Just a shameless call for help in a mobile game... if you play, or want to play Azur lane... a fun mobile game of shipping ships...

I started a Guild: Foxxo Orario ID 268452286 on the WASHINGTON server (forgot to mention this.)

Oh, and is anyone interested in a discord server? Just comment 'yay' or 'nay' and it can happen.

Anyhow, on with the story.

Chapter 44

Being a 'public figure' meant I had a certain level of decorum to maintain. For example, people wondered why I actually did the shopping myself. Or why I would carry our supporter (Lilly) on my shoulder when she wasn't carrying all the things (like our shopping). I could hear 'the people' call it 'odd' or 'unseemly'.

At least at first. It took years, but me going around in 'plain clothes' and doing 'normal things' like a 'normal person' had become 'normal' for me to do.

But! When I was actually out for business, like visiting other Familia, or going to the Guild, I was expected to be Equipped. When ever I wasn't, I heard 'rumour' that I was being disrespectful to someone. The people I visited, the Guild, or even Hestia. So I gave in and when I was out on Business, I was dressed for Business.

And today, that was escorting Sugawara, Itami, his Girls, and the handful of JSDF (the two guards, Mari, Shino, and Katsumodo) around town. And just because it had been a little while, Haruhime had (very quietly, with those almost sad eyes) insisted we bring our children too.

One thing I noticed, was the two guards taking pictures. It didn't seem like espionage or anything nefarious though. There were a lot of unique buildings in Orario, and who wouldn't want to sight see? Even Itami got in on it, though it was mostly because his Girls were tugging him in various directions to snap a selfie or something.

Now, I would have liked to take side streets, but with the recent attack and about half of our attackers unaccounted for, I didn't want to risk an ambush any more than I had to. Thankfully, whoever designed (most of) Orario wasn't insane, and all the places we wanted to visit were close to the main streets.

"I don't mean to sound... crass. But this looks rather silly." Sugawara was trying his best to be diplomatic, while the other JSDF and Itami's Girls (except Lelei) were laughing without restraint.

Of course, we were standing in front of I AM GANESHA. The GIANT statue/building in the shape of Ganesha himself sitting cross legged with one hand in the air smiling like the lovable idiot most of the city saw him as.

And of course, the guards on the front walk looked like they understood, wanted to say sorry, and helpless all at once. Bell, Hestia, Mikoto, Aisha and Haruhime just shrugged and sighed, understanding the poor Guards and their plight.

"Lady Fox." One guard greeted, "And our Guests. Doing the tour then?"

"We were a little delayed due to... things happening this morning." I said, "But yes." I looked for a particular giggle in the crowd, "That is Mari Kurokawa. Our Guest's doctor. She was interested in seeing what 'common' medicine is like here."

The two looked at each other, and the giggles quieted down since I was trying to conduct a bit of business. "I haven't seen him leave today, so he should be in the clinic." The guard said after a moment, "Please, he'd be happy to talk to a fellow doctor."

Kei looked up at me, tugging my coat to get my attention (and not the tail they were holding already), "O-ma? Are we going to see the animals? Or the Lamias?"

I looked to Haruhime, who looked up and to the left, nodding her head for a moment, "Yes, I believe we brought enough spare change for the visitor's fee."

"Then I guess we are." I nodded, giving Kei's ears a gentle scroofle, then everyone else since I couldn't play favourites. Haruhime had to give one of my tails a tug to stop me from getting lost in the little forest of pointed ears, and we all hurried along.

"This way then, please." One guard said, walking ahead of us, "And please enjoy your time at I AM GANESHA."

Shakti came out to meet us as we walked around the building (with Mari actually entering it) towards the back where the Zoo was. I hadn't expected her to, since we were just visiting and not on actual business. But it gave me a chance to chat with her while everyone else enjoyed the animal exhibits.

Since the Xenos had been accepted by the city, the Zoo had gotten a little more traffic. But monsters were difficult to capture, keep, and maintain, so they didn't have much in the way of them to show off. But, during one of Shakti's visits, and her offhand complaining about how Ganesha was a lovable idiot, Delly suggested some changes.

