The Kurenai Village mortals stand in rows, in front of Tsubaki, who has a cigarette patched into her mouth. Looking at them, she feels a mixture of emotions.
As someone born a mortal, then hired to work for a big clan, she knows what being weak means. However, she isn't going to let them have it easy.
Her deriding gaze sweeps past all the morons, and a whip materializes in her hand.
"Now, tell me, who is the one in charge of you lot? There has to be someone who monitors you, right? Get that person here, and let him suffer! If he doesn't, all of you will!"
Since Miyato is dead, a person hasn't been said out to be a new leader. However, this is the best time to elect a new leader, and he will take the fall, as they always need a leader for. Forthwith, gazes move over to Shinji.
Inept to handle the attention given to him, the Main Character trembles, feeling unstable. After some seconds, he gives up, and walks toward Tsubaki. Upon reaching her, he bows in respect.
"Excuse me for my rudeness, Bushi-sama. I'm the one in charge of this group of warriors. If there is something wrong with either one of them, please punish me."
"As the leader, it's my responsibility to know the well-being of each one of them. If you're interested in this group, then I can tell you their names and the weapons they use. Also, I have my own list, which consist of the weapons they should use."
'Even among mortals this kid is humble.'
Tsubaki wide opens her eyes, taken back by the way she is approached. In a retrospective look, when mortals approach her, they either look at her with eyes filled with rancor, since she is a Tama-Artist, or glare lustfully at her chest. However, this brat is gentle... too gentle.
Putting her thoughts aside, she scrutinizes Shinji more, as she asks: "Are you a man?"
Shinji knots his brows, feeling scandalized. Nonetheless, he lets his rage go away with a chuckle.
"I didn't know that Bushi-sama likes to joke around."
Tsubaki tosses the cigarette to the ground, "You're too beautiful to be a man." She steps on the cigarette, showing a light smile, "My name is Tsubaki, pretty boy."
"I will keep that in mind, Tsubaki-san," Shinji said with a chuckle, thinking, 'She is friendly. Too friendly.'
Turning around, Tsubaki crosses her arm around Shinji's back, speaking in a hushed tone, "Now, give your men commands; after you're done, come to me. I need to test if your skills are worthy enough to lead this group."
After finishing her words, the black haired samurai steps to the side. Meanwhile, Shinji's face tightens, as if he is a subject of a tort.
'This is bad. I don't like this woman in the slightest.'
Sighing, the young man turns around, as his visage becomes cold, like that of a general directing his army.
"As you all know, our residential houses were woebegone during the profound beasts invasion that killed our benevolent Tama-Artists. Now, you all are to build your own places to sleep, whether you do it in groups is up to you. Also, we need those that build restrooms and dig wells."
The mortals exchange weird glances, pondering where the young scholar is getting what he is saying. Contemporaneously, Shinji continues:
"Like always, take breaks when you're tired, don't force yourselves, you're not slaves. You're free to eat anything from the orchard. Although you can take crops and vegetables to make your own meals, you need to plant some back. Furthermore, some of you can hunt profound beasts, and like the Tama-Artists of the past, Tsubaki-san will give you seasonings."
"We are here to build a healthy relationship with her. All of you can address her casually, like what we did in the past. Now, go to do what you have been tasked."
Tsubaki, who knows nothing about the age regiment camp, believes Shinji's lies. Moreover, she looks at the ground in obloquy, searching for a place to bury herself and hide.
—Was I being rude with them? I heard mortals were treated like junk hear from the rumors, so I thought I should do the same in a nicer way.
'I've never been so humiliated in my life.'
On the other side, the mortals are giving Shinji an assortment of envious glares. They have given up on the chance to paradise because they were afraid of threats.
***
Meanwhile, in Kushi Village, the news of Muyo's tragic fate has reached every mortal household. Currently, the villagers have gathered in the mountain where he trained to lay him to rest.
Plum blossoms gently fall upon the group of mortals dressed in black kimonos, gathered to pay their respects to the greatest warrior of Kushi Village with the highest number of loses: Chikoro Muso!
Muso, a skilled swordsman from a young age, like many men from Kushi Village, lies on a simple wooden pallet, his remains wrapped in a purple cloth.... well, many are askant about the remains being his, but out of everyone banged by Lucy's silver hammer, he had it tough, so they have to be his.
His comrades, who fought alongside him in countless battles, stand around him with bowed heads, their woebegone faces etched in tears, as the sound of his final words echo in their minds —a challenge to a person who whooped his ass for years.
Soon, his wife and children come to see what is left of him. They knew one day daddy would be gone, but not in such a brutal manner. Their rage for the culprit, mixed with their grief of the memories of their loved one, they are never going to see, brings upon storms of sadness —daddy is never going to come back.
As the beautiful women perform traditional dances to bid farewell to the departed legend, the mortal men accompany themselves with the somber sniffs and sobs, as their shovels hit the earth.
The mountainous landscape is shrouded in grief, as if the very earth itself mourned the loss of Chikoro Muso. Suddenly, the heavens began to weep alongside the warriors, but the rain masked their tears as they continued digging the grave.
Memories of Muso flood their minds:
A child to the childless, a brother to the brotherless, a friend to the friendless, and a father to the fatherless. Most of all, he was their hero —a selfless leader who had inspired awe and devotion.
Never once did Muso complain about rescuing his people. When food was scarce, he would hunt to feed them; if there was still not enough, he would rather go hungry himself than let his people suffer.
Despite being the leader with the most losses in Kushi Village's history, Muso's victories in their hearts are towering.
However, the people of Kushi Village failed to reciprocate Muso's selflessness when he needed it most. As his suspected remains lie, they can only watch, powerless due to not interfering.
When the mortals are about to lay the remains to rest, a handsome bastard kicks them, snickering: "What are you morons doing? Why are wasting your time with a loser's body?"
The mortals frown, ready to beat the shit out of the bastard. However, upon noticing him, they step back in fright.
The 23-year-old young man, tan skinned, muscular and handsome, has two beauties unceremoniously cuddling him.
In this New Age, only legends like him blessed to be a Tama-Artist, have good looks and fortune can have the luxury of having many women, since it is usually the ladies having multiple lovers.
Shamelessly spanking the maidens, the white-haired youth prompts a giggle out of them. Gently getting away from them, he walks over to a tree.
In a swift move, Shoji punches the cedar tree to the ground in one move.
"Why are you mourning for a loser when you have me, the man who is going to give you morons more victories?!"