Five Hundred And One

Five Hundred And One

At the rebuilt mansion in the lands 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 in the Material, I was watching Tamamo-no-Mae looking around our estate with a mix of curiosity and detachment.

“I...” My hands trembled a little as I remembered the numerous times I had come 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 given me the Divine Favour of Tsukuyomi. Perhaps the outcome was always meant to be my victory, but the way to achieve that was to predict something 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 laugh, starting to feel a little better. “It’s a classic film. Next time you are sent to the Material, why not watch it? You might not understand much of it though.”

As Klena protested that when she was there she was to serve her princess, as well as me and the other girls, I took several deep breaths, calming my nerves. Forgetting the sheer torment that Tamamo-no-Mae had inflicted on me was proving a challenge, the suffering carved deep into me, but fortunately, I could already feel my Resilience, which had grown significantly through my efforts to resist, first the Chaotic Winds, then the Tiānyì, and finally that agony, starting to soothe my mind, allaying my fears. Speaking of the Tiānyì...

My Eye shone. Fortunately, merely observing 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 Chang’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 In Death There is Surely Delight. [Item Class: Powerful] [Item Type: Law]

This Bell, crafted from a strand of a powerful Tiānyìèguǐnǚ’s hair, containing her unique Aetheric and ???????? signature, will resonate and ring when exposed to the Chaotic Winds, 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 was a poem. That’s a damn mouthful. At least Hisui definitely fits, considering 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, Shaeula, Eri, the others, even my sis... they were all able to tell what I was thinking most of the time. Continuing to drink my wine, I shook my head self-deprecatingly. I survived, and if... no, when I inevitably rose to face such a Tribulation in future, better a familiar face than a Tiānyì I didn’t know. Besides, I had a feeling she would be easier to bargain with.

“That said...” I muttered, taking out the Spatial Ring I had crafted for Daiyu. “There’s one item that I need to 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 significant amount of High Moonlight Spirit Water, spatial and darkness elements. It was a strange deep blue colour, threaded with violet and orange 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 glancing at my unwounded body, puzzled, I snorted.

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

She hurried off after a curtsy, leaving me to investigate 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 Tribulation [Item Class: 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 significant power. The workmanship was crude, and unless reinforced, the Heavenly Purifying Lightning and True Chaotic Winds inside will break free. As these Elements are part of ??????? ???????? ??????? ???????? this will attract the fury of the ???????? Heavens.

The design elements intended have likely not yet been implemented, as the Elements within, despite 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... Can’t let those elements get away after trapping them. Sure, I did it to survive getting caught in the Tribulation, but what idiot would let such a chance escape them?

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

“All right, soon as I get this done I can concentrate 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 was probably 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 to strengthen the spatial and isolating aspect of the Arm. Eventually, I hoped to improve it so that we could feed in wind and fire elements to strengthen 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 later...

After several hours, I was done. The arm had stabilised, and after a quick glance at it, annoyed that 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 plate 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, concentrating on relaxing and allowing my energies to replenish...

***

“Work hard, little pest, ooor else I will be angry!” Hyacinth complained, and Azuki darted behind the legs of Tsukiko, glaring with her little ruby eyes at Shaeula.

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

“Hyacinth has given this hooome my blessing. Your aid is nooot needed. Clean, tidy! This place is a mess, I wish I cooould spend more time here, but I have sooo many demands on my time. Nooot that I would complain, Akio, nooo, never, but...” Seeing me looking, she seemed ashamed of her complaints, 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. Shaeula needs you when she meets with the dignitaries of the Seelie Court. It’s a status thing, having a powerful maid, and is there one stronger than you? I don’t think so.” At my understanding 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 glanced at Azuki. “Try to get along with Hyacinth. And you... get along with Azuki, all right?” As Hyacinth pouted, Azuki nodded.

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

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

“Happy birthday.” I said again. “Here’s your gift. It’s a Spatial Ring. It’s a staple of Cultivation stories. Also... I managed to salvage a fair few things from the Sessho-seki. So they’re inside. There’s something else in there too, 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 Plates from inside. “This is a princely gift.”

“I’m just sorry he missed our birthday. But there’s always next 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 noticed neither of them were wearing their school uniform or even their customary training hakama, instead wearing robes similar to Daiyu’s usual attire.

“That is correct. I hope to have a wonderful day next 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 nodded tiredly, holding the door for some other guests.

“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 face to me, Suk-ja, the young Korean Hunter I had hired. She was wearing jeans and a jersey, but on seeing me she nodded.

“Thanks for coming.” 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 can 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 drawing her attention.

“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 Japanese citizens. “So, you are...?” Since Violet-noona was speaking 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 happened to her. At least she’s from Inevitable Victory. If she was one of Lee Jong-su’s girls, you’d have him acting like a worried chaperone.” She grinned wickedly. “You do have a reputation, and it certainly looks well-deserved.”

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

“Happy birthday, Daiyu.” Hinata ignored their bickering. As Daiyu thanked her, Hinata turned to me again. “Sorry it’s taken me so long. There’s definitely more to this situation than mere incompetence. I’ve extracted monetary and political compensation out of the Korean government, 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 plane.”

Yu-mi suddenly widened her eyes, pointing at Tamamo-no-Mae, her nine tails 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 glanced at me for confirmation, 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 in, excited. Since she was staying in the empty house on the estate to prevent her risky lifestyle of sleeping in internet cafes and cheap hotels in shady areas of Tokyo, she was often a visitor for breakfast, but today she was positively giddy with delight. Following her in were three women wearing training-wear, tracksuits and t-shirts.

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

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

“Nope, no problem at all!” My sis bounded over eagerly, 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 turned to 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 instruct in the basic arts of Qi Refining. “...I’m sure I can help.” Today is going to be a welcome change of pace. No life or death battles, merely making the day special for a girl I love...