On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Two Hundred And Sixty-Six

On returning to the ryokan, I was greeted by an enthusiastic Hyacinth. She had apparently been looking after my family and our guests, pouring drinks and serving snacks. My mom had found it all rather hilarious, having one of my women waiting on them hand and foot, but she had quickly accepted Hyacinth’s many quirks, so there were no real problems.

“Welcome back, son. I trust your business went well?” My father greeted me, looking rather red-faced and tipsy. Uncle Junpei was beside him, as well as surprisingly enough, Marika-san’s grandfather, the two Izumi’s and Kikuchi-san, as well as a younger man that must have been his son. On the other side of the table was my mom, auntie, Marika-san’s mother, Haru-san, Nagi-san and also Aliyah. On seeing my inquisitive gaze, she frowned.

“What? I wasn’t drinking. I’m still doing my job properly.”

“She is.” Trey insisted. He was seated in the corner with a bored-looking Grulgor, as well as three men I didn’t recognise, who seemed to have been waiting patiently for me. “She’s armed and ready to go if something goes down, though with those two here…” he looked at Grulgor and Hyacinth. “… I’m not sure what use we’d be yet. So while my sis is keeping an eye on them, I’ve been entertaining our guests. Lucky a couple of them speak English.”

“It’s a relief that your family speaks it too.” Aliyah agreed. “Sometimes all the foreign talk gets to me. If it was Russian, I could manage.”

“So, you gentlemen must be the chosen from Tsukuyomi faction, right? I’ve been expecting you. Sorry I’m late, but I ended up having a lot of business with Uchida Yamato-san and Bankei-san.”

The lead priest frowned at that. He was the age of my father, though he was running to fat and his hair was starting to thin. Even so, he was wearing expensive robes and I noticed several plain golden rings and a decent-looking watch. I guess he likes to show off his wealth. The other two were younger, both my age, or a little older. One was blonde, with a spiky hairdo and casual clothing, wearing faded blue denim jeans and a black turtleneck sweater, while the other was more traditionally clad, wearing similar dark orange monk robes to the ones many of the neutral faction wore. More along the Buddhist side of things than Shinto then…

“I see. Well, it can’t be helped.” The leader conceded. “My pardons for the late introductions. Your family and camp has been most hospitable.” I could see empty cups of sake and beer cans scattered around them, so it seemed that despite them not sitting with the main group, they had been looked after. Hyacinth giggled as she followed my gaze, and I guessed she was responsible for serving them.

“I am from Matsunoo-Taisha grand shrine, my name is Taishakama Isamu. These two are from outside Kyoto. Engetsu-san…” at that, the monk bowed and made the traditional Buddhist greeting to me. “… and Kinkawa Touma.”

“Yeah, good to meet you too.” Kinkawa-san sighed. “Man, at least there was some good booze here. I’m not cut out to be a priest, and now this…”

It seems we have a male version of Mine-san here. The kami sure did choose strangely. “Well, you know already, but I’m Oshiro Moonstone Akio. Please ignore the middle name.” At that my mom sniggered. “And this is Shaeula Tu Shae Dannan. I trust you’ve been introduced to everyone else?”

“All done.” my father promised, swaying a little. Mom couldn’t have been drinking too much, as she was still awake, but she must have kicked him under the table, as he flinched, which did amuse me. “I mean, yes, we showed proper manners.” He corrected himself.

“Excellent. In that case, when I’ve checked a few things we can get started. Firstly, where is everyone else?” I asked.

“My Marika went to bed, she was all tired out.” Her mother said, seeming rather annoyed. “That Uchida-san, he was rather rude to us, and father-in-law just took it! The nerve of the man. Marika-san was so excited to be doing something important for the shrine, not that I get it, and this was the result! I’m angry!” she declared, downing another cup of sake. She was looking rather tipsy too…

“It can’t be helped.” Takeyabashi-san said, downcast. “We are still a small, unimportant shrine, even though our faithful are doing great things.”

“Uchida-san has grown arrogant, as his son is a notable figure here in Kyoto, both Kyoto.” Taishakama-san declared. “I am sorry for his attitude. Kudou-sama would not be so crass, I assure you.”

Fishing for a change of faction, huh? Well… “Sorry about that.” I bowed in apology to her, which surprised her. “It isn’t just you, Kana’s family suffered the same, though I do believe I’ve made Yamato-san re-evaluate them at least.”

