-"Sorry for bringing them on your head."
~"I don't mind. I was aware that it was inevitable. Kerenai, do you also have some matter?"
-"I do, but it's to you both. You told Hinata about trying to become Medical-nin, and I think it's a good path for her. Sadly, I know only basics and can't guide her on that path, so I wanted to ask you to help her."
-"Hmm... I don't mind. I also thought about accepting another apprentice, but Sakura was more to my liking. While I find Hinata cute, she lacks the hardheaded and directness I prefer."
~"It's hard for me to accept anyone to follow me, as I'm not part of the village and will leave from here shortly."
-"Sigh. I see. I'll look somewhere else them."
-"Even if you can't take her with you, how about she stay with me, and you will teach her when you are free?"
~"Hmm, that can work, but she has to take vows not to disclose my matters, so Hiashi must also agree to that. Also, I'm not an expert in Chakra. My techniques are different."
-"I don't mind. I think she needs a change of pace to leave her shell."
~"So be it. We can talk about this more tomorrow."
-"Sure, I won't trouble you anymore. Have a nice evening!"
Kurenai then disappeared from the room, jumping onto a nearby roof.
-"Finally done. I need to drink."
~"Here."~I passed tsunade some sake.
-"Thanks."-She downed the whole bottle in one go.-"Ah! Much better."
I placed some remaining dishes from our meal before for Tsunade and sat in front of her.
~"So what's the matter?"
-"What do you mean?"
~"Don't be wishy-washy. It doesn't fit you. I can see that you have something on your mind."
-"I was seen, huh? Sigh."-Tsunade looked up and stared at the ceiling for a while.-"Tell me, can you revive someone?"
~"It depends who."
-"My lover."
Checking who she was talking about with a quick Divination, I soon discovered a man named Dan Katō.
~"You want a gentle lie or a harsh truth."
-"Both."
~"Lie would be that I can't. The truth is that it's possible, but this would require this world becoming mine."
-"I see."-Tsunade lowered her head and fell into deep thought.
~"Tsunade, no need to solve everything at once. Right now, focus on what is before you, and when the occasion presents itself, grasp it."
-"Right. I just have to grasp it."
After affirming her conviction, she stood up and walked out of the room. After waiting for a short while, I spoke aloud while turning my head toward the corner of the room.
~"Your ability to hide in shadow became quite impressive. None of them was able to find you, Kirari."
-"Thanks to you. I'm certain I would be seen if not for you stopping Tsunade from looking."
~"Satisfied your curiosity?"
Kirari sat on the chair where Tsunade had been sitting previously. She rested her chin on her hands and looked directly at me as if trying to see through me.
-"No. Every time I think I can understand you, I uncover another avenue of you. Do you exist only to tempt me, Yue?"
~"What do you think of me then?"
-"At first, I thought of you as a mad scientist. Next was a highborn noble. Politician, womanizer, solider, those are what I would call you, but now only one word comes to my mind. A kindred spirit."
~"Hou? To think I would receive such high evaluation."
-"Haha. I believe few would agree with that. You are as mad as I am. You hate the lies and deceit of those filthy politicians, are not concerned with the reputation of a noble, don't have to chase empty feelings as womanizer, strength and power of soldiers are just your cards to play."
The more Kirari spoke, the more her breathing turned rough, and her face reddened.
-"In the end, all that is worthless. No matter the way, no matter the method, only the outcome is important. Only the victor is the king."
In her excitement, she stood up and leaned on the table with her hands.
-"You and I both seen the pointlessness of the world. Thus, we decided to play by our rules. To hell with the norm. Either we would stand above the world, or we would die buried by it."
She sat on the table and brought her face to be a few millimeters before mine.
-"And you won."-She said with a mad glow in her eyes.-"You won once. Now, you have found a greater target to conquer. Ahhh... How wonderful."
She reached her hand toward my Veil but stopped just short from touching it.
-"Now it's my turn. That's why I want to make it more exciting. A bet. Two of us will wager on who will conquer my world first, you or I."
~"Interesting. What's the price."
-"If I win, you will take me to even greater places to play. And to match that wager, I will stake my everything. Body, Soul, love, everything shall be yours."