First, was that monsters didn't need to be the only thing on display. There were a lot of animals in the world, and some of them didn't instantly want to eat you if you got close. So in a collaboration with Demeter, they set up a small petting zoo. Demeter hand picked the most even tempered and sociable animals from her farms and had them just wander about in one of the many, until then, empty cages at the Zoo. They got free food and attention, the people (children especially) got to see the fluffy critters, and everything was good. Ganesha Familia always had someone with the Taming skill on hand (they had a LOT of them in the Familia) and aside from the occasional nibble, no one had ever been hurt.

Second, was a place for the Xenos to safely mingle with people. 'Accepted' was a bit far from 'wanted' and they still had an escort every time they wanted to wander the city. Every couple of days, one of the Xenos would show up, and just chat with anyone who stopped by. No fee, no stress, just a little place for the people to meet in a safe environment. It let the people who wanted to know more, find out on their own instead of risking a negative reaction from 'the people'. Today, Let the Goblin was playing chess with an elderly woman, with a small group of people just watching quietly nearby.

A side note, the Lamia family still lived here, but no longer were they forced to stay in the admittedly large enclosure. They still needed escort in the city, but now their Home at the zoo actually had a little one floor house on it, and not a 'cave' where they could sleep like 'monsters'. No more hiding, no more pretending.

And third, was what we (the Alliance) and many other Familia were using it for. Animal storage. Not every Familia had a yard like ours, or a yard at all, but some did enjoy things like horseback riding. But that wasn't all. Aside from basic care, it allowed Familia to do things like 'Stud' their animals out for breeding, or put them up for sale without having them just standing out on the street with a sign on them. Yes, it was basically an animal shelter. But all the animals were actually accounted for. There were even some areas for veterinary care, and Ganesha (Shakti really) allowed those who knew how, to practise animal care here, since again not everyone had the space to do it on their own.

So now, the zoo was an actual zoo, and not a titanic waste of space in the city.

Anyhow, back to Shakti and her interception of our little outing.

"It's good to see them having fun." Shakti commented as she caught up with our little party.

I had spotted her first, and trailed back a little so I could meet her, and when she didn't greet us formally, I suspected this was a more personal matter than a diplomatic one. "It is. Our guests wanted to see a little of the wild as well, from a safe distance of course."

She nodded, "Speaking of guests... I hope you don't mind us using your newest friend as an exhibit while she's here."

"O-ma O-ma look! It's the mama dragon!" Toshi (sitting on Aisha's shoulder) called out to me and pointed, Aisha having to put a hand on his lap to stop him from sliding off.

Yup, it was the Mama Dragon that Duran had volun-told me to adopt with the eggs he'd given me. And it was playing fetch. Yup, the slightly larger than a horse sized dragon, who had a maw that could take the head and shoulders off a person, was stomping back and forth in her enclosure while a zoo keeper tossed a leg sized log around for her to chase.

She was even putting it down in front of him, and wagging her tail while she waited for him to throw it again.

"That's pretty funny." I chuckled, "But you should be careful, I was told she was getting a bit old."

"Oh, our veterinarians made sure to check her. Her service as a mount for people in armour had worn her hips down, but we've changed her diet to include more ground up bone and the like to help her rebuild her bones." Shakti said, "She is not as strong as a monster from the dungeon, but her problems were much the same as any other animal."

I watched the back and forth of the zoo keeper and the dragon for a little longer, "Good. If she's going to be a mom, even a surrogate, she should be able to see the next generation grow."

"We'll do our best. Especially since their scales are quite useful." She smiled.

"Speaking of moms and useful." I lowered my voice just a little, "I might have a problem with the birds. They should be mature enough, but they might need something extra."

"Oh? Are you sure they're even capable of..."

"My expert 'back home' said so. But I think I know what they need, but I don't have the space to do it myself."

Shakti nodded, "Would you like to rent one of the enclosures then? We'd be happy to set it up however you need."

"Sounds good. Once our Guests go back through the Gate, I'll bring over what I think they need to get in the mood, and hope it works." I nodded, "I'll also try and find Giselle, since she might know when the dragons will hatch."

Itami interrupted out little conversation, trailing back from the group and giving a polite 'ahem'. "Got word from our little outpost." He motioned to his shoulder mounted radio and waited for me to motion him to go ahead, "We have a small delivery for your alchemists. Just the stuff growing around the hill, since it's only been a day."

