Harbingers of Change

Falmuth was unique compared to the rest of Tempest's provinces, as it was the only one that had been directly annexed after getting conquered. Once a kingdom based on trade and standing as a gatekeeper between East and West, it was being rebuilt from the ground up by the martial tengu race in charge.

It was a breath of fresh air to see only the royal family waiting for his delegation to arrive in the throne room, just his most loyal subjects. Kaede, Momoji, and Hakurou all knelt upon Momonga and his adopted children stepping through the gate.

All three were clad in white kimonos with red accents and their family crests embroidered on sleeves and backs. From what Momonga knew, all Tengu had adopted this style to show which family they were part of and which city, town, or area they administered.

With his three consorts still being distracted by arachnids and their products, he decided to take Shuna and Benimaru with him since both were close friends with Momiji. He had heard about the conspiracy to make Momiji and Benimaru fall in love and eventually marry but stayed out of it, discreetly offering to cover his adopted son's back if things grew out of hand. Though marriageable ages were set lower than ones on Earth, it still didn't sit right with him that Benimaru was only eighteen and Momiji fifteen, and neither was too eager to start any form of romantic relationship.

"Rise, let's keep things informal." Momonga motioned for the trio to stand.

"Of course, Lord Momonga. Please, this way." Kaede was the one to respond, her husband and daughter remaining silent.

Momonga walked beside Kaede through a hall leading to the balcony. "Are there any problems I should be aware of?" He inquired.

"Nothing that would require your direct involvement. Approximately a million and a half humans have migrated towards the Western Nations since the border was opened, but their homes and fields are quickly being taken by arriving beastmen settlers. Other than that, everything is going according to plan and we are using the funds 'generously' donated by the previous administration to facilitate the development of agriculture and construction. Falmuth can provide the entire Hegemony with wheat and other grain foods as soon as the next season," Kaede deftly reported.

Their styles of walking couldn't be more different. Momonga with his massive stature had immense weight behind each of his steps, moving with purpose, the delicate stone plates creaking under his weight as his bones were as heavy and dense as the strongest of metals, while Kaede walked with airy grace on her high-heeled boots barely touching the floor. Momonga noted that with boots she was only half a head shorter than him, not counting her large wolf ears that eroded any difference between their height.

The new queen of Falmuth was imposingly tall compared to her husband and daughter, both of whom were barely over a meter-fifty while she was a meter-eighty, not counting her ears and high-heeled boots; accounting for them she was even taller. Her stature surely worked in her favor as it was rare a visitor didn't have to look up when conversing with her, including various important figures left in the region.

"I see. That is wonderful news. And the locals?" Momonga asked.

"Since all hostile and corrupt elements were removed thanks to Lord Demiurge, the local human populace has not shown any resistance. In the face of old social restrictions being removed, there is a large interest in joining the defense force." Kaede answered just as she opened the door to the balcony.

Momonga recalled a comprehensive report about Falmuth and how the administration and the local defense force were being merged into a single organization, with humans emulating Tengu norms for the most part. All of the administrative sector being trained as samurai with strict laws governing their everyday lives to make existing and potential corruption practically unimaginable. In case of uprising, the town and village mayors would be the first line of defense alongside their families, directly appointed by the superior government.

As they stepped onto the balcony, the palace courtyard came into view filled to the brim with trainees and instructors.

"As you can see, we have more than enough human and beastmen volunteers to fill the ranks of samurai." Kaede waved over the masses below.

"Of course, humans are not as innately capable as monster races, but they compensate for their natural shortcomings with ingenuity and resolve, surprising even me." Hakurou joined in, having quietly followed behind.

"If this project proves to be successful, then most of the standing army could be moved to the eastern and western borders, and local defense can be left fully to the populace," Benimaru commented.

"Hmm, yes. You can make suggestions to Cocytus on the matter," Momonga replied.

"Perhaps Benimaru could visit more often and offer his advice to Momiji. She is currently training under me to oversee the border areas." Kaede not so subtly suggested.

'She is relentless, I give her that. I could just put an end to this nonsense…' He glanced at his son who gave him a defeated nod while Shuna was rapidly elbowing him.

"If he has time. There is still lots of work in Blumund to be done," Momonga gave a nonanswer, recalling his troubles regarding his personal life and how Pero and Buku had conspired with his consorts. On one hand, he couldn't deny that the relationship had made him overall a happier person, but at the same time, he didn't want to push Benimaru who was barely an adult by his standards and had plenty of time to choose a partner.

"Brother and I could stay for a while after the official visit is over," Shuna suggested.

"I guess we could." Benimaru sighed, seeing no point arguing with his sister, especially in front of others. If there was one trait Shuna had picked up while mingling with the leaders of the Nazarick, it was deceptive cunning and scheming. She could get her way with little effort on her part and make him dance to her tune on a whim. However, she was still the sweet kijin girl who tried to get along with everyone and was the first to offer a helping hand. She had gotten into her mind that she should help him with his social life, which simply wasn't his priority.

"Then it's settled, I'll leave my children to look into details and report to me later," Momonga agreed.

"Will you give it a rest?" Momiji pouted as she glared at Shuna while sipping her cup of tea, lamenting that she couldn't start with the booze so early on in the day.

Shuna did the same, smiling back innocently, her expression somehow coming off as devilish to the Tengu girl. Benimaru, meanwhile, just drank his tea in silence as all three sat on the rug at the low table. They had danced similar dances many times in the past.

