yes, we should start filling Elemental Silos from the tithed energy soon. That gives us more options.”

“So see?” Hinata said brightly to Mayumi-san. “Fighting isn’t my dream, but seeing what Akio sees, and generating new wealth and opportunities… even if I leave that to others, I need to be strong enough to protect myself. I won’t be a weakness for others to exploit.” she promised.

“All wise sentiments.” Ixitt agreed. “But back on the subject of progress…” He pointed out where the testing was going on. Bullets were being fired, and they discharged with bursts of jade wind, ruby earth, and other colourful elements. Other Mortal Engineers were measuring damage to set-up blocks of concrete, steel plates and more. “…the ammunition works as planned here. I think it will satisfy your aims, Mayumi.”

She watched for a while, before conceding that. “Yes, father and grandfather want military technology, and I agree there’s money to be made. But I want a product that we can sell everywhere, that everybody will want. And while military equipment may be that, we can’t sell those worldwide. I’m not a fool.”

“You can’t have what we have planned.” Hinata teased. “But… if you have any ideas, we can assist, though we’ll also be taking our half of your profits.”

“Half of a massive cake is better than a whole cupcake.” Mayumi-san said piously. “Besides, our interests are truly entangled.” Mayumi-san looked at me seriously. “We stand or fall together. After all, you have a large minority stake in Ichijou Heavy Industries now. You’d hardly want that to be worthless.”

“More like you want to use that to drag Akio in deeper.” Hinata shot back. “I’ve got my eye on you!”

As they bickered, I looked at the tired Ling again. At first I wondered what use a lot of the Divine Favours were. Laverna’s makes sense. Bringing in weapons and more would help one grow stronger. But Ling’s… now I see it though. A Territory can be built through the help of others, and the reverse can lead to many opportunities. Even with Yasaka-san’s Book of Providence, I get it. If I had that ability, I now think I could have used it to get stronger. Knowledge is power, after all. “How’s Yasaka-san doing?” I asked Ixitt. “I bet he’s pissed off having to work again after only just getting back. Although he didn’t really have to do much on mount Atago…”

“We are asking questions to help confirm our results and test our hypothesis. Now then.” He drew the attention of the girls. “We have concluded that it is possible to advance our plans, to an extent. Many of the alloys failed, but some seem to persist, even when the aether leaves them completely. Of course, we had to verify using Yasaka’s wisdom.” He continued to explain as we walked around the bustling hillside, approaching Asha’s Tree. She was standing there, watching it fondly, accompanied by Kana, her family, Shirohebi, and also Haanōbō and Arangbō, who were still looking around with awe.

I still can’t get over the fact we have a Rhyming Tree here, or should I say here as well, being as it’s the same Tree… it’s grown several inches just in the few hours I’ve been watching.

As the first Tree to be present in both Astral and Material in more than fifteen hundred years, this Rhyming Tree will spread Nature, Wood and Water Elements freely, deepening the Ether density of the surrounding area, and increasing the effect of abilities that magnify such. Drawing on the latent attributes of both Material and Spiritual, the Tree and its bound other self, the Dryad Asha, will grow stronger in turn. The Tree is an embodiment of fertility, and the Earth Element the Tree radiates will dramatically increase the fertility of those bathed in it, with longer exposure proving more effective.

Fertility again, huh? I looked at the pretty white and pink blossoms covering the small Tree, the scent calming. But then, Shirohebizumi… On seeing my look, the White Snake in his human form trotted over, followed by the Izumi family, Asha and the Tengu.

“The atmosssphere here, it isss magnificent.” Shirohebi hissed. “It isss not too far removed from the ssshrine in the Boundary.”

“To think, it has only been a few months since all this began.” Masaji-san, Kana’s grandfather said, rubbing at his chin, deep in contemplation. “To think my granddaughter, rebellious and poorly behaved, would bring the one who could revitalise our shrine, no, the faith as a whole.”

“Hey, that’s rude!” Kana flushed. “I wasn’t badly behaved!”

“Not just that…” Nagi-san, her mother, giggled, looking younger than her age. “…our Kana found love too. She’s all grown up.”

“Not yet, mom!” Kana protested, before her flush deepened, as she realised what she had implied. “I mean, oh by the kami…” she swore. “…I don’t know what I mean!”

As gentle laughter echoed out, Masaji-san continued. “You promised us you would bring our shrine out of the doldrums and into glory…”

“And help me gather the power of adherence. And asss promisssed, you have, and you will.” Shirohebi looked at the Tree. “It isss rich with the power of fertility. And our ssshrine is once sssuch. Worssshippersss will come from afar to pray here. And the power will be gathered. Not all for usss.” They looked at Asha. “You too ssshould have a place here. I am not too proud to ssshare.”

