On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

“It’s always amusing that they forget I can be in two places at once…” I said to Hinata as the limousine pulled out of Shirohebizumi shrine. “Though honestly, I’m not going to be having fun and flirting. I hear it was bad.”

Before I left, my Astral body reappeared, and Shaeula was leading me to the numerous injured. Of course, that only covered the Fae and other Boundary dwellers. There were others that required Ether Healing, such as a number of the wounded from Hanafubuki, some of which were either entirely unable to enter the Boundary, or despite having Chirurgery, were still too weak or wounded. While Shaeula had managed the potentially fatal wounds, exhausting herself, there were still quite the number of casualties that needed attention.

She did well though. I hear that a few of the girls from Hanafubuki, including Mizuki-san… It was impossible not to remember that girl… were near death, and she at least got them stabilised and out of danger.

Guessing what I was thinking, Hinata nodded. “You’ll still have your work cut out for you in both worlds when you return. We’ve moved most of the wounded that still need your Ether Healing to a temporary location near Shirohebizumi. After all, a lot of them will be going on the Pilgrimage, so they need fixing. There’s the extra Chirurgery too.” Hinata smiled sympathetically, patting my shoulder comfortingly, before her smile changed to one of fierce pride.

“Some of our newer recruits to Adamant really acquitted themselves well in the Hanafubuki battle. They were hurt badly, nearly died, but they stood their ground and fought, without a single backwards step. Thanks to that… Sakura, she didn’t die. Again, Shaeula made sure they were out of danger, but I want them ready to go for the full experience. Honestly, I think they’ve got great potential for the future. Bravery and willingness to fight and die for Adamant is the greatest advantage. Leadership, Skills, combat prowess… all that can be trained, but loyalty and guts is inherent to a person, I think.”

“I don’t know. I think bravery can be learned. Eri wasn’t brave but look at her now.” I shook my head. “But you’re right, fixing a personality isn’t as easy as training up some Skills and Statistics.”

“Only you could think that training those are easy. As we hear more about other Chosen, it’s clear that you’re the exception, not the normal.” Hinata snuggled in close, though she was careful not to ruffle her formal clothing, as the meeting with Fujiwara-san was coming up shortly. She looked positively adorable in a medium-length, tight charcoal shirt, white ruffled shirt and matching charcoal suit jacket, like a proper professional businesswoman. Seeing my admiring gaze, she blushed a little, before giggling.

“They’re all decently cute as well. Not to our standard, but there’s very few daughters of the nobility, even the Three-Hundred, that aren’t pretty. Good breeding and money helps.”

“I don’t care how cute they are, just that they make a full recovery. But Shaeula knows what she’s doing, and… yeah, I feel rather powerful right now. I’m sure I can handle everything and still be fresh for tomorrow.”

“I don’t doubt it.” Hinata grinned. “So, want to tell me about them? These Valkyries? It’s just Eri, me, Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan who know. It was actually very amusing. The twins are totally in awe of you, you know? They are extremely devout and see you as the second coming of Izanagi. They’ve expressed a willingness to continue supporting you as their career goals and are especially excited that the Pilgrimage will be visiting their shrine. Here’s a suggestion.” Hinata winked. “I’ve deliberately not suggested adding shrines for Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinada-hime to the new shrine building at the Tengokusentou. Because I think you should. It’ll help cement their loyalty to you. And make them happy.”

I frowned. “I really like and respect the twins, but Chiaki-chan and Chiasa-chan are too young to be deciding their future right now. However, I agree. Their shrine’s Kami and Gods should be represented. They were with us nearly from the start.”

“Blame yourself. You’re just too impressive.” Hinata smirked, enjoying my slight discomfort, teasing me playfully. “And they were always going to be shrine maidens, that was never in question, it’s just… now they want to be yours. Honestly, it’s not like we can let their talents go to waste, is it? They massively increase the efficiency of our training and allow us to do some crazy feats like when I linked into Eri and met my new sisters.” Her smile was now wicked.

“Haru-chan can do a lot of the same things, but she’s also very busy, and her linking isn’t as good as her reading, probably because she wasn’t born with the gift and a second self, like the twins were. The important thing is, since they decided, to make them never regret their choice, right? Isn’t that what you said to us?” Hinata chortled. “I remember it. I remember everything you say!”

“I’ll have to be careful then.” I teased, and she continued to explain.

“Don’t worry, they know what they want. And as members of Adamant, I’ll be sure to look after them, as will Shiro and Shaeula. So, anyway, back to the Valkyries…” As we pulled into Azabu, approaching the Fujiwara estate, I regaled Hinata with the tale, her expressing shock and surprise at just what had transpired. As the car pulled up, she gave her final thoughts.

“We’re lucky.” she breathed, relieved, surprising me. Seeing my shock, she rolled her brown eyes, snorting.

“I’m thankful you came back to us. Think about it. You were there. There! The same sort of place Taṇhā comes from. And you have the means to move yourself there permanently. You could have lived in a world beyond our imagination and stay with your new Valkyrie wives. Instead… you chose us!”

“Of course I did.” I patted her head reassuringly, careful not to mess her hair, as the driver opened the door for us. As we stepped out, I noticed that there was a heavy presence of Fujiwara Security Services scattered about, far more than usual.

“After all, what I love is here. And while admittedly, seeing the World Tree, hundreds, thousands of worlds more fantastical and wondrous than I can even imagine, definitely appeals…” I paused, gathering my words, wanting to say it properly. “…it’s only worthwhile if I’m seeing it with everyone I love. There are sights I want to see, and dreams I want to experience, but… together with you all.”

As Hinata blushed at my heartfelt words, she leaned in and kissed my cheek gently. “That’s very sweet. And I’m glad. As we all feel the same way. And not just us. The twins, the members of Adamant, our family and friends, those who support us… and we’ll succeed. Though… I do feel a little bit bad for the Valkyries. Their husband is so very far away!” She giggled then. “Don’t you love them and want to be with them?”

