The Eagles who had chosen to stay, plus Purrcy, were suddenly standing in the Log Horizon guild hall common room in the section where the Eagles would gather for group activities.
"Gareth!" He was slammed into and held onto Tetorō as tightly as he was being held. "I'm sorry to not be able to tell you I was going. I really wanted to."
"It's fine. It hurt, but wasn't too surprising. Akatsuki and I kept each other company. She was kind to not mind me going before her."
"She got here first, though?" Tetorō looked at him confused, then at Purrcy.
Purrcy smiled and purred, her tail waving. "It's time for the meeting now. This is everyone this round. I brought you home in the order you arrived to begin with, except the ones I was required to bring first. Isuzu sends her love and regrets, but she wanted to start this round with William. You'll see her again other times." The others nodded, understanding completely.
MeowLi's eyes were bright and widely open as she took in all of the men who had suddenly just joined them in the room. It was less than twenty, but that still looked like a large group in the common room of Log Horizon. She looked like she was going to be occupying the time of each Eagle for as long as she could to get as many stories as possible out of them.
Akatsuki was just as excited to see them, her eyes counting who had come and who hadn't. Shiroe held on to her hand to keep her next to him this time. He still wanted to enjoy the new time with her, first, before they all played.
"Is there going to be enough room?" Minori asked as her eyes tried to count the total.
Purrcy put her hands on Nyanta's shoulders, standing behind his chair, and kissed his cheek while the final arrivals sat down in their places, or found comfortable positions to stand in (or pulled chairs out of their lists to sit in). Kentaru and his children, sitting on the floor at his feet, were looking a little uncomfortable, but they needed to participate as well since this was their home in the present time.
"We are in Akiba six years after those who wanted to return to Earth were sent there. That was necessary so that I didn't cross over my own linear timeline. A lot has happened here in that time. Regardless, you get to relax and just be a guild, so I hope that part will pay for the other news I need to tell you."
She took a breath and smiled. "You are actually the last of the Adventurers to come through the two-way door. I have closed it now and we are beginning the untether. From here on you are all tied to Theldesia rather than Earth.
"You were all required to return based on the calculations of the AIs. That shouldn't surprise you. This time is the final gift to you of gratitude from them, that you get to rest now.
"Because all the others arrived earlier, they have already been here beginning two months from when they left to return to Earth. The city is thriving, as is all of Yamato. Relations between People of the Land and Adventurers are stable and people are settling down to a normal.
"We'll have a history review so you're caught up, but we'll do that when we have hours to sit. For now, I'll just have MeowLi's husband, Kentaru, fill us all in on the details of what and who he is and why they've been living here.
"As fair turn-about, when we're done with the shorter meeting now, the city is going to make all of you come out and be on parade, since they've been waiting years for you to show back up." She gave them an evil smile and there were groans around the table. "After all, they all see those six years as vacation years for you, even if you happen to disagree."
Shiroe raised a hand. "Ah...Ains?"
"Chose to skip this round, but he's needed as a leader generally. All the guildmasters had to come back, and city leaders. That was across the board, and gave a bare minimum for handling what's needed down the line. After all, kings, princes, and priests need generals, advisors, and assistants.
"Which brings up a detail point. You two," she glared pointedly at Shiroe and Akatsuki, "are required to have children this round. You can't be born to yourself if you don't. The bloodline is required, not just your data."
Shiroe sighed. "Hereditary then?"
"Yes," Purrcy agreed. "Your line, at least. The rest it's not as important in the main."
"There's data in the anima, then?" Tetorō asked.
"Possibly," Purrcy answered.
"No," Shiroe moped. "It's because I told them they weren't worthy of my bloodline before. It's just payback." He got laughed at.
Akatsuki patted his arm. "It's okay. I wouldn't mind, particularly when there are others to help us." MeowLi and Purrcy both nodded, and so did Minori. She'd had her own children after all. The men who'd had children all smiled. Shiroe would need his own help, and gain his own new joys and worries of life.
"Son-in-law." Purrcy firmly turned the group back to the meeting and the time over to the next point of business.
Kentaru rose and bowed to Shiroe and the room generally. He was a good looking Russian Blue, slim and green eyed. His grey coloring was complemented nicely by his blue kimono, embroidered in red.
"I am Guildmaster Shiroe's successor, Priest of Kishi-Mujin. MeowLi is the priestess of the same. We live here because this has become the shrine of Kishi-Mujin by your own hands." Given she was in a matching kimono, they all probably could have guessed their roles without being told.
"A shrine has also been built to Inari, the only one remaining that we are aware of, at the place of Hahaue and Chichiue's pool and tree." His ears flicked in a bit of embarrassment and his wife looked about the same. "I suppose technically it is a shrine to them built by those who love and remember them."
It wasn't uncommon for shrines in Japan to be built around extremely popular or beloved persons of historical note, and it was just as common for families to build specific shrines that only the family would worship at. That had carried over to Yamato, and had actually also been started by Shiroe.
"Setsubou and his wife are priest and priestess there. You are considered head priest here, Guildmaster Shiroe, because we knew you would be returning, and Hahaue and Chichiue are still revered as High Priestess and High Priest of Inari."
