Chapter 48

I had to admire the professionalism of the JSDF. Even with all the extra attention, they were stone faced and razor sharp. They followed the 'escort' team down after exactly five minutes, and hit the first floor of the dungeon as if it were any other day on the training field.

One thing I noticed, and couldn't help but wish it wasn't so, was that yes, they were fully armed. Rifle (Itami called it the 'Buddy'), sidearm (I think it was a standard 9mm?) and an array of knives, spare clips and grenades. And while they had flashlights, they didn't have night vision goggles. They wouldn't need it though since the walls and dungeon flies (the brightly glowing little glow flies) provided ample light.

The Non-JSDF, like their Volralden militia captain, were armed with a stout looking gladius and tower shield, similar, but far less durable than what Marius wore. Tuka and Yao both had bows, but also the JSDF standard bayonet at their belts. And of course, Lelei had her staff. I knew from watching that the 'local assets' the JSDF brought along, that they knew what to expect from the soldiers. They'd know to stay clear when the bullets started flying.

Loki spoke up for the city, "Well! Seems our escort has reported they are all set, just in case! But wow... These new guys are pretty organized. Kudos to the Guild for giving them the basics!"

Royman, who was probably standing next to Loki, and thus 'off camera' along with her, replied with a "I think the credit goes to our guests for taking us seriously."

The 'escort' team was probably the reason there were no encounters for a few minutes. The first floor wasn't very active, and it was unlikely they would just run away from a monster to leave it for the JSDF. But it was still the dungeon.

The Volralden, his pointy wolf ears twitching as he led the group, stopped part way down a tunnel. He grunted a single word, "Contact." The city didn't understand him of course, but it was clear it was a warning, since the entire group went into high alert.

With a few hand signals, Itami had directed the entire squad into a 'forward' 'ranged middle' and 'rear guard'.

Of course, their adversary was a goblin. Three of them! And the dungeon, being the dungeon, a pair of needle rabbits were just visible at the edge of the Rear Guard's camera focus.

Another grunted phrase, "Contact rear. Two targets." This was in Eastern, since it was a JSDF talking.

Tuka and Yao turned, while another sword/shield Militia took up defence.

"Go!" Itami said sharply.

(Kodori)

The crowd around me were a mix of 'unimpressed' and 'grudgingly respectful'. Ottar was statue still, eyes thoughtful, but otherwise made no comment. I could hear people around me though, noting the obvious leaning towards a 'ranged' formation.

Then one of the JSDF shot a goblin in the forehead with his rifle.

That caused a bit of a ruckus. The sharp 'crack' then sudden black ash 'poof' from the Goblin answered everyone's question about the 'weird crossbows' the JSDF had.

With that same machine precision, they made their way towards the ramp to the second floor. More goblins, needle rabbits, a few giant lizards... Really simple, melee monsters. Itami, noting that even if a single bullet would take them down, they'd run out of ammunition quickly if they did nothing but use their guns, gave the 'forward defenders' a chance.

To be fair, their forwards were demi-human, and stronger than a human 'citizen' of Orario. And though it was obvious they were surprised by how strong the goblins were, they fought smart, didn't 'show off' and stuck to bog standard tactics. Block with shield, poke with sword. Repeat until it died. Boring, but even adventurers understood that 'fancy got you dead'.

With how methodical they were being, the general 'unimpressed' group were slowly shifting to 'understanding'. The Guests weren't acting like 'rookie adventurers'. No, they were acting like 'veteran adventurers' who were exploring floors they'd never been to before. Testing their 'usual' tactics', then trying out new things slowly.

Then they got to the third floor, and even with the 'escort', the dungeon managed to throw a little curve.

They were dealing with every threat with the maximum amount of effect, for the least amount of danger/effort. Lelei, the 'power house' of the formation, had only used her magic once, and that was to slap away a thrown rock from a goblin. But aside from that, they'd expended almost no ammo, and their melee weapons were coated with monster blood. There had been no injuries either.

But then they encountered 'something new'. And without warning, one of the JSDF was yanked off his feet by a long sticky tongue as it 'splatted' into his side, just behind his elbow, and sprung backwards towards the source with a mildly comical 'Waah!'

