Four Hundred And Sixty-Four

Four Hundred And Sixty-Four

“We’re finally alone then.” Hinata said as the helicopter flew towards its destination.

“I’m here, dad too...” Yu-mi muttered, but I understood what Hinata meant, as Minister Kang was flying in another helicopter, along with the Greek siblings, so other than Park Do-yun and his daughter, it was all my allies, so I was able to relax and let the high tension of the battles fade away finally. Of course, the constant trickling of adherence away from me is a different type of pressure.

“Yes, though not for long, we’ll be at our destination soon.” Hinata continued. “You’ll have to work hard then, and I know it’s been tough. Sorry Akio.” She apologised, and I waved it off.

“It’s fine. I’m working now to relax later.” I joked, and she apologised again.

“Sorry, Akio.” Her brown eyes were moist with tears, and there was a catch in her voice. “Sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Oh come on, Hinata. There’s no need to be that sad...” Shiro sighed, before looking me in the eyes. Her black eyes held a little remorse, but her expression was still calm. “If you’re apologising, I should too. But we all agreed it was for the best, and a nice surprise.”

“I know. I know.” Hinata repeated, clearly upset. “But I think we were wrong, no, not wrong...” She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “Akio, I told you about Adamant, but...” She began to explain, and as she did so I could feel my expression changing. That’s... more than I expected, but I shouldn’t be surprised. Not with Hinata, Shiro and Shaeula involved.

“...I’m sorry.” Hinata finished, apologising for yet another time, bowing her head. “I... only wanted to get you what you deserve, what we need, and to share some happiness with some others who I felt should have it.”

“So let me get this straight.” I met her eyes, after looking at Shiro, who shrugged and glanced aside guiltily. “If I was to say to anyone wearing that uniform that I was interested in them... they’d have to... submit?” I didn’t want to say the actual words, as I was actually a bit angry. Is that how they see me? I’m hurt...

“It’s like a sex cult...” Yu-mi said, stunned, chewing on the ends of her curled hair in thought.

“Yes, but... you wouldn’t do that, Akio.” Hinata insisted. “Like I explained, it’s mostly just to build a sense of unity and loyalty that can’t be broken. And in exchange for their loyalty, we’ll make sure to support them though any disaster that might befall them, and ensure their successful futures. But... there are some I wanted you to consider...”

“Who?” I asked, and Hinata clammed up, face flushed.

“You know...” Yu-mi said, after glancing at her father, who looked troubled. “...I think it get it. Not this crazy private army, that’s way outside of anything I could have imagined before today, but... you’re not that kind of guy, are you Akio-nim?” she addressed me surprisingly respectfully. On seeing my surprise at that, she continued to twirl her hair. “What? Surprised? Maybe it’s a bit formal for friends, since you said we’d start out as new friends, but... you rescued my cousin, and did more than that too, I’ll wager. I’d feel a bit strange talking to you like I would a guy at university, and you’re not my brother so that’s out. But that doesn’t matter. Miss Hinata...” she said, since we were speaking in English, as it was a common language we all understood. “...Akio-nim isn’t the sort of man who would indiscriminately prey on women. It seems a bit laughable to say that when he’s admitted to eleven girlfriends, as brazen as can be, but... if he was, then he would have leapt at the chance to take me as his twelfth, or at least pushed me down and had his way with me if he wasn’t keen on marriage. There’s no chance he wouldn’t be interested in me that way. I’m pretty cute.”

There’s no way I can answer that. But I’m surprised she’s sticking up for me, we’ve barely talked at all. “Look, I understood why you felt we need it, and even that you all wanted to surprise me with this as a present, but... it’s not what I want. I already...”

“You already worry you’re not able to be a proper boyfriend and husband to us.” Shiro sighed. “I think you worry too much. Right now, everyone’s having fun, growing stronger, working toward their dreams. I mean, at first I was going to turn you down because I felt that I deserved you all to myself, and I had some pride, even me. But...” Her smile was warm and amused. “...maybe Shaeula is a bad influence on me, Hinata too, but I started thinking that in a way it was showing our superiority, that all these women wanted you, but that you wanted me.”

Arisu-san, who had been watching silently, a disapproving frown on her face, spoke up then. “She was right then.”

“She?” I asked, and Arisu-san shook her head, seemingly frustrated.