The door suddenly opened and a grey and white felinoid wearing a hunter green kimono embroidered in white practically fell into the room. It was noisy outside the building but that was cut off as soon as the four felinoids to enter were far enough inside the door could slam shut again. "Have some patience, Son," Purrcy scolded. "They've only just been told enough you could enter."
Setsubou scolded right back as he led his family in. As soon as he saw his father stand to face them however, he detoured past her to hold his father tightly. Purrcy calmly greeted her young grandchildren and daughter-in-law, then began introductions all over again.
Once things had calmed down, Purrcy took back over. "I think we should get the housekeeping out of the way. I expect we'll come back late and tired, so it would be better to decide those things while we aren't asleep on our feet. Nyanta has already asked if we may have the third floor balcony room."
Tetorō raised his hand immediately. "Gareth and I get my old room on the third floor."
Michael took his turn. "I'd like the room next to Nyanta and Purrcy's since I'm still her guardian and being any farther than that and I get itchy."
"I'm with Shiroe," Akatsuki said.
"And we have to rearrange your room," Purrcy, Minori, and Tetorō all said simultaneously.
Shiroe looked horrified. He waved a hand vigorously, getting the words to his mouth a little slow. "We'll sleep in her old room. That one can stay the office, which I would like to keep. I need the working space."
"We'll take our old rooms, but we don't want to move anyone if they've been taken. We've been gone a long time," Minori said for herself and her twin.
"That leaves Rudy's room, Isuzu's room, Naotsugu's room, and one more on the third floor and the entire fourth through sixth open," Purrcy said.
Naotsugu suddenly stiffened. "You said the guildmasters are already here?" He was already headed for the door. He flung it open, then froze and his face went a little cool. "Not yet. Just Marielle...and Henrietta, I guess." Marielle was flinging herself into his arms and wrapping hers around his neck.
He lifted a more modestly buxom elvin her into the room to let Henrietta in, then firmly closed the door. "That's rather a crowd," he said calmly, but they knew he wasn't quite so much. He escorted the ladies back to the center of the room. "We're housekeeping and deciding rooms and such. I guess I'm back over there?"
Marielle worried at her fingers. "Actually, we did want to talk to you all about that, too."
Purrcy looked at both women sternly. "They have only been told the basics. Don't say any more than you have to yet. We are still trying to even arrive, although the entire city has completely forgotten what that means."
Both women swallowed. "Yes, Hahaue," they answered meekly.
"You may talk about that housekeeping, however," Purrcy allowed.
"We came, and a few of the adventurous ones, but we're awfully small for over there. We don't have to merge the guilds, although we rather got used to it, all working together, but if you still have room, could we come over here?" Marielle bowed politely to Shiroe.
"We were thinking of renting our building out as an apartment for students at the Academy," Henrietta explained. She was going to say more but caught Purrcy's stern look and closed her mouth at that much.
"Sure," Shiroe allowed generously. "We've got some room."
"Then we'll take my old room," Naotsugu was happy enough with that.
"You could have Rudy's old room if you wish, Henrietta-san," Minori offered.
"Thank you," Henrietta bowed to her and Shiroe.
Shiroe looked to Reed with a raised eyebrow. Reed shrugged. "We might not be here long. We can double up again, and even go fours. Let them pick and we'll take whatever's left. Clocktower, OciferJeff, and I can take the last room on the third floor."
Shiroe gave a nod. He looked at Setsubou. "I assume your family is staying over by the new shrine?"
"Yes, thank you," Setsubou answered politely.
"Full house," Touya said happily.
Minori turned to MeowLi. "I don't want to intrude since it's been your house for so long."
"No, please. I'm happy to assist," MeowLi answered politely.
"Are there still enough dishes, chairs, and tables?"
"They've been put in storage, the tables and chairs, but the dishes are still available. We do host on occasion so they've been useful still."
Reed held up his hand. "We'll get the juniors of Crescent Moon to help us unpack what we need. It won't take more than a few seconds." The rest nodded.
"It would be good to have them called in now," MeowLi admitted. "They've been helping with the preparations for your return."
Shiroe gave a nod and Naotsugu walked back to the door again. There was more silence on the other side of the door this time. "Hahaue says to scold you all for not remembering what it's like to return from Earth. We've not even been here an hour yet. Get over your disappointment and hold onto your shirts." He was glaring at one person in particular.
"The rest of Crescent Moon League has been called for." He allowed a group of young adults to enter the guild hall and closed the door again. "That was one hang-dog look. How long before I can let him in?" He jerked his thumb at the door.
"A long time. He's going to open his mouth before his foot is in the door and tell Shiroe so many things his head will fall off and roll across the floor." Purrcy was unsympathetic.
Shiroe's face fell. "Crusty."
"In-one-city." Naotsugu said firmly.
Marielle let her guild members know what was going on. Clocktower conferenced with one of them and the proper number of tables and chairs appeared in the room all leaning on the wall like before.