"Suppose that'll be our next stop. Tell your man to give it to the Guild and deliver it to the Blue Pharmacy." I said with a nod, then a slightly louder, "Bell? You have the local crystal?"

"This is Itami. Talk to the guild rep on site, and arrange delivery to the 'Blue Pharmacy'."

"Oh... Here you go, Miss Kodori." Bell handed me a polished iron bracelet with a green oval crystal embedded in it.

I nodded thanks, gave the crystal a little tap, "This is Kodori of Hestia Familia."

Pause, "This is the Local Relay. Go ahead."

"Please send a message to the Blue Pharmacy." I paused, "They will be getting a small shipment of plants, and I will be visiting later with Guests."

Another pause, "Your message has been sent." And yet another pause, "Their reply is from Airmid of Miach Familia. Understood, thank you."

"Thank you very much." I put my palm over the crystal and it went quiet.

Itami, who had been watching it all after sending his own message looked thoughtful, "It makes me think of an old phone switchboard."

"I wonder why that is?" I smiled, "Anyhow... we're almost to the end of our little trip here. Where are they keeping the critters headed for the jungle?" I asked Shakti.

"We have a staging area outside the city between here and Melen. Even if it is for the good of the Amazons, public opinion wouldn't let us keep them in the city, even in here." She sighed, "But, we'll be sending them very soon, a day or two at most before they start the trip."

"Oh! Suppose I'll have to work a bit harder with Brisid's equipment... They'll probably want to head back with it as escort..."

Our little group split up further, with the children, Hestia, Haruhime, Aisha and Bell heading off to find more amusement. That would mean a trip to the market square, since it was a pretty hopping place even if you didn't want to buy anything. Itami and his Girls went with them, though Lelei came with me, Sugawara and the two from Third Recon.

Mari, well, when we went to find her, she and the Ganesha Doctor, were talking up a storm and no one had the heart to pull her away. The two guards stayed with her, though they looked a bit out of their depth with all the medical talk going on.

"You look sad." Shino said, "Even your tails are pouting." She reached out for one and it didn't even try and get away.

"Oh come on, her kids are adorable." Katsumodo rumbled, "Except now she's stuck with us, working, when they're off having fun."

"Kodori-san is very plain faced. But never shies from her duty." Mikoto said.

"There there." Lelei didn't comment on my plight, just comforted a tail. "I am curious about this 'pharmacy'."

"It's the closest thing in the city to a chemical factory that you'll get." I said, making the more 'modern' people perk up, "Most people in the city know a lot of basic Do It Yourself stuff. How to fix a roof or door, or a wagon wheel, or mix their own glue and soap. But when you have a little money to spend, you buy something from a Production Familia."

"Every Farmer a blacksmith." Sugawara quoted, "An old saying from around a hundred years ago, where we're from." He explained, "Every worker should know how to maintain his tools."

"Adventurers are the same." Mikoto nodded, putting her palm on the pommel of her katana.

"A production Familia is truly 'successful' when they start providing something to the Citizens." I said, "And the Blue Pharmacy is very successful."

"Not just potions then?" Shino asked.

"No." Mikoto answered, "Dye, glue, quicklime, soaps, tar, wood varnish. The list is long, and starts just above 'boiled water'."

"They also rent space for people to mix things on their own. Since not all Familia, or even citizens, have the space or equipment."

"Does everyone know how to make potions then?" Lelei asked.

"No. It's not exactly a secret recipe, but you need to know the methods and have the materials. One takes practise, the other can get expensive if wasted." I explained, "That's why it's standard practise to offer discounts to people who bring in raw materials."

"Quite interesting. Your currency isn't just limited to coin." Sugawara mused, "Our society has mostly done away with barter."

"A shame." Mikoto said, "Money isn't the only thing of value a person can offer. And when times are lean, you can't eat coin but can help till soil for a share of the food."

"Yeah, but we've got less need for barter." Shino said, "Only the really remote places use it still."

I was about to reply when I spotted a familiar Amazon walking towards us. It was Brisid, and she had Loaner sitting on her shoulder as she trundled forward. "Good, he wasn't trying to get me lost." She said when our eyes met.

