On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor Five Hundred And Ninety-Six

Five Hundred And Ninety-Six

“So the thing is… I’m very sorry.” I bowed before Bjarki. “Your swords have carried through a lot of battles, so of them I might not have won without your crafts, and… I wasn’t able to protect it.”

“Father! Don’t apologise. It wasn’t a fit…” I tightened my grip on Tsurugi, who paused, confused, at the look on my face. “Father?”

“It’s my fault. Don’t bla Tsurugi. After all, she’s only just woken up after a long sleep, and her mind hasn’t fully recovered. I shouldn’t have let my guard down.”

“Father?” Tsurugi’s voice had changed and was now dripping with sadness. “Why are you upset? You have the best sword, ! I can cut anything. The clouds, the storms…”

“See? She’s… just following her nature. And I don’t want you to bla her either.” I insisted. “Bjarki. I’m sorry…”

The Dwarf nodded slowly, rather surprised by my passionate plea. His eyes took in the sword in my hand, and he stroked his bushy beard with one burly, calloused hand idly. “I be mighty interested in these living treasures, ye ken? It’n be hard tae breathe life in tae one’s crafts, even great Master Ivaldi and his sons, only a few crafts ever reached t’pinnacle. Even then… there’n be living, and then there be… this.”

“Go on, change back now.” I whispered, and after trembling in my hand, annoyed, Tsurugi shifted back into her Tsukumogami form, her white and blue hair flowing around her, the plain, white sumr dress she wore contributing to her girlish, fragile appearance, her eyes pale and nervous. She grabbed my hand again, pulling my arm to her, and hissed at Bjarki, while Darkfla and Suzu looked on, amused, the other Kobolds desperately pretending they couldn’t see or hear anything.

“Aye, that’n be a true work of t’craft.” Bjarki was impressed. “M’craftsman’s spirit rings out with curiosity… and rivalry, ye ken? Ye be a match, surely, for t’true masterworks of t’Dvergr of old. Tyrfing, Gramr… and I nay an t’replicas made with a re fraction of t’will and history of t’originals.”

“Have you ever seen the originals?” I couldn’t help but ask, and Bjarki snorted, offended.

“Just how old d’ye think I be? I nay laid eyes on the truest of works, but Master Ivaldi, his sons, t’other great Dvergr long lost tae us here… their writings, legacies, they survive, ye ken? Besides…” His eyes glead with aether, not just his eyes, but his ears, his nose, mouth, tongue, fingers, even the skin, all shimred with potent energies, and I realised his ability to feel the materials, and know the thods of production, went beyond re Skills. It was sothing deeper, intrinsic to him.

“…I be seeing t’little princess’ sword, aye? And now that other wee lass, t’ golden one.”

Hinata? It must be. Though she’ll be amused to be called ‘the golden one’.

“Aye. That’n be her.” Bjarki interpreted my gaze, nodding. “Pulled an old sword out of’n t’pot. Like an old saga indeed. And a mighty sword it’n be, aye. Yet still a shadow of’n t’original. But…” His gaze took in Tsurugi. “This’n here… it be a genuine article. Though… aye, she be damaged still. Ye did a shoddy job. Ye have great crafting skills, aye, I can nay deny it, but… t’greatest works nay rely on skill, but… inspiration, heart, spirit and… beyond.”

“You take that back!” Tsurugi scread, her grip on my hand tight enough to be painful, even for , and blood flowed, my skin sliced as if by her blade. I winced, but Tsurugi didn’t notice. “Father… father saved … saved us! Brought back the sun! But not the hot red sun, which makes us obey! No… warm… kind…” She shuddered, and suddenly realised what she had done, as several of my fingers fell to the ground, cleanly severed. Letting out a gasping cry, she released my maid hand, bending down, fumbling for the cut digits, tears welling up, only to pause, as my other hand rested on her head, patting her gently. She looked up, and I smiled, suppressing the pain.

Shit, that hurts quite a bit, but… “It’s all right. I’ll heal. See?” Even now, my absurd Ether Healing kicked in, and new flesh and bone sprouted, repairing my hand. It was a rather unpleasant sight to see, but that wasn’t why Tsurugi wasn’t relived. She hid her blood splattered hand behind her back, stepping away from , looking sick.

