I raised a hand to my chin, deep in thought then… "Hmm, this worries a bit, Mother Smiles."
Surprised at my reply to the situation. "What do you mean by that, son?"
"Well, the simple fact that one of these two had been a 9th rank at that time, tells me that Ink has been preparing even earlier than I predicted. Which means one of two things… This fight is going to be far easier than I imagined, or it's going to be far more intense than I imagined. There's no longer any middle ground. My odds of winning the fight against Ink have just gone down to 50/50… And that's if I include luck in the equation."
"Wait, is it a bad thing that we're alive?"
"No, it's not that. Quite the opposite in fact. Actually since you are here now, I have the knowledge he's been preparing a bit longer than expected. Had I not known this… I might have lost without much resistance…" I sighed, looking up. "I'm really going to have to go all out from the outset. There isn't any choice now."
Smiles' brow raised in curiosity. "What about that 10th rank you were thinking was possible?"
"Ah, that… Well, it's definitely not possible. At least not through normal means. Even with my freakish growth potential, it's going to take time. Time we really can't afford to use… Seems I should start preparing other measures in the event I can't kill Ink."
"Other measures?"
"My father knows what those entail, at least on the surface. But if I fail in my fight. I'll definitely make it possible for him to succeed. I have an idea of how to ensure this but… It will at the very least considerably weaken me." I chuckled nervously, hiding the full scope of the idea from the three of them. "Anyways, enough worrying about that for now. Let's focus on rebuilding the Pass. We've got a long expedition coming up next-"
"Uhm, Sorry, but would it be possible if I asked you something, Young Master?"
"Hmm, what is it?"
"Well, I'd like to properly thank you for rescuing me. I may be an old woman now, but if that doesn't dissuade you, would you let me wash your back?!"
I chuckled, and the erupted into a roar of laughter. "Is that all? Sure. But you'll have to understand that's as far as that will go… Then again…" I glanced at Smiles who was struggling to hold her laughter in. "It's not like there will be an issue if done properly."
"Properly, Young Master?"
Cut to a little later, Smiles, myself, and the other female 9th rank were enjoying a bountiful hotspring together. Of course, I had assumed my feminine form for this excursion.
"I never would have thought you had such an impressive ability, Young Lady?"
"Well, there was a need for it. So I came up with a way to do it. And after that nice bath I had, in this form. I can say it feels so much better than my original form."
"That's funny, I remember hearing you say you preferred being in a man's body."
"Well, yeah. In general it has its advantages. But when it comes to the bathing experience. Hah hah! It feels so much better in a woman's body. Couldn't tell you exactly why though."
"Pfft, you're funny for such a powerful, youngster. Say, I know it might be asking a little much… But could…" Pressing her index fingers together nervously. "Show me your real body?"
"Huh? This is my real body?"
"I mean your manly form."
"Oh! I see, hmm… I think that might go a little too far. It's one thing for my mother to see such a sight, or even a maid servant, well the ones that don't faint from their own lust. But for a woman, not related to, or serving the family in a clear way… I feel that would be too much." I answered, making it clear what the distinction was. "Also, I wouldn't have agreed to this request if I didn't have the ability to assume this form."
"Oh, I understand. Please forgive me for asking something so difficult of my junior."
"It's fine, you're understandably stressed out. It's only natural to need a release from that stress. It's just you won't find any of that particular type of release from me. Try that man you converted back with. I'm certain he's also quite pent up. You might even find yourself carrying after a single breath." I said, giggling along.
"Hey! I… Uhm… That's…"
"Looks like you hit the nail right on the head, Leiji. She's really been pent up for a while. Can't say as I blame her though. It's not fun holding back forever."
I laughed heartily, proudly standing up with a smirk. "That's it. While repairs are being made. You'll get some quality alone time with that man. Make him feel all the joys of a woman's touch. He'll love it, and respond in kind." I took a moment to enjoy the embarrassed look on the woman's face. "You should take my advice here. I'm quite well versed in these matters. Heh heh."
And so, a little later the pair got together in exactly that way. Oddly enough it proved to be incredibly beneficial for the both of them. And when they returned, they were actually helpful.
Our repairs on the Great Evolution Pass had finished quickly. Largely due to my ability to seemingly create materials out of thin air. Though this is what it looked like to others… It was a great deal more complex than that. In the end though it gave me a chance to practice with my newfound powers a bit. There weren't many chances I'd get to use them anyways.
With repairs, and relief having finished. All of the human race armies were prepared to set out towards the deep recesses of the Ink Battlefield… It didn't take too long, only a couple of years in total.
The result… An army 3 times larger, and numerous times stronger than the one that had arrived in the original story. But the main difference here… Was the existence of a single mighty entity, one that even gave Cang a great deal of comfort at a mere glance.
"I take it you're the one who saved my life, and sent my friend to me back then."
I sat at the table Cang had prepared. "That's right, and now this time I've brought the whole army with me."