Arriving at the site of our new factory, which also had an annex for the Ministry for Spiritual Matters to duct tests oher, as part of reement, I couldn’t help but nod in satisfa. The ether density was signifitly elevated, likely helped by the Rank 3 Boundary to Material e, as well as the numerous and growing numbers of artificial ones made by Ixitt’s Mortal Engineers. That gave us numerous bes, and coupled with the powers of Ling and Ginneka, we could perform Boundary-style feats here. As evidenced by the swift progress on stru. I hear the underground tunnels linking here, Shirohebizumi and our e are ing along far faster than expected…
The scaffold and foundations for a number e buildings were already erected, and workmen were swarming over them. The cost was signifit, but money wasly an issue, as we had reserves, coupled with the loans Barcys and Chase Midas Gold had advanced us, as well as support from Fukumoto Kenji, owner of the Nichibotsu group, s moo hire astronomical amounts of workers to get things done was viable. Besides, if we spend a few billion yen here or there, Ixitt’s vinced our products will make the money bad more in no time. He’s not alone in that, Shiro even joked we should fet being Chosen and just go into the battery business…
Of course, it wasn’t just batteries and peion, or even ons and military iions, as part of my agreement with Mayumi-san and Ichijou house. Once our facilities were running, and recyg Japan’s garbage and waste into valuable materials, we would have endless opportuo expand. I know we’ve been buying up more nd around here, ready for additional factories. Power, Water, Food and Security. We want to make sure that all of those rovide, in case disaster strikes. And of course it’ll be wildly profitable too…
As I prepared to ehe site, I spotted a somewhat familiar face. I hadn’t spoken to her, really, just her in passing as she was hanging around Shirohebizumi, but being as she was Hashimoto Noboru-san’s daughter, I hadn’t minded her presence. She was wearing her usual heavy makeup, her hair bleached, but her clothing was an unfttering yellow hard-hat on her head, and thick bck overalls, though her one cession to fashion ink scarf around her neck. On seeing me, she froze for a moment, looking unsure.
“Hi, you’re Sana-san, right?” I said, breaking the ice, and she swallowed nervously, before breaking out into a smile.
“So you remember me. I’m like totes honoured. Oh… err, sorry, I’m very honoured.” She corrected her nguage, which made me chuckle.
“o be formal. I’m not someone who you o fawn over.”
“Err, ya sure about that?” Sana-san looked at me cautiously, before breaking into a smile. “Well, you’re the boss, literally, ya feel me?” She giggled. “Besides, I owe ya fetting my dad out of his slump. So… uh…” She fidgeted nervously, and I guessed what was wrong.
“It’s fine. If you’re w here, I don’t mind. While I doly approve of those still at school w, studying is important, I’m also not thinking it’s wroing in on the ground floor early. And sidering Hinata and Kana, it’d be hypocritical to pin. Do well and you might get promoted, maybe you could even be your dad’s boss.” I joked, and she shook her head.
“No, it’s… like, not that, though… sure, I’m relieved. Though Karen- did say there’d be no issues. Uh… I like… have a selfie with ya? I want to show off at school, and… well, the bitch who lives with me…”
She went on to expin the wager she had with her stepsister, who she really didn’t get on with. I felt annoyed when Sana-san’s mother didn’t support her, but interfering wasn’t for me to do. Although they say the best revenge is being successful. “Sure, you have a selfie, but… be careful. Please don’t show it carelessly. You’ve had Chirurgery then, right?” As she nodded, I tinued, warning her. “So you might be able to handle ordinary thugs, but… being ected to us could bring danger. So be wise and don’t brag. As for your stepsister… I’m afraid I don’t have the time to help you on that one, but… I’m like Shaeu, I believe firmly in oaths, wagers and promises. So… she’ll help you resolve it, I’d imagihe day of the cert, I bet yoing, right?”