There was a moment of tension from the JSDF, but considering most Amazon looked alike it was understandable. "Brisid." I nodded, "I was hoping he'd find you."

Loaner tapped her on the head with a paw, then jumped into my arms. "Well, I suppose I do stand out, even among other Amazon." She shrugged.

My best Messenger took that moment of silence between us to say, "She doesn't give headpats. Says it occupies her hands when she might need them to fight. Humph."

I made it up to him with proper ear scroofling, "Thank you for not joining in on this morning's... incident." I said.

"I want no part in what you might reply with." She shrugged, "I follow our codes as much as the next Amazon, but I'm no zealot."

I handed Loaner to Sugawara, "Here translate." I said, "Make sure to pet his ears gently." Then to Brisid, "Well, we came up with an idea, and since you've seen the children, we were wondering if you could give us a hand?"

"You still owe us."

"If nothing else bothers Welf and I, we'll be done tomorrow."

A pause, "Sure. What do you need?"

So I told her. And it took long enough that we were within sight of the New Blue Pharmacy (formerly the Dian Cecht Clinics) when I finished. After I was done, her face finally changed expressions (a raised eyebrow) and she said, "Well, I can't find fault in trying."

"Good. Please visit the Manor tomorrow, and we can tell the ladies you're going to help." I nodded.

"Deal. I'll find my Roommates and be there just after lunch."

Sugawara handed Loaner back to me and nodded approval, "Seems we have progress for them."

"Just have to hope the mothers are on board." I replied, "Now, lets give you the tour of this place."

The shipment had arrived before us, and yeah, it wasn't very impressive. Don't get me wrong, the quality and how it was sorted was VERY impressive, but the variety was what you might expect for 'mostly barren battlefield' that Alnus had become. Still a job was a job, and Airmid herself was leading the effort to sort the contents of the crate.

Nazza however was the one to chat with us as she gave us the 'ten valis' tour.

"You should really learn a bit of Eastern you know." I mumbled to her between lines, since I was translating for the group.

"My head can only fit so many things in it." She replied quietly, before speaking up and opening a door. "In here, we have our 'extreme care' rooms."

"Extreme care?" Shino asked.

"Not every injury can be healed with magic or a potion. So we have this place here, where we can sometimes put limbs back on, or heal organ injuries." Nazza explained, "Sometimes, if they're lucky, and brought back everything, we can reattach things." She touched her fake arm, her shirt still a mix of 'short sleeve' and 'long sleeve' to cover it. "We always prioritize their life, but do our best to make treatment affordable too."

"You'd charge them to save their life?" Katsumoto asked.

"Work is work. And if they can't pay, we find work for them to do." Nazza replied calmly, "Those plants you brought for example, don't need an expert to cut it up fine, or to grind them up in a mortar."

There was a little distaste on the JSDF's faces, but I added, "There are no real homeless in the city. Yes we have poor, yes we have beggars, but there is always food to eat and money to be made."

"You must work, to eat." Mikoto added.

Orario didn't have 'government support' or 'welfare'. But the People knew how to take care of themselves and others, and the Guild always had things for people to do.

I also made sure to add, "There are no slaves either. If you need money, you talk to the Guild, and you'll make money. You might end up mucking out the sewers, but you will make money."

Nazza got on with the tour, closing the door of the Clinic behind us, "We have many consulting rooms as well, and work with Ganesha Familia to treat the little problems of the people here. Headaches, bumps, bruises, fevers, stubbed toes, pregnancy, spots, that kind of thing."

"Mari is probably learning more on this, but I have to ask." Shino started, "How often do people get sick here? What about parasites?"

Nazza replied with a shrug, "Adventurers almost never get sick with little things. The people however occasionally come in with rashes, or spots, or a family of runny noses. But almost all of that can be dealt with easily. As for parasites, you're talking about louse? Soap is basically free, and with so many Beast-kin in the city, you'd expect there to be a problem, but no. Cleanliness was one of the Gods first lessons."

I gave Sugawara a raised eyebrow as I translated that, just as an 'I told you so' motion.

The JSDF nodded, looking a bit relieved, "We may ask for a large batch of soap at some point." Sugawara said, "It's been an uphill struggle to convince the people of the merits of daily baths."

