A tense silence hung over the hall, broken only by the faint rustle of Momiji's fan. A moment passed before she finally spoke, her voice sharp and cutting.
"Is that all? I see the so-called prestigious Beastketeer isn't so formidable after all."
Her words struck Alvis like a slap. Her pride as a high-ranked majin of the Beast Kingdom Eurazania flared.
"Do not underestimate me," Alvis snapped, rising to her full height with her wounds already healed. "I have held back since we are in negotiations, but it seems such courtesy is wasted here."
She fixed Momiji with a cold, unyielding glare. Her stance radiated authority and combat readiness, every movement precise, demonstrating her mastery as a warrior of the Beast Kingdom.
Momiji's fan twirled gracefully in her hands as she countered with a smirk. "Holding back? That is my line. I have restrained myself from striking our envoy. Or is it your intent to provoke me fully?"
The temperature in the hall seemed to drop. The very air grew dense with concentrated youki, causing even the young tengu warriors standing guard to tense, their breaths shallow. Only Benimaru remained seated calmly, sipping tea, observing the escalating confrontation with measured detachment.
This was no longer a mere misunderstanding—it was spiraling into a serious crisis.
"You are indeed strong," Momiji said, her eyes narrowing. "But this world does not allow an inexperienced girl to triumph."
"I seek experience, as you implied," Alvis replied coolly. "You, in turn, make for a fine target to learn from."
The tension between them escalated, animosity sparking like lightning, until—
With a sudden flash, Momiji's fan was deflected mid-strike.
The hall froze. The speed was such that no one could even react as Benimaru stepped forward, his presence radiating authority.
"That will be enough," he said, his voice calm but layered with command. "It was unwise to speak words that would provoke her. But know this—I will not allow you to harm my companion."
Momiji and Alvis froze, both caught off guard by the quiet force of his statement.
"B-Benimaru-sama?" Alvis stammered. "Are you implying I would lose?"
"Yes," Benimaru replied evenly. "Had I not intervened, your attack would have split her in two."
"T-That's impossible! I restrained my power—" Alvis protested.
"No. Your control of youki is insufficient. You exerted more force than necessary."
"H-how could this—"
"I… I have failed…?" Momiji muttered, her voice trembling.
The two young warriors, Alvis and Momiji, unconsciously lowered their weapons and sat down. It was at that moment that a door deep within the hall opened, revealing a striking figure: a woman with large, dog-like ears.
The young tengu warriors dropped to their knees immediately.
"M-Mother!" Momiji gasped, panic evident in her voice.
The elder of the tengu tribe, Momiji's mother, approached slowly, a serene but imposing presence. She smiled knowingly at her daughter, the tension in the room shifting instantly.
"Silly girl!" the elder scolded, her voice firm yet affectionate as she reached Momiji.
The entire scene moved to a Japanese-style room within the hall. Tatami mats lined the floor, futons neatly arranged. Beyond this main space, a U-shaped room had been prepared, allowing the tengu elder—who often required rest—to retreat without disturbance.
Momiji received a lesson from her mother, who, though still gently scolding, moved with practiced precision. The girl's hands clutched her head, tears welling in her eyes, yet her indignation had softened. The lesson was harsh but necessary, and the simmering tension from before had begun to dissipate.
Even in this formal setting, the power and authority of Atem—manifested through his envoys—loomed in the room. His influence was unmistakable, a silent force ensuring that decorum, discipline, and respect prevailed above all else.
"It's all right. There's no need to push yourselves. We've only come to greet you," Benimaru said, bowing slightly.
Though their mission had yet to reach its full purpose, the atmosphere in the hall had grown tense and unfit for further negotiation. Alvis, too, looked dejected, and staying longer would only escalate the awkwardness. Benimaru prepared to take his leave—but the elder herself stepped forward, halting him abruptly.
"Hehehe, do not mind such trivialities, young man. Your swordsmanship earlier… extraordinary. Could it be… 'Oboro-Ryu'—the School of Haziness?"
Benimaru froze, taken aback.