“That’s… genuinely a hard one. Ortlinde, I feel an immense gratitude to. And she’s certainly beautiful, with her fiery red hair and golden eyes. She’s got a killer figure too. I think… love can spring from many things, and a need, a want to repay, that’s one seed that can sprout. Honestly, it’s the same with Tan. I’m not just comfortable with her, I owe her. And… honestly, I want to break her shell, see the real Taṇhā that nobody else has ever seen.” I scratched my cheek then, embarrassed by my honest thoughts. “As for Rossweisse, she’s stunning in a different way to Ortlinde. She’s closer to your type, in fact.” I teased Hinata, who mock-frowned, looking down at her chest. “Clever, inquisitive, with a specialty. Instead of business though, hers are Runes, and they’re fascinating. And again, I’m grateful, she helped me in my hour of desperate need, but… I’ve spent barely any time with her. But… she chose me, and… the multiverse accepted her vows. I… don’t think it’ll be hard to love her. Ortlinde neither. But they are loves for the future, you are all my now!” I insisted.

“Very well said.” Hinata nodded. “I always knew my husband would have to be clever and practical. Ones for the future, huh? We’ll have to map the political intrigue on a grand scale, since we’ll have ties to World Tree and Taṇhā’s Pantheon. She called it the Six Paths before, yes?”

As I nodded, she explained quietly. “Taṇhā is a done deal, you say?” At my nod, she grinned, well satisfied. “In that case… while she can’t use most of her strength, we’ll still have a huge advantage in our camp. If we can just deal with these Dragons of Red and White…” We were shown to a reception room for a brief wait by a smartly dressed maid, and Hinata finished outlining her plans, asking me more questions about the Valkyries. When I was done describing what Rossweisse looked like, since I wasn’t sharing many images with Eri and Hinata during my shocking stay in the upper Astral, merely impressions, she again glanced down at herself knowingly.

“I see. I’ll definitely have to warn Mizuki-chan to watch out.”

As I denied that, there was a knock on the door, and a butler appeared, accompanied by Ueno Junichiro, the head of Fujiwara Security Services, whom I had met a few times. He had a certain panther-like grace, and even though he wasn’t a Chosen and my Statistics meant he was a trivial opponent for me, I still was a little wary of him. He’s obviously utterly well trained, and it’s like Ulfuric always says, a Giant can be felled by a Pixie if the Pixie is ruthless and skilled enough and strikes just right…

“This way. You are the last to arrive, but everything is ready now.” After exchanging a handshake, he led us to another room. Outside, I saw Michiru-san, as well as her younger sister Koga Kozue-san, who was pacing restlessly, face pale, clearly troubled and wary. Katana-san, or rather, Ohta-san, was there too, and nodded at me warmly. We had grown closer after our time together in South Africa and my rescue of her and Mayumi-san. There was another bodyguard there too, and I recognised her as the shy, quiet bodyguard of Sakura-san. Uekusa Sayuri-san, right?

“I didn’t bring Kazumi, as I’m with you.” Hinata whispered to me. “Besides, she’s hyped up for Pilgrimage and doing last minute preparations. Although…” Hinata suddenly spoke up. “Don’t worry. Akio won’t let any harm befall your charges. Don’t overstress yourselves, or it might affect your performance tomorrow.”

“I thank you.” Michiru-san bowed. She was quite deferential to Hinata, probably because Miyu was. Koga-san only scowled sullenly, while Uekusa-san blinked weakly at us. Ohta-san was cheerful though, despite wearing her customary male suit, she gave me a rather girly smile, showing that she was still beautiful, despite her rather androgynous haircut and features.

“Yes, I know I can trust you two to look after Mayumi. Keep an eye on Sakura-sama too. She has… had a tough time. As for tomorrow. I shall give it my all. As shall Mayumi.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “She’s still nervous about being alone, but she’s genuinely fascinated by the prospect of the Pilgrimage. She… might be a little annoying… but do make allowance for her.”

“Of course.” we agreed, and as the door was opened, Ueno-san took his place outside. Greeting us within were a circle of seats. At the back sat Fujiwara-san, Kira-san, and also Hinata’s grandfather Itsuki-san. Miyu’s father, Kazuhito-san was there as well, though he seemed small and timid in comparison to his elders. Beside them was a man I didn’t recognise, but Hinata breathed near-silently that he was Harada Koji, the current lead strategist and acting leader of policy decisions for Fujiwara house, running things on behalf of Fujiwara-san.

Then, to the left was Mayumi-san, Sakura-san, who was still looking rather pale, despite appearing uninjured. She was one of the few Shaeula restored fully back to health after her battles. Probably knowing this would be necessary. On seeing us enter, Sakura-san gave us a grateful, almost welcoming look, which surprised me, as she and Hinata had clashed often before, and she certainly blamed me for the current state of Takatsukasa house. I guess a lot has changed while I’ve been gone.

Then there was Miyu, who nodded a polite, elegant greeting towards us, and lastly, closest to Fujiwara-san, was Honoka-san. She was sitting there calmly, and appeared composed, but from the way her hands trembled and the nigh-imperceptible twitches around her eyes, I could see she was rattled. As well she might be, considering.

On the right, was only one person, and he was rather bruised and battered, and chained to his chair. Upon closer inspection, he did seem to resemble Honoka-san a little, though he was quite old, in his fifties, and his hair was dyed black to hide the grey. I assumed that was Fujiwara Hidemasa, and as I glanced at Hinata as we took our seats, Hinata sitting next to Sakura-san, she nodded at me, confirming my guess.

He won’t get an honorific from me. Hinata and Shiro were put in grave danger at the Tengokusentou thanks to him. Besides, he planned to kill off his own father, and Miyu as well. The piece of shit.

Seeing me glaring at him, he flinched, before steeling himself. But before he could speak, Fujiwara-san cleared his throat. “Good. Everyone is here.” he intoned, sounding exhausted, and I could see he didn’t look well, dark rings around his eyes, his face paler than usual. “Ordinarily, I would have kept this matter internal to Fujiwara house, but…”

“There’s no way.” Kira-san chuckled bitterly. “Not when a foreign coup was staged on the grounds of the Tengokusentou, and the nobility was nearly decapitated at a stroke.”