Purrcy held up her hand before MeowLi opened her mouth. "Let Crescent Moon pick rooms and put things in them first. That will take five minutes tops and they'll need to collapse as well tonight, if they can remember where their new rooms are. You start filling everyone in on the general itinerary and when they get back we'll talk specifics." She turned.
"Off you go, Crescent Moon. You ladies, too. Marie put the bed in for sure. The rest can wait until tomorrow when the two of you are going to want alone time anyway and can create a room together that you want when you have that time."
They all bowed and flowed up the stairs. Marielle returned quickest and Henrietta second quickest. Log Horizon had already put their belongings in their rooms without moving from the common area. Crescent Moon had to pick rooms out first. The Eagles would do it later when Crescent Moon was done and OciferJeff passed out room assignments.
-:-:-:-:-
It was a parade, and a big one. They could hardly mind all the eyes on them, since they were so busy seeing what Akiba had become. There were more People of the Land now, and a large number of them the halfs, actually. There were people who they recognized from the Adventurers, both those brought back and those who had chosen to stay on Theldesia.
The shops were numerous, cheerily decorated, and the shop keepers were out in the street to watch the parade go by with smiles and cheers. Far more of the living spaces were fixed up and had a surprising number of people living in them.
"Looks like a joint city now," Naotsugu commented. "Lots of kids, too."
"Yes," Purrcy answered. "It's becoming a bit of a metropolis, actually." They were passing by the larger guild houses now. They were decorated with banners and other decorations.
"Business is going very well. Nakalnad has trains coming off the line one per year or more, so there's no end of rapid trade and transit. It's the same with Michitaka and the boatyard, so the ocean trade we were used to on Earth is also going well.
"Pirates are down, since the Adventurers didn't have anything else to fight after the land based monsters were put down to maintenance levels. As I think I told you, I had fun participating in that one. When the few show up now, it's a game to see how fast they can hit and run with how much, since unless they kill or kidnap most let them go they're so rare a breed now as well."
"The few Adventurer pirates are still difficult, though," Kentaru said.
Purrcy sighed. "And they'll be worse here for a bit once word gets around the globe we're back. They all know the Pirate King of Theldesia has been missing in action for years now, and the Pirate Prince of the Indian Ocean has claimed it more loudly each year."
Nyanta and Michael both turned to stare at her. "He's not."
"He is," she nodded glumly. "It's why he stayed here, after all. Likely he'll want to re-challenge you for your title, Michael. If you want it as one of your adventures to teach him his place, feel free. I'll let you know when he's off the coast."
Both of them scowled and folded arms. "Please do," Nyanta said in his quietly dangerous voice, not one step behind Michael in wanting to see that particular Adventurer put properly into his place where the ocean and the Merchant Queen were concerned.
Log Horizon arrived in the center of town and were carted up onto the large stage by their entourage of "enforcers" from the Round Table Council. They looked at each other and Shiroe sighed. He stepped up to the front, reached for his amplification spell, barely remembering it, and cast it. He was relieved when it just worked.
"Thank you everyone for your warm welcome. We are just as excited to be back. Sorry we were late. We didn't know making Purrcy come home to Earth would delay our arrival here. We all needed her there just as much, though, so I hope you've already forgiven that delay."
He looked around the very full square, noting a lot of uniforms that made it look like the Akiba Adventurer Academy plus the University of Administration had made this into a university town and center of learning as well.
"It's very obvious we have a lot of catching up to do. Please be patient with us. We're very proud of what Akiba has become, based on what we've seen of it thus far. We're looking forward to having the time to be part of it again, but don't expect us to stick around this time."
Shiroe smiled. "This is our retirement. We'll be out hunting horizons and vista quite a lot. We've not gotten to play at all since the catastrophe, so no, Crusty, I will not come and sit on the Round Table Council again for a while. When I get too old and can only sit in a chair anyway, then I'll think about it." There were both laughs and groans, particularly from Crusty himself who shifted to fold his arms and glare at Shiroe, his chain of office glinting in the sunlight.
"Who else do you want to hear from: everyone so we can make you all bored, or go straight for the food?" Shiroe tried to tempt the city the way the rest of the guild wanted.
"Oh, no. You have to all talk," Marielle scolded from the side of the stage, her own voice amplification spell going.
"Well, then. Hello," he bowed. "I'm Shiroe, Guildmaster of Log Horizon. These are the members of my guild and my companions."
-:-:-:-:-
-:-:-:-:-
Thank you for walking through this long journey with me. It has taken us three years and nine months, nearly three million words in 336 chapters, to traverse the full eight levels of Purrcy's dungeon and reach the conclusion of the story. While there were times of trial and difficulty, in all it has been pleasant with a satisfactory ending, even if not exactly what everyone had planned.
There are a few short stories I've already written about Log Horizon and the Eagles and their lives on Theldesia after this concluding time. Those will be posted next. I can see so many more I've referenced that could be written as well. If you wish to see more, please go vote for what you'd like to see. The link to the poll is at the top of my profile page. I also would enjoy having you come and visit at my Patr e on page (patr e on dot com slash JiryuRasen) where I leave my author's comments and answer your questions.