On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Happy with how things were going, I tested out my ability to move between the Boundary and the Material, and it worked as I expected, I quickly found myself in a dark alleyway in south London. Moments later I was gone again, leaving behind only a spray of prismatic energy which rapidly faded away. I did learn it was costly in terms of aether, so wasn’t something I could do trivially over and over again, but as my generation had increased significantly recently, a few times wasn’t too much of a burden.

After that I spent some time helping Eleanor, David and Raidre push out further into London, expanding the Territory away from the Tower and its constant absorption of ether and adherence. We were joined by Sir Arthur, and Aditi and Mary-Jane. The pair were still hesitant, worried at their lack of strength after their Favours were torn from them, but I spent a little time coaching them, further explaining what training was on offer in my Territory.

“You should take him up on his offer.” Eleanor had said, surprising me a little. “I would feel better if they retired, since they fought honourably…” she confided in me, and I realised that despite our differences, our shared battles against Mary Stuart had bridged the gap between us, and we were certainly close enough to be comrades now. “…but since they seem to be determined, please look after them, and at least give them the strength to defend themselves. That coupled with their treasures from the Tower should be enough. I hope so anyway.”

She had been troubled, so I resolved to do my best, and since the training school was easily reached through the Ring Gate on Bermondsey Isle, taking them under my wing would be easy enough. As we continued to push outwards, expanding the Territory, the first mobile Silos began to arrive, dumping ether into Eleanor’s Territory, surprising her. I chuckled remembering the way her eyes had gone wide, shocked at the bounty she was receiving. I did think Eleanor’s Territory, and by extension, David’s and the others, were all awful. It seems a combination of unlucky factors was holding them back, but now… there’s nothing to stop them flourishing. Apart from… I had glanced in the direction of the Territories still owned by the two traitors, nestled too close to the heart of Eleanor’s. That’s something they’ll have to deal with sooner or later. Before it causes another problem…

New Barracks and Spawning Spires, as well as Defensive Emplacements, had popped up all over Eleanor’s lands. Just Rank 2 for now, but later she would improve them. The wasteful spending of rush-building had left her pale, it was something they had never really considered or understood before, nor been able to afford it if they could, but I had merely laughed, telling a humorous tale of my own early struggles, Sir Arthur congratulating me for my drive to push past it, and David sarcastically cursing me out for the unfairness of Asha’s Tree. Of course it’s unfair, but it’s also a series of coincidences, such as Asha managing to survive despite her suffering, us saving her, Shiro managing to gain a Favour from a Chinese invader with the help of Tan, for the buffs which did indeed work, and lastly, saving Eleanor and gaining access to the adherence of the Tower. If it wasn’t overpowered after all that, life just isn’t fair!

With my experiments done, I had returned to the Material, and now I was running an Astral body in the Boundary as well, which was causing me a lot of discomfort, but using all my Split Thoughts I could hedge it. I’m still not at the level of using it for anything more than gentle training or information gathering yet, but it’s certainly good practise for Split Thoughts, and the sooner I get used to this and the differing time flows, the better. I never know when I’ll really need it…

Shaeula had decided to sleep for a few hours, so in the autumnal dawn of the morning I got up, the confusion of hopping between time-zones a little disorientating. It’s something I’ll have to get used to though. I do wonder about breaking the laws of physics, travelling faster than light between locations, but there’s a definite moment of dislocation, journeying through the Ring Gates, so I don’t think it applies, at least over these distances of merely a few thousand miles…

“Right. So today I want to start formulating the Pilgrimage route. I’ll need to swing by the Ministry and consult with Saionji-san.” I said quietly to myself as I quickly washed up and changed. “After that, it’s time to start the next stage of the Territory build.” The Tree had been accumulating great tides of ether, and Haru-san’s Ether Spires would all be Rank 3 shortly. The next stage was to get all of mine to Rank 4, as well as Haru-san’s, since the Spires would pay for themselves and their ludicrous rush-build costs over time, so the quicker they were in, the quicker we’d be in profit.