The Izumi family looked surprised at that, before Kana jumped up happily. “That’s a good idea, Asha! I mean, the distinction between kami and other spiritual beings is stupid anyway. I think you, or Hyacinth, or Shaeula…” She looked at the Tengu then, her smile wicked. “…or maybe even Yōkai like you… it’s all the same. If they’re on our side, I don’t see why we can’t respect them.”

“Respect isn’t veneration.” her grandfather said softly, but after asking Shirohebi if that was what they wanted, he conceded. “But… this site will be special. After all, the Tree of one of your women will be here. Will it grow as large as in the Boundary?” he asked, and I nodded.

“I think so. It’ll be a wonder of the world. And it’ll need protecting. Even when we move the Anchor, the Tree and the Ring Gates are vital. In fact…” In addition to the factory tunnels, we should link our new estate and here by underground railways. Though leaving a path for me to run along might actually be quicker… damn, who’d have thought I’d ever think that?

“Plans are already in place.” Ixitt promised. It was then that Keomi-chan, followed as usual by the taciturn, withdrawn Hotene-san, as well as the two sisters, shrine maidens of Shirohebizumi who had been excluded previously due to the quota, but now were also involved, came for Kana, dragging her away. She gave me a helpless glance, to more laughter from her mother, before they too left to handle other matters, leaving Asha and the Tengu behind.

“I see you are here as well.” Mayumi-san said to Asha. “Is it like the others, or…?”

“No, I am freely able to walk the mortal world.” Asha said, idly looking down to the grass at her feet. Pretty flowers were blooming, probably her gift in action, and Mayumi-san looked down, enthralled. “My Tree too.” One hand stroked the bark tenderly. “I wonder…will we replicate the terrace here?”

“Not unless we work out a way to deal with the wind. I suppose we could enclose it in glass…” I mused. “Besides that…” I looked at the Tengu Ling had brought over. “How does it feel to see the mortal world?” As I said that, several huge lorries of goods were being driven up to the shrine, and I could see Ginneka, her tail standing on end, looking at them balefully. Sorry, but we need it all moved for tomorrow’s grand opening of the Spring of Clear Reflections. I was also enjoying the drinking party in the Boundary, and the atmosphere there was intense, with so many beings coming and going between the two worlds.

“It is quite the shock.” Arangbō admitted. “Fungbō, my fool of a brother… if only he realised. We have been isolated too long, the world has passed us by. When you arrived at our door…” Haanōbō dipped her wings at that, embarrassed. “…our fates were set in stone. Fortunately, my dear sister is charming and found a new brother, so…”

Her frosty silence in response to the teasing made him chuckle, and he continued. “… what could have been a disaster turned out merely to be a chance meeting. One that promises much. And mortal alcohol is enticing indeed. I can see why those fiends from the Hyakki Yagyō will trade highly for it.”

“How high they fly…” Haanōbō observed some aeroplanes, far distant. “We looked down on the earth, the dirt, calling those without wings fools, disdaining them, but… are we the fools, brother?”

“No.” I shook my head. “It’s simply that we strive for what we don’t have, and together, we can get it. Isn’t that what science is all about?”

Haanōbō glanced at me, yellow-gold eyes hard, and she probably wanted to say something like why did you answer me but wisely kept her silence. Ixitt nodded, agreeing with me.

“Yes, and that is what we seek here. Everything has a reason. Even aether follows rules. And here it is much easier to tease them out. There surely is a reason certain alloys of the material from the Materia Tree and mundane metals remain, and others do not. We can convert aether to lightning element, and lightning to your electricity, but the reverse is yet elusive. And knowing there are principles behind it, we can solve these issues.” He continued to explain, and when he got into the relationship between ether density and longevity of items and brings brought to the Material, displaying some graphs, the girls tuned out.

“I understand knowing is important.” Mayumi-san said. “But can we turn it into profit?”

“Of course.” Ixitt laughed. He pointed to where several Mortal Engineers were carrying a solid-looking glass box, the seals reinforced with metal. Within it was a lump of some organic matter, and seeing the colour and texture I realised it was a chunk of Duke Myrcolaxriath. Seeing my concerned gaze, Ixitt reassured me.

“Have no fear, we are taking proper precautions with the remains of the Duke.” he promised. “But this proves my point. Demand for poor Hyacinth to culture more of the fungal growth outstrips the time she can spend on it. She has many other matters to attend to, including you.” His smile was wry and a little amused. “But the material is too precious not to use. Even equipping everyone with the new Brigandine armour is an exhausting task. Now…” he addressed Hinata and Mayumi-san seriously. “We certainly wish to make wonderful, custom equipment and items for those of us who require them. We need the best. But the Territory, and to a far greater extent, the Seelie Court, Japan… there is no way we can meet such demand. No, the aim is to mass produce. But it is not possible. No matter how strong Hyacinth is it would take her many decades to produce enough of the fallen Duke to equip your armies with uniforms. Even making them would take master Bjarki many long years. No, that will not do, their time is better spent elsewhere, after setting the initial production in motion.”