Nazza nodded, "I'm sure the Guild will bring that order to us when you sort things out." She said, "Now here, we have..."

We were on our way to the next destination, the 'tour' of the Pharmacy seeming to impress the JSDF quite a bit. They even said so, wishing the Special Region were so neat and organized.

"So, you're city seems to be really well put together." Katsumoto said, "I mean, you seem to have something for everything, and almost none of it needs special care to obtain."

"A large part of it is because being sloppy gets you killed." I said, "Tomorrow, I think, Royman will show you the dungeon. Just the upper floors though."

"All of this tension around it... I'll admit I'm curious." Shino said, "More than a little. I mean, the weapons, the armour, adventurers having super strength, yet you say the word 'Dungeon' like it will bite you when you aren't looking."

"Well, you'll see why when we get to our last destination, but the next place is just a little farther ahead." I said with a smile.

"This." I said proudly, "Is the Odds and Ends workshop." I did a little 'here is your prize' flourish in front of the oddly modern looking warehouse building. Complete with roll up metal doors and machines clanking and whirring in the background, it looked and sounded much like a modern day machine shop or even a mechanic shop.

My audience (save Mikoto and Loaner) even played along by clapping and saying 'ooooo' in appreciation.

And Odds spoiled it all by stepping out of a heavy metal fire door (a design shamelessly stolen from 'modern day' as well), and saying, "They know about the red lines right?" Then up at me, "Everything okay? Nothing needs fixing?"

"Just a broken window and a lot of bloody noses." I smiled, "And they use yellow in their world."

"Oh, that's okay then. We have a few small projects on right now, so nothing too dangerous today." Then to our guests, who of course didn't know what she was saying, "Oh right, Eastern. Um... Watashiwa Odds. um... Irasshaimase?"

"Not bad." I nodded, the JSDF and Mikoto as well, "Don't worry, I'll translate, but you get to hold the fox."

She took off her gloves, made sure her hands were clean, then accepted Loaner. She smiled at whatever he said to her, gave his ears a pat, then opened the door up for us.

The tour was much like the others so far. And if the Blue Pharmacy impressed them, they were astonished with this place. But of course, it was because I'd taken all kinds of modern ideas, rewound them to the 'people powered' stage, and then slowly fed the ideas to other Familia. But one advantage Orario had over Earth, was 'people powered' could count for a LOT more.

So instead of using electricity to power a router, we had someone using alternating foot pedals to generate the spinning power for the stationary drill bit. Or an actual drill press. One person would spin a crank, the other would lower the drill. A band saw was run the same way. One would 'power' the saw, the other manipulate the material.

Sure, it made a modern day 'one person' job into a two person job. But the quality we could produce in Orario wasn't too far from say, late 1800's on Earth (the Industrial Revolution was late 1700's, just for reference). And the thing that impressed them the most? Aside from the smell of sweat, there was no pollution. The oils were plant or fish based. The wood shavings were burnt for fuel, usually to melt down the metal shavings into something else. And the machines were all using very sturdy gears, and not belts. No rubber, no plastic, no coal powered electricity.

Odds, of course, was very proud of it all. And she had every right to be. She'd taken some of the basic concepts I'd given her, and made a city wide mass production facility out of it.

"So... you only make the basics here? No weapons or the like?" Shino asked.

"Nope." Odds replied, "The metal we use here is mostly rejected stuff from our smiths. Good enough for cutlery or simple tools, but not for weapons. I'm not much for adventuring, but even I know that stuff like this has no soul in it." She stopped in front of a sewing machine that had most of its parts laying about on the desk around it, "Small parts like this? We forge them. Forks and spoons? We cast those." She held up a little gear, the once perfectly cut edges rounded and partially stripped from use.

"Yes, we are much the same. Much of our heavy machinery is simply cast in a mould and bolted together." Sugawara nodded, "But I see where this is leading." He looked to me.

"Oh? Gonna show... silly question, of course you are." Odds laughed, "It took a while, I'll tell ya, but after she showed me a few things like this," She waved the worn out gear around a little, "I stopped thinking she was nuts. Puuf is there now, putting together something special. And if you're lucky, it will be there too."

