One Hundred And Forty-Six

One Hundred And Forty-Six

“Are you feeling better?” I asked Eri as we sat on the subway train, a few other passengers such as salarymen who worked late or people heading out to party dotted around the mostly empty carriages. In response she gave me a wan smile, dark eyes serious.

“I’m all right I guess. I’m not good with strangers, especially... well, you heard her. Nichibotsu Technology!” Eri’s voice rose a little at the end there, causing her to flush in embarrassment when a couple of the passengers looked over at us.

“Seriously.” She lowered her voice. “It’s been one crazy thing after another today. I can’t take all the shocks.”

“Is this Nichibotsu such a big-big matter?” Shaeula titled her head in puzzlement. “Are we not wealthy ourselves now?”

“We have money sure, but compared to Nichibotsu Technology, we are nothing.” Eri insisted. “They are a global company, one of the top electronics manufacturers worldwide. Even most of the TV’s and other equipment at our school is Nichibotsu brand. And she’s in the owning family... she must be very rich.”

“I see.” Shaeula nodded in understanding. “Still, Eri, you need to be more composed. As first wife, you should not-not shrink from others, but stand tall and proud!”

Listening to the conversation relaxed me, as I pondered my decisions. It was a real risk announcing ourselves like that, but I tried to mitigate it as much as possible. Still, if we could get allies like such a big company, or the... the nobility, I guess... behind them, well... It would open up a whole world of possibilities for us. On the other hand, handling it badly could have disastrous consequences. Still, who knew that we had noble families in Japan still, behind the scenes? I suppose if we have a shrine faction, a noble faction makes sense too...

“I really didn’t like the way that Fukumoto-sama was looking at Akio...” Eri pouted, having finished lauding her company to Shaeula. “... come to think of it, you aren’t brainwashing all the women around you are you, Akio? I mean, I know I love everything about you, I always have, but the way she was staring at you with a red face and moist eyes... it wasn’t normal. You do have a big Charm stat, don’t you?”

“Fukumoto-sama?” Shaeula snorted, annoying Eri a little.

“No, Charm doesn’t brainwash people, according to the description.” In fact, since Self-Examination reached Rank 6 I had further information on it, so I read it out to Eri quietly.

Charm- The ability to attract others revealed. Charm will increase the attraction others feel towards you, people will view you in a more favourable light, and are more likely to offer you affection. Charm will enhance the effect of attributes the beholder will find favourable, and slightly mitigate the aspects of one’s self that the beholder finds off-putting or undesirable.

“You see?” I said after I had finished. “All it does is enhance what is already there. So it’s not really any kind of mind control. I suppose it’s like how you can appeal more if you change your hairstyle or get in shape. Just that it functions all the time.”

“Besides, you have Charm yourself, do you not Eri?” Shaeula smirked. “So do not-not blame Akio for being so attractive. It would be-be base hypocrisy.”

“Yeah but... Akio has filled out with muscle and takes better care of himself. He’s already stupidly handsome, so when you put Charm on top of that... what happens if Fukumoto-sam... err Fukumoto-san really has fallen for him? We can’t compete with that...”

Damn, her lack of confidence is showing again. I thought she was getting over that... Pulling her into an embrace and patting her head I reassured her. “What do you mean you can’t compete? You and Shaeula have way more to offer than her. And as for wealth... well, sure, right now we don’t measure up, but a month ago I was living on cup ramen in a dingy one room apartment, and now look at me. Wealth we can and will acquire. But the bonds, the love we share... that’s priceless and irreplaceable.”

Shaeula looked away, red-faced and embarrassed, and Eri snuggled into my arms, face also flaming crimson. Damn, the two of them are super gorgeous. I mean, yeah, that Fukumoto girl was hot too, but I’m already over my limit for fiancées, so they don’t have to worry.

To that end I managed to create a pair of steel swords, one a rapier type, the other a sabre, as they seemed the easiest to use, and weren’t too heavy, being sized to Eri. I also made her a suit of light chainmail, and for that I had to guess the size, although... yeah, I still remember the shape of her body from earlier... in fact, I doubt I’ll ever forget her and Shaeula in my arms.

“That looks suitable.” Shaeula approved as she inspected my crafts. “Eri will be delighted to receive your gifts.”

“Yeah, but I still don’t know why we keep hold of certain items when we leave and return to the Boundary. It isn’t like we are using an item box or dimensional storage.” That gave me an idea. “Ixitt, do you know?”

Ixitt shrugged, tail lashing behind him in exasperation. “I fear, keh, that I do not. Though I would be more than happy to experiment. Keh-keh-keh!” his coughing became more fierce, bloody phlegm spraying from his burned throat. Shaeula looked at him with disgust and even I took a step back. “Should you grace me with, keh-keh, the ability to walk, keh-KEH, the material as does the princess, I shall, keh-KEH-keh, put my all into finding the answer. Keh-keh.”

Sorry, but you aren’t a priority. Still... “I’m afraid it takes quite a commitment in ether to allow one of the Fae to walk the mortal world unencumbered. And sadly, I have plans on who to choose next.”

At my words his face twitched, but I offered a compromise. “Still, if you can find a way to bring me the ether yourself, I can be persuaded to allow it. Although to prevent problems in the Material you’ll have to behave.”

“I see.” He nodded, tail whipping ferociously as he thought. “Those Spires, they pull, keh-keh, down Ether from the higher reaches of the Astral. Keh-keh. Can I make artificial ones, or... maybe Etherites... keh-keh-KEH!” as he started musing on what works he could perform, Shaeula leaned in and whispered to me, her hot breath tickling my ear.

“Are you sure-sure that is wise? That ratkin seems rather unbalanced if you ask me.”

I held in a laugh, and at her knowing look it burst free. Once I had finished chuckling, I shook my head. “True, but I’m very curious about mortal engineering. Combining Fae and human technology could be a real winner. But I doubt he’ll come up with a way to raise at least fifty-thousand ether anyway... still, enough of that. We need to meet with Ulfuric now.” Scooping up Eri’s new gear, putting aside the question of how it travelled with us, we headed off in search of the badgerkin...

********

“So, we have kept all our forces out of sight behind these salt wards, since the enemy has effective scouts in these ghosts.” Ulfuric rumbled, looking at the map of the area that we had sculpted. “There is no merit in allowing the enemy to learn of our improved circumstances, princess, consort.”

“Yeah, the element of surprise is key. We want to break through fast and hard.” I agreed. “As to the point of attack...”

“While it is tempting to engage one of the weaker areas, I suggest we attack here.” Ulfuric pointed to the shrine at the back of the enemy Territory. “Your probing has allowed us to understand the defences, and there are several points where there is cover against enemy fire.”

Yeah, denying the enemy the chance to use those beetle-men and siege beetles makes sense, plus... There was something going on there, from the information Karen-chan had gathered. It shouldn’t be the heart of the Territory judging by its position and the rest of the sprawl, but even so... the quickest way would be to destroy the enemy Anchor, of course.

“As for the specifics..” Ulfuric continued, and I found it reassuring to have someone so practised in command in our corner. It really took the pressure off me. “... Grulgor and his trolls are largely unmanageable, so I suggest that we allow them to draw attention with their usual rampages. As for our forces, we can swing wide here...”

Yeah, tonight we rest up for the big day. Once I’ve seen Eri and our families of to the station, then it’s time to settle this once and for all. Shaeula was also looking resolute, showing off her dignity as a princess in front of her new kin. Once the threat to the north is gone, we can finally think about our next expansion...