“Honoured father…” Hidemasa began, speaking urgently. “This has all be a mistake…”

“Silence!” Fujiwara-san declared coldly, and Hidemasa froze, mouth flapping open, words fading.

“You will have your chance to speak, or rather, your thoughts will.” Fujiwara-san assured him. “Now, perhaps your heirs should be here, Kira, but…” he glanced at Itsuki. “Hideaki-kun is still in… convalescence for his health issues, and this is not something I would burden Kokoro-san or Keiko-san with, and… honestly, this concerns our daughters. Honoka…” Fujiwara-san seemed concerned for her, which I could understand.

“I am fine, grandfather. You do not have to concern yourself with me. If father did this, he should certainly face the consequences of his actions.” she managed calmly, though again, I could pick up her clear stress.

“Honoka!” her father cried, only to fall silent as I glowered at him, a little of my Majesty enough to cow him. I then glanced at Miyu, who nodded, understanding, and she reached out a hand, placing it on Honoka-san’s. For a moment she shivered at the touch, before relaxing.

“In any case… since this concerns Honoka and Miyu, who are my heirs, but also contemporaries of your granddaughters, and as Hinata-chan and Sakura-chan are potentially the heirs to you, Itsuki…”

“My Mayumi would hate to miss out. It’ll be a good lesson anyway.” Kira-san chuckled.

“In any case…” Fujiwara-san turned back to his son, while we all watched. “…the truth will be revealed.”

“This is all a mistake!” Hidemasa blustered. “I had no involvement in my older brother’s death, or the attack on the Tengokusentou! I swear it! It’s a mistake!”

“You can come out now.” Fujiwara-san ordered, and Haru suddenly appeared, drifting through the solid wall, certainly making an entrance. I get how Haru does it, she’s an Onryō, but why do her clothes turn ethereal as well? Hmm, something to think about…

“I am here.” She first politely spoke to the Three Grandfathers, before then greeting Miyu and the others, before turning to me. “I see you made it home safely, Akio. Not that I had any doubts, but your fiancées worried.” Haru’s smile was teasing. “Me, I was just glad I got a break from your demands, though I was still worked to death!”

“Well, during the Pilgrimage you won’t have too much to do.” I promised, and she shook her head, clearly amused.

“You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep, Akio. Oh well…” She drifted to her seat beside the handcuffed Hidemasa. She shot him a rather unhappy glance, her brown eyes seeming to glow blue for a second. “…I want to get this over with. He’s not… not Kondou Kazuo, but his mind is a different sort of sewer. All petty jealousy and unwarranted self-importance, and a disregard for the value of others.”

Seeing him being badmouthed that way, Honoka-san was pale, and as he protested, Fujiwara-san slammed his fist down, and the sound made Hidemasa fall silent.

“Enough. You may or may not be aware, but Suzuki-san here has great talents. While the legalities of mind reading and Telepathy for criminal evidence is being debated and refined by the Ministry, this is not a criminal court. This is Fujiwara house, representing the nobility of Japan. Now, please proceed, Suzuki-san. And you again have my thanks.”

“I’m just doing my job. I am Undersecretary to Minister Morita-san. And since the Tengokusentou terrorism clearly involved spiritual matters…” She shrugged, resigned. “Now…” She fixed her eyes on Hidemasa. “Akio, if you would, can I link my mind with yours? I have been spending time with Chiasa-chan and Chiaki-chan and we have been experimenting. I want to…”

Borrow your Majesty. I’m rather Charming, but… my Majesty is lacking. I could hear her chuckling in my mind. Quickly giving her permission, it was a strange sensation, but not entirely unlike the feeling of Eri’s Lovers’ Link bond to me that allowed Hinata in. I see. Yes, you’ve all been making great strides.

Flatterer. There’s no point being nice to me, I’m not going to fall for your kind words! Anyway… thank you. This will work.

It was far from perfect, but I couldn’t help but use my Eyes to see what Haru was doing. Interestingly enough, she seemed to have gained a Skill I had never seen before.

Telepathic Channelling is the process of drawing on the Intangible Statistics of a willing participant who you connect to Telepathically. A proportion of said Statistics can be utilised and projected against another target you are linked with, or released in a burst over an area, though this is significantly weaker, the focus and impact diluted. Charm and Majesty show the greatest effects, followed by Determination. League also has a potent effect, yet it puts a great strain on one’s Body, Spirit and Truesoul, manifesting League beyond one’s limits. Fortune and Fate have only a very minor impact, and Foresight has seemingly little to no effect currently. [Class: Noble] [Type: Rule]

I shared my information with Haru, and her thoughts came back quickly.

Yes, I imagined it would be somewhat like that. Honestly, it’s a little scary, as taking in someone else’s Intangible nature is like trying to drink deep while underwater. Fortunately the twins are kind, and you… I am used to you, and we already share a connection. Now… I want to get this over with. Fortunately, I’ve already scanned his surface level sins, so…

Yeah, that’s rough. Get done what you need to.

In and out. With your Majesty shutting him down, I can more easily rifle through his deeper thoughts without having to force it. It’s like reaching an arm down into a bucket of black tar to grope for and pull out a number of marbles from a pile. You can take me out drinking tomorrow evening after the day’s Pilgrimage is done. I will need to unwind!

Sure, no problem! I promised, my thoughts of laughter reaching her. She smiled slightly, before her eyes started shining an intense, ghostly blue. “Now then, we are aware that you plotted and sought the death of your elder brother, and that you contacted a group of Chinese-American criminals, a sort of Triad, I suppose. But how did you make their acquaintance, and… were you aware they were Cultivators, even then?”

At those words, Honoka-san’s impassive face began to crumble. Miyu held her hand, and she steeled herself, but it surely was a heavy burden for a middle schooler. Hell, this would hurt even for an adult, finding out their father was involved in fratricide and worse.

“I have no… idea… what you… mean!” he managed to grate, but Haru merely sighed.