"Excellent." I grinned, "Coming along?"

"I'd love to, but..." She motioned to the sewing machine, "Gotta make a list of stuff needed to fix this and send it off to Goibniu Familia." She put the gear back on the desk, then looked up at our guests, "And if you're here long enough, we might do some business."

Ever the diplomat, Sugawara neither confirmed or denied his interest, "We will keep that in mind, Miss Odds. Thank you." Very politely, with a little bow no less.

Now on our way out of the shop, staying between the red painted lines on the floor, Katsumodo asked, "So, where are we going next?"

"The last stop." I said, picking up Loaner.

Since Bell was still with them, it wasn't luck that our two groups converged just inside of the city's West Gate. Hestia and Aisha had returned, leaving Haruhime, the children, and once again Mari and the two JSDF along with Itami and the Girls.

So, while they all greeted each other, I spent a moment hugging all the kids and trying my very best to listen to all the exciting things that happened while we were apart. Once I'd recharged my hug batteries, I let them all grab a tail and led them out of the city.

"Now, since this side of the city is being used for pasture this year, I'm sure you can all see what I'm going to show you." I said as we walked towards 'The Last Stop'.

"You've built a train..." All of our guests looked at the most obvious building, then let their eyes follow the tracks towards the northern mountains. "Now you're just showing off." Katsumoto laughed, "Does a town this size even need something like this?"

"Ko-san wanted to be ready for the next disaster." Haruhime said, the dragon twins clinging to her tails instead of mine.

"We try our best, but the dungeon doesn't always play fair." Bell said, "Every time it's really acted up, the city suffers."

"So you built a rail way... ahhh, metal and stone." Sugawara nodded, "What about food?"

"Well, if you take about ten steps this way, just on the path, you'll see past the giant building ahead of us..." I said, moving so the JSDF could all kinda shuffle that way, "That is the road to Rakia. And a reasonable start to the railway in that direction."

"Rakia was... Ah, the biggest city nearest Orario." Tuka said, "I remember."

"The King there owes us for his nation's prosperity." Bell said, scratching his chin then waving his hands defensively when the JSDF all gave him a raised eyebrow, "No no, it's not like that."

"Rakia used to try and conquer Orario every few years." I said, "Even if they brought 50,000 troops, they were almost all level one. Last time they tried, they lost even worse than usual."

"Ko-san captured not just the Crown Prince, but their God Ares. Though, officially, Loki Familia did that."

Sugawara caught on, "Some kind of trade?"

"I saw an opportunity. A big one. Marius, King Marius first of his name." I corrected myself, "Lord Ares, quite frankly, is an idiot. He's so set on war, and taking places over, he has almost no other thoughts in his head. King Marius on the other hand, saw the 'war' for what it was. Not only that, to spare the few troops who were getting away, he fought me one on one, even though he knew he'd lose."

"O-ma is very strong." Toshi said, earning a headpat, then another when he added, "Mr. Marius-san is a lot of fun too!"

The adults laughed quietly as six other children agreed. "So, instead of letting Marius suffer the same fate as all the soldiers we captured, I invited him to our home."

"And what fate was that?" Rory asked.

"Stripped of falna, the God's gift." Haruhime said, fixing Rory with a calm zero-nonsense gaze.

You could practically see Rory shiver, but she kept enough composure to keep walking.

"Since he not only acted like he had a brain, was patriotic, and cared for his people more than fighting, I thought it was best if we taught him." I continued.

"The dungeon allows an adventurer to grow much faster than anywhere else in the world. It's why their army was beaten, when we only sent a few dozen out to meet them." Bell said, "Rakia also had a level three, but he was captured."

"Marius spent a year with us, and before he left, attained level three, becoming the strongest adventurer in Rakia." Haruhime smiled, "At least, until he met his wife. But that is another thing altogether."

"Mrs. Asfi-san isn't as fun." Kei said, "But she makes good cookies!"

Again, six other children agreed with adorable bubbly voices.

"So... what? You put him on the throne and now he owes you?" Shino asked.

"It wasn't exactly how we wanted things to go. But yes and no. We brought him back home, so that Ares could take him back into his Familia, but his father was murdered by Hermes. Hermes, may his feet blister and burn, was manipulating the King to continue the war effort, making him believe Marius had been killed by us." I sighed, "So yes, we put him on the throne a bit early."