"Wait… you know… Momiji-dono's fan movements—they mirror my style. Could it be—"
"Indeed," Kaede said with a serene smile. "I studied 'Oboro-Ryu' under my mentor, Byakuya Araki."
Benimaru's jaw nearly dropped.
"What!"
Kaede's smile deepened at his astonishment.
"My name is Kaede," she continued, "Maple, if you will."
She began recounting her past. Around three centuries ago, she had stayed in the ogre village, concealing her true strength, wandering, and eventually encountering Byakuya Araki. Under him, she studied the sword arts with unwavering dedication. Byakuya was a prodigy, born to master the art of the blade, and Kaede's respect for him grew into something deeper.
"How upsetting that I couldn't grant him a name," Kaede murmured, recalling Byakuya's mantra. Naming monsters casually could end one's life. He, a human, had lived—and died—without the solace of passing on that hope. Kaede, too, had lacked a 'Name' at that time, unable to fully grasp his wish.
Byakuya eventually passed away, leaving his grandson—who became the Demon Swordsman, Kenki. His skill rivaled Kaede's and grew beyond her own mastery. Enamored by his prowess, she had confessed her love beneath a towering maple tree, sharing a night together before departing from the ogre village.
The maple tree, standing through centuries, had become a symbol of the village, its crimson leaves marking the memory of that night. Even Benimaru recognized the story as truth.
"Wait… wouldn't that make him—Hakurou's—" Benimaru muttered, anxiety rising.
Kaede smiled knowingly. "Indeed. My senior, Kenki-dono, now bears the name HAKUROU. To my surprise… he is still alive."
Benimaru's mind raced. H-Hold on… does Hakurou know all of this?
Then Kaede delivered her next words, leaving him utterly flustered.
"Furthermore," Kaede said, her tone calm yet commanding, "Hakurou-dono has trained a reliable and courageous successor… and he will be the husband to my daughter."
Benimaru, mid-sip of tea, sputtered, sending it across the room. Rarely did he lose his composure—but this revelation had left him speechless. Alvis, beside him, was equally stunned, letting her teacup shatter to the floor.
Momiji, blushing furiously, turned first to Benimaru and then to her mother.
"W-wait, mother—?" she stammered, trying to cover Kaede's mouth. But Kaede's strength was unmatched; Momiji could not prevail. Kaede turned to Benimaru, her expression serious.
"Benimaru-dono. The proposal you have made will be accepted in full. Furthermore, we pledge allegiance to Demon Lord Atem. The condition is… you will marry my daughter. I leave you to consider this, as it is only proper to hear your perspective."
Benimaru was stunned. How could one respond to such a direct request, so weighty in consequence?
Momiji, finally regaining her voice, spoke up in a flustered defense of her own will.
"Hold on! Mother may have consented, but I haven't! He may be stronger than me, yes… but if he is to be my husband, it should be because he truly wishes it, not by your command. That is how a good woman moves the heart of the man she loves, isn't that what you always say, mother?"
Flustered, she hid her face behind her fan and ran from the room. Kaede laughed heartily, while Alvis lifted her head, enlightened by the unfolding drama. Benimaru, however, remained frozen, torn between astonishment and the weight of the decision before him.
Despite the chaos of personal matters, the discussion of the tengu's support for Atem continued. Kaede made it clear that her daughter's inexperience was a concern; she had passed nearly all her power to Momiji upon her birth, leaving herself weakened. Her wish was simple: for Momiji to have a strong backing in the form of Atem's dominion.
And now, with Benimaru present, Kaede saw hope—the last string of hope left by the man she had loved centuries ago.
The negotiation of allegiance was concluded swiftly thereafter. The tunnel construction through Coscia Mountain would wait, but the road to Sarion was approved. The tengu tribe had agreed to ally themselves with Demon Lord Atem, and the matter of the young tengu's future—though personally complicated—was left for careful consideration.
Benimaru exhaled slowly, realizing that the village, the tengu, and the future of Atem's expansion into these lands had been secured. And in the midst of it all, Atem's authority and influence radiated even from afar, commanding loyalty, respect, and hope in equal measure.