“Lies. People always lie. I like those that don’t. Oh… I’ve found a marble. It’s red and shiny… oh. Fascinating.” Haru blinked. “Fujiwara-sama, it seems that you might have to conduct some housekeeping. Not just you. Ichijou house and several of the upper houses of the nobility have gone a little rotten.”

“Oh?” Kira-san leaned forwards. “In my house? How very interesting.” For a moment, the kindly old man with the white beard seemed rather menacing, and I realised nobody could control the power he wielded while being naïve and forgiving. “Can I have the names, Haru-chan?” As always, Kira-san was rather familiar.

“Yes. Oh, before I do… they didn’t know that the Ruby Group were Cultivators, even if a few in the upper echelons of this movement were aware of the minor abilities the shrines and temples of Japan possessed. But they did often joke that they were so good at getting things done it was like magic.”

She then gave out the names, and Fujiwara-san nodded. “I see. Fools all. It has been too long since the war. We grew up in that era, Itsuki, Kira. We know where lack of unity and selfish jockeying for position leads. Takatsukasa house is proof of that.”

“None of the group of troublemakers are from Takatsukasa house. I suppose there is no merit in it.” Itsuki-san grumbled. “We only endure thanks to your support, much as it pains me. It ate away at my son, and Hideaki made bad decisions, but…”

“It’s all right, Sakura!” Hinata insisted, comforting her cousin, who was nominally her sister due to the adoption. “Takatsukasa house is on the up! We’ll see to that. Don’t worry about the past… decide what you want to do now, and we’ll do it!”

“Nobody from Tsumura house is involved either.” Kira-san noted. “It makes sense. As a military family, they understand loyalty and following the rule of law and superiority.”

“I wonder just how many more of the nobility’s issues are related to these troublemakers?” Kira-san mused. “There have been incidents in isolation that looked like mischance, or simple accidents.”

“He knows of a few.” Haru confirmed, Hidemasa shaking his head desperately, sweating, unable to speak as her will and blue-eyed gaze held him in check. “But… it’s simply jealousy. And self-righteous stupidity.” She rolled her eyes. “He… they all… they think you all too old, too stubborn, and too set in the old ways. They look at America and the Middle East, where families as rich and influential as the upper nobility live lives of endless luxury, indulging their every whims, where here, there are rules, restrictions and a need to appear modest. He hates that. They hate that. And worse… Hidemasa knew he wouldn’t be able to live his dream while he wasn’t heir. So…”

“So you killed your brother and his family.” Fujiwara-san declared, and Hidemasa blanched, even as his mouth worked silently to deny it. “I thought you too weak-willed to go against me, my son. Just a parrot repeating what you felt I wished to hear. I had my suspicions, my very well-founded suspicions, and Kazuhito did as well.” Fujiwara-san glanced at Miyu, his usually hard brown eyes softening. “Your father entered politics, outwardly to benefit Fujiwara house and increase our influence, but also to show his elder brother he was absent from the succession. It helped that you were a withdrawn, diffident girl, Miyu. It made my troublesome son feel that he was assured of succession.”

Miyu nodded. “I am sorry for being a disappointment, grandfather. I… I will change, I promise.”

“You have changed.” Fujiwara-san reassured her. “I feel far more confident in your future now. Before, your husband would have controlled your entire life. But…” He sighed then. “Regardless of that, Fujiwara Security Services was established not just to restore some of the old ways, those of the diminishing bodyguard families of the nobility, but to protect my family and allies.”

“This… isn’t true!” Hidemasa managed, having bit his lip until it bled to break Haru’s dominance over him. “I still… I still wear the watch you gifted me, father!” He tried to move his manacled arms. “I have always followed your words!”

“That is true. But… while you expected me to die soon, or if not, at least Honoka, your daughter who would be unable to go against you or the husband you chose for her, would effectively be your puppet.” As Honoka-san’s eyes darkened, the life going out of them a little, I glanced over, worried.

“But of course, things have changed.” Kira-san pointed out. “The biggest change of all, is Akio-kun here.”

“Indeed.” Fujiwara-san agreed. “Miyu left my control and has become bold.”

“Not true grandfather, I still respect you and honour Fujiwara house, but… I am Vassal to Akio-san, and it is a commitment I have sworn to myself, and to Ame-no-Uzume. Were I to break faith, I fear I would never dance again, and the music would leave me.”

“See? Most bold.” Fujiwara-san chuckled, though I could tell his heart wasn’t in it. “Worse…” He looked at me then. “With this Chirurgery, and your ability to heal, my imminent death from encroaching old age has been pushed back. I feel as though I am sixty, no, fifty again…”

“It’s true!” Mayumi-san spoke up excitedly, perhaps elated at being present for such a monumental meeting, when usually it would have been her older brother present. “I know for a fact that so long as you don’t die instantly, Akio-kun and Shaeula can bring you back from the brink of death!”

“Why are you so pleased at that?” Hinata raised one eyebrow. “It’s nothing to do with you!”

As Mayumi-san’s face turned rather pink, Haru spoke up.

“Let’s move this along. I don’t like wading through the sewer of tar in his head. But you’re right. He realised everything was falling apart. After all, he isn’t young anymore, and he wanted to live a decadent life of power and influence while he could still enjoy it. And worse, Miyu-san was becoming more important. After all… as I know well, being a Vassal to Akio is a ticket to success.”

“All so very foolish.” Fujiwara-san shook his head, frowning. “My son, if you were in charge of Fujiwara house, it would end up like Takatsukasa house in mere months. We have power and wealth because we are responsible. We are not the Middle Eastern royalty, whose foundation is unshakable so long as oil exists and is needed…”

“Though soon, Japan will be free of dependence on it. Perhaps their days are numbered.” Kira-san smiled smugly, eyeing me.

“…nor are we the new generation of American wealth. Yes, the richest pioneers exceed our assets, but… with no history and little disciple, within three generations, all that will be left will be a number of decently wealthy disparate families, the companies they built and profited from long gone to dust.”

