"Elder Kaede!"

"We want to see Elder Kaede!"

"You must give us an explanation today, or we will not rest!"

"..."

As Rin pondered how to deal with Frey's invasion, some discordant noises reached his ears.

Without thinking, Rin knew who was speaking.

The Hawk Faction Tengu.

Those who supported Shu had come knocking.

"Do you need me to step in?"

Rin looked at Kaede in front of him. The beautiful woman shook her head, but her eyes revealed a hint of killing intent. "Momiji, make those fools quiet."

"Yes, Mother."

Momiji had long been unable to hold back. She couldn't kill them, but she could teach them a lesson first.

"Momiji!"

"Are you even Tengu anymore?!"

"You actually let outsiders freely kill our kin in the village!"

"Hand those guys over quickly!"

"The Tengu Clan will never compromise with invaders, nor will we become vassals to some damn Demon Lord of the forest!"

"..."

Appearing before Momiji were a group of Tengu, all in their seventies and eighties.

Most of them were from the same era as Kaede.

Many of them had once pursued Kaede madly due to their admiration for her.

Unfortunately, Kaede's heart belonged to someone else, and she had secretly committed to Rin for life.

However, no one knew that the initial jealousy and dissatisfaction would become the fuse today, endangering the unity of the Tengu Clan.

No matter in which world, racists exist.

The Hawk Faction Tengu upheld Tengu supremacy and were quite displeased with Momiji, who had Oni blood, and with Kaede.

To regain power, they did not hesitate to betray the interests of their kin to the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia.

It was just that they had never considered, if the Harpy Queendom of Fulbrosia really attacked, given Frey's personality, would she truly tolerate these petty individuals acting high and mighty?

Inviting a wolf into the house, believing they could control the situation.

Little did they know, the moment they opened the door for Frey, they had already lost their value.

Whether to appease the Tengu Clan or for internal stability, Frey and the Tengu Clan would deal with these people.

With a myriad of thoughts in her mind, Momiji's expression grew increasingly grim.

The young woman didn't waste words, continuously waving the paper fan in her hand.

The Unique Skill, Ape Maiden Sovereign, greatly enhanced Momiji's control over wind-attribute energy.

Terrifying magical fluctuations instantly struck down the clamoring Tengu in front of her.

"Ahhh!!"

"You, how dare you…"

The Hawk Faction Tengu, who had not expected Momiji to act, were immediately sent scrambling, clutching their heads.

"By what right do you question me?!"

"A bunch of old fools!"

Momiji angrily scanned the Tengu sprawled on the ground. "Do you really think just anyone can sit in the Elder's position?"

Momiji, who had completely aligned herself and the Tengu Clan's stance with Rin, faced these individuals, who had already been branded as traitors, showing no mercy.

"I can become the acting Elder."

Momiji, abandoning her usual caution, exuded dominance. "It's because of my strength. I am the strongest in the Tengu Clan!"

No matter where, power is the reason for kingship.

What Tengu Clan or not.

Where does such a thing exist in the world of monsters?

Do you really think that being old and living long means you can control the discourse?

Don't be ridiculous!

Without sufficiently strong power to protect the clan, the Tengu would have long been devoured by other monsters.

Momiji didn't understand what the Hawk Faction Tengu were thinking.

But if she had visited human kingdoms and seen the faces of their nobles, Momiji would understand how similar the two were.

They had no power, nor talent.

Yet, they could stand atop countless strong individuals, acting high and mighty, by virtue of their so-called noble bloodline.

They spoke grand, righteous words.

Then, they would turn around and sell out the common people below them completely.

'Is this what Rin-sama meant by corruption?'

Momiji increasingly felt the weight of Rin's words. 'Arrogant Tengu, long-nosed clan, so that's it.'

The Tengu's life was simply too comfortable.

For hundreds of years, a group of Tengu who were protected in the rear and didn't need to fight personally increasingly felt superior.

These Tengu believed Kaede should belong to them.

They also wanted to obtain the power of the Sacred Mountain.

Even the entire Tengu Clan had to live according to their ideas.

Previously, Momiji never understood why their Tengu Clan was called the "long-nosed clan" by other monsters.

One should know that Kaede, hundreds of years ago, knew to descend the mountain for training.

She even studied swordsmanship under Araki Byakuya, practicing with Hakurou.

With such a humble attitude, how could she be arrogant?

'The reputation of the Tengu Clan has been ruined by these scoundrels!'

If there was a group of Tengu constantly exuding arrogant messages, it would not be surprising that others would think that way.

Coincidentally, the Hawk Faction Tengu were precisely in charge of the Tengu Clan's external trade.

In other words, these guys were the source of outsiders' stereotypes about the Tengu!

"Momiji, you, you actually did such a rebellious thing!"

"How presumptuous!"

"How did Kaede teach you? Even she wouldn't dare treat us like this!"

"Have you really been defiled by foreign, dirty blood?"

"As a descendant of the Oni Clan, you are not worthy to be the Mountain God!"

Listening to these people's words, Momiji's patience had reached its limit.

She could erupt at any moment, killing them to vent her inner rage.

"Enough!!"

And just as Momiji was increasingly unable to suppress her killing intent, Kaede's figure emerged from behind the young woman.

Many Tengu Clan members followed her.

They were Kaede's confidantes and the true elites of the Tengu Clan.

"Someone, please escort the elders back."

"As you command!"

At Kaede's command, many strong individuals of the Tengu Clan immediately surrounded the Hawk Faction Tengu.

In terms of strength, Kaede's side held an absolute advantage.

The Hawk Faction Tengu seemed strong, but in reality, it was only in their words.

If it came to a real fight, they were simply no match.

For a moment, the Hawk Faction Tengu looked grim but dared not say anything.

There was nothing they could do, the prestige accumulated over 300 years was not so easily shaken.

(To be continued.)

◇◇◇

◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.

◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)