"I'm just trying to help. You two fit perfectly together and are both of marriageable age," Shuna stated casually.

"And you, why are you letting this happen!" Momiji angrily pointed her finger at Benimaru.

"Trust me, it's easier if you just let Shuna tire herself out. At least you don't have to deal with her backup," Benimaru replied flatly, taking another sip of tea.

"Coward," Momiji mumbled under her breath.

"I'm just saying you might miss your chance. I heard Albis has taken my brother in her sights," Shuna continued without skipping a beat.

"Albis? The beastketeer? That hag is what, half a millennia old?" Momiji scoffed.

Benimaru almost spit his tea. His friend's reaction wasn't what he expected. 'Why is she suddenly caring? Dammit, she fell for Shuna's trap.!'

It wasn't that he found Momiji unattractive, far from it, but being subtly forced into marriage by people around him made him want to avoid it as long as possible, especially knowing that his lifespan was basically unlimited, meaning he had as much time as he wanted to make the decision, and having children would be an option as long as he didn't become a demon lord. And with his adoptive father promising not to push him into a fully spiritual existence, time was on his side in most matters.

Yet if he had to marry someone, Momiji probably would be his first choice, way before Albis. Both he and she were young and inexperienced in romantic matters, and thus there wouldn't be an unfair dynamic like in the case of Albis, who very likely had numerous lovers throughout her long life. Most of all, he and Momiji got along well as friends, shared a similar mindset, and could just enjoy each other's company, which were all traits he found important in a likely lifelong partner for possibly centuries to come.

"That only means Albis is a lot more experienced and would know exactly what to do. Besides, she looks similar to Albedo and you know, like father like son-"

"Shuna! That's enough!" Benimaru interrupted her devious attack.

"I am just stating the facts. Would you deny Albis' advances brother?" Shuna asked innocently, fluttering her eyes.

"Of course. I am not intending to marry right now." Benimaru retorted, downing the last of his tea, pulling a bottle of brandy from his inventory, and filled the tea cup with it.

"You can still take consorts like our father." Shuna didn't relent.

"That…" Benimaru raised his finger, but no response came out. He had nothing to refute her. Considering that both his adoptive father and Pero had consorts and even Milim had a boyfriend, it would be seen more as a norm than an exception for him to take concubines. And he already was a prime target not only for his status but also for his raw power, being one of the strongest overall. Shuna on the other hand didn't have to worry that much, as there weren't many powerful suitors vying for her hand in fear of earning Momonga's retaliation, and she could freely reject weaker ones as she wished.

"So you're planning to take the old hag as a consort?" Momiji questioned with a mocking laugh, trying to play off her initial reaction, but she wasn't as good of an actress to do so.

"I… I don't know." Benimaru replied earnestly. Having a consort would take a lot of problems away. For one, he wouldn't have to deal with constant marriage proposals and suggestions. It would also make the meddlers back off and likely pick the next victim to pair up with someone, which likely would be Veldora.

"Ohh, I completely forgot. I need to help Elyun with her dress!" Shuna jumped to her feet and with a bow added, "Thank you for the tea. Please don't wait for me," before teleporting away.

'Real clever sis. Like I didn't see what you just did.' Benimaru could read his sister like an open book, knowing many of her schemes. She stirred up the trouble and then disappeared so whoever she was targeting, this time he and Momiji, would be left alone to handle the remains.

"Sorry about sis. But she won't stop until she gets her way and Lord Pero and Lady Buku back her, it would be way worse if my father had not ended the past nonsense." Benimaru sighed.

"Right, and you think she was serious about Albis being after you?" Momiji inquired.

"No idea. I wouldn't put it past her for political reasons alone." Benimaru shrugged.

"This is getting ridiculous, fill up my cup as well!" Momiji extended her arm and basically pushed her teacup into his face, knocking aside his bottle.

"Tell me about it. But there's no escape from it." He sighed as he filled his friend's cup with brandy.

"There actually is." Momiji downed half the cup in one go and continued, "We can pretend to be lovers and get everyone off our backs."

"They will know. And you know we would have to play this role in public." He looked weirdly at her, trying to figure out if she was serious about this offer.

"Holding hands and an occasional kiss is better than dealing with everyone pressuring us constantly," Momiji remarked.

"Good point. I suppose we can do that." he agreed.

Momiji stood up and walked around the table, sitting down right next to him, and promptly downed the rest of her cup, her cheeks reddening as she obviously turned off her resistance and let the alcohol affect her.

Benimaru did the same, understanding her intentions. They needed at least some practice to pull off a believable ruse. Feeling the buzz of the alcohol as he too turned off his resistances, he took a long breath and carefully grabbed her hand. Her touch was soft and slightly shivering, betraying her nervousness.

"So…" Benimaru started.

"So… We are adults, it shouldn't be hard. Go for it," Momiji stated with a sigh of her own.

'Go for it? I guess it would be to play a more proactive role.' He turned his head simultaneously as she turned hers. Their lips met. His pulse rose. He wanted to pull his head back and end the kiss, but his entire being betrayed him and he gently bit her lower lip instead. Momiji showed no intention of stopping either.

'I think we messed this up.' was all he could think at the moment as blood rushed into his head.

Editing by aidan_lo.

Proofreading by Sluethen, fvvck, Mfkz_rocker, Omnax, Stac, IAMTHEPLOKOKIOPO, and aidan_lo.

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