Chapter 67

Eina was not surprised by my visit, or the numbers involved. Count on the people of the Guild, and their numbers based job, to already have an idea on just how big the project would be. In return, I was given a list of places in town that were ready to receive our orders, and the Guild's word they would arrange transport to the other side of the Gate.

This left me holding the coin purse, so to speak. But, with the items already 'on hold', I just had to walk around to pull the trigger so to speak.

But the cost... The cost would be beyond the means of the Alliance core. We weren't poor by any means. But to arrange food, shelter, emergency supplies and other such things for a month, as well as potions I could no longer make in my current state for all those nobles who couldn't just let a grudge go...

So. I was going to need to cut costs.

A big chunk of that cost would be the potions. Even with the discount for being Nazza's friend, and her no interest loan, potions of almost any kind were still a luxury in the city. Healing potions much less so, since my 'invention' of the potion pills. But the materials from the dungeon were a little rare.

The most expensive thing however would be 'housing'. Textiles were a huge thing in Orario, since most adventurers went through clothing like a good meal. But at that volume...

Of course, I was willing to put in a little extra effort for a discount.

"Demon-fox." I was about three paces away from the Southern gate of Orario, when I heard a voice call my name. Or rather, the name people used if we were, or had been, enemies.

I put my raised foot down, turned, and looked up. "Ottar." I replied, "Going fishing I see."

At his side was the extending Adamant fishing rod I'd made him while I was in Kuoh. He'd modified it a little, as intended, and put a simple reel on it. Knowing him, and how professional he was in all things, the line on that reel would be drider silk or some such. That of course would make it worth more than some Familia's net worth, but he could pull a large boat to shore with it. Or a small whale.

"I am. You've been busy." He continued to walk past me, not bothering to look if I was following.

Of course I followed, since I was headed to Melen, just like he was. "I saw a huge opportunity on the other side of the Gate. Going to need a lot of work though."

"Any good opportunity always does." He replied, "Giving tours. Finding supplies. Scouting talent. You plan on bringing them here?"

It wasn't surprising that the Freya Familia had noticed. Being who I was, and having done what I'd done, my life outside the Manor was basically an open book to anyone who desired 'top spot' in the city. No, what surprised me, was that Ottar would care enough to ask. Though, if he didn't care, it meant Freya did.

"I'd give that guess about... seven out of ten." I said after a moment, "Did you send anyone through?"

"As per the Guild rules, yes. Two of our newest members."

I didn't ask who. If I really wanted to, I could ask the Guild. That kind of information was public. "And did they tell you about the situation?"

"As much as they could." He shrugged. "Why do you care?"

"Because I can."

"Obviously. But aside from that?"

"The conflict over there only really has two paths. And both end up being needlessly bloody. So, I'm going to remove the knife, before someone gets stabbed with it."

"So you plan on having the... problem... settle here?"

"Over there." I pointed north, "But not just the 'problem'. But their families as well."

"Remove the reason they fight." He nodded, "I understand." But, he then gave me an adorable (though I'd never say so to his face) five degree head tilt, "How will you protect them?"

It was clear he understood my motives, but not the process or anything past that. So, I gave him a smile (mostly to stop myself from laughing at the adorable expression he had just made), "Carefully. They will be a people who have just stopped running for their lives, and be starting from almost nothing, in a world where the 'prey' animals in the fields can take your leg off almost as fast as you can fire an arrow." I gave him a sideways look, "I'd like it very much if the Gods would let them settle in first, before scouting them for talent."

He gave me the same look (except down, since I was much shorter), "You plan on getting to them first then?"

"No." I shook my head, "They will need a little time to get used to things. Build homes, start, or restart, families. And, just to be clear, the Alliance hasn't 'scouted' anyone yet. The people who've been in and out of the Manor have simply been visiting, or helping with this effort."

"I see." He nodded, "You understand I will report all this."

"Of course. If nothing goes terribly wrong, I suspect there will be a little something for everyone." I nodded, "Yes, even Freya Familia."

He simply nodded with a 'hmm'. But when no further conversation followed...

"Anyhow. Work to do. Want me to tell Njord to stay in port until you get there?"

"If you could."

"No problem." And with a little hop in place I got my feet braced, and started running towards the port city of Melen.

