Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Thwoom!!

A sudden burst of energy heralded the arrival of a white-haired woman clad in a flowing black cloak. She appeared beside Kaede's chair, her expression grave.

"Lady Kaede, there's an emergency," she announced.

Kaede nodded, unfazed. "Charlotte. You're referring to the force currently heading toward us, aren't you?"

Charlotte inclined her head, showing no surprise at her master's foresight. Kaede's abilities often surpassed logic, and by now, Charlotte had long accepted that her master was simply that incredible.

"Lady Pito is already keeping an eye on the Pegasus Knights as we speak," Charlotte continued, her six crimson eyes blinking in unison.

"Good," Kaede acknowledged before turning to the bee envoys. "My apologies, but I must take my leave. A pressing matter has arisen."

The Queen Bee, understanding the gravity of the situation, responded through telepathy. "We understand."

With a final nod, Kaede strode out of the mansion, her gaze fixed ahead. "Judging by their trajectory, they'll land somewhere in the middle of the city," she mused aloud as she walked.

Suddenly, a series of sharp movements signaled the arrival of her trusted companions. Shifu, Hachi, Crimara, and Aurina materialized at her side, each exuding an aura of readiness.

"Mother, we came as fast as we could. Chibari is on her way," Aurina reported, seamlessly falling into step beside Kaede.

Shifu remained silent, his posture disciplined, one hand resting on his sword, the other clasped behind his back.

Meanwhile, Crimara and Hachi radiated uncontained fury.

"To arrive so unannounced. How utterly uncouth," Hachi seethed, her emerald hair lifting slightly, charged with power.

Crimara's grin was almost predatory, her fiery red locks mirroring the flickering embers of her growing rage. "Just say the word, Mother, and I'll burn them to cinders."

Kaede's expression remained unreadable as she walked, her mind already calculating the best course of action.

It wouldn't be wrong to say that Kaede was at full strength, especially with her companions by her side and her already expanding army.

Ari, however, was absent.

With the growing number of monsters under Kaede's rule, Chibari had proposed constructing another city within the Kyusha Mountains, modeled after the underground nation of Dwargon. The Antari had readily agreed, eager to return to an environment that suited them better. It was an oversight on Kaede's part, moving the entire Antari to the surface without considering their preference for earthen tunnels.

However, there was a complication.

The mountains were already home to a powerful force. The elves revered them as gods. The monsters spoke of them as unofficial Demon Lords.

Ari, on the other hand, had simply called them a nuisance. And without hesitation, she had taken it upon herself to negotiate the expansion of Kaede's city.

'I really need to come up with a proper name for my city. I can't keep calling it 'the city' all the time,' Kaede mused.

Of course, before Ari left, Kaede had made sure to sit her down and emphasize the importance of diplomacy. The last thing she wanted was for her forces to overpower every potential ally through sheer intimidation.

'On second thought, perhaps sending Ari had been a mistake.'

Her other daughter was also not here, though for different reasons.

Acer had undergone another evolution when Kaede received the title of [Mother of Monsters].

She had transformed into a massive flower bud, her roots extending deep into the earth.

According to Artificia, Acer was now linking the surrounding forest to herself, converting various trees into spirit-based life forms. In other words, she was creating Dryads and Treants.

Kaede had groaned at the thought of gaining even more children, or were they grandchildren at this point? Still, she couldn't hide the smile on her face upon hearing the news. She was genuinely happy for her daughter's growth.

Meanwhile, atop the city's walls, Edward stood at the forefront of the guards, watching the approaching force.

The human had surprised Kaede with how quickly he adapted to training the city's defense force. However, compared to the monsters' natural strength, he was still at a disadvantage.

A quick consultation with Artificia led Kaede to a solution, though it required Edward's consent.

After a few days of deliberation, he finally agreed.

Using fifteen percent of her power, Kaede created an artifact that Artificia later named the Sandevistan X.

Forged entirely from Magisteel, the metal exoskeleton granted speed, strength, and durability beyond anything a normal human could achieve. Thanks to Kaede's magicules infusing the metal during the creation process, its defensive properties had skyrocketed, making Edward the third most durable person in the entire city.

A fitting enhancement for the Roots, the name the city's defense force had chosen for themselves.

Although, with this obvious intrusion, Kaede was going to have to work on an aerial force of her own

---

Gazel watched as the city before him continued to expand, its structures a clear sign of rapid growth.

As he and his Pegasus Knights descended, he could already see a small group gathered in the middle of the city, awaiting their arrival.

