Chapter Sixty

"I see now. Accept my condolences, Sir Shifu," a female voice said as she landed gracefully on a sturdy tree branch.

The speaker was a striking woman with long, flowing white hair that faded to crimson at the tips. Large, wolf-like ears twitched atop her head, catching the subtle sounds of the forest. She wore a white-dotted hakama, her movements fluid and precise, with a sheathed sword resting at her hip.

Trailing just behind her was a man with short, dark purple hair and a single black horn protruding from his forehead. Dressed in a deep violet hakama, he moved with quiet efficiency, his own sword secured at his side.

"It is alright, Lady Kaori," Shifu replied, his voice steady. "I bear no ill will against the ogre village. If not for my banishment, I would never have come to serve under our lady. I have long since made peace with my fate."

With that, the two warriors leaped once more, soaring effortlessly over the dense canopy of the Great Forest of Jura. Below them, the endless sea of treetops swayed in the wind, the golden light of the setting sun casting long shadows over the land.

As they landed on another massive branch, Kaori let out a soft, melodic laugh. "That much is true, Sir Shifu. Meeting Lady Kaede has been nothing short of a blessing. To think, after all these years, I would have the chance to be young again." A warm smile graced her lips as she resumed her swift pace through the towering trees, her presence light as the evening breeze.

It had been a month since the Tengu officially joined Maple Tree. In that time, Ari and Momiji had become engaged, though the formal engagement ceremony was still a few months away.

Fortunately, the Tengu were few in number, just over three hundred, which made their integration into the nation far smoother than expected. Many of them had been placed in key positions suited to their talents, ensuring a seamless transition.

One of the more unexpected developments was Kaede's decision to establish a brewery after developing a fondness for the Tengu's exceptional sake. The unique brew had quickly gained popularity among Maple Tree's citizens.

Meanwhile, the Tengu warriors had been incorporated into the Roots, the nation's elite guard, operating under Edward's watchful eye. Their aerial combat expertise and keen senses made them valuable additions to the unit.

Kaede had initially intended to grant Kaori command of her own force, believing her experience and leadership invaluable. However, Kaori had politely declined—at least for the time being. She had another matter to tend to first.

After learning that the ogre servant was still alive, she felt compelled to visit him, if only to introduce him to their daughter, Momiji.

Despite his past exile, Shifu had agreed to escort her to the ogre village.

As they moved swiftly through the Great Forest of Jura, Shifu suddenly slowed his pace and gestured ahead. "There's a clearing up ahead. Just beyond it, a hill overlooks the village. From there, you should have a clear view."

With that, he leaped down from the trees, landing effortlessly on the forest floor. Kaori followed, touching down beside him with practiced grace.

Quickly, they made their way to the top of the hill. Yet, as they neared the summit, an ominous sight greeted them, the sky ahead was dark and brooding, thick clouds swirling as if heralding a storm.

"It has been too long since I last returned… Six years, to be exact," Shifu murmured, a mix of nostalgia and apprehension in his voice. "I only hope I can at least say hello to..." He froze mid-sentence.

At the top of the hill, Shifu and Kaori stood motionless, staring down at what was once the ogre village.

Now, only ruins remained.

The village had been reduced to smoldering rubble, its once-proud structures broken and charred. Scattered debris littered the ground, the remnants of what appeared to be a great battle. The air was thick with the scent of ash and damp earth.

Shifu's hands trembled as he took in the devastation. "What… is this?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the howling wind.

Kaori placed a hand over her mouth, her golden eyes wide with shock. "It's… it's like a war zone," she murmured.

Suddenly, a guttural scream tore through the silence.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!!" Shifu roared, his voice raw with anguish as he bolted down the hill.

Kaori instinctively reached out to stop him, hoping to calm him down, but her fingers grasped only air. The oni had already dashed ahead, sprinting toward the ruins with reckless desperation.

Hot tears blurred Shifu's vision as he rushed past shattered weapons, splintered walls, and the charred remains of homes he once knew. Each step was a painful echo of memories long past, each ruin a reminder of what had been lost.

"Everyone! Anyone! Somebody, please answer!" he cried, his voice breaking with grief.

But the village remained silent.

The only sound was the relentless downpour, rain splashing against the rubble, washing away the remnants of what once was. For a long, painful moment, there was nothing, no voices, no signs of life.

Shifu collapsed to his knees. "How?" His voice cracked, the weight of realization pressing down on him. "How could this happen?"

Then, Kaori's ears twitched. Her sharp gaze flicked upward.

"Sir Shifu, up there!"

Shifu blinked, momentarily snapping out of his despair. He turned his gaze skyward, following Kaori's outstretched hand.

At first, it was only a dark speck against the stormy sky. But their enhanced eyesight soon revealed the figure clearly.

A massive wyvern soared above the ruins, its leathery wings slicing through the rain. And on its back sat a red-haired ogre, his body wrapped in thick bandages.

Shifu's breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened in disbelief.

Without hesitation, he sprang to his feet and took off into the trees, leaping from branch to branch in pursuit.

Kaori was half a step behind him, following without question.

As he ran, Shifu reached out telepathically to his master.

(Master, an issue has come up.)

(Hmm? Oh, Shifu. What's the problem?)

(The ogre village… has been destroyed.)

A brief pause. Then, a sharper response. (What? Shifu, what happened?)

(I… I don't know. But I'm currently in pursuit of someone who might have answers.)

(…I see. Just be careful, Shifu.)

(Yes, Master.)

(You too, Kaori.)

(Of course, my Lady.)

With the conversation concluded, Shifu and Kaori refocused on their pursuit. The wyvern ahead began ascending higher and higher until it breached the dense clouds, vanishing from direct sight.

