One Hundred And Ninety-One

One Hundred And Ninety-One

As always, the shrine was bustling with activity. Now that we had our defences in order, there was none of the panicked arrangement of our forces around key areas, and Ulfuric was marshalling everyone effectively to both defend what we had and bring in new Territories at a measured, sustainable pace. Etherite ores were also collected where they were found, and we were starting to accumulate a small pile again. For now, I can store them in the chest Shaeraggo brought our bounty in, but that’s hardly secure... I need a Silo for them...

The Etherite Silo seemed to fit the bill. At Rank 1 the description was This annex to a Silo will securely store up to fifty Red Etherite ores, protecting them from theft or loss. You may transfer ores between yourself and this Silo at any time. It also cost 800 ether. The Rank 2 Version was more useful, as it could store more of them, but also allowed Orange ores to be protected.

The only issue was that there was another annex I liked the look of, the Expanding Silo, which at Rank 1 would increase the capacity of the main Silo and all attached annexes by ten percent, which would be great for when they were higher-ranked. At Rank 2 we only get one annex per Silo, and the elemental Silos are essential. We need a ton of energy for sustaining us during battle, and also... There was the unique building, the White Snake Earth Altar, that I could build once I peacefully took control over Shirohebizumi shrine. It not only required Ether to build, but also a significant amount of stored earth elemental essence. I wanted it though, wanted it badly in fact.

White Snake Earth Altar Rank 1 Unique – This building can only be constructed at Shirohebizumi shrine. It will strengthen all earth-aspected creatures and allies under your command, and this ability will be magnified for the kami of the shrine and his adherents. The kami of the shrine will be able to gather more ??????? and utilise it more effectively. Earth element production and purity in the area will be increased, very slightly increasing the chance of unique elemental earths forming.

The cost was 50,000 ether at Rank 1, taking twenty days, and also consumed 500 stored earth essence. Still, I wish I knew what the ??????? was. Stupid lacking Territory Examination skill...

“You seem lost in thought.” Shaeula remarked, snapping me out of my plans.

“Oh it’s fine. Just thinking about what we need to build next. No point worrying about it now I guess, as we are pretty much out of ether.”

“I see-see. Yes, it is fun to imagine what we shall construct. But for now, we have other matters to attend to, do we not-not?” she prompted, and I smiled.

“Yeah, first I want to check in on Ixitt and master Bjarki, see how their work is going. Then... I guess we can train for a few hours before tonight. And after that is taken care of...”

“Indeed. I have some slight-slight trepidations, most of them that my idiot brother Shaeraggo, or my sister might make an appearance, but... I think it is time. Besides...” she grinned then. “I did promise to show you my homeland.”

“Master and mistress are flirting, it is sooo very, very annoying.” Hyacinth was muttering behind us, but we both ignored her. Still hand-in-hand we headed for where Bjarki had set up his forge, giving greetings to those of our forces who were still stationed here. Is it me, or are there even more ratkin about the place?

Shaeula had noticed too. “It seems Ixitt is migrating his whole family.” She sniffed. “It is not-not terribly surprising. The ratkin are looked down-down on as untrustworthy, so despite the rarefied ether down here in the Boundary compared to the lands of the Fae, it is still-still perhaps worth the trip. You show no prejudice, Akio. It must be pleasing for them.”

“Well, you’ve improved a lot as well.” I praised her, rubbing her head, and she leaned into me, almost purring. “I’m proud that you no longer treat the kobolds and others poorly.”

“I have seen much-much of the world.” She turned back to look at her annoyed maids, as if to reinforce she meant the words for them as well. “Everyone has their part-part to play, their talents, strengths and weaknesses. Mortals, who we thought were naught but beasts, as bad as the Unseelie, turned out to be rather fine company.” She grinned. “You, Aiko, Eri, Ichika, Karen, Motoko, Hinata... there are many-many females of worth to know.”