Sana-san nodded. “Yeah, I’m totes looking forward to it. I’ve got good tickets, and I’ll get to hang out with your women. I still ’t believe you took all them cuties for yourself, ya feel me?” She giggled then, waving a hand. “I’ll send ya a picture. She’ll look a damn fright, stuck up bitch. She should be damn grateful I ain’t as vengeful as she is. Calling me a slut…” She suddenly paused, realising who she was grumbling to, and I could see her flush, even under her heavy makeup. “Uh, never mind that. I’m on the clock. So, ya here to see Kana-, right? Lucky her! Anyway, like, praise her properly, ya get me? She’s been w herself hard to get you to smile.”
“Don’t worry.” I nodded. “I’ll never fet her tribution, but even without that, I smile when I see her.” Of course I do. Kana’s that ordinary yet special girl who really knows how to make a guy feel good. She’s always fun.
“Woah, I’m jealous. Oh well…” Sana-san grihen. “It’s not like I ’t catch a good guy, ya just wait and see. I have a steady job with prospects and I ain’t eve school yet. Though… having to stay in dad’s shitty apartment really sucks. When’s the new building going to open?”
“Soon.” I ughed, remembering the other stru project, this one under Kenji-san’s auspices, my grandfather-in-w making sure that a number of massive apartment blocks were being structed, though a lot of the materials were provided by our Mortal Engineers, so that they could be taller, more spacious ahetically pleasing than the usual Tokyo high-rises. “It’ll be worth the wait, I promise.” Internal peion provided by Ixitt’s crafts, a hydroponics floor and indoor parks and rivers, internal shopping mall… basically a mini vilge all in one. And with stronger, aether-reinforced materials… it should stand up to disasters, as well as bei in a garden of great beauty, to fulfil my promises to Asha and Primal Forest…
“I wouldn’t doubt ya, boss!” she promised. “Anyway, better get going, I’ve taken up your time, sorry about that.”
“Not a problem.” I smiled, rexed. In the Boundary, now I had beeored by Akai’s feather, I was rec as muy strength as possible, which took very little of my tration, so I was following the advice of Asha and the others aing in preparation for my trip abroad. At least I’ll be able to save a dozen or so hours from the inal pns…
As we walked into one of the buildings, we desded in a lift to the cavernous undergrouion. It was divided into numerous massive caves, and some of them were starting to be filled with shining mps and produ-line maery in preparation for unch. There were thousands of human workers bustling about, as well as stranger sights, such as weaselkin and ratkin barking orders or studying schematics. Wagons of struaterials were being brought in, a mixture of standard materials such as steel girders, bricks, spools of wire and much more, but in some I could detect the presence of aether, likely some of the stable alloys and crafts the Mortal Engineers had devised.
“Most of the really wild stuff goes on where Kana- is.” Sana-san said to me, expression proud. “Not that I go down there much, I’m ly an asset. Totes feels bad, but I still help out. I’m like an odd-job girl and liaison. If Kana- or the big guys need anything, I make sure they get it.”
“It’s all work experience.” I agreed. Sana-san then waved at someone.
“Oh, it’s Ixitt. Over here, over here! The boss is visiting!” She yelled over the noise of the maery, and he scurried over, in his human form, his multiple pockets bulging with useless devices and tris, a huge backpack slung over one shoulder. On seeing us, he grinned.
“I see you, Akio, and also Sana. What a pleasant surprise. Here to che progress? Or more just to see Kana? She will be rather pleased indeed. Her bours have helped us to advance far ahead of even my schedule. Grulgor’s too. He is wasted in battle, he should take up a promising career in stru.”
It had been a while since I had fully assessed Ixitt, as getting our cross-Boundary projects up and running was of vital importao solidate my hold on Japan, so I let my Eye shine, feeling that it was on the verge of a breakthrough, the e glow dazzling. Soon. I’m curious to see what I divine when it’s genuinely passed the first bottleneot just temporarily elevated by Shiro’s buffs.
