On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Three Hundred And Ten

The audience was impressed as the mushrooms burst into life, forming a standing circle of pillars, similar to those of Britain, if those were made of towering plants and not monolithic stones. Drawing in the ruby energies, they began to give off just the faintest hint of deep violet light, barely perceptible to my Eye. Makes sense I guess, most of the spatial energy they create is used to connect the two points. Maybe this time I’ll keep my Eye open during the transfer… It was somewhat uncomfortable during the momentary dislocation, one’s senses going haywire for a moment, so I had always kept my eyes shut, but perhaps this time I would suffer the discomfort.

“This is most impressive.” Bankei-san observed, eyes wide, and his nephew agreed, Hakue-san also shocked.

“So, this … Gate… can connect two points in space?” he asked, and I nodded. It was then Saionji-san spoke up, a little annoyed.

“So, Akio-san, I believe you warned me off the Gaze of Avalokiteshvara, saying such abilities were dangerous, and now I find you making tunnels in the spiritual world? Forgive me if I’m a little annoyed…” his smile was angry.

“Really, do not-not be a fool. There is quite clearly a difference.” Shaeula scoffed, her eyes gleaming amber. “Your ability reaches high beyond this place, tearing holes. These are-are, as you so cleverly put it, tunnels. They do not-not go high into the Astral, and they do not-not leave holes, but are sealed passages. Do not-not compare the two.”

“Yeah.” I agreed, tapping my own Eye. “I’m not saying these are entirely risk-free, but I don’t think they do much damage to the Boundary. Very little spatial element seems to leak out. Besides, if your life or the lives of others are in danger, I wouldn’t hold you back on your abilities. It’s all very well protecting the world, but if those you love aren’t in the world… well, just think carefully and be cautious, all right?”

“You know this is necessary, Gin.” Kudou-san grinned, entranced, the earlier discomfort of Chirurgery long forgotten. “If only such Gates could be created in our world. It would revolutionise everything!”

“Well, I believe such-such arts are rare. However…” Shaeula puffed out her chest proudly. “The Seelie Court moves on the tides of the lower Astral, distance and location are but-but mere suggestions to us. It is little-little wonder we can create such magnificent Gates.” She smiled, patting a mushroom proudly.

“Well, you know what this means.” Kudou-san continued, looking at Tsukiko-san happily. “Divinations or not, you have a chance!”

She merely returned a troubled smile, looking down, still obviously uncomfortable at letting others see her beautiful face.

“Well, time to test the Gate. There shouldn’t be any issues, but we want to make sure it’s connected properly.” I turned to Haru-san. “Then it’s time for some serious powering up of out here. You’ll have to register the Territory with your own Ministry now.” I joked, and she frowned.

“Well, isn’t it really yours, Akio-san, since I’m your Chosen Hero? That reminds me… a Throne. It’s wasteful, but I would very much like to give the surviving… no, not surviving…” she exhaled slowly, expression changing. “Well, the existing victims of that man the same chance you gave me. Though since they are far less… well, present than I was, I am not sure if it will work, and bring them enough consciousness to be themselves again.”

“Well, it’ll be your Throne. I’m not a tyrant, you have some freedom. But for now, Thrones are on the back-burner.”

“I know. Well, there’s no point hesitating.” With that, Haru-san entered the Ring Gate and vanished, my Eye detecting another faint exhalation of spatial energies. I tried pulling them in, but they were too weak, insubstantial, fading rapidly.

“I shall go next.” Shaeula vanished, and after that I turned to the others.

“Well, I’ll go last then. Don’t worry, you know I wouldn’t let Shaeula go through unless it’s safe.” I paused for a moment, considering. “Since you all have a proper silver cord after Chirurgery, there shouldn’t be any issue being separated from your Material bodies, at least not at this distance. If it was me with my crappy white cord I possessed to start with…” I had to smile, remembering that.

“Well then, I’ll go on ahead.” Kudou-san was excited, stroking his long beard, eager to see what was on the other side. With a jaunty step, he was in the circle and vanished, swiftly followed by Taishakama-san.