“Of course. Opportunity cost and economies of scale. I know business.” Mayumi-san said proudly. “Bespoke items have their place, as the daughter of Ichijou house I can’t be seen wearing something others can. But… making a dozen yen from ten thousand is more than ten thousand from one person.”

“Exactly. We will of course have the best of both worlds. But… research is expensive.” Ixitt chortled. “As for mass production, we need to be sure we have understood the underlying mechanisms, the point where we can create adequate stocks. Hence why I need to send our alloys to the laboratory for further investigation. It may well lead to further avenues we can explore with the help of Yasaka.”

As Ixitt continued to explain about the breakthroughs he was seeking, I couldn’t help but think about it. He’s right. There are definitely underlying rules. And if we master them, it changes everything. The items we had retrieved from the Tower of London, as well as items I had made myself, back in the early stages of my journey, they were different, but had some common features. As I considered it, I could hear the noise of a helicopter in the distance, getting closer. Surely that’ll be her… Security around Shirohebizumi shrine was tight, and nothing was allowed in the airspace near it other than authorised flights. As the helicopter came into view, clearly heading for us and the landing site we had on the hill, Mayumi-san asked who was coming.

“It’ll be Yukiko-san.” I said. At that Mayumi-san looked puzzled, before Hinata grinned.

“Get used to it, he means Princess Mikasa, the Priestess of Ise.” Hinata clarified. “It’s not like he isn’t informal with you either, Mayumi.”

“That’s true. But I’ll let it slide, considering he’s your fiancé, Hinata.” she said grandly. “And times are changing. He is qualified to call me by my name.”

“Is this the same Mayumi who was always harping on about her precious noble bloodline, the pride and weight of Ichijou house?” Hinata rolled her eyes. As the two of them argued jovially, the helicopter landed, and as the ramp came down, Yukiko-san stepped out, her expression eager. She saw me, opened her mouth to speak, only to freeze, eyes wide. Oh yes. It’s quite the sight here, isn’t it?

As if to prove my point, Yukiko-san pulled off her glasses, which my keen eyes noticed no longer had lenses with any degree of correction, merely simple glass for cosmetic purposes, and was rubbing her eyes. After blinking a few times, she came over, shocked. “Akio-san, what’s going on? Has the Boundary swallowed up Tokyo?”

Ignoring Ixitt’s laughter, I shook my head. “Not exactly. I’m just putting some assets to use.” Following my gaze, her own eyes glinted sternly as she saw Ling.

“I see. If today wasn’t what it was I’d…” she shook her head, cutting off her angry thoughts. “No, it doesn’t matter, not today. So… where’s Tsukiko? Is she here?”

“No. She’s decided to wait until she saw you.” I said. I had offered her the chance to see if Ling could have brought her to the Material, and there was no reason to think it wouldn’t work, but she said she was in no hurry, and she was enjoying herself currently in the Boundary with my other body and Shaeula, Shiro and some of the others. As I told her Yukiko-san had arrived, she nodded happily.

Back on the Material, I offered Yukiko-san a room in the training school, which she accepted. Mayumi-san looked a little surprised at that. “You haven’t brought a bodyguard, Princess Mikasa. Aren’t you concerned…”

“What reason do I have to be worried?” she said. “I trust Akio-san, and he wouldn’t jeopardise everything he’s built to take advantage of me.”

Mayumi-san looked at me, before glancing at Hinata, a slight smile on her face. “I don’t know, it seems that a tie to the Imperial Family would certainly round out his connections…”

Hinata scoffed. “If Akio wants to win over the Imperial Princess, he would do so. And he has no need to resort to foul methods to win her. Do you even know what you are implying? You probably still think babies are made by holding hands…” she teased her friend mercilessly.

“Nonsense! I am fully conversant with biology!” she shot back, and as they bickered back and forth again, I had to agree with Mayumi-san. Though not about me attacking the Princess, obviously.

“Mayumi-san raises a good point. The logistics of entering the Boundary safely away from home is a constant challenge. Fortunately it’s not something I’m concerned with anymore. So I’ll stand guard, nothing will happen to Yukiko-san, as she well knows. Nobody here would be so foolish.”

“Even so…” Mayumi-san looked at her bodyguard and Kazumi-san. “…I am surprised that you go about unaccompanied.”

At that Yukiko-san shrugged. “I like to keep a low profile. As Princesses go, I’m fairly disappointing, I admit. But…” her brief gloom dissipated. “… that doesn’t matter. What does is… Tsukiko.”

“All right. I’ll show you to your room and stand guard outside.” I promised. Yes, Tsukiko-san. It’s time to fulfil my promise…