Ixitt Raethe
Fae
Fme, Earth and Light Aspect
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
171 216 +15
Fortune
7 9 +0
Fortitude
172 221 +15
Majesty
2 4+0
Intellect
481 602 +15
Charm
2 +0
Resilience
294 364 +15
League
6 10 +0
Acrity
254 299 +15
Determination
12 17 +0
Precision
249 301 +15
Fht
5 +0
Aether
1067 1511 +15
Fate
2 4+0
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver Cord
Rank 3 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Eight Moons Chakra work
Rank 4
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Aether Manipution
Rank 3 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Aether version
Rank 2 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Principle (7)
Split Thoughts
Rank 2
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
[Elemental Skills]
Light Manipution
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Third Eye Chakra Of Light
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Earth Manipution
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Root Chakra Of Earth
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Fme Manipution
Rank 4 Rank 6
Powerful (4) Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Sor Plexus Chakra Of Fme
Rank 2 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Lunar Chakra Of Fme, Earth and Light
Rank 2
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
[Practical Skills]
Ether Crafting
Rank 7 Rank 8
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Dvergr Teiques
Rank 4 Rank 5
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Alchemy
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Faecraft
Rank 6 Rank 8
Noble (5)
Foundation (4) Rule (5)
Mortal Engineering
Rank 6 Rank 8
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Calcutive Predis
Rank 1 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Artifice (6)
[Physical bat Skills]
Spatial Perception
Rank 1 Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Rule (5)
Firearms Teique
Rank 2 Rank 4
trip (1)
Simple (1)
[Level]
15/15 17/17
[Css]
Master of Many Crafts 18/20
Teancer 4/20 12/20
Fme Fae 3/1reat Fme, Earth and Light Fae 4/20
Boundary-Crafter 4/10
[Mastered Css]
Fae-Crafter 10/10
Master Of Many Crafts 20/20
Fme and Light Fae 10/10
“You’ve certainly been w hard.” I observed, and Ixitt cackled cheerfully.
“Indeed, no more am I a mere ratkin, looked down upon and despised, now I have risen to the heady rank of a Fae who has transded myself three times.” He paused then. “Though while I would certainly praise my boundless spirit of inquisition and thirst for knowledge, I have been assisted greatly by Chiaki and Chiasa, as well as those who have already learned of the mortal world. The i abooks are a wonderful thing as well. It is a shame I have not yet truly mastered the spatial element. Even with discussing with Arisu and my fellow enthusiasts over the i, I have not seized true meaning.”
“But you’ve done light ah elements…” I pointed out, and he nodded happily.
“Of course. Light is the foundation of much of Earth’s modern sd teology, as well as giving me some bat strength for emergencies. I uand sers well enough. As for earth… I had sidered other options for my third gain, and it is difficult to synergise with fme, but… for this project, earth element is best.”
Sana-san was listening patiently, ae her young age and overly fshy appearance, I realised she was an ear girl. I guess Noboru-san was w for nothing. Looks to me like Sana-san is on the right path…
“Yeah, I see why. Earth is also useful for uanding a lot of the materials in crafting, right? But metal element would be better. Shame nobody’s worked that out, other than…” Well, Shungbō’s done now, and won’t be ing back… though there is noening in the Four Dires… “I notice you’ve mastered Split Thoughts?”
Ixitt nodded. “I have a postution on that. Just as the princess woke her Befuddling Winds, and you have shared her Skills, I believe the Throne is a e which aids us. Through it, I have e to uand this greatly helpful teique. Perhaps you have gained from me as well, no?” He narrowed his eyes, and I nodded.
“Yeah, I uood your Calcutive Predis retly. It’s definitely a good thing. O question…” My Eye shone again, and I examined his new Css.
Boundary-Crafter is a Css focussing on crafting items and equipment that persists across realms or exist in multiple at once. Ability to craft with physical teiques, Aether, Elemental energies, Adherence, Qi, ????????? and other forms of energy is enhanced, and created crafts are more stable in realms other than their own. Intelled Precision increase as this Css grows.
“I would have thought I’d have that Css too. Perhaps I’ve not done enough yet?”
“I would hardly be ed.” Ixitt reassured me. “It is true that I have been focussing on yoals to turn Fae crafts into a sourortal power. I have experimented many, many times and made alloys and items that persist, even without the aid of Ginneka. You have made a mere handful, treasures though they are.”
