At the rebuilt mansion in the nds of the Fae, I gratefully took a drink from the weaselkin maid Klena. Taking a sip of the fruity, restorative Faerie wine, I tried to fight off my bone-weary exhaustion, while ierial, I was watg Tamamo-no-Mae looking around our estate with a mix of curiosity aat.

  “I…” My hands trembled a little as I remembered the numerous times I had e close to death. Uranai wasn’t wrong. I had been through difficult situations before, but not a number of deadly threats in quick succession. “…never mind. It’s over.” I didn’t like gambling with my life, or putting the others in danger. But often it’s necessary. Uranai seemed to know just what to say to make me act. That makes me wonder… I had the gift of Prophecy myself, now that Tsukiko had givehe Divine Favour of Tsukuyomi. Perhaps the oute was always meant to be my victory, but the way to achieve that was to prediething else? “Just like that movie, the Matrix. When the Oracle said that Neo wasn’t the One… she knew he was, but only telling him that would make him act the right way…”

  At Klena’s quizzical look, I barked a ugh, starting to feel a little better. “It’s a cssic film. ime you are sent to the Material, why not watch it? You might not uand much of it though.”

  As Klena protested that when she was there she was to serve her princess, as well as me and the irls, I took several deep breaths, calming my nerves. Fetting the sheer torment that Tamamo-no-Mae had inflicted on me roving a challehe suffering carved deep into me, but fortunately, I could already feel my Resilience, which had grown signifitly through my efforts to resist, first the Chaotids, theiānyì, and finally that agony, starting to soothe my mind, alying my fears. Speaking of the Tiānyì…

  My Eye shone. Fortunately, merely an item didn’t take much strength, as I was trying to recover as much as I could so that I could satisfy Daiyu as she wished on her birthday. Daiyu herself, while excited for tomorrow, had also been drained of strength, so was sleeping, though I doubted she’d let any of her day go to waste if she didn’t have to. She’ll be up early, I’m sure. Besides, as a Cultivator, and as g’e’s Chosen, she has excellent recovery.

  Tiānyìèguǐnǚ Bell of I Whisper High On Golden Breeze… With Skies Like Sapphire And Jade… I Lure Those Fools To Desire’s Gate… And With Wings Unfurled They Meet Their Fate… In Cold Arms Tight, With Jade Skin Soft And White… Even Ih There is Surely Delight. [Item Css: Powerful] [Item Type: Law]

  This Bell, crafted from a strand of a powerful Tiānyìèguǐnǚ’s hair, taining her uherid ???????? signature, will resonate and ring when exposed to the Chaotids, making her spirit tremble. She will then be able to determine where the bearer of this Bell is, and be drawn to it.

  “Damn, she wasn’t kidding when she said her name oem. That’s a damn mouthful. At least Hisui definitely fits, sidering jade is in her name several times.” Although, it doesn’t look like the Bell does anything useful for me. Why is she so sure I won’t just take if off, or destroy it? She’s right, though…

  Perhaps I was too easy to read, Shaeu, Eri, the others, even my sis… they were all able to tell what I was thinking most of the time. tinuing to drink my wine, I shook my head self-depregly. I survived, and if… no, when I iably rose to face such a Tribution in future, better a familiar face than a Tiānyì I didn’t know. Besides, I had a feeling she would be easier tain with.

  “That said…” I muttered, taking out the Spatial Ring I had crafted for Daiyu. “There’s oem that I o do something about first…”

  Withdrawing my own severed arm from inside, I grimaced. Of course, having been hastily infused with materials from the Sessho-seki, as well as a signifit amount of High Moonlight Spirit Water, spatial and darkness elements. It was a strange deep blue colour, threaded with violet and e veins. On seeing it, Klena shuddered a little.

  “Master, what-what is that?” she couldn’t help but ask, and I answered her with a sigh.

  “Sadly, my arm…” Seeing her gng at my unwounded body, puzzled, I snorted.

  “Don’t worry about it. I grew it baow, I need some pead quiet. But you fetch me something sweet to eat, like honeyed fruits? I know that the Mirror Bees are produg lots of sweet treats.”

  She hurried off after a curtsy, leavio iigate my crude, desperate handiwork. I had to hurry, as the arm trembled, and I could feel it starting to corrode from the inside.

  Crude Right Arm Of Tribution [Item Css: Noble] [Item Type: Law]

  Severed flesh, fused with potent Spirit Water, imbued with Light, Darkness and Spatial Elements, to form a crude cage to hold Mutated Elements of signifit power. The workmanship was crude, and unless reinforced, the Heavenly Purifying Lightning and True Chaotids inside will break free. As these Elements are part of ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????? this will attract the fury of the ???????? Heavens.