~"Good. I'll be sure to claim my prize."
I opened my eyes to meet hers. The purple glow of my eyes mixed with the cyan glint of hers. She smiled and grabbed my Veli, removing it from my face.
-"Then I shall be waiting."
She touched my face with her hand, and after looking at it for a short while, she turned around and left, leaving my Veil on the table. Picking it up, I put it on once again.
~"Maiev, attach one Shadow to her."
-"Do you think she can win?"
~"I won't mind if she does. What I want is to make sure that the prize to be claimed is intact after she fails."
-"I will make sure no harm comes to her."
~"Just don't move until she truly lost."
-"Why did you agree to her wager, Your Majesty?"
~"Why? I also wonder why... Maybe we are indeed kindred spirits in some way."
As the sun started to set in Konoha, on the Hold side, I received a message from Shen Meng asking me to help her with some matters in the Sect. She was waiting for me in Moon Palace, so I went directly to her.
~"I haven't seen you from the Qlipoth's meeting, Meng. How are you?"
-"Not bad. Quite a big occasion is about to take place, and our Sect was chosen as host, so I needed to help elders in some matters."
~"Hou? Color me interested."
-"Good, as you will have to take a canter stage with me."
~"So what is it?"
-"Divine Realm First Martial Meeting."
~"Martial Meeting?"
-"Yes. It needed to be postponed because of the Saint Race attack, but we just announced that it will take place next month."
~"So what I'm to do there?"
-"Two things. I would like to utilize your Simulated Realm, and I want you to accompany me there."
~"Sure, I will need a few days to set everything up, but I will certainly be there."
-"Thanks."
~"Tell me some more about that Martial Meeting."
-"It will not be all that different from the one we held with the Ancient Phoenix Clan, just on a bigger scale. All forces of the Divine Realm whose strength qualifies can take part in the Martial Meeting. The only additional limit is the age."
~"So it's a stage for the young generation once again. Now I wonder, as an ageless being, can I take part?"
-"Sadly, your strength disqualifies you. The ranks of our Cultivations System are not enough to define your strength, but even before, as Empyrean, you were over the limit set for contestants."
~"Then will Blue Lotus take part in the Martial Meeting?"
-"She didn't express interest, so most likely she will not."
~"Who, aside from us two, is an organizer?"
-"There are a total of four main organizers. Empyrean Vast Universe, Soaring Feather God King, Heavenly Empress Divine Dream, Spirit Emperor Yue."
~"So you spread my name already."
-"Well, you haven't got an official title as Empyrean, yet you went and became even stronger. I was thinking of using your Aeon title but decided against it."
~"I appreciate that. Do you want Elves to help in the Martial Meeting?"
-"Yes, they are also free to take part in it."
~"I doubt they will be interested, but I'll pass the message."
-"Disciples and elders of Sect will take care of organizing, but I would ask your Elves to act as Guards for the meeting."
~"Sure, you want Dragons to also show themself?"
-"I believe they won't be needed. Aspects are not weaker than Empyreans, so I hope they won't be necessary."
Making a brief Divination, I didn't find any serious problems that were to happen.
~"I don't see anything that would require their presence. I'll invite them as spectators if you don't mind."
-"Sure, feel free to invite anyone you want."
~"So, what will this Martial Meeting look like?"
-"There will be three rounds: qualifiers, semi-finals, and finals. Qualifiers will take place in your Simulated Realm. There, we will weed out all but the best geniuses. I'll leave the exact trials to you."
~"Sure, but do you mind me using the time dilation?"
-"I don't. At first, we plan for the qualifiers to last for almost a year, so if you can achieve it more efficiently, then it would be welcomed."
~"I'll be sure to think of something interesting. What about the remaining two?"
-"In the semi-finals, participants will be divided into groups, where they will undergo quite typical trials to leave only the best. Those who enter the finals will be divided into then groups of a thousand. The top thirty of each group will move forward to tournament-style knock-out duels."
~"How the top thirty will be determined?"
-"First, they will be chosen from the previous round, and then they can be challenged by the remaining contestants for the spot. Each person has one challenge."
~"Not entirely fair to those whose strength lies not in combat, but I guess this is how it is in the Cultivation world."