“Young Suzanne-san. She said I did not understand White here, and she was right. Though hearing her in her own words...” She shook her head again, troubled. “...I think that path is one you can choose to walk if you wish it. You are an adult, White, and I understand that Akio-san fought tirelessly to win you, even against Red and the contracts of a God. You...” she fixed Hinata with a cold glare. “...I am not one who is a stranger to the nobility of Japan, though I have only had fleeting contact, but such concepts as arranged marriage, concubines and a wife living to further the interests of her husband and house are ingrained into you. This is a foolish extension of that.”

Yes, Arisu-san is extremely concerned with faithfulness after she was betrayed by her fiancé, I understand her anger. Though as she continued, I was surprised by how accurately she read our worries, showing her keen intelligence and understanding of others’ emotions, as befitted a top actress. “As for Shaeula, I have no wish to understand her inhuman thought processes. A culture where the bonds of marriage, or their rough equivalent, know no bounds of gender or number, I can hardly criticise her for doing as she is predisposed to do. No, looking at you all, you have made your choices. But there is one who did not, yes?”

“That’s not true.” Shiro began, but Hinata nodded, and it was the source of her upset.

“Eri. When you accepted Eri, she was the only one, and had no reason to think there would be any others. For all of us, even Kana, who is an ordinary girl like Eri, we understood you were too big to tie down, that your destiny would carry others along with you, but... only Eri was different.”

That’s true, but also not. Eri... Eri’s a kind girl, and she accepted Shaeula, and even Hinata and the others. But... I cant help but worry. After all...

“I don’t think Eri-chan is as weak as you imagine.” Haru said, having also been listening quietly, though she was constantly checking her phone, no doubt receiving important updates. “She admitted that it was her insecurities and jealousy that she wasn’t good enough for you that kept her so jealously possessive. Besides, she was acting out a normal plan for her life. Fall in love, marry, have children, together. And why wouldn’t she? Back then there was none of this.” Haru gestured to those of us in the helicopter. “But if you ask her, all she really wants is you. I think it’s sweet.”

“Yes, but she’s right.” Hinata continued. “We said we put Adamant into play without consulting her because we knew she wouldn’t refuse it because it was for you, Akio, and we didn’t want to bother her... but I can’t lie anymore. Shiro, we just didn’t want the hassle, did we? We were disrespectful, and selfish.”

“This isn’t like you, Hinata.” Shiro sighed. “Look, I like Eri. She was kind to me and welcomed me when I first arrived, and we had similar circumstances. But when it comes to you, she’s... well, she can get a bit crazy. And she’s by far the most jealous of us all. Yet despite that, she opened her arms to us. I can’t hate her. But...”

“I know.” I bit my lip. “Hinata, I wanted you to pursue your dreams without having to give anything up. That goes for you too, Shiro. And of course that applies to Eri as well. But... when her dream is incompatible with those of others, when she wants me all to herself, to live an ordinary life... when two dreams clash, there has to be somebody who sacrifices. I wanted that to be me, but...” I love Eri, I always have. And maybe I could have ended with just Eri, Shaeula and Shiro... but then, Hyacinth and Tsukiko have suffered a lot too. Daiyu as well, Asha too. No... it would never have worked. I’m too weak. I have all this strength, I can defeat fragments of evil Gods, Conquer Chosen who use divine powers to commit evil, deal with the rich and powerful... but I can’t turn my back on those women who I’ve come to care about when they are hurting. But with each hand I hold out, Eri...

“Hey, dad, am I an idiot? Are we stupid?” Yu-mi said suddenly, surprising me. As he looked at her, puzzled, she sighed. “You know, Akio-nim, has this Eri girl ever told you she’s unhappy, or reproached you?”

“No, but I know she wants more of me, more of me than I can give...” I began, as Shiro rolled her eyes beside me. Yu-mi sighed again, frowning.

“Of course she does. That’s being in love, right? The girls here all want more of you, don’t they? Miss Shiro, Miss Hinata, and Miss Haru, wasn’t it?”

At her words, everyone froze. Haru blinked for a moment, before laughing a little nervously. “I fear you’ve made a mistake. I’m not one of Akio-kun’s women, I’m merely his Vassal. I... I’m not something anyone would want to touch.”

