Seven Hundred And Thirteen

I might be missing something, but I don’t see what they have to gain here? Eri was the first to add her opinion, as time raced inside our minds, while the President almost seemed frozen to my eyes. It’s like we’ve considered, unless all the elites of the Church are there waiting to attack you they’re just going to get defeated soundly, and if that is the case, you’ll take a lot of them with you and… Eri’s mental tone was now cold and furious. …the others and I will hunt them down until none are left, then leave this world with Tan and our families and friends, to take the fight on to this Ninth Heaven even there…

Wow… I aped my sis, earning a wry thought from her, though she was still largely distracted, even if clearly giving this some attention. …you sound just like me now, Eri…

Of course I do. We’re mirrors of each other and made to be with each other. Eri was proud of that. Before, I might have said life wasn’t worth living without you. In many ways, it won’t be. But… I’ll have to be strong for those who aren’t. And take our vengeance! So, yes, there’s no point in an attack, at the moment the setting isn’t right, unless…

Shaeula was next to add her thoughts. Yes. They are not fools, much as I despise them. Their attack on Tokyo was actually rather well-planned, only countered by our greater than anticipated strength, and the hidden card that was Tamamo-no-Mae. Even with great losses, they could have expected Asha’s Tree to fall. They will spend lives, it seems, but only for a purpose.

Is Shiro with any of you? At my thoughts, everyone responded in the negative, Shaeula adding that she’d gone out with a few of the others to have some fun in London. That’s a damn shame. Tan’s insight would be valuable…

Oh? And is our wisdom inferior? I’m hurt, my Verr. Rose giggled in my thoughts, and Lin echoed her. We also understand the ways the Ninth Heaven operates. Though… in the abstract.

That is correct. Lin agreed. Here in the Pantheons, they have an overwhelming power advantage, but even so, they leverage that. Hence the Compacts being very favourable to them. So yes, they do little without reason.

Hyacinth asked what was on my mind then, while Haru listened in silently via her Telepathy, almost as if she was taking notes. “I am a good secretary…” she began to mouth as me.

Can you not defeat their obfuscation, Rossweisse? They surely cannot be more powerful than you?

A pertinent question, Hyacinth. Rose responded, a trace of pride in her voice. Of course not. Even Akio isn’t on our level yet, though if he can solve the issues that plague his Vessel and find a way to elevate the League of his existence, then I wouldn’t be surprised if even without claiming the planet, he can match us sooner or later. That’s not important now though… it’s not simply a case of strength. These Clouds Of Confusion are deliberately targeted at Wisdom. Everything has its opposite, after all. The Six Paths call that Yin and Yang. Though… nothing can exist without it’s opposite either…

If that’s the case… what’s there to hide? It makes no sense bringing a group of Chosen here, concealing them, and then having them do nothing. Especially when the fact that they are obscuring themselves can’t be hidden.

Maybe they’re not fully aware of what you can do and see? Eri asked, and I mentally shook my head.

We can’t rely on that. They surely have ways of gathering information too. And… they went after Yasaka-san. I doubt very much that’s a coincidence.

In that case… Haru finally added her own opinion. …we need to raise our caution to the maximum. This whole scenario seems fishy to me. Don’t worry though, I’m here to keep Akio calm and composed. I won’t let him start a war by murdering the President of the United States in sovereign territory in an allied country!

Even if you wish to end him yourself? Shaeula tittered knowingly. You must loathe that wretch more than even Akio does.

Oh, I undoubtedly do, and I feel terrible for the poor woman. Workplace harassment is an awful thing, but… even so, I can’t let Akio start a war over her.

We’ll see what we can do. Although…

They felt my doubts, and Shaeula’s thoughts wavered for a second, and I had the mental image of her rubbing her temples, as if she had forgotten something. Yes. She could be a plant. It is too perfect to play upon your sympathies, Akio. Like the so-called Ninjas, with their cunning ways to fool Telepathy and hide their innermost thoughts, no doubt our enemies have their ways too. However, from what I have heard…

That’s right. Haru agreed. Unfortunately it isn’t unusual behaviour for him, so the rumours go. He loves using celebrity status and power to his advantage, when it comes to money and women. I do hope you never get into that habit, Akio!