As luck would have it, the massive flagship of the Njord Familia was in port. They were loading up their massive nets and whatever else they needed for their usual operations. To be honest, I knew very little about ships, so what ever it was they were doing, I could only describe as 'busywork'.

Now all I needed was to find someone I knew among the crew (again, basically no one) and ask the right questions. Again, a little luck rolled my way when a big voice shouted out to me.

"Ah! It's the prettiest thing I've every fished out of the sea!" Njord himself called out.

Turning, I spotted him and the only other person I'd officially met from his crew, Rod, his well weathered wiry muscled physique covered only with simple pants, belt and vest.

"Well at least you're not commenting about my ass." I walked up to them, getting a laugh from the two of them.

"Well, ya'know, yer little lady gave us such a look last time." Rod said, "Haven't felt like that since my first storm!"

"So what brings you away from your ray of sunshine and collection of fuzzy barnacles?" Njord asked, "Must be important if you're here in person, so it's not more of that nice white (noise)."

"No no. Got a bit of a situation that needs some sturdy emergency shelters. And for that, I was thinking canvas. Lots and LOTS of it." I looked to his massive fishing boat, with its three huge masts and all the sails on it, "Figured the best place for that, was here, where it is most needed."

The two gave me a raised eyebrow, almost exactly like Hephaestus and Tsubaki would, "Sure, we got all kinds of workshops making the stuff. Heaps in storage too, since we're bound to rip something, somewhere, every time a good storm hits." Rod nodded, "We can give you a name or two. Everything else is on you though."

"Of course." I nodded, "Oh, before I forget, I ran ahead of Ottar. Had his rod and reel with him."

"Well, won't be a boring trip at least." Njord laughed, "Good luck with whatever you're about yeah? Oh, any idea when Susano is going to visit again?"

"I can try and find out. Now then, names?"

I got back to Orario just in time for lunch, with two wagons loaded down with huge rolls of canvas. The cost wasn't cheap, but even if I couldn't work with stuff on the hot side of the workshop, I could sew fabric and cut wood. But, before I made my way home, I needed to make one more stop while I was out. Just so I didn't have to go out again for a little while, and could just put my head down to work.

Demeter was pretty easy to find once you knew how they rotated the crops around Orario. Just had to take note of the time of year, time of day, and look for the biggest clump of busy farmers. I had to go around from the South side of Orario to the East, but I spotted her and her sunny personality without issue. Then it was just navigating (on foot) towards her so I didn't trample anyone's hard work.

"Oh! It's Lady Kodori." She gave me a mildly vacant wave, and waited for me to get closer before reaching out, taking both my hands in hers, and giving me her very best sunflower smile. She kind of reminded me of Gabriel, or rather, Gabriel reminded me of her. Very pretty, but not exactly the sharpest of people.

Unless you were talking about her specialty. Then she was the closest this world had to a walking encyclopedia. "Lady Demeter." I greeted, holding her hands in return and ignoring the dirt on them. "Everything looks like it's growing well this season too."

"We did have a little blight towards the north of the city, and poor Mr. Meow has been overworked with how many mice he's had to deal with, but yes! So many happy plants." She let my hands go and did a little spin in place, her nice (not as dirty as you'd think, considering her work) yellow dress doing a neat little spin with her. "All of those plants you sent back from your home are... incredible."

"They had a thousand years to breed the plants for better results. Some of those are total abominations, even with how useful they are. But I'd be happy to talk about that another day." I smiled, "But, I need your advice on something."

"Of course."

"I need a mix of grain, fruit and vegetable. Easy enough to transport and store in large quantities, and enough of it to sustain about a thousand people for a month." I smiled, "The fruit and vegetables will need to be something that can be dried out, like grapes."

She put on her very best 'thoughtful frowny face' (telling me exactly where my children learned it from), and then nodded, "I think I have just the things. When do you need them?"

"Three days from now. I'm guessing the flour will be simple, but the rest not so much?"

She nodded, "With the nice cold rooms we have now, we haven't been making quite as many preserves as usual. But! Pickles are always popular! The sudden quantity however..." She hmm'ed some more. "We can do it." She nodded, "But I hope that's not all you're going to feed whoever it is this is going to?"

It wasn't hard to guess this wasn't a 'personal' order for the Manor. "It's going to the JSDF. If you have time for a little story?"

