BAMN: Chapter 157/158

Chapter 157: Six Special A-Ranks

"It's Benimaru."

Rin said, "Elder Kaede's request is to form a marriage alliance with the Oni."

"And the parties to the alliance are the princess of the Tengu Clan and Benimaru."

The status of the Oni in the Monster Nation, it's not an exaggeration to say they are the strongest clan.

Four subordinates, plus their status as a subordinate clan.

Elder Kaede was also a sensible person, knowing that only by binding the Tengu Clan to the Oni could they truly establish themselves under Rin's command.

Rin didn't dislike such a scheme.

As a mother and a clan leader, it was only natural for her to want her daughter and her clan members to live good lives.

"So it's Benimaru..."

"In that case, wouldn't Benimaru become Rin's son-in-law?"

Shuna suddenly understood, and her attitude also represented the Oni's stance.

They had no problem with it at all and were willing to accept this condition.

"Congratulations, Akano."

Hoshiga nudged Akano next to him with his shoulder.

The leader of the Starfang wolves and the leader of the Oni.

Their appearances and temperaments were quite similar, both appearing to be middle-aged men.

This also gave them a lot of common ground.

"Rin, that's certainly not bad."

Akano: "I just don't know if Benimaru is willing?"

Hmm, this sentence was a bit disingenuous.

What's willing or unwilling?

For such a big matter as a marriage alliance, how could you be given the right to choose?

This is a good thing that benefits the Monster Nation, how can you mess it up?

Akano, rubbing his hands. "Rebellious son! Will you agree? Or will your father force you to agree?!"

Shuna: "Brother, just go along with your sister-in-law."

That's right, Benimaru's sacrifice was nothing at all.

"I've decided to personally lead a group there."

Rin stood up, his gaze sweeping over his dependents one by one. "No soldiers, only dependents."

When his dependents get married, Rin, as their lord, certainly cannot be absent.

This was a good opportunity to let the Tengu Clan feel the power of the Monster Nation.

"Then, I shall accompany you as your bodyguard."

Artoria had not expressed an opinion, as she was new and only had a partial understanding of many things.

However, if Rin was going out, she would definitely have to go with him.

"Hmm, Artoria, you come with me."

"And me, and me!"

Ogerpon raised her small hand. "Ogerpon wants to go play too."

"You can, yes."

Rin lovingly stroked Ogerpon's head.

"As for me, I'll stay in town."

Justeaze: "The Einzbern children have just been revived, and I'm worried they won't adapt to life here."

Although this trip was only to display power, if things went smoothly, they would definitely have to stay there for a period of time.

She couldn't abandon the children and run off at such a critical moment.

"Souei, you stay too."

"Yes, Master."

Souei didn't ask why, he only needed to execute the order.

"Then that's settled."

"This time, I will bring Shuna, Shion, and also Snow Empress, Ice Empress, Ogerpon, and Artoria."

Shuna and Shuna were Benimaru's and Rin's immediate family, so they definitely had to come along.

Snow Empress, Ice Empress, Ogerpon, and Artoria were Rin's nuclear weapons to deter the Tengu Clan.

[Artoria]

[Magicules: 300,000 EP (Demon Lord Seed)]

[Snow Empress]

[Magicules: 260,000 EP (Demon Lord Seed)]

[Ogerpon]

[Magicules: 200,000 EP (Demon Lord Seed)]

[Ice Empress]

[Magicules: 120,000 EP]

The magicules of the four varied.

The reason for this was that the current soul strength of the four girls could only accommodate that much magicules.

As mentioned before, soul strength determines the upper limit of magicules a monster can withstand.

As for how to increase soul strength...

For monsters with growth-type Unique Skills, increasing soul strength is as simple as eating and drinking.

[Shuna]

[Magicules: 100,000 EP]

[Shion]

[Magicules: 100,000 EP]

For example, Shuna and Shion, their magicules were only 100,000.

Because 100,000 is a watershed for soul capacity.

They were originally B-rank Oni.

The time they had possessed their Unique Skill was too short, and their foundation was insufficient.