  The desigs intended have likely not yet been implemented, as the Elements withie being frozen in the infused Ice created from the Spirit Water, are slowly beginning to revert to their base forms.

  “For a rush job in those circumstances, I don’t think I did so badly…” Stinging at the implied criticism from my Eye, I grimaced. I was going to need Shiro’s buffs and likely help from a buffed Bjarki too to finish the work, but for now… ’t let those elements get away after trapping them. Sure, I did it to survive getting caught iribution, but what idiot would let such a ce escape them?

  I didn’t have long, though. While the Saint of Swallowing Sorrows had fooled the Heavenly Tribution, when his tricks were revealed, his end followed rapidly. Now the Arm was free of the Spatial Ring, which tained several Formation Ptes I had salvaged from the Sessho-seki, making the Ring in effect a simir thing, it was starting to crumble.

  “All right, soon as I get this done I trate on recharging myself, ready for Daiyu.” I hyped myself up, and began to work aether, as well as adherence. I had a lot more of the shattered remains of the Sessho-seki, and the mansion also had some crafting materials such as bluesteel and other metals, though it was a far-cry from what my Territory stored. As I worked, my Eye notified me of several more Rank-ups of my Skills. My overall power had increased a lot, and not just mine. Now that the immediate situation was resolved, and before I gathered the seeds I could, it robably worth taking stock of everyone’s progress, and work out the best avenues for them to focus on. I’ll start with Daiyu, of course.

  The key to this craft was tthen the spatial and isoting aspect of the Arm. Eventually, I hoped to improve it so that we could feed in wind and fire elements tthen the unique elements within, but the main thing was to prevent escape. I copied some of the patterns and runes I had observed and memorised, but I wasn’t able to make them work as a Formation. Maybe ter…

  After several hours, I was dohe arm had stabilised, and after a quice at it, ahat it was still called a Crude Right Arm, I stowed it away. It buys some time, that’s enough. Klena, who had returned a while ago and was waiting quietly, offered me a pte of the honeyed and sugared fruits I had asked for, as well as some baked treats that were clearly inspired by mortal cookies and as I took a bite, I closed my eyes, trating on rexing and allowing my energies to replenish…

  ***

  “Work hard, little pest, ooor else I will be angry!” Hyath pined, and Azuki darted behind the legs of Tsukik with her little ruby eyes at Shaeu.

  “I am doing my job, crazy maid!” Azuki shot back. “I have to protect the home. I’m doing it, I’m not being zy!”

  “Hyath has given this hooome my blessing. Your aid is nooot needed. , tidy! This pce is a mess, I wish I cooould spend more time here, but I have sooo many demands on my time. Nooot that I would pin, Akio, nooo, never, but…” Seeing me looking, she seemed ashamed of her pints, but I was happy to see it, and as I smiled warmly at her, she flushed, her purple eyes narrowing in pleasure and embarrassment. I walked over and patted her head, stroking her hair a little.

  “I know. Shaeu needs you when she meets with the dignitaries of the Seelie Court. It’s a status thing, having a powerful maid, and is there orohan you? I don’t think so.” At my uanding she seemed relieved. “I like spending time with you too. But just like I’ll be going abroad without you soon, sometimes we have to be apart.”

  I g Azuki. “Try to get along with Hyath. And you… get along with Azuki, all right?” As Hyath pouted, Azuki nodded.

  “I try my best, but she’s so unreasonable! I’m a Zashiki-Warashi, I don’t or cook. I… I py with the children, protect them from Ill-fortune. And I’ll make sure they sleep well.” She yawned. “Anyone who es here to harm then, they will sleep deeply! I will do what I am meant for. As should you, and stop b me!” She glowered at Hyath again.

  “This is quite the amusing se.” Tamamo-no-Mae, who was sitting on one of the couches in the room, a bottle of expensive sake in hand, turo Tsukiko, addressing her. “I know Zashiki-Warashi well. They are usually zy little tricksters, but they do love children, and would never hurt them. Expeg them to … little Brownie… gart perhaps? No… you are… rather unique.” She looked at Hyath, perhaps pario Fae she had met iravels. “No matter. It seems I will have plenty of time to uand these new circumstances. But as I was saying…” She took a hefty swig of the sake, letting some spill down her front. She was currently wearing some of Shiro’s clothes, as her figure was the closest fit to Tamamo-no-Mae’s, though the shirt was barely held closed by a few buttons, as her immense chest outmatched even Shiro’s impressive assets. I’m sure she’s doing that on purpose. I have to remember who she is.