They'd overlooked a single shadowy nook, and of course a monster was waiting in it. The soldier's landing as he bounced off the ground was a little rough, but he didn't panic, didn't shoot randomly, no. He spread his arms and legs out as wide as possible, and tried to hold onto the ground. He wasn't strong enough to stop the pull of the giant frog's tongue, but when he did get to its mouth, he was able to brace his boots to the thing's upper lip, while his rear sat itself down on its lower lip.

Then, and only then, did he pull his 9mm, squeezing two rounds, not into the thing's skull (about the only thing other than a leg that was exposed) but into its mouth. The Go-Pro video was nice and clear as he basically aimed between his legs and fed the giant frog two bullets. Even with the noise of other people yelling 'contact!' from other directions, the sound of a magic stone cracking were clear.

And aside from a bit of slime all the way down one side of his body, he was fine. The rest of the room was handling a couple more of them, along with a giant lizard while one of the screens got closer to the fallen JSDF, a strong arm gripping the downed man and helping him to his feet before they both got back to back and started looking for targets.

(Kodori)

Back at my table with Ottar (and Spot), I said, "My my... they work so well together."

"They are over-reliant on their tools. But are well trained with them." Ottar replied.

I could tell, just by glancing up through the mesh of my hat, his attention was focused on a single screen. But I couldn't tell which one.

More small encounters made possible by the 'escort' teams, were dealt with swiftly with near flawless teamwork and perfectly performed 'room sweeping' tactics. The Guests were gaining confidence, but they'd suffered a few small injuries that kept them cautious. One of the Militia had a bandage on his leg where a goblin had bitten him after refusing to die with a sword through its heart. A JSDF had a bandage over his upper arm were a bat had swooped in and nipped him. And Yao had also been given a Frog Sliming, her injury not from the frog but the rough dungeon floor as it pulled her off her feet causing her to scrape her elbow.

The JSDF medic was always on top of things, never getting in the way and only drawing his weapon when he had nothing else to do. Tuka and Yao were recovering arrows as best they could and always focused down targets where 'friendly fire' would never be an issue. Bullets were treated as if they were made of gold, and while they did use them, it was always a single shot at a time.

(Kodori)

Around me, I could tell that the 'dismissive' opinion of them had all but vanished. It was clear they were 'weak' on an individual level. Even the biggest and strongest (the Volralden) had been almost overpowered by a 'dungeon lizard' dropping on him. But the confidence, total lack of arrogance, and pure efficiency of the mixed squad of JSDF and their 'local assets' had convinced the people around me that they were just as professional as any veteran adventurer, if only as strong as a civilian.

Still, Ottar was focused on a single screen still, and kept his opinions to himself.

Floor five, the 'planned' last stop for the Guests from another world. They'd suffered another few small injuries, but nothing even a rookie adventurer would use a potion on. They'd had a little trouble with a sudden spawn of a half dozen goblins, where two of them had picked up boomerang-like landform weapons. But that was why everyone (yes, even Tuka, Yao and Lelei) were wearing helmets. Now the most 'serious' injury was a single cut above an eye, where the rim of the helmet had cut Itami's forehead, but the Medic had the bleeding stopped in seconds, and the new threat was given a lead and brass return for its trouble.

(Kodori)

Ottar broke his silence, and I could almost hear a pin drop as everyone around us stopped to listen to his opinion, "I cannot fault their tactics." He rumbled, "But the real test starts now."

I glanced up at him, then looked back at the monitors. Did I miss something?

On one of the screens, someone was looking at Delilah. And while the Warrior Bunny was making an excellent showing for a pure melee (two 'kukri' style like Tione) fighter, she was looking like she was having the most fun out of everyone.

Then her body language went from 'ready' to '110 percent' alert, and she jumped towards the person who's go-pro was pointed at her, "Enemy to the rear!" She shouted at him.

The city watched as the one who's camera was pointed at Delilah spun around, and block the view with his rifle. Three blades cleaved part way through the metal, there was a brief spiderweb of cracks in the 'view' then the camera feed went dead.

