578Before I end, again.
What follows will be a somewhat compressed series of events that cover the next six months of 'in world' time. Yes, I could probably stretch that out for another ten chapters if I wanted to, but no. There will however be a few... focal points. Things that are far too important to gloss over.
So, lets get the dustpan and brush, cause cleanup is going to be epic.
Chapter 106
I woke up between my two lovers, but despite all of the things that had happened in the last week, I wasn't even a little tired. Oh, there was no doubt I wanted to stay where I was and have a little repeat of what went on last night before we actually slept...
But there were things to do.
After breakfast, I skipped the morning training and headed over to I AM GANESHA to start the 'cleanup' of who I hoped would be the last 'refugee' from Falmart. I almost hated myself for even considering it, especially because one of the JSDF was there watching over her. That kind of thing might as well have been a neon sign of what she meant to him.
Considering 'it'? Considering 'what'? Well...
"Furuta-san?" I started when I spotted the tall Japanese man sitting outside one of the few 'ICU's the city of Orario had. With magical healing being so easily accessible, a room like this was hardly needed. That said, even with all the magical healing being so easily accessible... Rooms like this were still needed.
He was wearing the usual green uniform, and a wide white bandana around his head to keep his hair away from his face. I'd seen more than one chef back in Kuoh who wore a similar thing as well, and I put a face to the description. This was the man who cooked all that food Zorzal ran off with at the first 'peace conference' way WAY back before all that civil was crap happened.
Aside from that, and a handsome thin face, he looked like just about any other man or woman who'd been staying to wait for a loved one to wake up. Hopeful and very tired.
He turned that tired look towards me, blinked as if unbelieving, and started to drag himself to his feet. "Leading Private, Furuta Hitoshi. Third Recon." He seemed to shed that fatigue with every word and was able to snap a firm salute by the last word. He even clicked his heels together and everything!
"Kodori Haruhime." I said, giving him my best fist-in-palm bow. I was wearing my 'combat Kimono' since my Fenrir coat was down for cleaning, and wearing my spare gauntlets too since one of them needed all the leather replaced. "No need for that kind of formality here." I said after we'd both relaxed, "Sit, relax a moment or two longer."
He sat, but his lack of sleep meant he took a moment or two before connecting the dots of my words, "You're kicking me out then?" He looked at me as I sat in a chair opposite him, by the door of the ICU room, "What about..." He looked at the door. "I'd like to stay, if possible."
"No no." I shook my head. "She's here under my..." I wondered if he would know the word, "Aegis. I've brought the means to revive her, and the Doctor was told to care for her until I came to do so."
"They could have woken her at any time?" A little spark of anger bubbled behind his eyes, and again I held out a hand to placate him, "No?"
"Yes, but." I held up a finger, "My team working with Itami and the others who rescued you, told me about everything. At least, as far as they knew. Do you know about the new settlement here?"
He blinked, looked down and to the side, then back to me, "Ah, a small amount. A passing word or two while we relocated."
I reached into a pouch and took out one of the glass covered coins, "She had one of these. And I made a promise to try and bring all of those who had one, and their families, here to Orario." I held up the coin for him to see, "It was a long shot, a severe gamble, but, here she is."
"Somewhat worse for wear..." He sighed, reaching out and taking the coin when I offered it to him, "But?"
"First, before anyone gets any ideas, I am claiming her as a spoil of war." I again held up a finger to halt his comment, "Not a slave, or anything like it. She's here under my protection, just like the rest of the people from Falmart. Consider it more of a political thing, with a dash of Yakuza mindset. No one in Orario would dare do her harm, unless they wanted to get on my bad side."
"And you are? I was informed the... Guild? Yes, the Guild was the ruling power here?" He seemed a little angry, but more confused.
"They are. But they have that power because the Adventurers... Similar to the Apostles you're more familiar with, support them in keeping the peace. They watch over us, but we all watch each other."
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes..."
"Exactly." I said. "As for who I am? I am the strongest adventurer in Orario." I smiled, "So... This brings me to why I have say over her revival."
He nodded, looking at the coin again, "It's because of who she is, isn't it?"
"Very much so. I've read the reports, participated in that civil war, and heard all kinds of stories from both her supporters and detractors. What she did, was the bravest act of self sacrifice I've ever heard of. Of course, the Empire screwed it up, but still. It gave her people enough time to spread out enough to survive. Something like that... The Gods who've heard it so far were quite moved by it."
Yes, the story had Hestia in tears, Astraea swearing at the Empire, and Takemikazuchi looking pleased at how honourable the act had been, then angry enough at the Empire that he had to redo his Zen garden to calm down.
"So you're going to give her to one of these... 'Gods'? I'm not sure I believe what little I've heard of this place..."
"The Gods here are unlike Falmart. They've come down here, in the Flesh, and give their blessing to us, the 'Children' directly. We're called Adventurers, and we fight monsters." I stopped myself and waved the topic away for the moment, "I can tell you the First Story another time. But yes, I was planning on giving her to a Goddess. She would become a kind of Apostle, gaining strength and fame under her own power, and under the protection of her new Familia."
"I thought..."
"No no. For the moment, she's mine. But once she joins a Familia, she's on her own. I even had a great place for her too. Considering her history and accomplishments, they'd get along famously. Or, if she didn't want to join a Familia, I know a place for pretty women with no place to go. And no, it's not what you're thinking."
"I... but... you..." Yes! Otherworldly person turned into a stuttering idiot!
"Yes we have that kind of place, an entire district even. But no, my adoptive mother is great at taking in strays, giving them work, a place to live, and enough education to get by. But then..." I pointed to him, "You showed up."
"Me?"
"You obviously care about her." I smiled, leaning forward, resting my elbow on my knee and putting my chin in my hand, "I'm still going to wake her up, but now, well, you've stepped in front of any idea I had past that."
He didn't know what to say, so, I stood up and turned to open the door, "Kodori, Hestia Familia, coming in." I put my hand on the lever and cracked the door open just enough to peek inside. When no one told me to get out (this was one of the cleanest kinds of rooms in Orario as well) I opened it the rest of the way.
One bed, one occupant, and one 'bustling' Ganesha nurse. He (no, Orario didn't have 'traditional' gender roles for most occupations) paused what he was doing and looked at me, "Ah, Lady Kodori. Did you need the Doctor for this?"
He was apparently doing a little alchemy work, likely mixing up our version of an IV drip. Again, magical healing and all, our version of 'liquid nutrients' for a coma patient was a kind of drinkable, fast absorbing sugar water. Kind of like a potion with how it was absorbed by the body, but without the 'expensive healing additives' that made it a healing potion.
"No no." I said, reaching into my belt pouch and taking out a little glass vial. "Anything to report on her?" I asked, looking behind me and motioning with my head for Furuta to join me.
"Ah, well, the forth and fifth bone of her spine had been dislocated. The timely application of the 'false death' potion stopped her from bleeding to death internally. The Doctor himself worked on her, and says physically, she is whole." He explained, finishing with the little alchemy kit, then turning to face me.
Yes, I was the strongest. No, I wasn't important enough to stop someone from working.
"No other issues?"
"Well..." He paused, then did a little ahem, "She had several skin conditions, scaring, patches of fur missing, and might have been barren. We don't know enough about your new guests yet, so the Doctor made an educated guess on it. But aside from a couple of small patches of fur that needed to be shaved, and a season or so to let the scar removing cream take full effect, she is now in better condition than she had been before the injury she arrived with."
I looked to Furuta, who had been looking blank faced at the Ganesha nurse and I, "He says she's perfectly fine physically." I gave him the short form, "The metal cat, Hagane, told me it might have been a couple of minutes before he got the medicine into her, so..."
"She might be a vegetable." He mumbled, looking like someone had told him his puppy died. He watched me as I went over to Tyuule and unstopped the vial in my hand, "What is that?"
"This will wake her up. But if you wanted to compare it to something you'd know of... Slow acting nitroglycerine. The stuff they give to people for heart conditions." I gently opened up the Warrior Bunny's mouth and looked to the Nurse.
"Slow acting?" Furuta asked.
The Nurse, his hands cleaner than mine, reached into Tyuule's mouth and moved her tongue so I could apply the medicine under it, yes, like a Nitro pill. "Well, we don't want her heart to explode. This will get her heart beating from like... once per day to what ever her normal rate is over the course of a few minutes, to a half hour or so, depending on body weight and such."
One, two, three little drops, and the Nurse put her tongue back in place and closed her mouth. He and I stepped back, and Furuta stepped forward to stand beside Tyuule's bed. While his back was turned, I looked at the Nurse and made a silent, 'need a pen and paper' motion with my hand.
He motioned to a little desk, and with a few quick scribbles I hoped was readable, I left a note for Furuta, then left to get on with my day.
"You have six months, and a coin. Kodori."
Over the course of the next couple of weeks, the JSDF got settled in. Like most things that weren't 'normal' the people of Orario fell into two main camps, and one little outlier, on the matter.
Of course, there was a city wide announcement, informing 'the people' about what happened. Details were kept to what the people would understand, like calling the Apostles 'foreign adventurers'. But it was made clear that the JSDF had been chased out, and to help them get home, we, the people of Orario, would do the duty of a proper adventurer, and help.
By now, and after several exchanges with Falmart, mention of 'other worlds' didn't upset 'the people' so much anymore, and for the most part everything was... fine. There were of course, the people who grumbled about 'more refugees', and then the people who 'didn't care so long as they behaved'. And the smaller third option (led of course by Loki), 'yay more people to play with'.
The JSDF themselves, with the help of the Guild and the expert diplomatic skills of Sugawara, started to put the JSDF to work. 'You have to work, to eat' was not an idle comment in Orario, so the JSDF needed to work to earn the materials they needed to build up their new base and lodgings around the Gate Outpost.
While I was only consulted for ideas, I knew that before long the 'Green Men' would be helping Ganesha patrol the streets, helping Odds with her workshops, and even with minor Guild work like setting up events.
This was exactly how I wanted it. If the JSDF could get in 'The Peoples' good graces, then...
