Shiroe shivered. Akatsuki held on to his hand a little tighter. "Sorry," he said, taking a deep breath. "That's rather hard to recover from so suddenly, although a relievingly fast positive response."

The others with him nodded, their own eyes rather wide. Emiline was more confused than worried. They didn't expound, but only waited for Shiroe to finish recovering.

"Do you know why?" Akatsuki asked, a worry frown on her face.

Shiroe shook his head. "I'll ask when we can talk privately, no later than after we meet up in Akiba again. By then she should be able to talk about it without a repeat - I hope."

"Who told you?" Isuzu asked.

Shiroe paused, then answered as he rose to his feet, "One of her high-level emergency healers."

He took a deep breath and finished pinning the Giant's friendship pin onto his shirt. He had dents in his palm and fingers where he'd gripped it too tightly at the sudden fearful notification and request. He worked very hard to relax. He would otherwise find it difficult to face both the Giants and Demikas.

Turning the topic so he could focus better, he said, "Well, it will cause just as much a stir for me to suddenly appear so large and real to the Giants, I would think." He looked up from the pin to William with a bit of a dry smile.

William responded in kind. "At least you haven't been fighting them since we got here, like I'd been." He checked the security of his own pin one more time. "I also haven't had the chance to be their size yet." He looked back at Shiroe and gave a smile. "I guess we'll see how it goes."

"They know you're coming, you know," Isuzu rolled her eyes at them. "Right then, come on, Emiline. We'll go first to warn them. It's not like we all need to show up in each others laps, standing on each other's feet. Give us enough time to move out of your way. It's like entering a different spacial zone." She wrinkled her nose at the rest of them, then moved away from Emiline enough, who had been walking forward a bit more, until they were far enough apart.

Both girls whispered the required words, then were growing. The other three blinked as they did disappear. They looked at each other, shrugged, and moved off to have enough room to become Giants. William and Akatsuki kept Shiroe between them so they'd be in guard positions on arrival.

He allowed them to say the words before he did, so they'd be in place by the time he got there. It was a little depressing to have to be just cautious enough to make it obvious he was considered nobility. Going home would be nice. He firmly put down the little scolding and incriminating whispers for now.

Akatsuki and William were both scanning the area around them closely. Isuzu had put them just at the outer edge of the village. She'd said she'd been lucky to show up in the street her first time and hadn't wanted them to end up inside someone's house, or a wall for that matter.

"It's looking pretty good," William commented. "They've done a good job in the time they've had."

Shiroe had to agree. The lane was mostly one-story houses here, which would be needed first. There was a larger building going up farther into the village. Likely that would be either the town hall or it was perhaps the factory since trade would be the second thing to get moving forward.

Akatsuki gave a nod and disappeared to reappear two houses down the lane. She gave a satisfied look and motioned to Shiroe with her head. He and William got started walking down the lane. Akatsuki looked up, hesitated, then with a blink was gone again.

Shiroe looked up. She was looking down at him from two more houses down the lane. She wasn't there long before she was back on the ground in front of the same house. "Too heavy. But they've called the delegation. Should meet us in not too much farther."

Shiroe chuckled just a little under his breath. Giant Akatsuki on a roof was probably not a casual thing, even if the Giants had been up there to put the roofs up to begin with. It was okay with him if she stayed on the ground.

The three met the delegation from the Giant village past the construction of the village. It seemed those who had been in the village had gone that way with Isuzu to meet with those who were working outside the village. Isuzu was standing next to a smaller, younger Giant. On the other side of him was an older Giant.

Off to the side from them just a little were Demikas and Emiline. It looked like Anna was riding on Demikas' shoulder. Shiroe wasn't too surprised, but then he had her friendship pin with him. Emiline had been borrowing someone else's.

Shiroe stopped the proper distance from the young King. He supposed it was good he had William as his escort. It was a proper level guard for him to have, and William also needed to be present for at least one diplomatic Adventurer-Giant visit. With a silent sigh to himself, Shiroe didn't bow.

"Guildmaster Shiroe, this is Corbin, Peace King of Giants, and his guardian and regent, Thornil." Thornil almost didn't bow, then with his own kind of internal sigh, decided to bow at least his head. Shiroe wasn't too surprised Thornil wasn't sure what to do. Corbin shifted uncomfortably, less sure than Shiroe in his position. That was also not surprising. He did finally give a bob of his head. Shiroe let his eyes crease up in approval at that.

