Chapter 246: Hinoraki

Early the next day, Alistair found himself standing on the deck of one of the Beshin's boat-like crafts, waiting for the jumpdrive to complete its calculations. The previous day had been spent organizing their forces and retrieving the treasures they had won at auction. A Tok'eall representative had handed over all their purchased items in a storage ring, free of charge—including their winnings from the secret auction. Afterward, they had split the haul, with the majority of the treasures being taken back to Lacustrine with Nessyra.

In private, they had allowed Jack to absorb the Wraithbone Scythe—a decision that had done little to help the weapon spirit’s mentality. If anything, it had made things worse. Now, the blade had a craving for life force and, in Alistair's opinion, had made it even less chill than before.

Riseth, after some consideration, decided the best approach was to simply keep the weapon stored. As long as he remained in stasis, Jack seemed content to hibernate—at least until she retrieved him for battle, where he could once again unleash a relentless barrage of psychic threats and profanity at their enemies.

From the corner of his eye, Alistair watched as Riseth, Hara, and Nomura sat around a small table Nomura had conjured, enjoying a quiet cup of tea. They sat on wide pillows, enclosed within a privacy sphere, their conversation completely muted to him. Kujo had gone below deck earlier to check on something, leaving Alistair alone with his thoughts as he idly inspected the craftsmanship of the ship.

Alistair still struggled to grasp how a wooden ship could fly through space, even if its wood had been made from their World Tree, giving it a density and robustness that far outshined the adamend armor plating used for their own ships. Interestingly enough, the Beshin ship was also capable of self-repair, just like their own spacecraft.

Looking out into space, he had to admit that the view from the deck was stunning. However, he much preferred the enclosed security of a proper spacecraft, where he could rely on screens and sensors to zoom in on anything of interest rather than standing exposed to the vast emptiness of space with a magic membrane and his magic skills the only thing separating him from the vast emptiness of space.

The familiar pull of warpspace took hold, and Alistair couldn't help but marvel at the way space itself seemed to bend and twist around him. The magical distortions formed a breathtaking spectacle as stars, galaxies, and other celestial phenomena streaked past, intertwining in a vibrant dance of light and color.

He leaned against the ship's railing, captivated, allowing the sight to unfold before him. He stayed there, absorbed by the view until the sudden pull and sharp jerk of realspace signaled their arrival.

In the distance, two moons hung in the sky, but it was the sight of the world ahead that truly captured his attention. A vast, marbled planet came into focus, its cerulean oceans laced with several continents. Rich greenery sprawled across the land, interrupted by occasional patches of pink and purple forests.

The view was striking, yet what truly commanded his gaze was the colossal world tree. Its immense branches reached boldly into space, unfazed by the expanse around it. Alistair could see its roots sprawling across part of a continent, and waterfalls cascaded from the base, feeding into enormous lakes that nourished its roots. City lights dotted the land around the lakes and illuminated the area atop them.

What truly astounded him, though, was the tree's resemblance to a cherry blossom in full bloom.

He had known that Kujo had spent the majority of his points earned from the trial on an artifact that would guide them to the perfect world. But only now, as the world unfolded before him, did Alistair fully comprehend the weight of that decision.

Riseth joined him, her eyes wide as she took in the view. She shifted her gaze from the world below to the nebula streaking across space, its vibrant hues adding to the mesmerizing display. Though the Beshin weren’t in the same nebula as they were, they had both settled in the same corner of the universe. This proximity would make jumping between their worlds far quicker than if they were to travel to many of their other allies, especially the Ethos Crusade, which was located near one of the three bridges.

"Stunning, isn't she?" Kujo asked, approaching from behind.

Riseth turned, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. "The tree is a she?"

Kujo let out one of his bellowing laughs. "We traditionally treat all trees as female in our culture, so we named her Mizuragi," he explained, his tone full of pride.

Alistair chuckled. "We had a similar tradition when it came to ships back in the day."

Neither Kujo nor Nomura said much as they descended, allowing the grandeur of their home to speak for itself. Alistair and Riseth, in turn, quietly took in the enormity of the World Tree as they approached the vast city nestled between its roots.

The city itself was a breathtaking blend of ancient charm and natural harmony. Buildings, constructed from a delicate mix of wood, stone, and shimmering metals, rose seamlessly from the land, nestled into the thick, twisting, and branching roots of the tree. The architecture was inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics, with sweeping roofs that curved like the branches of a willow, delicate paper lanterns hanging from wooden beams, intricate carvings of nature, and depictions of battles and other stories adorning every building. The city seemed to breathe with life, interwoven with the natural world around it.

Lakes dotted the landscape, their surfaces reflecting the vibrant colors of the sky. Channels crisscrossed the city, small boats gliding up and down, their passengers drifting peacefully through the gentle water, navigating between the roots and the structures built atop them. It was a place where time seemed to slow, the harmony of nature and architecture creating an almost otherworldly sense of peace.

Alistair couldn't help but admire the seamless blend of civilization and nature, the way the city had grown around the World Tree, a living testament to the Oni people's reverence for their environment.