"It is a shame." Haruhime nodded, our guests agreeing. Well, except Rory, who we all knew loved a good murder.

"But before he left, we gave him all kinds of stuff to help him get his kingdom working properly." Bell said, "Books, ways to grow things, seeds, all kinds of things we use in the city here, that they never figured out over there."

"We also abolished slavery." Mikoto spoke quietly, "You've met some of them already as well. And all of them needed a Lizard Tonic."

"Yes, Marius called off the war, and basically put all that funding into rebuilding. This included buying all slave contracts, and paying the now free people like you would any other worker." I smiled, "Since Lord Takemikazuchi takes care of orphans, we ended up with the less fortunate children."

"And all this relates to the next disaster... how?" Itami asked.

"If you think the fields around Orario are impressive? Rakia has many times that, and has been working steadily to make it all viable for growing." I smiled, "Water and fish to the south, iron and stone to the north, food and refugee shelter to the west."

"Orario is called the centre of the world, but it's built over something that almost ended the world." Bell said.

"Hope for the best, be ready for the worst." I said, "Anyhow, I hope you'll ignore the animal smell, and the last bit of showing off I'll do for today." I then opened up the (shamelessly stolen design) metal fire door on the side of a rather noisy brick and sheet metal building, out in the middle of a bunch of animal pastures.

Puuf was indeed there, and overseeing what looked like the framework of a passenger car. Unlike the 'no nonsense' metal frames of the ore cars the train usually had attached, this was looking to be a nice fancy looking wood walled car. 'Get it done' design was nice and all, but it was still a long trip and people wanted to sit in comfort for it.

But, he was busy, so I did the tour myself. Most of it was for Itami's girls, since the JSDF probably all knew exactly what a factory looked like. The children were all super curious too, but we made sure to hold on to them to keep them from getting in the way or straying from the Red Lines of the walkway. Again though, we had replaced 'electricity' with a 'person', for just about everything here. Cranes used pulley systems and muscle instead of hydraulics. Rails were poured, then hammered and filed instead of cast and send through a grinding machine. We used rivets, nails or bolts, instead of welding with propane or the like. And for the giant turntable (which was occupied by the Engine) used muscle gears and bearings to rotate.

Now, to be fair, our Guests weren't as impressed as you might think. But I knew the Girls had been to Japan, and on their railway. I even heard Rory mumble 'at least this on travels above ground'. But what really impressed them, was the Engine itself. And for all kinds of reasons.

"So... this runs off magic?" Shino asked, "Just magic? No wood or coal or anything?"

Lelei was VERY interested in the engine. Her eyes were following every bit of exposed machinery, wire and lever. But the JSDF were very keen on the power source.

"We figured out a way to make a magic battery." I said, "And it does much the same as an electrical one, except well, magic. Or eter if you prefer."

Lelei glanced my way, nodded, then went back to scrutinizing everything. Katsumoto was also hmm'ing at things, but he seemed to be comparing things, not trying to learn its secrets, "This setup reminds me of a hydraulic style engine..."

"It should." I admitted, "The piston wheel connections, the drive shaft, the gears, I basically only replaced the power source."

"I'm actually impressed by what you have mounted on the front." Rory said, "One of your great achievements then?"

"Did you not believe her?" Haruhime asked, her and all the children looking at the Killer-Loli with the exact same look.

Tuka giggled at Rory as she stood like a deer in the headlights at the accusatory look from eight of the most gentle looking people in the city. "It's not as big as the Flame Dragon's head, but it's really scary! What was it even called? Do you name the monsters in the Dungeon?"

"Balor." Lelei said, proving that she'd read the book I'd lent her already.

"Ko-san?" Haruhime filled the moment of silence, "We have work to do at home, do we not?"

Right on cue, someone's stomach grumbled like a very small den of foxes. "We do indeed. Let's head back shall we?"

"I suppose our tour is done then. A shame." Sugawara said.

"Well, I dunno." Bell said, "I know there's at least one more place you can visit on your way to the East Gate. But you'll have to do it after dinner."