“Hey, why am I the only man?” I joked, as the forge came into view. Is it me, or is it bigger? And there are ratkin everywhere...

“What need have I of other males?” she scoffed. “That Hiroto, he seems adequate, if not-not a measure for you. You should put him to use-use, perhaps you will earn some gratitude from Hinata for making him do something of value.”

That’s pretty cold... observing the forge there were several smokestacks built out of carved stones, each belching away with black, white and bizarrely enough purple smoke. Strange tables and bits of odd machinery, all cogs, springs and brass wheels, were dotted around outside, and at one of them was Ixitt, his tail lashing excitedly as he used his many lenses to peer at a strange chunk of silvery metal on the table, which was dancing with rainbow hues. Next to it was fragments of crystal, and also some familiar-looking red and yellow bricks. They look like pieces of Territory buildings... but how would he get them?

One of the ratkin saw me, and quickly tugged on Ixitt’s sleeve. “Keh-keh-keh, I’m busy, bother me later.”

“But it’s the princess and the master of this land.” The ratkin whined, and Ixitt snapped upright, turning to see us.

“Keh-keh-keh, welcome back. I trust your time away was, keh, satisfactory?” he said unctuously. Seeing my gaze on the materials he shrugged. “Keh-keh-KEH... I have the most... keh-keh-KEH...” his coughing fit became intense, and he threw up blood and torn tissue, his wheezes painful. On seeing this I reached out and placed my hand on his throat. The convulsions were intense, and silvery sweat was springing out on the scars that criss-crossed his furs.

“Shaeula, can you help me, guide me with your eyes?” I asked, and she nodded, an amber glow suddenly shining from her. Seriously, if I could have one thing I wanted, no, needed right now, it would be managing to actually awaken the Mystic Eyes skill I’m borrowing from Shaeula...

Aether poured from me, stimulating his healing. The area inside his throat was awful, the flesh ridged with numerous burn-scars and bleeding lesions, so I concentrated on fixing them as best as I could. Shaeula pointed out things I was not able to notice, such as pockets of rogue elemental fire, earth and water, that had somehow dug into his body, almost like cancers.

Shit, this is hard, but great practise with the skill... I can feel my fine control of aether growing steadily... “Keh, you... do not need to, keh... assist me. I am long used to...”

“Oh do be silent.” Shaeula snapped, guiding me to a particularly nasty inclusion of metal dust that had sunk into the flesh of his upper lungs. I purged it, and he coughed out the glittering fragments. “You have missed some-some.” Shaeula pointed out to me, before continuing to lambast Ixitt. “My Akio is a kind male, he does not-not like to see those he considers his allies suffer. Besides...” she grinned nastily as more blood, dead tissue and metallic fragments were expelled messily, Ixitt’s eyes spinning from the punishing healing. “... I find your incessant hacking annoying. Best to be rid of it, if you are to be here any length of time.”

“Damn, your lungs are a real mess too. I think you need to lay off the chemistry. I doubt I can fix everything in one go but...” we spent an uncomfortable few hours working on him, until I was sitting down, mostly drained. Ixitt was lying there weakly, his fur and clothing matted with a hideous cocktail of fluids, and Shaeula was talking to master Bjarki, who had finally left his seclusion to see what all the fuss was.

“... finished the prototype.” Bjarki was saying. “Though Ixitt, he’n be needed t’make these bullets. Dvergr-craft be nae concerned with alchemy, though t’casings themselves...” he pointed proudly to a line of extremely detailed and ornate shell-casings, detailed to look like sleek dragons, birds and other creatures, yet somehow still maintaining the aerodynamic shape required to fly true.

“They are quite lovely.” Shaeula observed, picking one up and eyeing it.

“Be... keh... careful.” Ixitt managed to gasp out. “The powders within, they are most... volatile. Keh. I would hate for you to lose a finger or two, princess.”

