Walking Disasters and Me

The glacial atmosphere slowly regains warmth as Akiko draws back her presence. The ice which had coated everything now evaporating until the grandiose Sect Hall is back to its proper state. Although the same can't quite be said for the lingering tension in the room.

No, that part isn't solved until the last of the frozen water recedes and the pressure fully slinks back into Akiko. Seeing the assorted mix of relief, fear, and more than a couple eager faces, Akiko speaks once more in her monarchal tone. "Good. Seems that you all are far more quick on the uptake than the arrogant fools we are likely about to contend with. Let us eat."

As soon as she says those words, she begins primly and properly cutting into the various cuts of meats, breads, and greenery on her plate while the others take her lead. A certain sense of dread filling me as I realize I have yet to take Jun Li up on her 'decorum' training and am now going to have to do my best not to embarrass myself.

With shaky hands and a thumping heart, I mimic what Akiko, Ios, and the girls do as best as I can. By the end of the torturous event, I am proud to say that I only made a screeching noise of metal on ceramic four times. And! I only spilled a little of the wine cup due to nervousness once! Personally, I think I knocked it out of the park, despite the accusing stares sent my way each time. Though the portion size did leave something to be desired...

At any rate, the first fumbles of etiquette were quickly overshadowed by resumed, soft conversations and occasional chuckles. A few nearby Branch Leaders sometimes turning to ask questions of logistics and preparation in regards to the now looming storm on the horizon. Not to me, obviously, but to Akiko or Samantha who - as it turns out - is rather versed in those topics.

The small dissertations she gave in that familiar, stoic tone as a response were as thoughtful as they were encompassing. Seemingly the blonde-haired cutie has already put quite a lot of thought into what is about to happen.

Considering her seemingly martial upbringing, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that she'd also be pretty learned about the background effects of war as well. What actually sparks my attention is how... unversed these people are about what she is saying. One of them even proposes that, once war breaks out, they simply march all of their combined forces to the coast and then begin ferrying troops in small teams across the ocean to make a landing.

Like, even I can see the flaws of that. One, who is left in the rear to guard the home front? The supply lines? Speaking of, when Sam brought up the logistical hurdle of even attempting that with so many lower Ranked cultivators, the smug looking Branch Leader actually had the gall to look shocked. Like she had just blown his mind with a simple listing of requirements and effects.

Not to mention just piece meal dropping forces onto an actively hostile continent over a body of water is just... it'd make Gallipoli look like a Sunday stroll. I make the wise choice to not remember that particular Branch Leader's face or name as I imagine his chances of survival are probably not great if war were to actually break out.

I feel a curious gaze land on my disappointed face as Akiko suddenly folds me into the conversation. "It seems you have your own ideas about this particular proposal, Amelia. If you are comfortable with offering your input, please feel free to. You are my disciple, and I know the shocking intelligence you possess."

The tone she speaks with seems a tonic of different intents. Even without the bond, I can tell she is just as exacerbated by this *ahem* proposal as I was, and the flint spark of disappointment that it came from one of the Village's higher ups. Not only that, but I do sense a genuine curiosity about what I might reply with. On top of that, I feel as though she is trying to softly give me an exit if I don't wish to participate, though she absolutely wants me to.

The last reason is probably just to help me begin to integrate and get familiar with everyone here, but again she worded it in a way to let me know its in my hands if I want to do that or not. At least its better than just tossing me into deep water like she did back on the stage. Oh well, guess I can't just be an awkward mute forever.

"While I am still learning, I do have some thoughts on such things do to my... past." I cautiously charter into the waters of conversation between elites. Thankfully the majority of those around me are my lovers and are simply giving me supportive looks, but all eyes shift to me all the same.

"I see." Akiko replies with a small nod before continuing, "Then please share your thoughts. This is all merely... theory craft at the moment. I am sure your unique insights could help spark enlightenment into the process."

I meet her eyes which still hold that curious but comforting gleam and then take a deep breath, folding my hands in my lap to stop them from obviously shaking. "W-well, without disrespect and in my own opinion, marching en masse in this kind of conflict would be a... dangerous prospect. The distance is long and our forces are too varied in stamina, strength, and the need to eat and sleep. Not to mention, one well placed, destructive technique or item activated inside or into that formation would be disastrous.

It also leaves the Village vulnerable to counterattack. I know we all have supreme faith in the defensive array, but we should never place all of our hopes in one single link of a chain when it comes to survival. Regardless of what battle plan is agreed upon, it should not be accepted if it doesn't have a contingent of powerful cultivators left behind to keep the Village safe and call for help if needed at the minimum.