They didn't slow their pace.

A deep purple haze began emanating from beneath Shifu's feet, swirling like mist before solidifying into something more tangible. From within the haze, a large creature emerged, its wings humming with power.

It was an armored dragonfly, a beast of striking size, standing nearly three meters tall with an even longer body. Its wings were translucent, yet reinforced with a shimmering, metallic sheen, beating rapidly to keep its massive form aloft. Thick, segmented plating covered its elongated body, acting as a natural defense against attacks. Sharp mandibles clicked in anticipation, and its many-faceted eyes gleamed with intelligence.

Shifu leaped onto its back without breaking stride, gripping its reins as it steadied itself in midair.

Kaori followed suit, landing effortlessly behind him.

"Don't lose sight of them," she said, her voice firm.

Shifu nodded. "We won't."

With a powerful beat of its wings, the dragonfly shot forward, cutting through the air as they ascended toward the clouds in relentless pursuit.

---

A young woman stood on a grand stone walkway, her gaze fixed upon the vast sky above, her expression clouded with concern.

She had medium-length brown hair, with strands of vibrant green styled into twintails that rested neatly on her shoulders, held in place by golden jewelry. Her striking purple eyes reflected her unease. She wore a simple yet elegant white tube-style dress, accentuated by an orange skirt that was attached at the waist by an ornate belt.

This was Queen Towa, the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Raja.

The Kingdom of Raja was a small nation located west of the Great Forest of Jura. Nestled between towering cliffs and bordered by numerous waterfalls, the kingdom thrived beside a vast lake that sustained its people. It was a land born from the dreams of the oppressed, those who had fled persecution and banded together to forge a home where humans, demi-humans, and monsters could coexist in harmony.

The rhythmic sound of approaching footsteps echoed across the walkway. Two elderly men emerged from behind her, their expressions firm.

The first, an old human named Mobuji, dressed in stately robes, was the Prime Minister of Raja. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Your Majesty, please. It has already been four days since he left. It is very unlikely that he would return."

The second figure, a bearded demi-human with long, pointed ears, furrowed his brow. His voice was laced with disappointment as he added, "We clearly misjudged his character. It seems he was nothing more than an ungrateful ruffian."

The two men bowed their heads in respect, then turned to leave, expecting the queen to follow. To them, waiting any longer was pointless. The ogre who had departed on a stolen wyvern four days ago was gone. And he was not coming back.

"No."

The queen's firm voice halted the two men in their tracks. They turned back to her, surprised by her unwavering gaze.

"See there," she said, pointing toward the sky.

Far above, a tiny speck pierced through the clouds. It grew larger with each passing second, swiftly descending toward them.

As it neared, the form of a massive wyvern became clear. Its wings spread wide, beating powerfully against the wind. Upon its back sat a red-haired ogre, his golden eyes hardened, concealing his pain behind a mask of quiet fury. His posture was tense as he urged the wyvern forward.

Queen Towa's lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

"I'm happy," she murmured. "Happy that he didn't prove me wrong after all."

With a heavy thud, the wyvern landed on the stone walkway, its large claws gripping the ground as it settled.

The red-haired ogre wasted no time. He leaped down from the beast's back, his movements weary yet purposeful. Slowly, he strode toward the queen and her advisors, his breathing heavy, his heart burdened.

When he finally reached Queen Towa, his knees buckled. He dropped to the ground before her, his fists clenching at his sides.

"They're gone," he said through gritted teeth. His voice was strained, raw with anguish. "My home is destroyed. I have nothing."

For the first time since landing, he lifted his gaze to the queen, his golden eyes swimming with sorrow and gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Highness… for saving me."

Towa fought back the sting of tears, her heart aching at the weight of his loss. The destruction of his village, his people, everything he once knew was now gone.

But… a small part of her, the part she despised most, felt relief. Relief that he had returned. Relief that her gamble had paid off.

Towa hated that part of herself.

"No, Hiiro." Her voice was soft. "You don't have nothing. Not anymore. Please, raise your head. You are welcome to stay here for as long as you wish."

For a long moment, Hiiro simply stared at her, as if searching for deception in her words. But all he found was sincerity.

Then once again, he registered the name she had called him. A strange sensation settled in his chest, a lightness he hadn't felt in years.

His hand pressed against the ground as he straightened slightly, his expression firm.

"Then, I pledge myself to you." His voice carried newfound conviction. "I shall serve you for the rest of my life."

Queen Towa's eyes widened.

"No, no, Hiiro, you don't have to—" She stopped, realizing that no words would dissuade him.

She exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Please don't… Okay. I accept your pledge."

She grimaced inwardly.

'I am a despicable woman.'

"Your Highness, look."

Mobuji's voice carried urgency as he pointed toward the sky.

Queen Towa followed his gaze, her expression shifting as she noticed another dark speck against the clouds. Slowly, it grew larger, descending toward them.

Beside her, Hiiro immediately moved, stepping forward with a protective stance. His bandaged body was tense, muscles coiled like a spring, ready for action.

The speck expanded, revealing the unmistakable form of a massive insect-like creature, easily as large as the wyvern, if not bigger. Its translucent wings beat rapidly, creating a rhythmic hum that reverberated through the air. Its chitinous exoskeleton shimmered faintly, reflecting the fading sunlight, while its many faceted eyes gleamed with sharp awareness.

Atop the creature's back sat a purple-haired figure.

His presence was unmistakable.

His sharp gaze locked onto them, seething with barely contained fury. His eyes burned with rage, and even from a distance, the sheer intensity of his emotions was palpable.

Shifu had arrived.