“But that would be their problem!” Hidemasa managed, angry. “Why should I stint myself, not take advantage of what we have, just for those descendants who will disregard me anyway, forget me!”

“As you have done me?” Fujiwara-san snapped coldly, and Hidemasa bowed his head, shocked by his anger.

“I suppose a family squabble is one thing.” Kira-san pointed out. “But most of the upper nobility of Japan was at the Tengokusentou. Had your plan succeeded, the nobility as a whole would have collapsed. How would you have profited from that?”

Hidemasa remained silent, chewing on his bloody lip, but Haru spoke for him, earning a bitter, furious glare.

“It’s hard to say he was thinking…”  Haru observed. “…but he listened to Kuwahara Takehisa, who seems to have also been deeply involved with the Ruby Group, and if the nobility was decapitated at a stroke, he was persuaded that as the new head of Fujiwara house, with everyone else inexperienced and vulnerable, the nobility reeling, he could stand atop Japan.”

“Such a nonsense.” Kira-san snorted. “I applaud confidence, but you truly are overestimating yourself, Hidemasa-kun.” He shook his head in dismissal. “Ichijou house would certainly endure, I’ve raised my sons and grandson well. Takatsukasa house… assuming you managed to kill Hinata-chan while she was there, yes, it might collapse…”

Again, Sakura-san seemed troubled by that, Hinata squeezing her hand.

“…but you forget several important points. Tsumura house would remain strong, as would several others of the Fifty-Eight who weren’t in attendance. And most importantly… if Hinata-chan was killed, you think you’d live to enjoy your victory?” He glanced at me, and I nodded.

“Yes, in fact, I’m finding it very hard not to beat the shit out of Hidemasa here and now.” At my venomous words, the man in question shivered, and Haru chuckled.

“Don’t bully him like that, I don’t want to see all the ways he’s thinking in his head you can torture him. It scares me to death… oh wait…” she deadpanned, and the harsh mood lifted. “But substantially you’re right. I can’t read Kuwahara-san’s thoughts through Hidemasa, obviously, but I can see some of his facial expressions and hear his words in his memories. It’s obvious he’s playing a different game. I’m afraid Hidemasa here is just too arrogant and dense to notice.”

As Hidemasa glared at Haru, Fujiwara-san nodded. “Yes. Arrogance and stupidity are not necessarily a disaster. After all, there are many arrogant nobles, and a number of stupid ones. But combining the two, thinking oneself powerful and clever when one is not, that leads to ruin. I think we have heard enough. Gag him!” he ordered and nodded towards me.

Yeah, Haru shouldn’t have to touch him. I walked over to the chair and placed the secure restraint around his mouth, tightening his bonds too. He tried to rant and rage at me, saying I couldn’t touch a noble like him, until he was silenced, but that just reinforced his lack of intellect. And I don’t mean Intellect, the Statistic. He’s… too self-absorbed. Everything’s about him. Life isn’t like that, not even for me.

As I retook my seat, Fujiwara-san addressed us all. “I think it is clear. My foolish son is guilty not only of fratricide, but attempted murder of many of us. Worse, he was in compact with foreign powers, who clearly aimed to destroy Japan. Kuwahara house is in custody, yet sadly, Takehisa remains at large. I suspect Ruby Serpent has other tendrils buried within Japan, sheltering him. But we shall dig him out.”

“I hope so. Nozomi needs closure.” Hinata insisted. “Oh, my apologies, do continue, Fujiwara-sama.”

“In that case… there is the matter of punishment. Ordinarily, an enforced retreat, similar to poor Hideaki-kun, though… more final, would be the solution. Under Japanese law, even multiple counts of conspiracy to commit murder would not lead to the death penalty, however, one crime does carry it. Instigation of foreign powers to attack Japan. The Tengokusentou is a clear case of that.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over the girls, before fixing on Honoka-san. “What do you think, granddaughter?”

That’s a bit cruel. She’s too young to have an opinion on her father’s life and death… it seemed I wasn’t the only one who thought that, as the other girls seemed both sympathetic and annoyed.

“I…” Honoka-san managed to speak, her voice placid, though her hands were trembling more visibly. “…agree, grandfather. What my father did is too unforgivable. If… if Hinata-san, or my dear cousin Miyu-san were harmed… besides, without Fujiwara house, father is… is nothing. To bite the hand that feeds him is disgraceful and unbecoming of a noble.”

As Hidemasa thrashed at his bonds, making grunts and trying to speak, Fujiwara-san narrowed his eyes. “Honoka-san, you always believed you would be the heir, did you not?”

“I did. I have always studied hard to please you, be it at my scholastic pursuits, dance, tea ceremony, flower arranging… but… I am the daughter of a disgraced traitor to Japan now…”

“No, Honoka-san, that’s not true…” Miyu insisted, and I was warmed to see how far their relationship had come recently, when before they barely spoke and called each other with the distancing -sama honorific.

“Let her speak her mind.” her grandfather insisted, and reluctantly, Miyu nodded, falling silent.

“…I cannot be the heir. My blood is tainted, and Fujiwara house must remain strong and a bastion for Japan. I believe you have shown your worth, Miyu-san. No, Miyu-sama.” Her brown eyes looked slightly dead as she went back to her old form of address, and seeing the pain in Miyu’s eyes at that, I resolved to speak, but Haru’s voice echoed in my mind.

Not yet. Oh, I get a bit of a headache parsing everyone’s thoughts like this all at once, but… Fujiwara-sama is not being cruel, I think. Just… let them sort it out. You’ll know when to intervene. Trust me.

All right. I did trust Haru, without exception, and as she smiled at me, raising an eyebrow teasingly, I leaned back. Hinata noticed, and so held her own silence, which made Mayumi-san keep quiet too. Oh look, she’s learning how to read the room.

“I have to agree that unfortunately, right now, you are unsuited to be heir, Honoka.” Fujiwara-san suggested. “Ordinarily this is a matter for Fujiwara house, but as we need to stand united more than ever, I would seek your counsel, Itsuki, Kira.”

