“Cheers!” David decred, hoisting up his gss of beer and polishing off a good third of it in a single big swig. He then sighed, satisfied. “That hits the damn spot.”

  “Drinking so early in the m isn’t a healthy habit.” Sir Arthur pointed out, and David snorted, amused.

  “You o lighten up, old man. Besides, I feel like celebrating.” I was sitting with David, Sir Arthur and Raidre in a private lou the airport, while the st checks on the private pne I’d be taking to Greece were being performed. “You feel the same, admit it. Why not have a drink? I know you like a pint or ten…”

  “I suppose it hardly hurt.” The white-haired yet still strong older man agreed. As he drank from his own pint, I gnced over at Raidre, who seemed pensive. Before I could say anything, David tinued chatting.

  “The Princess is in high spirits still. Not even that worthless wretch Donovan bring down her mood. Nor…” He trailed off, and I had the feeling he was going to mention Sarah. Seeing I realised, he ged the subject. “So, how’s my fangirl? She doing okay? You ever going to find her a Favour?”

  It was my turn to snort now, and he narrowed his eyes, grinning. Finishing his pint, he told Raidre to fetch him another, and something stroo chase it with, ign Sir Arthur’s disapproving look. “Hey, don’t get jealous man, I’m not the sort to go after another man’s woman! I ’t help it if she knows a badass when she sees one!”

  “Sure, sure.” I ughed it off, having plete faith in Natsumi. Especially after st night. “Natsumi’s not that sort of girl, and even if she was, which I repeat, she most certainly isn’t, I’m fident I’d still hold her love and i over you, David.”

  “ation, huh? Well, I’m just messing with you. Us real men have to stick together. With the Princess running our team, it get a little girly at times, the chatter. I expect you have it worse, though?”

  “Actually, I find it very soothing.” I thought back to all our adventures, where I was indeed surrounded by a number of women, though now most of them were with me in airely more intimate fashion. “But yeah, sometimes it’s o cut loose and talk about things us meerested in.” Although Shiro tends to feel like one of the guys most of the time. Though if I tell her that she’ll hit me, and pin I’ve gone blind. She’s a… plicated… woman. “As for finding Natsumi and Motoko Favours… it’s not so easy, but… they don’t begrudge Aditi her sed ce. They’re kind girls. Nor do the Elves. For them… it’s not about the Favour itself.”

  “Yeah man, what a riot. Our Priries not to be disapproving, but it’s hard for her. Isn’t that right, old man?” David asked Sir Arthur, who looked up at the ceiling, sighing, before nodding.

  “True, Eleanor is very old-fashioned in her views, especially after the trouble with her uncle. A very bad business, that. While it was certainly not teically illegal here, many saw it as immoral, and it was certainly distasteful. But you hardly want to hear about the woes of our Royal Family. Eleanor talked to the Elves, Belera and Soliteare, I believe…” I nodded, and he tinued. “…and once she discovered there was no coer, and that they genuinely wish to attract your attention… she’s a kind woman at heart. She o longer pin. Though she does rather dislike your womanising ways.”

  “That’s a little hurtful. I’m only trying my best to make everyone happy…” I shook my head, taking a swig of my own beer. Raidre was back, and David o him before downing a shot of some strong spirits, smag his lips.

  “I get you. Times like this, women want a strong man. Someoo protect them. Though yroup seem quite keen on proteg you. Training themselves as well. Got to say, I approve. Nothis a strong woman. The Princess is even more of a catow. But it’ll be hard to win her over.” He looked at me, and I shrugged.

  “Well, good luck to her.”

  “Old man, Raidre, is he being dense on purpose? It’s fug annoying.” David swore, and I narrowed my eyes.

  “If you’re implying that I’m ied in Eleanor…”

  “Doesn’t matter whether you are or not, dumbass. Look, old man, you expin. I’m in too good a mood to deal with this shit.”