"It is a little bit of a walk to the nearest block of store houses." She smiled, hooking her arm around mine and not quite tugging me along with her.

Early evening, after finding, sourcing, and getting it set up for delivery, I was outside near the workshop, making tents.

"I'm going to make this bit here... One Yuki high!" I declared, fitting a wooden dowel in with another, "There."

All the children, curious, had gathered around to see what I was doing. Of course, when they did, I started getting them involved. Holding things, doing some fetch and carry, that kind of thing. And Yuki, who was closest that exact moment, was used as a way of measuring.

"Yay!" She said, "But... why that high?"

Amani, the 'big sister' to our collection of kids (mostly by merit of being much taller) commented, "A tent needs to be sturdy, and fit where you need it to fit." She pointed, "See? Instead of a round tent, it's going to be square. So you can put lots of them side by side neatly."

Seven 'ohhhhhh's from my children, followed by one of those silent conversations of ear twitches, nods and little tail wags.

"Like houses?" Yumi asked.

"That you can move around?" Tatsuo added.

"But they're kinda small for houses?" Toshi commented, holding a pole up for me, and trading it for a headpat.

"This isn't going to be a home for long. So all it needs is to keep the weather off, and keep some heat in." I said, looking at the nearly finished 'prototype' of the tent.

With a 'Yuki high' square foundation, then the usual triangle 'tent' on top, it was tall enough for me to stand in, just barely, in the middle. It would have enough space for at least four people, and a modest amount of stuff. More if they had their stuff in crates or the like, so they could sleep on them. But, it was sturdy, reasonably water resistant, and with a couple more additions, you know, like the front and back wall, it would keep in the heat.

And once the template design here was done, and with all these little hands helping me, I could make a dozen of them in an hour. Nothing I needed to make, required something from 'underground', and all the things like rope and tent pegs were on hand, or easy to make out of wood. Or just have Welf make them out of something stronger.

But, this was only if I could keep the children on task, or keep me on task, since just having the children around wanted me to run off to play with them too.

"I think we can finish this one before dinner. And then a few more before bed. What do you all think?"

"Can we camp in it tonight?" Tatsuko asked.

"Would be a good test." Amani said with a shrug, "Not like you have to worry about wild animals in your own yard."

I considered, "Okay. But if we do that, we're going to have to stick with it!" I declared, "No running into the Manor until sunrise, and we have to set up a proper camp out here. That means everything!"

"Like a fire? And cook food?"

"Make an animal trap too?"

"Yes." I nodded, "It will be a good time to test you, and make sure you all remember your lessons."

Yes, much to the amusement of the rest of the Manor, we field tested a pair of tents that night. Using nothing but a few of those 'survival shovels' that some genius had made a couple years ago, we set up a proper military style field camp.

This included the tents (duh) a fire pit (with small fire) (oh! That wasn't lit by magic or overeager children with foxfire... the second time at least), a small latrine (I did say everything, and meant it!), and a few small snares and traps for any wildlife that might come around (Chime, Loaner and Sir Skitters were good sports and even tested them for us).

But even before we went to our 'camp site' at the back corner of the property, I had the children make, and gather, a list of things we would need. Food, water, the all-purpose shovels, cooking set, etc. And, just to keep Amani 'in practice', we had her lead the effort for supply gathering. Myself and Haruhime were only there to carry things, or deny the occasional silly thing they might want to bring. Like a stuffed Hagane doll. Mostly because it was Shinkage's, and wasn't needed for survival.

Overall, I'd say they earned a solid 8/10 for the test. I might have been a little harsh here, since they couldn't set up a tent on their own. But they all still had some growing to do, and forgot things like blankets and warmer clothing. They also wanted to cheat, by just turning into foxes when I mentioned that, but then poor Amani (totally fake) cried that she would catch a cold since she didn't have fur like they did.

And since this was going to be an actual field test, I made note of any potential changes that might be needed for the rest of the tents I planned on making.

"Who goes there!" I opened my eyes and had my feet under me before I realized that it was Kei's voice from outside the two tents.

Around me, two of the four children (Amani counted, even if she was level two!) started moving, and I could hear Haruhime in the other tent, and maybe one more of our children moving.