“But father… I hurt you. I… blood… so red… like the old sun…” She was shaking, trembling now, and I opened my mouth to reassure her, but oddly enough, it was Bjarki who was faster, his gruff tone gentle.

“So, ye be the lass that broke m’greatest ever masterpiece, eh? Pay it’n nay mind. T’big fool ye cut smashed it so many tis, it’n be gone from two blades tae just one. What can be shattered can be remade, so nay cry, lass.”

“I’m afraid… that’s not possible this ti.” I grimaced, before trying to coax Tsurugi. “Look, it’s fine. All better. You’re a sword, Tsurugi. More than a sword, yes, but a sword nonetheless. And over the years, you must have cut many, and seen your wielder bleed, or worse?”

“But… but… father…” Tsurugi, the Regalia who had been damaged enough to not return to an adult ntal state after being reawakened, was shaking. “I… I hurt you…”

“No you didn’t.” I assured her. “And even if you did… just like you, I can be remade. Good as new. No, better.” I winked at Bjarki, who understood.

“Aye. Sure, he nay did t’best job, from the standards of t’legendary craftsn, but… t’greatest crafts co from t’heart. And ye surely know… ye have a place there, ye ken?”

“Cheer up, Tsurugi-chan.” Suzu stepped in fearlessly, and popped a lollipop into her open mouth, surprising the young Tsukumogami. “Let tell you a secret, it’ll make you feel better, okay?”

“A secret?” Tsurugi blinked, reflexively sucking on the sweet treat she had been forcibly given.

“Yeah. My dad, my mom, my brother… none of them cared about . But I don’t mind. They… were just holding back.” At her pained words, I narrowed my eyes, despising the Castor family even more, and worse, knowing there was no way Suzu ant that. She was an airhead, and behaved completely inappropriately all the ti, as if she was living in so idol raising simulator, treating the world as a joke, but… she understood people despite that. No, perhaps because of that.

“But I learned one important thing, Tsurugi-chan. I learned the importance of love. Oh, I don’t an love like Akio-kun has with his girlfriends. That’s important too, but… the love we have for those we have no reason to love. I’m grateful. Not just to Akio-kun, but to the boss, Arisu-chan… you could say we were all using each other, but… you know there’s more to it, right? Can’t you tell? He’s hurting, but not because you cut him. He’s hurting because you’re sad, Tsurugi-chan. So… smile, apologise, and realise that true love doesn’t demand, it accepts!”

Tsurugi glanced at her for a long mont, before nodding slowly, scuttling back to and taking my healed hand. “Father, I’m sorry. I… I’m not like Yata. I’m not wise, I can’t protect. I’m not Magatama. I don’t bless or guard. I’m… Tsurugi. I cut, I sever, and I’m… only needed in the bad tis…”

Her words were silenced as I pulled her back into a hug. “Wrong, you’re needed to make the bad tis good tis again. As for only being able to cut… that’s not true. Just as a hamr can be both weapon and tool of creation, so can a sword. You’ll see. Now… stop crying, okay? It’s who wants to cry, facing Bjarki.” I then grinned at Suzu as Tsurugi cald down. “Just when did you get so wise?”

“?” Suzu struck a pose, arms parallel coming from opposite sides, hands fanning out, one of the classic idol manoeuvres. “I’m just spreading a little happiness to my fans. And you are my fan, right Akio-kun? And Tsurugi-chan will be too…”

“There you go, ruining the mont.” I chuckled. “But yes, if I wasn’t your fan before, I would be now.” I took a deep breath and got it over with. “Sorry Bjarki. There’s no fixing Storming Moonlight now. It’s… gone.”

“I… I got rid of it.” Tsurugi muttered, though her prior vehence was gone. “I… I should be father’s only sword! I… have to be!”

“I see.” Bjarki was silent for a long while, before facing Tsurugi, eyes level, since they were similar in height. “Indeed, lass, a weapon be made tae be used. But nay just weapons. Everything made wants tae be treasured. If’n I can put it in tae words… it be like they say in t’lands ye be from. If’n ye build up t’emotions… t’adherence, perhaps, I be hearing ye all calling it, yes?”