A month in, we finally got a message in from Falmart. Grand Sage Cato was of course the one on the other side of the Occulus, and looking just as energetic as always. So, after telling him to 'hold on lemme get Delly', we got a small conference call going.
"There!" Delly said cheerfully, "How's that?"
Cato's face was now projected against the white marble of our living room wall. "Ah, very good, I can see you all... Is... Are my two daughters there?"
"We sent word for them, Mr. Cato." Bell said respectfully, "They have been very busy helping with what ever they can."
"As expected." Cato nodded, a hint of pride in his voice, "Oh. Hmm..." His hand reached out and nearly covered our view, then there was a little shift of background behind his fingers, "There."
It was Hagane, sitting like a good Catto, "News of my demise is exaggerated."
We all laughed, all of us save Shinkage, "We were never in doubt." She said.
"What I would have given to see Sol's face..." Rory sighed, "Did it go exactly to plan then?"
"The new batteries made it a little... more of a point than we planned. Remember Issei at the training camp?"
There was a pause, and those who DID know (myself included) went a little blank faced. "Oh dear..." I said after a moment, "No casualties?"
"No. But a good part of the mountain behind Alnus is exactly the same height now. And yes, under Delly's suggestion, I gave all the 'Apostle dust' a little bit of a charge."
"It might be years, decades even, before it settles enough to start regenerating." Cato said, "Plenty of time I think. Lady Kodori?"
I felt two pairs of familiar feet touch down on the lawn outside, "They're here." I said as we all heard Gros grumble a friendly greeting.
Moments later, 'Aunty Lelei and Aunty Arpeggio' were escorted in by the Mini-Hime's. The two of them were a hit with the children, since they had no issues showing them all kinds of little magic tricks to amuse them. They even added special effects during story time!
"Master." The two of them greeted as they gently shooed the children away.
"It's good to see you." Cato nodded, tipping his hat to hide his eyes a moment, "How is the research going?"
"Master Fels and I think it will take almost a season before we can create a 'slip gate'. A mix of the Gate relocation spell, and the Gate opening spell. Considering why we are doing it, we want to make absolutely sure it will work." Lelei explained.
"Good. I would rather not be turned into mathematical junk between worlds."
"How about the rest of Falmart?" Arpeggio asked.
"Well... Emperor Augustus has officially stepped down, leaving Lady Pina in charge. Lady Myui, and her collection of Maids, have been working with us to establish a similar 'hub' to better facilitate communications. The... The Northern Province..." He sighed, "After a bit of cleaning up, a few executions of the last of the nobility following Zorzal, and a quick assessment of supply lines..."
We in the Manor took a collective breath and held it.
"They will be moving south until winter is over. It won't be easy, but fewer people will starve this way." Cato explained, "After winter, they are planning a concerted effort to get the North back on its feet again. We are already working with Lady Pina, contracting Earth Mages and the like to rebuild the bridges."
"And the other Apostles?" I asked.
"As suspected, the Apostle of the Forge is no longer working... against us. At least, he wasn't last anyone asked. He's still at Alnus from last I heard. The Apostle of Music has yet to be seen. And the Lady of Forests..."
"Is making people very nervous at the school's gardens." Hagane rumbled, "But I like her. She grew a tree for me to sleep under."
Cato ahem'ed quietly, "She is willing to help the people of the north lands after winter, and the people in general as we make efforts to improve the standard of living outside of Rondel to something closer to Rondel."
"Good." Most of us said at the same time.
"That's all so far though. The books you sent over are being devoured by our best minds and builders, and we hope to put things to use in every village in the Empire." Cato smiled, "Starting with clean water and soap."
"Good. Keep us posted, and if anything changes we'll be happy to give you advice." I said with a smile.
By the end of the second month, the JSDF were well on their way to earning 'the peoples' trust. Their new base not only contained the Gate (with the sad little swirl hovering in the middle and not the endless looking tunnel), but had expanded to a full sized castle. It wasn't nearly as insane as Fort Alnus had been, but they didn't need it here.
No, instead, they had reconstructed the castle that had once been there. More or less. I mean, Ottar and I had put a small lake next to it after I'd returned from Kuoh. But otherwise, it was now a small walled city. Almost like a Familia home.
But the thing that earned 'the peoples' trust, was that they had worked for it. Every stone, every 'bored adventurer', every window, every door, every single nail, was bought and paid for through their own hard work.
Oh, it was a big Public Relations stunt. I knew it, the Manor knew it, and any adventurer with a hint of political savvy knew it. But after two months, the JSDF had been working their way into Orario, and making a point to work the jobs we knew they'd be good at. Teachers for example. Anyone from Earth with a high school education would be considered a scholar here. Doctors? Yup. Magical healing was available, but not cheap, and the JSDF helped the Guild with 'rookie adventurer treatment'. And yes, they taught first aid (for all your monster tooth removal needs).
Odds put some of them to work in her workshops, as predicted, and those who did work with her got a discount on all those nails, door knobs, hinges and latches they would need for the castle.
And yes, they helped Demeter with the fields and animals. Considering that some of the older soldiers started their lives on farms, they were quite popular.
So yes, while they did pay for everything they put into their temporary home, and likely future 'Earth Embassy', they worked in places that were 'high visibility' and would give them a discount.
"Well... What do you think?" I asked Shinkage.
Shinkage and I were in the library, and I had just moved in 'the reading chair'. Or more specifically, Hagane's reading chair. With a frame made out of the super-compressed wood that Aisha (and most Amazon) used for their wooden weapons, Orc leather upholstery over enough padding to make two comfortable beds, it was the most over-engineered piece of furniture in the city.
Of course, it was made for a body that weighed as much as a car, so it had to be tough and well padded.
That didn't stop Shinkage from hopping up onto it and bouncing up and down a couple of times. "Not bad. And his new body?"
"So long as Welf doesn't electrocute himself, it's being coloured the exact shade of red we all know and love as we speak."
"Good." She nodded, slipping off the chair and sighing, "Let's go then."
The 'slip gate' was a term I was sure Lelei had borrowed from a science fiction book she'd read someplace. But, the description wasn't wrong. Using a combination of Fels's teleport spell, Lelei's Gate open/close calculation, the 'known' location of the dimensional anchor, and a huge amount of mana (yes, I helped)...
A single object of reasonable volume was 'slipped' through the Gate.
Hagane, when he arrived, his body smoking slightly with cold (not heat), managed to say one thing before Shinkage gave him a hug (ignoring just how cold the metal cat was even though it started to turn some of her nice dress crispy).
"I'm glad I can't vomit. That trip was terrible."
The JSDF, like anyone else in Orario, cheered for someone's good fortune, and after a moment or two Shinkage sat on Hagane, and we returned to the Manor.
Month three.
With everyone settled in at this point, and progress being made on the eventual re-connection with Earth, we ran into our first... 'incident'.
I'd been hoping it wouldn't happen, but it didn't surprise me when it did. The JSDF, still working hard in the city to warm Orario up and set a good example for 'the peoples', met with a bit of trouble from the new Settlement.
Since both groups of people had been more or less 'chased out' by the Gods and their Apostles, I'd hoped there was enough common ground for there to be enough 'understanding' between them to not start a fight. But, while the JSDF were working in the city, so were some of the more (ha ha) adventurous refugees.
Considering how 'public' both groups were forced to be, the incident wasn't serious. Just a few thrown stones, a fist fight, and a couple of claw marks. However, it was clear there would be more of the same if something wasn't done.
So, we sent in a 'known quantity'.
Mari, a few of the JSDF medics, myself and the rookie team, went on the early morning train to the new settlement. I was actually wondering if anyone had risen up to some kind of leadership role and named the place yet.
"Excited?" I asked Mari.
"Not exactly." She admitted, "It's true, this is the role I first took at Alnus, and later in the Slums outside the capital. But..."
"Well, Misery is there." Maki said, "Met her while I was there."
That perked Mari up a little, "Oh! A familiar face then. Good. Oh dear..."
"Yes, she's doing exactly what she was doing before." Maki said, not embarrassed at all about the topic (though Momiji blushed a little, making Delly giggle at her). "But its much cleaner here than there."
"We made sure to give everyone a bit of our 'cure all'." I said, "About the only things it doesn't cure are external parasites. But we have soap for that, and its almost as cheap to buy as food."
Mari looked relieved, as did the handful of JSDF with her. "That's something off our mind then. The initial reports when we got to Falmart were..."
"Yes, I heard about that. One of the big reasons the JSDF were so... celibate." I smiled, "Aside from a couple of incidents at least."
There was a bit of a chuckle, "Well, he's already been reprimanded, and plans on bringing Lady Bozes and their daughter home when we get back." Mari laughed, then settled, her expression returning to 'mild worry', "Thank you for coming with us."
"It's our job to make sure everyone gets along." I said, getting a nod from the rookie team, "And I wanted to see how they were doing anyhow."
The Settlement was indeed doing well. Really well in fact. Far better than I'd expected!
A long long way from the temporary 'wagon huts' and tents they'd come in with, I hardly saw any temporary housing now. Now, there was a distinct 'town square' with all the administration buildings. A bunch of clear 'housing districts' for the wide variety of races. An 'industrial' area with waterwheels, saw mills and blacksmith shops. A long street for the markets. And around the city much like Orario, a variety of farmland.
Not only that! Since this was in fact 'wild land', kind of, there was a clear city wall too! It was still being built in places, but there were also temporary wooden guard towers complete with warning bells and special bullseye lanterns.
The people here had taken their second chance, and not only made something with it, they had hit the ground running and still hadn't stopped..
"Is she sparkling?" Mari whispered as the train passed through a gap in the wall made just for it.
"She'll never admit it." Maki replied, just as quietly.
"We're still in a lot of debt too." Delly added.
"Huh, and now the sparkles are gone." One of the other medics commented.
I sighed, feeling all my giggles leaving, "You're all so mean."
"There there, Kodori-sama." Momiji said.
Month four, and a fifth birthday.
Once again, we made a party of it. I wasn't prideful, or vane, but I couldn't help but to be proud of the seven children that Haruhime and I had. Of course, we invited just about every God or Goddess we could think of, just like Apollo had ... only seven years ago now...
Had it really only been that long?
