Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Kaede sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that day, turning to the female goblina seated at the desk beside her. "How many is that now, Sera?"

Sera, ever diligent, neatly stacked a pile of papers before answering. "This is the sixth, my lady. And there are still three more waiting outside."

Kaede groaned, slumping into her chair.

Ever since Veldora's disappearance a month ago, monsters had been arriving at her city's gates in droves, all with the same request, to join her community.

At first, she had welcomed them with open arms, happy to provide refuge. But what had started as a trickle soon became a flood, leading to an exhausting, seemingly endless process of naming an overwhelming number of new arrivals.

Goblins, Kobolds, two entire wolf packs, and somehow, even the horned rabbits had a matriarch who had decided to move her entire family of four hundred to Kaede's city.

"Alright, let's go, Sera."

Kaede took a deep breath before rising from her seat, stretching lightly as she made her way to what her daughters called the Throne Room.

Honestly, Kaede had no idea why they insisted on calling it that. It was just a conference room.

Seated at the central chair, she adjusted herself before giving a small motion.

Two Antari bowed before stepping forward, pushing open the massive double doors to allow the next visitors inside.

A tiny green haired figure flew in, delicate translucent wings shimmering under the light. It was basically two feet tall with leaf like clothes, with sharp claws and jagged teeth.

Kaede's eyes widened. Then, in an instant, she vanished, only to reappear right in front of the tiny creature.

Before the figure could react, Kaede snatched them up, cradling them in her hands with a gleeful squeal.

"What is this adorable creature!!" she shouted, practically vibrating with excitement as she hugged the tiny being close.

"Ack!! Ack!! Unhand me, foul beast!" the creature yelped in both shock and indignation, flailing their tiny limbs in protest.

Desperate to escape, they bit down on Kaede's arm.

Chomp.

The guards drew their weapons.

Silence.

Then,

"YOW!!" The creature cried out, clutching their mouth in agony. "What is your skin made of?! My teeth hurt, waaaaaah!!"

Tears welled in their eyes as they wailed dramatically.

Kaede froze. "Wha... You're crying?!" Her excitement instantly turned to panic. "Ah! What do I do?! What do I do?!"

Sera chuckled at her master's antics, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement.

The guards, meanwhile, simply sighed, shaking their heads with small smiles. 'Somehow, this is our mother.'

When the figure finally ceased her crying, Kaede cleared her throat and quickly returned to her seat. "State your business."

The figure, still slightly dazed, blinked a few times before responding. "Wha... Hey! Don't just pretend like nothing happened!"

Kaede remained silent, her expression neutral. The figure sighed deeply. "I've come as the representative of the sprites. We don't exactly have a leader since we're scattered across the forest, but after gathering everyone, I was chosen to brave the dangers and speak to the demon lord."

Kaede raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "The 'what' now? I'm not a demon lord."

The sprite's eyes widened in shock. "You're not a demon lord?! But how? Your power, Demon Lord Frey's power doesn't compare to yours!"

Kaede blinked in confusion. "Who?"

The sprite, now calm but still a bit on edge, answered in a more measured tone. "Demon Lord Frey is one of the Ten Great Demon Lords. She rules over the harpies in the country of Fulbrosia."

"I see," Kaede murmured, nodding slowly as she processed the information. "We'll have to revisit this later. There are others who wish to speak with me."

The sprite paused, her hands clasping together in an imploring gesture. "Ah, I understand. Uhm, so... will you allow us to stay in your country?" she asked with a hopeful look. "Please, please, oh please let us stay."

Kaede chuckled softly. "Of course, how could I say no to that face? You're just too adorable!" She made an exaggerated kissing face, teasing the sprite.

Sera, standing nearby, cleared her throat with a formal tone. "My lady."

Kaede blinked, snapping out of her playful trance. "Ah, yes, right. Focus," she murmured, regaining her composure. She turned back to the sprite. "So, how many of you are there?"

The sprite hesitated, a blank look on her face. "Uhm... I don't actually know. We didn't bother counting."

Kaede sighed, rubbing her temples in slight frustration.

Kaede blinked in surprise at the sudden influx of information, then turned to Sera. "Put down seven thousand, three hundred, twenty-eight sprites on the list," she ordered.

Sera nodded without question and began jotting the number down in the city book, her pen moving swiftly across the page.

The sprite's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Kaede. "How...?! To know our numbers in an instant... As expected of our new master." Her voice trembled with awe, admiration shining in her expression.

Kaede smiled. "Alright, return to your people and gather them. I will meet you at the city gate, where I will grant you all names."