I nodded. “Maybe so.”

“Aye, well then, ye be… nay just a tool, a possession, that’n soone made. But… a treasure beyond asure, ye ken? And if treated with love, care and respect, ye be playful, kind… but if’n neglected, misused, abandoned… then sorrow, anger, it’n be what ye know, yes?”

“That’s a Tsukumogami. In Japan, we say if sothing is used for a hundred years, it can gain a will, emotions, life.” I agreed.

“I nay know what’n this red sun be, but… I know this’n. He may be a damn fool who nay treats my crafts with care, but ye… ye be cared for, aye?”

Tsurugi nodded, the last of her tears blinked away. “Yes. Father… father loves us. I know that. But… I worry. I worry…”

“That he’ll vanish, that you’ll be alone again?” Suzu interrupted. “It’s only natural. It’s not like I find it easy to trust. I know Arisu-chan was worried I’d get deceived and exploited, living alone in Tokyo… but I’m not a fool. It’s an exhausting life, being so wary, let tell you, Tsurugi-chan.” She winked, idly playing with her lollipop stick. “I much prefer it now. Don’t get wrong, I didn’t hate sleeping in manga cafés or in all-night arcades. It was like the stories I enjoyed. But there’s a lot to be said for warm, comfortable beds and good breakfasts.” She giggled cheerfully, and I realised once again that I was taking Suzu lightly. Yes, she was… different, and I could see why her parents felt she had difficulties, but she was actually very sharp in other ways to compensate for her… lacking common sense.

“I can tell you one thing, little Tsurugi-chan. And it’s all you need to rember.”

“What is it?” she asked, frozen in a position of anticipation and fear.

“It’s that if Arisu-chan, who is the most guarded woman I’ve ever t, trusts him, and the boss, both bosses, who keep their walls up so high and strong against others, especially n, that you’d think they were Takatori Castle…” She chuckled at that historical pun, which made wonder just what she had been reading. “…have opened their hearts to him, despite their obvious fear of closeness to others, of loss and rejection… and honestly, if I can trust him, speaking my mind like this… nobody ever listened to poor Suzu…” She addressed herself in the third person, like younger Japanese girls often did, though they tended to grow out of it by middle school. “…yet you listen, don’t you Akio-kun? Even if you are thinking sothing rude right now…”

“Hey, I know you’re doing it in your capacity as an idol. It makes you seem more cutesy…”

“Suzu’s pleased you get it!” she giggled. “See, he actually listens and strives to understand us. And… that’s not all…”

“It’s not?” Tsurugi had been sucked into Suzu’s pace, her tears forgotten.

“Nope. If we can all trust him, you certainly can, little Tsurugi. Because just like the bosses, Akio-kun has opened his heart to you. After all, he’s your father, isn’t he? And while that doesn’t an much, I know that for sure…” Her words were slightly bitter there. “…the boss too, he never lets go when he’s beco emotionally invested. It’s a bit pathetic, but… sotis that can be cute! So don’t fret, Tsurugi-chan. Akio-kun wouldn’t let you go even if you cut him to ribbons. It’s not like he’d die anyway…”

“Maybe not. But I don’t want to experience it.” I sighed. “Suzu is right. Tsurugi… so long as you want to stay with , I’ll never relinquish you.” I then finished what I needed to tell Bjarki. “The sword is gone. It’s… inside Tsurugi now. She ate it, hard as that is to believe.”

“It tasted bad…” Tsurugi responded reflexively, before her face fell. “Sorry. I’m selfish, I know. But… it truly wasn’t a sword worthy of father!”

“And ye be?” Bjarki asked, and at her silence, he chuckled gruffly. “Nay be sad, lass. It’n be a genuine question. D’ye think ye be at yer peak?”

“Of course not. I can still cut anything, but… I know… I’ve forgotten a lot…” Her words were quiet, and Bjarki stretched, shrugging.

“Ack, this’n be a nuisance. By Ivaldi’s bristling beard, I nay know what tae ken. I should be furious, thundering like t’Queen of the Seelie, or t’one who swung Mjolnir, made by t’fools who thought themselves t’betters of Ivaldi’s sons. Instead… well, it’n be as t’princess says. Done is done, aye.” His senses were raised to the maximum, and he inspected Tsurugi. “Aye, I can feel it, faint but there. In a way, a part of m’craft will always endure within ye, aye?”