No, I wouldn’t dare. And you’ll all keep me on the right path, won’t you?

Of course, some would say you already are abusing your power that way… idiots. Eri’s mental snort was derisive, and I could feel my sis wincing.

That aside, what’s the play? Eri then asked, and Lin spoke for everyone.

We need to know more. But also we need to avoid falling into any traps. Agree to nothing. Make no promises. Watch out for subtle, dangerous traps that might go unnoticed. And… much as it irks me, attacking the Chosen here could also be the trap. They might be baiting you. Act with caution and try and extricate yourself with the minimum effort.

As everyone agreed, I spoke to the President, my tone somewhat bitter. “Excuse me if I fear I must decline.”

“Oh?” The President seemed confused by my answer, as if the thought had never crossed his mind. “Why? You’ve nothing to lose, have you? It’s good business to accept. I do the best business, offer the greatest deals. This side of Satan, that is…” He let out a dry chuckle at his own joke.

“I’ll be blunt.” I raised my hand, showing four fingers. “There are a number of problems. Even if nobody but us will ever know what we talk about here… I bet you’re forgetting to include the one who’s obscuring the area. They’ll surely hear. It makes no sense to have an ability which cripples themselves too.” I curled one finger. “Then… there’s the fact that you’ve been affected by their abilities. You admit yourself you’re being controlled…”

“They think they’re controlling me!” the President interrupted, his face pale with anger, and also something else, withdrawals, maybe. “Nobody tells me what to do, I make the decisions, I don’t take them. Yes, I admit I’ve given out a few concessions, but… it’s no different to what we did a deal on. You were satisfied, weren’t you? That’s what you get, dealing with me. Satisfaction guaranteed. If I’m being honest though...”

Damn, does he ever shut up? I was the one talking here…

Haru struggled not to giggle. It seems like he wants to be the centre of attention wherever he goes. Still, we might be able to extract some information from him. Let him talk…

Not like I can stop him, anyway…

“…I liked your deal a bit better.” the President admitted. “You had more respect for me. As you should. You’re a smart kid. Even so, you’ve made mistakes. Letting that young girl handle your business dealings. Weak, that is. A real man handles everything related to both money and women himself! Though I get it. She’s pretty. Make her feel important, and she’ll love you for it…”

Yuck. Let’s not tell Hinata about this.

Agreed.

“…no, my point is, while what you offered might not be as… tempting… as what they gave out, there were no strings attached, as far as I could see. Free can be very expensive, even if the Baptism is supposed to prepare us for the near future when the… what did they call it… ah yes, Tower of Babel is restored, and all men can communicate once more with each other and the Lord… a load of mumbo-jumbo if you ask me, but… hey, the scientists are always rattling on about accepting what we see before our eyes. And if these Church fanatics can work miracles… I do feel sharper, like I can do anything, like the world should be mine, when I’m tasting that sweet…” he trailed off, mouth suddenly shut into a thin line, and yes, his hands were clammy and trembling still. “…of course, the comedown is a bitch. They promise that when the Baptisms reach their final state, we’ll feel that joy, that ecstasy, all the time, that the side-effects are just our bodies rejecting their Lord’s grace, but…” he narrowed his watery blue eyes. “…what do you think, Akio?”

“I think that the withdrawals will never decrease, only get worse.”

“I see great minds think alike. It’s like those wretched foreign drug dealers I’ve tried to get rid of, but the bleeding hearts won’t let me. We’ve no need for such trash in our perfect America… no, in our perfect world.” His gaze burned with fanaticism. “But their drugs, they give the first hit for free. Get them hooked. Like the tobacco industry. You have to admire how they’ve expanded their market reach over the decades. A shame the world’s changing. All yoga and fad diets now… got to move with the market. And right now, there are two big companies making a play. You, and them. And everyone who wants to be someone has to pick a side…”

As he rambled on, I picked out the most interesting note from his speech. Tower of Babel? I’m not religious, but…

I remember that one. Aiko spoke up. From the… oops…

Oops?

Never mind. I totally did not read the visual novel version of the story with the mythological beings as summoned heroes, fighting for the Holy Grail, you told me not to… wow. I can’t believe you’d accuse me of that, bro!