The sprite's jaw dropped open in sheer shock. "Names?! You don't mean... all of us?! But that, just how powerful are you? Thank you, scary lady!"

Kaede chuckled as the sprite took off at an incredible speed, zipping out of the room while chattering excitedly.

A moment later, the next visitor entered. This one was a tall, reptilian creature, his brown-scaled body covered in faint scars. He carried a sturdy three pronged metal spear, and a small gourd on his back. With deliberate movements, he approached before dropping to one knee.

"Greetings, Ruler of Monsters," he said, his deep voice carrying respect.

Kaede met his gaze and nodded. "Greetings."

The lizardman lowered his head in respect. "This one is known as Gaara of the Sand."

Kaede raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You have a name."

"Yes, my lady," Gaara confirmed. "I was named by a masked Majin. In my time of need, Lord Gelmud saw fit to grant me power so that I could protect my people."

Kaede leaned back in her chair, reaching for a snack from the tray a goblina maid had brought earlier. "I see. And what brings you here?"

Gaara's expression was solemn. "Unlike the lizardmen of the eastern swamps, my kin chose a different path. We broke away and adapted to survive in the harsh sands of the forest. However, our numbers have dwindled over time. Without Lord Veldora's protection, I fear our tribe may not last much longer." He straightened, his grip tightening around his spear. "That is why I am here, my lady. We seek refuge in your land and are prepared to serve in return."

Kaede rested her chin on her hand, studying him. "I see. And your current numbers?"

Gaara gave a respectful nod. "According to our count this morning, we number one thousand two hundred."

Kaede hummed in thought. "You're right, that is rather small for a tribe. Very well, Gaara of the Sand. I welcome your people into my nation, so long as you remember that everyone has something to contribute." She gestured with a flourish. "I will begin naming your people once the sprites have all received theirs."

Gaara stiffened in surprise. "My lady, the lizardmen are already strong. You don't need to..."

"It's fine, Gaara," Kaede interjected with a reassuring wave. "Though, your case is a bit different… You already have a name." She tapped her fingers against the armrest, pondering.

Kaede's eyes twitched slightly. She tilted her head at the lizardman. "It appears I can override the name this Gelmud fellow gave you." Though she didn't say it aloud, the question hung in the air, Should I?

Gaara hesitated only briefly before bowing his head. "Please do, my lady. If it will make me of greater use to you, then I gladly accept."

Kaede smiled. "Then rise, for your name is Gaara of the Sand."

As golden light engulfed Gaara, his form shifted, his brown scales gleaming with a radiant bronze sheen. He stood taller now, exuding the unmistakable aura of an A-rank warrior.

"I thank you, my lady," he said with deep reverence before turning and leaving the hall.

Kaede waited until he was completely gone before slumping back in her chair with an exaggerated groan. "Why was he so formal? I've never been that formal in my life! Ugh, it's exhausting. I don't want to go through this again."

Sera smiled gently, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Patience, my lady. It will all be over soon. There is just one more envoy to meet."

Kaede let out a dramatic wail and clung to Sera's gown. "Ahh, Sera, you're too good to me! You're like an angel. A pretty angel."

Sera visibly blushed but quickly composed herself, slipping free from Kaede's grasp and smoothing out her dress.

At that moment, the doors swung open once more, and the final envoys entered, though this time, they didn't walk. Instead, they buzzed in, their translucent wings humming through the air.

Kaede tilted her head in curiosity. "You look oddly familiar."

Leading the group was a massive bee, nearly three feet tall, with a regal golden crown perched atop her head. She was flanked by two smaller bees, their movements sharp and coordinated, like trained guards.

Kaede's eyes widened in recognition before she smacked a fist into her palm. "Ha! I remember now! You look just like that queen bee I killed when I was still level one in New World Online."

The three bees froze mid-flight, their buzzing abruptly halting. Though their expressions remained unreadable, their entire forms somehow radiated sheer, palpable terror.

Kaede blinked before letting out an awkward chuckle. "Ah… please ignore what I just said."

The bees, though momentarily frozen, resumed their flight toward the center of the room, their buzzing steady but still carrying a hint of unease.

Kaede offered a reassuring smile. "Now, tell me, what do you..." She abruptly stopped, her gaze shifting eastward.

Her [Universal Sense] had detected something.

'Artificia?' she wondered.

A translucent blue screen flickered into existence before her, visible only to her eyes. Within its display, distant flying forms moved swiftly across the sky.

Zooming in, she saw them clearly, winged horses, each ridden by humanoid figures. Yet, the magicules she sensed told her they were not human.

Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the leading figure.

It was unmistakable.

The Hero King, Gazel Dwargo, was leading an army straight toward her city.