It was a War Shadow. The rookie killer that spawned occasionally between the sixth and eighth floors. It's smokey, indistinct form and weird refractive skin made it look like its namesake, a shadow. About the only solid thing about it were the three knife length claws on each of its hands.

And like most other times the dungeon threw a curve, the walls around the JSDF started to crack as well.

Delilah, her ears picking up the nearly silent footsteps of the shadowy monster, ran towards the JSDF who had just lost his rifle and camera. With her left hand, she threw her kukri at the monster. With ease though, it swatted it out of the air with those too-solid claws, the metal blade clanging off them. But it had provided just enough distraction for the warrior bunny to put her now empty left hand onto the collar of the JSDF's uniform, and yank him backwards towards the middle of the group.

'The Group', instead of panicking, clustered themselves in the middle of the room. A sort of improvised turtle formation. The two sword/shield Militia ran towards Delilah to deal with the biggest Melee threat, while Shino and another JSDF drew their bayonets and 9mm. They kept the sudden rush of goblins and kobolds (Orario version) away from the middle, who with rifle and arrow dealt with things as they fell out of the walls.

The two Militia and Delilah however, were having a VERY hard time with the war shadow. Much like its name, it seemed to slip between shadows as it moved. But the three of them didn't try to follow its body. Instead they were focused on its claws. Already though, the tower shields were losing integrity at an alarming rate as the two Volralden stepped in the way of its slashing claws while Delilah's kukri tried to cut into its resilient flesh.

Then, she actually did. Her weapon found part of the War shadow's body and left an all too solid looking line of blood on the smokey indistinct form. But before she could celebrate the success, the monster broke its silence with a hollow scream of pain.

The next attack from the monster didn't just take a series of chips from the Militiaman's tower shield, but instead went right through it, slashing it in half, cutting the straps and flesh behind it as well. But even through the pain, he brought his own sword down on the monster, only to have it use its other claws to shear right through the inferior metal. The only thing that saved him was the second militiaman slamming his full weight into centre mass, but he left his shield behind in the mean time as he quickly pushed himself away from the flailing bladed arms.

From across the room, Shino called out to Delilah, and tossed the sheath of one of her bayonets at the Warrior Bunny. Delilah, her remaining kukri cracked and nicked from parrying the War Shadow's claws, discarded her weapon, caught the new one, and charged back in. The Volralden's action had knocked the monster flat on its back, leaving his shield resting on something between the two sets of claws.

Her muscles tensed, similar to the 'Oni transformation', or any number of adventurers who could enter a 'berserk' state, and she dashed forward. The War Shadow wasted no time in throwing the shield off itself and getting back to its feet, but that one moment of 'solid meeting shadow' had given Delilah a clear target, and even as its smokey form reached its full height Delilah crashed into it again, the point of a silvery knife slamming into the single bloody slash she'd left on it earlier.

And with a 'fwish' of smoke and ash, the monster vanished, leaving behind not just a respectable magic stone, but one of its claws as well.

(Kodori)

Under the brim of my hat, I was a little wide eyed. A War Shadow was the other reason level six was the first 'big jump' in difficulty. I'd nearly been killed by one myself back... forever ago.

The feat was not unnoticed by those around me either. People were cheering all around, raising a mug to the killer rabbit's prowess. But more importantly, Ottar was looking at the monitors in approval. Aha... He'd been specifically watching her. But... hmm.

The largest threat down, and the sudden rush of monsters all but gone, the mixed team finished up the encounter and went about 'recovery'. The medic ignored all the 'scrapes and bruises' and went right to the Volralden who'd had his shield cut in two. His forearm, furry as it was, was a bloody mess, but the medic wasted no time in dumping his canteen over the worst of it, and getting some bandages wrapped around it ASAP. His patient helped as well, following directions and clamping his good hand over his bicep to slow the bleeding while the medic got proper pressure over the wound.

Then some of the GoPro's started to pick up the sound of something heavy coming down a tunnel. The wounded and medic ignored it, while everyone else stopped what they were doing and got ready for combat again.