Sure, sure. So why did you say anything if you hadn’t? But you’re right, it’s mentioned there. And not just there… wasn’t it, if I’m not mistaken, that before that, there was only one language, but as humans tried to build a tower to Heaven, God was angry, smote it down, and then prevented humans from understanding each other by creating a multitude of tongues?

Have you not wondered how we spoke? Or how your Fae understand you? And why it does not work upon the Material, unless they already know the language, or are bound to you in other ways? Lin asked. The Astral is a realm of thought. And thoughts can be conveyed cleanest without words.

Does that mean that eventually everyone will be able to speak to each other regardless of language? Eri asked, and Lin agreed.

Yes. At the Fifth Heightening, the merging between the Astral and the Material will be far more intense. There are many problems to solve… ordinarily it happens slowly, meticulously, step by step…

Don’t let Lin’s words dismay you… Rose added. …it’s simply a case of not having the time to be leisurely, and not just because our keen sister with her whip is waiting. Your world is a double Boundary world, and strange even for that, I’d wager. Do as you need to, and as problems crop up, we’ll help you solve them. I am sure even Divine Taṇhā will aid you…

That still does not explain one thing he said. Asha didn’t speak much this way, she was quiet and self-effacing most of the time, but now she had a point to raise. Yes, I rather understand what you mean about communication. I share the languages Akio knows, but… in the Boundary, I can even understand those who speak in other tongues when annoyed, such as some of the humans from Fenrir. But… not in the Material. That being said… I doubt very much at this Fifth Heightening, Akio could speak with Tyr, or Tsukuyomi, or ordinarily, even you. So how could they communicate with their Lord?

I paused, remembering. Wait… I have a very bad feeling all of a sudden. I shared what I had imagined, and Rose was troubled too.

That is… rather dreadful speculation. If so, the true purpose of the Linked Angels is… grander and more terrible than we knew. If so…

We cannot let any Territories of the Throne reach the Fifth Heightening. Even the Fourth offers great risk, but stopping that would surely be impossible. Lin fretted. Rose…

Yes. Go. Take our sisters with you and search the libraries, ask our older sisters, seek counsel from the Divine Norns. I shall remain here. I think my Wisdom shall be sorely needed momentarily… Rose agreed. Wisdom World fell silent as the Valkyries hurried to their new tasks, while I decided, with Haru’s support, to interrupt the President.

“That’s all very well, but I’m not interested in that.” I warned. “My third issue is… even if you swear you’re not being manipulated by them, and that turns out to be true… you’re still betraying them. That’s not a good look, or conducive to build trust, is it? After all, those who betray once will do it again.”

“Betrayal?” He almost seemed offended, scoffing at me. “This is why you shouldn’t have handed off your responsibilities to your little girffriend, even if it’s a play. Just like with you, what we had was simply a business arrangement. I’m looking out for number one. And if a better proposition comes along, it’s good sense to jump ship. Nobody’s ever accused me of lacking business smarts…”

I’m sure I heard tell he bankrupted a number of casinos, amongst other things… Haru’s voice sounded, oddly cheery.

Don’t make me laugh, not now…

“…and if I’m being truthful, which I always am, I’ve already held up my end of the bargain. I’ve paid my debts. Of course, I’ll… miss… hah…” He let out an oddly tremulous groaning gasp, hands shaking, and Haru masked her look of disgust well, her brown eyes hard. “…the Baptisms, but I’m confident you can work something out for me. As a token of our friendship and new relationship. Half the world, Akio. Could you even have dreamed of that a few months ago?”

“No.” I agreed. “I couldn’t have. But again… why should I trust you, and why should I need you?”

“I don’t bite the hand that keeps feeding me.” He snorted sourly. “If you think I’m disloyal, you don’t know me! Everyone says I’m the most loyal, the best! This is a matter of expediency. As for why you need me…” he tutted. “…again…” His eyes lingered on Haru a moment too long, and the urge to just laser off his head rose within me, only Haru’s and the others’ voices keeping me from snapping.

“…I love women. Nobody loves women more than me. And they all want to be with me. I’m a catch, you know. Can get whatever woman I want. But letting them run things… that’s weak. Women don’t have the stomach for when things get rough. Don’t let their mindset weaken you, Akio. Be a real man!”

