Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Chikowan grunted as he slammed into the floor, his gold irises gleaming with a sinister red tint. He lifted his head, glaring at the occupants of the room with seething hatred.

Kaede, having returned to her seat, observed the scene with mild interest. She retrieved a bottle of sake from her inventory and poured its contents into a blue-tinted glass. Taking a slow sip, she eyed the groveling archdemon before her.

"So, that's an Arch demon, huh?" she mused aloud. "Doesn't look like much."

Her Ultimate Skill had long since been deactivated, restoring Chikowan's magic. However, judging by his bloodied state, it hardly made a difference.

Delta stood nearby, her black, fluffy tail wagging with almost dangerous force. A pleased glow radiated from her skin, the rush of battle having given her a much-needed release. Even now, her lips curled into a grin, her sharp canines glinting under the light.

Beside Kaede stood Ari and Shifu. Ari's expression twisted in pure disgust, while Shifu remained as composed as ever, his eyes unreadable.

Hachi stood next to them, her emerald dress shimmering faintly as she continued applying pressure through her gravity magic. The increased force weighed down on Chikowan, keeping him firmly pinned against the stone floor.

Meanwhile, Kaori let out a quiet sigh of disappointment, her arms crossed. She had been eager to test her restored strength, but the archdemon had been too weak, even Delta alone had been more than enough to break him.

On Raja's side, Queen Towa stood frozen, shock etched across her face.

"Chikowan…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Is it true? Please… tell me it isn't true."

Tears welled in her eyes as she searched the demon's face for any sign of denial. Chikowan had been by her side for as long as she could remember. He had cared for the queens before her, guided her through her childhood. If the accusations were true… then the very man she had trusted most was the one responsible for their early deaths.

Mobuji, standing at her side, trembled in despair. "To think… all these years, and I never noticed. An archdemon right under our noses." His voice cracked with emotion. "How could you do this!? You watched her grow up. You practically raised her! We swore an oath to the previous queen… and I failed her!"

Chikowan sneered at their anguish, his bloodied lips curling into a twisted smirk.

"Fools," he spat, venom dripping from his words. "The lot of you. Do you truly believe lesser beings such as yourselves could ever comprehend the actions of your betters?"

Queen Towa visibly deflated at Chikowan's snark, the last remnants of hope crumbling in her heart. All this time, her people had never stood a chance.

"Yeesh. Get a load of this guy," Kaede deadpanned, resting her chin in her hand. "So, spill it. Who were you working for?" She took the broken pieces of Queen Towa's tiara from Shifu, examining them with mild curiosity.

[Devour]

The fragments dissolved into pixelated particles, vanishing into her hand.

The object, Queen Towa's Tiara, can now be recreated.

Recreate object?>

'Sure, but exclude those dangerous-sounding arts.'

With a soft glow of purple light, the red tiara reformed in Kaede's palm, now purified of its malicious properties. She twirled it between her fingers before placing it on the table with a light clack.

"And while you're at it," she continued, her voice calm but firm, "tell me who created this tiara. Answer these two questions, and I promise you a quick and painless death."

Chikowan let out a strained laugh, his body trembling under the weight of the intensified gravity. "Trying to give me orders, foolish human? You think you scare me!?" He sneered, eyes burning with defiance. "I will never talk! You are nothing before my lady's might! And when he returns..."

"Pito," Kaede interrupted.

In an instant, the pink-haired Antari appeared behind her, Charlotte kneeling at her side.

"My Lady," they both greeted in unison.

Kaede turned to Charlotte with a small smile. "How are you enjoying your days under Pito? I know she's a handful."

Pito stammered, ears twitching. "M-My Lady! I'm not that bad, am I?"

Charlotte shook her head. "Lady Pito has been nothing but kind to me, My Lady." She straightened her posture. "As for your previous question, I am doing well. My children and I have grown stronger, and we have acquired new skills that we are eager to put to use in your name."

Kaede's smile widened. "Well, it looks like that time has come." She gestured toward the groveling Arch Demon. "Our friend here has some secrets that he feels are wise to keep from me."