  As I ighe rivulets of liquid seeping down her expansive chest, she tinued. “…they are not as you are. In fact, they likely cause mess and annoyance, pying their little tricks. Though this one seems particurly zy. Yet… I feel a sense of kinship with her. Do not bully her, little maid. Besides…” She g me then. “I hear that you have a pregnant wife. Children are such a joy…” Her tone was sarcastic.

  “They will be for us.” I promised. “Perhaps some people aren’t fit to be parents, it doesn’t suit them. Holy, I thought I’d be the same. I could never see myself as a father. I’m still scared, you know. I mean, you nearly made my child an orphan before she’s even born.” I teased her, though I still felt a little bitter, sidering I was trying to help her and she almost killed me.

  “If you reach for the sun, you hardly bme it for burning you.” She shough her smile was mog. “Anyway… there be few better babysitters than a Zashiki-Warashi, so long as you appease them to prevent their pranks.”

  “As for why you feel such kinship…” I decided this was a good time. “Azuki was like you. She was held prisoner and tortured, and tried to sleep to keep her sanity.” I expined a little about the corrupted Kami and how we rescued her from the Boundary version of Takakura Antiques.

  “I see.” Tamamo-no-Mae said at st, her emerald gaze a little softer as she looked at the shy doll. She then turo Tsukiko, who was elegantly drinking sake alongside her. “Am I sorely mistaken, or do I see a pattern? He does so love to meddle, save women in distress.”

  Tsukiko nodded. “I am no different. My death was foretold, iable, Definite. But yet here I am. But is that something to ment? I am rather satisfied with how things are now.”

  “I see. But women seldom like men who meddle too much.” Tamamo-no-Mae warned, and Tsukiko ughed, hiding her smile behind one hand.

  “I think he would disagree. His issue is too many women seek him. But yes, we have all suffered in our own ways. I the least of it.” She g Hyath, but didn’t speak. Tamamo-no-Mae gnced ain, before frowning for a moment.

  “I see. I suppose it behoves me to at least attempt to repay favour with grace.” She emptied the rest of the sake bottle into her mouth, spilling more. Hyath twitched, clearly unfortable with the way Shiro’s shirt was getting dirtied, and Tamamo-no-Mae ughed. “You wash it ter, little maid. Would you strip me bare in front of a man and shame me?”

  “Frooom what I see, you have no shame. But I dooo not wish Akio to be beguiled by your cooow tits.” Hyath pined, but at my urgings she too sat, and I fetched more sake. It sure is amazing to me. Now I have this beautiful home, it even has a massive walk-in pantry and wine celr. Though that celr does make the stru pns a little more difficult in some ways.

  As I poured Hyath a gss, Tamamo-no-Mae snorted. “Cow tits? How very disagreeable of you. Besides, you are hardly small. But we women who have suffered should stick together. Though…” She narrowed her eyes, truly looking at Hyath. “I suspect you are a woman of my ilk. The st of cruelty hangs heavy on you.”

  “I… Hyath was bad.” Hyath’s hands trembled on her gss. I wao stop the versation, but perhaps having someone in a simir position to her would help soothe her troubled heart. “I could nooot turn her from her path, despite… I shooould have done more.” she said finally. “Then… I… did many, many bad things. But nooow… I am not her, I am Hyath. Even if annoooyed, I hardly ever get the urge tle and burn and break.”

  Azuki tinued hiding from her, but she clutched a child-sized gss in her hand, so I filled it up. Hyath seemed as if she wao serve, but with a sigh she held it in, making an effort. Seeing Hyath so pained, she surprisingly offered some kind words. “Annoying maid… you et it. Regrets…. You like it here, don’t you? Why dwell on the past?”

  “Good advice.” Tamamo-no-Mae flourished her gss so I filled it again. It was odd, seeing her sitting there, her long tails taking up one side of the couch. “I make it a principle to never dwell on anything but revehe past ot be ged. So why regret it? Live for the now, little maid.”

  “That’s… almost good advice.” I sighed. “Not the revenge part, though. Regrets are natural. But if they ’t be solved, then just try and repce them with happiness. I think the four of you are simir in many ways. Speaking of…” I gnced down at my mobile phone. “…I sent a message to Yasaka-san to ask his Book of Providence about Su Caihong and Su Liena. If they still live he tell us. Though we’ll still o send someoo fetch them iher case. Hopefully he’s able to ask it, sidering he’s still got to find the location of a few more people for me… he really o train harder.”