And after reaching Special A-Rank, to improve further, they must first increase their soul strength.

This was also the problem faced by Frey and Clayman, two of the current Ten Great Demon Lord Seeds.

Rin could forcibly raise a monster to 100,000.

However, this was pretty much the limit.

The path ahead could only be walked by the monsters themselves.

Of course, when Rin possessed enough soul energy, he would be able to recharge the Unique Skills of the monsters, further increasing their upper limits.

"When do we depart?"

"Right now!"

Rin disliked dragging things out.

Moreover, Rin and Benimaru, along with other Oni, were at Mount Tengu.

This meant that Rin could pinpoint their location and directly descend upon Mount Tengu through spatial magic.

At the same time, in the hidden village of the Tengu Clan, deep within Kusha Mountains, in the eastern part of the Great Jura Forest.

"Mother."

"Father."

A young girl, dressed in a white kimono with beast ears on her head, was looking intently at the white-haired woman recuperating on the bed.

Beside the woman, Hakurou accompanied her.

Their relationship had not estranged due to 300 years of separation, instead, it had grown deeper.

"Oh, oh, Momiji, you're here."

Hakurou stroked his long beard, a benevolent smile on his face. "That brat Benimaru hasn't bullied you, has he?"

"No, Benimaru's swordsmanship is excellent, I've learned a great deal."

"Mm-hmm, that's good, that's good."

Hearing that the two youngsters were getting along well, Hakurou felt relieved.

Unlike in the original story, where Benimaru and the others visited the mountain, this time they did not bring Albis with them.

This ensured that the initial favorability of the Tengu Clan, especially Kaede faction, was at a friendly level.

The other party was not an enemy, and their own biological father led the team.

Momiji and Kaede immediately extended the highest guest reception etiquette to entertain the dozen or so Oni who came to visit.

However, the Tengu soon discovered that the power of the Oni was somewhat beyond their expectations.

All dozen or so Oni were A-Rank or higher monsters.

This strength alone was enough to make the Tengu Clan take them seriously, not to mention the mysterious and powerful monster they called their Lord.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 158: Rely on Me!

The strength of the Tengu Clan was similar to that of the Oni, roughly around B-Rank.

The excellent ones could formally enter B-Rank.

Some with poorer aptitudes could also maintain their magicules at 5000+, which is a B-Rank level.

As for the strong individuals within the Tengu Clan, there were also dozens of them who were A-Rank or higher.

Overall, the combat power of the Tengu Clan was far superior to that of the former Oni.

If one also considered Momiji, the daughter Kaede had nurtured for three hundred years, who combined the bloodlines of the Oni and the Tengu Clan, her strength was Special A-Rank, close to a Demon Lord Seed.

With dozens of A-Rank strong individuals, such strength had already reached the limit that the current Great Jura Forest could accommodate.

The reasons they did not participate in the forest's struggle for dominance were twofold, first, the Tengu Clan's arrogant nature disdained competing for territory with the monsters from the lowlands.

Additionally, they faced a threat from the east, the Country of Frey, one of the Ten Great Demon Lords.

The Tengu Clan and the Harpy Clan, due to their similar ecological niches, had been in constant conflict over the years.

In their engagements, the Tengu Clan was often at a disadvantage.

Because of this, the Tengu were forced to live in seclusion in the mountains, using an interdimensional barrier to evade Frey's prying eyes.

"Father."

Momiji asked, "You said that Rin, that Lord, is truly willing to take on our conflict with the Harpy Queendom?"

"This, this old man cannot say for sure."

Hakurou felt that Rin certainly wouldn't care about these things.

But he couldn't make decisions for Rin.

Even if the person opposite him was his own biological daughter, and the Elder of the Tengu Clan was his beloved wife, Hakurou, as an old man of his age, understood the issue of position very clearly.

"Alright, Momiji." Kaede interjected.

"Don't make things difficult for your father."

"Yes..."

Momiji's mood was a bit low.

Too many things had happened in the past few days.

First, she met her biological father, and then she was defeated in a fair duel with Benimaru.