“True. Speaking of my errant granddaughter…” Masaji-san sighed. “… she has not returned. In fact, her friends and Keomi-san left recently to go into Kyoto. I do worry, but supposedly they will be taking a taxi once they have reached the docks. Only Kikuchi-san and her friend remain, and they are in the baths again, I believe. The… our other guests…” he eyed the three from Tsukuyomi warily. “… are also enjoying the other bath.” He must mean the kami. They do like hot springs, it seems.

“Well, so long as they are with Eri and Aiko, there should be no trouble.” I said. “They might as well enjoy themselves. Anyway, sorry, I got interrupted there.” I turned back to Marika-san’s mother. “If I may… I’d like to borrow Marika-san tomorrow morning. As well as a few others.” I had also messaged Hikawa-san, as I would need Ren-san and the mirror he was borrowing, as well as the twins. “You too, Haru-san.”

“Me?” She asked, puzzled. I could see she was nervous around so many unfamiliar men, but my mom and Nagi-san had taken her under their wings, so she was managing.

“Yes. And probably tonight too. Got to grind those levels.” I smiled gently, and she returned it, a bit hesitantly.

“It’s not anything… problematic, is it?” Marika-san’s mother asked, and I shook my head in denial.

“No, not at all. Look, when we first took her to Tokyo, you didn’t really know much about shrine business. Now you know it’s a big deal. Marika-san is the granddaughter of the shrine, and when she grows up she’ll need to look after it. That’ll be very different to what it used to be like before.”

Kikuchi-san nodded. “Maiko, she has the same issue. Though as one of the Chosen, I will be the face of the shrine. But the world has changed.”

“That’s all everyone ever says.” She complained. “But I just want my little girl to get a decent job, get married, give me grandchildren…”

“She’s young yet. Give her a chance.” I reassured her. “But now being a shrine maiden is a career. One that will have many rewards, though a few risks. So I’ll make sure she’s prepared for those.”

“Curious.” Engetsu-san said. “It sounds to me like you are confident of making the ordinary into the extraordinary. Quite shocking.”

“Yeah, though after my trials with Yamato-san I’m pretty tired, so I need to keep my strength for what’s next. Speaking of… your shrine is near to Bankei-san’s, right? You must have issues…” I asked their leader, who nodded, frowning, deep in thought.

“Yes.” Taishakama-san agreed in the end. “We are aware. Both of us are jockeying for resources in spiritual Kyoto, though of course we are not so foolish as to start any sort of unnecessary conflict.”

“Great. So, Kudou-san sent you here to evaluate me, which is fine. But I’m also here to evaluate you.” I warned. “So, what do you want to achieve tonight?”

“A good question. Well, spiritual Kyoto is quite dangerous. And there are certain… creatures… that roam it, troubling us all. There is one… a vile oborogurama, a ghastly cart with a terrible face, that roams the streets near our borders. I do not believe it is part of the Night Parade, although… they may be about this very night.” He looked nervous at that. “If possible, we would wish you to display your strength, and defeat it, driving it away at the least.”

“I see. Yeah, I can do that.” If it’s strong, it might be worth a level or two. “I’m not clashing with the Night Parade…” at that, Shaeula flinched. “… but taking out some troublesome yokai, making Kyoto safer… sure. Well, Haru-san, Grulgor, Hyacinth, you three are with me.” Before Shaeula could protest, I smiled. “You’ve done your work today, guarding our bodies. So why not drink along with our family and guests? With you here, I have no concerns.” I then looked at Aliyah and Treyvon. "You two might as well come along as well. You have to start learning your duties sooner or later." Ignoring Aliyah's grumbles, I waited for Shaeula to answer.

“I shall do that then.” She answered at last. “Though should you see-see any of the Night Parade…”

“I know.” I ruffled her hair affectionately. “Just relax. Tomorrow will be a long day, and we are going to drain every drop of light we can from Kiyomizu-dera, so I need you on top form.”

I spent a little longer exchanging words with our guests and my family, before I was off into the night again, taking the boat up towards yet another shrine…

********

“He looks rather different here.” Kinkawa-san observed Grulgor, surprised, as he had returned to his massive troll form, his body still wreathed in the massive layers of heavy chainmail he had worn during the campaign to free the Spring, a massive mace as long as a person was tall, clutched in one huge hand. “Rather intimidating. Is he some sort of yokai then? To think you could bring him to our world from here…”

“Not a yokai, a Fae. A similar type of spiritual being. I’m sure you know about those, right?” I asked, and he only smiled mysteriously in return, before praising Grulgor as looking powerful, which pleased the troll. “The lines between the world of the spiritual and our material world are only going to blur more and more as time goes on.” I continued, looking about the shrine, noticing that unlike Kiyomizu-dera there were inhabitants scurrying about, small, half-sized humanoid creatures looking a little like goblins, as well as the familiar Komainu, the lion-like dogs that were often seen as statues at Shinto shrines and some temples. They don’t bother me anymore. Well, not much. Eri and Aiko… they could handle any dog that attacked them now, so we have nothing to fear.

