"Kaede-sama!"
"We demand to see Kaede-sama!"
"You owe us an explanation today, or we won't let this go!"
"…"
As Damien contemplated how to counter Frey's invasion, discordant shouts reached his ears.
He didn't need to guess who they were.
The hawk faction Tengu.
The ones backing Takeyu had come knocking.
"Shall I handle it?" Damien asked, looking at Kaede.
The elegant woman shook her head, her eyes glinting with killing intent. "Momiji, quiet those fools."
"Yes, Mother."
Momiji, barely containing herself, couldn't kill them but could teach them a lesson.
"Momiji!"
"Are you even a Tengu?!"
"Letting outsiders slaughter our kin in the village!"
"Hand those intruders over!"
"The Tengu will never bow to invaders or become lackeys of some forest Demon Lord!"
"…"
Before Momiji stood a group of elderly Tengu, most from Kaede's generation.
Many had once pursued Kaede, smitten by her.
But her heart belonged to Hakurou, and they vowed their lives to each other.
Unbeknownst to all, those old jealousies and grudges had sparked today's conflict, threatening the Tengu's unity.
Racism existed in every world.
The hawk faction Tengu, obsessed with Tengu supremacy, resented Momiji's mixed kijin blood and Kaede's choices.
To seize power, they betrayed their clan's interests to the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia.
But they never considered the consequences.
If the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia invaded, would Frey, with her temperament, tolerate these petty schemers?
They thought they could control the situation by opening the gates.
Little did they know, the moment they let Frey in, they'd lose all value.
Whether to appease the Tengu or stabilize her own forces, Frey would dispose of them, as would the Tengu.
"Phew~~"
Momiji's face darkened with swirling thoughts.
Without wasting words, she waved her paper fan.
Her unique skill, Monkey Princess, vastly enhanced her control over wind-attribute energy.
A surge of terrifying magicules instantly scattered the shouting Tengu.
"Agh!!"
"How dare you…!"
The hawk faction Tengu, unprepared for Momiji's attack, scattered like rats.
"Who do you think you are to question me?!"
"A bunch of old fools relying on their age!"
Momiji glared at the Tengu sprawled on the ground. "Think anyone can sit in the elder's seat?"
Having fully aligned herself and the Tengu with Damien, she showed no mercy to those labeled as traitors.
"I became the acting elder of the Sacred Mountain." Momiji declared, shedding her usual caution for commanding presence, "because of my strength. I am the strongest of the Tengu!"
In any world, strength was the ultimate authority.
Tengu pride?
In the majin world, such notions were laughable.
Did they think age or seniority granted them control?
What a joke!
Without the power to protect the clan, the Tengu would've been devoured by other majin long ago.
Momiji couldn't fathom the hawk faction's thinking.
Had she seen human nobles, with their lofty facades and corrupt dealings, she'd understand their similarities.
Weak, talentless, yet claiming superiority through "noble blood." lording over the strong.
Professing grand ideals while selling out their people.
'Is this the corruption Lord Damien spoke of?'
Momiji felt the weight of his words. 'Arrogant Tengu, Long-Nosed Tribe... now it makes sense.'
The Tengu's life was too comfortable.
Over centuries, those shielded from battle grew haughty, believing themselves superior.
They thought Kaede belonged to them.
They coveted the Sacred Mountain's power.
They even wanted the entire Tengu to bend to their whims.
Momiji once wondered why others called them the "Long-Nosed Tribe."
Centuries ago, Kaede ventured out, training under Araki Byakuya alongside Hakurou to master swordsmanship.
Such humility... where was the arrogance in that?
'The Tengu's reputation has been ruined by these scum!'
If a group of Tengu constantly projected arrogance, it was no surprise others thought that way.
The hawk faction handled the clan's external trade.
In other words, they were the source of the Tengu's negative stereotype!
"Momiji, how dare you commit such treason!"
"Outrageous!"
"How did Kaede raise you? Even she wouldn't dare treat us this way!"
"Tainted by outsider blood, you're unfit to be the God of the Mountain!"
"…"
Their words pushed Momiji's patience to the brink.
She was ready to kill, to vent her fury.
"Enough!!"
As Momiji's killing intent surged, Kaede stepped out from behind her.
At her side were her loyal followers, the true elites of the Tengu.
"Take the elders back." Kaede ordered.
"Yes!"
At her command, the Tengu's strongest surrounded the hawk faction.
In terms of strength, Kaede's side held the absolute advantage.
The hawk faction's bravado was all talk.
In a real fight, they were no match.
"Kaede, you'll regret this!" One of the hawk elders spat.
"Hmph." Kaede turned, her voice dripping with disdain. "I am the Tengu Elder, the God of the Mountain!"
Her words struck the hawk faction like a critical blow.
Their faces twisted, but they dared not respond.
Three hundred years of Kaede's authority wasn't easily shaken.
***
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
To celebrate this joyous occasion, from December 25 to December 31, patrons will receive a 50% discount on all available subscription options using this code: DEC25
So don't miss out, and we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Pat reon . com / XElenea (removespace)