“I can hardly raise an objection. My own son Hideaki has been foolish, and our house was facing ruin.” Itsuki sighed. “Minoru, Sakura… Hinata. May their generation do better than mine and my son’s did.”

“I have a competent heir, but my Mayumi is a worry.” Kira chuckled. “Too high pride and status. I’d have you watch Hidemasa-kun rather closely, Mayumi. See where pride without ability gets you.”

“I know.” Mayumi-san nodded slowly. “Fortunately, I have Hinata, Akio-kun and the others to open my eyes. I thought they were being harsh with me, disrespecting me, but instead, they were just trying to enlighten me to my flaws. I won’t blame them for that, though they could have been kinder.” She winked at us. “Oh, and Sakura… I know you have something to say. I’m here to support you, so… let’s sort this mess first, all right? Priorities!”

“My Mayumi is all grown up. It brings a tear to my old eyes!” Kira-san teased, wiping at pretend droplets, making Mayumi-san blush. As the mood lightened a little, Miyu spoke, her tone unsure, troubled.

“I cannot be heir. I am committed to Akio-san as his Vassal, as I stated before. I therefore cannot marry…” She glanced at me, almost pleading for my support, and I nodded reassuringly. “…therefore I shall have no heir to continue Fujiwara house. Besides, while you say I have changed, at my heart I am still weak. I rely on Akio-san, Michiru, Hinata-san and the others.”

“Is it that you will not marry, or that you wish a choice?” Fujiwara-san pressed, and Miyu froze. She thought about it, and slowly shook her head.

“I am not good with men. I have only just started speaking with father again. I have grown a little better, Akio-san is fine. As for marriage. Perhaps in the future, I could bear it, if… if…” She flushed redder than a tomato, and I could hear Haru’s laughter in my mind.

“I see. I was in a hurry. After all, I am old, old enough to remember the War. It would hardly be a surprise if I dropped dead any day, except… that changed. Now, I likely have ten years or more of life. Time enough for you both to grow up and change, and for… other opportunities to present themselves.”

“It’s a certainty!” Hinata puffed out her chest proudly. “In ten years, Akio will be the sole voice in Japan. The world, if we have our way, but there’s many unpredictable dangers, so… I’ll be conservative and claim Japan for certain. At that point, Miyu… you can do as you please. Until then, your efforts for Akio don’t contradict your duty to your house.”

“Moves are indeed afoot.” Kira-san smirked at me, and Haru paused for a moment.

“Really? That’s… true? Oh my.” She held her hands over her mouth, eyes sparkling.

“Don’t be a spoilsport.” Kira-san chuckled. “A little mystery is fun, and we old men find little better than surprising the young. You’re not wrong though.” He chuckled. “Little Hinata-chan showed incredible power at the Tengokusentou, as did Miyu-chan. Even Sakura-chan fought bravely at Hanafubuki. And that’s just the start. Mayumi, how’s the business plan coming along?”

“I’m working on it. I’m not going to be left behind. Honestly… I feel such a fool. When I bragged that the stake in Ichijou Heavy Industries was a generous, too generous deal, I was ignorant. But let it not be said Ichijou Mayumi can’t learn! You can learn too, Miyu-san, Honoka-san. There’s no better friend to have in your corner than Akio-kun!”

“What about me?” Hinata mock-pouted, and Mayumi-san smirked.

“You’re just part of Akio-kun’s package now, Hinata!”

“That… kind of stings, but I don’t mind. It’s true!” Hinata grinned.

“So yes. Honoka, right now, you are not the best choice to be the heir. And in ten years, a lot can happen. For now, Miyu will be tacitly admitted as my heir apparent, and it will also be known that Akio-san has the right to choose her husband, as we agreed before. I fear you may find it aggravating, fending off idiots as greedy as my son, but… it will keep the flies from buzzing and spoiling the banquet. Have you any objections?” Fujiwara-san asked.

I shrugged. “I have no problem dealing with fools. As for Miyu, she’ll marry who she wants, or not, if that’s her path to happiness. I take my obligations and my friendships very seriously. I don’t break my promises.”

“I prefer dealing with an honest man.” Fujiwara-san agreed. “So then, Miyu, are you satisfied?”

“If Akio-san consents, I do as well.” She nodded. “Though my work for Akio-san obviously takes precedence.”

“How bold of you, you never used to talk back to me. But… Honoka…” Fujiwara-san addressed her now.

“Yes?” she managed, keeping her voice steady, though it was clearly an effort.

“I blame myself, but I have warped your education, and your foolish father has used you as a tool. I do not need you to agree with everything I say. In fact, if you do that, you will simply be a puppet, if not for your father, then your husband, and even if you never married, to the board.”

“I would never…” Harada-san shook his head, aghast, and Fujiwara-san snorted.

“True, but who is to say you will live forever? You make a tempting target for an accident.” He had no response, and Fujiwara-san continued. “Miyu was like you before. But now she is not. I can trust her. She listens, but makes up her own mind, after consulting those she trusts. Now, I wish you to do the same. I have several paths I think you might like to follow, but first… your father. What do we do with him?”

“The law is clear, and…” she began, but at the sad look in her grandfather’s eyes, she swallowed, and finally tears sprung free. “…I hate him! I hate my father. He is a cold man, and I am not as much of a fool as I pretend to be, I realise I am just a means to an end for him. But he is still my father. I… do not wish him to die. But that is simply selfish of me, and I am tainted by his crimes…”

“Then I shall pronounce my judgement. For the crime of conspiring to murder his older brother, Hidemasa will be imprisoned for the rest of his life. I am not a monster, he will have some few comforts, but… there shall be no freedom.” As Hidemasa sagged in a mixture of relief and rage, Fujiwara-san smiled.

“That was not so hard, was it? Now, allow me to make a suggestion as to your future. You could simply take Miyu’s place. A Fujiwara daughter who is not expected to be heir but marry well for the good of the house. Or… you could strive to study, to learn, and to become someone that can genuinely run Fujiwara house. I daresay Miyu would relinquish her role swiftly were that the case.”