Well, he seems to be coughing less. I guess that’s a win. “Yeah, handling bullets is a dangerous business. I’d also hate it if you got hurt, Shaeula.”

At my words she flushed a little, placing the bullet down delicately. “Still, are these not-not supposed to be readily consumable?” Shaeula asked, remembering what she had learned about mortal firearms.

“Indeed. The craftsmanship is gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but when it comes to making hundreds or thousands of copies, we’ll need them to be plain and mass-producible.”

Master Bjarki grumbled, but in the end we persuaded him. Still, he was a master of crafting unique pieces, so Ixitt agreed to help him in setting up a production line of sorts, as the Mortal Engineering that Ixitt was a proponent of, was a Fae-tinged imitation of our human ways. They then brought out the prototype guns, which were also delightful. There was a heavy shotgun which Ixitt planned to test himself, the barrels tipped with snarling rodent-heads, while for me there were two matching pistols, sleek and elegant. Nice. I struck a pose, and Shaeula giggled.

“So, how do they work? What ignites the powder? I don’t see a blasting cap on the bullets or anything to trigger them, in fact, there isn’t even a trigger?”

“it is most... clever.” Ixitt wheezed. “a fine thread of bluesteel has been woven through from the handle to the chamber, keh. Just trickle a little flame element through, keh... and boom!”

“That’s... pretty clever. Still, we don’t have a lot of bullets. So I can only test it once.” Taking aim, I slotted in a magazine, which held ten of the fancy shells. The bullets themselves were stuffed with an explosive powder Ixitt was aware of, so when I followed the instructions and let loose my flame energy... there was a loud thump and I felt a significant force pushing against my arm, stronger than I would have expected for the bullet calibre, and the shell was ejected, soaring rapidly into the air.

“See, see?” Ixitt grinned. “This is but the first... step. We can improve, with greater knowledge and, keh, experimentation.”

Yeah, it does feel pretty nice to have a decent ranged weapon. And bringing a gun to fights with swords and spears will give me a huge edge. But mass-production is going to be a real challenge. “Well, before I go, I’ll make you some more parts from a few other guns, such as a rifle. But speaking of experimentation...” my voice turned grim, and following my gaze, to the workbench where crystal, metal and stone glimmered, Ixitt flinched.

“Well, I best be back t’work. Steel is’nae forging itself.” Bjarki ducked out, wisely.

“... so, just what’s going on with those?” I asked. All of the other ratkin had vanished too, and the bustling forge yard was empty of everyone but us and the maids, Hyacinth giggling madly to herself as usual.

“Great... so, are you ready, Shaeula?”

She sighed. “So many... still, there is much ether in the air. We can probably manage if we must-must.”

********

“Chiaki, I can hear you so clearly now!” “I know, Chiasa! This is amazing!” the two twins were bubbling with energy after Shaeula had fixed their chakra networks. Apparently it had not been that difficult, as they already had decently developed chakras. Meanwhile, I was working on Ren-san, under Shaeula’s detailed instructions. She had made me work on all the male participants, guiding me with her eyes. She said it was to preserve her strength and improve my own skills, but I had my doubts. She told me she hated doing it when she worked on the other Hiroto-san, so... well, I get it. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable, anyway.

Ren-san had pouted bitterly when it was me rather than Shaeula who began to work on him, and his ebullient sisters chastised him, saying he was shaming himself. They were kind of funny, even if they talked weirdly, almost like they were the same person sometimes. All right, feel the flow, find the blockages. Under Shaeula’s muttered instructions I used Chirurgery. Everything proceeded without issue, even the area around the potential lunar chakra, until I reached the sixth human chakra of Ren-san, his third eye chakra. There was a heat there, a bubbling energy that was bright and sparkling. As I touched it, some of the energy passed into me, and Ren-san groaned.

“Quick-quick, withdraw your aether.” Shaeula ordered, and I pulled back, leaving him shivering uncomfortably.