But then Marius appeared, his tower shield in front of him, his other hand up and empty, "Don't shoot."

From another tunnel, another adventurer appeared, one hand on his undrawn blade, the other in the air.

Then eyes went to the third tunnel, where the War Shadow had most likely come from. Nothing. Nothing? Then an echoing, "Got wounded!"

Marius perked up, dropped his raised arm and tromped towards the new voice. On his way past, he handed a potion vial to the medic.

Loki's voice overrode the audio coming in from the massed GoPro feeds, "Well folks! I think that's where our Guests little adventure ends! But wow! I mean, I'm just a silly Goddess and all, but they seemed pretty together for this kind of thing."

The view was taken away from the 4X4(-1) array of monitors, and after a little wobble it showed Loki and Royman, sitting behind a desk. Royman of course was in his perfectly tailored Guild uniform and sat like a gentleman, but Loki had her feet up on the desk and was leaning back in her chair.

"The conditions of the event were to get to the entrance of the sixth floor, or until a significant injury occurred. Sadly, it was the later, but..." He paused, bringing his hand up to a small bit of crystal near his ear, "Ah, we've two of the escorts who were wounded as well, but they're alive."

Silly as she was, Loki wouldn't mock someone's good fortune, "Good to know!" She grinned, putting her feet down, "So what did you think Orario? Crazy stuff! But it seems even Children from other worlds are no match for the Dungeon. Gotta say though, these guys were pretty impressive."

(Kodori)

The show now over, people started to finish what ever drink they'd ordered and get up to leave. At some point, someone (Chloe? Syr?) had put some tea down for me, but I'd been so intent on the screens I'd missed it. Ottar also finished his drink (that I'd also missed him getting) and stood up.

He was already a man of few words, so he said nothing. He did however give me a nod and Spot an extra ear scroofle. But otherwise, he walked away (after putting a little money next to his empty mug) as if there was no one else around him.

Not one to pass up a cup of tea, I sipped as if I too were alone. I mean, except for Spot. My free hand had lifted up a little, and he put his head under it so I could play with his ears. The sample size of 'the people' was rather small around me, but the JSDF had clearly accomplished their goal of earning a bit of 'street cred'. Not just that, but the 'beast' races that had joined them also put in a good show, and the magic Lelei, Yao and Tuka had used, all without falna had proven themselves as well.

This would help our visitors from the other side of the Gate when they brought in some things for trade. They weren't 'equals' when it came to power, but they weren't pushovers either.

"Honoured Elder." A voice pulled me out of my little internal pondering, "What did you think of the display?" It was Syr, picking up the handful of change left by Ottar.

"Oh, pardon me." I said with a little smile, "I think we might just get along. Isn't that right boy?" I moved my hand to just one side of Spot's big head, just in case Syr wanted to also give him well deserved headpats. He even did that raised eyebrow thing at her, trying to entice her to do so.

But she didn't. She did however smile and nod, "They seem quite capable, though they don't seem to have the same gifts the adventurers do, even though they have Gods."

I fished about in a pouch for proper change, turning my head so she wouldn't see my eyes, "All the Gods are different." I said, "Why would that change when they're of another world?" I put the coins down, "Thank you dear." I stood up slowly and took my cane off the back of the chair. "I don't suppose I can ask for your help to get me home?" I asked Spot.

"wurf." He replied, lowering himself to his belly and allowing me to get on again.

Back at home and in the workshop, with Spot eating a well deserved sausage link, I went about thinking of what to do next. It would be at least a week, maybe two, or even three, before visitors from our side would be allowed through the Gate. And in the mean time, I could get things ready. Or not. I mean, seven children...

"Ko-san?" Haruhime's voice reminded me why I'd never 'not be ready' if I could help it. "I thought I'd find you here." A pause, and a sudden silence as Spot stopped slowly nom-ing on his snack, "Thank you Spot for taking care of my wife."

There was the sound of ear scroofling and a whiplike tail tapping against the workshop floor happily.

"Well, lots to think about, and then there's lots to do." I said, looking up from my 'idle project' of building Hagane's new arm model, "And... we should talk to Lady Hestia."