Haru-san’s also been saving up for that second Throne. She wants to get it quickly to Rank 2 so she can accommodate all three of the surviving ghost victims of Kiku and Kondou Kazuo. I feel bad I’m taking eighty percent of her wealth, but then, I’m paying for everything, and she doesn’t mind. But for my conscience, I’ll not say anything about her using a Throne on them. Hopefully it’ll help ease some more of her lingering traumas.

Fourteen Ether Spires each was twenty-eight, though one of mine was already partially completed. Half the cost of it is already consumed, give or take, so call it twenty-seven and a half. The rush-build total for the whole lot was a touch over fifty-one and a half million ether. At that point though, the additional ether, while not an exact science, was likely to be around one hundred thousand extra ether per astral day, closer to a one hundred and twenty thousand, perhaps more, when the Ether Spire-enhancing Anchor Spire was taken into account. So five hundred and ten astral days, it seems a lot, but it’s only a bit longer than I’ve been fighting for so far, and then we’re in pure profit. Plus there’s the opportunity cost we save not tying up queues, and the extra stockpiling of elemental energies and adherence…

Some rough calculations based on a Rank 8 Tree showed that assuming we were in reasonably average depths of the etheric tide, averaging two and a half astral days per day here on the Material, then we were pulling in somewhat in the region of four million ether in total. It’s embarrassing just how little all our other Spires and Trees pull in compared to Asha’s, though considering such a Tree would be the peak of a Rank 4 Territory in its buffed state, that makes sense. I should feel proud that even without it, I doubt Haru-san’s and my Territory is inferior to many, if any here on Earth right now. One thing I’m confident of is my Ether generation!

“So, around thirteen days to upgrade all the Spires, if nothing goes wrong.” I mused, pleased. We should have some spare change too, and even giving another pile to Eleanor, we’d be fine. Next I had planned to expand the Silos to start storing ether for the push to Territory Rank 4, but that was with an expected Tree of Rank 7 and a buff, rather than functioning as a full Rank 8. I now had twice as much ether to play with as planned, so even keeping to the same schedule which was already ludicrously aggressive with the scale of the ether involved, I had leeway to spend on other things.

“I’ve a pressing need for a Throne at Rank three.” I said as I started cooking breakfast, knowing that the early risers of the house would be up soon. It was a mixture of classic Japanese dishes, such as miso soup, rice balls and tofu, as well as a more Western style, such as fried bacon and bread. I’m actually getting quite good now. Me, a househusband. I smiled, amused. I pictured Asha, here as well, and the ten million for a Throne rush-build seemed money well spent. In just over a fortnight, she’ll be able to take her first steps into the Material world. I wonder what she’ll think…

I also wanted some luxuries, such as the Armoury to Rank 4, and at least one Barracks likewise, to see if we could get leader-class troops generated such as Kamaitachi. More importantly though, I needed to buff the Elemental Silos, and then when we had enough earth element, push the White Snake Earth Altar to Rank 3. It’s too useful not to. We have to leverage what unique benefits we can.

After that, pushing the Silos and gathering ether ready to keep the period of dormancy for the Territory as short as possible would proceed. It might also be worth pushing the three Anchor Spires to Rank 3 as well beforehand, as I’m not sure whether the cost of doing it would go up when the Anchor itself reaches Rank 4. It isn’t clear from the description, and I’d hate to waste an extra twenty-one million ether for the three of them…

As I pondered that, the delicious smell of the food wafting through the house, my phone rang. I picked it up, surprised to see it was my father calling. He doesn’t usually call, it’s mostly my sis. “Hello, good morning.” I greeted him cheerfully. “It’s rare to get a call from you.”

There was a momentary pause, before he chuckled dryly, surprising me. “Yes, it is. You and Aiko take after your mother, both being a pair who talk incessantly. Perhaps that is for the best though. It seems you have a great deal of talking to do.”

“Yes, endlessly. Even later today I have meetings about a Pilgrimage route. See, I was legitimately doing business with the shrines and temples, I wasn’t lying to you.” I joked, remembering our earlier clashes, before I told my parents and the Mori’s everything.