New to the party, of course, were a couple of the JSDF. Sugawara and his 'Plus One', Sherry Tyueli were there, one because I wanted to keep the JSDF involved, and this would be the biggest gathering of Gods and Goddesses outside of a Donatis. Sugawara, being a master diplomat, would make good use of this party, and Sherry, while younger, was no slouch either. She was also able to get along with just about anyone.
I did feel a little bad about making this about 'work', even though it was supposed to be a party for the children. But sometimes you just had to be efficient, and the time before we tried opening the Gate to Japan was getting closer.
"You." Loki said, looking up at Sugawara, "Are pretty tall for one of those 'Japanese'. Handsome too."
Loki, being a troublemaker, had my ears turning in her direction, even from across the room.
"Loki-sama." He replied, "It's true, I am a little taller than the average back home. Though, my good looks are probably due to being a diplomat, and not a soldier. Clean living you see."
Of course, Loki's 'Plus One' was keeping a close eye on her, and Riviera was standing behind and to the right of the mini-mischief-maker before Sugawara had finished his sentence. "She isn't disturbing you, is she?" She asked in her best, if somewhat stiff Eastern.
"Not at all." Sugawara replied with a smile, "After we had connected to Falmart, and seen magic in action, I got to reading about some of Earth's legends. Loki-sama here seems much more reasonable than the one I read about."
Loki blinked, then went wide eyed, and her head very very slowly turned to face me (I was across the room, and thus not involved at all, just listening in since Loki opening her mouth was usually amusing). My reply to her was to just smile my very best Akeno smile, one that clearly said 'I warned you'.
Loki's neck practically creaked as she looked back to Sugawara, "I hope we can get along then, and that your people are as reasonable as you have been... I am going to get another drink..." She said with all the emotion of a block of wood.
Sugawara was just as surprised, and he also looked over to me. To him, I raised my glass (cloud fruit juice, not beer), and waved my hand a bit to 'clear the topic'. I was sure he'd ask later.
As usual, we expected no gifts from the guests. A kind word, their presence, and if they felt like it, some food or drink that everyone could share. That's all. Of course, some of those 'kind words', I noticed, were taking on a slightly different tone. The various Gods and Goddesses had started to talk to, and talk about, the children in a more...
Not to put too fine a point on it, like they wanted to recruit them. The attempts to get the children's attention met with total failure in all cases. I mean, at five years old, with all these people (most of which the children had met before and liked) it was hard to get them to stay in place for more than a couple minutes, let alone have a solid conversation with any of them.
About the only God, and Goddess who got anything more than a 'aren't you growing up!' out before the child ran off again, were Ganesha and Demeter. Not surprising really. Ganesha had the exact same 'childish energy' as they did, and went from doing his usual I AM GANESHA! (and getting all the children to GANESHA! With him) to doing a full five minute silly pose performance, much to the delight of the guests.
And Demeter, well, she was just a wonderful Goddess to be around. Being in her presence, even to me, felt similar to being near Hestia. One was the Goddess of Hearth Home and Family. And the other a Goddess of Harvest, who made sure the Hearth was lit, the Home was warm, and the Family was fed. She seemed to have no interest in recruiting the children, but she did give them all a pat on the head and a hug, because that's just what she did when ever she visited.
Haruhime and I were both troubled by the other Gods none too subtle attempts, but knew it would happen eventually, and more frequently as they grew.
Just like the previous year, the city held 'The Grand Creator's Festival'. Name still subject to change.
This time however, we had an entirely new world of ideas next to Orario, to bring into the city to show off. The guild of course made sure to warm up our little orbit city to the idea, and it did not disappoint! With somewhere around a dozen different cultures, from another world entirely, we had all kinds of unique stuff put on display.
Statues of animals and monsters. Art done in unique styles. Bone and feather carvings. Weird weapons specialized for odd things and hand shapes (since not all the new races had 'hands' like those in Orario). Unique ways to care for hair, fur and skin (since most of the 'animal' races leaned towards having more fur). Food (that wasn't boring! Mostly...)
And since the Guild and teachers of Orario had been working hard to educate the people of the new city, books. Stories of myth and legend and even 'recent history', again, from a HUGE variety of peoples. I had to remind myself that nearly ALL of the people we brought from Falmart were from different worlds. A dozen different people, a dozen different worlds, a dozen different sets of legends...
Yes, someone had to tell me I was sparkling again, and to stop so I wouldn't scare anyone.
Month five...
One of the things that had been going on in the background all this time, was the slow drip-feed communication with Earth through the 'crystal resonance' device that Lelei had set up. Of course, I didn't really have 'clearance' to be involved with that, since the JSDF were still military and I was (by their rules) a citizen.
I didn't blame them. I mean, the city of Orario and the Guild basically considered them a weird kind of Familia, and treated them as such. So, they conducted 'business' openly, and 'internal' matters privately. Just like any other Familia.
The Commander was too polite to kick me in the shin when I compared him to a God of Orario, but I knew he wanted to.
But now that we were less than sixty days from the optimal 'window' to open the Gate to Earth, they called me in to talk about it.
"Royman." I greeted as I met him at the Eastern gate of Orario, "Still waiting for a wedding date."
"Lady K-... I know I know..." He sighed, "So many things keep happening."
Royman and I had long ago reached an understanding. In public, we were as we should be, an Adventurer, and a Guild member. All polite, all business. But otherwise? We spoke like two people who went to school or work together.
"If I have to break my neutrality, and use my power of the City's Strongest to give you a vacation, I will." I warned, "Even if I have to do paperwork."
He started to smile, then saw I was serious. "You would really do that?"
"You are both good friends. And sometimes, a bit of tough love is needed." I said, "So, called as well?"
He did smile then, "Yes. The Commander hinted at this being important."
We both knew the Commander didn't 'hint'. "And I got my invitation from Yanagida... So this must be about their talks with Home."
"Good thing I cleared my schedule for today. I feel like a bit of a jog, how about you?" Royman said, doing a little (oddly strange to look at considering he looked like a fit middle aged elf) hop in place to flex his knees.
"Sooner there, sooner done. I'll try and keep up." I smiled.
While the JSDF lacked the nice prefabricated rooms of their old command bunker, I think the newly rebuilt and renovated castle suited them much better. Since the JSDF had worked with Goibniu, and added their own ideas, the castle was far more spacious than it used to be. The 'mini bedrooms' that were here when Haruhime and I went exploring, had been made into a couple of long bunk rooms. So instead of ten rooms on either side of a long hallway, it was two rooms, and all the extra space the lack of dividing walls afforded.
The old dining hall (with the amusing rafters) had been refurbished into a more efficient mess hall. The adjoining kitchen had its wall partially removed to make it into a 'cafeteria' style instead of the 'servants serving' style.
And that old tower that Bell had mostly destroyed? Replaced with something a little shorter, a little wider, and made into a proper JSDF command post. Even had one of those big tables with the local map on it. Without most of the fancy electronics, it had a distinct 'steam punk' feel.
Of course, there were other rooms, like one marked 'electrical', that had a heavy door on it. Or the little building marked 'Watershed'.
"I like what they've done to the place." I commented as Royman and I were escorted to the squat tower in the middle of the castle.
"I must admit, I don't understand how some of these things work. Like those, up there." He pointed to an array of solar panels that you could just see peeking over the edge of a rooftop.
"It's similar to the glass water heater in the book I sent. They capture the sun's energy, and convert it to something else. In this case, electricity. It's a little more complicated, but that's basically it."
We paused the conversation as we entered the castle's bastion, "And these lamps... Not quite how we do our own."
Yes, one of the things they had salvaged were heaps of LED lights and lamps, and they were strung up on thin electrical wiring all over.
"Those... I can't make here. But the closest thing is that 'wire light' I showed you." I shrugged, "Our way of powering things is different, so the things we power are different." We walked up a nice spiral staircase with sensibly wide steps, then stopped at a thick wood and iron door, commonly used for workshops.
"Guests have arrived!" The JSDF guiding us announced, opening the door and stepping aside.
The Commander, Lelei, Yanagida, Sugawara and Delilah were all in attendance. The not quite half year here in Orario had treated them well, and even with all the hard work they'd been putting in they hardly looked tired.
Of course, most of the 'paperwork' was dealt with by the Guild, so the JSDF only really had to deal with their own internal matters. With how organized things were in Orario, the JSDF really didn't have many problems.
When the door closed behind us, the Commander motioned to a couple of nice sturdy chairs (locally made I might add, which meant room for my tails). "Have a seat. Good you got here early."
"Of course. Quick action keeps problems from growing." Royman said, sitting down, "Sir Akira, you're looking much better now."
"He doesn't need me to help him with anything now." Delilah pouted (for about a half second), "But that's okay!" She reached over and gave the officer's cheek a poke.
The JSDF's 'best supporter' (spymaster) sighed, but captured her hand for a moment, just long enough to give a tiny squeeze, then push it away, "Your medicine, physical therapy, and clean living." He said with a thin smile, "I still use a cane..." He reached behind his chair to unhook the cane hanging off the back, "But it's special made." And with a little twist and tug, he revealed a little steel hiding in the cane's shaft.
Delilah grinned as only a battle maniac could when seeing such a nice hidden weapon, but Royman and I nodded approval, "It's not that dangerous around here, but it is still dangerous." I said, "So, seeing the four of you here, I'm guessing this isn't just a check in?"
I had children to cuddle, so yes, I wanted to get to business.
The Commander coughed into his fist with an 'ahem', "Well, with the limits on the Morse Relay, getting information across takes a lot of time. Not only is it slow, the one they have on the other side 'talking' to us has limits. With the Day getting closer, we've had to talk more to prepare for our arrival, and yours."
"I am a little sad we cannot set up an Occulus there." Lelei said.
"And I am still a little suspicious about how suddenly we were able to talk through this relay." Yanagida said.
I looked at them, "Ah, trying to air a bit of laundry then?"
"With all the help we've given you, you are still suspicious?" Royman asked. His tone wasn't accusing, but he spoke like he might to an adventurer who had forgotten to do his paperwork.
The Commander sighed, "I understand that only a few people know you've been in Japan, Kodori-sama."
