Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Happy birthday to me.

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Construction in the rapidly expanding Antari city continued at a steady pace. Edward had already departed with four Antari on foot, prompting Kaede to begin considering new modes of transportation for the colony's growing needs.

In the meantime, Kaede made a brief visit to Shifu and the refugees, who had finally reached the kingdom of Brumund. There, she entrusted Shifu with a few Magiores to sell, ensuring the refugees could purchase a small piece of land to cultivate and rebuild their lives.

On the third day, Kaede received word that a messenger from the elves had arrived.

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The journey to the elven settlement was quiet, save for the steady rustling of leaves underfoot and the occasional chirp of a bird hidden among the branches. The forest surrounding them was serene, the trees spaced far enough apart to allow sunlight to dapple the ground. The path itself was worn but well-maintained, suggesting frequent use.

The elven messenger led the way, their gait confident but unhurried. Ari followed closely behind Kaede, her antenna twitching in irritation. She shot a sidelong glance at the messenger, her voice low but laced with disdain.

"They summon you, yet they can't be bothered to come meet you themselves? Such arrogance," she muttered.

Kaede glanced over her shoulder with a small, placating smile. "It's not arrogance, Ari. It's diplomacy. Besides, this gives us a chance to observe their settlement on the way in. It's not a wasted walk."

Ari huffed but didn't argue further, though her posture remained tense.

As they approached the settlement, Kaede's attention was drawn to the elves they passed. Their clothing caught her eye, not extravagant, but intricately crafted. Tunics and robes made of fabrics in muted greens and browns blended seamlessly with their surroundings. The designs were practical yet refined, adorned with subtle patterns of leaves and vines.

Kaede found herself wondering about the methods they used to create such garments. Her colony's clothing production was still rudimentary, with them being at the fabric stage. The elves' craftsmanship, though simple, was leagues ahead, and she mentally filed it away as another topic to discuss with the elders, perhaps a potential trade opportunity.

The settlement itself was simple yet harmonious, its structures seamlessly integrated with the natural environment. Wooden buildings stood on sturdy foundations, their designs echoing the curves and patterns of the surrounding forest.

The central building loomed ahead, larger and more ornate than the others.

The messenger stopped at the entrance and turned to Kaede and Ari, their expression neutral. "The elders await you inside. Please follow me."

Ari's antenna flicked sharply, but Kaede placed a hand on her shoulder, silently urging her to remain calm. Together, they stepped into the building.

The interior was spacious, the high ceiling supported by thick wooden beams that seemed to grow naturally into place. At the far end of the room sat the five elders, arranged in a semi-circle behind a low table. Their expressions ranged from cautious to indifferent, though their sharp gazes betrayed their scrutiny.

Kaede paused a respectful distance from the elders, taking a moment to observe them. Each bore the weight of authority in their demeanor, their expressions guarded. Satisfied, she moved forward and sat opposite them with Ari taking a seat by her side. "Thank you for receiving me," she said calmly.

One of the elders, a young-looking man with blonde hair and a piercing gaze, was the first to speak. "Lady Kaede, welcome. We have much to discuss, and not all of it is pleasant."

Ari immediately stiffened, her antenna twitching in irritation. Her voice came out low and menacing, a growl beneath her words. "How dare you!"

Kaede turned to her daughter, her voice firm but soft. "Ari—"

But Ari wasn't finished. She leaned forward, her dark eyes narrowing at the elders. "This has gone on long enough, Mother! There is nothing to discuss. Your little settlement is in the way, and you have two choices. There is no compromise here! What could you possibly offer?"

The room fell into a tense silence, the elders exchanging wary glances. Kaede exhaled softly, placing a hand on Ari's arm to steady her. "Enough, Ari," she said, her tone quiet but commanding. "Let me handle this."

Ari hesitated, her frustration palpable, but she eventually leaned back in her seat, muttering under her breath.

Kaede turned back to the elders, her expression apologetic but unyielding. "I apologize for Ari's outburst. She's protective of me and speaks out of concern for our people. But I assure you, I came here to talk, not to issue ultimatums."

The blonde elder's gaze shifted between Kaede and Ari before he finally spoke, his tone tinged with resignation. "I understand, Lady Kaede. However, your daughter is... correct."

Kaede raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his admission. "Please, pay no mind to her," she said quickly, attempting to steer the conversation back on track. "I truly came here for diplomatic reasons. There are things your people can offer us... clothing, for instance. Yes, clothing. Some of your craftsmen could teach my people how to weave and sew."

Her words came out in a hurried rush, her composure momentarily slipping. Kaede had entered this meeting prepared for a battle of wits, a delicate negotiation with each side vying for advantage—something that would have felt right at home in one of Sally's intricate strategies. She hadn't expected the elves to concede so readily, and it left her scrambling to recalibrate.