Fucker. He was annoying and sleazy when I met him in America, but it’s like he’s turned it up to eleven. Is it the effect of the so-called Baptism?

Calm yourself. Remember what we’re here for… Haru warned, though I detected her own fury by the flickering motes of blue energy rippling through her eyes and hair.

I know. “Oh, I’d very much beg to differ on that. I’ve known young girls who’ve faced danger and death with more bravery than hardened soldiers. Hardened men. And not just one or two. So spare me your bullshit.” I closed down my final upraised finger. “The most important reason I would never accept your offer is simple. I hate how you treat women, treat other people. The world you seek and the world I seek are not going to be compatible. Half the world… sorry, but this battle only ends when someone has the whole world. Sure, I admit, I can’t and don’t want to overlook the USA. But… if you want to work with me, reap some benefits… you’re going to have to change your mindset, and your behaviours.”

There was a long silence after my harsh ultimatum, only for the President to burst out laughing, astonishing me. “You’re a bold one. I like that. But you’re still far too naïve. Experience trumps youthful integrity any time. You think work gets done in Washington by being principled? You should know better. That useless fool Adam White should have shown you that only the strong and the wealthy get to make the rules. Yes, you’re strong, but… the United States aren’t to be trifled with. Be it you, or the Church, I’ll be on the winning team. And if I’m on a team, I want to be the coach, not the water boy.” I watched his hands, as they curled into fists, nails raking his damp palms until faint lines of blood he barely noticed bloomed. “You may think that your alliance with Britain will keep you safe, but… two countries alone can’t face the world. Damn, son…” He’d lost all pretence of respect in his tone now. “…our nuclear submarines and our battleships and aircraft carriers are out there, and if I wanted, I could blow up all of you. The Church is already a designated terror organisation outside of the US, so I wouldn’t even need to justify that strike. As for you… don’t get cocky. At the end of the day, even if you somehow survived, which you won’t, those around you wouldn’t be so lucky.”

“Is that a threat?” I asked, and he chuckled.

“Hardly. Just a statement of what could happen. Adam’s a damn moron, weakening America, but he’s right in one regard. Why change the status quo, unless it benefits us, and us alone? America doesn’t need all you loose cannons running around, when we already have the greatest military in the world, bar none! Now be a good boy and listen. You either join hands with me, and share your technology, make us both very wealthy, and we stay out of each other’s way besides that. Divide the world into East and West, but I’ll throw in Britain, since I wouldn’t want to separate you from your fiancée. A very beautiful woman, is Eleanor. Just my type…”

Bastard…

At least we’re getting to the truth. But… his provocations might be part of their plan. If so… they overestimate both his loyalty, and how useful he is as a tool… Haru urged me to caution.

“…of course, there’s another way.” He smiled at me, before pressing a button, and the attaché, Chloe, came back, her face deadpan and cold, as if putting on a brave face. She was carrying a bottle of expensive bourbon, more valuable than the last, and as she poured the President a full, nearly overflowing glass, he smirked at me, before slapping her ass, making her flinch, his hand lingering.

“Several ways, in fact. You don’t know how to use power. Oh, the young think they know it all. Listen to the advice of someone who’s done everything in life, been the best for as long as you were alive, longer. There’s no need to fight. That’s unproductive and wasteful. Why not play both sides, like I do. All you have to do is agree to what I suggest. Non-aggression. You won’t attack anyone from the Church or their allies, and the Church won’t attack you. Then it comes down to who’s got the most support, yes?”

“You must be insane if you think I can stand aside now…” My words were harsh, but the President only slid the glass to the end of the table. Makes sense. He doesn’t drink, he says.

“Why? Drink up, boy, don’t stand on ceremony. Sometimes after war comes peace, yes? Why, Japan and America used to be on opposite sides of the war, and now look at us. Best of friends. You got beat so badly it went down in history though. And we have far greater strength now.”

As I gazed at him, my grey orbs shimmering like steel with suppressed rage at his casual dismissal of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he waved one hand at the alcohol he’d offered me.