  “Language, David. o be crude.” Sir Arthur sighed. “If I may be blunt, in honour of our friendships and w retionships?” I nodded, and he tinued. “Setting aside Eleanor is what I believe you Japanese would call a tsundere, and us British would say isn’t ho with her feelings, I’ve talked to the one you call the Lady Diviner. Now she is an impressive, elegant woman.”

  “She’s already taken, old man. Too young for you too…” David snickered.

  “David, your japes are sometimes tiresome, you know that?” Sir Arthur grimaced. “And I am no more likely to steal another man’s woman than you are, and I would also fail. After all, who pete against the man who defeated destiny itself for her, and proved wrong a God?”

  “No shit. That’s the problem though, isn’t it? You think so too, don’t you Raidre?”

  The hitherto silent Fae nodded, his expression a difficult mixture of worry and irritation. It seemed like he was regretting something, or perhaps resigned. “I returo the Court for a visit. I had been gone long. By the salt and smoke, little had ged. It still reeks of rotting darkness and corruption. Ahere is hope within. A certain… momentum, like waves washing against the crumbling shores. It is spreading, like the st of the seas. The daughter of Shaetanao has brought ge… and you with it.”

  “The Princess of Beasts. Though I do agree, the name is ill-befitting for a princess such as her.” Sir Arthur praised Shaeu, which I knew would amuse her greatly. “Then there is your other rade, the Princess of Hungry Ghosts.”

  “rade? Say what you mean, call her his lover.” David scoffed, and Sir Arthur shook his head.

  “Have some delicacy. Anyway, we know that Eleanor is the Princess of Humans in this prophecy, and I find it apt. There are few Princesses as, for want of a better phrase… human… as Eleanor, food or ill. She is a woman of strong principles, and great irength, yet also she has great fears and hidden weaknesses rger than many.”

  “Yeah, she still thinks she’s a coward.” David snorted. “sidering her power is to take a daming, that’s bullshit. Anybody would be scared of that. Besides, guts is standing up for yourself and those that matter despite being afraid. And she’s got guts in spades.”

  “Aye.” Raidre agreed. “And that is why we of Bermondsey Isle pledged to her. Fairness, loyalty, honour… we Selkie value such. It is why the Court reeks. Such was lost over the louries. But perhaps it return again…”

  “Look. She’s lonely. Even with us at her side.” David pointed out. “Sure, we do the best we , but… I’m a fighter, not a thinker. She has enemies, I’ll punch them out. After all, I’m the War God of these Isles. Caturix knows his shit, choosing me! Old man Arthur here, he’s known her forever, she’s like a o yht?”

  “Exactly. An adorable, beloved niece who I want to see happy. It breaks my heart, seeing her fight, yet I am also proud. But heavy is the head that wears the . Her Majesty knows that well, and now her granddaughter has to shoulder an eveier burden. I am thankful I was able to be one beside her, and the athered helped, except…”

  “For the damrayal. Fuck that Donovan and the stupid red-head bitch. Samuel and the other fuckers go eat shit ioo. Even that…” David sighed, clearly furious. “She doesn’t want to talk about it much, but the only reaso through that mess unhurt…” David’s eyes narrowed at that. “Unhurt. If those pieces of stinking shit weren’t dead I’d treat them worse than your little princess did Donovan. Fuck, got any neancers so ull them bad make them see the error of their ways?”

  David was fuming, and while I hadn’t heard the full story of Eleanor’s flight to her Territory before we arrived to defeat Mary Stuart and the traitors, I k had been harrowing.

  “I’m getting off my point.” David downed his beer, smming the gss oable. “You taught her how to throw around water, right? Without that she was in deep shit. Then you all swanned ie our Princess being a right bitch to you, and not only saved her life, but saved us all. Sure, you scammed her over the Tower, but… she’s not a fool, our Princess.”