“I’m… sorry.” Tsurugi apologised again, her hand squeezing mine once again. “I’m sorry.”

“Ack. Pay it nae mind. If’n it was ant tae endure, it’n would have. I shall just have tae go further, better. Tae exceed what ca before, ye ken?”

“I… don’t want father to hold other swords…” she pouted. “I… I know father loves , he chased away the darkness, replaced it with warmth, but… my heart aches so when I think of father touching other swords!”

“Isn’t this hilarious?” Suzu couldn’t help but giggle. No, it was full-throated laughter, and she was even clutching her stomach, tears streaming from her eyes. “She sounds like a girlfriend telling you not to look at other girls. Which for you is hilarious! I’m just sorry Arisu-chan missed it!”

“I nay make weapons just for him, ye ken.” Bjarki smirked knowingly. “But… ye mourned, that ye cut his flesh, aye? So weapons be unruly…”

“I’m not… unruly… I just… got careless…” Tsurugi pouted.

“Aye, I nay say otherwise.” he agreed mildly. “But… I make more than just blades, ye ken? Now… a gauntlet… hmm. Aye, that could work…” He glanced at Tsurugi until she squird. “I nae think ye be showing y’true power. Just as t’Thunderer needed Járngreipr, t’wield mighty Mjolnir… aye, my creative instincts be burning….”

“In that case… I still feel bad about allowing your masterwork to co to such an end…” I made up my mind. I had been thinking about sothing, and now I was sure. “…I can offer you a gift instead, though… you might not want to take it, proud as you are.”

“Oh, a gift for , aye? A guilty conscience, have ye?” He looked around at the Kobolds trying to make themselves inconspicuous, still working on the engravings for my many Christmas gifts. “I nay be t’usual sort ye give presents tae. I nae be a woman, though… perhaps ye could use a good Dwarven bride, aye. Strong around t’ho and t’forge, and pop out mighty bairns, nae bother.” At my expression, he laughed heartily. “I be teasing ye, damn fool that ye be. I can see why ye won over Ixitt. T’mad rat was always one tae appreciate a man who is nae stingy with knowledge or treasure.” At that, he waited patiently, and I nodded slowly.

“It’s… a dichotomy really. Favours.” I organised my thoughts. “Power is power, yes, and sotis we need it. But I think Daiyu is also right. Power we can’t fully control, make our own… well, it’s all about the foundation, isn’t it?” Yes, and from what Tan and Rose have intimated, there’s certainly more to the Favours than the safety nets built in already. Not that I regret helping the others gain theirs. Without that power, they might have died. But that doesn’t an we don’t need to… be cautious.

It had beco far easier for to check on the compatibility of others regarding Divine Favours. I had a growing grasp on the flavours of adherence they held, and what would go together, but also… the faint traces of soullight everyone gave off, almost unnoticeable, unless they were a truly powerful being like Tan or Mae, also had an effect. And for what I held…

Ògún. A God… or Orisha, in their culture… of warriors, iron and talworking. It was a Favour that had a little compatibility with Motoko and Natsumi, with their warrior spirit, but Chollima and Nkunim were slightly better options. It… also has so compatibility with my sister, and also Hinata now. But…

More to the point, the Favour itself was mostly focused on the ‘iron’ adherence and nature of Ògún. That was where the compatibility ca from with Hinata, who had tal elent, and my sister, who despite not possessing it, had the Golden Warriors, which had both tallic and warrior flavoured adherence. That… wasn’t the most interesting part of it though. Yes, even as a separated, single flow of adherence, the Truesoul strand within still contains the essence of Ògún. And therefore touches on his other aspects… the Truesoul is deeply fundantal to our entire beings… so it’s no wonder…

I could feel it. The faint connection to the whole. Truesouls… supposedly considered indivisible, indestructible. But soone found out they weren’t, that they could be damaged, separated, or destroyed, but… even separate strands… still encompasses the whole.