“Where that old coot goes, there’s no way I’ll fear to tread. Come on.” Saionji-san was next, Yasaka-san, still tired after the effort to clear the small number of monstrous cockroaches and millipedes that had made the area their home, swept in after him.

“Well, this humble one should go as well.” Bankei-san and his nephew went through too, followed by Daiyu, leaving just me and Tsukiko-san.

“Worried?” I asked her. “There’s no need to be. I know you don’t want to leave Kyoto, but… Kyoto’s literally just a single step away.” I pointed to the Ring Gate. “I want you to have a quick look at my Territory, just to set your mind at ease. I know you know I’m strong, but I get that you worry I’m not the one you were waiting for, and you’ve made a mistake. But who cares?” I grinned. “There’s a very famous anime… do you know what anime is?” I asked, and she nodded, though admitted she had never seen any, or indeed much of anything, only the news, usually.

“Well, there was this girl, she’d been waiting many, many years, hundreds even, for what her mother, who was also a kind of prophetess, a Diviner, called that person. In the end, she never found that person, because someone came along and said I’m not that person, but I’ll be better for you than that person ever could be. I get that now. So when you waver, I’ll be sure to be there to reassure you. Shaeula too. In fact, why settle for one hero, when we can have many?” I grasped her hands, her skin cool to the touch. She flinched a little, but she let me lead her towards the Gate, and we were swallowed up by the crimson light.

Damn, it’s hard to make anything out… even with my Eye open, the long, frozen moment as we passed though the Gate revealed little, other than giving me a stinging pain in my head. Writing it off as something I was unable to process just yet, I appeared on the other side, still hand-in-hand with Tsukiko-san, to find the others marvelling at the massive Rhyming Tree and the hustle and bustle of my Territory, which was admittedly much busier than other Territories I had seen.

On seeing me arrive, Hyacinth ran over, grinning happily, a heavy sack in her hands. “Master…” she called me thus as there were guests present. “I have gathered all the Etherites, as yooou requested. I believe there should be plenty fooor your needs!”

“Great job, I praised her, taking the sack, feeling the reassuring weight. With the bounty from Sagami Bay, as well as all our mines, we were definitely securing a decent supply of the red, orange and to a lesser extent yellow Etherites. Though they are always in demand by Ixitt and his cadre…

“Well, while we are here, why not take in the view?” I gestured to the Tree, and some of my guests noticed the strange set of stairs coiling around it. “I’d like everyone to have an idea of what might I wield, before we discuss strategies…”

********

“I have to say, the view is magnificent. Who could have thought of this?” Taishakama-san said, stunned as he looked out over my bustling Territory, seeing the hosts of Fae come and go, the workshops producing weapons and other items, soldiers drilling and training, ordinary inhabitants going about their daily lives. Taking another drink of his honeyed mead, he grinned. “I thought the world of the kami was merely one to be embraced, not altered…”

Shaeula grinned proudly. “The Seelie Court has many-many wonderful things, but your mortal world has many more. We merely wish-wish to blend them both.”

“Well, now that you’ve got a good feel for what I command, it’s time to get down to business.” I declared, and everyone looked at me, waiting for my words. We had brought Ulfuric and Moira up to the café with us, and from memory I had produced a map of what I remembered of the area around Tsukuyomi-jinja and our new Territory defending the Gate, spreading it out on the tables we had pulled together to seat everyone.

“I would need to see for myself.” Moira pursed her lips, again looking like a fussy yet beautiful secretary. Bankei-san’s nephew had seemed quite taken with her appearance, but of course Moira was paying his flushed face no heed. “Setting up a coordinated defence that covers all avenues of attack will be challenging.”

“Indeed.” Rumbled Ulfuric, freshly returned from the Spring. “We cannot make assumptions. Even if we have foreknowledge…” as Fae, Ulfuric and Moira had accepted Tsukiko-san’s predictions easily. “… many times fools have believed they understood the fickle tides of fate, only to find themselves pulled under and drowned, the footing they though secure and safe, merely shifting sands.”