As Miyu nodded, Hinata was rolling her eyes at me, mouthing something. Speak up? What? Oh… yeah.

Slow on the uptake, aren’t you? Why are you even here, Akio? It’s obvious, and every conversation so far has led this way. Oh, to be a fly on the wall… though… hey… hang on…

Haru turned to Hinata, eyes wide, and Hinata merely giggled, winking.

It seems I missed out on a lot! Eri-chan’s going to stab you, you’ll end up a ghost like me. Then we can be together in death, oh… never mind, that one was a bad joke… she flushed, her humour having gone too far, and I snorted.

Don’t worry, Eri knows about it, and she’s fine with it. It’s a problem for another day, no, another decade, maybe, anyway.

“There’s another option.” I suggested. “How about you let me take charge of Honoka-san, as I have Miyu? While Honoka-san doesn’t have a Favour, Hinata’s quite good at whipping daughters of nobility into shape.” She giggled at that, and I gathered my thoughts.

“That way, I can be a balance. If I have the rights to decide Honoka-san’s and Miyu’s husbands, though of course, the right actually resides in their hands…” I insisted. “…I’ll just be supportive if they find someone suitable they like… I take all the pressure, and we can use those ten years or more to reform Japan and the nobility. I know Hinata wants to reshape Takatsukasa house…”

“Not just them. But the Fifty-Eight and the Three-Hundred. My plan is… ambitious…” Hinata smiled winsomely. “…yet it is already in motion, and after the trials of the Tengokusentou and Hanafubuki, I’d say it’s going to accelerate. Honoka…” Hinata dropped the honorific. “…I’m not going to force you, but… I can groom you as an officer. You won’t be alone.”

“Yes. It is my time to speak.” Sakura-san stood. “I… first must thank you, Hinata. I… I was not kind. You… know why. I…” She teared up, and it was obviously hard for her, but Hinata waved a hand.

“All in the past. I had my insecurities, you had yours. We’re young, of course we’ll be petty and make mistakes. As for Shaeula helping you recover, that’s a given. You fought bravely. Not just you. Everyone did.”

“I… want to see my birth mother. Not yet, but… when I’m someone she can be proud of. I’ll apologise for father, and for you, grandfather.”

Itsuki seemed guilty. “I… we had too much pride. My son, he perhaps gets it from me. Though I have many regrets now… your mother, not your birth mother, but your mother nonetheless… Keiko loves you, and wishes the best for you. She raised you your entire life.”

“I know. But… Hinata was right. I was never free. We girls, we sacrifice, but… we do receive in return. But… I’m tired. Grandfather, I renounce my share of Takatsukasa house.” At her declaration, Hinata smiled. “Instead…” she firmed her resolve. “I intend to train with my cousin, with everyone. I shall put on the uniform and earn my future.”

“That’s my cousin!” Hinata approved. “Don’t worry, training starts tomorrow! It’ll be hard, but… in the end, you’ll find your own worth. And honestly… don’t rule out inheriting Takatsukasa house just yet, Sakura. A lot can change between now and when Akio stands atop Japan.”

“If… that is your wish…” she began, and Hinata snorted.

“Don’t be like that, Sakura. I’m just saying, if you work hard, people will respect and help you, me included. Akio too. He’s weak to hard-working girls looking to find their own dreams. And that’s why… Honoka, you should take the same path. I know you were scared by Hanafubuki, but… weren’t our Adamant members cool and brave? You could be like that too! I know you’ve got potential, my Adamant protegees told me you stood with them.”

“I… grandfather, what should I do?” Honoka-san, no, Honoka, asked quietly.

“From the perspective of Fujiwara house, it is problematic having both heirs in his clutches.” As Honoka’s face twisted at that, he continued, his tone gentle. “But what can we do? It seems I underestimated just how much he can grasp in his hands.”

“It’s simple. You set this all up, long ago.” Hinata explained. “It wasn’t intentional, but you created a system that made this possible. Isolating us all from men, a strict hierarchy, where the lesser obey the higher, and you educated us to be elegant, smart and subservient to our husbands. But… if you take away our husband, and replace it with… well, with a noble figure, a leading figure… I’m going to come out and say it… with a God…”

I choked at that, and Hinata smirked. “You think I’m joking? You’re going to be the husband of Taṇhā, no? And surely the husband of a Goddess is a God? Besides, while Eri still complains that Adamant is a personal sex cult for you… it’s far more than that. Shaeula, Shiro and I, we all had our input, but not just us. Motoko and Natsumi, Daiyu too, gave us some martial insights in terms of training, and how to instil discipline and loyalty.”

“Should you be telling us this, Hinata-chan?” Kira-san was both equally fascinated and troubled. “You’ll give Shige and Itsuki a heart attack, thinking of their daughters in his clutches, doing things that should not be spoken of in mixed company.”

“Hardly. He’s not touched a single member. Nor will he, unless there’s genuine love.” Hinata shrugged. “The rules are there for another reason. Though Shaeula and Shiro, and honestly… while I don’t enjoy losing more precious time with Akio, if it was to secure us a very favourable new marriage partner, I’d accept it, so I also think this… don’t mind if Akio does indulge. But Taṇhā also gave her input. Adamant. It means unbreakable, unyielding. But diamonds are also a perfect arrangement of carbon atoms. We’re like that. Each member is loyal to each other and would fight and die for each other. I’m so proud of those who did battle during that day of strife. But… there’s a deeper purpose. One Akio should find amusing.”

“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, and she flushed, giggling.

“The One True Throne has their Saints, the World Tree their Valkyries, the Six Paths apparently have a number of different groups, Taṇhā was reluctant to say. Six of them, I’d imagine… in any case, a group tied together with rigid laws and purpose, and… the focus of a great deal of adherence. Imagine it! Adamant, the beautiful, the brave, the loyal and the elegant. Honestly, noble daughters may be weak, but their spirts have been forged to perfection for this thanks to Hanafubuki and noble tradition. They will capture the imagination and inspiration of the world, and shine! And perhaps become the heralds of Akio’s ascension.”