“What’s wrong, son?” Hikawa-san asked, concerned. He, like all the adults barring Kana-chan’s father, were not undergoing the training, but they had of course stayed to watch, concerned for their children and charges.

“I felt drained all of a sudden.” He complained. Turning back to me he scowled. “You suck, I want her to do it, it’s unfair it’s only for my sisters.”

“Ren-sama, show some respect!” “Yes, Ren-sama, we at Hikawa-Kawagoe shrine must always be dignified!” the twins rebuked him gently.

“Your girls are the same as always.” Chiyo-san shook her head. “They’ll be a real handful when they are older. I pity you.”

As they bickered, I took a moment to glance around. Those we had assisted previously were now meditating, trying to draw in ether and convert it to aether, stabilising their fragile networks that Shaeula and I had carved into them. Even Daichi-san was getting into it, and he was working to strengthen the small flame he could summon as his gift. Wait, that’s IT! I let out a cry of victory, and everyone looked at me, the gentle arguments stopping. Damn, that’s embarrassing.

“Uh, I’ve just worked out what was the issue. When I worked on Izumi Daichi-san, I didn’t really pay attention to the flame energy when I reached his solar plexus chakra. I felt it a bit, but I’m used to flame so nothing happened. Ren-san, I believe your gift was creating sunlight, right?”

He nodded sourly, confirming my conjecture.

“Right, I get it. Your third eye chakra is generating a tiny amount of light element. It’s a great ability. Now that I know that, I can work around it.” I was confident my idea was right, and a few minutes later I was lying down, exhausted, but I had reaped the reward of my Chirurgery skill levelling to Rank 2!

Shaeula then finished up the last couple of shrine maidens, and with that done, I could relax, as it was up to Shaeula to observe everyone with her Mystic Eyes and show them the best ways to gather ether individually...

********

The first day of training school was progressing nicely. A lot of people were very motivated, though a few, such as Kana-chan’s friends, were working with a look of confusion on their faces. Still, there was one person who looked utterly lost, and as soon as Shaeula had finished her observation of her and moved on, she had ceased trying and was looking around, forlorn, casting glances at Kikuchi Maiko-san.

Takagi-san, right? I decided to intervene. She looked startled as I walked over, jumping nervously like a scared fawn, her eyes behind her unfashionable glasses darting about. “Hey there.” I said gently, trying to exude kindness. I might have gone overboard though, as she blushed and looked like she was about to faint. “You look a bit confused. Are the exercises too hard?”

“No... no.” she stammered, still beet-red. Taking pity on her I asked her if she wanted something to drink as she looked hot, and after one last long look at Maiko-san, she agreed, nodding shyly. I led her to the large kitchen and took out one of the stocked bottles of tea. She took it, easing off the lid and taking small sips, again like a frightened animal.

“So, what’s wrong? I notice you seem out of place, and you keep looking at Kikuchi-san. Are you worried about her?”

She nodded, frowning. “I never wanted her to come here. The other girls in class don’t like Kikuchi-san. She’s very shy as well. This must be hard for her...”

“I see.” I smiled warmly. “You must be a good friend for her.”

“No I’m not.” She sighed. “I barely know her, but... I hate bullies. I had enough of that in middle school. I just wanted... I don’t know what I wanted.” She conceded. “But I know this... whatever this is... it’s crazy. Just who are you? Those rich girls, coming by helicopter, all these other people... the strange things you can do. My head’s a mess. I don’t get any of it.”

“I’m sorry. I really am.” I bowed sincerely to her, and she blushed again, waving her arms in a panic, flustered, splashing me with tea. When she saw that, she was even more distraught, but I stopped her, using aether to pull the liquid off me and drop it in the sink. Yeah, with the ether density what it is here, I can at least manage that. As her eyes boggled at the trick, I smiled reassuringly. “Shaeula never should have brought you into this. Kikuchi-san... well, her father owes me, so she doesn’t really have a choice, but rest assured, I’ll treat her with utmost care and respect while she’s here. And if she is getting bullied at school, I’ll get the other girls to put a stop to it. We are all friends and students here. You too.”