“Quite.” Moira agreed, frowning as she studied the map. “Just because this woman knows she will die, it does not mean she is the target. It could be an escalation of the battle lines, a random happenstance, she could be away from her Territory at the time…”

“It looks to me that the targets of value are the shrines.” Ulfuric pointed out. “There are concentrations of Territories around this Tsukuyomi-jinja, but also to the north. Any could be targets.”

“There is another issue.” Moira pointed out, and it had been one I’d considered myself. “If these attackers are coming by sea, well, is not Kyoto inland, by your reckoning?” I had also produced a rough map of Japan, easy with my memory. “Landing to the south, the city of Osaka stands in their way. To the north, yes, there are spots to make landfall, but it is some fifty or sixty kilometres across rough, sparsely inhabited terrain. If I was choosing though, it would be there.”

“Indeed.” Ulfuric agreed. “A forced march through difficult terrain is preferable to being sucked into urban combat, far from their objective. Their forces will only be depleted heavily in that quagmire.”

“Yeah, obviously we have extra JSDF forces in Kyoto and along the coastal areas. But even with all our satellites and other technology, we’ve not sighted them since.” I confirmed.

As Shaeula translated for the quiet Daiyu, she looked troubled at that, no doubt thinking about the Sects, especially Mountain Fang, who she had worked with on her catastrophic failed mission that led to her being here with us now.

“So, assuming they do make landfall in the north somewhere, what can we do?” I asked, and we continued to brainstorm ideas, reaching the conclusion that Moira and Ulfuric still needed to go on site, despite my maps. Soon, we were all in Kyoto, passing through the Ring Gates once again.

“So, this is the domain of your mother, princess?” Ulfuric asked, and Shaeula grinned happily.

“Indeed, master Ulfuric, it is indeed, and I was most-most happy to reunite with her. That does remind me… I intend to claim the Kamaitachi my mother has-has promised me. Akio, can you come with me? I believe the Parade yet-yet remains here in Kyoto.”

I nodded. “Yeah, once we get started here. I want that healer too, now we can get it to Shiro.”

“Back in Kyoto again. Well, I admit to being impressed.” Saionji-san was saying. “I made the right decision not to fight until the end. I’ll be satisfied taking my place high in the Ministry.”

Taishakama-san, Tsukiko-san and Kudou-san were being grilled by Moira in the distance, as she was assessing the border and the defences around Tsukuyomi-jinja. My eyes were good enough to see her clearly even from that distance, and she did not look happy, gesturing with fierce motions as she pointed to various areas. Sorry, she can be quite forthright. But I guess that makes her an excellent adjunct.

“All right then.” I handed the sack of Etherites to Haru-san, who nodded. “Time to get to work.”

“All right. I’m a little nervous, but… well, it’s my revenge to have a more impressive Territory than he ever could. Besides, I want to feel safe. And the best way to do that is to have power.” With a long sigh, she reached into the bag and started to shatter Etherites, sucking in the resulting ether. “So, upgrade to Rank 2 first, as we can then secure the necessary area. Oh, it needs quite a lot it seems…”

Well, maybe to you who’s never had to develop a Territory. Wait until you need Rank 4! Watching the Anchor shine brilliantly, growing and twisting as she continued to pour ether into it, precious Etherites continually shattered to dust, after a few minutes, she was done, the Anchor now thicker and with crystal inlaid in pretty patterns around the circumference.

A Vassal Territory has reached Rank 2. Your Class, Conqueror, has increased from level 13 to level 14.

As Haru-san finished up the Anchor, I received a welcome notification. There were still some Etherites remaining, so next I asked her to set up the six basic Ether Spires, for a steady supply of modest income. I then turned to Ulfuric, who had finished his basic survey of the area.

“We need to bring in the surrounding kilometre into Haru-san’s grasp. Can you take Saionji-san, Yasaka-san and the others who aren’t being monopolised by Moira and take care of it? It should be easy enough, but if you run into any of the Night Parade, don’t engage and retreat back here. We don’t want a war or to suffer any more losses.”

“Working me hard, Akio-san?” Saionji-san smirked, and I nodded.

“Of course. But it’s not a bad deal for you. With Ulfuric, I’m confident you’ll easily be able to mop up any nests. Just watch out for things like the giant birds flying in from the surrounding hills, they can be a pain. Oh, and make sure Yasaka-san gets plenty of opportunities to level up. I’m going to be questioning his Book plenty later.”