At the forefront stood a young girl clad in a black jacket lined with red fur. At first glance, she appeared ordinary, until he drew closer and felt the sheer presence radiating from her.

The message was clear:

You better have a good reason for being here. If not, you better be strong enough to survive.

---

_A few days ago_

Within the heart of Dwargon, Gazel sat in the company of his council, his expression unreadable as he held a piece of paper in his hands, carefully reading its contents.

"My king, what does the letter say?" one of his ministers asked, concern evident in his expression.

It was a justified concern. Just weeks ago, the Storm Dragon's aura had vanished without a trace, a disappearance that coincided with the emergence of a rapidly growing city. A city of ants, of all things.

Gazel exhaled heavily before wordlessly lifting the paper over a nearby candle.

The flames consumed it in moments, reducing it to nothing but ashes.

"The monsters on the eastern side of the Great Forest of Jura have all sworn allegiance to the human leading the Antari," King Gazel declared, his voice calm yet commanding.

"All of them?" one minister echoed, his concern evident. "With a force like that… a monster uprising."

"It's worse than that," Gazel continued. "They're been led by a human capable of naming and evolving monsters."

"What did you say?" The same minister's eyes widened in shock as a heavy silence settled over the room.

Gazel nodded gravely. "Indeed. According to our spy's report, this human commands at least fifty thousand A-rank Majin. And an even greater number of lower-ranked monsters."

The silence deepened, suffocating in its weight. Then, a third minister finally spoke. "My king… are we certain this is a human? With power like that, they could easily declare themselves a Demon Lord."

"Yet she hasn't." Gazel exhaled, closing his eyes in thought. 'The power to command Majin… to force mass evolutions… all in the hands of a single human. How troublesome. If this matter is not handled carefully, this nation may fall.'

When he reopened his eyes, his ministers were watching him, waiting for his decision.

"I will visit this human myself," he stated firmly. "And if the worst proves true… I will strike her down myself."

---

_Back to the present _

Gazel watched as the city below grew larger with every passing second, his Pegasus steadily descending toward the ground.

Still some distance from the city's center, a group of figures was sprinting through the streets. Leading them was Eryn, flanked by a massive Hobgoblin, a Haulia rabbit-man, and a brown-haired, wolf-eared girl. Running slightly behind them was Chibari, her gaze locked onto Gazel's Pegasus with an expression of deep conflict.

"My king..." she whispered under her breath, pain flickering in her eyes as she ran.

By the time they reached Kaede and her entourage, Gazel and his Pegasus Knights had begun circling the central plaza, preparing to land.

"There's no doubt about it," Eryn murmured, his companions listening intently. "That's the Hero King of the dwarves… Gazel Dwargo."

"Well, Lady Kaede, what should we do?" Aurina asked, her gaze never leaving the Dwarven King's imposing form.

Kaede furrowed her brow. "He's strong."

A subtle ripple passed through the gathered monsters at her words, though none of them seemed to notice their own reactions.

"I'd like to avoid a fight if possible," Kaede continued, her tone measured. "But just in case, start evacuating the nearby civilians."

Her shadow flickered. In an instant, Charlotte's subordinates melted into the darkness, swiftly moving to relay her command.

The Pegasus finally touched down, and Gazel was the first to dismount, followed closely by his knights.

Before Kaede could step forward, Chibari rushed past her and her companions, dropping to one knee before Gazel.

"It is good to see you, Your Majesty."

Gazel adjusted the saddle of his Pegasus before turning his gaze to Chibari. "Have your days been well, Chibari?"

"Yes," she responded, remaining in her kneeling position.

Kaede decided it was time to get some answers. Stepping forward, she approached Gazel, who turned his sharp eyes toward her the moment she moved, as if he could ever ignore her presence.

"The human," he noted, his tone unreadable.

Kaede's expression remained neutral, though Gazel caught the slight twitch of her brow at his choice of words.

"Allow me to introduce myself," she said evenly. "My name is Kaede. And while I may be human, I would prefer if you did not address me as such."

Gazel raised a brow but remained silent as she continued.

"I am the leader of the city you're standing in, and the future nation of... uh... Maple... Tree."

The air around her grew heavier, a subtle increase in pressure that only Gazel seemed to perceive.

A pause stretched between them before he finally spoke, amusement evident in his voice.

"…Did you just come up with that name right now?"

Kaede stiffened. "…No?"

Quickly changing the topic, Kaede asked, "So, King Gazel, what can I do for you?"

Gazel's expression remained neutral as he replied, "I'll get straight to the point. I'm here to determine your worth."