She came over, stepping around Spot (who went back to quietly nibbling), and slipped into my lap. "I know you wanted to wait until they were older, but I do think it is the correct choice for them."

She knew I needed a little cheering up. Even in a place as private as the workshop, she generally didn't get so affectionate. Of course, with my wife between me and my work, I set my tools down carefully, and wrapped her up in a hug, "That's the problem. We're making the choice for them." I shook my head before she could reply, "And yes, I think it's a good idea too. Any of the three Gods in the Manor would never think to mistreat them."

She nodded, "Such as Soma's negligence or Apollo's lust for beauty." She said, adding in some attention to my ears to aid in cheering me up. "We will simply have to work a little harder to guide them. How did you say it? So they could grow 'strong and fine'?"

I put my forehead on her shoulder and didn't bother trying to control that weird little purr I was doing, "Yes. There's others, from parts of my old world. Straight of limb and strong of back for example. Without magic, and an extreme paranoia of science early on in history, there were a lot of infants who never made it past their first year. So saying like that were common."

"I feel a little sad, for a world like that." She said, "After we talk to Hestia-sama... What should we do?"

Yes, we were past the point of hoping our children would live through their first year. Each of them were growing into their own stable personalities, picking up simple hobbies and finding things that drew their attention over other activities. Or not, since poor Yuki was still a sleepyhead and occasionally skipped 'play time' and went right into 'nap time'.

"We hardly need to do anything really. Anything different." I corrected, lifting my head and touching my nose to hers gently, "They are already learning to 'dance' with Lord Takemikazuchi. Just like you did."

She gave me a rare 'you're in trouble' look, but then caught on, "Oh! Very clever." She gave my shoulder a light swat, "Teaching them without them noticing."

"Hide the lesson with play." I nodded, "All that really needs to change is correcting them a little more when they misstep." I smiled, hugging Haruhime super tight, then letting go and putting her back on the ground next to my chair. "It's why our school is getting such high praise. Apply the lesson to something they can use right away. We keep their attention, they keep the knowledge." I hmm'ed.

She booped my nose, "Hmm?"

"Just had an idea for a little teaching aid. But yes, tonight we can talk to Hestia." I made a lazy attempt to bite her finger, "Grr. If you could find Sir Skitters for me?"

"Remember, it's your turn to cook tonight." She smiled, stepped back, applied another scroofle to Spot, then left.

After I felt her enter the Manor proper, I sighed, "Well Spot, want to help me pick out shiny things from our monster drop bins? I have some gifts to make."

He perked up, lowered his head to snarf up the last of his snack, then got to his feet.

After a little time in the shop, mostly just organizing things so I could return at some point and simply start my next project, I got to making dinner. The 'energy' in the Manor was pretty high. The 'event' was exciting even if it did nearly end with a bit of tragedy. Marius and Chigusa recounted their time in the 'emergency teams', and how it was pretty boring overall. The team that failed to catch the War Shadow though was caught off guard, and a bit of bad luck had their crystal broken. Welf, after the story told me he got a note from the Guild about replacing a bracer too.

But then Bell asked one of those insightful questions.

"Do you think they will be allowed to keep what they found?" He asked, "I mean... we don't allow magic stone out of the city, but they did earn it!"

"That crazy rabbit also got a War Shadow claw. That alone is worth quite a bit." Welf said.

Our resident 'crazy rabbit' looked a little sad, "I thought I was the crazy rabbit..." She pouted, but then laughed, "But I agree! They should keep what they found."

All eyes started to gravitate to me, but I held up a hand, "I'm not sure. But I think they will be trading their earnings in for Valis right away, and buy things they need. But not the things they are planning to trade for."

Weine scratched her head, "But... what does that mean? They won't use the money to buy stuff?"

"I believe she means they will use the money for service such as Nazza's lab." Mikoto said, "The magic stone can be given to them directly, and assist in the creation of healing potions that they cannot make themselves."

"Wonder if they got fair price for that claw though..." Welf mumbled, "I know we're past that, but a single drop like that can make a weapon for a strong level two. It would go a long way to their 'special shopping'."