“Yeah, don’t be down.” Sana-san piped up. “We all have different things we’re good at, don’t we? You’re totes going to crack it, I’m sure!”
“Yeah, I guess so.” It just would be really helpful in making something like the Tengoku-seki, or the remaining ons for Motoko and Natsuki. But they’re bht. “I have to say, you’re really a genius though, all your Crafting Skills have soared.”
“True, although I feel I have peaked unless I reae greater breakthrough. Perhaps spatial element is what I o surpass my new limits. But surpass them I shall. Before you overtake me.” He grinned, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Even with the same Skills, I imagine I’ll not have yenuity.” I promised. He’s reag the Ra to Rank nine wall. Breaking it isn’t easy, but if he does his potential will skyrocket. “Anyway, I’m here to see Kana.”
“Of course, I noticed she was rather more proactive than usual today. Not that she ever scks off. But knowing you are watg…” His grin was sly. “My daughters are the same. How are they settling in? My Quae must surely be catg your eye?”
Listening to Ixitt extol his daughters to me, Sana-san ughing and joking about me taking advantage of the servants, we desded further, reag an expaunnel. Hopping onto a small ftbed vehicle, we were driven dowuhe overhead lights flickering. As we were ferried to our destination, I could see a signifit number of Artificial Boundary to Material es, ahe ether density increasing as we reached our destination. Though I hear it first…
The sounds of heavy stru rang in the fines of the tunnel, and as roached, we could see that a number of colossal Giants were b away with massive hammers, pickaxes and even meical drills. Others, such as various white snakes, as well as Trolls, were carting the excavated materials away, though more was being ferried to the walls, where a strange liquid shimmer rippled through them, and in addition to the swallowed rubble, metal bars filled with aether were being sucked in too.
“There’s Kana-.” Sana-san said cheerfully, honking the bullhorn the vehicle had, and as the workers turo see us, Kana was smiling broadly, though she gnced down at herself and bit her lip. Don’t worry, I think your hard work is sexy, I won’t like you less because you’re wearing dowdy work overalls. Before she could speak though, Grulgor called out, still half-melded into the walls, dripping strange liquids, and also covered in rocky protrusions that melted like pitch.
“You have e. Good. Grul wants to show off the fruits of his training!” He rumbled a ugh. “Battle is not the only way to build strength. Grulgor has learned well!”
My Eye shone, and I nodded. You certainly have.
Grulgor
Noble Fae
Earth And Water Aspect
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
941 1030+15
Fortune
2+0
Fortitude
788 876 +15
Majesty
2 4 +0
Intellect
130 160 +15
Charm
1 3 +0
Resilience
255 305 +15
League
8 12 +0
Acrity
259 289 +15
Determination
6 12 +0
Precision
500 533 +15
Fht
Aether
1031 1362 +15
Fate
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver Cord
Rank 3 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Eight Moons Chakra work
Rank 5
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Aether Manipution
Rank 2 Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Troll Body Of Stone
Rank 5 Rank 6
Powerful (4) Noble (5)
Foundation (4) Rule (5)
Troll Body Of Slime
Rank 8
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
[Elemental Skills]
Water Manipution
Rank 2 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sacral Chakra Of Water
Rank 2 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Earth Manipution
Rank 4 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Root Chakra Of Earth
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Lunar Chakra Of Water ah
Rank 2 Rank 3
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
[Physical bat Skills]
Mace Teique
Rank 3
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Throwing Teique
Rank 2
trip (1)
Simple (1)
[Unique Skills]
Might Of The Furious Earth
Rank 4 Rank 5
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Grace Of The Raging Waters
Rank 1 Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Stone Absorption
Rank 3 Rank 5
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Water Absorption
Rank 1 Rank 4
Powerful (4) Noble (5)
Rule (5)
[Level]
17/17
[Css]
Great Earth And Water Fae 15/20
True Earth And Water Fae 3/30
[Mastered Css]
Earth Fae 10/1reat Earth And Water Fae 20/20
“Grul is the stone and water, and stone and water is Grulgor!” He decred boastfully, which seemed apt sidering he was fused with both. “Taking them in I grow stronger, uaer. Grul is no longer a fool.” One of the Giants barked a ugh, only to shut up as Grulgred at him.