“Not going to drink? Chloe, don’t waste it.” At his cold words, the attaché sighed, before picking up the glass and gulping it down, her face set in a blank expression. “Why not have another glass, since he’s not interested. Or maybe he was waiting to see if it was poisone? How cold. Doesn’t care much about you, Chloe. Understandable. He’s determined to take the moral high ground. But what use is that if you just end up outpaced and defeated?”

“Give me a drink…” I grated, unwilling to see him act the bully, and the woman, her face reddening from the bourbon she’d gulped down, turned her eyes to Haru, who was doubtless saying something with her Telepathy. I took the next glass, sipping at it. Yes, not poisoned. Where’s the trick? It’s here somewhere…

If there isn’t, it makes no sense to have Chosen present, unless it’s someone like Titan, who you’d expect to be here and wouldn’t be wary of… Eri agreed.

“Look, think of your own benefits. It’s not like you have to tell the truth. I’ll level with you…” the President grinned. “…I did indeed lie. Yes, what is said in here is secret, unknowable, but you’re right, he knows. Sound carries. So…”

He scribbled a messy note and passed it to me. I read it, frowning. Just lie then. Say you agree and buy yourself some time. You’ll soon see that I’m the safer choice, and if you’re an idiot who lets slanderous lies about me and the behaviour of a true, red-blooded man, upset you, well, I’ll at least get some credit from the Church. I win either way. Even if you walk out agreeing nothing, I don’t lose. But you do… trust me. Just play ball. It’s business. Promises are made to be broken. Oh… destroy this note now. That way he won’t know…

I let a little flame element turn it to ash.

“So you just want me to agree that I won’t attack anyone from the Church or their allies. But in exchange they only won’t attack me? Seems rather stupid to agree to…”

“Anyone who signs a contract they don’t read and understand is the sucker and deserves what they get. All right then, none of your family can be attacked either. You’ve got a big one, haven’t you? A man after my own heart. Sounds a good deal to me. Half the world, am I right? At least for now…”

“I can see why it might appeal…” I grimaced. Too many loopholes. After all he said ‘the Church’ initially. Does that mean the sort of assassins who attacked Hanafubuki could have free rein, and I’d be helpless to strike back? “…but no thanks.”

“You’re not making much sense. Why refuse…” Another note came my way. …when a lie now and you can buy some time and peace. It’s a good deal, the best deal…

As I burned the note, my Eyes flared, and the distortion was annoying, but…

Why is he so eager for you to say it? I don’t get it… my sis asked, and Shaeula raised a suggestion.

If it is akin to Oaths, then… perhaps you would not be able to go against it, even if said insincerely, or in jest? It would be worth the risk to use a pawn, no matter how highly placed, to ensnare you in such a trap…

Yes. Huh… hang on a minute… Shaeula, you’re good with water element and mind-altering effects now… I hadn’t noticed before, but…

Yes. The air is ever so slightly damp. A cloud is water vapour, so I have learned. Let me… consider it.

I absorbed it carefully, wrapping it in my own water element so as not to accidentally absorb it. Damn, it’s hell without functional information cheats. I can see why everyone wants them when isekai’d. Good job for giving me one, Lin…

Her silent, embarrassed approval came back, but my Eyes itched, and across my vision came some symbols, though I wasn’t sure quite what the World Tree was trying to say, perhaps because of the Clouds…

.?. .?? ..?

… .?. ..?

??. ?.? ..?

“Or how about this…” the President asked suddenly, and his hands twitched, the sweat and trembling intensifying. “…if that’s not acceptable to you, how about you agree to let me mediate between both sides? After all, I’m a businessman, let me do business. Just say the word, agree, and…”

I don’t know about watching the hands, but his body language is all over the place. Withdrawals from the ‘Baptism’, or…?

Let me try. I doubt I can achieve much, I’m far away, and the Clouds are hampering me, but… I can’t let Lin show me up! Rose declared, her eyes flashing with pearlescent, powerful light. Raido! My Wisdom travels! Ehwaz! Faster and surer than the spread of ignorance! …Uruz! Imperfect strength to clear away obstacles… Ehwaz! Partnership between Wisdom and Knowledge is Ansuz! Truth! Laguz. Let the Clouds of Ignorance be blown away by the Truth! Reveal!”