Flowing in aether and adherence, I was surrounded by a brilliant glow. My own soullight poured out, a trickle compared to an Orisha, a God, I was sure, but I wasn’t trying to match that power, only… touch the connection. Pain flared, buzzing through my spirit, and deeper, my Truesoul cried out, as it touched enormity. But I’ve touched a Goddess, been one with her. This… won’t shake …

Lovers’ Link shuddered, as did Kin Bonding And Restoration. I felt Rose abandoning what she was doing, her thoughts rushing to … Just what are you up to? That seems… dangerous. Huh… the Favour, you are…?

Have you ever wondered, Rose, how bonds work? Especially ours? Lovers’ Link… it doesn’t matter whether Shaeula and Eri were right next to , or in Nishimorioka. It felt the sa. Likewise, even when I was in the Material, and Shaeula was in the Boundary, or even the lower Astral… there’s no lag, no latency…

Latency? Oh, I understand from your thoughts… yes, that is… I can communicate with Eri through you, despite the distance, despite the wildly different flow of ti…

Exactly. Scientifically, it’s impossible. Except in one specific circumstance I can think of. Arisu-san might be proud of , I’m not really much of a scientist, I’ve just picked up little bits here and there reading manga or watching docuntaries. Or of course, listening to her. She said it herself earlier, when the distance is zero, what does it matter if a place is a mile or a million miles apart? Or even a universe apart? And the flow of ti wouldn’t be relevant, as… the terminus of the Link has no distance, and without distance, there’s no ti either.

Wait, are you saying? I think… this speculation is… troubling…

“Material.” I grinned. “The world of Physical Laws, of matter and energy. Our Material Body.”

I still want the ‘iron’ aspect, but… Bjarki doesn’t need to be covered in a protective iron layer. In fact, that would hamper him. He said it himself, one needs to feel the materials, the temperature, everything, really, to make the perfect creation… of course, if it could be changed to a different sort of barrier…

“Astral.” My words were delivered resolutely. “The world of ether and aether… thought and will creates reality, though it also has reality. And the spiritual body, the spirit…”

I think this speculation is dangerous. Surely the Allfather and…

“So then, what of the Truesoul, and soullight? Whence does that…”

You have gained a Skill $%$%^$$ ^%$^&& %$^%&%$ %^&$%&^&^&^%!

Your Skill, Silver Connection, has &%^&^&^%^% &^&&^&^^& ££%*(^ ^%$%*(%$ %^&*^%&

It wasn’t question marks spiralling across my Eyes, but the gibberish when Yggdrasil either didn’t know, or really wanted to decline answering.

“…co from? If… there was a third subtle body, and perhaps a third layer to reality, perhaps a world where it is dominated by the Truesoul…?”

Your Skill, $$^$£&^&$% ^&%%&**^^** £$%%^^^ has increased from Rank %$%£^$$ to Rank %$^%^%%$

$^%$&^$^&* beyond lies unexpected ^&&%%&%$ &%)(*^%££ (^$%*(^% ^%*(*^%& extre danger. Fortunately, you have no ability, but &^%$^&* *&%&*( %^*^&$^&* withstand the effect. Moreover, utilising the Truesoul in that manner will &^^%*^$% ^&%^&*&* %^&%$&^%& seldom unnoticed. While imnse power is liberated, that Realm &*&^^**^%&&*%^ &*^%%%$%$%$%$%% *^%&*$£ *??? [Class: ^%^%*%&*&] [Type: Mystery]

Now my head was aching fiercely, and Rose fell silent for a mont. Checking my character sheet, I could now see several anomalies. The Class and Type of Silver Connection was ssed up, and I had a new, unnad Skill, with an unknown Rank and Class, with the Type as Mystery. Still, I felt that what I was trying to do now, to touch the entirety of what lay within the severed strand of Truesoul that made up Ògún’s Favour, was eminently possible, and the resistance had diminished notably.

I understand now… Rose was imnsely troubled. I think many of us have felt it. In the boundary between life and death, when one’s Truesoul roars out brilliantly like the sun… power can be tapped into. But it always feels… dangerous, sohow. Unwise. But at the edge of oblivion, who has care for such? Please, just… do not be reckless, my Verr. I do not know how I will broach the subject, but… I shall speak to the Norns, for they are the most approachable of the Æsir and Vanir now.