It was then Kana approached, after having taken a moment to remove the least fttering of her protective gear, smooth out her hair and brush the dust from her skin. Smiling broadly, she Ixitt and Sana-san, before hopping up o me and giving me a hug, as well as a kiss on the cheek.
“That’s it?” I teased, and she narrowed her dark brown eyes, before kissing me again, this time on the lips. I resisted the urge to tease her further, tenting myself with that.
“So, you finally came down here?” Kana paused, before turning to the workers. “Back trul, I’ll be back to help in a minute, you mahout me, ’t you?”
“Grul uands.” The Troll ughed. “You want to spend a little time with him. Grulgor says the tunnel is growing. A little will not hurt.”
“I hardly fathom hor became so reasonable.” Ixitt marvelled. “Ba the day, he was one of Duke Formor’s most loyal brutes, only thinking of violend destru.”
“Ba the day? Wasn’t it only a few months ago?” I teased. “And… it seems he still thinks of this as a way to train for battle. And it is. His grasp on water ah has spiked, and I daresay his Absorption Skills be used to brutal effe bat.”
“I’ve learnt a few things too.” Kana leaned against me happily. Sana-san giggled softly, looking away, and Kana rolled her eyes. “Oh you. You’d think a fshy gyaru would be less shy, more pushy.”
“Hey, I like the look, I’m totes not a loose woman!” Sana-san protested, though there was in it. “Uh, so… that snake over there is the Kami, right? An hoo-goodness God? Makes my mind go bnk, ya know. Dad’s seriously w in a crazy pce.”
Shirohebi
Kami Of The White Snake Shrine
Adherent Of Tsukuyomi
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
80 190 +15
Fortune
5 10 +0
Fortitude
120 221 +15
Majesty
3 8+0
Intellect
145 250 +15
Charm
3 +0
Resilience
160 305+15
League
10 13 +0
Acrity
142 240 +15
Determination
2 +0
Precision
101 200 +15
Fht
2 7 +0
Aether
640 1105 +15
Fate
5 10+0
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver Cord
Rank 1 Rank 2
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Diviar Chakra work
Rank 2 Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Principle (7)
Divine Spark
Rank 1 Rank 2
Noble (5)
Law (8)
Adherence Manipution
Rank 1 Rank 2
Noble (5)
Law (8)
Aether Manipution
Rank 2 Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
[Elemental Skills]
Earth Manipution
Rank 4 Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Root Chakra Of Earth
Rank 4 Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
[Intangible Skills]
[Unique Skills]
White Snake Domain Of Earth
Rank 2 Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Law (8)
Subordinate Kami
Rank 1
Suffit (3)
Law (8)
[Level]
0/15 17/17
[Css]
Rec Divine Being 2/10
Tsukuyomi’s Subordinate 1/10
“Well, I see that you’re putting Shirohebi to work here. How does it feel, getting to order around your Kami?” I teased, and Kana kissed me on the lips again, only a little flushed that others were watg.
“Holy, it feels amazing.” Kana giggled when we parted, idly toug her damp lips. “Not that they’re a Kami, holy that doesn’t seem so special. Shaeu, Hyath and Asha feel more divine, you know? But because I always used to hate being a shrine maiden, I just wao get away, be someone else, live a happy life, but mom and my father would never let me. Grandfather was worse, he gives his everything to Shirohebizumi shrine. And all for such a rundown dump…”
“Whoa, you totes have difficulties too, who’d have guessed? But you’re beautiful, Kana-.” Sana-san iserated, and Kana shrugged.
“Maybe so, but all beauty is good for is catg a man. Not that I’m pining, as I hooked a winner.” She teased me, as I tio listen, while cheg out the new facets of Shirohebi’s status.