Also, if we were to march every single cultivator, we would likely lose any semblance of the element of surprise. A group that large would simply be too massive and too slow not for counter spies to notice and report back on. There simply wouldn't be a reliable or reasonable way to completely cloak all of those moving people for the whole march.

And even if we could, our physical signs of passing would be easy to follow for enemy forces since lower Ranked cultivators likely haven't all mastered stealth and concealment skills yet. By the time we would reach a canyon, choke point, or even the desired beach if we got that lucky, we would be ruthlessly ambushed into oblivion. All it would take is a team of prepared and capable stealth experts to set devastation onto our ranks with traps and techniques.

Additionally, trying to land small to medium sized groups of forces on enemy land after crossing a body of water is beyond risky. By that time, the enemy would be prepared and waiting to once again ambush our troops or even catch them out on the open water.

And this is all without taking into account the whole issue of aerial power. As in, flying half-step Apogee Ranked cultivators and those that can use flying implements. A boat ferrying troops being caught by an enemy ship? That's bad. A boat in the same predicament now being targeted by people who can redefine a landscape while flying through the air? That's death.

The same can be applied to any part of my reasoning, really, but the scale of death increases exponentially if and when we either lose aerial supremacy or stumble into a situation where we do not have it at the start."

The last of my words coincide with the last of my breath as I shakily pull another to my lungs. My rambling rant lulling my eyes to a middle space on the table as I kind of... lost myself there for a moment. Between the social anxiety and having to speak on such a... heavy topic, I think my brain decided to just blurt it all out and be done with it.

Which, I can't really blame it for doing though it seems to have backfired since now every pair of eyes is staring straight at me in bewilderment. At least it isn't as bad as the crowd was, but the weight behind them is obviously different.

I slowly peel my fingers off my hands, extracting the nails that have been digging into the white knuckled flesh. The reason? I quickly reach out under the table in fumbling grasps until my hands cinch around a fluffy, white tail and pull it into my lap where I proceed to death grip it.

By some miracle, my face remains relatively passive even if blushing, and the panic is likely felt more than visible. The after-rant silence lingers on for a few more seconds - including from a fuming looking formerly smug old man - before the earth rumbling voice of Elder Julian finally breaks through the astonishment.

"Well said, young Amelia. It seems whatever past home you hail from is more than capable of thorough planning during conflict. However, perhaps it was a place with few higher Ranked cultivators as there are certainly ways to mitigate such awful things from occurring. For example, even if our forces were to be ambushed along their trek, there are more than a few capable defensive experts that could easily shield the procession."

Wow, I honestly didn't know how fast embarrassment and shame can turn into wounded pride in myself.

"I understand that, Elder Julian, but it likely would not be a one-time event. Akiko," I pause and turn up to see her face beaming down to me with pride, "how long did it take you to fly and meet those delegates from the capital with Gerra and Jun Li? And how much further was the closest beach or landing we could have used to begin ferrying troops across?"

She ponders the question for a moment before replying back casually, "It took us close to thirty minutes at speeds just below what is required to break the barrier of sound. The nearest location you are inquiring of would likely be another thirty minutes at that speed on top of that."

Shit. How fast do you have to go to break the sound barrier again?

'767 miles per hour, sweetheart~.'

Thank you~. Love you~.

I turn back to the now rapt attention of the assembled leadership, "So we are talking about a total distance of over 700 miles. On foot. Or, at least, at the slowest pace of the weakest cultivator. Unless you guys are hoarding a fleet of like, airships or something?"

A warm chuckle to my right replies back, "We are not~."

I nod in response, "While I don't know the what the terrain is like past the mountains leading to the ocean separating us and the capital, I can assure you that any enterprising spies can easily find hundreds of locations to prepare, stage, and execute ambushes and traps along logical paths with those distances. It isn't a matter of if we can shrug off one or two attacks. Can we shrug off a constant onslaught? One that wears us down and fries our nerves? Where we are constantly on lookout while protecting the bulk of our forces from enemies that simply slink back to the shadows after each hit?"

My head shakes side to side, "We would be dead men walking before we ever saw the ocean. Any enemy worth their salt will take advantage of such tactics, and possibly more. And, even if by some divine intervention we didn't lose anyone, our younger cultivators morale would be in the gutter after a week or two of such constant sights and frights."

Elder Julian again hums in thought that is also hints at praise before another new face pipes up. Another kitsune with auburn eyes and orange fur with white tips for both her tails, hair, and ears and an equally stacked body as the majority of her kin.

Her voice is clear and steady but oddly devoid of any kind of emotion or lilt, "All of this is fine speculation, and I agree to the logic of your words. However, you expose another facet to Elder Julian's point towards your slightly skewed perspective. Wars are not fought by such underhanded means in these lands. A true, proper clash of steel and technique on the field of battle is the honored method of solving disputes like these. What you are proposing is highly unlikely to occur, junior Amelia."