Taishakama-san smiled proudly at my interest, his jowls jiggling a little. “I see you are admiring my forces. My shrine is an old one, one of the oldest in Kyoto, and with a rich and proud history, so it is unsurprising that I should have many spiritual followers. The numbers continually increase.” His smile turned sly. “If you wish, I could tell you the secret of how to grow the population of spiritual beings in your domain…?” he left that thought hanging while I kept my face blank, wondering why he thought I wouldn’t already know. Though I suppose Yamato-san didn’t at first, not everyone seems to work it out…

That was surely one of the biggest issues we had trying to get all the Candidates on the same page. Well, that and the benefits of the Conqueror class… The level of knowledge each Candidate had was wildly different, depending on whether they had knowledge cheats like I did (which seemed to be rare) or a helpful guide (even rarer), so standardising that would be essential for the Ministry over the short-term. I was going to remark on this idea, but Haru-san beat me to it.

“Actually, Akio-san is already more than aware of how. His Territory is brimming with all sorts of spiritual beings, kami and more.” She said, a touch pridefully, and that made me smile. I guess she’s starting to accept her role as my Chosen Hero and Vassal. That’s good. It’ll help her recover from her trauma at being murdered, though that will take a while still, I’m sure.

“You gather ether and will it to form Buildings that facilitate the summoning or creation of these creatures, right?” she continued, and Taishakama-san had to agree.

“I see. Well I had expected you to know. Not everyone does.” He said, confirming my speculations. “I have of course shared this information with Kudou-sama and the wider faction, but I had hoped to entice you with such knowledge too…” he admitted, which made me respect him a little more, since he didn’t try to hide his intentions.

“I already knew about it. The god that chose me told me.” Kinkawa-san preened. “I have a gift for it too, one you’ll see later.” He turned to Haru-san, giving her his brightest smile. “I bet you’ll be impressed! Try not to fall for me, all right?”

“Ugh, I think I’ll manage that.” Haru-san shot him down, which made me smile. As Kinkawa-san laughed off his seeming rejection, Engetsu-san admitted he had not been aware of this, but had been able to create other Buildings when he wished he could grow stronger quickly. A pattern was developing, definitely, and hopefully at Conclave I could put it together, based on my own experiences and those of the other Candidates I had fought and met.

As we left the shrine, emerging into Kyoto, overlooking the river, which now bubbled with orange water energies, large flying creatures that looked like a cross between fish and birds flapping overhead, clearly visible to my excellent eyesight, I asked something that had been bothering me. “So I have another question. Is there a chosen at Tenryu-ji as well? I could feel a Territory from around there when I passed by on the boat. I believe that’s a Tsukuyomi faction shrine as well, right?”

At my question the three paused, before Taishakama-san answered. “Yes, you are right. In fact, there is another too. The Diviner and her small shrine is not too far south from here as well. A coincidence, but a welcome one. Though the noble Lady Diviner and the master of Tenryu-ji have other matters to attend to, so cannot be present here.”

I see, I’m starting to get it now. Looks like they had the same ideas as Yamato-san, not that it’s a bad one, but I’m being worked like a dog by these wily priests, and I can’t say I entirely appreciate it… “So, from the maps I’ve seen, Tenryu-ji is about what, a kilometre and a half from here in a straight line? Too far for this Rank 2 Territory to reach, but… if Tenryu-ji is also a Rank 2, then there should be overlap. The Diviner’s shrine as well… you should be able to link it up?” I couldn’t feel her Territory, so either she doesn’t own the shrine and surrounding lands, or it’s still small…

“Yes, it is barely half a kilometre from here, but… I have been unable to safely expand down that way.”

“Because of this oborogurama, right?” I said shrewdly. “You said it appeared to the south often, near Kegon-ji.” Yeah, this reminds me of the cursed pot that roamed near Yamato-san’s shrine. It looks like I’m definitely doing the same thing again… “Fine. Well, helping protect the Diviner doesn’t seem like a bad thing. But first, are there any kami here in your shrine? I’d like to get their blessings, if I could?”