“You’re… not lacking for ambition, Hinata-chan!” Kira-san whistled, scratching his bearded chin. “It seems only my Mayumi has resisted…”

“For now!” Hinata winked. “You all made this situation, so I’ll exploit it without any mercy.”

“Hold on…” I raised one hand, and Hinata pouted, speaking rapidly, trying to convince me.

“Akio, it’s perfect, and everyone benefits! Longer-term, everyone should be able to transition past mortal, just like you did. Taṇhā thinks it possible, even if she scoffed and said it was wildly improbable to forge a whole new type of spiritual being out of nothing here in a lower world, but we know what a poor track record she has of being right, and…”

I held up my hand again, stopping her red-faced tirade. “No, I get that. And honestly… it sounds possible, from what I understand. Though I think boosting everyone’s League would be necessary. The Pilgrimage should make a foundation for that. No, I’m not blaming you or stopping you…” It’s not like I can anyway, can I? You’re all so excited, making your own plans… I don’t have the heart to stop you all.

It’s true, you’re screwed, Akio. Haru’s thoughts were amused. I like Hinata-chan, Shaeula and the others a lot, but… when Hinata-chan says she was raised to be submissive and an obedient wife… I think she’s wrong on that. Either that or she’s changed… regardless… best be accepting of it. It seems like they want to transcend their mortality for you… it makes sense. Otherwise your human girlfriends will age and die… they likely hate that thought.

Well, you’ll always be around to keep me company, won’t you Haru?

Stop that. Definitely stop that! I’m telling Eri-chan on you!

As we bickered in our thoughts, I asked the question that was on my mind. “Didn’t you… first say that Adamant was a secret society?”

Hinata flushed a deeper crimson, and Mayumi-san burst out laughing at her sudden embarrassment.

“We… we did. Because we wanted to build it up more first, and hand it over to you fully formed, and get your praise…” Hinata whispered. “Besides, Shiro said secret societies were cooler, but then… we also wanted uniforms that looked amazing… to… help with adherence, yes.” she stammered. “If we are more memorable, better able to draw the public’s praise and worship, it’ll work better…”

“I’m not doubting that, but… it just seems at odds with your stated intention.” I asked again, and she looked down.

“Honestly… while it would have been awesome to deliver you a potent force… that would take too long. We… I… wanted your praise now…” Her voice was quiet and ashamed, but she was so cute I pulled her into a hug.

“Oh Hinata.” I kissed her forehead softly. “You all sabotaged yourself just for that?”

“It’s… the most important thing is for you to be proud of us…” she muttered, and Mayumi-san doubled over, nearly falling off her chair howling with unladylike laughter. When she finally got that under control, she wiped her damp eyes, still sniggering.

“Honoka-san, Sakura-san… are you sure you want to get wrapped up in such a crazy plan as that? Although… being honest, living forever and staying young and beautiful does seem awfully tempting. And while Akio-kun is certainly lecherous, he’s not the sort that would lay his hands on an unwilling woman, I know that for sure. But… worship, huh? Do you think yourself a God, Akio-kun?” she questioned me, genuinely curious.

“No. Certainly not. Although… honestly, God just means powerful. A Valkyrie isn’t much different to a Kami, or an Angel, or what we’d call a God. I’m also not claiming I’ll live forever…” I warned. “…even the spirit can wear down, apparently, but… I’m certainly not classically mortal anymore. The lines are blurry.”

“We have strayed from the important point.” Fujiwara-san coughed. “I can see there are… considerations. Troubling ones. But… Honoka. It is your decision. Do not do what I desire, but what you feel is best for you.”

“I…” Honoka opened her mouth slowly. She looked around the room at us, before asking Miyu. “I do not know. What do you think I should do, Miyu-sama?”

“You can discard such formalities, for one.” Miyu frowned. “It just creates barriers. I cannot live your life for you, Honoka. But… if you seek a future where you can be who you want to be, whether that is heir to Fujiwara house, or your own person, taking a hand offered to you is wise. And at that point, there is no difference between us. For I chose to serve, and if you do as well, we are sisters as well as cousins.”

“I see.” Honoka pondered that. “I…” She glanced at her father one last time, before her eyes cleared, the darkness lifting. “I… am honestly uncertain. But I can make a choice. I fear I am too proud to easily change without help, but I also have an urge to follow, for grandfather’s weight lies heavy on us, does it not, Miyu?”

“Indeed, grandfather is a titan, a colossus that has ruled and guided Japan from the shadows. All Fujiwara house fears him or should.” She glanced at Hidemasa briefly. “So yes. It is not perfect, but… allow Hinata-san and the others to guide you, and in ten years… or sooner, perhaps… we shall see if Fujiwara house even needs either of us. I suspect…” She eyed the blushing Hinata in my arms. “…Japan will have changed immeasurably in that time, and the nobility, faith and Imperial family with it.”

As she smiled knowingly, the decision seemingly settled, Honoka and Sakura-san coming under Hinata’s care, solidifying her as truly the peak of noble daughters, Haru sent me one last thought.

They’re certainly not wrong. But not just those. Politics, big business, the media… everything’s warping, twisting. It’s a lot of responsibility, but… I’m sure that you’ll handle it. Oh, noble Kami Akio, I pray to you… please let me do less overtime next year! Please!

Unable to hold in a snort at Haru’s teasing prayer mocking me, I considered our next move. More Ether Healing, then Chirurgery through the night… there’s certainly no rest for me, but…

With a smile, I addressed everyone. “We’d better wrap this up. It’s an early start tomorrow, and we’ve a lot of ground to cover.”

Hinata also agreed. “Yes. Don’t worry, Sakura, Honoka. Your uniforms will be ready in time. If your bodyguards want to join too, I’ll make arrangements. Regardless, they’re already on the Pilgrimage, so…” Listening to Hinata plan furiously, I started making my own plans. If that’s what Adamant is truly for… it meshes well with my own intentions, my own Path… yes, I can make this work…

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