Tsukuyomi’s Subordinate is a Css that a Subordinate Kami of Tsukuyomi will obtain. A Subordinate is a lesser Divine Being who possesses a Divine Spark, who pledges existeo a more powerful Divine ????????. League will strengthen, and they will take on intangible aspects of their patron. In Tsukuyomi’s case, Charm will increase, and Fht and Fate will increase greatly. They may gain granted abilities as their Divine Spark burns hotter and brighter, being ??????????. As Tsukuyomi is far distant, any aid provided is not direct, but Tsukuyomi is an expert at transmitting will and aid through Boundaries, and so suffers less resistance from ????????????.
Rec Divine Being is a Css gained when a being with a Divine Spark, long starved of Adherence, begins to recover. Ability to process and utilise Adherence improves, and any Fvours or Domains of Adherehey possess will strengthen. ???????? alsthens.
I see. I guess the fact that Shirohebizumi shrine is the tre of our new efforts is bringing in prayers, and thus adherence for them. I expect that since I’m the Chosen of Tsukuyomi now and they follows me, that’s how they caught that God’s eyes? In any case, it’s a good thing, as Shirohebi isn’t physically powerful, and is limited in ability to Level. Still, so many question marks. I wonder if I’ll be able to pierce them when my Eye breaks through its bottleneck?
“I could have been a model, I’ve got the looks.” Kana g me, smirking. “I always see Akio cheg out my legs, and my chest’s not so bad either. Plus I’m beautiful. Though saying that with Shiro and now Tsukiko around always makes me feel a bit hollow.” she admitted, so I cheered her up.
“Yeah, they’re geous, but so are you, and you’ll only get more charming as you grow stronger. I know it. But yeah, you’d definitely cut it as a model or a TV presenter. Maybe not an idol though…”
“You know me too well. I’m not a fan of hard work. At least not for no reason. And having seen what Suzu- goes through, and having talked to Tamami- and the others of Red and White… not for me.” Kana agreed. She yawned, rubbing at her eyes, and ed, I offered her a little Ether Healing.
“That’s nice. My head feels a bit tense retly, I’ve beeiired eyes. I’m not used to such hard work. You’ll get like that too, Sana-.” Kana promised. “Just ask Miyu- if you see her. She’ll tell you that Akio works us until we drop!”
“That’s the rich girl, right? She’s like the daughter of a real bigshot, there’s totes no way a girl like me could go anywhere near her, ya feel me?” Sana-san shook her head, scared of the thought.
“Holy I thought the same. But she’s not so bad. Sure, some of the rainees are stuck-up snobs, but they soo whipped into shape. Hinata won’t let any bad attitudes stand, and with Motoko, Natsumi and Miyu- bag her up… so far it’s w. Oh that’s so much better. I feel all warm and tingly inside.” Kana stretched like a cat. “Anyway, much as I’d love to kiss and cuddle all evening, this is a workpce, right Ixitt?”
As the ratkin grinned in response, Kana gave me o pe the cheek and hopped down. “Might as well fill you in on how it’s going. Holy… re we get the basinels ected before Akio gets back?”
Ixitt scratched at his cheek, p, before smiling toothily. “I believe so. After all, even my calcutions and predis have been exceeded.” Ixitt cpped his hands together and expined happily, while Sana-san iserated with me with a wink.
“Initially we expected some difficulties. Ether density is far lower here than the Boundary, of course, and the Material resists the use of elements, though far less than it resists aether. Fortunately, we have a surfeit of earth wielders, being as Shirohebizumi is a very rich source of elemental earth, thanks to Asha arees. There is also the be of those who are your allies that learh element gain two of these Levels, with promises of more when the Earth Altar is upgraded.” He lectured us sagely, and Kana, Sana-san and I exged wry looks. I was curious though, so I guess it’s fine.
“Usih element, we strengthen and reinforce soil, rod simir materials, and versely weakehis allows us to both excavate and fortify at rates faster than mortal maery . We use said maery to further expedite this, so we believed we could finish in months rather than years or a decade. Time waits for none, not even us Fae. However… happy fortuitous circumstances, and the aid of Kana here and Grulgor, have ged our projes.”