As the runes were drawn, only Uruz, which was both ‘U’ and ‘V’, seemed slightly out of place, but Rose had a feeling it was correct, and moments later, the Clouds were briefly pushed back, my Eyes flaring back into focus again, Haru’s Telepathy suddenly functioning, the burst of static noise making her wince. I quickly scanned the area, expanding my vision, seeing through everything, and what I saw shocked me…

There aren’t multiple Chosen at all. That was the Clouds messing with me. But… there also are?

I saw the true Chosen, and he indeed wasn’t one of the President’s. For a moment he was stunned by the backlash of the Clouds being shoved away, before he started to move. His Favour, now bared to me, though the letters were vanishing, replaced with question marks even as I watched, was…

Chazaqiel’s Clouds Of Confusion -This Divine Favour is made of concentrated Adherence, refined Ether and Soullight infused Truesoul strands. It spreads a cloudy fog of Water Elemental energies, which obscures and diffuses the perception of those within its grasp. Adherence is especially easy to hide with this Cloud, and ???? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ????...

At least I got some of it. Adherence, huh? The trap is revealed… and it’s a bear trap we’ve stepped into. No, a bull trap, or at least a calf trap… Even as the Clouds surged back, Shaeula was working, injecting her own Winds And Waters into it through Lovers’ Link. It wasn’t easy, but we both shared parts of Morana’s Favour, so we had another resonance, and by creating and enhancing a bond similar to the sharing of lunar Chakras I did at a distance with Miyu, it was possible.

That’s… calves? Haru’s mental voice was astonished. And they’re… Chosen?

Technically, I suppose. It was true in a sense, as both calves contained a passable Chakra network, and both held Linked Angel Favours, which were anchored to a very peculiar flavour of adherence. I had a feeling it would be rather terrible to trigger whatever it was waiting for, especially as the calves were placed either side of this room, hidden away and obscured by the mists. I glanced at Chloe, who surely must have seen one when she was sent out of the room, before making up my mind.

“Hold fast and do not resist!” I amplified Shaeula’s Winds And Waters with my own Waters Past, Present And Future, which rapidly converted the fog of the Clouds into her own power. The Chosen realised, and immediately tried to flee, but I acted first, while Haru used her Telepathy rather ruthlessly in conjunction with Shaeula’s command which I’d uttered for her, striking everyone around us with a potent mental shock. Chloe froze, eyes blank as if she was a computer blue-screening, while the President staggered, eyes unfocussed, yet his mind resisted the orders.

Shit, this is getting fiendishly messy…

“Where do you think you’re going?” The momentary delay of the orders halted the fleeing Chosen, and I drew on light element, burning holes in his knees, ankles, wrists and elbows. Even as I did so, he lost control of the warped strands of adherence, and the calves split, ripping in half in ghastly fashion, blood droplets pregnant with adherence raining down, soaking the floor. His face showed a mixture of pain and regret, before with a laugh he simply… dissipated, becoming fog and vanishing.

I don’t think so… his body might have disintegrated, and with it, Chazaqiel’s Clouds Of Confusion, but the Linked Archangel he had absorbed it with remained, so before it could break apart itself, I slammed it with a massive burst of Soullight scalpels, tearing it apart in hurried yet precise ways. The Favour then exploded into a tangled mess of adherence, but I’d reached out with not merely a physical energy, but with a Connection, and I managed to pull some strands of the Favour free.

Be cautious… Hyacinth warned me, her sensitively to adherence now heightened by her tremendous acquisition of it after Rebun Island. …do not grow overconfident.

I won’t. In case there are traps within the traps. I assured her. Still… I don’t think that the Chosen here was… fully… present, if you know what I mean. He felt… too much like fog himself…

Turning my attention back to the President as I re-entered the room, I momentarily enjoyed his angry bluster. He was still slowed and confused, blinking irregularly, muscles spasming, but neither Shaeula’s Winds And Waters, nor Haru’s Telepathic shock, had completely cowed him, which was intriguing.

“You dare? I’m the President of the United States! This is our embassy, you fool… this is an act of aggression, of war!” His anger was quickly replaced by calculation though, his blue eyes gleaming wickedly. “Of course, we’re friends, aren’t we, Akio?”