"I'm friendly, Kei-chan." It was Nanami. And, playing along, she asked, "May I sit by your fire?"

"Yes you may, Nanami-san." Then, "O-ma? I think you have a guest."

So, I gave headpats to Amani and Toshi, who settled back down, and stepped out of the tent. "Nanami." I greeted, "What time is it?" I asked Kei.

"Um... second watch? So..." They looked up, "After midnight?"

"Very good." I nodded, kneeling down next to them and engulfing our white haired child in a hug, "I can take the rest of your watch. Well done." Kei stood up and shuffled into my tent, though they needed a couple of tries to shut the front flap properly.

Nanami got a little closer to me, knelt like I was, and in a hushed tone, "White foxfire? So young? Even here?"

"I told them that if someone were to approach, call out, and treat it like it might eat you." I mumbled back, adding a bit of wood (yes, cast off from one of our trees... Or maybe a neighbour's yard? They really did search for every dry branch they could find) to the fire. "Out in the wild, it just might eat you too."

She nodded, "After looking over the dungeon trip footage, I believe it. Hmm?" A couple of my tails were doing that 'thing' and hovering close to her to investigate. She not only let them, but wiggled a little closer, since the night was rather cool this time of year. "I just got off the Occulus with Yasaka-sama."

I gave her a surprised look, "You started the call before I left this morning. You did eat right? Occasional break? Reminded people you weren't dead?"

She nodded, "Your unofficial Miko was quite attentive, and made sure we took the occasional break." Nanami replied with a smile, "It's so weird here. The clothes, the almost religious practices, the buildings..." She motioned towards the Manor, "Takemikazuchi-sama even has a zen garden that is a picture perfect copy of one from Earth."

"I know. It's puzzled me too. A lot. Everything from the Dungeon, to the Gods. Kione has a similar alphabet to English. Japanese is exactly the same, if outdated and modified a little for the differences between worlds. I know there are other languages too, like Urdu and Greek. But then there are the other races too. Similar to all the Earth mythology..." I sighed, "And then there's the dungeon."

"How it's a titanic pit in the ground filled with monsters? Some of whom have the same names as monsters from mythology? I mean... You do know that a 'Minotaur' is translated from 'Bull of Minos'. Did Minos even exist here?"

"Possible. I mean, Daedalus did." I shrugged. "So, aside from the mind bending mysteries that both worlds share... How did the call go?"

"I have a heaps of notes to go over, a crazy complicated talisman to make a dozen of, and a ritual to prepare for. We will also need a place to store it, since if we succeed, it will be a cursed artifact that should not be touched under any circumstance, ever, at all, no matter what."

"Well, there's a giant tower made of indestructible material right there. Though renting a small closet 'for eternity' might be a little hard." I looked at the Manor, "We have our manor, that will likely stand for generations." I hmm'ed. "Or we can throw it back through the Gate and toss it down a mine shaft or something."

"Well, considering it's a curse from the God of the underworld... Not underground would be best." Nanami said.

"Hmm. I think I know what to do with it." I waved the topic off, "Later. Anything I need to do?"

"Yes. Lots of little diagrams and stuff on your 'sacred vessel'. Oh, and Yasaka-sama says," And she adopted a near perfect 'air headed stern mother' pose, "Just because you are in another world, doesn't mean you can be lax on your training." She then poked my nose, "Boop."

I wiggled my nose, "A boop too?"

"She was very insistent about that." She laughed quietly, "Anyhow... I'm going to find that room you lent me..."

She needed a moment to shoo my tails away, and then stood up. "Thank you, Nanami-san." I said seriously, "When you get back to Earth, I'll make sure you have what ever you need to get away from your current boss."

"I've been thinking of staying here. I'm not much of a fighter like... well... everyone else here. But it's full of surprises and I just can't help but feel at home." She yawned, "Maybe it's something in the water?"

"Your sister would go AWOL if you tried to stay here. Though, I wouldn't stop you. Duran was already thinking of retiring here." I gave her a wave, "Get some sleep. We can start when ever you want."

"Sure."

Our first successful 'camping trip' was declared finished only when we had returned the yard to as close to its original state as we could. The tents were taken down and stowed properly. The cooking supplies put into their little crate. Mess kits cleaned up, packs packed and our animal snares dismantled and removed from the field. Oh, and Sir Skitters given a boop for getting caught in our rabbit trap. Though, I suspect he just wanted someone to give him some love.

