The Tengu's strength was comparable to the ogres, roughly at B-rank.
The more talented among them could officially reach B-rank.
Even the less gifted maintained magicule counts above 5,000, around B-minus.
As for the Tengu's elites, they boasted dozens of A-rank or higher warriors.
Overall, the Tengu's combat prowess far surpassed that of the former ogre tribe.
Add to that Momiji, nurtured over three centuries by Kaede, a hybrid of kijin and Tengu bloodlines.
Special A-rank, nearing Demon Lord Seed status, Momiji.
Dozens of A-rank warriors.
Such strength already pushed the limits of what the Jura Forest could sustain.
Their refusal to engage in the forest's power struggles stemmed from two factors.
First, the Tengu's prideful nature made them disdain competing with the forest's lesser majin for territory.
Second, they faced a threat from the east.
The Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia, led by Frey, one of the Ten Great Demon Lords.
The Tengu and Harpy, with their similar ecological niches, had clashed repeatedly over the years.
In these conflicts, the Tengu often came out on the losing end.
As a result, they retreated to the mountains, relying on a dimensional barrier to evade Frey's scrutiny.
"Father." Momiji asked, "So you think this Lord Damien will truly take on our conflict with the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia?"
"That's hard to say." Hakurou replied.
He believed Damien wouldn't mind, but he couldn't make decisions for him.
Even if Momiji was his daughter and Kaede his beloved wife, Hakurou understood his position clearly.
"Enough, Momiji." Kaede interjected. "Don't put your father in a difficult spot."
"Yes…" Momiji's mood sank.
Too much had happened recently.
First, meeting her birth father, then losing to Benimaru in a fair duel.
Her father and mother had reached an agreement.
Momiji would lead the Tengu to submit to Damien as his subjects.
Alliance versus submission.
The two were entirely different concepts.
Kaede knew this decision would shake the Tengu.
Some strong-willed Tengu couldn't accept it.
Hakurou and Benimaru's letter to Damien mentioned a split between Kaede and Momiji.
But that wasn't the truth.
Momiji and Kaede both leaned toward Damien.
The factional divide was driven by the hawkish Tengu.
Left with no choice, Momiji had to step in to appease them, leading to the current situation.
"Don't worry, Momiji." Hakurou said, holding his wife's hand calmly. "Lord Damien's magnanimity is beyond our imagination."
"All we need to do is maintain humility and make a good impression."
The Tengu was large, and not all hearts aligned with Kaede and Momiji.
The mother and daughter had already selected their loyal faction and clansmen.
This left the hawkish elders and the young Tengu they'd influenced behind.
Hakurou cared for his wife and daughter.
Damien had promised to treat them and their loyal followers well.
'That's enough.'
Hakurou wasn't about to plead for the entire Tengu.
Doing so would make him look down on himself.
Eating Damien's food, enjoying his benefits, yet taking on the Tengu's burdens because of his family?
If a conflict arose between the Monster Kingdom and the Tengu, Hakurou's character would compel him to take Kaede, Momiji, and their loyal kin and leave.
The rest? Whether they lived or died was none of his concern.
"Thank you for your trouble, Sword Savant." Kaede said.
"No, it's I who owes you too much, Kaede." Hakurou replied.
"Sword Savant…"
Their affectionate gazes made Momiji uncomfortable.
"I-I'll step outside." She said, excusing herself.
As she left, she spotted Benimaru waiting in the corridor.
"Hey!"
Benimaru had received Damien's reply, instructing him to set up a teleportation anchor.
"Lord Damien plans to come directly?" Momiji asked, startled by his decisiveness.
"That's my lord for you." Benimaru said, a devoted fan of Damien. "You'll only understand his kindness and strength once you meet him."
"I hope you're right." Momiji replied. "Follow me. We can't set the teleportation point inside the hidden village... the Tengu won't allow it."
"…"
Benimaru's eyes narrowed. He had a good impression of Momiji and Kaede.
As for the other Tengu?
He could only say they lived up to their reputation for arrogance.
As they walked toward the village outskirts, hostile gazes from hidden hawkish Tengu swept over Benimaru.
They were growing bolder.
"If it weren't for Lord Damien's kindness and generosity towards Hakurou..."
Benimaru restrained himself. If this were Shion, blood would already be flowing.
"Thank you for your efforts, Benimaru-sama." Momiji said.
"You're the one who's had it tough." Benimaru replied. "Bearing the God of the Mountain's duties at such a young age must be hard."
"It's… not so bad." Momiji said, lowering her head, a faint blush on her cheeks.
'This girl…' Benimaru thought. 'She's pretty cute.'
Though he was reluctant about the marriage alliance, he knew he couldn't be selfish for Damien's cause.
That didn't mean he disliked Momiji.
He just… didn't know how to handle girls.
In other words, he was a bit intimidated by women, destined to be the henpecked type post-marriage.
It was a kijin tradition.
In their family, Shuna, not Benimaru, held the real authority.
When she got angry, both father and son cowered.
Thankfully, Benimaru felt Momiji wasn't that kind of girl.
'The honor of the Kijin,' Benimaru thought. 'It's up to me!'
***
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