  “Yes, Eleanor is ly…. academic.” Sir Arthur allowed. “None of her brothers were either. But she is far from foolish. The support you are providing to Britain and will tio do so is worth a great deal. You did not have to offer it.”

  “Worse, you helped us with the redhead, meaning we didn’t have to take more drastic steps.” David agreed. “And now little miss Asian is back with us. That’s something you really didn’t have to do. If you’d have given that Favour to fangirl or her friend, or even one of the Elves… that’s what anyone would have done. Shit, she’s a sensitive woman, our Princess, even if she es across as brusque. It was eating at her, what little miss Asian and teacher were going through. Now… she’s got her smile back. Because she believes that you’ll find one for teacher too. You will, won’t you?”

  “If it be found. It’s not so easy, otherwise…”

  “Otherwise, all your women would have one. I know. Though this trip you’re taking, I’ve got my ideas.” David wasn’t fooled. “No joy with get’s leftovers yet?” he asked, and I shook my head.

  “No, nobody seems patible. Maybe I could force it for Shaeu, as she’s a lightning user now, but… I’d rather find her a more fitting ability. I mean, she wields a copy araow, so perhaps one from the Tuatha Dé Dannan.” I mean, she seems to be from a desdant line, so it’d surely be fitting.

  “Yeah, well the Fae are rgely Brits, so she’s one of us, just like Raidre here. Who should be getting me more booze…” David ughed. “Anyway, a shame. I’d like that worthless o tribute something useful in the end. But yeah… point being is, Eleanor feels a great debt towards you. And you’re one of the few that uand just what she’s going through. Japan has that Imperial Princess, but… you’re supp her too, aren’t you? When it es to Japan, you’re top dog.”

  “True.” I wasn’t going to deny it. In fact, when Ixitt’s factories e online… we’ll trol the ey too, in short order. Political power, military strength, Chosen, finances… yeah… it’s like I’m the Prince of Japan, if you look at it that way… “It be tough, but… if not me, then who? I have to guarahe safety and happiness of those within my sight.”

  “It is that which Eleanor cks. We do our best, but…” Sir Arthur frowned. “…we already failed.”

  “So yeah, the Princess is scious of you like nobody else, man. Fug hell, it’s crazy. You’re like a damn spider, luring woman after woman into your web. Even now bae, there’s tons of talk about pairing you up, you know? Even the Queen, that old bag, she’s been asking the Princess what she thinks of you. I mean, politically, it’s a no-brainer, right? Especially since…”

  “David, we are not supposed to know about that matter…” Sir Arthur cut in sternly, and David grinned.

  “Sure, iional politics. Fuck me, I hardly wait though. Sure, I’m jealous, but I also get a perverse pleasure watg your problems stack up, Akio.” He spped my shoulder happily. “My point is… Eleanor needs someoo truly rely on, somebody who won’t let her down, who protect her. If her body is her shield, then… well, what boyfriend would wao get hurt?”

  “If it’s a support, why not you?” I asked David, and he ughed as if I had told the fu joke ever.

  “Me? Are you fug blind, guy? To me, she’s like an idiot younger sister, and I’m a cheeky older brother. It’d never work. Besides, she has the dislike for womanisers, and I’ve been around. Always honourably, I’m no shitty Donovan, but I’ve pyed the field. Models, martial artists, girls door, I’ve dated them all. And they loved it…”

  “David!” Sir Arthur interjected, and he ran a hand through his hair, sn.

  “Sorry old man. Just reminisg. Anyway… yeah, the issue is, I’m no good, and she doesn’t truly trust any of Britain’s other Chosen now, except for Callie, who we brought into the main team. Oh wait, I get it…” David’s grin was suddenly mog. “You’ve got a thing for your own sister, don’t you? No wonder you think me and the Princess could work!”

  I choked at that, and David’s smile grew wider, enjoying seemingly having the upper hand. “Hey, everybody ughs about it. I’m no judge, who the fuck cares? But… you’ve got taste. She’s a cute little firecracker. I love a woman who likes martial arts, and she’s a mean hand with the bow.”