"King Corbin, Sir Thornil: Archmage Shiroe, Duke William Massachusetts, and Shiroe's guard Lady Akatsuki." William gave a friendly if sober nod of his head and Akatsuki bowed slightly.

"We're pleased to be able to come and visit, even if briefly," Shiroe said politely. "We hope your rebuilding continues forward easily for you and that your new home can become comfortable to you soon, for all it's very different. When I last visited Giants, it would have been in Sir Thornil's father's time, I think." He looked at said Giant to see what his reaction would be.

Thornil was rather well practiced at being in the presence of nobility, actually. He kept a court face on and bowed again, slightly lower this time. "That time is still remembered."

"I think we'll all be just as glad that the game requirement has been broken," Shiroe said neutrally, "and that it can't be brought here with you. We'd like for peace to continue as much as possible from now on."

Corbin was looking between them, a little puzzled. Thornil paused then asked, "Lord William did say that you were the one who had asked that the possibility even be considered and attempted?"

Shiroe gave a tip of his head. "I was asked if it could happen and was happy to help get it started. It wouldn't have amounted to much of anything, however," his eyes went to Corbin, "if there hadn't been even one Giant willing to try." He did smile now. "I'm quite pleased. Thank you, Corbin, on behalf of the Adventurers, also. One small courage, one desire to do good very often leads to peace and hope." Corbin blushed just a little.

Shiroe looked back at Thornil, "And others being willing accept that attempt." He let his eyes convict (or praise) the other Giants behind them as he passed his gaze over them. Some still looked unsure, unhappy, but most seemed settled by now. "We'll hope the goddess continues to bless you and your efforts."

Shiroe made a sign to Akatsuki and she pulled out a cloth-wrapped package. "We've brought a gift," she said and handed it to Corbin. "The Caretaker helped us get it the right size, and included instructions, although you should ask the smalls to come help."

There were curious looks from the Giants. Corbin unwrapped the gift and looked at the bags of large seeds in his hands, under which were paper instructions for planting them. "You've not been able to sow and grow foods in the harsh land from before," Shiroe said. "These will give your people more foods and nutrition to be healthier. There is plenty of land to grow them. They're meant for the shorter growing season you have here.

"She was quite determined to see you have these, as the mother she is." He smiled. "We have an understanding of mothers. Children do not like their vegetables so much, but mothers see to it they eat them anyway because their nutrients are necessary to proper growth. Adults don't mind them so much, since we prefer variety in our meals."

He went a little stern, "Another reason to work with those you need to be learning to work with to integrate properly with the rest of the residents of the island is also a thing we both think necessary. Please work hard to unlearn your prejudices and teach them the unreasonableness of theirs. Continuing to move forward properly is still necessary."

Corbin actually bowed to the requirement. "We'll do our best. Thank you for the gift." Thornil was mostly resigned. He understood how hard it would be, but Corbin's push would help everyone get there eventually.

Shiroe turned to William. "Thank you, William, also, for being willing to aid them in their quest. I appreciate your efforts as well."

William smiled his small calm smile. "You know I was happy to help. We were already done long before."

Shiroe gave him a nod and turned back to Corbin and Thornil. "We would like a tour, if you're willing. We'll stay until tomorrow so you can ask questions, and then we'll be going on to our next requirement."

His eyes finally turned to Demikas. "I'll need time to talk to Demikas as well, and then he also needs to leave for a time. He's required at Susukino briefly."

Demikas blinked, then scowled at him. "You're going to Wraith," Shiroe explained. "Adventurers who stay away from the Adventurer cities and Cathedrals too long fade away into undead. Purrcy protected you during that time. She's ordered it since she can't now."

Demikas huffed a little and looked away, folding his arms. That was his way of giving in without saying it. It was enough.

"I'd be happy to show you around," Corbin said humbly when Shiroe had paused long enough for there to be empty silence. He looked at Thornil. "Then, perhaps we could meet in one of the houses to talk?" Thornil indicated that would be okay. Corbin paused, then looked around to another few Giants behind him. "And then, a more formal dinner?" He looked apologetically at Shiroe. "It will still be a rather rustic one, I'm afraid."

