Chapter 75 - Kusha Mountain

Central Axis World

Magic Continent

Jura Forest

The sun was beaming down in the vast forest that spanned endlessly while dancing with the breezy wind. Truly a breathtaking sight that could only be appreciated through personal experience for words cannot truly describe how majestic the landscape was. Soon the sound of carriage was heard and below on the ground were a single one being coached by an old butler yet exudes an extremely refined demeanor. It was none other than Sebas Tian, the former Dragonoid now True Dragonewt due to the world balancing their strength. Within the carriage were four people, three women and a single man.

They were none other than Erix, Shion, Shuna and her mother, Yuina accompanying their Monarch who was currently looking outside the window lost in his thoughts. Shion sat next to him while the mother daughter pair sat in front of them. Their destination was the Kusha Mountains that were a couple of days away from his nation. He uses [ Gate ] placing them close by around a couple of hours because he is eager to see the view outside while also letting the tengu prepare and avoid simply teleporting at their entrances out of respect.

"Lord Erix, would you like some snacks?" Shuna made him turn as she brought out a small box containing sweets namely cookies and biscuit. She wasn't sure if it was to his liking but wanted to strike a conversation with him.

"Sure, I've been craving some after eating lunch." Erix commented, truthfully he isn't one who indulged in sweets but seeing how she wasn't trying to break the silence let her be.

"Ah~"

Shuna was overjoyed, handing a piece of it that made her mother giggle at her bold action. Erix was taken aback but happily took it thinking how his initial strict demeanors are slowly fading away becoming more serene and calm far different from how he treated the denizens of Nazarick after their arrival. Though, he had reason why he acted that way but now his personality and his character had slowly merged to produce a different person.

"Since we're a few minutes away, can you tell me anything about the Kusha Mountains and your experiences?" Erix asked since the details in the Web novel never appeared and he never truly read the Light novel besides a little info in the wiki.

"Well Khusha Mountains that border the Jura Forest, the Harpy Kingdom Fulbrosia and the Sorcerer's Dynasty Sarion. Although they compose a relatively small population residing in the mountain range, they are worshiped as gods of the mountains." Yuina, who lived longer than anyone and knew more about the surrounding Territory gave an explanation.

"Given that they inhabit the intricate mountain range outside of the Forest of Jura, not even the Sky Queen Frey or Emperor Elmesia would dare to disturb them. They established their village before on an inaccessible mountain summit. Although it was once believed that there could be no one capable of inhabiting that place, it seems that those of high ranking races aren't bothered so much by such environments. " She finished her explanation giving Erix relative understanding.

"They are quite formidable in the way you describe them. I do hope they are reasonable enough to accept being part of our nation." Erix merely wishes to expand his rule as he gets stronger through it and basically Rudra but the other side of the coin. He needs to stop Rudra or rather Michael from getting out of hand. Erix aims to reform other nations seeing their laws are outdated.

"You shouldn't worry, I'm confident that you'll be able to convince them to join. We're not forcing them and simply offered to be part of us with their freedom intact." Yuina said since Erix didn't seek conflict with them unlike human kingdoms that might become harder to negotiate with seeing they are often driven by fear and distrust to take foolish action.

"But we can still beat them if they refuse!" Shion said but they all awkwardly smiled at her suggestion.

"That's horrible, Shion! We can't force them to comply simply because they refused." Shuna scolded her making Shion crumble but Erix patted and calmed her down.

"They haven't given us reason to act that way. This is the reason why we are meeting them and seeing what they can offer. The chances of them refusing is small considering in the coming years things are about to change." Erix said knowing that war and conflict is about to ensue that many would be affected by the aftermath.

"Fufufu~ you really like to spoil her." Yuina giggled seeing how he was treating Shion.

"Well, if you like I can 'Spoil' you too."

Erix gave a sexual tone that aroused the Kijin milf that showed a knowing smile. Shuna and Shion noticed the sexual tension and also felt aroused and were eager to give themselves up even though it had only been two weeks that they had joined. Only Yuina was bold enough to take the first step after observing him and judging his character. However, Erix takes full advantage of his ability and often dilutes time to have a chat and allows them to strengthen their bond with each other.

After some time and stumbling upon a few monsters in the road that were easily slaughtered by Sebas and took their carcass to be used later. Erix senses a "strong" individual to meet them and soon the carriage stops.

"Halt! State your business." A stern voice came sensing the danger coming off from them and knew chances of winning was zero but didn't want to act cowardly and die with dignity if it ever came to it.

"I am Sebas Tian, a butler of the Crimson Monarch. We are here to negotiate with your leader." He introduced themselves that immediately calmed their nerves realizing they were the one their founder was waiting for.

"Oh, our founder had been waiting for your arrival. Please let us escort you to our village." The tengu said that they appeared more like a demi-human lycanthrope but different were their wings. They followed the Tengu counting around 4 of them escorting their carriage.

Erix is able to see rather than sense them thanks to his [ Lord of the Rift, Gingunggap ] that distorts space that makes the perspective of everything seem non-existent unless they have Divinity and high resistance. Reality itself appears two dimensional in his own twisted perspective.