"I'll ask. Or at least inform them." I nodded, "So here's the other question..."

Asfi interjected, "How do those weapons work?"

There was a moment of silence. Everyone knew that I knew. And that I had kept that to myself. As well as told the others from Earth to keep quiet about it. "First... I'll tell you why." I said with a sigh. "Back where I'm from, we not only lacked magic. But also a 'common cause'. We had no monsters to fight. So we turned on each other. Land, food, money, who inherits what, skin colour, religion... The oldest recorded war was something like... 3500 years ago. We had no gods to stop us, no common cause to rally behind..."

No one interrupted, though I wished someone had, but just as I was about to continue, Takemikazuchi said quietly, "In times of war, wish for peace. In times of peace, prepare for war."

I looked at him, nodding a little sadly, "Exactly that." I looked to Marius, "You called the wall around your city 'the most useless wall'. But imagine say, Orario, looking at that wall and thinking, 'oh they have a wall, must have something to hide'."

"Not that Orario would ever care, but I can imagine it." He nodded.

"So, Orario thinks, 'oh, it's a thick wall. We should think of a way to break it, you know, just in case...'" I shrugged, "One nation favours thick cloth and leather, and makes weapons to cut through it because that is what they know. But then they encounter troops in heavy plate. Now they must adapt or be unable to defend against these armoured soldiers from another land."

Asfi nodded, "Escalation."

"And lastly, taking peaceful ideas, and adapting them to war." I looked to Delly.

She pointed a finger towards the ceiling, making a timid little burst of fireworks. And since she now had everyone's attention, filled in the blank for me. "Someone saw the idea of fireworks, using explosive powder and burning metal dust for celebration. Then thought, 'if it can propel a clay ball into the air, why not a solid metal one across a field?"

Now, no one in the room was stupid. Even Weine, arguably the most 'simple' (though you'd hardly notice that now! She had a hand in teaching my children to read!) caught on to the next 'logical' step.

"Oh..." Welf mumbled, "This is what you meant, isn't it? How the old lady at the market could use a machine to do the work of a dozen people, or a single person with the right machine could bring down a wall?"

"Yes. Because we lacked Magic, or a way to surpass the usual limits of flesh, we came up with tools to do the work for us. And those weapons the JSDF used, well, they're a very refined version of Delly's example."

"By putting an explosive behind a projectile..." Asfi mumbled.

"Please don't, Asfi?" I asked. "True, the ones they carried with them into the dungeon would be less effective on Adventurers, but those are only the smaller ones, meant to be carried by their foot soldiers, and not their Humvee."

Shinkage spoke up, "If you can imagine a mode of transport, the Humans have mounted a gun onto it." She sipped the last of her tea.

"I can understand your paranoia about their weapons now." Marius said, "And am very glad we don't have them here. But now that the idea is out there, how will you stop it?"

"I can't." I said simply. "For us, in the dungeon, those weapons are less useful. And because of it, they won't gain much ground. At least, I hope not. The best I can do, that anyone can do, is simply not share their ideas on how to make them."

Haruhime was giving me a 'there there', pat on my hand. But it was Maki who managed to cheer me up, "People here have a lot more common sense. And most of the people who are crazy or evil enough to try and make what the JSDF have, will blow themselves up trying to figure it out."

That got a bit of a chuckle from most of the people around the table, and I took the opportunity to just get on with the night, "Does everyone who wants to join me on the other side of the Gate have a copy of the Primer?"

"Eina-san delivered a half dozen of them during the 'show'" Takemikazuchi said with a smile.

"A bit of late night reading." Kaede said, "What? They have Bunny-hume over there, so I figured why not?"

That was fair, I did say 'anyone who could manage to learn the language'... "Ko-san?" Haruhime used her tails to tug at mine just a tiny bit.

I nodded, "Well, since I cooked, I leave it to the rest of you." I looked to Hestia, "Lady Hestia? Can I talk with you?"

When I entered Hestia's bedroom, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. The scent was almost exactly the same as the little apartment under the church we once lived in. Of course, now that she was part of a very successful Familia, her bed, curtains, books and other such things were all much better quality.