  I was stunned, staring at David open-mouthed, and he spped my back again. “Rex. I don’t have time to hit on your sister. And before you say she’s too young for me, look in a mirror. There isn’t much differeween my age and hers, and you and that Hinata girl. But anyway… enough teasing. We’ve not got long before your flight, so I’ll get to the point.”

  “That would be appreciated.” Sir Arthur pointed out, and David scowled at him, befring at me, as if to impress me with how serious he was.

  “Anyway, The Divisukiko, she says that only you protect Eleanor, because whether or not you’re the hero she saw, you’re the o, aer the one we know than one who might never e. Yeah, totally get those ses. Man, she’s fug beautiful too. I never had much time for the Eastern looks, but you’ve certainly picked up the best of them.” As Sir Arthur cleared his throat, David smirked. “Sorry. Anyway… I agree. Even the Princess is scious of you, though she de to herself. Look, just… wheime es, promise me you’ll be there for her, and share some of her weight?”

  Eri always says I’ll end up with the other Princesses, just because I have Shaeu and Shiro. I… don’t hate Eleanor, not at all. Sure, I was furious the way she treated Hyath, Motoko and Natsumi to start with, but she’s genuinely apologised, and made amends, so… I respected Eleanreat deal, because she lived a privileged life before all this. Me, I had less to lose and far more to gain when I accepted Ortlinde’s deal. But for Eleanor, she stepped up because it was her duty, as she saw it.

  “I… look. You know I’ve got my hands full as it is. And there’s Bell and Teare to sider. When I return after my trip, I’m going to have a genui-to-heart with them.” In a way, Moira’s so refreshing. She’s no i in romance, just doing her job. Hmm, she’s learning darkness element, right? I’ll have to get Chiaki- and Chiasa- to assist her. Yeah, better bring them bae souvenirs too, they deserve it!

  “Don’t be a coward. What’s one more. Or two?”

  Two? “It’s not a case of numbers, it’s a case of feelings. Like you said, Eleanor really disapproves of my polygamy, even if she’s accepted it. There’s just no way…”

  “Well then…” David exged a long look with the others, before he asked me his question. “If the day es when she asks you herself, will you step the fuck up and ha?”

  “If that day es, and everyone else is in agreement, I’ll sider it on its merits.”

  “Mealy-mouthed Japanese non-answer.” David scoffed. “But I’ll hold you to it. Because our darling Princess has just as mas as anyone else. Anyway, I’ve said my piece. Might as well spend the st few mialking about something else. Maybe your sister?”

  At David’s i grin, I scowled, but he was just joking, and soon we were discussing the potential of various martial arts. David didn’t think much of the Eastern ones, calling them ‘fake mystical bullshit’, but Muay Thai and Krav Maga got his approval. While we talked, I pondered what we had discussed. Eleanor, huh? From a political standpoint it makes se would make the alliaween Japan and Britain unbreakable, but… Remembering Eleanor’s surly expressions, I couldn’t help but smile. If she asks, huh? There’s just no way. Though I do admit, I’ve doher a lot to help her. But again, not every girl is susceptible to that, despite what Eri says…

  ***

  On the small, swift but plush private jet that took off from a small London airport, I was listening terman nguage learning on my earbuds. It had been fun talking with David and the others, though whearted talking about Eleanor and my sis it was a little unfortable. I had drunk a few beers, but with my stats aher Healing I was pletely sober, so I decided that since I had a few hours before my flight nded, I would take some time to chee of my Skills now that my Eye had Ranked up, mostly focused around League. Ba the Boundary, I was still resonating with Asha’s Tree, desperate to gather what ether we could to hasten the Rank 4 push.

  Let’s see then… My Eye glowed, and I checked out my League, as I had been w about that for a while.