Uh oh... He was being super formal.
"Perhaps a dozen people on base, mostly Third Recon, since they worked closely with you." He continued, "We must know. Did you have an easier way to do this?"
"Yes." I said, "I didn't want to expose them, and history has written how well other such 'exposures' went. I will say, this late in the game so to speak, that the one you are talking to volunteered to be exposed, and only because they owe me a capital F, Favour."
The three JSDF frowned, Delilah looked a little confused, and Lelei looked a tiny bit sad.
"Through other contacts, I've been assured they are being treated well. So yes, I could have made this easier, but promised not to." I finished.
"Even now?" Sugawara asked, "There is nothing you can do?"
"How bad is it?" I asked.
Lelei answered this time, "We are able to... 'converse' for about an hour, then rest for two hours. By the end of a day, it is roughly a half hour before a six to eight hour sleep. The method is very inefficient and seems to wear the one sending messages down quickly."
All eyes went to me, including Royman's. And I felt bad about it too! Had I known it was this bad, I'd have tried to mysterious Kitsune a better way. "Okay. I will set things up. We can't afford to mess things up this late."
"Thank you." The Commander nodded.
"She isn't doing it for you, I think." Royman said, "And I agree with her secrecy. I must say, sincerely, the JSDF have been an incredible example of your world. Aside from a few small incidents, there has been nothing but praise from Citizens, Adventurers and Gods alike about all of you."
"Well, they are kinda relying on you to get them home." Delilah said, getting a stern look from Yanagida, "Well it's true!"
"She's not wrong. But that's not the only reason." Yanagida said, "If we had been bad examples of our people, then you may have just gotten rid of us. So yes, we've been on our best behaviour."
"Lady Kodori spoke highly of you, and you've done nothing to dishonour that. Even if it's just 'putting on a good front', you've impressed us." Royman said, his inner statesman showing, "That said, I know, through conversations with other... natives of your world, that not all people are like you."
"So yes, I've been extra careful about how much attention I draw to my contacts there." I said, "But if this is going to work, and keep you, and Japan, from a similar or worse situation when the Gate first opened..." I sighed, "And we have enough problems here, that we need people to get along if they are going to visit."
A somewhat dark silence fell over the table. "What do you need us to do?" The Commander asked.
"Send Nanami over." I said, "As you know, she's already been... exposed to that kind of thing. My contacts know her, and she understands the secrecy we like to keep."
"I have to admit. If I hadn't seen it myself, I would not have believed it." Sugawara said, "Very well."
"May I attend?" Lelei asked.
I thought about saying no, but as soon as she saw that I might, Lelei gave me the 'sad puppy eyes'. Of course, her normal expression made it very subtle, and had I not been married to someone who could be just as subtle with her expressions, I'd have missed it.
"I will ask, but come over with her." I said, unable to handle that weird feeling of cosmic injustice of Lelei looking sad.
"Shall we get to the next order of business?" Yanagida asked, "The reports we've been sending back and forth have been met with... partial disbelief. If it wasn't for whomever you had sent to headquarters to work the Resonance device, 'total' disbelief would have been likely."
"Lady Kodori gave me the lecture about how a civilization grows. Very informative, and I'd never have thought of it on my own, though, I'm no philosopher. But, so long as your world, and all those who want what we have, work under our rules, without exceptions, then we would be happy to provide..."
Yes, the last of that meeting was about magic stone. The seemingly infinite energy source that was one of the greatest rewards the dungeon provided. However, Orario had a very strict rule about letting it out of the city in its raw form.
But I'd already created a workaround. I just hoped it wouldn't still be called the Softy Battery when it got to Earth. Its potential was incredible, and after a bit of poking and prodding, it would provide clean energy.
Of course... without magic, they would be 'single use' items, needing to be sent back to be recharged. But...
"Lady Kodori, why are you sparkling? It's rather unnatural, and this is you we are talking about." Royman interrupted my thoughts as we jogged back to Orario.
"Just thinking about something." I said, "Think it will go well?"
"With the power of the Guild, and your Alliance behind us, I think we can make this work. If not, well, we still have the power to remove the Gate. What was it you said? Take our ball and go home?" Royman laughed, "Not a bad saying."
"Earth's population is someplace around seven or so billion. We need to start on high ground, or we might end up like Falmart." I said, "And since I live here, well, I'm going to do my best to make sure that doesn't happen."
"Good to know." He nodded, "You know, this much running used to exhaust me. Now I hardly notice."
"You could always play tag with my children."
A day later, Nanami and Lelei arrived. Nanami had also changed a little since her arrival, the reporter getting along famously with the citizens, guild and even adventurers. Most of that was her ability to interrogate someone without making it feel like an interrogation. She had no problem getting her hands dirty if it meant she could get a story from someone.
Not only that, she hadn't been idle with her magical studies either. She'd been working with Haruhime and the children, teaching them what she knew, and them teaching her what Yasaka had been showing them over the Occulus. Delly got involved too, but once that happened it ended up devolving into play time.
She'd also gone a bit 'native' with her clothing, discarding the 'rugged reporter' style of tough jeans, shirt and vest, for the 'rookie adventurer battle cloth armour'. It had the same function, sure, but she looked like a local now. I was sure it wasn't just because Battle Cloth was tough, but looking like a local made the actual locals more likely to talk to you.
"So." I said, giving the two of them a nod so they'd enter my 'science room' ahead of me. "Nanami, looking good. Thought about staying yet?"
"Of course." She nodded, her head looking this way and that at my lab, "Hmm, oh, this is new..." She leaned down to examine my latest attempt at a clock. "But... I was thinking of maybe starting my own agency back home, then coming here, so I'll maybe get paid to be here."
"Double dipping huh?" I teased, watching Lelei join Nanami in examining the little clockwork gears and stuff of my (possibly accurate) clock.
"Why not?" She laughed, "So..."
"Just getting set up." I said, putting my 'Hyoudou house' Occulus in the amplification array, "Now, if she says 'no' then that's it."
The two of them nodded, thankfully understanding the need for secrecy.
"First however..." I went into my little locked box and took out Akeno's Tarot. "Akeno?" I said, looking into it.
It took a moment, but I felt a little bit of magical feedback behind my eyes, then the weird tunnelling effect happened, Akeno's stationary picture becoming an actual 'live image' of her, much like a cellphone camera, "Ko-san." She greeted, smiling as perfectly as ever, "It isn't the usual hour... though, I've been a little less active recently, as you can see."
The image of her moved a little, backing away from her as far as her arm would allow, and tilting down just a little to show her obvious pregnancy. "And you look just as pretty." I nodded, "No problems?"
"Aside from the occasional elbow? No. Just like the father, this one likes to roll around in their sleep." She giggled, "What's the occasion? Not a problem with the upcoming return of the JSDF?"
"Well, they have an awful lot of talking they want to do with home before then, but our poor friend, and the crystal they talk through, just aren't up for it. So at the risk of a little more exposure..." I paused, "Can we use the Occulus? I have the former Cosplay Club President here, as well as genius mage here."
She of course knew who they were, and I saw her face get thoughtful. "They must swear to secrecy for everything but the project itself."
"They already know about that. And agreed."
"I will get Gasper then. Five minutes or so?" She asked.
"We'll be waiting." I nodded, the two of us moving our hands to cover the other's picture.
"I based some of the Slip Gate calculations on those Tarot." Lelei said, "And... I think I may have an idea on how to re-work the resonance spell... discreetly."
"Well, in a couple minutes you can tell us." I smiled, "And as soon as we're done, I am going to find Aisha and ask if I can listen to her belly."
Nanami laughed, "That Issei... How the hell did he manage not one, but how many did you say?"
I counted on my hand, "Rias, Aisa, Akeno, Koneko, maybe Rossweisse? And if Yasaka ever works up the courage to ask..."
"Wait, Miss Rose? She was a teacher!"
"She's also a Valkyrie."
"And Koneko is a year younger!"
"And a Nekoshou, a demon."
"Asia was a nun!"
"Ah, love." I sighed, one of my ears turning towards the Occulus, "Aha."
As promised, Akeno and Gasper were on the other side. "Hello Sensei!" Gasper greeted, "Oh! Miss Nanami! And... ohhhhhhhhhhhhh you're Lelei!"
"You know me?"
"Depending on... how much you know..." He paused to add a little mystery to the sentence, "Your visit to Earth with Sir Itami and the others made you very famous. It's a pleasure to meet a fellow practitioner."
Lelei seemed a little stumped on how to respond to that, and after a moment she settled on, "Thank you."
"So." I felt the urge to bother Aisha get a little stronger, so I tried to hurry things on, "Communication between the JSDF and 'home' for them, through our friend, is far too slow for the information they need to get across. Lelei?"
"I have started working on a very simple version of this." She tapped the amplification array the Occulus was sitting on, "If we can instruct your contact somehow, she and the JSDF can improve the speed and efficiency of her personal eter use."
Gasper and Akeno perked up, "Oh? How long have you been thinking on this?" Akeno asked.
"Five minutes." Lelei said, "Seeing the array here, a simpler version of the one she used so I could talk to... oh..." She glanced at me, and I nodded, "Fels, I think I can reduce the complexity further."
Akeno and Gasper put on similar 'thinking faces', "But... how would we teach her, and make it look like you sent the instructions?" Gasper asked.
"Maybe..." Nanami started, "Oh... well..." She started patting her pockets and came up with a notepad (mostly full and earmarked everywhere), "Why not send simple instructions, like you are drawing lines on a map?"
It took about a half hour, but yes, we settled on a reasonable idea on how to instruct poor Kurin on how to make her own amplification array. After that, it took another half hour of Gasper and Lelei working on it to write up instructions that could be sent through Morse Code.
Two hours after that, while I was listening to Aisha's belly in the library (and getting tiny kicks in the head from the life growing inside her, or maybe those were elbows?), a message came through the JSDF Occulus, telling me (or rather, telling Aisha, since I was busy) that they did a 'blind test' relaying the instructions to another room in the castle, to see if they were clear enough.
Success.
"We will let you know if we have any other issues." Lelei said, "Good night, Miss Aisha, Lady Kodori."