But, now that it was done, and we all returned to the Manor for the usual start to our day, it was back to work for all of us.

Anyone who was taking the day off from the dungeon helped me and the minion crew (the children) get the tents made. As with any task in Orario, when you wanted something done quickly, you found some bored adventurers. With the children carrying things from station to station (since nothing was much heavier than a couple of kilograms), we had people cutting canvas according to the templates I'd made of 'the prototype' we'd camped in. Cutting poles to shape, holding sheets in place, sewing them together, doing a 'test setup and tear down', then folded up and stacked into our rented wagons. The tents wouldn't win any awards, but it would keep the expected refugees from sleeping in the cold.

A few messengers came and went, informing me about Demeter delivering grains and pickled vegetables to the JSDF base on our side of the Gate. There was also an invoice or two about the costs, but also a friendly 'I know you're good for it, but please pay us back soon' from the Goddess herself.

Someplace close to dinner, Lilly and Finn came strolling by. Our Best Supporter bringing us more supplies. Like the super sturdy thread we needed. Once delivered however, they excused themselves to go on a date.

Aisha teased them by saying, "Make sure you bring her back before the next Taco Night."

Dinner arrived, just in time for most of the Alliance Core to come back from the dungeon. They hadn't gone far, but instead spread themselves out just above the Eighteenth. The short travel time and the 'level two' playground meant a highly efficient, if not very exciting, day at 'work'. But, it also brought a little surprise during our dinner conversation.

"Wait what?" I asked Mikoto.

"After my stay there, I decided that the JSDF deserved something for their efforts. And one of the problems this effort will have, is hygiene." She said with a firm nod.

"So you're... donating materials for... a bath house?"

"That is correct." She nodded with one of her rare smiles.

I looked to the rest of Takemikazuchi Familia, and they all gave me a firm nod.

"I suppose you'll be busy too, helping them get it set up?" I asked.

Again, a Familia wide nod.

"Well, not going to stop you." I smiled, "Or tell the Commander." I laughed, "You might have some trouble with water, but with all of you working on it..."

"Just be sure to return to Alnus after your business is done." Mikoto said. "And if you need us, we will be ready to help."

"Thank you." I said sincerely.

"How are the rest of the efforts proceeding?" Takemikazuchi asked.

Welf held up his mug, "Old man Cato and I got all the coins you'll need for sure now."

"Such a simple enchantment gets so boring." Cato sighed, nibbling at a bread roll, "I had no idea bread could be so good..."

"Thank you!" Weine sparkled at him.

"You have a little work to do on Yu-Long's scale. But aside from that we can try exorcising Hardy's curse any time." Nanami said, "Though, just to be 'authentic' you should have a bath, do a purification rite, and find some incense to burn while we do the rest."

"Yasaka-sama didn't know if that 'sort of thing' would work here, but there would be no harm in trying." Momiji added, then mumbled, "I wonder if I'll grow more tails someday too..."

"Hows the tent thing going?" Maki asked, "Saw the mess in the back yard, and the piles in the wagons."

"We've made quite a few." I said, "Enough that I think we've earned some ice cream."

Most of the table, young and old, did some form of 'woohoo!'

"They store really well." Amani said after her cheer, "Would be far too thin for the jungle weather, but they kept the wind out, heat in, and you can stretch your legs out."

Aside from maybe Aisha, Amani would be our next tent expert, so I considered that 'glowing praise'.

"I've been curious." Cato said, "We've made all these coins. And you say you'll use them for identification. But how will you see them to the right hands? Banditry isn't uncommon after all."

All eyes went to me, "Well, after we bring our prisoners over here for a tour, to show them just how nice our lawn is. We ask them 'how many in your family' and hand out that many coins."

A moment of thoughtful faces followed, then, "Would that not invite dishonesty? Or extra people?" Mikoto asked.

"It would. As well, how will they all get to Alnus? Italica is the closest city, but there are many other places, less patrolled and far afield." Shinkage said.

This is why I always had an 'open door' policy to any big plans we made. Well... Usually. At least I did when those plans didn't involve getting rid of curses. The rest of them could poke at the idea until it was less likely to fail.

"Would the JSDF be willing to help here as well?" Bell asked.