  The calibre of one’s existence. League is a measure of the force of your existence, and perhaps even be sidered the true measure of the soul itself. League adds positive bes to every a one uakes, and if one’s League is higher than an oppo it will suppress their as. If this difference is signifitly greater, then they will be uo resist your Rules, Principles and Laws. As one’s League increases, mundane Rules, Principles and Laws will restrict you less, and you gaier progress towards being oh your ???????? and loosening the restris of Material, Spiritual and ???????? misaligs.

  Great League naturally lends itself to the manipution of Adherend ????????, for all realms have an innate League, and so exceeding this will lower the resistane feels when f their will, spirit and ???????? to affect ges that the surrounding realm denies.

  A Territory lio the spirit and ???????? of su existence will be strengthened a enent by realms of lower League, and should one surpass the Fifth Heightening and the Territory reach ????????????????, then the ???????? of the realm be cimed aher force the Territory to ???????? ???????? ???????? or it be used to create a realm within the bearer’s ????????.

  It seemed there was extra text. There were still some omissions, but while my Eye wouldn’t uhem, I did feel that the tent was very simir, in fae of the question marked areas were the same stant that kept cropping up in a lot of pces. Ohing… here it says the ‘true measure of the soul’. All the other Skills and Csses referehe ‘spirit’ as did the Fae and other spiritual beings I’d entered. Certainly, the spirit seems to fun as what I would have sidered the soul, Haru was reduced to a spirit a she’s who she always was, all memories and personality intact. Is there a further yer? Wait… I suppose it does make sense in a way. Spiritual beings be destroyed, but I know mions teach that the soul is immortal, iructible.

  For a moment I wished I had read more Cultivation stories when I was younger. From the couple I had read, I remembered that there were indeed cepts of a sed soul, a truesoul, it was sometimes called, that dwelled within the mundane soul, and was strictly iructible, usually. So is it Material, Spirit, Soul? I just don’t know… but maybe with more Ranks…

  Tan likely khe answer, and thinking back, it seemed almost like she had tried to mention it before, but… I rubbed at my temples, remembering I had tuned out, or just heard static, for some reason. It’s something to iigate, anyway…

  The additiarding the effect of League on my Territory, as well as the fact that surrounding realms had a League, made sense from what I had observed. As well as being Japanese, of course. After all, we believe that the eight million Kami exist, that everything has a soul of sorts, so it’s not a stretch to assume that the Earth could as well. Gaia was a theory on that which was all the rage with some new age types a few years back, if I remember?

  I had also wondered why it was being slightly easier to use abilities oerial over time as well, even disting our rising Skill Ranks. Certainly, the higher ether density was surely a factor, as it was increasing, but other than Kyoto, the Nasu voloes, and around our Territory, the increase wasn’t rge, and it would likely take decades to reach Boundary levels all over Japan and the world, uhe rate of acceleration sped up. Which could happen, I guess, if the Boundary colpses. It’s already damn fragile in pces… Perhaps the League of Earth itself could expin that?

  Moving on, I checked the League Cssification, and leased to see it had expanded and was more detailed, though it didn’t directly answer my many questions, of course.

  League Cssification:

  0-2 Dull: You have little to no prehension of the mysteries of true higher existence. You have little tact with your own ????????.

  3-7 Spark: Your existence exceeds the mundane. You have a higher grasp of Rules and Principles. Your ???????? is slightly active, fortifying your Spiritual and Material aspects.

  8-20 dle: Your existence is a match for Divine creations and other Spiritual beings who dwell within the shallow depths of the Astral. Uanding of the lower Laws opens to you, and your ???????? is more able to influehe realms around you, and form Territories.

  21-40 Torch: Your existence has reached the highest level of beings that ck true Divinity. Your existence is a Rule in itself, so only greater Principles and Laws destroy it. The bindings of the Material affect you but weakly. To increase your League still further requires a Spark, iing Adherehin your ????????.