"Here Fox." Aisha handed me the Occulus, and I put it in a pouch, "How long are you gonna cling?"
"Until you tell me to stop?" I replied, "It's not often I can just hug you."
"If it didn't look like I'd swallowed a pillow..."
"You usually bite them, when Ha-chan and I aren't." I replied, tightening my hug just a little, then letting go and kneeling next to her, "Suppose I should go about writing that speech..."
She sat up, putting her hand on my shoulder to help lever herself upright, "After everything you said about them, I'm still surprised you aren't just helping them out, then closing the door on them."
"If we can do this exactly the right way..." I smiled, "or even mostly... We-"
"You."
"Hmm?"
"You. This, all this, is you. None of us could have put things in place like this." She smiled, "We, are just helping you."
"Without all of you, I wouldn't be bothering to try." I said, "But if this works, we might be able to help ourselves, and speed up our future proofing. More rail ways. More trade. Better stuff for the dungeon, maybe even a way to find and kill the black dragon."
"And?"
"And... well..." I grinned.
The 'new' communication array for the JSDF was 'apparently' a titanic success. I mean, there was no doubt at all. But with Gasper and Lelei working on a simplified design, Lelei communicating that to the JSDF, and a 'sudden appearance' of someone who 'thinks they discovered a way to make a better, 'magically conductive' metal (who totally wasn't a devil from the Rising Phoenix Corporation) providing the material for the JSDF on Earth to make the new 'strangely magical in a totally new way science had no idea about', device...
Well, that smoothed the way VERY fast for better communication.
Thankfully the JSDF here in Orario kept their mouths shut about how 'suddenly' it all seemed to happen and work out, and Akeno told me that no one seemed to be the wiser. As a matter of fact, the slow crawl of Japanese (and other countries who were listening in, covertly or not) had started to positively lose their collective crap at what was happening.
Super short and terse reports became extra detailed. Vague plans started to take real shape. And the 'mysterious saviours' of the JSDF from Falmart were still mysterious, yet without the (apparently) sinister edge. With the upcoming, and inevitable arrival of the JSDF and 'their saviours' (that would be us) Worldly bureaucracy had a collective fire lit under them to get eyes on the 'event'.
Over the next week or two, Akeno, and just about every other Devil I knew, was positively gleeful at the chaos. It was starting to look almost like someone had declared 'Lets have the Olympic Games in a month!', and the entire world wanted in on it.
Now, I did feel a little bad for the Japanese politicians. This was putting them in a bit of a tough spot. They had to deal with all of the paperwork, tape, red tape, requests, demands, accusations, and all that political crap. The entire world, by the end of the second week, was begging, or demanding, to have someone there when the Gate was opened.
At this, Royman suggested to make an actual event out of it. He'd heard of the visit after the initial steps of Falmart invading Japan, and the memorial service the JSDF and Falmart residents had (where Rory mistook the 2 pm ringing of a clock tower for a funeral bell). So he suggested something like that. And with the Guild and the new communication setup, I was confident the people of Japan could put something together.
Two weeks left, and I was calmly sitting in the living room, reading with the children. Well, more or less. I was being a giant fox-couch. And 'Children' also included the young Amazons we took in after that business at the new settlement, Amani (helping keep those Amazons in line) my own children, the Orphans we still had at the Manor, the Oni-zons, Haruhime, Rory, and leading story time, Takemikazuchi.
Yes, Takemikazuchi was able to keep even that many children focused. To be fair, Oni children were just as susceptible to 'fluffy tail nap time' as any other child, or adult.
Once Takemikazuchi had finished the latest story (of how a brave Leonid Warrior tamed a dragon, a new acquisition from the Migrant city), he paused, looked around, and nodded in satisfaction. "Thus concludes story time. Would any of you like to dance with me, before dinner?" He was sure to keep his 'serious face' on though as he said this.
Why? Well, all the Mini-zons, plus Amani, raised their hands. So did all seven of our children, fox tails swishing happily. I was very proud of them for taking their martial art classes seriously.
"Very well. Quietly now." Takemikazuchi said, standing up, "Thank you, Kodori-san, Haruhime-san."
"We will take care of them and bring them back to the Amazon wing." Haruhime said, giving a headpat to a random horned child as it snoozed on one of my tails.
"Very strange." Rory said, "But quite darling." She added, booping another horned child on the nose and getting a tiny fist to the chin for interrupting nap time. "Well pardon me." She giggled.
"Ko-san? Are you going to help, or lay about all day?" Haruhime teased, reaching out and scrubbing her fingers into the fur under my eye.
I did a little mental check, wiggled my tails a tiny bit to make sure I wouldn't throw any of the oni-zons around accidentally, and shrank down. My 'shirt' of giant fox coming off to reveal Kodori the two legged Kitsune who was now wearing a house robe. "Tempting." I said quietly, gathering up children with my tails, "So Rory. Decided yet?"
"Well, I don't think Lady Hestia and I would get along. Well, we do, just not like that." Rory tapped her chin, accepting another child to hold with her other arm, "Oof... I do miss my old strength though. You are such a muscly child, yes you are."
It was true! Well, not just the Oni-zon being so muscular they weighed about five kilograms more than any other child their age and were already out of 'baby fat' and taking on 'Amazon tone'. But Rory did get along with Hestia. Except Hestia had no idea how to deal with Rory's sense of humour. Almost a thousand years of dirty jokes simmered in that young looking body of Rory's, and Hestia was basically defenceless to her verbal sparring.
"Lord Takemikazuchi is far too serious for me." Rory continued as we walked towards the Amazon/school wing, "Even if I did follow a god of War before, he is too... straight up and down."
"Rory-chan does enjoy playing tricks on people." Haruhime giggled behind a hand.
"And while I respect Lady Astraea greatly, and get along with her quite well, I don't think..." Rory paused, "It feels weird to admit this. I don't feel worthy to ask her."
"You do know there are other Gods in the city." I said, pausing my walk to touch my nose to an Oni-zon's, just to get a sleepy smile out of her. (even if that sleepy smile was followed by a sleepy punch to my chin).
"Well..." Rory frowned.
"No." Haruhime said, "A child must ask the God, and a God must accept. None of us will tell you to chose one of the three under this roof."
Rory looked to Haruhime, then me, and we both nodded at her.
"Well... Suppose I'll have to go ask then." She smiled, "After we put these adorable little terrors back in the hands of their not quite as lovely parents arms."
And so, Rory was taken into the Loki Familia. And while Rory had learned the common language of Orario well enough to do all the proper paperwork, I (and many others) couldn't help but shiver at the thought of two tricksters of comparable skill in close proximity.
Rory ALSO joined in on the 'morning exercises' that Loki and Tiona (the less busty twin) did to try and improve their bust size.
That said, and all jokes aside (though to some, those exercises were serious business) Loki now had a direct, or more direct, line of information about the JSDF, and Itami's world. So long as Rory actually cared to speak about it.
And that was just fine. In the coming days, months, maybe even years, having the backing of the top Familia in Orario would be instrumental in keeping Earth from getting too many ideas.
The day arrived, and with everything the Guild, JSDF, many of the Familia and even the Citizens helping, it looked like it was going to be a HUGE event. Not just in Orario, who would be watching, through a newly created 'inter-dimensional Occulus' that Ouranos Himself would be projecting out into the city for all to see, but (if we hadn't been talking to some other Earth somehow) Japan and the entire world would be doing the same with the usual technology of Earth.
Of course, we dressed to impress.
We? Well, this time, for the sake of keeping my place diplomatically the strongest in Orario, I couldn't leave this up to just me. I had to bring others from other Familia. So, after a little poking at the idea with the Guild, and then looking for volunteers, we got as many different races involved as we could.
Finn, from Loki Familia, was chosen to represent not just Loki, but Palum. Strong and smart, he had no trouble assimilating the information about what to expect, and agreed to it. He even agreed to wrap the end of his spear, like Rory had with her silly plank weapon. Not that it would have done anyone any good if they made him use it, lets be honest here.
For 'Cat folk', we got Chloe. Between her and Arnya, she was much less excitable, and would serve a dual purpose of showing off one of Orario's maid outfits (to prove that every world had one).
For our Dwarf representative, it was Ironbeard from Goibniu Familia. Now that his beard had grown to its former glory, he felt he could show his face in public, and was insanely curious about where some of the stuff Odds, Welf and I had been making came from.
Ganesha? Shakti of course. Humans hardly needed an 'example', but her heritage matched her VERY close to the Earth's version of 'Classic Indian Beauty'. And yes, she spoke Urdu, or something really close to it, just like how Eastern and Japanese were 99 percent the same in both worlds.
For Freya? And yes, I extended the invitation to them since they were still the second strongest Familia in Orario, Hedin, the godly handsome 'light elf' of Freya Familia. Why him? Well, we needed an Elf (just to show that the ears of elves from Orario and Falmart were angled differently). He was also handsome enough to rival Tuka, who, last I heard, was one of the Rising Phoenix Corporation's most popular 'Special Region Figures'. (With 'magic archer' or 'business Goddess' outfits!)
For our Xenos, because yes, they were people of Orario, we chose Lido. Or rather, the fun loving yet oddly charismatic lizard man, jumped up and down until all the other Xenos who could talk just let him go. To be fair, he was super unique, even compared to the races of Falmart. His ability to speak Eastern hadn't improved much, but he could understand it quite well.
Escorting me, was Hagane. And while he had his new 'two legged' body, he didn't want to use it. Instead, he went with his 'nightmare cat' body. To be fair, the 'Hagane-Otoko' body was SUPER intimidating. Seeing it move... It was like either of the Oni walking towards you with the intention of fighting you. It had none of the 'pet me I'm a cat' vibe to it. So, as my unofficial bodyguard, he chose the friendlier of the two bodies.
And lastly... Was Kaede. Not only was she one of the more exotic races of Orario, she was also something 'familiar but different' to the special zone, like Chloe and Hedin were for cat-folk and elves. Not only that... well... she'd been spending a lot of time with Mari and some of the other JSDF doctors. They were far better at dealing with her kind of PTSD, and in exchange, she helped the JSDF with the few trips into the dungeon they took. Her and Shino had become almost as close as sisters, and the fiery close combat munchkin of the JSDF had more than once been Kaede's shoulder to cry on. She didn't know that I knew, but even if she wasn't coming to me, I was still the Big Sister of the Manor, and would welcome any help I could get with problems like this.