“It seems so.” Father agreed, still jovial. “But can a father not call his son who lives away from home? I hardly only speak to you when I want something.”

“I see. Sorry.” I said, and my father actually laughed, not a mere snort of chuckle, but genuine mirth.

“As it happens, Akio, I did have something to talk about. But soon it might not be such an effort to speak to you.”

I cocked my head while listening, waiting, and he continued. “Son, the family with be moving to Tokyo. Junpei, Hana and her parents too. Please look after us.”

So that’s it. That makes sense, I did worry, which is why I brought Jack and Evelyn back for now. But father didn’t want to move before… “I see. What about Aiko and her schooling? And her friends back in Nishimorioka?”

“Aiko is a little sad to leave, but excited to see you, Eri-san and her other friends she has made again. As for school, she can do remote work just like Eri-san has been doing. And if she wants to return, Fukumoto-san has promised to make arrangements.” He paused, before saying meaningfully that I was quite the influential, rich man nowadays.

“I see. So where will you be living?” I asked. “There’s still a little room at the shrine here to put something together, and the training school has rooms in the meantime, but…”

“We have a place in mind already. As do you.” Father said, surprising me. “Are you unaware?”

“Yes, it’s the first I’ve heard of it.” I said. “Wait, you said Fukumoto-san, you mean Hinata’s grandfather?”

“That is correct. Here.” A moment later my phone beeped, and I had mail. It was a series of documents on a substantial estate, made up of one huge mansion, a smaller one and several other homes, in central Tokyo. Sure, they look magnificent, but…

“I can’t say I haven’t considered moving at some point, but…” I began, only for father to interrupt me.

“If you are concerned about leaving the shrine and what you have built, I do not believe you have to worry. Us old men are hardly fools, Fukumoto-san has considered it. You can be there rapidly. After all, the site comes with a helipad, and you have a number of capable pilots, do you not? There are also… other measures.”

I looked at the plans. They were insanely ambitious, on the level of what Ixitt was attempting with our factory, but on a Tokyo-wide scale. It would take a whole army of earth elemental users to create. But if just some was focussed on, it might be possible to prioritise a few features…

Hearing my silence, father spoke again. “Such a decision is not one to take lightly. I know. I have always advised you to act prudently, to make no rash decisions. You must not forget, you are not a secret anymore. Trouble will follow you everywhere, and your family too. I hardly have the understanding of the other world, unlike Aiko, but I gather that you have to hold certain areas. But you have allies for that, no? Use them properly, and make sure you and those you care about are safe. Fukumoto-san cares deeply for his granddaughter as well. I believe she has expressed a desire to live together with you all.”

That surprised me, though perhaps it shouldn’t have, she was a very proactive girl. Father’s right. I do like to be close to my Anchor. But I was planning to move it once we Ranked up. Having it next to the Ring Gate Hub and Asha’s Tree is too risky, all our eggs in one basket… So it’s quite possible. I do worry about Nishimorioka though. I owe the Brown Dog kami, and I don’t want to disappoint Marika-san after she’s been through so much. Hmm, what to do?

Plating up the first of the breakfasts while I talked to my father, the door opened, and my eyes went wide as Eri came in. Seeing my gaze, she smiled at me triumphantly, dark eyes flashing. She’s walking! Not well, but…

“Oh sorry, you’re on a call.” Eri said, walking on a pair of crutches. Her legs still moved slowly and clumsily, and it was a bit painful to watch, but she reached a chair beside me and sat down, moving her previously paralysed arm clumsily to grasp a bottle of tea. Her hand shook and it was difficult for her to uncap it, but she did it, her face flushed with pleasure.

“Father, get Aiko. Mom, auntie and uncle too. I’ve got big news!” I said, excited, and my father made seemingly another joke.

“I warned you about pregnancy, son. Now isn’t the time!”

Eri must have heard because she nearly spat out her tea, flushing. I smiled, my eyes damp, before retorting jovially. “Not that, father! Now hurry!”