  41-75 Fre: Your existence has reached the level that kirue Divinity. No mere Divine Spark but a true iion of Adherend ????????. Your existence is a Principle, thus only those who wield true Laws affect you without a signifit differen the quality of their ????????. You are not bound to the Material or the Astral but exist freely in both as you will it, and survive the destru of your flesh and spirit, your ???????? retaining the most important pos of your ???? existence, yet those extraneous facets of yourself shall be lost.

  76-??? Star: Your League has now ied with your ???????? and a fvour of Adherehat is truly your own. Your existence has bee a Law, and thus the stronger Law will prevail in any csh. ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? path to further strength is long, and your League, Adherend ???????? are the foundation upon which the ?????? of Divinity is built upon.

  ???-??? Sun: ????? ?????? ????? ????? merge your ???????? with the Law ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????.

  ???-??? ???????: ?????????? ???????????? ???????? ?????????? ????????

  Oh joy, aorm of question marks, but again… I had the feeling the question marks had a certain familiarity to them, at least the early sets. As for the ter…

  “At least it’s made it clear what Divinity entails, and why my Skills with Adherence seem to have peaked. Or maybe I should say die G?ttlichkeit.” I chuckled, leaking some of the German I had been learning. “I wonder what Tan’s League is at? It’d be Fre for sure, does she reach Star? Maybe… I guess I’ll find out one way or another one day…”

  Again, finding that as usual, the more I khe more I o know, I moved onto Adherence Manipution.

  You have the ability to trol and utilise Adherence, both of a pure and impure nature, though Adherence which matches the aspects and foundation of your ???????? be utilised at a vastly superior efficy. You vert Adherenuddy, impure or inimical fvours into usable, ued Adherehough you have reached your limit of what you achieve, as you ck a Divine Spark.

  Now I had studied Shirohebi’s Divine Spark before, but he was at the stru site, while the Jade Beetle Kami was at Hisuikomushi shrine. I guess I check… fog my will and Eye upoerm Divine Spark, I pulled up further information.

  The core of Divinity, prised of trated Adherence, pressed over many years. A Divine Spark will take on the aspect of Divinity that the Adherence embodies, positive bes to all as regarding said embodiment, and also dramatically increases the League and Fate of the bearer.

  That was the same as before, but now there was more.

  The Spark ies within the ????????, and forms a mutually reinf cycle which strehe trol of Rules, Principles and Laws reted to the aspects of Adherence embodied, as well as the true nature of the bearer’s ????????.

  Divine Sparks form naturally, as Adherence of a suitable type builds up within a being, or it be densed, via the gathering and pression of a rge quantity of suitably-aspected Adherehough this usually requires a catalyst to spark densation and tact with the ????????.

  I see. So, I just wait, but there’s no guarantees, or… I o grow my abilities with Adherence, but I wasn’t sure what aspect I actually embodied. Although, I do have one idea. It might be irrelevant, but…

  I then looked at Foehn. I had long sidered the differeween unique elements and mutated ones, and the answer I came up with was Adherence. Seeing Tan’s Fmes Of Thirst And Famine, and their simirity to Foehn, got me thinking. Ba the Boundary at Shirohebizumi, I sent a maid running to fetch Shaeu, wanting to study her elements as well.

  This unique Fire has long dwelt within the earth, but it was made impure by the addition of a fn Wind that drifted in from the higher Astral. With ued assistance you have purified it and taken it within you, and you ow call upon its fury. It knows only ceaseless hunger and an urge to exist, and has ed other Fmes, Winds, Earths, Waters, Dusts and more, each strengthening its ceaseless striving to destroy.