One thing we didn't have on this trip, were Gods. No one knew how their 'divinity' would react with the 'rules' of Earth, and considering all the Gods had alternate versions of themselves in both worlds... We decided to wait on trying to bring one over.
Past that, we had the Commander, Mari, Itami, Sugawara, Yanagida and Delilah, Roku, Lelei, Rory and Tuka come along for 'representatives of the Special Region'. Familiar faces and people most 'in the know' for the 'plan' I had.
(Ginza, Japan, about a hundred meters from the JSDF dome covering the former location of the Gate)
Cameras from many different nations were pointed at the Gate as the appointed time drew closer. One such reporter, a Japanese woman of above average beauty and a significant fan club from her days as a very popular music idol, was standing in front of one of those cameras. Others like her, from other countries, were doing the same, and due to the density of reporters and cameras, they actually needed to set up temporary barriers, similar to office cubical walls (with the sound deadening fabric) between them all.
She shuffled her feet just a little, so those walls wouldn't be visible on camera, and started speaking.
"We are here at Ginza, where the Gate leading to another world appeared. After somehow communicating across the Gate, the JSDF and the leaders of the world they are currently in, have insisted we, the people of Earth, make their return public. That there be no secrecy to this momentous event."
The lady's boss directed her to make 'a dramatic pause for effect', and she took a moment to look over her shoulder, as if she expected a sudden light show to happen, or monsters to pour out again.
But after that two second pause, she looked back to the camera, "Through some kind of magical means, beyond our current ability of science, the world they are in has told us, all of us on Earth, that the appointed time of the Gate's reopening will be less than..." Sudden look to her (adorable Hello Levi-tan) watch! "Thirty seconds from now!"
The sad little swirl inside the domed building that once contained the Gate, started to do... something. It got a little brighter, wobbled a little, moving with less... listlessness.
"Something is happening inside the dome!" She said, pointing.
It was about here, that the 'manual labour' of the various camera crews removed the sound barriers. They would be in the way, if things went to plan.
The nice lady tapped the microphone in her hand gently, looked to the side at her director, adjusted a little dial at the base of the microphone, and continued once the crew in the truck radioed a quiet 'all clear' to the director's ear bud.
Then, with most of the world watching, that sad little magical swirl stopped as if someone had grabbed it, and with a sudden slurping, whooshing pop, the Greek/Roman building appeared. Its arrival, and the displaced air, caused a sudden gust of wind to spill down the street.
The news channel's ratings went up a couple of points, as the nice lady's skirt flashed a quarter second of her nice white underwear before she could put a hand down to stop it from becoming worse. She even 'eep'ed cutely.
"The Gate! The Gate has reappeared in Ginza!" She said excitedly, turning her back to the camera, while the camera man moved a little so he was getting a nice view of her back, but also over her shoulder to watch with her.
It was a far FAR cry from their exit to the land of Falmart. But the JSDF returned. Leading the way were several battered and scuffed Humvee. Sporting none of the turret weapons, some of them missing headlights or windows, it was obvious they'd seen combat and been put back together with 'what was left'.
Like the Humvee, the soldiers marched through the Gate. Uniforms were patched or in some cases replaced completely with 'local' clothing from the other world. And while there were fewer of them than had left, and their equipment had taken just as much of a beating, they marched proudly.
It was about here, where people, news reporters and citizens alike, noticed that something was missing. For most, it was only a feeling, but for the sharper crowd, it was obvious. Where were the weapons?
It became more obvious as the column continues out of the Gate. The two cargo trucks that had survived, the soldiers, the Humvee, the only weapons the JSDF were carrying were blades. Knives, swords, an axe or two, a handful of spears... Not a single gun.
In the middle, entered the guests. Some, the world already knew about, and the names of 'Rory!', 'Tuka!' and 'Lelei!' were called out as the crowd spotted them.
But then there were the others. Similar, but certainly different to what 'the people' knew of the Special Region, there was another Elf, his handsome face and form impossible seeming outside a sculptor's studio. Even as he looked around at all of the modern things, the surprise and awe on his face did nothing to detract from just how perfect his features were.
The next 'new face' could only be seen by half the people. Looking almost like a boy playing soldier, his eyes and face showed wisdom and experience. Even as he too took in the strange new sights of another world, his eyes seemed to catch everything. Even with his easy smile and friendly waves to anyone he saw looking at him, there was no way anyone could think of him as just a child.
Familiar but different, the online forums went crazy at the sight of another 'Warrior Bunny race from another world'. Dusky skin with snow white hair and dressed like a half armoured samurai, she had so much in common with Japan's history, yet was obviously not from this world. Those same online forums started wondering if the JSDF had influenced her somehow.
Next, another dark skinned woman. Appearing human, she too bore many style similarities with another place on Earth, India. Even though she was unmistakable a woman, she wore a Kurta, a wide shouldered coat that went to mid thigh. On her head, she wore a simple chain circlet, but in the middle rested a small red gemstone similar to a 'Bindi', a traditional mark over the sixth Chakra, or 'third eye'. She also looked around like a tourist, but seemed to be perfectly in her element with all the people watching.
The black haired cat girl, wearing a freshly pressed maid outfit that favoured greens instead of white and black, was also very popular. Sadly, she seemed quite nervous, and clung to the one next to her.
Next to her, looking like he was wearing part of a tank as armour and similarly unimpressed by everything around him (though he did give a thoughtful 'there there' pat to the poor cat girl's hand as she clung to his shoulder plate), was what most nerds would call a Dwarf. He fit all the stereotypes for 'stout' 'heavily armoured' and 'incredibly impressive beard'.
The lizard man was the most obviously 'non-human' of the group. Sure, it walked on two legs. Had a head like any one else. But with red scales, horned head, and arms that were almost long enough to let his clawed fingers touch the ground, he wasn't even a 'little bit' human. However, even with that, he was acting like the others. Looking around, waving to anyone he caught meeting his eye, and showing clear 'human emotion' in his expression.
And at the front of the wedge of 'otherworldly natives', were two figures walking side by side. The first, almost as short as the 'child with the spear', wasn't human, or even humanoid at all. But a metallic feline of almost impossible seeming mechanics. Dark red skin, glowing yellow eyes, serrated tail and a jaw that seemed to be held together with rails, it moved like any other feline, yet looked like it would use a tank as a chew toy if it got in the mood.
And another weird 'Japanese analogue' that also had the online community not just buzzing, but exploding. A Kitsune. For those 'new' to the events of the Gate, she was exotic and unique, straight from a story book you'd find in the 'national fiction' section of a book store. But to a smaller section of the internet, she was the spitting image of a certain CGI character from a very popular anime, and of a certain VERY limited edition set of figures.
The reporters, the people, and the police, followed and escorted only a few of those who returned from the Gate. Most of the JSDF marched off to the nearest base. There would be much to report, things to put away, duty to observe. The 'event' of their return had a few things planned, similar to the last 'big event' of otherworldly people visiting. This would also include a memorial, but thankfully, it wasn't on the back of an invasion from Falmart like it was the first time.
The Guests, as well as the JSDF command structure from Falmart, and the 'well known natives' from Falmart, were instead taken to the same building as before, the same building where various politicians and the press all but interrogated the JSDF and the Locals about the 'Red Dragon' incident.
(Kodori)
"I feel sorry for this 'bus' we are on." Hagane rumbled, the nice spacious bus we had been loaded in to groaning with his weight. "I did offer to walk."
"You'd probably cause just as much trouble." Finn said, "This world is... Well, aside from the smell, quite interesting."
Hedin, who had tried to stay aloof and distant from us, nodded at Finn's comment, "Pillars of metal and glass, mimicking Babel, yet built solely by mortal hands. And you were not exaggerating, when you said the magic in this world was thin. It is almost suffocating, yes, like the smell in the air."
"Like walking around in the artisan quarter." Chloe said, sitting in one of the nice padded seats, her only sign of nervousness now, were the claw marks she was leaving on the arm rests.
"I kinda like it!" Lido said, hunching down at the other end of the bus from Hagane, "Lots of people! Friendly people!"
"Some of the people... Those 'special police'..." Kaede said, touching the pommel of her new katana, "It feels like that one time I worked with Lilly-san, trying to follow a thief."
"The world had three faces." I said, choosing to remain standing since the seats didn't seem tail friendly. "The public, the private, and the secret. Private watches public, secret hides from both." I moved one of the bus's window curtains aside slightly, seeing an array of police and 'obvious black sedans' outside. "If something were to happen to us, it would be like me inviting Finn to the Manor, and poisoning him."
"Is that why I feel so many eyes on us?" Gareth rumbled, "Feel it right through the armour, almost like in the dungeon."
The bus lurched into motion, then started to accelerate. While the others, save maybe Hagane, wouldn't know anything about vehicles, I could tell the rear axle did not like Hagane sitting over it.
"How many people did you say were in this world?" Shakti asked.
"Last time I was here? Six Billion, yes, billion. And today? They're all watching us." I said with a smile, "Why else did you think I let Ha-chan give you all a once over before we left?"
(National Diet Building)
"We are just waiting for word from inside the National Diet Building." The same exceptionally pretty reporter started as soon as her producer gave the nod. "Our special guests have arrived safely, and almost all of the dignitaries who were able to come to this event are here or only moments away."
A respectful distance away, other reporters were doing the same speech, and almost as one, they reached up to their ear with their free hand, nodded, and continued to talk to their cameras.
"We are now switching to our cameras on the inside."
Once all of the guests from Falmart, then the new guests from Orario were seated, a surprise guest joined them. Arriving almost as if by magic, a middle aged looking man, no, elf, walked in after the others had been seated. He was dressed in, of all things, a suit and bow tie, a uniform of some kind certainly. But even though no one had seen him up until that point, he was let in, and sat down next to the black haired Kitsune. There was obvious familiarity between them, so there was little doubt he was supposed to be there, but still, his arrival unseen was shocking.