As he called out for my mom, I turned back to Eri, reaching out and grasping her hand. It was still painful to see the tremors in her body, and the terrible stiffness of her limbs, but being able to use both arms, even clumsily, and walk unaided, even if it required crutches, was such a huge improvement and it gave me hope that Eri’s recovery had turned a corner. “I see it worked.” I said, remarking on last night’s efforts, and she smiled.

“It seems so. I feel great. It’s strange to say that when I’m still shambling about like an idiot.” She giggled. “But being able to do things for myself again, it’s like I’m reborn.”

“Hey, bro, what’s up?” Aiko called over the phone, and I nodded to Eri. She grabbed her crutches, and I turned the call to a video one. “Morning Eri, you’re with my bro, uh… wait, you’re walking?” She saw Eri shuffle around slowly, and her voice choked up. “Quick, auntie, uncle! Eri’s on her feet!”

“Little Eri, you can move!” auntie Hana said, her voice trembling. “I know little Aki said you would recover, and I believed him, but… oh, you still look so frail, it breaks my heart, but…”

“Mother, I’m fine.” Eri insisted. “We promised you I would get better. I’m not there yet, I know. But you can see me improving before your eyes.”

“I always believed in you Eri, bro!” Aiko said stoutly. “By the way, Eri, you could be seeing me sooner than you think…”

As our family celebrated over Eri’s slow recovery, I watched them talk, making sure that breakfast was on the table, a smile on my face. While nobody could see me, I wiped my eyes, just as happy as anyone that Eri seemed to be recovering…

********

“So I see-see.” Shaeula said, grinning. She had joined us at the table after getting up, as had Hyacinth. Shiro was still in bed, but the scene was still lively. We had routed the call through one of our laptops, so we could clearly see the whole family as they talked to us. “A move? I can see your concerns. We came too-too close to losing our Territory when we left to go to Las Vegas. But that-that was then. This is now. The situation is quite-quite different.”

“I want Aiko to live with us too. Just like the old days.” Eri said, and before her parents could complain, she smiled wryly, arching one eyebrow. “You too, mother, father. But a childhood friend is precious. Especially one who has been through so much with us.”

“Besides, it wouldn’t be living with us.” I said, and my father shook his head.

“Technically you are correct, son. But a house on the same fortified estate, only a few hundred metres away. Such is the same as merely popping next door. As for how we will spend our time… Akio, you run a significant enterprise now, right?”

“That’s right.” Even setting aside my job as the special advisor to the Ministry, I have a hotel chain, healing business, industrial partnerships with Ichijou house, a project to build a computerised Fortune-exploiting machine and more.

“In that case, why not let me work for you? Junpei here as well. It will do him some good to be productive for a change.” Father said, and as Junpei protested , pretending to be offended, Shaeula, Hyacinth, Eri and I all looked at each other, pleased that Eri’s recovery was lightening the mood.

“All right. I’ll have a talk with Fukumoto-san and decide. I admit, the site does look beautiful. That view over the bay and central Tokyo… and it’s a short hop to the fun parts of Tokyo…” I conceded, and as I was going to say more, Hyacinth’s phone rang. Again? That’s twice now… but why Hyacinth? Obviously Hyacinth had a phone too, she wasn’t just a mere servant, but I wasn’t sure when she had learned to use it. I guess with her stats it’s not hard…

“Hellooo? Oh, mistress Daiyu. Yes.” She nodded, listening. “Oooh I see. Yes.” She brightened up. “Hyacinth will cooome straight away. I shall heat up the bath, have nooo fear!”

As she hung up, my sis asked what was up, and I suddenly understood. “That’s kind of cute, that she didn’t call for me.” I said, and Shaeula snickered nastily.

“No-no female would ever wish the male she likes to see her in such a state. I remember my own mess, and it was not-not as severe as yours, no?”

“Is there a problem?” father asked, and I denied it.

“No, it’s just Daiyu was undergoing some rigorous training, which was finally successful. The side effect is… well, to put it bluntly, it purifies the body and spirit, like cleaning off dirt, but the scale is… disgusting. She’ll need a good scrub, there’s no question.”