  The description was little different, but as I let out a tiny flicker of it on my palm, careful to shield myself from it, and to not allow it free to burn a hole in the pne, as crashing would be a huge pain, I exami with a critical Eye, trying to see into the essence of it. Yeah, it’s as I thought…

  Foehn tained Adherence, and this one ected with the o devour fuel and never die down, two trasti paired Adherences. Shaeu arrived, and her Fortunate Winds were also fvoured with Adherehose of lud success. Winds And Waters Of Devotion And Worship likewise tained several aspected Adherences, of fusion, domination a also soothing.

  Hang on… does that mean… I had a sudderemely dangerous thought, and when I expi to Shaeu, her eyes went wide, the amber gleam intensifying. With ched fists she nodded, deg it was worth a try, and her determination to now master Adherence Manipution was s, as doing so would also help her trol her winds. Just like I should be able to manipute Foehn with more precision now and stre. Although… I had many demands on my Adherence, mostly for carrying and distributing Favours, though now I also o dense a Divine Spark. Therefore I’ve no leeway to test my idea yet. A shame… but when things calm down, if they ever do…

  With that wry thought on my mind, I pted for the rest of the flight, while I tio soak in the German nguage…

  ***

  Clearing airport security was easy, as I was on a private jet and had a diplomatic passport, so soon I was outside, feeling a pleasant chill in the air. Seems like it’s not that much different to Japan. There, I saw my guides waiting for me.

  “You’re here.” stantine said cheerfully. Behind him, his quieter sister Sophia me, a touch warily. Though I remember stantine said she was normally far more talkative than he erhaps it’s because her English is rather shaky?

  “I am.” I greeted them. “So, I’ve received your messages. Everything’s good to go?”

  stantine looked a little unsure of that. As they ushered me towards a waiting car, it was Sophia who spoke up uainly. “We… met the woman. But at first, she was wary and … suspicious? Is that the word?” At her brother’s nod she tinued. I opehe passenger side door for her as sta in the driver’s seat. I sat in the back.

  “She kept quiet, rarely goes out. To find her… she worried we meant to do her harm.”

  “We expined all this.” staarted the car and began the drive to our destination, Mount Ida. “And there’s no point being o Sophia. She’s all nagging and poison, just take my advid steer clear.”

  Sophia started ranting at him in Greek, her tone venomous, and at his casual defles, I smiled. Quite the sibliionship. As the red-faced Sophia calmed down, stantine managed a few more words in Greek, before apologising to me.

  “See what I mean? Anyway, we expined we meant her no harm, and we had the offer for her. She… hasn’t teically agreed but wants to meet you in person. She hasn’t deed, either.”

  “Just how did we find her?” Sophia asked, after taking a few deep breaths to calm down. Shooting her brre, she tinued. “I must… apologise…” The words were quiet, and her brother widened his eyes incredulously, making her snap at him in Greek again, before she finished her thoughts. “Don’t mind my brother. If it to him, we’d be drowning i. First Germany, then Korea. Who paid for it all? Me! And now… God’s grace, I doubt I still have a job to return to, my break got long.”

  “Sorry, Sophia. But… I was right!” stantine protested.

  “By God and all his Angels, does that matter? Being right doesn’t feed us or clothe us!” She took another deep breath. “Look, thank you for employing my useless, yabout brother. And for paying me as well. But… I uand why she was frightehis world… it is beyond me.” She touched the crucifix she wore around her neck. “I am Orthodox, not Catholic, but even so… I listen to the Pope. The world is crazy. Nearly as crazy as stantine.”

  “Finding out things isn’t too hard, if you know the right questions to ask. And if she doesn’t want to sell in the end, that’s fine.” I reassured Sophia. “I certainly won’t take it by force. As for your brother, he’s got his value. Here and in Germany. More than enough to make me hire him. Though I will have to insist he stops his website, or at least ges the tent.”

  stantine made a face at that as he trahe harder words for Sophia. I then pointed out he could share a lot of true information, at least the stuff that wasn’t sensitive, and he perked up. The drive was quiet after that, everyone deep in thought, and soon we were parked at the base of the mountain. Looking up, in the distance I could see a rather impressive observatory many hundreds of metres above on the peak. Seeing my gaze, staold me it was the Shinakas observatory.