  “He wooould pin he is an old man, not young like yooou!” Hyath gulped her sake as if peting with the Kitsune. I was relieved, as her mood had shifted for the better. “Nooow, it is getting te. Dooo you not o sleep before the m? Mistress Daiyu will want you fresh fooor her day. If you need soooooothing, Hyath warm your bed!” She squirmed, flushing, and Tamamo-no-Mae snorted, spilling more sake.

  “Warm the bed? Is that a role of the servants here? I had best watch myself, I see you admirih lustful eyes.” Her tails ed around her, mogly, and I ughed, Tsukiko too.

  “Don’t worry, I have my hands full already.” I promised, gently rapping Hyath on the head. “Besides, I think you are far too much of a handful for me.” I then narrowed my eyes, suddenly serious. “As for what I want from you, just don’t cause any trouble. Besides, you’re in no fit state for anything, your Chakra work is an utter ruin. If you exerted much strength you’d probably disie. Before I leave I’ll see if I perform some Chirurgery, get you ba your feet. But for now, you should just worry about meeting mom. She be intense when she meets someone who piques her i.”

  Tsukiko nodded, remembering. “She is a passionate woman though. She has shown me naught but kindness. Though she does insist on calling me her daughter-in-w. She has taken my parents under her wing as well.”

  “Yeah, that’s my mom. A busybody, too excitable, has an obsession with my love life… but kind. So just let her annoying exuberance slide and be nice, okay?”

  “I have little choice.” The foxwoman replied nguidly. “After all, for now you hold the upper hand on me. Despite what my foolish little granddaughter says, I hardly believe it will tinue indefinitely. Although…” Her tails no longer covered her body, and she reached for the bottle in my hand. “…I do know gratitude. So I daresay I do you a favour or two.”

  “How… generous.” I ughed, a her take the bottle. Yawning, I closed my eyes, listening to the versatioween them, using both bodies to gather as much aether as I could…

  ***

  My mom, as expected, had e over for breakfast. On seeing Tamamo-no-Mae she had predictably been shocked, and she was fussing over her, even trying to touch her tails, which Tamamo-no-Mae had endured with good grace after a long look at me. I had rested up, and while I was hardly full of energy, I had accumuted enough aether and elemental esseo be supportive for Daiyu. Speaking of Daiyu… my eyes went wide as she walked into the room, and the table went silent for a moment, before the girls arouarted plimenting her. Beside me, Shiro elbowed me, about to remio speak up, but there was no need.

  “You look stunning today. Happy birthday, Daiyu!” I got up aly hugged her, careful not to crease her beautiful ese-style dress. It was a cross between a traditional gsam and her Cultivator robes, a pure white with golden and jade stitg. The skirt was long and the cut modest, but even so she looked incredible. Her arms were ed in golden bangles, and her hair had a beautiful white jade lotus flower hair stick, trying her long bck hair up nicely.

  “I thank you.” Daiyu said, arms encirg me for a moment, before she addressed the others who greeted her. “I thank all of you. It will be my first time celebrating such a day. To do it with such close family and panions…” Her eyes were distant, perhaps remembering her lost Sed her father.

  “Gift, Aki!” Shiro hissed, elbowing me again, and I rolled my eyes. I know. I’m well prepared. With a smile I pulled out a small, ed box. My mom’s eyes sparkled, and as Daiyu took it, she squealed.

  “A ring, it has to be!”

  “It doesn’t matter, mother-in-w Emi.” Eri smiled. “I don’t quite uand the differeween Dao panions and marriage, but they’ll be together forever, so why worry about little details like a ring?”

  “I must say, you’ve bee calmer, Eri dear.” My mom replied, and as that was happening, Daiyu uned the box, revealing the jewellery within. Her Qi Perception touched it, and she looked surprised.

  “Happy birthday.” I said again. “Here’s yift. It’s a Spatial Ring. It’s a staple of Cultivation stories. Also… I mao salvage a fair few things from the Sessho-seki. So they’re ihere’s something else ioo, which has to stay there, but… anyway, I hope you like it.”

  “I do.” Daiyu agreed, flushing. Sliding the ring onto her finger, she let out a little Qi, and produced one of the Formation Ptes from ihis is a princely gift.”

  “I’m just sorry he missed our birthday. But there’s always year, right Motoko?” Natsumi remarked. This was one of the nights they stayed over at our estate, though they were too drained and exhausted to do much more than sleep. I notieither of them were wearing their school uniform or even their ary training hakama, instead wearing robes simir to Daiyu’s usual attire.

  “That is correct. I hope to have a wonderful day year. But for now…” Seeing me looking, she smiled. “This is Daiyu’s day, and she has gathered her disciples. We are happy to be able to share a part of it.”