“I shall accompany her.” Shaeula stood, washing down the last of her breakfast with some juice. “I dare-dare say this will take some time, so we shall see you later.” As Hyacinth and Shaeula trooped out, Eri and I exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

“I’m glad you are both in such high spirits, Eri, Aki.” Mom said, smiling. “So, things are going well?”

“I’d tell you if there were problems. Speaking of… sis, what are we going to do about Chairoakitara shrine? Yae and Rika-san too.” It’s not like they can venture into the Boundary safety alone, or benefit much if they could…

“That’s a good question. I’ve been thinking about that.” My sis admitted, stumped. “I’ll certainly take ideas. But it was going to happen sooner or later. I can’t stay tied down in Nishimorioka forever. Unless you’re trying to keep me out of your way so you can enjoy your lovey-dovey harem life in peace?” she said snidely, though I knew she was joking.

“You know we want you here.” I said, and Eri nodded. “But … hmm, I can’t really justify setting up a Ring Gate there, but… huh.” Arisu-san might be the answer. Ugh, I have a meeting about the fundraising concert coming up too soon. So busy. My thoughts turned to my other half, busy practising the Tsumura Arts moves in the Boundary, working out which elements synergised with which forms, and adding in my own flavour. Damn, I need like six more of me, but one is bad enough for my brain…

“I might have some ideas. I guess we can discuss it. Perhaps in person.” I said, and my sis bounced up and down on the screen.

“Oh come on bro, don’t crush your adorable, cute little sister’s dreams of living like royalty in Tokyo! I thought you’d moved past your big bro moonstone phase!”

With that quip I hadn’t heard for a while, we all laughed, and after a little more discussion, it was time for me to leave. As I stood up to go, Eri waved at me. “I want to keep talking to Aiko and my parents some more. Father-in-law and mother-in-law too.” She said before my mom could joke she wasn’t wanted. “So I hope everything goes well, and when you come back, I hope you have good news.”

At the weight of their expectant gazes, all I could do was nod. If I look at it as a small series of issues, they can probably all be resolved…

********

“So what brings you here, Kudou-san?” I asked the old man, who was perched on a chair, sipping tea cheerfully.

“Oh, do call me Yasuhide, Akio-kun. I’m no longer the head of Tsukuyomi faction, but merely an old man of faith who wishes to see how everything plays out.” He paused for a moment, his eyes looking into the space above me. “How is Tsukiko-chan? Does she rest well?”

I hope so. She deserves a break from her labours, before she can choose her own life. “I think she does. One day soon you’ll see her again.”

“And so will you.” He grinned at me, before turning to the other old man in the room. “Oh, my pardons, Fukumoto-san. I am merely here waiting for Gin-kun…” the way he had addressed his old rival of faith had changed. “… to get here. A Pilgrimage route. A fascinating idea. I’d like to add my old wisdom to it. It will be just like ancient days gone by.”

“There’s no problem.” Fukumoto Kenji-san said, also enjoying the rather nice tea served at the temporary Ministry building. “After all, I have other business here as well.”

“You’re referring to the ladies and gentlemen in the other room?” Yasuhide-san asked, and he nodded affirmation.

“That’s right. It’s a mixture of wealthy, influential businessmen and lesser nobility amongst the Three Hundred. Some have illnesses they would like you to heal. Nothing as serious as the others.” He reassured me, before continuing. “Even so, there are a lot of people who would like your healing. Why suffer bad hips, old niggling injuries or weak internal organs when mere money can fix them? As for the others… well, there’s the thing. A lot of them want to donate to curry favour. Free money is always welcome, but the strings attached can be ties that bind, or worse, strangle.” He chuckled. “I have faith that any attempt would be futile, but even so, I don’t like borrowing trouble. So… consider it an insurance payment, promising future healing, at a suitable price of course, should they have the need. That way, they make a tie, but can’t demand.”