I frown a little at the response, trying my best to keep the aggravation off my tone and respect on my voice. "I understand that as well, miss..?"

She nods slightly before answering back, "I am the Branch Leader of the Towering Branch, the section pertaining to the guards and protection of the Village. My name is Soong Li. No relation to Madam Jun Li."

"Branch Leader Li. Firstly, it is my pleasure to meet you." I pause and give a respectful head tilt of my own. Nailing it~. "But it is dangerous to assume the enemy will always act as you think they will. Or how they always have before. While I agree that the capital forces seem beyond arrogant, they have assumedly been around long enough to learn at least some lessons. In my opinion, it would be better to rely on caution and remove as many variables that would endanger the lives of our people as possible. Even if it means breaking with tradition at times.

And that point has already been proven. All we have to do is look back to the attack on the Village some weeks ago. Instead of rushing toward the enemy and meeting them on the valley floor, your brave defenders and those from the other Branches stayed on the walls and rained death upon the assaulting forces. The result? Total annihilation for our foes, and not a single soul lost for our side."

'You're actually really good at this? Who are you and what have you done with my honey?!' Ios teases inside my mind.

Quiet, I'm cooking sweetie~.

Soong Li seems to take my words into consideration, and her deadpan, stoic features actually do warm up a touch at the intentional buttering up of her members. The slight pause in the conversation is broken by her simply nodding her head and leaning back into her chair. Even though my hands still wring around one of Akiko's tails, I feel like I at least 'won' that verbal encounter~.

The voice of Elder Fei chimes in next, and as I look over to where she is sitting next to Julian, I see her studying me like some kind of intricate tapestry. Thoughtful eyes and all. "I am truly curious where you have studied such things, junior Amelia. It is almost as if you yourself are a grizzled veteran of countless wars stuck imparting us knowledge that seems obvious yet hard to grasp due to our ways being... set in time."

I sweat a little bit, not quite ready to divulge my full circumstances to everyone here even though the three Elders for sure know something is up. Nor that all of this 'knowledge' is because I'm a nerd who liked playing strategy games on Earth. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to press further on that and instead asks a different question.

"I wonder, what would be your ideal plan for the likely upcoming conflict?"

I glance over to Akiko who seems to positively be radiating an almost overbearing amount of pride and joy. Which is rather apparent since even the tail I'm death gripping is trying to wag up a hurricane. Not to mention the fuzzy, warm feelings absolutely blasting from her side of our bond. Sensing my hesitation, though, she merely nods her head in a silent assent for me to continue.

Doing my best to hold in a exasperated sigh, I lean my head down in thought for a few moments before facing Elder Fei and the others assembled again. My voice comes out sure and confident as I begin, "Honestly? The majority of our forces are better suited to home defense in a conflict like this. Just like we did to those who came before them, let the enemy break themselves on the barrier and against our ranged superiority. Akiko, Samantha, Gerra, Jun Li, and myself can likely deal with anything the capital or their vassals can throw at us."

A few frowning faces crease to life at my words, but I barrel forward before they can start retorting. "I do not mean that our forces would be lacking or insufficient. Nor do I doubt their willingness to partake in battle and earn glory. I am merely saying this will not be a 'war'. All of us heard what the objectives are if fighting were to start: wholesale slaughter." Even if that thought still unsettles me greatly... Definitely going to have to talk with Akiko after this... Nevertheless, I push on for appearances sake.

"We would not be patiently waiting for everyone to line up in rows and dig trenches. Not for them to man the walls during a siege or give grand speeches while soldiers gaze on in awe. It would just be death and carnage on a geographical scale. Something that, while I may be wrong, can only be accomplished or aided by very few inside the Village.

Frankly, I think Akiko could solo - er - face everything they could throw at us by herself, but I am not willing to let a loved one contend with something like that alone. Something I am beyond positive the rest of the harem agrees with.

Besides, barring them already staging forces to attack us here before the upcoming meeting, I doubt they'd even have time to send a proper response before Akiko and the rest of us level their Sects. But, again, better to err on the side of caution than risk pulling forces out that don't need to be pulled and give the enemy the time and means to inflict unnecessary damage on us."

The room stills to silence once more, not even a sip of a cup or chewing of food can be heard before an arrogant sounding voice scoffs from an equally arrogant looking older human man. The smug one from earlier that started this whole shindig. "Bold. While I have no doubt that the Acting Sect Leader could indeed accomplish such feats, it would tarnish the honor of the Village to see our leader in combat alone. Or only sided by her loved ones. And I mean no disrespect, junior, but do you honestly think you can contend with forces of that nature?"