I cut her off. I was an idiot when it came to how girls felt, but I learned, if slowly, and had a good memory now. “No. When Shaeula suggested the same, Eri got really pissed off. I think Yu-mi and my sis are right...”

“Of course, I know you and Eri best, bro...” my sis said proudly, and she offered a hand for Yu-mi to high-five, which she did, a little embarrassed.

“...yeah, Eri’s proud. She believes I want to spend time with her on her own merits, which of course I do. Damn, maybe I do need to find a way to multiply myself further... ugh, way too difficult. No, I’ll give Yu-mi a chance, she’s right. Maybe an outside perspective...”

“But a friend’s one.” Yu-mi corrected. “I’m approaching it that way too. I’m obviously not as smart as I thought I was, but I’m not a total idiot. I too can learn. But... shouldn’t we talk about business now? Though this has been interesting in its own way.” She looked at her father. “Look, I know you’re worried about Yu-jun, dad, but they said he’ll recover. Why wouldn’t we believe them? Right now I’ll believe anything, even that we’re sitting here with the future ruler of the world.”

“That... worries me, a little.” He said slowly. “I have little love for the Japanese, less so for the nobility. I worry what will happen to Korea if a Japanese person was to gain such almighty power.”

“Not much.” I promised. “Just like Japan, or Britain, or anywhere else, there’s a lot worth preserving, culturally. But there are also some things that aren’t desirable. If... when... I settle matters and protect the Earth, I’ll also remember those who aided us and stood with us. Like you two. I think that as I’m a half, I have a different perspective on matters, and... I’ve walked beside beings who aren’t even human, who have their own cultures and characters. Earth is a melting pot, and that’s good. But to remain so, we have to fight. Just like here at Choe-Museon. Does that answer your question, Park-ssi?”

“It does.” He nodded, glancing at his daughter, who smiled back. “Please treat Yu-mi well. I will pay what I have promised.” Before I could answer that I always treated my friends right, he continued. “I did some digging with the anti-Japanese faction within the Chaebols. I call it a faction, but it’s more a loose group of big businesses who follow the political and cultural zeitgeist. Hating Japan is commonplace, I am afraid. I mean no offense. Sadly I am also technically a part of this. Though when the time comes I will distance myself, of course, I never forget to honour a debt. There’s a lot of positive Chinese sentiment as well, which has spiked up over the last few years, which I admit I found surprising, as I have little love for the Chinese either. Originally, it seemed that the Tengokusentou was bought by an American conglomerate, the Ruby group. It’s mostly into financial services, telecoms and so forth. But there’s more to it...” he looked at Hinata then.

“I ... hesitate to say this.” He sighed. “I don’t think you have cause to believe me. But I swear on my daughter that it is true, or at least those I spoke to believe it to be true.”

“For Yu-mi’s sake I will hear you out.” Hinata said, eyes narrowing. “It’s betrayal, right?”

“How did you know?” he asked, surprised.

“I didn’t. But it isn’t as though Kira-sama and Fujiwara-sama don’t have suspicions. The Shiraishi house were misled, and Shiraishi Nozomi was to be engaged to a very unsuitable match, if you ask me, though she’s a kind girl, so accepted it easily.” She paused. “That’s over now. When she accepted a position in Adamant, Fujiwara-sama accepted the cancellation. Apparently Fujiwara-sama already had some issues with him. The man, Mizuhara Minato, was quite angry. Not that I care. He’s from a branch family of a branch family of Mizuhara house, which is one of the Fifty-Eight. No, it’ll be Fifty-Seven again soon then... betrayal, huh. Mizuhara house is long associated with mining and mineral wealth, but while Japan has many rich mountain veins, a lot of them can’t be exploited, due to religious significance, so we import a lot. Especially from China...”

“Exactly. The Ruby group has another name. Ruby Serpent.” Park-ssi sighed. “It is an undercover spy group, seemingly. And they report to the Party in China. And supposedly your Mizuhara house has been receiving large imports of rare earth metals, amongst other key minerals, from China at a very favourable price...”

“Bought for mere money. Such fools.” Hinata scoffed. She narrowed her eyes. “We may seem the same, since you paid for our services, but we act for nobler causes, and greater goals. Ruby Serpent. An ill-omened name.”

