The final day of the long reception ceremony had arrived. If I endured this day, the nation-founding festival of Eterna would begin in three days. The thought of it stirred a steady calm within me. Everything had to proceed without error.
After settling the elven delegation, there were few complications. The monsters temporarily residing in Eterna had behaved, causing no serious disputes. The scandal involving Dagruel's sons had spread throughout the town. The three fools had been tamed, largely thanks to Shion's relentless discipline. I didn't particularly enjoy praising her, but sometimes her brutal efficiency had its merits.
Geld, who had been away for a few days, returned to the nation. Diablo and Hakurou had also arrived yesterday. Diablo, ever dramatic, bowed with exaggerated flair.
"Oh, Lord Atem, your majesty shines as always! To behold you again fills my very essence with joy!" he began, punctuating his words with a cascade of his signature, unsettling laughter. I glanced at him briefly, noting that even his humor was over the top for a mere human—or whatever he thought I was.
I refrained from commenting. Today was not the day for idle theatrics. The VIP guests arriving demanded full attention; this was no simple reception. I would not allow mistakes.
All executives were present in the hall, each of them alert, prepared. For this meeting, Benimaru handled the welcoming personally. That alone indicated the significance of this visit.
Outside the grand doors, an intense aura approached—like a roaring blaze. The rumors were true. The doors swung open, and an armed militia entered, moving with precise coordination. At their head stood a young girl, confident and composed.
The tengu race had arrived.
Residing in the Coscia Mountains at the border of Jura Great Forest, they were an independent faction, technically outside my territory. This wasn't a reception; it was a conference. Their disciplined entry spoke of pride and strength.
The tengu were a remarkable race. Known for their long noses, they were the product of angelic incarnation within the bodies of mountain wolves—the Okami. These were not mere hybrids; this was a lineage born from spiritual union, maintaining the individual will of each angelic soul that had been incarnated. The girl before me was the chief of the tengu, descended from a parent so powerful that their presence had once been revered like a deity.
I noted their poise carefully. Their power was real, and any misstep could have sparked war. But they came not to challenge me—they came to confer. That much was clear in the precision of their formation and the steady gaze of their leader.
Benimaru, who had met with the tengu previously, whispered a report as he returned to my side.
"I have established contact, my lord. They recognize your authority, Lord Atem, and have requested this visit personally."
I narrowed my eyes slightly, reading the subtle tension in Benimaru's posture. He looked exhausted, as did Alvis, who had accompanied him.
"Did something happen?" I asked, my voice calm but firm.
Benimaru hesitated, biting his tongue. He avoided a direct answer. I frowned slightly but allowed the moment to pass. Not in front of the other executives. We would speak privately.
Later, in the privacy of my chamber, I pressed him further.
"Explain everything. Now."
He exhaled, tension releasing like a drawn arrow, and began.
"The tengu are powerful beyond measure, Lord Atem. Their pride runs deep. Though they have permitted high orcs to temporarily reside in their territory, they do not tolerate interference. Even a single wrong move could provoke war. Their leader, the young chief you saw, wields authority over the tribe inherited directly from her progenitor—the deity-class ancestor. Her control is absolute, yet measured. They have come to observe and negotiate. Any misstep in response, and it could spiral beyond expectation."
I nodded, listening intently, allowing the weight of the situation to settle in my mind.
"Good," I said finally. "Prepare a proper reception. No mistakes. Ensure that every protocol is followed. But make it clear—they are guests under my observation. Their respect is expected, not assumed."
"Yes, my lord," Benimaru replied, his voice a mixture of relief and renewed focus.
I leaned back slightly, my gaze sweeping across the hall where the tengu militia now waited. Their prideful stance and the aura of their leader impressed even me. Such power, restrained yet evident, was rare.
This conference would not be easy. Every word, every gesture, every choice mattered. And I, Lord Atem, Sovereign of Eterna, would ensure it went exactly as I intended.
The reception had begun. And I would make certain that by its conclusion, all present understood the extent of my authority.
Benimaru and Alvis had brought a dozen Kurenai members and arrived at the hidden village of the tengu tribe.
Their journey had been smooth, until they were halted by a group of young tengu warriors standing in front of a cave atop Mount Coscia. The warriors were dressed entirely in white, with tachi sheathed at their sides. White wings extended gracefully from their backs, and triangular ears adorned their heads, while tails flicked with subtle tension. Their stances were precise, disciplined, and radiated martial skill.