Next, came in the Commander. He had chosen not to wear a dress uniform, but the same uniform he'd arrived in. His command staff also did this, as a show of how their trials had been. They did however have every bit of metal polished to a shine, and there was no sign of dirt or stain, just 'wear and tear' from a long journey.
From the other end of the room, several politicians and dignitaries arrived, seating themselves at 'the high table', above the guests and spectators. With super efficiency, various things were placed in front of them. Microphones, water bottles, napkins, pen, paper, before the staff vanished back the way they'd come.
Lastly, another familiar face arrived from the 'public' entrance, where all the media people had come in from. It was the same 'just that side' of middle aged woman, wearing a nice new 'power dress' and maybe a little too much makeup, Diet member Kouhara Mizuki. And, as she did last time, she came in with a rolled up sheet of Bristol board.
"We give the first round of questions to Diet Member Kouhara Mizuki. We call the Commander of the JSDF efforts in the Special Region to the stand." A voice said, the mumbling buzz of conversation among the stands cutting off.
The Commander took the stand, and the Inquisitor unrolled the thick paper to reveal an... astronomical number with a Yen sign next to it. Under that, was another, much smaller number, which was a good thing since beside that were the words 'soldier deaths'. And below that, also with a little Yen sign next to it, was a sad looking figure labelled 'profits'.
"How do you explain this?!" She started, already leaning into the hard line and most embarrassing question. "The JSDF remained in the Special Region to establish themselves for the next time the Gate was opened, yet instead of bringing back resources for Japan, no, the World, you have returned with almost none of the equipment trusted to your care! Brave soldiers have died! And overall, the return on the investment, paid for by the people of Japan, our tax payers, is hardly worth calling even a fraction of what was expected!"
The tactical nuke of a question met with the stoic, fatherly, no nonsense look of the Commander, and just about everyone watching, from those inside the room, to anyone with a TV, phone, or streaming device, held their breath.
"Have you heard of the Butterfly Effect, Ma'am?" He replied without batting an eye. And with military precision, he continued speaking before the lady could get her mouth open to reply, "As ordered, our special asset, Lelei La Lelena," A pause as cameras shifted over to look at the blue haired mage, then back to him, "Opened the Gate part way into our stay there. But it did not connect with home, with Japan." He looked to the side, and Yanagida tapped a little remote in his hand.
Behind the commander, on a pull down screen, a picture of an alligator with long legs like a horse, and about two stories tall if the building behind it was any judge of scale, appeared. A few more clicks of the button, and other monsters appeared. Green furred apes bigger than a man. Mosquitoes the size of peoples heads. Small lizards that had more teeth and claws than a litter of cats...
"The connection did not lead to Earth, but another place, another world. And we were attacked."
Several more pictures went across the screen. And they were good quality too, taken from shelter obviously, but by a steady hand. They depicted many things. Buildings that had been ravaged. Overturned vehicles. The hangar that had been reduced to almost ground level.
"We repelled the attack, and closed the Gate again. It was clear that our special asset could do her duty, but that something was wrong." The Commander continued, putting on what most would call a 'drill sergeant's glare' when the Inquisitor looked like she was about to speak again.
"Cut off from home, we made do, and recovered. But until then, we had been invincible to the people of the Special Region. And the unrest we had put down, the civil war between the Emperor and his wayward son started to escalate again." He looked to the 'special guests', "That's when we were found by some... odd allies." He smiled ever so slightly, "The Gate had arrived in their world, and those monsters were part of a well kept ecosystem. But." He stopped, looked back to the JSDF who'd come with him, then stepped down.
The one to replace him was a slightly taller than average man, with a well weathered face, solid build of an outdoors man, and a hat made from some kind of large scaled reptile, too large to be a snake, certainly.
"My name is Himeno Roku, Master Sargent, scout division 004." He started, taking off his nice hat and setting it on the lectern. "As per protocol, a forward squad of scouts went through the Gate after it had been opened. If all had gone to plan, the six of us would have arrived in Ginza, returned, declared it safe, and things would go on as it had before the Gate was closed the first time."
He paused, gripping the sides of the stand, "Instead, we found ourselves in the middle of a hostile jungle. Most of my team returned through the Gate, alerting the base, but I was separated from them and unable to return with them."
Since he wasn't the commander, Mizuki managed to get a word in edgewise. "What of your weapons? Were your guns unable to deal with the threat?"
Roku didn't reply, but Yanagida clicked his remote to return to a picture of one of those Monsters chewing on a tank that had been flipped over. "No Ma'am." He replied respectfully. "Outside the Gate was the most hostile, dense, and unwelcoming wild land I have ever seen. And I would not have survived had a little luck, both good and bad, come my way."
The remote went click a few more times, to return to the last picture, then past it to a series of pictures. Amazons. Clothed in their usual 'armour' though these ones were the 'most dressed' that could be found in Orario, just to keep it clean for the audience at home.
"I was discovered by an Amazon hunting party. Their nation, yes, they have a nation there, hunts the monsters in that jungle. I was brought back to their city, and later rescued by others, who had come to investigate the Gate."
"Rescued? You were held hostage?"
"Had I not been captured, I would have died in that jungle. While it wasn't very comfortable, I had to work to eat. And while I was 'bought' by my rescuers, the price was fair."
A pause, while the world let that sink in, and the online community exploded with more than a little speculation about what 'Amazons' might use a captive for.
But Roku was done, and he stepped off to allow Mari onto the stand. "I am Mari Kurokawa, CMO of the JSDF Special Region occupation force." She said, ignoring the negative grumbles from around her, calling it an 'occupation' force and not 'special task force' or something... kinder.
"When Master Sargent Roku was returned to us, he brought along several natives to the new world we had connected to..."
The meeting was filled with short, but fact heavy accounts of what had gone on after Roku had returned. The meeting of minds between Lelei and Fels (not actually named, but called 'great sage from Orario'). The mission to root out and stop the terrorist attacks in and around Italica. Cleaning up the left over monsters from the 'failed connection'. Moving the Gate. Interactions and trade with Orario. Comparisons to technology and magic from all three worlds (Earth Falmart and Orario). The escalation, culmination and termination of the civil war in Falmart. And lastly, the other Apostles finally getting fed up with the 'invaders' and kicking the JSDF out.
Healing magic, proven to work by Yanagida, who had a severed spine before the Gate was closed on Earth, was a topic of intense interest. Pictures had been taken of other injuries as well, like a two month documentation of Lord Duran, his arm and leg regrowing slowly but visibly over that time.
Other magic, the mention of Gods, the Dungeon, all were hinted at, but the questions to go into detail were deflected.
But finally, the topic of 'who exactly are the people who helped the JSDF escape' got within sight.
"Cut off from home, we had little option to deal with the Apostles. In an effort to save as many under my command as I could, I took the offered hand from Orario, and we left the Special Region." The commander finished.
The Inquisitor took a moment to realize she could speak without the Commander giving her that scary look, and asked, "So even with the power of our modern weaponry and training, you could not deal with the Apostles?"
"No. We could not." He replied simply. "We have all seen the reports and footage of Rory Mercury. Now consider five, nearly indestructible people, who could, individually, overturn Humvee. Who could get back up after sustaining a direct hit from a tank shell. Who could grow a forest under your fortifications."
"And these people from Orario? They can do the same?"
The room got very VERY quiet.
"More or less." The Commander smiled in the face of raw nervousness starting to simmer in the room, "But they are far more sensible." And he stepped off the podium.
A moment later, someone stammered out, "A...ah Royman Mardeel. Guild Master of Orario."
Royman stepped up to the podium, and no fool, knew exactly what to do with the microphones before the near invisible sound crew could get to them to adjust them to his height. "Sir Royman, do you require a translator?"
"Not at all, Ma'am." He said in a smooth Eastern, polished further with the last six months of talking with the JSDF, "Before you ask, yes, 'Japanese' is spoken in my world, yet we call it Eastern." He smiled.
Of course, Mizuki had to try and fluster him, "We saw you arrive after everyone else, with no fanfare or escort. Are you not important? A 'Guild Master'?"
Royman smiled his best 'pleasing the angry citizen' (something he'd been doing for over a hundred years now) smile, and replied with, "The Guild's employees are like that. Once you get good enough at your job, no one notices you unless you do your job poorly. Our job is to support the Adventurers, to make sure the city runs smoothly and cleanly. And the fewer people who stop us to ask silly questions, the faster we get things done."
It was about here, where the online forums exploded with 'mic-drop' picture files.
Royman explained 'the Guild'. There were questions of course. How was it founded? How did it sustain itself? Why remain neutral? Have you dealt with other worlds? Gods? Monsters? Adventurers? Familia?
In essence, Royman gave them the exact same information any guild member would give a potential Adventurer. Someone who had just arrived from a remote place, who had spotted the Tower of Babel, and decided to sign up. So well rehearsed was his explanation, no one interrupted him until he had finished, and someone finally asked the question...
Of course, this question was expected, and Yanagida clicked the remote to show Babel, the silver spire that could be seen from Rakia on a clear day and the sun was just right.
"What is the Dungeon?" Until now, all questions about it had been deflected ever so slightly to the next topic concerning the Guild and how it ran the city. But not this time.
"For that, well, it would be best if I let the Adventurers speak."
The Kitsune looked at the others seated near her, and gave a nod to the impossibly handsome elf. She said something in a different language, and he replied in a Japanese so perfect it could have been the Gods themselves speaking it to the people. To those who knew Hedin though, that kind of perfection was normal.
"Very well." He said as he went to the podium. He waited for the media hand to tilt the microphones, then started. "My name is Hedin Selland. Former king of the White Elves of Hjadningavíg island, now an executive and sub captain of Freya Familia. And I will tell you part of the story. The First Story. Of how the Tower of Babel, and Orario came to be the centre of our world, the most exquisite, and most dangerous place."
(Kodori)
It felt kind of strange to listen to someone else, or in this case, a bunch of someones, tell the First Story. Of course, part of the 'idea' of bringing not just several races, but people from vastly different parts of the world, was to get a little more to the story that even I knew.