  “We’re skipping school. Fortunately we actually get praised for it.” Natsumi giggled. It was then that the door opened, and a familiar face walked in, though she looked pale and exhausted.

  “Hinata, you’re back.” Eri said, and Hinata iredly, holding the door for some uests.

  “Excuse me. We meet again.” Yu-mi said with a smile. She was wearing a smart skirt suit and white shirt, looking rather mature and business-like. Beside her was another familiar fae, Suk-ja, the young Korean Hunter I had hired. She was wearing jeans and a jersey, but on seeing me she nodded.

  “Thanks for ing.” I said in Korean, having picked some of it up from Yu-mi. “Don’t worry, it should be an easy job. I just want you to use your Winged Diamonds of K’uk’ulkan so we extract the Crystal element.”

  She nodded again, but before she could reply, a woman swaggered in, wearing a skimpy tank top and shorts, despite the autumnal chill. “So this is your house, huh? Nice. And it’s as full of cute girls as I imagined.” Violet-noona grinned savagely. My mom’s eyes widened in surprise at seeing such a… unique… woman, her vivid tattoo sleeve drawitention.

  “Oh my, so bold.” Mom chuckled. ”Aren’t you a fiery one? I love the tattoo!” Being a British woman, mom didn’t have the same distaste for them as the majority of Japaizens. “So, you are…?” Since Violet-noona eaking in English she replied in the same manner.

  “Oh, I’m Akio-oppa’s subordinate. But the Blue House is getting really annoying, so I decided to cut and run… ah, I mean, leave things to my little bro and head over here for a while. Someone has to watch little Suk-ja here. It’d be way too annoying to deal with Ji-ho if something happeo her. At least she’s from Iable Victory. If she was one of Lee Jong-su’s girls, you’d have him ag like a worried chaperone.” She grinned wickedly. “You do have a reputation, and it certainly looks well-deserved.”

  “I told you I ha.” Yu-mi shook her head. “But I suppose it doesn’t matter.”

  “Happy birthday, Daiyu.” Hinata igheir bickering. As Daiyu thanked her, Hinata turo me again. “Sorry it’s taken me so long. There’s definitely more to this situation than mere inpetence. I’ve extracted moary and political pensation out of the Korean gover, but… there’s an undercurrent I don’t like.”

  “You’ve done your best.” I gave Hinata a hug, and she kissed me on the cheek softly.

  “I don’t want to take up more of Daiyu’s day. Besides, I need a bath and some sleep. I only snatched a little on the pne.”

  Yu-mi suddenly widened her eyes, pointing at Tamamo-no-Mae, her ails draped behind her. “Who… what is that?”

  “Rude child.” Tamamo-no-Mae sniffed. “Am I not a beautiful, alluring woman?”

  “Yes, you’re certainly beautiful, but… oh, I see. One of those.” Yu-mi g me for firmation, and I nodded.

  “Yes, she’s a Yōkai. She’s staying here for now.”

  “Not one of your women then?” Yu-mi questioned me with a little smile, and Tamamo-no-Mae simply snorted in derision at that.

  “Nope, just an ally.” I said firmly. As we were talking, the door opened, and Suzu-san burst ied. Since she was staying in the empty house oate to prevent her risky lifestyle of sleeping in i cafes and cheap hotels in shady areas of Tokyo, she was often a visitor for breakfast, but today she ositively giddy with delight. Following her ihree women wearing training-wear, tracksuits and t-shirts.

  “Uh, should we really be here?” Ema-san said shyly. Her tracksuit ink, increasing her youthful vibrancy.

  “It’s fine.” Kanzaki Keiko- reassured her, winking at me. Her tracksuit ale blue, and beside her, the warmly smiling Asuka-san was in bright yellow. “Our manager said we , since we’ve mastered the routines for the weekend so fast. In fact…” Keiko- lowered her voice a little, embarrassed. “…despite you saving us from Sora-kun… they now want everyoo have the same procedure we did. It seems a little ungrateful, if you ask me. Sorry!”

  “Nope, no problem at all!” My sis bounded erly, standing beside Suzu-san. “Wow, you’re here. Awesome. Told you it made sense. So…” As Suzu-san and my sis began chatting to the idols, I turo Daiyu.

  “Sorry about this, it’s supposed to be your day, but there’s so much going on.”

  “It is fine. After all…” Daiyu smiled. “While I wish to spend it with you, I also wish to make a start on other matters. I believe that Miyu and Michiru will be arriving soon.”

  “In that case…” I looked at the eager trainees Daiyu was going to instru the basic arts of Qi Refining. “…I’m sure I help.” Today is going to be a wele ge of pao life or death battles, merely making the day special firl I love…

  ShipTeaser