The red brown haired elder, Eryn, sighed as he spoke. "Lady Kaede, what do you know about the Mezus and the Gozus?"

Kaede tilted her head slightly at Eryn's question, her curiosity piqued. "I'm familiar with the Mezus and Gozus in passing, two rival tribes, if I'm not mistaken. Their conflicts are often brutal, but I didn't think they'd concern a settlement as isolated as yours." The information from the queens, covered all races in this part of the forest.

Eryn leaned back slightly, his shoulders sagging as though the weight of the forest's woes rested solely on him. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the edge of the low table, his brown-red hair catching the filtered sunlight streaming through the wooden beams above.

"A hundred years ago, the Mezus and the Gozus began their senseless war," he began, his voice low but steady. "It started, as far as we know, over territorial disputes and blood feuds. Their kind thrives on conflict; the stronger they become, the more they seek to prove their dominance. At first, it was distant, a problem for others. But then…" His gaze darkened, and he let out a long, weary sigh. "Our illusion barrier began to fail."

Kaede tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. "The barrier was essential to keeping your settlement hidden?"

"More than that," Eryn said. "It was our lifeline. The magic of the forest once allowed us to conceal our presence entirely, keeping us safe from outside threats. But as the barrier deteriorated, the warring factions began to encroach on our lands, their battles spilling over into our home. We tried to avoid them, to remain neutral, but neutrality is impossible when their axes and fists tear through trees with ease."

Another elder, the only female, a stunning young woman with streaks of silver in her auburn hair, added, "Our settlement lies at the edge of their territories. When the fighting escalates, we are caught in the middle."

Kaede nodded slowly, processing the information. "And now my colony appears, newly established on the outskirts of the forest, led by a creature they've likely never seen before. I imagine it feels like history is repeating itself for you."

Eryn's lips pressed into a thin line, and he glanced toward the others. After a moment, he said, "Yes. At first, we thought you might be another threat. Your… Antari are formidable, and your presence tipped the balance further out of our control."

Ari, still tense, crossed her arms and leaned back. "You assume the worst about my mother and her people."

Kaede raised a hand to calm her daughter. "It's natural to be cautious, Ari. Given their circumstances, I can't fault them for it." She turned her attention back to Eryn. "So, what options have you considered? Surely you've thought of solutions beyond waiting for the inevitable."

Eryn hesitated, then admitted, "We've discussed moving the settlement out of the forest entirely. But the risks are enormous. The land beyond these trees is foreign to us, and we lack the resources to survive an exodus. Worse, there are no guarantees we wouldn't encounter other dangers once we left. The humans would want nothing more than to have us in chains as their lapdogs."

Kaede leaned forward slightly, her tone thoughtful. "Then let me offer an alternative. Move your people to my city."

The room fell silent, the elders exchanging surprised glances. Kaede continued before they could object. "I can ensure your safety within our walls. I'll allocate space for your homes, even help construct them if needed. You can maintain your community and traditions, but without the constant threat of being caught between two warring factions."

"And in return?" asked another elder cautiously.

Kaede smiled, though there was a sharpness to it. "In return, I ask for cooperation. Teach my people your skills, magic, weaponry, weaving, anything you can offer. The Antari are evolving rapidly, but their knowledge is still limited. Your expertise would strengthen our city as a whole."

Eryn frowned, his brow furrowing as he considered her proposal. "You're asking us to give up our independence."

"I'm asking you to survive," Kaede corrected gently. "The Mezus and Gozus won't stop fighting. Your settlement is no longer sustainable, and you know it. Joining me isn't submission, it's adaptation. Together, we can build something stronger than either of us could alone."

Eryn's fingers drummed against the table again, his expression conflicted. "Moving to your city means leaving behind the forest that has been our home for generations. It will be a hard adjustment for many."

Kaede nodded in understanding. "I'm not asking you to abandon your identity. If you wish, I can even allocate a section of the city to feel more like your forest home, with trees and greenery preserved."

A murmur rippled through the elders, some nodding in quiet agreement. They spent a few moments, whispering to one another, to Ari's growing annoyance. Finally, Eryn spoke again, his voice tinged with resignation but also a glimmer of hope. "Your offer is… generous. And realistic. If we remain here, we will fall, either to the Mezus and Gozus or to the forest itself. I will not doom our people out of pride."

He turned to the other elders, his gaze firm. "I believe we should accept Lady Kaede's proposal."

One by one, the other elders nodded, their expressions shifting from apprehension to resolution.

Eryn looked back at Kaede. "Very well, Lady Kaede. The elves of this settlement will join under your banner. We entrust our future to your care."

Kaede inclined her head, her tone steady. "Then let's begin building that future together."