Benimaru assessed them carefully and spoke. "We come as envoys of Lord Atem of Eterna. We request passage through your mountain and entry to your village."
The young warriors nodded, signaling their approval. They led the delegation into the cave, where a breathtaking sight awaited: flowers bloomed in perfect harmony, the air was temperate, and the light filtered softly as if the mountain itself protected the village. It was an Arcadian sanctuary, befitting the home of a proud and powerful people.
At the center, a young woman appeared to welcome them. She was striking—far more human in appearance than the other tengu. Her hair was pure white, shoulder-length, with bright red highlights near her ears. Her lips were soft and cherry-colored. Her eyes, narrow and wolf-like, focused on Benimaru with an intensity that pierced through the air, analyzing him with predator-like precision.
Benimaru swallowed and bowed slightly. "I am Benimaru, representative of Lord Atem, Sovereign of Eterna."
Momiji, the tengu chief and daughter of the tribe elder, returned his bow with a measured smile. "Welcome, Envoy-dono. I am Momiji, daughter of our elder. State your purpose. Are you here to claim dominion over our lands?"
Her words carried an unmistakable edge. Benimaru recognized the sharp pride behind her polished expression.
"We seek no conquest," he said calmly. "We request permission to pass through the Coscia Mountains between your territory and the border of Jura Great Forest. Additionally, we wish to discuss the possibility of constructing a tunnel through this mountain to facilitate a road in the future."
Momiji's smile tightened. "So, you admit to no intent of expansion, yet you speak of a tunnel? Explain yourself."
Benimaru hesitated for a moment, knowing full well that the "tunnel" was an ambitious, untested plan suggested by Lord Atem. "The tunnel is meant to create a passage through the mountain, connecting Eterna to Sarion more efficiently. We do not insist. Only if it is convenient for your tribe would we consider it. If not, we shall abandon the idea."
Her eyes narrowed. "Opening a hole in our sacred mountain? Do you jest?"
Benimaru kept his composure. "It is not jest. Lord Atem's plan proposes it for strategic convenience only. We will not force you. I merely sought to inform you ahead of time in case it becomes necessary."
Momiji's posture shifted. The other tengu glanced at her nervously. The mountain they called divine was being treated with casual disregard.
"You dare?" she hissed, rising gracefully to her full height. "We may tolerate the ambitions of slimes and their allies, but you insult our sacred land. No. We will not permit such audacity."
Benimaru's mind raced. Negotiation was breaking down. Attempting further discussion now risked provoking open hostility.
Alvis, unable to restrain herself, stepped forward. Her eyes glimmered with fury. "Did you call him a stinking snake? Were you speaking of me?"
A dangerous tension filled the cave. Both women's auras flared, threatening to ignite into combat.
"Enough!" Benimaru intervened, holding up a hand.
Alvis's eyes glowed with the power of her Extra Skill, Eyes of the Heavenly Snake, designed to paralyze, poison, and disrupt. Its corruption reached toward Momiji—but the tengu chief did not falter.
"Pathetic trickery," Momiji said smoothly, opening a fan in her hands. "I am the daughter of our tribe's elder. Status effects hold no sway over me."
Her words were not empty boasts. The tengu were semi-spiritual beings, resistant to most ailments. Momiji's Extra Skill, Sense of the Heavenly Wolf, constantly analyzed the environment, nullifying illusions, magic, and deceptive techniques. Benimaru realized any underhanded tactic would fail here.
Almost as if to declare her turn, Momiji twirled the fan, her movements fluid and deliberate. She struck at Alvis. Alvis deflected the first blow with her golden khakkhara, but the follow-up hit landed squarely on her side, sending her skidding across the polished stone of the hall.
"Oooof," Alvis grunted, regaining her footing.
Even in casual motion, Momiji's skill was evident. The fan closed and reopened in a single, elegant flourish, covering her expression as she prepared for the next attack.
Benimaru assessed quickly. The situation demanded restraint and strategy, not brute force. Yet, even as the tension mounted, he knew that any misstep could ignite war. And the mountain they stood upon was hallowed ground, defended by warriors trained in ways that even seasoned envoys struggled to anticipate.
This summit had begun. And the strength, pride, and will of the tengu would test everything Lord Atem had entrusted to him.