“It’s thanks to you helping me gain K?itigarbha’s Favour, Akio.” Kana said modestly, before crag a smile. “Although holy, I am amazing, putting in the effort. Take heed, Sana-san. I was zy, but when I started moving towards a goal I wanted…” She looked at me boldly, and again I found it hard to fathom how I had won the heart of such a girl. I was a bit of a bastard to her. But they do say girls like bad boys…
“He’s thinking something dumb.” Sana-san giggled, and Kana nodded, agreeing. I exged a gh Ixitt, whed.
“The mysteries of a female mind are not for us men to know.”
“That’d be more ving if it didn’t e from someoh eight wives…” I pined, only for him to rebut me coolly.
“And how many will you have? Unlike Mortal Engineering and sce, the mysteries of the heart are not uood through repetition and exposure. Now, shall we ge the subject?”
I nodded, defeated. Obviously I had women on my mind, who I would have to at the very least have a det discussion with. But there are way more important matters at hand. “Oh, Sana-san, were you on an errand? I hope I haven’t deyed you?”
“It’s fine. If I ’t guide the boss around, what I do? Besides, I don’t have a lot to do, ya feel me? I’m an odd-job girl for now.”
“But you’re earning credit with people who matter. Like me!” Kana pounded her chest, praising herself. “Speaking of… Akio, while you’re here, why not watch me at work? W girls are sexy, right?”
“Phrasing.” I ughed, and she stuck her to at me pyfully, before hopping down and striding over to the front of the tunnel. She struck up a versation with Grulgor, who barked orders at the Trolls, Giants and white snakes, as well as the mortal workers using maery and tributih element. Our Elemental Silos accumute plenty in parison to our other elements, due to Asha’s Tree running buffed the majority of the time, and Kana and Grulgor certainly have permission to tap it… no wonder we’re ahead of schedule, when coupled with the higher ether density… My Eye shone, and looking at the supp workers, several of the Bck Wolf pany meraries seemed to have stronger root Chakras than I would have expected. Professionals learn fast, and with plenty of elemental energies to burn…
“This tunnel is signifitly deeper than the average Tokyo subways.” Ixitt pointed out. “When we cross various lines above us in the ground, we require extra reinfort, but a task that should ordinarily take months and signifit disruption be achieved easily.” Ixitt tinued expining. “Sihis is effectively a military tunnel, eg the key locations of Shirohebizumi Shrihe factory and Ministry, and your estate and the Tokyo bay, with potential pns to expand to other priority areas such as various military facilities and Azabu, to protect the key estates of the Fujiwara house and others, we have dug it down more than a hundred and fifty metres, and deeper in some key pces of vulnerability. Of course, such would increase the difficulty ordinarily, but… ironically, it is actually easier for our needs, as the deeper tunnels allow more strengthening of the surrounding bedrock, and while we cross the water table in pces… we have used that to struct a private aquedud reservoir, along with a purification facility, so that in disaster we have fresh water.”
The project has certainly expanded. Not that I’m pining. Maximum security is our watchword now. As I listened, Kana reparing, drawing oh element, and Ixitt tinued. “We also have peion and ste, though I io install my new devices as soon as is practicable. In addition, we must secure access to air in these deep tunnels. That would be araordinary difficulty and expeo say nothing of a potential weakness, but…” He grinned, pointing to several architects and surveyors looking at maps. “…it is a good time to see Kana and Grulgor in a.”
“I’ve not seen her work much.” Sana-san agreed. “It’ll be totes cool to see it up close!”
Kana, hearing us with her enhanced senses, waved at us, before speaking loudly over the din of digging and bellowing Giants and Trolls and the whine of drills. “So, this is the spot? One hundred and fifty-severes, but we have to align it at forty-six degrees for the st twenty-six metres to avoid existing infrastructure, right?”
“That’s correct, Izumi-sama.” One of the men pointed out respectfully. “You’ve managed before, but this is a steep shift, and if we get it wrong, the above sewerage and subway system will suffer damage.”