They descended toward a large lake that stretched out before a massive palace, its grand structure leaning into the base of the World Tree. Alistair quickly realized where the ships would land as they touched down smoothly on the water, drifting toward the docks.

The palace loomed above them, its design blending natural and architectural harmony. Large, sweeping columns rose from the ground, their stone surfaces carved to mirror the twisting roots of the World Tree. Around the base of the palace, orchards spread out, their fruit trees carefully cultivated but also acting as natural decorations, their blossoms adding color to the otherwise serene surroundings.

Large stone steps ascended from the docks to the palace entrance. The entire scene felt bright and inviting, drenched in sunlight. The palace was majestically positioned against the trees, its splendor harmonizing beautifully with the surrounding landscape.

Looking up, Alistair could barely make out the highest branches, their tips brushing against the fabric of space itself. He let out an appreciative whistle, the air rich with the mingling scents of cherry blossoms, fresh water, and the crisp aroma of petrichor as they neared the orchard.

One thing Alistair quickly noticed as he observed the many Oni wandering around the docks was the impressive variety within their species. Despite the differences in appearance, there seemed to be no other species among their ranks. During their approach, Alistair had gotten a sense of just how numerous the Beshin Clan truly was. The sheer number of Oni in their capital was striking, far outmatching their own numbers.

"Welcome to Hinoraki, our clan's new home in the stars," Kujo exclaimed proudly.

"Your home is breathtaking," Riseth said brightly, turning in place as she tried to take in the sheer majesty of it all.

Alistair nodded. "Incredible. It’s like Kyoto and Venice had a child at the foot of the universe’s most beautiful world tree."

Nomura chuckled, "Kyoto, I know well. But Venice?" She tilted her head slightly, considering. "If it is as magnificent as you imply, then we accept your praise with gratitude."

Kujo stepped forward. "Come, we have prepared a small banquet until your forces arrive." He glanced at Alistair. "Your recommendations on Japanese culture have led to quite a few culinary discoveries."

Without waiting for a response, he propelled himself forward, soaring past the grand staircase and into the palace. Alistair and Riseth exchanged a look before following suit, using their powers to clear the massive steps in moments.

Inside, Alistair immediately recognized the architectural influences—curved eaves, layered wooden frames, and flowing design elements that echoed Japanese culture. But the resemblance stopped there. The walls and pillars shimmered with semi-transparent surfaces, shifting in opacity with the light, creating an almost ethereal effect. Patterns of unfamiliar script covered the corridors, flowing in elegant, alien shapes. It was a writing system wholly their own, distinct from anything Alistair had ever encountered.

As he read the markings, he found that they were poetry, limericks that spoke of battles and celebrated outstanding individuals. The longer passages told stories of great wars and heroes, their tales etched into the walls as if to keep their legacies alive for all who passed through.

Nomura soon appeared next to them as she stepped out from within the ink of the markings themselves while Kujo continued to lead them deeper into the palace. They passed open gardens and sparring fields where Oni warriors tested their mettle or trained, the sounds of clashing weapons filling the air. Water flowed throughout the structure, its presence as constant as the heartbeat of the city.

Alistair couldn't help but ask, "The World Tree seems to exude this water in rather large quantities, and the mana I sense from it is rather dense. Are you using it for something, or are you just letting the World Tree cycle and refine that water to elevate this world's mana density?"

"A bit of both," Nomura replied. "While we leave Mizuragi to cycle its water, we do use it for our orchards and treasure cultivation."

Alistair nodded as they walked into a large dining area, the smell of hot dishes filled the air, making Alistair's mouth water. Servants placed a variety of foods on the tables, each more enticing than the last.

After a moment, Nomura added, "It also elevates some of the creatures living in its waters. Initially, we thought of them as pests, but it turns out they’re quite delicious. We've managed to turn these rather uncomfortable-looking creatures into something far more presentable."

She then picked up a plate and offered it to him.

"Taro yaki?" Alistair asked, recognizing the dish.

Kujo pouted as he approached. "I had hoped you would be unfamiliar with it," he said with a grin. "We’re quite proud of how they turned out. The dish enjoys great popularity with our people."

Without hesitation, Kujo picked up one of the small balls and stuffed it into his mouth, his expression turning to one of satisfaction. Riseth and Nomura followed suit, and Alistair found himself hurrying to catch up as the plate quickly emptied.

The taste was amazing, though the brown sauce they had used, while delicious, was drastically different from what he remembered. It was far spicier and saltier than the version he was used to, yet it only added to the dish's complexity.

Alistair observed the table arrangement with mild curiosity. The curved tables were arranged in a circle, with gaps in the corners just large enough for two people to step through. At the center of the circle sat a larger, circular table surrounded by seating pillows, obviously designated for eating, with dishes placed on the outermost tables to be gathered.

Kujo and Nomura collected the dishes they wanted before sitting at the central table. Alistair and Riseth did the same before joining them.

Kujo raised a gourd-like bottle, his expression serious but with a gleam of pride in his eyes. "To strength and the bonds we forge," he exclaimed, his voice steady and firm. "May we honor the battles ahead and the allies we gain along the way."

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