The temperature in the room drops precipitously once more as the happy wags of the tail in my lap comes to sudden stillness. "It is you who are bold, Branch Leader Luong. And I will be speaking with you directly after what is about to come next." Comes the glacial voice dripping from Akiko's lips before she turns her head down to me with subdued fury in her violet eyes while the old man goes stark white. "Consider this part of your training, love. Activate all of your techniques and the like and then expand your spiritual sense to just this room."

I nod quickly, not used to having that domineering demeanor pointed my direction. But I can't lie and say I'm kind of glad she asked me to. Can't wait to knock the rudeness off that smug nameless Branch Leader's face~.

'She just said his name, Branch Leader Luong.'

And I choose not to remember it 'cause he's a dick~.

Without bothering to chant, I close my eyes activate [Moonlight Body Strengthening], [Unending Flow of the River], [Berserker Intent lvl 4], and then finally [Soul Empress' Domination].

A *BOOM* of power erupts out of me as all the skills activate at once, the Qi pressure alone enough to send plate and cutlery flying from all surfaces of the table as shocked eyes look to me. The invisible wind flutters my now pure white hair as my eyes open anew with crimson red bonfires replacing teal eyes as a golden white crown sits upon my head, void black skin distorting the air around me in crackling power.

Though activating the Intent is still a bit... harrowing, I find that after everything I've went through the beast is at least still for the moment. Whether that's because I've accepted it into myself more, or the forgiveness of Samantha, or both, I can't really tell. Or maybe since I know no combat is going to happen regardless?

Either way, it doesn't pull and screech at my mind, so I'm able to focus my [Spiritual Sensing] and balloon it out until it fills the room. Slowly, at first, and each shocked face it passes pales even whiter as the sensation washes over them. And I know why~.

With everything active, each of these leaders seem like... well. Weaklings. Their presence bright, sure, but their power sorely lacking. If I wanted, I could probably paint just as gory of a scene as Akiko did for me when I first landed here. And it wouldn't take too much effort~.

The only exceptions to that are of course Akiko and the girls, but unsurprisingly also the three Elders. Though each of them do lose a bit of color as soon as my senses waft past them as well. Still, out of the three of them, I only feel like I would have issues with Julian for some reason. Something inside me telling me that though it would be a hard fight, I could likely 1v1 Fei or X'Cos and eventually win but would struggle heavily with the ursine man.

Of course, that's just for raw power. I have [Meteoric Lunar Impact], [Cratering Palm of the Shining Moon], [Aegis of the Void], and [Reap] all locked and loaded. Massive AoE for my moon skills, a solid hybrid defense / offense vaporizing shield, and a supremely powerful single target attack. Not to mention I haven't even learned my new 3rd Rank techniques for my paths yet~. Aside from that, I also have all my recovery skills and buffs making me nearly indestructible.

I twitch a bit in glee at the thought of finding out exactly whyJulian gives me a sense of caution even with all of that at my fingertips before I shake my head and deactivate [Berserker Intent] and the notion quickly subsides. Guess I'm still not quite used to using it outside of combat yet...

Feeling my power draw back some, I go ahead and pull the bubble back as well as deactivate all the other techniques and then breathe out a long breath to steady myself. As soon as I feel calm again, I quickly remember that at least one of us here isn't even cultivating yet and flash my eyes over toward Ios in alarm. Alarm that is thoroughly misplaced as the woman seems fine. More than fine if the obvious look of desire and lick of her lips is any indication...

Then, another thought crosses my mind that is in a similar vein, and I search out Elder Ming. This time, the poor woman in question is not quite so put together. Her purple tails wrapped around her while her ears of the same color fold to her head. I feel kind of bad for her trembling form, but I think if I tried to give her an apologetic smile right now she might just pass out.

Instead, I curtly nod my head to her and keep my face as placid as I can before turning back to Akiko whose expression matches Ios'. Looking around quickly, I notice the same is true for Sam and the others as well. Looks like tonight is going to be a fun night~.

Before that can happen though, a rush of motion echoes in the open space of the banquet and that same pompous Branch Leader - who doesn't have a name - is kneeling before myself and Akiko. "I apologize for my rudeness. I did not know you were a half-step Apogee Rank cultivator disguising your power, Senior Amelia. Forgive this one for his arrogance."

Before Akiko and the others can stop me, I look at his oddly prostrating form and reply back, "Half-step? I'm just a 3rd Rank."

The sound of multiple bodies falling off their chairs, and one now terrified old man's face hitting the floor in shock, fill the space as I immediately begin realizing the cause for the commotion. I hear Akiko sigh before I lightly scratch my cheek and give the only fitting apology my expanded dictionary possesses.

"Uh... Surprise?"