"They do have small bases in each kingdom near Alnus, such as Lord Duran's lands." Ryuu said. "Perhaps ask where those are, or it there are more?"

"They might not want to do that." Maki said with a shake of her head, "Part of any military setup is hiding your numbers and intentions. Telling us where all their outposts are, then us telling what amounts to a terrorist movement where to go later..."

"It would have to be information they would be willing to share, yet not give away too much..." Ouka said, "You said they have the support of the nobility... kinda?"

"So long as they don't take the opportunity to pull in the refugees as prisoners..." Nanami sighed.

"I've gotten Nazza on the 'bribe' for those nobles who might do that." I said, "And with the Blue Pharmacy on the job, they'll have it ready before it becomes an issue."

"So long as there is no funny business, you know, like 'sudden accidents', that's not a bad idea." Nanami said.

"Weren't you, Nazza and that nice Mari lady working on making potions over on their side of the Gate?" Hestia asked, "Given up on that?"

"No no, Lady Hestia." Cato said before I could reply, "Such study takes time. The plants we need are different than yours, and growing Eter infused berries even more so." His smile showed even through his beard, "But we're hopeful. Time is all we need."

"I suppose you don't have monsters like we do here..." Hestia said, "But it's good you might be able to make your own potions!"

"I found botany too slow a topic of study. But many at the Academy in Rondel have grown to enjoy it." Cato laughed while we sighed at the bad pun.

Before bed, I put my head down and got to chiselling the various runes and wards on the block of Yu-Long's scale. In its current form, it was now a rectangle block, kind of like a brick that was slightly wider at the base. This was to give it a definitive shape that was not found naturally in nature. There was no Chaos here, only Order.

Following the diagrams Nanami had gotten from Yasaka, I made was done in a half hour or so. Something like this was easy with the right tools and familiar workspace. But even when it was done, with the complex calligraphy and geometric patters inlaid into the smooth sides, I felt something else could be done.

So, I applied a temporary 'Purification' seal on each of the four sides (these were meant for when it was in transport, not for the 'final ritual'), picked up the block, and called out to Welf.

"HEY!"

"YEAH!?" He didn't stop hammering, so it was probably something like a pot, and not a weapon.

"Going out! Back in an hour!"

"COOL!"

A short while later, I was standing in front of the Guild's main building. Of course, part way there, I realized I was going to need a little help for this next part, so I called Fels.

So, even though the Guild was closed for the day (though the all night exchange was open in the tower still) I was still able to get inside through the 'carelessly' unlocked side door. From there, I made my way to Royman's office, and tapped exactly once on the door, quiet enough to be imagined by a normal person.

A moment later, Fels opened the door, then moved aside for me to enter, closing the door after me. "I am saddened, yet mildly amused you are limited like this." Fels said, "Is that going to be the Vessel for your affliction?"

I nodded, "It is. Considering who He is, and who Hardy is... I was hoping to get a little help." I replied while Fels worked the 'secret' bookshelf to open the way to the Chamber of Prayer.

Yes, the underground chamber where Ouranos sat and kept his vigil over the dungeon.

"I will hold your elbow as we descend." Fels said as the bookshelf slid away to reveal the stairs leading into total, absolute blackness.

As we descended, I almost felt like I had to hold my breath. I understood what this was, yet could not resist it, as the pressure from being unable to see, and the growing doubt that I was safe starting to creep through my senses. Had Fels not been here to guide me, I'd only be able to 'see' by using my tails to touch the walls and steps. But that would only help me get to the bottom. Not navigate through the antechamber, through a heavy door, and then into the Chamber of Prayer itself.

But, Fels didn't mind, or comment, on my tails clinging to him as he led me towards my goal.

Until finally I heard, "Fels. Kodori." The firm authoritative voice of the 'Owner' of Orario. "What brings you at this hour?"

All I could do to show respect was 'look' towards the origin of the voice. "Lord Ouranos. I've come to petition you for a drop of your blood."

"A gift not given lightly. Why do you ask this?"

"Well..."

Yet another, somewhat more flowery worded story of what happened later...