Her father and mother had already reached an agreement.

Momiji would lead the Tengu Clan to submit to Rin and become his subjects.

Alliance and submission are two completely different concepts.

Kaede knew that such a decision would inevitably bring a considerable impact to the Tengu Clan.

Some strong-willed Tengu could not accept such a decision.

Hakurou and Benimaru stated in their reply to Rin that Kaede and Momiji had differing opinions.

But the actual situation was not like that.

Momiji and Kaede were actually both on Rin's side.

The reason it developed into two dissenting factions was mainly the result of the Hawk Faction Tengu's coercion.

Momiji had no choice but to step forward and appease the Hawk Faction Tengu.

This led to the current situation.

"Rest assured, Momiji."

Hakurou held his wife's hand and said calmly, "My Lord's magnanimity is beyond your imagination."

"The only thing we need to do is maintain a humble attitude and leave a good impression on him."

The Tengu Clan is numerous, and their hearts cannot entirely lean towards Kaede and Momiji.

The mother and daughter had already selected their factions and clansmen.

This included most of the ordinary Tengu Clan, leaving only the old guys representing the Hawk Faction and the young people they had brainwashed.

Hakurou cared about his wife and daughter.

And Rin also gave his assurance that he would treat them kindly, as well as the Tengu Clan who were willing to follow him.

'This is enough.'

Hakurou would not think of speaking for the Tengu and saving the entire clan.

If he did that, Hakurou would look down on himself.

Eating Rin's food, enjoying Rin's benefits, yet because of his wife and daughter, he would take on the responsibility of the Tengu Clan.

Given Rin's character, if a conflict between the Monster Nation and the Tengu were to arise, he would immediately take Kaede, Momiji, and their direct kin away.

As for the rest, whether they lived or died, what did it have to do with him?

"You've troubled yourself."

"Not at all, it is I who owe you too much."

Hakurou and Kaede looked at each other, their affectionate gazes making Momiji very uncomfortable.

"I, I'll go out first."

Momiji couldn't bear it and had to excuse herself.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw Benimaru waiting in the corridor.

"Yo!"

Benimaru had already received Rin's reply, he was coming here and wanted Benimaru to set up a teleportation anchor point first.

"Is that Lord preparing to come directly?"

Hearing Rin's decision, Momiji was startled, not expecting him to be so decisive.

"Well, that's my Lord."

Benimaru was a devoted fan of Rin, greatly admiring him. "Only when you experience it yourself will you understand how benevolent and powerful he is."

"I hope it's as you say."

Momiji said, "Come with me. The spatial teleportation point cannot be set up inside the hidden village, the Tengu will not agree."

Benimaru narrowed his eyes, he had a good impression of Momiji and Kaede.

As for the other Tengu, Benimaru could only say that they truly lived up to their reputation as an arrogant clan.

Just like now, as the two walked along the path leading out of the village, some ill-intentioned gazes constantly swept over Benimaru.

Those Hawk Faction Tengu hiding in the shadows grew increasingly brazen.

Benimaru had been restraining himself, if it were Shion, there would probably have been a bloodbath already.

"Benimaru, you've worked hard."

"You too."

Benimaru: "It must be tough having to bear the responsibility of a mountain god at such a young age, right?"

"Actually, it's not so bad..."

Being cared for like this, Momiji lowered her head slightly, a blush appearing on her face.

'This child...'

Benimaru thought to himself, 'She's indeed quite cute.'

Although Benimaru was somewhat resistant to the idea of an arranged marriage, he knew he couldn't be willful for Rin's cause.

Of course, this didn't mean Benimaru disliked Momiji.

He just didn't know how to get along with girls.

In other words, this guy was actually a bit afraid of women, the type who would definitely become a henpecked husband after marriage.

This was also an old tradition in the Benimaru family.

In their family, the true decision-maker was never Akano, but Shuna.

Once the younger sister gets angry, both father and son become more timid than the other.

Fortunately, Benimaru didn't think Momiji was that kind of girl.

(To be continued.)