Shiroe waved a hand to let it pass. "It doesn't need to be extravagant." He looked at Isuzu, "But if we could add in entertainment, I'd like to hear Isuzu's newest and perhaps others." Isuzu rolled her eyes at him and he gave her a small teasing look.

Corbin gave a satisfied nod and moved to begin the tour. Other Giants headed for likely the kitchens, since banquets of any kind always meant hours over hot stoves and fires.

-:-:-:-:-

"Henrietta!" Marielle's voice was for her somewhat strained. "Crusty says Purrcy visited with him at Water Maple, while he was talking to the Duke. She told them it will be hours, not days, so we've got to be ready as soon as possible."

Henrietta groaned inside but kept it only internal so Marielle could stay as calm as she could, which wasn't a whole lot, but some. "Okay. I'll let everyone here know to get started."

Marielle continued, "I've got the Communication Mage putting the notice of the arrival and the public announcement up on the TV, but told him I'd have to give him the time later, so right now it's just 'this afternoon'. I hope that's enough," she sounded a bit dismayed at the last.

"It will have to be," Henrietta said firmly. "I'll get the troops marshaled. We'll be ready for you."

"Thank you, Henrietta," Marielle said in relief.

Henrietta went to the guild chat, and included West Wind Brigade and Log Horizon. "Today, firm. Exact time, unknown, minimum 'hours from now'. Main committee gather inside the Academy grounds, north side. Guard that boundary and the road out of town. Everyone inside that corner of the city is to come out, no one is to go in, or they'll have a university sitting on their heads.

"If it takes too long, we'll have a shift rotation at three hours so everyone can get lunch. If we hear a more definite time, we'll contact you again." Henrietta waited until she'd received confirmation everyone had understood, that the in-city panic control groups knew to step up their efforts, and that no one had questions, then closed the chat. Others were in charge of setting up shifts and guard stations.

She took a deep breath, doing her own calming and pre-battle prep. Her heart was beating a little too fast. Honestly, she was surprisingly excited to get to see Purrcy and her family again, herself. It wasn't really like her. For once she looked at it instead of shoving it aside. She sighed and slumped just a little. She, too, wanted to have her mother coming home.

Well, a hug would be good payment, and Purrcy always required them anyway at some point. Maybe not right away, since that would be in front of a lot of dignitaries, but eventually, when they could relax just a little. It was a little worrisome that might be long time, but still ...Purrcy was well known for her required greetings.

Having figured out the source so she could set aside the emotion, Henrietta took one more breath, straightened her shoulders, then left the guild hall to meet Marielle so they could go to the Academy grounds together.

-:-:-:-:-

MeowLi took in a sharp breath as Rudy froze and got that far-away look of receiving a chat. When he came back he smiled at MeowLi. "Today," he told her. He put his hand on her shoulder. "We still don't know when, but a few hours or so, they say."

MeowLi forced herself to stay calm. "Well, that's a better window, anyway."

"Indeed," Rudy agreed.

They were just done with MeowLi's class and were in the teacher's room, getting ready to leave it. MeowLi was leaving her papers from the morning in her desk. She'd wrapped things up yesterday and today, trying to get the class to a break point. It hadn't made sense to end it. The students were few and mostly her friends, so they'd all said they'd rather finish up her class, whenever she could pick it back up again.

That had been relieving. Since they'd known the university and her family would come sometime in the next few days, from Minori's calculations, MeowLi had tried to make it so each class was self-contained at the least. It would help that she already had the next three day's worth of classes worked out in detail. She'd only have to come review those notes to pick it back up again.

As she and Rudy reached the outdoors, she took in a deep breath and let her happy out just a little. In only a short while her timeline would be back in order and she would see her family and siblings again. She'd also have a large piece of home here in the city.

It would be good to have the university library available, too. It had been disappointing to her that there weren't any libraries or books in Akiba, except a few related to magic and Adventuring in shops. The Adventurers couldn't have brought them from Earth, although her parents had both said there were many libraries there.

"Shall we wait with the welcoming committee, or do you want to find something to keep you busy until we know closer to real time?" Rudy asked. "We could be here past lunch."