“Leave it to me. I have to look ght now. Bring it on!”
A rge series of interlog pipes were brought in, and with a smile, Kana pressed her hands on the solid rock wall. “In K?itigarbha’s name, flow!” Energy fshed crimson, and the wall rippled.
“Grul is oh the stone, oh the water.” He growled, and the rippling material shifted, Grulgrowing until he towered as high as the Giants, nearly the entire height of the colossal tunnel. His arms grabbed the pipes, and they were ied like straws into milkshake, sinking into the gloopy stone. Kana wiped sweat from her brow, droplets of mud and rock boung off the hard hat she had wain, and as I used my Eye I could see the pipes pushing through the stone like it was mud, and the inside was sucked of blockages.
Very impressive. I see why this saves so much time…
“The locations for the ventition shafts are cssified and are all on gover or allied properties. But even so, we have taken further precautions. One-way filters and devices that be charged with wind element are also ied, preventing poisoning or other harmful attacks.”
When the ventition shaft was fiaking only half an hour, they turheir attention to the rock ahead. That was somehow even more impressive, for as Kana liquified the earth and stone ahead again, it flowed intor, who grew colossal, filling the space. He them melded with the wall, and a surge of earth element glittered like a millioars uhe artificial lights. The rock ahead for many dozens of metres surged into the tunnel proper, the stone around it being dense and smooth, an occasional scaffold or set of metal bars ied to secure areas that couldn’t simply be fortified with pressing stone via earth element.
“The calcutions are challenging, but aid experts.” Ixitt grinned. “Strehe bedrock itself, and apply a little help here and there with structural support, and we barely even have to dig. Though dig we do.” He grinned. “Some areas it is easier to have brute strength clear it. But as you see…”
“Yeah, that was more than a hundred metres in… what… thirty minutes?” I agreed, impressed.
“I believe one hundred and forty-severes as per the pn. I would hardly believe Grulgor would ever uand such, but the world, both worlds, are never short of surprises.”
“No kidding.” Sana-san was a little awed, and looked at Kana jealously. “I totes wish I erhero. Guess I’m not good enough, makes sense. Who’d e?”
“Don’t be like that.” Kana came back, mopping her sweat, and took a drink from the vehicle. “I washer.” She rubbed her eyes, her face a little pale. “Damn, I his. It’s thirsty work, aill have a dozen more ses to do today. Good job I don’t need as much sleep as I used to. But the harder I work, the quicker it’s done. Hinata promised me once Shirohebizumi, the estate and the factory area are plete, the rest be done slower.” She then looked at Sana-san early. “I wasn’t choseher. And it’s not all fun and games. But everyone has their own part to py. Karen-, Hayato-san and the others, even your father, Sana-, they all do their part. Do we look down on them because they ’t do what I do, or Akio does?”
“No, I totes didn’t mean that. I’m not a bitch. Dad’s w hard now, harder than mom. I just… well, it’s a tough world.” Sana-san said mely, embarrassed.
“It sure is.” Kana agreed. “But it’ll be tougher for our enemies. Just look at this pce. And don’t worry, if we have to evacuate, I’m sure you and your dad are on the list, Sana-!”
As the girls bantered, me occasionally watg, I onarvelled at the binations power could provide. With Kana’s Earthen Womb and Grulgor’s Stone Absorption, together they are an order of magnitude more powerful that apart. It makes me wonder… why are the Gods so set on their Kodoku ritual when w together has such bes? It ’t just be that there only be oral Emperor, it? Kana grabbed my arm, teasing me, begging for praise, and I cheerfully gave it, while sidering the rest of my evening. I have to make sure Mae and Shinkume-no-Hana are settled in, spend some time with Eri and the others, and gather my strength properly after today’s exertions, but… Narrowing my eyes as I ughed at one of Kana’s jokes, I decided that tonight I would actually sleep for once. Maybe my dreams will tell me something. Seeing Shirohebi, that he’s now an adherent of Tsukuyomi… is it an omen, or am I reading too muto it?