“So, what do we do?” I asked. “There’s no way we can simply get it back. Could the Japanese government seize it... no, there’d be international outcry. Although...” That could work...

“Yes, a multi-pronged approach. Pressure from both sides.” Hinata mused. “But we have to dismantle Mizuhara house, to prevent further internal strife. But we can use them...” As Hinata started plotting, I checked my watch. We’ve been talking for twenty minutes. There’s still a little time...

“It’s time for the fun stuff then.” Shiro rubbed her hands together. “Aki, you still haven’t checked out all your gains, have you?”

I shook my head. “No, not yet. Let me see...”

My Eye blazed amber, and Yu-mi looked on, curious. “Again, should you be showing this... no, you’re right. Dad and me, we’re on your ship now. We’d have to be truly fools to betray you. Besides, I don’t want to.” She smiled in a teasing fashion. “I still have to sort out your relationship problems. You can call me noona!”

“If you can... I will!” I promised. I don’t think it’s that easy. I do still feel guilt. I know Eri’s told me no end of times feeling guilty only serves my own conscience, and actually hurts her, but... I was getting better, but... ugh, managing my love life is hard. Not that anyone should or would pity me!

“I’ll hold you to that!” she giggled. “So now I’m curious. Dad and I don’t know much, other than a bit about the Korean Hunter Guilds...”

“They were nothing special. Some were useful...” Shiro admitted, and I waved her to silence, thinking that was unfair. Besides, one of them has a talent I really need to borrow...

“Basically, it’s not like a game, at least on the surface. Some people can call flames, or summon strange beings, or move very fast, or regenerate from any injury...” I began.

“Or control minds...” Park-ssi whispered and I nodded.

“Yeah, or that. Nastiest trick of all. But I have a talent to see things as numbers, basically. So while it’s not a game, I can sort of simulate the rules, as it were. Which while it doesn’t offer much practical use in battle, it’s great for optimising.”

“That’s not all, right? You don’t have to tell me too much, I’d be scared, but... you don’t beat mind control like that.” Yu-mi said shrewdly.

“Yes, so anyway...” I looked at Shiro and the others. “I finally reached a Skill past Rank ten, and gained a Class. Might as well check it out...”

Prodigy Of The Lower Worlds is a Class obtained by those who have climbed the fourth horizon and reached a level of proficiency in a Skill that exceeds what is normal, in worlds starved of resources and opportunities, a feat even the Multiverse recognises. Even in the scattered, numberless worlds of the Near and Far Reaches, or the Pantheons, it requires talent and effort to reach such heights, though amongst beings as plentiful as grains of sand, there are always numerous geniuses, many others who have mastered such a climb. The Ranks of Skills will increase more easily, and comprehension of information will increase. It will be easier to pass bottlenecks, breach walls and climb pinnacles, though this again is dependant on effort and talent. Skills that affects learning and knowledge are further easier to increase. Intellect will increase greatly as the Class strengthens.

Damn, that’s awesome. I could feel my Eye burning brilliantly, and it seemed to strengthen as soon as I understood the Class. Of course, my Eye is a Skill affecting knowledge, it even says so in the name! The feeling of having reached Rank 6 beyond the bottleneck didn’t seem so distant anymore, and I knew it was only a matter of time when I could reach it without Shiro’s buffs. Speaking of buffs... Rubbing my hands together, I looked at Shiro, a small smile on my face.

“I knew it. You are a little annoyed that Hinata and I upset Eri.” Shiro sighed. “Oh well, if putting me through the wringer will make you feel better, let it not be said that I, Shirohime, am not a woman who can take it.” She smiled then. “Honestly, Aki, don’t look at me like that. I’m joking, all right? But... you want to test out my Berserk Blessing, right? And you think that taking on the pain yourself will assuage your guilt. It won’t... but we need to do it anyway. But before that... there’s more, isn’t there?”

“Of course. It was very profitable.” I’m not going to talk about the Favours, even though I trust that Yu-mi and Park-ssi are tied to us now, some things shouldn’t be shared. But Skill and Class data will only make them feel awe, so... “Master of Many Crafts I’ve seen before, after all, Ixitt had that one... but for the others...” Might as well take a good look at my status. It’s been a while since I’ve fully analysed it, and a lot has changed since...