MeowLi looked towards the north practice grounds. "Let's wait and talk to Miss Marielle. When I get bored is soon enough to find a distraction."

Rudy smiled a knowing smile at her. "Alright. Maybe we can get everyone playing some games in the field while we wait around. That would be a good distraction."

MeowLi shrugged. She'd be just as happy sitting around, actually, but she knew boys would rather be busy, even if Rudy was good at being a noble and waiting patiently as was proper. "I'm sure some will be quite happy to join in. I might just watch." She smiled at him, "Until I get so twitchy I have to run to let it out."

Rudy gave her a knowing look. "Exactly. As a matter of fact," he gave her a threatening look, "I think I'll chase you right now." MeowLi blinked at him, then took off running for the meeting point. He was quite right. A good run right now would be wise. She opted to make it a long circuitous route, rather than go directly there. It looked like they had time before everyone else got there. She made sure to take her turns to chase him, too, to make it fair play.

It took Henrietta's whistle to get the rather large group of children to calm down and be ready, since they'd ended up being joined by everyone as they trickled in to make it a rather large game of freeze tag. Still, she and Marielle didn't look angry. They only smiled and suggested that at least a few of them stand watch.

MeowLi stepped out long enough to request that she be told if a more firm time were announced. She was promised and returned to the game. She was having fun for once. The Adventurers were so relaxed it was easy to relax with them.

-:-:-:-:-

"Crusty, just what is going on?" Crusty closed his eyes and took a breath, wishing he could immediately hand this over to someone else.

Rieze turned before he did, surprising him. "Ains," Rieze said calmly, "you know this is a game world. We don't control what the game does. We get to react to those things. If it's easier to think of this as another Special event, then please do so. We're dealing with it as best we can. Adding panic, chaos, and your personal preferences to it won't do anyone any good, least of all yourself since it's still your own reputation you're building for yourself."

Crusty blinked at Rieze, then looked at Ains. Ains was a bit frozen. He scowled once he'd processed Rieze's statement.

"Ains," Crusty said thoughtfully, "would you think that an institution of higher learning was a good thing to add to Akiba, or a bad thing?"

Ains paused again and considered that. "Usually a good thing."

"Well, good then. Because that's what we're doing. The preliminaries to get one added. Some day I might like to see us add other fun or cultural things to the city. At least we don't have to pay to have this one added, other than in a bit of social chaos as would be normal. They'll be as out of water as we were to be brought here from Earth, so we're trying to ease that transition a little. Perhaps you'd like to help?"

"How?" Ains asked suspiciously.

"By holding your tongue and waiting to see how it goes, then at least not shooting yourself in the foot," Rieze said very dryly but firmly.

Crusty offered, "If you think that would be hard, then you could go home and let your lieutenant be here for the announcement and bring it to you. No one wants to have hard feelings."

Ains was back to impatient. "So you're telling me that even though it should be a good thing, I'm not going to like it?"

Before Rieze could say "yes", Crusty held up his hand to stop her. "I'm asking you to sit it out until it finishes playing out, then think about it like it's the special it is. If you can't live with it then you can decide what you'll do. You'll make a bad immediate decision if you can't control your initial emotional response. We all know that causes death in dungeons." His eyes bored into Ains.

Ains eventually pulled himself up to a rigid spine. "Very well. If my absence will mean I don't have to have the stress of figuring out how to deal with all of you, then I'll wait to hear it."

As he stalked off, Crusty sighed slightly. Ains was still going to rant and rave when Purrcy took to the stage, and then be very difficult for a while. They didn't expect Ains to move. Their guild hall had been expensive to purchase and there wasn't anyone to buy it off of them. He wasn't sure which city they'd move to anyway.

"Well, that was probably the best outcome we could hope for," Rieze said with practicality.

"Souji," Crusty called the other guildmaster up, "make sure your Programmers have the stage protected. We managed to talk Ains into staying in his guild hall, but he'll be watching." Crusty closed the chat. "Not like he can touch a goddess," he muttered.

Rieze gave him a sympathetic look. "It's still better we defend. She needs to be able to have some wiggle room to try to get him to calm down."