At his groans, I merely smiled, and they headed off, leaving Daiyu, Hyacinth, Haru-san and me along with Shaeula. The sounds of battle could soon be heard as Ulfuric led them to clear out a nest of giant spiders, and some of the ether was being drawn to Haru-san. Six new Ether Spires were soon erected at Rank 1, and we still had a little ether left.

“All right, now set up a Rank 1 Barracks and a Rank 1 Spawning Spire.” I urged. “I want to see what your options are.”

“All right.” She agreed, and soon two more pretty golden structures had appeared around the Anchor, most of her ether expended, the Etherites dwindled down to only a handful.

“I see. For the Spawning Spire, I can create anything I’ve personally defeated, although only of what is described as standard troops. I can also make things I’ve been involved in defeating along with others. Ugh…” she shuddered. “I can make orcs, disgusting things.” She looked sick, paler than usual. “Oh, wait… I can make the orc wraiths that Kiku commanded…”

“They sound good.” I agreed. “They might do a decent job of stalling the enemy, if they don’t have fire element or a similar ability.”

“As for the Barracks, I don’t have any real options, but… I see. Weaselkin, ratkin, goblins, kobolds, many more races, but they all seem to be locked.”

Locked? I wonder? Concentrating on the bond I felt between me and Haru-san, the bond of a Chosen Hero, I wished that she could have access to the forces I could command. I felt something, and Haru-san’s eyes went wide.

“Oh, I felt that. It was as if you were touching my very spirit for a second. But then, all I am is a spirit now, right?” she made light of it. “The Barracks has changed. I can now use it to recruit various Fae and other creatures.”

“Great. Well, how about a mixture of mostly orcs and ghost orcs from the Spires, as they are cheaper, and use some forces from the Barracks to command them, covering for the degraded troops biggest weakness, their lack of adaptability? We’ll also need to set up Defensive Emplacements in key positions, but we need Moira’s say-so on where…”

As we discussed it, the surroundings were rapidly being cleared. Shaeula was getting bored, so she took Daiyu and Hyacinth, heading the opposite way to Ulfuric, and soon ether was flowing in. Two more Spawning Spires were quickly rush-built, and the first orcs and ghost orcs spawned, along with a Hunting Cat.

“Why those?” I asked, as the cat started to twine around Haru-san playfully.

“They’re cute?” she smiled. “I need that to counterbalance the orcs, who are hideous and make me sick. Besides, they seem smart enough to direct the orcs, right?”

The cat meowed happily, and Haru-san petted it, quite the relaxing sight. It was then that the Ring Gate flared, and we were visited by a tired-looking Bjarki. The dwarf looked around in surprise at the scenery, before shrugging.

“Strange place it’n be here. Well, it’n be no business o’mine.” He snorted, bringing several cloth-wrapped bundles. “Where’n be t’princess?” he asked, and I pointed southwards.

“She’ll be back soon, just clearing out a few problem areas.” I answered.

“Fine. I can well do with t’break. I cannae keep up with t’way ye keep wrecking t’weapons I forge ye.” He snorted again, this one angry, the sound like ripping cloth.

“Sorry about that.” I apologised, feeling rather guilty. “But we do keep ending up against powerful foes, so it’s inevitable.”

“So ye say. Here.” He handed me the first bundle. It felt like a single massive object, not a pair, and it was heavy, much heavier than the Twin Fangs. Opening the bundle up, I let out a gasp at the large double-edged sword within. The blade was gleaming darkly, a pale whitish-blue like the moon, with ripples of darker blue and black like waves folded into the metal of the blade.

“One sword?” I asked, and he nodded.

“Well, ye did only return enough o’ the tainted metal f’one, ye ken? Besides, this’n be made tae be nigh-unbreakable.” He paused for a second. “That’n be no challenge, get it? I be wantin’ tae do m’own projects, not fixin’ ye moon-damned gear ev’ry five minutes! Besides, Master Ulfuric, he taught ye how tae use it, right?”