-"In the end, strength is all that matters. I'll be going back to Sect as my presence is still needed there. Can you meet me there next week?"
~"Sure, I'll be there. If you need some more assistance, be sure to speak up."
-"Just bring representatives of Sentinels and Sisterhood of Elune for the meeting. We will divide tasks there."
After saying that, Shen Meng disappeared from the Emerald Dream. Getting up from my seat, I walked to where Tyrande was spending her free time.
Entering the deeper part of Garden in Moon Palace, I soon entered the clearing where Tyrnade was sitting with her trusted companion Ash'alah. She noticed me approaching and was about to greet me, but before she could even stand up, the white tiger rushed at me.
~"Ash'alah, I'm also happy to see you."~Petting the giant sabertooth, I walked to Tyrande's side and sat next to her.~"No need to keep up that burdensome etiquette when we are in private."
-"I can't do that, Your Majesty."
~"Sigh. How are you feeling after all the changes?"
-"Everything is fine. We no longer need to feel afraid of wars. Demons and Old Gods will now become myths of old."
~"I'm happy to hear that, but I wanted to know your opinion, not how Elves feel in general."
-"I... I feel a little lost. Now that all that I have been fighting for my whole life is finally guaranteed, I can't find a place for myself."
~"Is that so?"
-"Yes. I tried setting down my glaive and focusing on nurturing the next generation of priestesses, but I always missed something."
~"You always were warrior first, after all. Well, there is something that might actually interest you then. Spirit Empire will assist the Divine Dream Heavenly Palace in hosting the Divine Realm First Martial Meeting. At first, I thought you might not want to take part, but now I think you could give it a try."
-"Martial Meeting? The Cultivators, huh?"
~"Think about it. Your strength is little beyond the rest of the contestants, but I can seal all but your cultivation to make it more equal. Next week, we and Sentinels leaders will go to meet other organizers. Tell me your decision then."
-"Yes."
~"Then I won't interrupt your quiet time anymore."
-"Your Majesty is always welcome to spend time with me."
~"Sadly, I only spend my free time with family, not subjects. When you see me as Yue, we can sit and watch the moon. As Your Majesty, I have my responsibilities, so allow me to excuse myself."
After petting Ash'alah one last time, I left the Garden and returned to Simulated Realm.
Rias was still in the process of seeing the memories, so I decided to help others of her Peerage. Gathering them together, I made them fight against me.
Of course, I didn't put any force to my attacks and counters. Only focused on pointing out their openings and weak points. I instructed them on how to improve their teamwork, especially as their two remaining teammates were not good at differentiating friend from foe with their attacks.
I trained them for another two days, so they spent a total of fourteen days training in the Simulated Realm, and their progress was visible to the naked eye. They were no longer simply talented, as now the first signs of polish were shown through their techniques.
While they still lacked experience, this is something they would gain with age. There was nothing more I could do for them in that short amount of time that would not depend on my power. Rias was about to wake up, and Issei was also stabilized enough to be let out, but most importantly, the time of their appointment was near.
Giving them time to rest, I prepared some food, waiting for their King and Pawn to return. Issei was the first to come back. They quickly surrounded him and asked what had happened, but he didn't disclose most of it. Just repeated never to anger a Black Dragon.
Rias woke up a few moments later. She was shaken by what she had seen but was able to quickly gather herself up and return to her former self. After she joined the rest of her Peerage, I brought out the prepared food, and we sat for the last meal before their Rating Game.
-"Thank you, Yue, for taking care of us."
~"Don't mind it. I wish you good luck. If you ever are in need, feel free to ask for assistance. Just keep in mind that I might not be able to provide it. You can always hide here if something happens, though."
-"I will remember that. I'll make sure to repay you one day."
~"Don't feel pressured. Let's eat now. Even if time flows faster here, you have only three hours before the time you set for that Rating Game."
Not wanting to waste any more time, everyone started eating, and after the rowdy meal, they returned to their world. Before she teleported back, Rias turned around and spoke one last thing.
-"Yue, I hope one day you will visit my world and allow me to show you around."
~"Sure."
After that, she disappeared from the Simulated Realm.