Fine, I promise. I wasn’t even trying to do anything with the knowledge. It’s just… I don’t see any other plausible way to explain all the oddities. And… I am very sensitive to Connections and Bonds. So should you be…

I suppose I am your First Adherent. Very well, then heed my advice. After all, a man should listen to his Brúðr and treat her gently, with respect, yes?

Got it. I’m not eager to cause trouble, and I can feel Yggdrasil is unnerved.

“I don’t get it, but you sure sounded cool there, Akio-kun…” Suzu smiled cheekily. “Like you were declaring a hidden truth of the world.”

“I don’t know about that. I’m sure if I know it, then the Gods do too. I’m not naïve enough to believe I’ve surpassed them in anything. But perhaps… only the Gods that create Favours might understand. So Tan wouldn’t know, neither would Rose or the other Valkyries. Because… Lovers’ Link, especially when wrapped up with Kin Bonding And Restoration, has a lot of similarities with Favours…”

The soullight flow changed, as did the adherence, and the Favour in my hand lted, forming a new configuration. In exchange, parts of it were lost, such as the ability to form an Anchor easily, but that was perhaps for the best. Yes, we’ll need a lot of Territories to set up Ring Gates around the world, but… there’s a lot of us who either haven’t made one yet or have relinquished it. We’ll manage, and we can make alliances…

“Bjarki. What do Dwarves… Dvergr… think of the Gods?”

“A large question, ye ken?” He scratched at his bearded chin, eyes intense. “I myself, I nay think about it. T’Gods are far distant, and the Court picked , and a number of m’kin up, giving us shelter. Of course, we nay be well respected. Though it’n nay be as bad as these poor fools have it.” He gestured to the Kobolds. “T’Seelie are rather obstinate. Ack, the Gods, ye say? Many be the wonders that’n Ivaldi forged in distant days. With his own hands, and nay need of Divine providence.”

“I thought so. But… if it was power you could control, then… it’s just a hamr, isn’t it? Whether you pick up a hamr from a local hardware store, buy it from amazon.jp, or are gifted one… all that matters is, if the hamr fits nicely in your hand, and does the job, right? Consider this a gift, one that’s co from far away. After all…” I patted Tsurugi on the head. “…I’m her father, I should compensate you for damages she’s caused.”

“Sorry…” Tsurugi muttered again, but as I willingly called myself her father, her expression brightened, and Suzu smirked at us knowingly, enjoying the odd sense of embarrassnt I felt. I’m too young to have such an old daughter, but… I’ll take responsibility. Besides, I hated her tears…

“Ye ken, t’blade may have been made from m’sweat, blood and tears, yet ye proffered t’materials. Once a work be passed tae its owner, it nae be mine nae more.”

“Maybe so, but… you take pride in your work. And it contains yourself, your will, your… adherence. Treating it with disrespect is just wrong. So allow to make it up to you.” I reached out a hand, and Bjarki, after a mont, nodded.

“Aye. Do as ye must. And as promised, I shall forge ye a glove such as ye can never let go of ye blade again.” He nodded at Tsurugi. “Compared tae ye, aye, my works be inferior. But listen well, sword lass…”

“Yes?” Tsurugi stood straighter, gripping my hand.

“It’n nae ans that sothing be trash, just if it is nae the pinnacle. Rember that.”

Tsurugi seed a little confused, but she nodded. “I… I will.”

“That’n be good then.” Bjarki smiled, and I nodded.

“He’s right. Nothing Bjarki has ever crafted for has been less than his best. It’s just, like us all… his best… is yet to co!” I transferred the modified Favour, though at this point it was closer to what I’d made out of the damaged favours from Choe-Museon than an actual complete Favour, to Bjarki. Having had experience with Ginneka and Azuki, I knew what needed to be done to integrate the energies successfully, now more than ever. Just got to make sure that the Truesoul strand integrates, and then that the adherence and other energies are in their proper place.

Bjarki withstood the painful Chirurgery, of course, being a sturdy Dwarf, and we all pretended not to notice his hands shaking. When I withdrew my energies, the glow in my Eyes dying down, he took a long, shuddering breath, letting out a low whistle.