Oh, so he’s back to using my name, is he? What a worm…

Finally an insult that is not offensive to me… Shaeula’s thoughts rang in my head. Though I would certainly not object if you called him a fox. There is certainly a treacherously vulpine scheme afoot here…

“Are we? Then what the hell was going on here? It wasn’t just a…” I let out a surge of aether, and the door to the side room swung open, revealing the blood seeping across the floor, ruining the very expensive carpet in the office. “…private conversation, was it? What did they want to do here? What did you want to do?”

“Let’s not be hasty, Akio. It’s as I said. I wanted to do what’s best for the United States. Which is what’s best for me! I don’t like the way they do things, but… it’s not like I had much choice, my hands are tied!” He gesticulated wildly with said hands, face pale and sweating. “Even before I met their representative, they’d been working on making inroads into the government. Money, favours, religious fervour… and yes, Baptisms…” He paused meaningfully. “It was best for everyone I played along. And if I got some benefits out of that, for free, even if they were a little bit poisoned, well, I’m a great thinker, the best, very high IQ, so I could use it to my own ends.”

“That doesn’t answer me.” I warned, and he grimaced.

“I don’t know the details. Only… any agreement you made here, even in jest, would be enforced upon your soul, they said, and if you violated it, then…” He picked up the bottle of bourbon, dropping it to the floor, where it shattered, rich liquid leaking into the carpet. At my raised eyebrow, he shrugged. “…the carpet will need to be ripped out anyway. There’s no cleaning that mess up. I’m not sure where the cows came in, but… some sort of allegory or myth, I think.”

“So what happens if Akio does break his word?” Haru asked. “…iIf he’s strong enough to resist any backlash…”

The President couldn’t help but leer, though he soon controlled himself. “I did tell them they were taking a big risk. But don’t blame me… all I wanted to do was broker a deal with you myself. Much more straightforward.”

“Wait, but… if you knew about this, any deal you agreed with me…” My eyes were hard, and he leaked a chuckle.

“That’s just business. Nothing personal. I always hold the aces.”

“So, let me extrapolate.” Haru pursed her lips, steeping her fingers. “Akio would either be bound to not confront the Church, leaving his allies and family vulnerable, or at best, a different agreement leaves the Church safe from us, but they can use pawns and other mercenary groups to strike back at us. And if Akio tried to break that agreement…” She drifted over to the wall and stuck her head through it, drawing an amazed glance from the President, though he composed himself as Haru’s head popped back through, an expression of disgust plain to see. “…would you split apart like that calf? It might not kill you, but… with that level of adherence…”

I’m more vulnerable to it than most, due to my Faeduine nature. Do they know that? I wasn’t prepared to share my thoughts aloud with the President and who knows who else listening. Also, I don’t think the Clouds guy was a Cardinal, but he’s surely one of their best assets. I think I hurt him, but… I doubt he’ll die… just how many do they have or can they create? I considered the strands of the Favour I held in isolation now. It’s like cockroaches. We feel good about dealing with one, but it means ten more, uglier ones too, are hidden just out of sight…

Yes, it was most meticulous. Shaeula agreed. But I am not so sure it is over. That woman, Chloe…

I still don’t sense anything untoward. I’d like to do something… Haru asked, and I nodded.

I understand why. Even if it was only sexual harassment… only… it made my blood boil, so you should have been fuming. I consoled her. But…

I know. Traps within traps. I’ve talked to her, and she’s prepared to move to another job here in Britain. We won’t use her for anything ourselves, it’s just…

Yes. I suppose we can afford a little charity now and then. But speaking of…

“Why are you looking at me like that?” the President scowled. “Not willing to play ball, huh? Big mistake. I’m offering you a chance to sweep this all under the…” He blinked, as my aether surged, and indeed, the blood and spilled bourbon were separated from the carpets, and the severed calves floated in. I was careful not to let any of the lingering adherence get absorbed into me, instead, guiding the flows carefully, and then, I wrapped the mess in a pocket of spatial element, and let Foehn rage. Soon, everything was consumed, burned to ashes, and Foehn hiccupped, almost as if satisfied, before I withdrew the flame element from it cautiously, making it vanish.