"I know," Crusty replied. He wondered how long Purrcy would be able to go before she mentally rearranged Ains so he forgot he was so angry with her. It would save the city and the council a lot of headache if she did. It wasn't kind, so she wasn't likely to. His thoughts were interrupted by the next "emergency". He was glad to be distracted.

-:-:-:-:-

Everyone got to have lunch. By then everyone was calming down. That was both those waiting to be the welcoming committee, and those who had no clue until that morning that a new "special" was coming down the pike. To learn it was one that would add something useful to the city made it finally a decent special.

To know they only needed to handle it as a social quest rather than a monster one made a lot of Adventurers relax. That was easy. They'd been doing that since the Round Table had been formed. A few people shrugged and took off for their regular jobs. They'd learn about it when they had free time.

A lot of people decided to pay attention, but not freak out. They were curious and wanted to know what it would be in the end. A few offered to help and were asked to be part of the welcoming group that would ease the newcomers into understanding Adventurers and Akiba. That is, they were asked to be openly friendly.

A lot of felinoid Adventurers were happy to hear it was felinoids coming and they promised quite readily to help out. The Wolf Pack wrinkled their noses and opted to listen out of curiosity but they'd disappear as soon as the announcement was made. They didn't care to be out-numbered.

The People of the Land had to be reassured, over and over actually, that the felinoids coming were educated and hard working. It was a university after all. Once most of them got it, they settled to an uneasy waiting. They had experienced the difference between the Adventurers pre-catastrophe and post-catastrophe. At least the felinoids coming were scholars, not fighters, so could perhaps be assumed to be more gentle. That would be a bonus.

It helped that Duke Sergiad came out with Raynessia mid-day to walk the main parts of the city, stopping to talk to Persons of the Land shopkeeps, or those just walking the city. He calmly reassured them as well that he'd be meeting with the heads of the university and be part of the city-wide announcement.

That went a long way to calming down the spies of the other Eastal lords as well. They couldn't very well make a fuss if the Duke was there himself to see things stayed on some even level. The discontents, of which there always were a few, grumbled, but stayed in the background after he showed up. His keen eye would pin them if he heard them even whispering in the spaces between stalls.

Since that look promised imprisonment, they took it to the dark part of town, where Rudy's special forces knocked heads, took down names, and into prison they went anyway. He'd set those up last round, knowing he was going to Maihama, and eventually home. They were his replacements to keeping those inflammatory back alley People of the Land places down to a dull roar or less.

Tetorō was standing with the welcoming committee on the north border of the Academy grounds when suddenly there was a message in his ear. He looked at Marielle and Henrietta. "It begins, but here is the last of nine locations to be moved. My best guess would be within the hour."

They took deep breaths as he disappeared. Purrcy needed him as back-up monitor so that if there was a failure one of them could hold the code in place and the other repair it immediately. Marielle held her hands tightly in front of her as Henrietta called the notice in.

An Adventurer politely stopped Sergiad and informed him it was time to go to the Academy grounds. The guildmasters in town eventually caught up to him and they all walked calmly but with a little haste to the appointed meeting location. It was a rather exciting time for Akiba, if the unknowns made it a little nerve-wracking.

-:-:-:-:-

Purrcy held Ceridwen's hand tightly, then allowed Ceridwen to give her a hug. Nyanta also gave her a brief hug when she was able to let go of Purrcy. "Thank mew for being our calm friend," Nyanta said to her as she stood looking at them for the last time, tears standing in her eyes.

"Thank you, both of you," Ceridwen bowed to them. She took a deep breath and Purrcy cast her spell. The space in front of the felinoid couple wavered, then slowly disappeared. Purrcy watched the physical results, knowing Tetorō was watching the full cascade of the code action and results.

Just as she was taking in a deep breath, Tetorō said in her ear from the Temple of Creation. "Looks good from in here, Hahaue."

Purrcy gave a nod. "Looks good in the base realm as well." She smiled to see Ceridwen being greeted by the sprites and nymphs of the zone she'd chosen to live in, while her two large cats sat and watched, sniffing the smells of the area and listening to the sounds of their new home. "We'll do the University next, then."

Nyanta pet her head with a hand to give her a little intermediate praise and calming, then they were stepping to the University going with Ceridwen. They said their farewells to the Dean and his council and Purrcy was casting her second spell. She was glad she'd been able to reuse a lot of the code. Still, the details had been sticky. She was glad for Tetorō's help.