  “I’m gd we don’t have to walk that far.” Sophia grumbled, looking down. She was wearing heels, though they weren’t overly rge, they still weren’t the best shoes for walking long distances i alone up a mountain over rough terrain. Seeing my gaze, she flushed, her olive skin darkening further.

  “I told you to wear trainers. There’s o dress up, unless you’re trying to catch his eye, sister? Though sidering your history with boyfriends, a serial bigamist wouldn’t feel out of pce…”

  Sophia drew in a hissing breath, clearly offended, and before she could respond, I let out a wisp of air, whag stantine on the forehead. He clutched it, teary-eyed, a bruise f, and as he looked at me acgly, I frowned.

  “Ign the fact I’m not a bigamist, Japanese w now permits everything, don’t be rude to your sister. A brother should be kind.”

  Sophia let out a ugh, both mog and a little shrill. “That’s right. stantine, who’s looked after you throughout this mess? You’d be oreets and living oils.”

  stantine rubbed his bruise, muttering to himself, before apologising. “Sorry Sophia. But I am watg out for you.”

  “Fine.” she ceded eventually. “Don’t embarrass me again though. I just… oh, who cares? We have to go.” Angrily, she started stomping up the path, asding the mountain, and I looked at her brother, whed.

  “Seriously, my sister is a mess. An attractive mess, sure, curves in all the right pces and a cute face, but…not worth it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”

  “These false accusations are ing thid fast today. I’m not indiscriminate.” I sighed, as we started to follow Sophia. “So, our target lives on the mountain?”

  “Yes, in a small cottage a few hundred metres from the base. So I guess Sophia’s poor choice of footwear isn’t a big deal.”

  It only took us a moment to catch her up, and we climbed in awkward silence, until we reached a narrow brang path. Following that for a few hundred metres, we found a small, thatched cottage tucked away in a tiny valley. It had clearly seeer days, but it was still ly whitewashed, and the steps up to it had bee spotless.

  “It’s here.” stantine said, before asking Sophia to knock, saying that ‘she liked Sophia better than him.’

  “Of course she does. You never shut up, and you don’t have any manners with women, young or old.” His sister sighed, shrugging. Soon she was gently tapping the door, and it opened a crack, dark eyes peering out, before words were exged in Greek. Moments ter, the door opened, presumably revealing the woman I was here to meet.

  She was very old, short, thin and her once-olive skin was now pale and heavily wrinkled. Her hair too, short and curly, was now also a dull white. But she moved with surprising grace, and her back was straight, of age upon her, and I realised her movements weren’t normal. Yeah, she’s got a Favour, the stat boosts are noticeable.

  The most strikiure of hers were her eyes. They were a dark bck, simir to the eye colours in the East, like Eri’s, Shiro’s or Daiyu’s. But they held a profound wisdom that could only be gained by age and long experience, and they seemed to see into me. As I resisted the urge to look away, I saw what looked like faint silvery specks floating in her dark irises, shimmering faintly like stars in the night sky.

  The oke to Sophia rapidly in Greek, and she nodded, before turning to her brother.

  “She says…” staransted for me. “Traveller from a far-off nd who has e seeking her, you had best e in. But do wipe your feet, and she hopes yht no ill-will with you. If so, she will eain you with true Greek hospitality, but she also hopes you don’t pin that her home is meagre.”

  I see. Bringing ill-will, huh? I think I’m bringing her an opportunity, but… Smiling politely, I bowed in Japanese fashion, which made her raise one white eyebrow, the wrinkles around her peing eyes kling. She the out a quiet, dry ugh aured for us to e in. All right then. Time to see if Yasaka-san and his Book were right as usual… if so… Well, if it could eveify opportunities such as this, then there were few limits to the potential growth everyone could experience…

  ShipTeaser