"I see." He chuckled. It was so short and quiet, I might have mistaken the sound from the darkness, "It is not often I find myself in conflict with other Gods. Considering my position, it benefits no one to interfere with my duty." I heard a subtle rustle of cloth, as if he leaned forward a little, "I will do this favour for you, Kodori of Hestia Familia. For bringing me a novel experience, to fight another God who has done harm to one of my most stalwart friends." A pause, "Fels?"

"This way, Lady Kodori." And a thin gloved hand touched my elbow again, "First step... Second..."

It took a moment or two, and one stubbed toe, to get up those tall and deep steps, but when we stopped I could hear the gentle crackle and pop of the real wood and pitch torches that sat on the corners of the platform Ouranos's 'throne' was on.

"Hold out the Vessel you intend to house this upstart Goddess's curse in." Ouranos said, waiting until I did before continuing, "If you ever speak with her again, tell her that she and her followers are unwelcome in my domain." Something 'ticked' off the top of Yu-Long's scale, heavier than any drop of blood should have been, "With the exception of Giselle, whom I've been told is a delightful young lady of talent and cheer by our friend Ganesha."

He didn't put a single drop on the Vessel. No! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight... And with each drop, the bright green object that I knew was there, but could not see, started to become clear to me. Every drop that tapped onto its top, dispelled the utter blackness that being underground, in Hardy's 'domain' caused.

It was like... I was literally holding a fragment of the sky in my hands. Something that Hardy could never claim as her own. But, even the glowing green of the scale did nothing for the rest of the darkness around me. This, and only this, was visible here underground. Even the paper tags I knew were there, were invisible to my eyes, though the shadows they cast on the block of scale was nearly banished by its brightness.

"Go, Kodori of Hestia Familia. And good luck. I'm looking forward to your plan, and will welcome them to our world." Ouranos said, a smile clear in his voice, "And, if you could send Sir Skitters by with some tea, we would be thankful."

"Of course, Lor-"

Fels interrupted me, "A little to your right."

I turned just a little to my right, "-d Ouranos. Though... This does bring up a point..."

"If they can still hold their faith, when they stand among the Gods of this world, then who am I to dissuade them? But when they find no answers from a Goddess who cares not if they prosper or die forgotten, I am sure they will join us. But first, they will need a home."

"I will see to it they have one." I said, "Thank you again."

I returned to the Manor, using my sense of 'who was in my territory' to find Nanami and Momiji. It was no surprise they were together in the library, the best place to study so long as it wasn't the school's afternoon story time. Delly was there too, probably happy to have a new friend around who knew fairy existed.

So, I walked over to them, and carefully put the brightly glowing vessel onto the table. "I present to you, Nanami-san, a fragment of the most divine Dragon, that has been bled on and blessed by Ouranos, the God of the Sky. Will this meet the standards we are looking for, to contain the curse of Hardy, Goddess of the Underworld?"

The three of them kind of blinked at me, then the glowing green supremely divine night light.

"If it doesn't... Nothing will." Delly said, "This is getting into 'overkill' territory Boss."

"I shouldn't be surprised you can do things like this." Nanami said, "At least, in this city."

"She could do that back on Earth too." Delly giggled, making Nanami go bug-eyed for a moment.

Momiji looked to the block of scale, then to me, "You got... the ruler of the Gods to give you his blood?" She sounded awestruck, though, to anyone from this world, they would be too.

"I asked politely, and we of the Alliance have done many favours to put His vision of the Guild and the City back into alignment for him." I replied, resisting the urge to headpat the mini-miko and instead give her shoulder a squeeze, "I am still immensely grateful he did though."

The three of them looked to me, then to each other, then the glowing scale that was dressed and etched in runes and calligraphy. "This should do." Nanami said finally.

"Good. I'm going to have that bath then. Delly? If I don't see Lady Hestia on my way, could you tell her to fill this out? I figure the best time would be noon tomorrow to do this." I handed her the 'tower space rental' form I'd gotten.

"Sure thing Boss. Now remember, this is a purifying bath! Nothing naughty tonight!" She waggled a finger at me for emphasis too!

"Just one more thing to be annoyed about with Hardy then." I sighed.

NOTES!

There we go. :) One ritual that may or may not work just as planned, a tour, and then back through the Gate for a little chat...

Thank you for reading! And if you want to see any full colour art, join the discord!

aKAQg4bnYu for the discord!

And my actual book, Were Too? is on Inkitt.