That University arrived where it was supposed to just fine. Purrcy watched to make sure the unicorns in the zone were properly moved by code to just outside the boundaries of the University. When that worked, she sighed in relief. That subroutine hadn't been called for Ceridwen's temple placement.

"Check mark," Tetorō said when the University was in place in the base realm, about ten miles from Ceridwen's temple. Most of the kami hadn't wanted such a large place right in their laps, but did want to be close enough for oversight and communication.

"Good to go," Purrcy responded back.

They'd carefully told everyone to stay inside the buildings they were going with, except the few that needed to be presented first when they first appeared so the people or creatures that lived in or near the zones would have someone to explain to them right away, or at least welcome properly. So far no one was being left behind, although there was another sub-routine for that, too.

Purrcy and Nyanta took hands and Purrcy stepped them to be in front of Ra's temple. He and Mut had decided they wanted their temples to be rather close together, although not too close, and somewhat cosmopolitan. The last requirement was a little hard.

Purrcy had finally decided that if they and both universities all showed up a city in full all on it's own, then that would be easiest. Knowing the lore of Egypt and Cairo, she had worked out a place south of Cairo and still near the Nile that would be an easy half-day travel between the new city and the Adventurer City. It wasn't too far from several People of the Land cities and villages, either.

They had been required to take quite a bit of the garden land of the two temples with them. They were settling far enough away from the river itself to not encroach on the good farming land - what little of it there was in the desert area. "We'll be ready to make our request when we're all together again," Mut reassured Purrcy.

"Thank you," Purrcy responded. "Thank you for your help."

Mut bowed to them and Purrcy cast her spell. That and three more carefully watched castings and the four zones were placed properly. Purrcy began to fill up with the wishes and blessings of both temples and both universities. When it was enough to power the spell they'd specifically requested, Purrcy let it go.

An entire canal system appeared from the Nile to the new city to feed into their gardens. It would be a self-sustaining city even still, unless there came droughts in their seasons. That way they didn't have to be a burden on their neighbors. They were suddenly a lot more mouths to feed on the fields of the region. They would get a lot of interest in the University of Crafters, though, so wouldn't be rejected at all.

"Break time," Purrcy said to Tetorō. She met him in the garden of the Temple of Creation. She'd very specifically required they take this break, and Nyanta had firmly agreed. It was as much to calm the mental stress as to recharge the MP. They quietly chatted while having a small semi-formal tea.

When Tetorō was back in the room that let him see the code, Purrcy and Nyanta walked to the last temple that needed to be placed. Purrcy bowed slightly to Libertas. "Thank you for supporting us in our difficult time," she said, knowing that Libertas wouldn't remember it, but wanting to say it anyway.

Libertas had agreed, in the end, not just because of a frog, but because she had lived according to her programming. She was worshiped by the commoners, those who were downtrodden. Many of the poor People of the Land who'd been harmed by the Adventurers who'd sided with the dark deities had prayed to her, desperate for release. Siding with Purrcy and the Inari in the Sect War was how to easily answer their pleas. They were who were already fighting for that liberty.

Saint Gertrude hadn't been angry with Purrcy and the Inari. She had simply prayed to have her life end rather than choose, the Sect war already being more than she could bear. As patron saint of cats, the wishes of all the felinoids of even just the Gate of Time had warred within her until she was weary before the end. It had been a mercy to grant her wish, for all Purrcy would have liked to have been able to walk with her a little longer.

Purrcy cast the spell for Libertas' temple and it also wavered from their view to reappear in the grotto near the pond that held the frogs, close enough that Libertas could wander there in her musings from her own gardens attached to the temple.

"Okay. Looks good," Tetorō's voice came.

Purrcy stayed where she was as Libertas walked to stand by that pond. She raised her head and said softly, "Thank you, Caretaker. Please, take care of the people for me."

"I will," Purrcy promised.

Libertas paused, then smiled. "I know you will. You and your people have always been my most ardent supporters."

Purrcy smiled at that. "On Earth, Liberty was my home country's motto and our way of life. I'm glad I could help you, also."

Libertas bowed and Purrcy let the vision go. "It's good," she softly said to Tetorō.