“Alas, the kami this shrine venerates are too powerful to materialise here, so their attendants tell me.” Taishakama-san apologised.

“Oh well, it can’t be helped.” Turning to Grulgor, who was bored by our long conversation, I grinned. “You ready? It’s time for battle.”

“Grul will smash and crush and bash them all, until none remain!” he gurgled, slamming a rocky fist on his armour, a loud gong-like noise ringing out.

“I… I’ll do my best too.” Haru-san promised.

“In that case, gentleman, leave this to us. Since you want to evaluate us, I’ll put on a proper show!”

********

“Damn, this area is quite dangerous. I can see why no Territory has made it past Rank 2 yet. Although…” It wouldn’t be perfect, but with the triangle of the three shrines here all within a kilometre of each other, they could certainly take it in turns when they were all linked up. It wouldn’t be fool-proof, but it would be a lot safer than the prospects for Kiyomizu-dera.

“Grul will wreck you!” he growled, slamming his mace into the head of one of the massive flying birds that had descended, reminding me a little of the thunderbird I saw in Las Vegas, though without the grace or beauty. I wonder how she’s doing, and her chicks? That casino prick is gone from there, so she should be safe…

The bird let out a baleful screech, the muddy black feathers that covered it vibrating like a series of knives, shaving metal fragments from the mace Grulgor wielded, even as the weight of the blows broke several feathers, sending them flying off. It opened its beak to cry out again, only for a bolt of light from Haru-san to fly down and pierce the soft insides, the smell of roasting flesh disgusting. The bird shuddered, lashing out with one savage clawed foot, and our escorts cried out, only for Haru-san to be unharmed as the claws passed though her, like she was a ghost. Which of course she is.

Grulgor took that opportunity to bring the mace down again, this time breaking the outstretched leg, and as the bird toppled with a shrill scream, bolts of light pierced both crimson eyes, boiling the brain fatally.

Not bad. Not that I had the leisure to be observing. Two large corpses were already decaying into ether behind me, a litter of the black and red feathers covering the elegant mountain pathway, and a third was trying frantically to bring me down. With a wingspan of nearly ten metres, this one was the alpha of the pack, and as it tried to strike me with a beak the length of a greatsword, and equally as sharp and deadly, I moved, my body empowered by Body Enhancement, my own sharp and deadly Fangs retaliating. Sparks cascaded as one grated along the beak, diverting the strike, while my second chopped at the birds’ neck. The feathers whirred and shivered, blocking my strike, deflecting some of the impact back my way, but I was undeterred, slipping under the bird, and attacking the more vulnerable underside of the throat. A rain of blows landed, feathers cracking and breaking, but the bird was unharmed, merely infuriated by the pain of the impacts. As it tried to use its massive size and weight to crush me, wind energy spiked around me, whirling into a jade sword that had a fine, oscillating edge, and with one slash the feathers were sundered, and the head was severed, the bird tilting to one side, before crashing to the ground, slain.

You have gained in strength. Your level has increased from Eighty-Nine to Ninety. Your…

Level ninety! Great! I wonder if there’s any bonus at a hundred, like there was at fifty? Sheathing my curved swords I watched as several smaller birds that were circling overhead were blasted from the sky by bolts of focussed light element from Haru-san, and then crushed ruthlessly by Grulgor. “Good job!” I said as they finished up. “You’ve really mastered the idea of turning light element into lasers.”

Haru-san nodded. “When you explained how some of your wind element attacks work, it only made sense to apply the same scientific principles.”

“Cool, let me check your level. Nice, it’s gone up by seven. That should help you a lot.” I grinned, and Haru-san returned my smile a bit bashfully. “These birds are damn fine experience, and also…” I looked down at the scattered feathers, which remained. “I think these might make great crafting materials.” Picking some up I let a little aether flow through them, which caused them to vibrate, their edges shimmering with a faint prismatic glow. I pulled the edge over my palms, and even with my high stats it managed to slice my flesh a little. Only when I used Body Enhancement was my flesh impervious to the damage.

“I’ll start grabbing them.” Haru-san said, looking for something to use as a bag.

“Uh, that was quite the impressive showing.” Taishakama-san said, he and his colleagues shocked by our impressive showing. “When I see those nightmarish birds flocking, I have to flee. One at a time, I am confident in dealing with it, but to take on a small flock? Reckless. Fortunately they seem to have their nests in the mountains around Kyoto and don’t often come here.”