“Me... too?” she said, tilting her head in confusion.

“Yeah. I mean... if you swear to keep all this secret we could probably just let you go, you seem a caring, honest girl. But... though Shaeula did wrong, dragging you in without your consent, she also offered you a chance. All of this may seem meaningless, but... if you stick with this, you might look back on it in a few years as the best decision you ever made.”

“Really?” she looked down, pensive. “I want to believe you. But... how can I explain all of this to my parents? I don’t really have friends, if I keep going out after school they’ll think I’m up to something bad.”

“That’s easy. I was going to talk about this after today’s orientation.” I grinned, happy to be on slightly safer footing with her. Ideally she should stay. I’d let her go if we had to, but it’s a risk. “Like I said, there are rooms available here for everyone to use, and in addition... those who need an excuse, I was thinking of treating it like a part-time job. You’d get wages, they wouldn’t be a lot, that’d be suspicious, but my secretary can talk to your parents if need be, assure them it’s legitimate. We can also call it a study camp, a cram school of sorts, as it is in a way.” My grin grew broader. “You may not believe me, but if you can manage to master the exercises, you can actually get a little smarter. Your memory and calculative abilities will increase, so your grades should go up too. I think your parents would be happy, right?”

“I see.” She sighed. “Can I think about it for now?”

“Sure. Shall we go back? This is only the first day, so we don’t want to cause trouble by keeping everyone too late.”

As I walked her back in, Takagi-san hid behind me, seeing the amused gaze of Kana-chan on her. I gestured forwards, patting her back reassuringly, and she resumed her place, and after a few words from Shaeula, she began again, trying to visualise the process of drawing in ether...

“Akio-sensei, Shaeula-sensei, we appreciate the lesson!” Motoko-san and Natsumi-san echoed.

“Me too.” Hinata-san also agreed. “Though my stupid brother missed the first day. I guess it doesn’t matter as he was already worked on. Still, I’ll be sure to tell him off!”

Most of the others had left, Kana-chan excitedly taking her school friends and a few other girls she had hit it off with down to the swimming pool below. Chiyo-san had been shocked by the progress her shrine maidens, who turned out to be two of her many grandchildren, had made, and was now fully on board, promising to support us at conclave, as her voice weighed heavy with those shrines that were unaffiliated.

“Goodbye Akio-sama, we hope to be in your care again!” “Farewell, Shaeula-sama, please continue to look after us!” the twins said politely, and even Ren-san managed a grudging expression of thanks to me, as he was one of the fastest learners, his summoned light already improving.

“I’ll see you later.” Hikawa-san was saying to Shuta-san. They had spent their time talking politics, and while Shuta-san had almost no say in Amaterasu faction, he had a few connections, so Hikawa-san planned to leverage those for information.

Well, this has been quite the ordeal, but at least we don’t have to use any more Chirurgery for a while. We had advised everyone if they found themselves feeling unwell or strange, to stop any training they were doing and seek us out as soon as possible for Shaeula to inspect them. Still, so far there’s been no problems. Though that doesn’t mean someone won’t react badly. Chirurgery is not an exact science...

As soon as the last of our guests were gone (minus Kana-chan and her friends of course, but they could see themselves out when they were done having their fun) I turned to Shaeula. “Right. I think that went decently well. The hard part is done anyway. So... are you ready?”

Shaeula grinned at me. “I am-am indeed. It will be good to return to the lands of the Fae, if only for a little while, in the far reaches of the Seelie Court. I am quite-quite curious to see just what mansion my brother has found for me, and also...” her gaze turned a little hungry, and she licked her lips with her small tongue lasciviously. “... I believe you had quite-quite the fun with Eri under the moon and stars, did you not-not? Well, the moon in the Fae lands is stunning, it really sets the perfect mood...”