Hedin spoke not just of Orario, but a little of his own home, how the White and Dark elves nearly wiped each other out on their forest island.
Gareth spoke of a vast dwarven mountain home, of clans, of monsters left over from the dungeon that still roamed his old home, and finally of him arriving in Orario to join Loki Familia.
Shakti spoke of the island deserts, of fish that you could eat, yet could grow larger than the boats they fished with. A great city, that to me, sounded like the City of Brass from Earth's own legends. Mentioned, since she was a tamer, was just how feral the Monsters of the dungeon could be.
Kaede, while not as familiar with The First Story, spoke of some of the East, of the Empire run by Amaterasu, and the monsters that still roamed the hills and forests, lurking in the darkness.
Finn spoke of the great plains, where small half buried communities lived. He spoke of how the Palum were usually underestimated, yet were just as brave, just as smart, and just as daring as anyone who tried. He also offered to pick up the Inquisitor's car and bring it in, if she didn't believe him.
I did my part, speaking more on the 'core' of the story. How the Monsters showed up, how the Gods saw their Children suffering, and how they offered their power to the Children, to help solve the problem under their own power.
Then we came to Lido.
"Um... Lido? Just Lido?"
Lido perked up, having had little to do save answer the very rare question but never to a camera, "Yes! Lido me!"
"Do you require a translator?"
Lido shook his head, and most of his body side to side, "No no! Understand good! Speak... not good." He laughed, "Teeth many! East hard." He smiled, or at least, the edges of his very toothy maw turned upwards.
"Would you prefer someone else speak?"
Lido dropped the 'happy go lucky' stance, "No. This part mine tell." He of course noticed how sheet white the poor lady went, and lightened his tone again. "Tell story Mother. Dungeon... Xeeeeenos."
His story was a little rough. But even if he only spoke every other word of a proper sentence, his enthusiasm carried the story well. He spoke of how the Dungeon hated everyone, even his kind. Of how most of his kind were different, yet shared many of the same urges. How being a 'monster' did not stop him or the other Xenos from being 'people'.
If you had the patience to follow along, it was a rather heart warming part of the story. The Xenos had only been around for a handful of years, yet they still had a sense of purpose, and history. Even I could see a few of the faces in the room silently cheering him on as he stumbled through the story with his fragmented Eastern and toothy smile.
Then it came to me.
Throughout the JSDF's retelling of how the hell things went so sideways, yet still didn't FUBAR, I, and my party, had been mentioned a few times. But never by name. Subtle looks, hand motions, a nod or two... But never my name. I wasn't even announced. Even when I'd told my part of the story, I hadn't said my name. Mysterious Kitsune stuff you see.
"My name, is Kodori Haruhime. And I am the Strongest in Orario." I introduced myself. "My team and I were the ones who went to investigate the Jungles. Recovered Sargent Roku. Connected the right people together so the Gate could be removed. Investigated, worked at, and ultimately ended the civil war between the Emperor and his Son. Defeated the Apostles of Falmart. And hopefully, given the people of Falmart enough time without their overzealous overseers, so they can advance their society and prosper."
I looked at Kouhara Mizuki, and she snapped her mouth shut before she could ask a question.
"Much of what we did, we did for payment." I admitted. "Roku's price was his weight in 'Humvee armour'. Dealing with the remains of the monsters from the Jungle was some spending money so we could explore a little. Healing Lord Duran and several others with our special medicines was in trade for land dragon and wyvern eggs." I smiled, and leaned back a little. "Helping the JSDF escape the Apostles, and giving them a place to live for the last half year... Cost them information about this world."
I couldn't help it, and I started to pace. Almost instantly, there were auxiliary microphones on short poles following me. I was kind, and waited for them to get my rhythm before I continued.
"Part of my duty, as the Strongest, is to take care of Orario. I support the Guild, I follow their laws, so that others will follow their laws. I am an example." Two steps, turn, "The JSDF, throughout all of our dealings with them, have been incredible examples." Turn, step step, "Every deal, every transaction, be it with my party, or our city, has been fair. When we asked for too much, they said so, and bartered down to make sure that we were also fair."
I stopped, waited for the microphones to stop, then resumed. "After the JSDF retreated, they came to live in the small outpost near Orario. As the Host for them, we provided them with food, and basic needs. We saw to their wounded, we made sure they would not suffer the elements. They were our guests."
I held out a finger, "But. They understood. They were our guests. After we gave them the basic care every being has a right to. They didn't rely on us. No. They put themselves to work."
That was Yanagida's cue, and he clicked the remote again. A simple before and after set of pictures appeared. First was the partially refurbished castle, with just enough rebuilt to contain the Gate and a very small contingent of soldiers and material. Second, was nearly six months later, with a fully rebuilt castle that could house and provide for several hundred soldiers and staff.
"They did this." I said firmly. "The Guild provided them the same service they provide everyone, and the JSDF did this." I motioned to the picture, "They worked with the Guild. They worked with the people. They worked with the Adventurers. They were an example. A good one! And we of Orario were happy to have them as our guests."
I gave the pale faced Inquisitor a friendly look. She blinked, seemed to come back to life, and asked, "A...adventurers? The JSDF went into your... dungeon? Without their guns?"
"They worked very hard." I said, "It is uncommon, but not unheard of for normal people to enter the dungeon. Without falna it is very dangerous. But the JSDF worked hard to set a proper example."
I looked to Sugawara, and he joined me at the little podium. "We have been negotiating with the Guild, and after things have settled down, there may be an allowance for some people from Earth, from anywhere on Earth, to go to Orario."
Silence, though the old politician with the gavel was just WAITING to smash it on his desk to restore order.
And yes, he had to. All at once, the room erupted into questions, demands... chaos.
So, I unhooked a microphone, and lowered it to my side to Royman.
"Ahem."
Even the leader of the Japanese Government stopped in mid gavel smash.
Sugawara continued smoothly, as if all that noise never happned. "We have much to learn and trade." He said, "Medicine, magic stone, different forms of energy, advanced metallurgy, new animals and plants to study... In the eyes of the Japanese Government, it is quite the offer."
"What would they want in return then?" Someone translated for one of the visiting dignitaries.
I leaned over a little, "From what we've been told of your history, our world is in a similar version of your 'steam age'. Because of need to deal with the dungeon, our industry is narrowly focused, and our people are dedicated to that. Mass production of simple things, like rails for example. Some of your sciences would be useful to us. But most importantly, entertainment." I smiled.
"Entertainment?" Someone said in disbelief.
"I know that some of you here see us as a little primitive. That's fine, and seeing what I've seen here, you'd be right. But, our literacy rate is about ninety five percent around the age of eight. What I'm talking about, is books. We have printing presses, but they are massive clunky beasts. We have stories, but monsters have made our world isolated, and many of those stories do not spread." I explained, "Our focus on the dungeon means we have little time to really discover the world around us as well." I then moved over for the JSDF diplomat.
"Terms for trade, and exchange of people, have been started between the Guild of Orario and Japan. But, the Guild, so long as other nations are willing to follow their rules to the letter will be allowed to join in, and visit as well."
I could tell the room was about to get noisy again, but when they saw me start lowering a microphone to Royman again, it simmered down.
I picked up where Sugawara left off, "The JSDF, and their example of being a good guest, has given us hope we can deal with your world fairly. So long as you can earn it, Orario is willing to negotiate and trade. If you come to our city, and earn money like any citizen or adventurer, then you can return home with it, as anyone here might by working and then going to a merchant for goods."
I looked back to our poor Inquisitor, and she perked up again, "But, what of this... falna? You are willing to let people from Earth become 'adventurers' as well? Join a Familia?"
"The Gods of our world are not particularly jealous, but their gift is also a trade. Rare is the case where it is given, and the Child does not contribute to the God's enjoyment of the world. The JSDF understood this, and did not ask the Gods, only their Children."
"Then how will our people compete? From your stories, and the accounts from the JSDF, the dungeon is the best way to earn money in your world. Would you have us come to your world just to use us as... cheap labour or something?" This was translated from another dignitary.
"The Guild's job, or rather, one of their primary jobs, is to educate people on the Dungeon. If any of your nation's soldiers wished to enter, they would be taught, trained, and be allowed to enter." I replied, "Everyone, even myself, started this way. Why would any of you be different?"
"But you have been given power!" Someone else said, indignant.
The Gavel was about to go off again, and I made a point to shake my head, as if to say 'you just don't understand'. The same look I wore when trying to talk down an opponent, or trying to explain why something doesn't work to a child.
Then, as if that look was a signal, because it was a signal, Komurazaki Kuzunari, Nanami's 'boss' and main/former JSDF detractor, asked a question. "You said, 'The gods of our world'. Are you suggesting that our world has actual Gods too? That would mean magic too, wouldn't it?"
I looked directly at him, "The JSDF weren't the only nation to talk back to them through the 'magic Morse code relay'. Gods and Magic do exist here. And if you wish to benefit from the dungeon, to trade with us properly, then you will have to coax them out of hiding, and ask them for help."
NOTES!
Ah, a perfect mic drop moment.
And yes, Royman just 'ahem'ed 6 billion people.
Anyhow... This, the story of Foxgate, is done. After taking a very VERY quick vote on the discord, there will be a small chapter or two 'cleanup', just a mini series, detailing a few things. I mean, Lilly and Aisha are expecting. This last scene here will need some cleanup. Some of the characters from Gate have some little stories to tell from the last six months of 'fast travel'. Some of the Gods will be wondering what their Children saw. Heck, some of Orario will be interested in what happened too since the event was live over Occulus.
Just lots of little things that I didn't want to cover while writing this... titanic update.
Also, I'm taking a little vacation. I'll still be writing, but my next post will be either the 15 of May, or maybe the 20 of May. If I'm feeling energetic, I might post on the 10. But I'm taking at least that long for a break.
This one went to 700k words, and I need to decompress, maybe re-read/watch Shield hero, and all that stuff.
See you all then, and I hope you enjoyed the more or less finale. :)
Thank you for reading! And if you want to see any full colour art, join the discord!
aKAQg4bnYu for the discord!
And my actual book, Were Too? is on Inkitt.