I nodded. Single swords were easier, though with my reflexes I could handle two just fine. Hefting the blade in my hand, I gave it a few test swings, before letting my energy flow into the blade. It then lit up, giving off a deep violet glow, like the sky at dusk or dawn.

“It’n be named Cutting Twilight.” He said proudly. “And it’n be made from mighty materials, purified by Ixitt and his mad bunch.”

The blade hummed as I slashed the air, and faint wisps of spatial energy leaked from the blade. “I love it. The name is perfect.” And maybe a coincidence, but an amusing one. “It does feel it can even cut light.”

“Here.” He passed me the sheath, and I noticed it was a bit of an odd design, with a strap attached.

“It’n be a touch long for t’side-carry.” He advised. “So this blade, it be pulled across yer shoulder.”

Cutting Twilight, carried on my back. If prophecies truly are that stupid… well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I ran a few tests on unsheathing it quickly, and soon had the hang of it. I realised I had an audience, as Tsukiko-san and the others had returned.

“This place is defensible, to a degree.” Moira sniffed, taking out the map I had produced earlier and making changes. “We need work here and here…” she made marks. “I will send some kobolds and dwarves through the Gate to erect suitable fortifications. Emplacements should go in these spots, and…” as she talked I nodded, agreeing with her plans. Apparently she had talked with Prince Shōtoku as well, and had pressed him into service. Yeah, Moira sure is a force of nature when she gets going.

A little later, Shaeula and the others returned, and on seeing Master Bjarki, and my new sword, she grinned.

“A fine sword indeed. You look most dashing, Akio. Like-like a warrior.” She praised me.

“Yes.” I grinned, eyeing Tsukiko-san. “The sword is called Cutting Twilight.”

Tsukiko-san reacted to the name, hand going to her mouth, before she realised she had, and reddened with embarrassment. Trying not to laugh, I turned to the dwarf, who was unwrapping his other craft. “Here, princess. This’n be a bit different too. Careful, but try castin’ yer energies into the pinwheel itself, but when it’n be well away from anythin’ ye don’t want destroyed. That Ixitt, he be a mad rat, but a canny one, ye ken?”

He handed over two new pinwheels, the design sleeker and more aerodynamic, the wires thinner and stronger. “Hmm, most interesting. Let me give it a try-try.” Shaeula launched one, the wire humming as it thrummed taut, shining with olivine energy. As the pinwheel itself was some forty metres away, Shaeula concentrated, and suddenly a hidden series of spindles triggered, unleashing fine, nigh-invisible threads which rotated rapidly with the wheel, carving everything within ten metres apart, a building collapsing.

“Oho, very good indeed.” Shaeula muttered. “So, how-how can I retract those wires?”

“it’n be simple. Once it be thought of, f’sure.” Master Bjarki pointed out the presence of a second switch, which elemental energy could trigger, causing the inside of the pinwheels to spin in the opposite direction to the pinwheel itself, winding the deadly threads back in. As I watched Shaeula happily experiment, I glanced over at Tsukiko-san, who was looking at me and my sword alternatively. I know just what you mean. But then, when you start putting all your faith in prophecy, everything starts to fit if you look at it the right way. I stand by what I said before. I’m not the one, but I don’t need to be…

“Right.” I clapped my hands. “I want to test this sword out. So I’m going to help us clear the last of the Territory quickly. Then it’s time to see if we can find the Hyakki Yagyō. You said they are here, you believe?” I asked Shaeula, and she nodded.

“I believe so. I can-can feel the Night Parade, more strongly now, since my Number has increased.” Her smile was cold, remembering the kitsune I had slain to make it so. “They are in the east, north of Kiyomizu-dera, not-not too far from where we clashed before.”

“I see. Well, so long as they aren’t here to interfere.” I reached out, pulling Cutting Twilight, liking the weight in my hands, the blade so heavy it would have been impossible for me to lift only a few months ago. “Right, we’ll pair up and spread out, capturing quickly. I want it done in a few hours. Daiyu’er, you’re with me.” Right, time to see her Cultivation in action… my Eye glimmered a brilliant orange. I wonder just what I’ll see…