He can see all 4 of the escorts observing them deeply thinking about their strength and fear at the future lies. Erix understands their fear and distrust as he was a man that came out of nowhere and offered them to join in a grand ambition.

Erix was certain his only enemies capable of ending him are True Dragons and Ivarage as he is not bound to reality. He believes that [ Divine energy ] is produced through divinity and believes that it is possible to harm even Spiritual lifeforms and a True Dragon.

He had experimented with the energy and found that it doesn't simply manipulate the law but transcend it. As Living Deity that turns them into Spiritual Lifeforms and their nature is similar to that of Elemental spirits like Ifrit, which are the embodiment of the laws governing the world.

Erix pondered if other races have this ranking system. If not then he'll try to bless them with it and make them even stronger while also improving their potential. He pondered if Yggdrasil played who reach 100 lvl that are invulnerable against lower level could be considered a spiritual life form.

He put it aside and looked outside the window to see border walls made of sturdy wood where on top were Tengu closely patrolling the area with some flying in the sky. They took a route that let them arrive without problem despite their village being located at a mountain range.

The curious faces of the onlooker could be seen in the window. They were proud Tengu who had the power of around Special A to S making them formidable opponents near or equal to [ Mystic Oni ] such as Benimaru, Yuina, Hakurou, Kurobe and Soeui. Only Shion who became [ Wicked Oni ] because of how Erix's own wish and thought forced her to evolve in that direction. Also it was Arryn interference that made her that way.

Regardless, even their inborn strength felt that they were far outclassed in other categories from the mere presence of few individuals within the carriage. Tengu was a stubborn and prideful race like the ogre but they knew it was one-sided to go against this foreign individual.

Erix knew that few of the village advisors would be against putting their village under his reign when other two kingdoms that belong to the demon lord don't even bother suggesting such a thing.

'Though, it is quite admirable that they finally decided to accept. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that Kaede is about to die and afraid her stubborn daughter will lead their village to their downfall.' Erix thought to himself, concluding that she would accept the support of someone powerful that could help defend their homeland from the Great Tenma war that would come soon.

'Even if they submit to either Frey or Carrion their chances of winning are slim.' The army of Angels are formidable and would result in devastating outcomes. He admired someone who is able to lower their heads for others.

'When someone swallows their pride it is always for someone else.' He thought to himself, arriving soon at the entrance to the place where their founder was waiting for them. Sebas got off the coachmen seat and opened the door where Erix came out, making the Tengu to tense up.

They couldn't sense his aura yet their intuition told them not to pick a fight. The rest got off the carriage and were led by the tengu where Sebas was left to guard the carriage.

They were led to a wooden house where everyone went inside and met with a few tengus standing while his eyes locked into a large, beautiful, canine-eared woman with waist-length white hair. In her youth, her white hair – much like her daughter – faded to red at the tips, but as she aged, it turned completely to white. Her attire consists of a yukata with dark geometric patterns.

She exuded a strong-willed and graceful person while also being loving and slightly playful. This was Kaede and the founder of Tengu as well as being an angel who fell from heaven and incarnated into a wolf-type lycanthrope. Her expression filled with curiosity and intrigued that serene and still yet Erix could feel her inner thoughts overflowing with fear and disbelief.

"I am Kaede, the elder of the tengu. It's a pleasure to meet you. I presume you are the leader of the rising nation at the center of the Jura Forest?" Her delicate voice was similar to Yuina but was a lot wiser and older.

Few weeks ago, Kaede was met with the shocking news that the ogre village had been attacked and almost eradicated from the Orc Disaster but was fortunate enough to be saved by a powerful Maijin who not only saved them but offered an opportunity to gain more power in exchange for their service. She had learned this through the son of her old time friend Yuina who she learned had been abandoned by her ungrateful ex husband.

Kaede senses the son of her friend who had been named Benimaru by their new master who's named the Erix Khan. She was taken aback by the Magicule and power exuding from Benimaru that can easily take them down with ease. This shows how powerful their master was to be able to name and turn them into extremely powerful monsters.

Though, she can see that the person they chose to follow isn't someone unworthy even if his vast strength isn't enough and there has to be a reason why they chose to submit. Kaede grew curious and interested, giving the condition of having Benimaru become her daughter's husband while discussing more about submitting their village to someone else.

It was fortunate that tengu wasn't that in depth with political conspiracy and was able to convince the majority of tengu representatives to evaluate them and see if they should give their servitude. After some time, the person that they were waiting for arrived and Kaede couldn't be more flabbergasted upon witnessing his arrival.

She saw her old friend and her daughter appearing more radiant than ever before surpassing her when she was in her prime. Kaede was happy that her friend Yuina was alive and well while her gaze shifted into their new Monarch.

Her whole body felt compelled to prostate herself and act obedient. The young man who had medium length crimson hair and wine red eyes peering into her soul exuding a graceful and regal demeanor. The word king seems to completely describe his appearances.

She felt a heart string being pulled towards him captivated by his presence pondering if her friend was also smitten. Kaede could still think but understood that he had a charisma that affected a woman like her.

"Indeed, my name is Eric Khan, an otherworlder and the Crimson Monarch of the Crimson Asurayasha Deva Kingdom."