“Bah, that’n nay be any worse than forgetting I put m’hamr in t’flas of t’forge, and the handle heated up tae white hot, and I grasped it absentmindedly.” He spat on his palms, and flexed his fingers, before a surge of thin, flexible elental tal suddenly covered his hands. “I see. Aye, this’n could work…”

“It’s satisfactory?” I asked, hoping I’d made no mistakes, and he nodded firmly.

“Aye. This’n hamr ye gifted , it’n be a wild one. It’n needs taming, tae be sure, but… I be up tae the challenge!”

“That’s what I like to hear!” I chuckled, relieved. I… don’t want to adjust Nkunim’s Favour. Motoko’s trying to hard to be worthy of it, and what with Natsumi succeeding, if I make concessions for Motoko, it’s bound to cause so upset. The others though… hmm… there’s one possibility that’s more interesting than I had imagined…

Of course, Bjarki couldn’t hear now. No doubt the surging affinity for blacksmithing Ògún embodied was occupying his full attention, and as he strode out, whatever was on his mind before forgotten, I smiled at Tsurugi. “See? There’s no need for jealousy. His swords carried a long way. They kept alive, so that I was able to et you.”

“I know, father. I… understand now. Father… won’t leave . If you must hold another sword…” Her cute face was an endearing mixture of tragedy and resolution. “…I can bear it!”

“Nope, you’re the only sword for .” I promised, ruffling her hair, as she almost purred in satisfaction, snuggling against . I then turned my gaze to Suzu, who was enjoying the show. “We’d better go. Else Arisu-san will leave us behind. But first…”

“Yeah, our guest here.” Suzu agreed, eyeing Darkfla. “Seems to , you’ve been listening to the backstage banter. That’s not good. A performance should only be seen when ready.”

“I understand I have witnessed so… secrets.” Darkfla agreed, smiling in that smug, supercilious manner of his. “However, I can hardly claim to understand them. Besides…” He nodded to the door, and indeed, outside a number of powerful weaselkin were waiting, black-furred warriors, and also mages borrowed from Danaera. “…an escape would be difficult and only put suspicion upon my long-separated kin here.”

“Difficult, huh? Guess we’ll need to step up the security then.” I boldly declared, and his smile widened. I turned to the Kobolds who were working here. “Keep up the good work, everyone. There’ll be parties in the Territory over Christmas, so be sure to enjoy yourselves then. You’ve earned it.”

With that, Suzu, Tsurugi and I left, but as we walked out to et Arisu-san, who was enjoying a few small monts of peace and quiet, watching the distant Spring, she asked just what my plan for the evening was. “So, Akio-kun, who is getting the personal attention tonight? It’s the last chance before your day of despair., where you have to sohow date everyone at once.” She popped the lollipop free from her mouth with a rather unladylike slurp, and at my raised eyebrow, she giggled. “I don’t have to be Suzu, idol, in front of you, do I? I can just be Suzu, little sister, right? If you’re collecting them, I don’t want to miss out!”

“Cheeky as ever, aren’t you? But it’s true. Daughters, sisters, wives… you could argue I’m collecting parents and grandparents too. It’ll be one hell of a family tree… more like a family forest.” At her chuckles, and Tsurugi’s uncomprehending look, I sighed, thinking. “As for tonight… there’s still ti to decide, depending on how today’s Pilgrimage goes, but… hmm…”

“Yes, father?” Tsurugi asked , excited I was staring at her so intensely.

“You can be any type of sword, right?” I asked, as she was different now to when I had first found her.

“That’s right, father! I’ll be whatever sword you want to be!” she insisted proudly.

“That’s just too adorable. I’d love to see her up on stage in an idol costu…” Suzu giggled, but we ignored her.

“In that case… just what’s a sword and what isn’t?” My smile was wicked. “I do want to make sure Motoko manages to succeed. And while doing that… why not make progress on sothing I’ve been struggling at for a while?” Yes. While I’ve learned Tsumura Arts, it’s not my style, at least not yet. So… maybe I can finally make a breakthrough, and push my combat Skills to a new level?