Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Chapter Fifty Eight

'I've always wanted to say this.'

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"Arise."

A suffocating darkness spread through the chamber as shadowy figures emerged from the floor, crawling out of the void like specters summoned from the abyss.

Momiji’s eyes widened in horror. Behind every Tengu warrior, a phantom loomed, pressing a blade or claw to their necks, their glowing eyes flickering like embers in the dark.

Ari took a slow, deliberate sip of her tea, her expression unreadable. Then, with a deafening crackle, black lightning struck the ground behind her, illuminating the chamber in eerie flashes. A towering form rose from the swirling darkness, an ant-like creature, standing at an imposing eleven feet, its carapace wreathed in shadow.

A shiver ran down Momiji’s spine. 'Such power...'

Wisps of darkness flickered across the room’s interior, coiling like living tendrils. The oppressive weight of an unseen force pressed down upon the gathered Tengu.@@@@

In their eyes, Ari, still seated, seemed to grow to monstrous proportions, her very presence stretching impossibly high, casting an overwhelming shadow over them.

"I... I can't move," Momiji gritted her teeth, the cold press of a spectral axe resting against her throat. The shadow holding it bore the unmistakable shape of a Bovoid warrior, its empty gaze fixed upon her.

The soft clack of porcelain echoed as Ari set her cup down.

With slow, deliberate ease, she rose to her feet. Her free hand slipped into her coat pocket, and in response, the shadows standing at her side pulsed, faint blue light gleaming in their joints, mirroring the glow in Ari’s own piercing eyes.

For the first time in her life, Momiji felt like she was staring at a true Demon Lord.

Then, a smooth voice cut through the tension.

"Now, what could be the problem?"

Momiji blinked in surprise as an older Tengu woman entered the room. Like Momiji, she had white hair, but unlike her daughter’s crimson-tipped strands, hers remained completely white, untouched by color.

"Oh. G-Good morning, Mother," Momiji stammered, her earlier confidence wavering.

Ari narrowed her eyes. 'She’s unaffected by my [Queen’s Aura].'

The new arrival lifted a sleeve over the lower half of her face as she spoke, her tone composed yet firm. "Lady Ari, my name is Kaede. I apologize for the foolish actions of my daughter and her council."

A brief silence settled over the room before Kaede shifted her gaze toward Momiji.

"Put down your weapon, child. That goes for the rest of you."

A moment passed, then the shadows melted away, retreating into the ground like ink dissolving in water. At the same time, the Tengu warriors hesitated before finally sheathing their weapons.

In the blink of an eye, the warriors vanished, departing the room without a word.

Kaede then turned back to Ari, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Will your companions not join us for tea?"

Ari’s crimson eyes widened slightly, though her expression remained composed.

Meanwhile, Momiji frowned in confusion. "What do you mean, Mother? She came alone."

Kaede merely smiled, while Ari allowed herself a satisfied smirk.

Her voice was strained, as if the words physically pained her to say.

Kaede sighed, shaking her head with an amused smile. "She’s really sorry."

Kaede (T) chuckled softly. "It's no trouble. They are still young and have room to grow. Momiji here is also ashamed of her behavior toward our guest. Aren't you, daughter?"

Momiji, sitting rigidly beside her mother, visibly tensed. Beads of sweat dotted her brow as she forced herself to respond. "Y-Yes... Truly... That was... very unbecoming of me. Please accept my... sincere apologies."

Her words carried the same strained reluctance as Ari’s, and for a brief moment, the two locked eyes in mutual understanding.

Kaede (T) let out an amused sigh. "Well, with that out of the way, let’s put the past behind us. There’s much to discuss, after all."

Kaede nodded. "Yes, let’s."

With that, the tension in the room eased, if only slightly.

With that, Kaede began to explain the current state of her nation, the unfolding events within the Great Forest of Jura, and her desire to form an alliance with the Tengu.

Kaede (T) listened attentively, her gaze eventually shifting to Momiji. "So, you seek to establish an alliance with our village?"

Kaede nodded, her expression calm yet confident. "I do. While it might be easier to simply claim the mountains as our own, I believe it would be far more beneficial to forge a friendship with the powerful Tengu."

Kaede (T) chuckled, the sound soft and melodic. "Sweet with words, Lady Kaede."

Kaede grinned. "I'm just speaking the truth."

At that moment, a Tengu servant entered the room, carrying a lacquered tray. She gracefully set it down before retrieving several slightly curved red plates, placing them before each representative.

Shortly after, another servant arrived, carrying a small yet exquisitely crafted jug. With practiced movements, she poured the jug’s contents into the plates, the liquid releasing delicate wisps of steam as it met the cool air.

Kaede picked up her plate with a smile, offering a polite "thank you" before taking a sip. A pleasant warmth spread through her as the rich, fragrant alcohol coated her tongue.

"Delicious," she remarked, setting the plate down gently.

Kaede (T) took a sip as well before returning her gaze to Kaede. "The Tengu will accept your offer of alliance. In fact, we are willing to go a step further, we shall pledge ourselves under your banner."

Kaede raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? That’s certainly generous."

Kaede (T) held up a single finger. "On one condition."

A brief silence settled over the room as the Tengu leader paused, her sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered individuals.

Then, with a knowing smile, she declared, "Young Ari here will take my daughter’s hand in marriage."

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""WHAAAAAAATTTTT??!!!!!""

Ari, who had just taken a sip of her drink, promptly choked, coughing as her plate nearly slipped from her grasp.

Momiji’s face turned a deep shade of crimson in flustered panic.

Kaede blinked, then calmly took another sip of her drink. "Well, now that’s an interesting condition."