But it still felt the same. Her (and her Familia's) success hadn't changed her. She was still the loving Goddess who truly treated us like her Children. Well, unless she was sneaking cookies.

She closed the door behind me once I entered, then plunked herself down on the bed, motioning me to sit. I spent another moment just feeling good about having her as my Goddess, then parked my rear carefully in 'The Chair'. (Probably on its fifth or sixth revision, it was the chair we sat in when getting updates, and was tailor made to be as comfortable as possible to everyone, tails or not.)

"Ha-chan and I have been talking, and thinking, and we've decided to ask you to bring our children into your Familia."

And again, she proved to be the perfect Goddess for us, not by celebrating the addition to seven potentially super powerful 'Renard' into her ranks, but asking, "Why so soon?" Sure, I told her why I didn't want to, but she actually listened, where other Gods might not, or not have cared.

"Partly because of the Oni." I said, "For them it was done for their protection, and that's good. They are part Amazon, and are behind in that regard, since Kali gives them falna at birth. But they are the start of a whole new race, and must survive so they can grow."

Hestia nod-nodded, "They're a little scary, and really strong already! But still, I want them to prosper too! You wouldn't think it, but they are really good fathers." Yes, everyone around me only used their names when they needed to. Especially those with 'power' over them.

"Because of the limit on falna Lord Takemikazuchi can keep even better watch over them, and because they are now His, any act against them would be against Lord Takemikazuchi." I said quietly, "Under Guild laws, if any of those children happen to be stolen, harmed or otherwise abused, the Oni would have full sanction to... correct the ones responsible. So long as they didn't fight in the streets."

Ah, and the other reason I loved Hestia. She still had this kind of innocence. She suddenly realized the full extent of the protection around those precious little Demons. I reached out and gave her hand a pat to bring her back.

"So you want... to do the same for your children?"

"They are my children, and I am the Strongest. That alone makes them safe, and a target. But I won't always be near them. And one day I might not be the strongest." I said, smiling when Hestia nodded in understanding, and not saying something like 'you'll always be the strongest!' like she might have when I first came to her.

"Are you sure you want me to do it then?" She asked, again proving she had grown a little over the years. "Take' would be better..."

"I was actually thinking of having them start with you, then after a year..." I stopped myself, "I mean, Family, Justice, War. I think the three of you get along so well, because you balance each other out." I looked away, "And it was all three of you who helped all of us become Family here at the Manor."

It was her turn to give my hand a pat, "I can talk with Take' and Astraea. But maybe they'll be old enough to decide on their own at that point? They're growing so fast! And if they're anything like you, or Maki, or even Hime now..."

"Ha-chan too now?"

"Yes. Ever since she figured out how to change into a fox, she's started to accelerate. Not as fast as you, or even Maki, but still!" She pointed at me, "You Demons make me look like I'm cheating!" She even booped my nose with her kitten ferocity!

"If it keeps us alive, and together, I'll never feel bad about that." I smiled, wiggling my nose a little under her fingertip. "Tomorrow morning maybe? Before lunch?"

"Why not now?" She still didn't sound eager, her lack of greed for new members, even when it was a given now, made me smile, "It's not their bedtime yet?"

"No, not yet. But I have something to make for them. I mean... Something like this should be celebrated. Not quite like a birthday, but close."

She hmm'ed for a moment, "I'm a little sad now that all I did was bring home potato puffs when you joined."

"And I was thankful for every single bite." I said, standing up and giving her a hug, "You're still the best Goddess for me."

She 'eep'ed at the role reversal of having her head buried in cleavage, but returned the hug. After I let go, she asked, "Did you want me to update you? It's been..."

"Before I leave on the mission into the Gate, yes. But no, not tonight." I smiled, "Though, if you're in the mood, I can send people your way?"

"Sure, I mean, I'm here and you've already warmed up the seat." She smiled, reaching for her night stand where she kept the little knife she used.

"Oh... can I have seven strands of your hair? It's for the thing I'm making the children."

"Sure."