She slipped her arm around Nyanta's arm and requested a rub of the head, which he kindly gave her, and they were standing in front of Libertas' University. It was the University of Guardianship. Liberty would continue to be supported by strength, although Purrcy would watch over it a long time to see it wasn't abused. That wouldn't honor Libertas at all.

Goodbyes said again, the university that taught the guards of the kamis also disappeared from the Gate of Time. When it was in place, Tetorō let out a long breath and said, "Okay, now just our own and then it's home."

"Yes," Purrcy agreed. She turned to Nyanta. "Is the Temple of Creation prepared?"

Nyanta gave a positive turn of his ears. "They will wait on the High Priest and High Priestess for the years that we are busy below.

Purrcy closed her eyes. "It will be different to be mostly in the base realm rather than here. I hope it isn't a long adjustment."

"With everyone else also now in the base time, it should be simpler, I would think," he said practically. "Even those who remain will find it a slow life, surely."

She opened her eyes and looked into his calm, kind green ones and smiled a small smile. "Well, that's true enough. I might wish to be back here, then, where I could be lazy."

Nyanta chuckled and they were standing in front of the University of Administration. Purrcy fetched Tetorō. He would have to watch the code while standing in the middle of it's activity, and so would she. They were needed as part of the committee to announce the arrival of the University.

They greeted the Dean and his committee, then stepped to be with them, facing outward. When Tetorō nodded he was ready, Purrcy cast the spell. Again she watched them move physically, using the High Priestess aspect in the Gate of Time to do it so she didn't get too confused. "We're all here," Tetorō said quietly to her.

She opened her eyes to see the Akiba Adventurer Academy grounds in front of them. The chosen delegation from the city were waiting for them, standing in their own ranks. Purrcy bowed to Crusty. "Nyanta and I have returned, and bring the University of Administration with us," she said.

Crusty bowed a slightly deeper bow. "Welcome to Akiba, Caretaker-ōkami, Nyanta-sama. And we also welcome the Dean, his staff, and the whole of the University of Administration." His eyes had gone to the felinoid next to Purrcy who was wearing his formal robe of office, so Crusty would know what he was properly.

Crusty indicated the people with him. "This is the Round Table Council of Akiba. We're also pleased to have with us to greet you today Grand Duke Sergiad Cowen, head of the League of Free Cities of Eastal."

Sergiad bowed to Purrcy a formal bow. "Welcome," he said. That was all he said, but it was enough. It was warm and honest and what Purrcy needed to hear. His underlying worship, still required at this time, said the same - he was truly happy to see them again, and greeting a goddess wasn't something to hate when he already knew her.

"Thank you," Purrcy said softly as Nyanta surreptitiously held her hand a little tighter to calm her tears that threatened.

Marielle stepped forward. "We've prepared a room in the Guild Hall to meet in to discuss the details of integration with Akiba. We've also many here who would like to greet those who have come with you, to begin to help them feel welcome. If there's a way to call your people out of the University, we'll have them gather in groups of twenty to thirty so that we can give them a brief explanation of the city, and then answer any questions they might have."

The Dean smiled. "While that would definitely be appreciated, we thought you might like to start in the Great Hall. There are nearly eighty-five hundred of us. Everyone is already gathered there waiting for you."

He indicated a waiting secretary. "We'll escort any whom you see fit to present, although...," his eyes went to the nearly dancing MeowLi standing at the edge of the Akiba group, "I think many would like to hear from the mouth of experience itself." He smiled as MeowLi froze in surprise.

MeowLi swallowed, then gave a courageous nod. "I would be happy to tell everyone what I can to help them understand," she said bravely, over her nervousness. She'd already had to do it once similarly as valedictorian of her class. They would listen to her words and be as glad to see her as she was to see them.

"Then, let us greet our daughter first and we'll go on to the meeting at the Guild Hall," Nyanta requested and it was kindly allowed. It was hard to not make the hugs long and very tight. "We'll see mew at home soon," they promised her and she nodded at them.

"Welcome home," MeowLi said to them softly as she turned to go with the secretary and those who were part of the welcoming committee, with Marielle at their head. Henrietta went with the remainder of the Round Table Council as the Crescent Moon League representative. The cheerleader needed to be where she could encourage the most people.