“Is that so?” I said, disappointed. “A shame, I was going to go wipe them out. Oh well…”

“Seriously, you guys are insane.” Kinkawa-san muttered. “You didn’t even ask us for help. And here I was getting ready to show what I could do!”

“And what can you do?” I asked, helping Haru-san gather the remnants of the giant black birds. “If it is helping us carry the loot, I’d appreciate it.”

“Cheeky bastard.” He muttered in response. “Though… actually I can help with that. Come, my Black Cloak!” he declared grandly, and a shadowy mantle of darkness fluttered out behind him, and from those shadows came living beings, crawling out one after another, until forty small creatures had emerged, with long, sharp claws, hairy body reminiscent of some of the Beastkin I had in my Territory, long necks and bald, misshapen heads. Not pretty,

Himamushi nyūdō [Yokai] - ???

As I was looking at them with my Eye, and Haru-san was shying away from the rather ugly creatures, Kinkawa-san clapped his hands. “All right, you fools. Go collect all the feathers. And make it quick!” he clapped his hands again, before laughing at our strained expressions.

“Yeah I know. These are the little wretches that infest my shrine. I have hundreds, maybe thousands of the ugly little bastards crawling all over the place. Probably because my shrine is dedicated to a kami who is a Tsukumogami lantern. Yes, it’s as unimpressive and stupid as it sounds…”

“You should not denigrate your noble kami.” Engetsu-san frowned. “Even in jest. They deserve respect…”

“Sure, sure.” He waved away the complaint. “Anyway, when I was visited by a real god…” he snorted, further annoying Engetsu-san. “… this was the ability I got. Well, part of it, anyway. I can carry spiritual beings in my cloak with me, so I’m never alone, always with an army. Or in this case, a janitorial staff.” He ran a hand through his spiky blonde hair, sighing. “Seriously, I’d rather be able to throw laser beams like you, beautiful.” He turned his grin on Haru-san.

“It’s not all nice.” Haru-san said, uncomfortable with his closeness, so I intervened.

“That’s a nice ability. If you have warriors good in a fight, it’s an instant army for an infiltrator. It’d be hard to defend against…” It would be an excellent way to sabotage or destroy an enemy Territory. I expect that creatures within that space are sheltered from the drain of a hostile Territory, so they’d come out fresh…

“Thanks man. Hearing that from the guy who murdered all those bloody big birds makes me feel a bit better.”

“I must say, you are impressing me so far.” Taishakama-san said, nodding. “Though I must ask… you have mentioned levels a few times. Just what do you mean by that?”

“I dare say we’ll discuss that at Conclave.” I deflected. “For now, we need to push on once the feathers are gathered.”

“I see. Well, now I have hope that you can defeat the foe that prevents us linking up with the noble Lady Diviner at her shrine.” He allowed me to change the subject.

“Well, I’ll certainly give it a shot.” I promised. I’m low on water and flame elements, but I still have plenty of wind and earth. It should be fine…

********

“Akio-san, I’m scared…” Haru-san said, clutching my hand tight for reassurance, which was surprising. Even Grulgor was silent, overawed by the scene in front of us. Squeezing her hand back, I whispered to her. “Worst-case, you just go back to the Material while I buy you time to flee. But hopefully…”

Under the silver sky of the Boundary, a sight I had never imagined I would see was unfolding below us. The streets were packed with revellers, a massive horde well over a thousand strong. No, more like two or three thousand of them… From our vantage spot on a small, winding path that looped around parallel to the main route below, we could see a veritable tide of Yokai, the amount and variety dizzying. Many of them were banging ritual drums or blowing flutes, or even beating on glass bottles or metal pots, and numerous voices were singing wildly.

Torches in red, yellow, blue, and other, stranger colours, were held aloft, colouring the night, and barrels of sake and other strong spirits were being broached, reckless monsters that defied description splashing the contents into cups and bowls, or simply upending the barrels over their heads and drinking deep of the alcoholic shower. Roasted hunks of meat, possibly pork, or maybe something worse, were being passed around on skewers as long as spears, for the horde to feast upon, and various brawls and arguments were breaking out amidst the throng, quickly gathering a circle of jeering onlookers to encourage the violence.

As the slowly-moving host poured through the streets of Kyoto, my Eye shone, my hands over it to hide the glow from below. As name after name of Yokai scrolled across my vision in burning amber letters, I breathed out a faint whisper. “The Hyakki Yagyō, the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons. To think that we’d actually see it in reality…”