Because even after all this time, Bell was still very thoughtful, and would never deny someone a place at our table if he thought they'd earned it.

On our way back, I drifted towards Sugawara, matching pace with him, then saying quietly, "So now you've seen what we have. I'll leave it to you to figure out what we might want from you in trade."

He nodded, "Is there anything we should simply not consider?"

"You already know where I'm from. I don't want any of your problems. Like plastic, or guns."

"Well, we can't make any while we're so far from home, but I understand your intention." He smiled, "I'll be sure to note all of this down for the base Commander and the nobles who are looking to trade. I'm sure our Mechanic Corp will want to chat with 'Odds' as well, since the attack from the Jungles left some of our equipment basically beyond repair without some sort of fabrication facility."

"Have your MIB call our MIB, and we'll do lunch." I smiled.

There were two outcomes I could think of when it came to our little situation with the Oni-zon and declaring them a new race. First, was that the mothers would balk at the idea, and just not go for it. Amazon by default were a proud people. Even the Crone, with her wrecked knee and missing arm didn't hesitate to smash me across the head when I touched her. She had no idea about how strong I was, but didn't care what the outcome might have been. Aisha was another good example. She'd never been one to bandy words say things in a roundabout way, but she needed to be nearly blind drunk to finally admit she actually loved Haruhime and I.

The examples of 'Amazon Pride' were abundant and well earned throughout the city, and I could easily see the Mothers under the Manor's protection simply saying 'no, our children are still Amazon'. Bearing strong children without compromise to their self was basically their religion.

The second outcome... Well, thankfully that's what seemed to have happened.

We arrived at the gate of the Manor, with just about everyone carrying a now sleeping child. They'd spent most of a day wandering about with us so it was no surprise. Haruhime and I collected children while Bell and Mikoto ushered our Guests inside so they could clean up before dinner.

But, standing in the courtyard, obviously looking like they wanted to talk about something, were the two Oni. They did make sure to greet our Guests as they passed, waving and bowing politely, and most certainly not smiling.

Now, I might not have looked 'imperious' with my arms and tails wrapped around five children who were snoozing on me, but I made sure to put on a serious face when Haruhime and I stopped in front of them and looked up.

And I just couldn't do it.

It took effort, real effort, to stop myself from bursting into laughter at the sight of them. Just like their first couple of nights of 'vacation' in the Entertainment district, they were covered in bright colourful lipstick marks. Arms, face, horns, clothes... It was obvious what the Mothers had chosen, and how thankful they were.

So while I was trying not to choke on my own laughter, Haruhime, in her totally (fake) innocent way asked, "It went well then?"

"Yes, Haruhime-sama." They said seriously.

"We have discussed the idea with our wives." Okakai rumbled.

"And the idea of a way out, apart from the ways and rules that they left, pleased them." Fukawa finished.

Still trying not to wake up the children with my giggles, I couldn't help myself, "You missed a spot." I said while pointing feebly at Okakai's karambit shaped horn, with the bright green kiss mark on it.

They both smiled at me, tusks and fangs shining brightly, "No they didn't." They said together.

"Oh dear... you may have to carry her inside now. Honestly Ko-san... don't laugh yourself sick."

After I'd recovered from what felt like months of missed out laughter all done in a couple of minutes, I found myself sitting in the library. Some thoughtful soul had left a bit of water for me, and I think I remembered someone saying they'd cook tonight.

So while I sipped water, I spotted Fen-chan. Just standing there with a silly fox smile, just out of arms reach. Seeing that I was alert and reaching out to him, he stepped forward and put his head under my hand for scroofles.

I nearly broke down again, but I was just as confused as amused. "How... you're not even solid most of the time... Why do you have lipstick on you too?"

He of course didn't reply, but gave my cheek a semi-solid slurp to encourage more headpats.

NOTES!

Just ending on a funny note today, since I can! The paths are opening up again, and things are set to move forward. Of course, it can't be happy all the time, and soon enough we'll be finding problems to deal with. :) I actually have the 'end' of the story in my head already, so now it's just a matter of getting there without getting lost.

Party on.

Daeore on Ko-fi for art!

Daeore on Inkitt for my book Were-too?

And if there is any significant interest in a Discord channel, speak up, and it'll happen.