Simple... Simple, fun and functional. A toy, but weighted like a weapon that even a child could hold... And because these would be for my children, I would put in actual work. But what would I make? Not actual weapons, like knives. I mean, sure, the Amazon did it. And this wasn't Earth, where children were (hopefully) never expected to fight for a living.

So, with the help of Sir Skitters (still the best spider, yes I will pat your fuzzy butt), some of the wood we used to make our practice weapons (the same stuff the Aisha and Shinkage used for their wooden Padao), left over fabric from the bolts of cloth we used to make their clothing when they were younger, and lastly, a single long strand of Hestia's hair to tie things together at the base...

I made some Fans. Bright and colourful, durable, and weighted like a dagger, these would be their first training 'weapon'. Though honestly, it was more of an accessory. But that was fine. Takemikazuchi would teach them to 'dance', with their fans taking the place of a dagger, and when they weren't in the Dojo, they could use them as actual fans. (Summers did get a little warm after all).

Maybe next year, or the year after, when they grew a little more into their adventure abilities, Welf and I could make them actual dangerous weapons. Of course I hoped they never needed them. But this wasn't like Earth. Civilization was much closer to danger, even here in the city. And here in Orario, 'the best' for the children wasn't just about learning letters and numbers. Hm, maybe I could put together something like Boy Scouts or something...

Since this was important, and a real gift and not just 'handing new equipment to someone' like it (mostly) was when I was helping Rias, I spent a little time making proper leather cases for the Fans. It wasn't super fancy, but I made sure to write each of their names on the thin Orc leather in my very best calligraphy (so... readable)

But with Sir Skitters helping me with the thread work, Welf and my own tendency to be item packrats, and a well organized mini-warehouse of materials... Well, it was still pretty late when we got it done.

To my surprise, and delight, Haruhime and Aisha were... wait no, just Haruhime. She was awake, and had Aisha's head resting on her lap, the Amazon snoring quietly as she slept.

"Ko-san." She whispered, "You are a little late to bed."

I set down the little box that contained all the fans, and let Sir Skitters hop onto the wall by the door so he could go do... what ever he wanted, and I closed the bedroom door after him. "I talked to Lady Hestia." I replied quietly, stripping down for bed, setting my clothes aside neatly, then bringing myself and the box over to them. "What do you think?"

I sat about an arm's length away from Haruhime and set the box between us. With her free hand (the other was giving the Amazon headpats) she opened the box and took out the topmost item. Since it was in a leather case, she needed to use the other hand to pull the fan free of its sheath, but with a little 'flick' of her fingers she spread the fan wide, her eyes lighting up a little.

"You used the fabric from their first kimono." She said, moving her hand a little, tracing out a few simple motions that were no less elegant, even with Aisha snoring in her lap. Then with the same flick of her fingers, the fan closed, "Oh I see."

She only appeared soft of course. Haruhime carried a very sharp Tanto with her at almost all times, and the weight and balance of the fan would be similar. "Think they will like them?"

"They will love them." She smiled, "I kind of want one now too..." She pointed the fan at me, "Later, it's bed time."

I nodded, taking the fan from her, putting it back in its leather case then into the box. "Of course." I set the box on our night stand. "Now... To get her off your knee..."

I lay down, and I replaced Haruhime's thigh with my shoulder for Aisha to sleep on. Haruhime then took her place on my other shoulder, effectively making sure I couldn't skip sleep. "Tomorrow then?" She asked.

"Yes."

NOTES!

And so, about ten years early, the mini-hime's will become Adventurers. But we all knew Kodori's wish for them to choose when they were 'young adults' was a bit of a pointless dream.

And yes, after like... three years of 'story time' Kodori will get her update. Not much has changed really, I mean, her magic stat will of course be insane. But she hasn't really done a huge amount of adventuring. But while I might not bother putting up stats, it does have a story based significance. :)

Daeore on Ko-fi for story art and my little donation cup.

Daeore on Inkitt for my actual book, Were Too?

And finally a discord (that I'm adding to the notes of other stories, so people who haven't caught up can maybe join all you folks who are reading this now...

aKAQg4bnYu for that. :)