“I’ve saved you some redecorating…” I chuckled, though there was no humour in it. “Now then…”

I have it, I believe. Shaeula observed through my Eyes. The Material changes to his brain naturally resist other attempts to control it. My befuddling winds would not be enough. Fortunately now, we have the Waters, and they are far more spiritual in nature… besides, his mind is not robust. If it comes to brute force, we have the edge…

The situation was an utter mess, and surely this room was being monitored and recorded. The non-Chosen security outside, such as the other three soldiers, were all sightlessly paralysed by Shaeula’s Winds And Waters and Haru’s mental shockwave, but I had no doubts others were ready to protect the President if anything untoward happened. Therefore, we had to muddy the waters, an apt metaphor for this situation. Weaving wind element to carry Shaeula’s abilities silently, and light element to make it invisible to anyone watching, openly I spoke a very different story, even as she grumbled at the great strain this was putting on her, and indeed, on my Path, which seemed to be bolstering Lovers’ Link here.

“…I think it would be in everyone’s best interests if we assume nothing happened here. We simply had an informal discussion, and left…” That was what I spoke, while the wind relayed Shaeula’s orders. “…you’ll forget everything we talked about here today, but if you are questioned on it, you’ll grow angry, and deny anything happened, in a transparent way which makes it look like we refused your offers and you’re just angry and bitter about it, so want to pretend it didn’t happen because of your ego.”

“…in addition, the attaché Chloe will be handing in her notice. I know it’s not usually your wheelhouse, but I’d appreciate it, as if a sign of goodwill, you could push it through, using your authority. And no physical contact.” Those were the outer words, while the inner almost matched, except that the President was ordered to “…send Adam White details concerning everything you know about the Baptisms, the Church of True Revelation, and those around them, and also to put on hold your plans to deal with him.” It’s only natural that the fickle President might change his mind. And if the info is intercepted, sending it to Adam is much less suspicious than sending it to anyone in our camp. And Adam can’t withhold anything from me…

“…and after this… lack of hospitality, which while of course, it didn’t happen…” I began anew, while Shaeula warned me to be brief, as his altered, addicted brain was numb even to her abilities and was gaining resistance. “…would be a grave disrespect, you owe me a favour.” I smiled, and Shaeula’s final command was for him to speak the sentence I ordered him, and then all the other commands would go into effect.

“Of course. Yes. this was quite the mess, and we’d appreciate it if you didn’t make an issue of it. To think that a terrorist got into our embassy, disguised as one of our guards, and made such a… macabre… protest… we’ll certainly tighten up security…”

He then blinked, momentarily lost, before scratching his head, and Haru restarted the thoughts of Chloe, who immediately declared she was quitting on the spot. As the President graciously promised to help her out, as compensation for the stress she’d been under facing a terrorist attack, I couldn’t wait to get out of this place.

Damn, to think I’ve had to mind control the President of the United States… if that gets out, then it would definitely be an act of war. Though to be fair, this was too… but I expect legally the President’s not capable of being fit to stand trial, he’s like an alcoholic, desperate for his next drink. Though being fair to him, he is very strong-willed. I’m sure the Church expected him to try and grab benefits for himself, but surely even they couldn’t expect he’d try to tie me into a subservient alliance with him, where we split the world between us… fucking hell, I need a drink…

Most of the bourbon was gone, but I did have that one glass left, so I downed it, and then considered what was next for the evening. I need to see how Eri, Aiko and Tsukiko got on, nobody’s saying anything. Then, I’ll have to see how the meeting between Dorte and the other Chosen and my own allies went, then… yeah, I need to see Adam as soon as possible to coordinate a plan on dealing with the spreading rot at the heart of America. Shit, looks like I won’t be having as pleasant a night as the last couple. Oh well…

At least there was one bright spot in this whole tawdry visit. Two, I suppose, if I count the fragmented Favour I snagged… when Rose had driven away the Clouds, my Eyes had also shown another message…

A Vassal Territory has reached Rank 3. Your Class, Conqueror, has increased…

Looks like Treyvon, Aliyah and the others have dug their roots into the USA. So, there’s always an opposite, is there? If so, our invasion is the reverse of the Church’s. Let’s hope it can be just as successful…