I see where Hinata gets her business sense from. She sure takes after her grandfather. “Fine. I have enough aether, I’d say.” Even with half of it being used up in the Boundary right now… “So, about the new mansion…”

“That, huh? I expected you to call me, since I spoke to your family. I don’t see the problem though. Nishimorioka shrine is decent, you’ve done good work, and from what Hinata tells me, it can’t be relinquished, but you need to constantly push onwards. Consider this both a prototype of what we can do to prepare for the dangers you and the other Chosen say is coming, and a reward for your actions so far. Someone as famous and powerful as you has to be seen to show it. Modesty is praised here in Japan, but the people still expect the powerful to look and act like it. And the Hero of Britain is someone the people are proud of. Even more so now talk of your actions at Kyoto are being carefully edited and disseminated.”

“It’s not that I don’t get that.” I said. “Although some of the plans are rather… ambitious. Underground bunkers and supply caches, deep tunnels for transport, including access to Tokyo bay and an underwater dock for hidden warships. The same with helicopters. The cost of that, Japan’s budget couldn’t even begin to cover it without the population voting out the current government in anger…”

“True, but can we afford to do nothing?” Fukumoto-san said, smiling. “And Hinata had some interesting ideas. Yes, it’s not viable for the scale of the building works we need, but your troll…” he pulled a face, perhaps amused, a serious businessman having to discuss mythical creatures. “… Hinata says he has a wonderous ability. He can assimilate and shape stone and earth, no? Coupled with your already admirable plans for your factory project with Ichijou Mayumi-san, and… well, certainly the hill under your estate, and the estate of many other important people, could be established with less effort and cost than one would expect. But even so… yes, it isn’t cheap. The mansions and land alone will run you several billion yen. But then… why else do we have the wealthy here? I know you can pay for it, as could I, but our assets should be better used elsewhere. No point turning down free money.” His grin was wicked.

“I quite agree.” Yasuhide-san said happily, enjoying the show, kicking his legs, relaxed and entertained. “That’s politics, get others to foot the bill. Besides, a shrine Pilgrimage route is hardly going to be cheap. A lot of older shrines have fallen into disrepair or could use substantial offerings…”

“To quote my good grandfather-in-law here…” Fukumoto-san looked pleased at that. “…why suffer from lack of power when money can fix it? Spending to get the favour of the kami and their adherents, as well as improving and gaining classes for those who need them is no problem to me.”

“Well said. So, I trust I have your consent? After all, my Hinata, she dearly wishes she could live with you too.” He sprung that on me, surprising me.

“Oh, she came back scandalously late last night. Fortunately you are her fiancé, and also only a few know about it.” He said, his grin back. “And what she told me… you’re ready to take your relationship to the conclusion, right? Like with the Tsumura and Hori girls?”

I did say that, yes. What with Daiyu pressing for Dual Cultivation, I feel that Hinata being the only one left out is cruel, so long as she’s ready. It makes me feel somewhat guilty, but such is the price I pay. “Yes, but isn’t she splitting her time between your home and the Takatsukasa house?”

“And she still will. Hinata’s yet young. She needs her family, and we would miss her. But half the time she would spend in your home. I dare say the others too. The mansion is very nice.” He said dryly, and Yasuhide-san snorted, enjoying my discomfort.

“Fine, you win.” I conceded. “Though I have a number of issues to work out first.”

“Excellent. I do so adore winning. And Hinata will be overjoyed. She is also very precious of your public opinion. I’ll go ahead and finalise the purchases.”

As we continued to hash out the details, the door burst open with a crash, hitting the wall. A third interruption in one day? It was a harried-looking Saionji-san, followed by Akai. On seeing us, he spoke hurriedly. “Akio-san, have you seen the news? There’s been a worldwide broadcast, and…”

Suddenly Akai, who was peering at me nervously, cocked her head in confusion. “Wait, who are you? You look like him, the scary one, but you smell different. But you have so many elements, Deep space too, like a dark hole…”

“I’m still me. I’m just closer to what you are now, Akai.” I said, trying to soothe her. Before anyone else could speak, she looked me up and down again, face going pale.

“No, don’t eat me, Akai doesn’t taste good!” and with that she promptly fainted, hitting the floor, while we all looked on in stunned silence.

Oh great, so what now? There was something about a broadcast? I guess Saionji-san can tell me about it while I wake the little phoenix up…