Charlotte's expression darkened at the implication, her body tensing with anticipation.

"I want to know everything he knows," Kaede continued. "Down to the smallest details. Be a dear and take care of that for me, Charlotte."

A slow, predatory grin spread across the Arachne's face. "With pleasure, My Lady."

Chikowan's breath hitched as Charlotte advanced, her movements eerily fluid. Her three sets of eyes blinked in sequence, an unnatural motion that sent a shiver down his spine.

"You and I are going to have so much fun," she purred, her voice dripping with amusement.

Chikowan recoiled as she placed a hand on his shoulder. A sickening sensation seeped into his body as her magic coiled around him, invasive and vile.

Then, in a flash, they vanished.

Silence hung heavy in the room before Kaede let out a sigh. "Well, that wasn't ominous at all." She leaned back, stretching her arms. "At first, I was a little put off by Charlotte getting those torture-based skills. But if they're for people like him... I don't really mind."

Queen Towa collapsed to her knees, her body trembling as despair gripped her.

"Queen Towa!" Hiiro called out, rushing to her side, his voice thick with concern.

She barely registered him, her thoughts drowning in sorrow. "My kingdom..." she whispered, her voice quivering. "All this time… there was never any hope for us."

Her amethyst eyes turned to Kaede, who had risen from her seat and was now walking toward her.

Towa stumbled forward, separating from the Kijin, and reached out to Kaede. "Lady Kaede," she pleaded, placing a hand over her chest. "My heart… it hurts so much." Her fingers clenched over her left breast as if trying to hold herself together. "I poured everything into protecting my kingdom, yet all this time… I did everything I could… Why? This pain… my heart can't take it… It hurts so much."

Hiiro gritted his teeth, struggling to hold back the tears burning at his eyes as he watched his beloved queen unravel before him.

Towa finally reached Kaede, her trembling hands grasping the taller woman's shirt in desperation.

Ari frowned, shifting slightly, prepared to act, but one glance from Kaede held her back.

Using Kaede's shirt for support, Towa pulled herself up, her face just inches away from Kaede's. "What am I supposed to do?" she whispered, her amethyst eyes searching Kaede's deep onyx ones for an answer. "What am I supposed to do in this situation?"

"You cry," Kaede said softly.

Towa's breath hitched as she felt strong arms wrap around her.

"You cry," Kaede repeated, holding her close.

Towa's eyes widened, the warmth of the embrace chipping away at her last defenses.

"You are a strong woman, Towa. Raja is lucky to have you as its queen," Kaede murmured. "But it's not a crime to feel pain. Your kingdom has suffered a heavy blow. If you don't cry for it, if you don't care for it, then who will? That pain in your chest will never go away otherwise. It will haunt you, break you. So, Queen Towa, in this moment, surrounded by friends, you cry."

And she did.

The queen of Raja broke down in Kaede's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Her cries echoed through the conference room as Kaede slowly lowered herself to the floor, cradling Towa's head against her chest.

"It's okay…" Kaede whispered, running her fingers through Towa's green locks. "I'm here now. Leave everything to me."

Hiiro stood frozen, tears streaming down his own face as he watched his queen weep in Kaede's embrace. "Oh… Queen Towa…" he murmured.

Minutes passed, and Towa finally drifted into an exhausted sleep.

Kaede turned to her companions, her expression hardening.

"Ari, Kaori, Pito, I want all three of you to investigate the lakes in the kingdom of Raja. Use as many people as needed."

Pito immediately knelt. "Yes, my lady!" She vanished in an instant.

Kaori closed her fan with a graceful flick, offering a knowing smile. "Of course, Lady Kaede. I will see to it at once." With that, she, too, disappeared.

Ari hesitated, her frown deepening as she glanced at the sleeping queen nestled against Kaede. Was that… jealousy?

"Ari?"

She flinched at her mother's voice. "R-right! I'm on it, Mom!" Without another word, she vanished, leaving Kaede to watch after her with a thoughtful expression.