Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)-Chapter 106 - One Hundred And Six

Kaede and Kirara eventually stepped apart, though only slightly, their gazes still locked in quiet intensity. The noise of the world around them faded, the night still and hushed beneath the gentle glow of the moon.

Kaede's expression faltered, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "Kirara... I..."

But once again, Kirara reached out and stopped her, softly placing her fingers against Kaede's cheek. "I know," she said gently. Her touch was warm, grounding.

A shadow passed over Kirara's features, faint but unmistakable. "It's been three years... so I understand," she murmured. "I'm not the same girl I was when we first met. And you... you've definitely changed too." Her voice wavered on the edge of a chuckle, both wistful and self-aware.

"I've been working on becoming better," she continued, her tone quiet but resolute. "So I know that whatever feelings you may have had for me... Three years is a long time."

She leaned in, resting her forehead gently against Kaede's, the gesture intimate and fragile. "All I ask is a chance. Let me prove my love to you. Let me make you fall for me..."

A soft smile tugged at Kaede's lips. "As long as you don't use [Bewilder]," she said, her voice light but tinged with fondness.

Kirara chuckled, the sound full of old warmth. "As long as I don't use [Bewilder]," she echoed, before lifting Kaede's chin and leaning in for a kiss.

When they finally parted, Kaede turned her face toward the moon, her cheeks dusted with a gentle pink.

"So... there's a party being held in Tempest tonight," she said, brushing a hand through her hair. "I'm going. Want to come?"

Kirara's eyes sparkled. "Of course," she said, smiling wide. "I've been asleep for three years. I plan to make the most of every moment. Parties included."

---

Clack!

"Cheers!"

Wooden mugs clinked together as laughter echoed through the heart of Tempest. Beneath the soft glow of the lamplights and the star-strewn night, the celebration was in full swing. At the center of the city, around the grand marble fountain, crowds had gathered in high spirits, music and festivity blending into a lively atmosphere.

Leading the revelry, unsurprisingly, was none other than...

"Holy Moly! Hakurou has a wife?! And a daughter too?!" Rimuru shouted, nearly spilling his mead as he whipped around to face the old swordsman. His voice carried across the party, drawing a wave of amused glances.

Rimuru Tempest. Ruler of the Jura Tempest Federation. Chancellor of the Eastern Alliance. And, perhaps most importantly... a slime monster.

Hakurou merely chuckled, calmly folding the letter in his hands. "Indeed, Lord Rimuru. It appears Lady Kaori now serves under Lady Kaede, and has been given a new name by her."

He smiled faintly. "Momiji. A beautiful name for our daughter."

Benimaru, intrigued, leaned forward. "And where is Lady Kaori now?"

The one who answered was a purple haired Oni, who had led his force of Antari, elves, and hobgoblins to assist Tempest.

"She had hoped to visit personally," Shifu replied, taking a small sip of his drink. "But she's currently providing security for the six vassal nations under Maple Tree's protection."

"Six nations?!" Rimuru let out a low whistle. "She sounds like a total badass. I mean, she has to be strong if she ended up with you, Hakurou."

The swordsman laughed heartily. "Oh, she was second only to me back then. And that was centuries ago. I can't even imagine how powerful she's become since."

Across the plaza, another commotion rose.

"C'mon, big guy, push harder!" Crimara bellowed, locked in a fierce arm-wrestling match with Rigur. Around them, a ring of cheering hobgoblins, Antari, Bolvoids, Equinoids, and orcs raised their mugs, while Geld roared with laughter at the display.

Near the music circle, elves twirled gracefully among dancing goblinas, their steps keeping perfect time with the festive rhythms.

At a table near the edge of the celebration, Kanade cut into a perfectly grilled steak, custom-made to suit his refined palate. He watched Hakurou with a curious tilt of his head.

"A grandma strong enough to go toe-to-toe with the old man... huh."

A shadow fell over him.

Hakurou's right eye gleamed with a red glow while the other darkened ominously. "It's like you want to be cut down, runt."

The soft, chilling shing of a blade leaving its sheath cut through the music.

Kanade froze. His eyes darted left and right, searching for salvation... and found it.

"Hey look over there!" he blurted, pointing toward a far corner of the square.

Shion was happily stirring something in a massive iron pot. A deep, menacing aura seemed to emanate from whatever concoction she was brewing. Opposite her sat a pale and trembling Shogo, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead as he stared into the pot like a condemned man.

"Why does Shogo look like he's about to drop dead?" Kanade asked, genuinely concerned.

Benimaru sighed. "He must've had a taste of Shion's cooking. Poor guy. There's no hope for him. He can't be saved."

Shuna giggled behind her hand, giving her brother a light smack with her scarf. "Now, now. I'm sure Shion's just trying to help him build resistance. She is training him, after all. And if she's supervising his meals, she probably wants to make sure he's prepared for... anything."

Soei, who hadn't taken a sip from his mead, glanced toward the corner where Shogo still sat trembling in front of Shion and her bubbling pot.

"I don't blame Shogo for running, back then," Soei said quietly. "Even I was defeated by that woman. The Saints were far stronger than I expected."

Benimaru, who had been mid-drink, dropped his cup with a loud clack. "Indeed. Of the three of us, Shion is the only one who can claim to have defeated a Saint alone."

Kanade waved a hand lazily, spearing another bite of steak. "Don't sweat the small stuff, dude. You were weakened by that monster suppression barrier. And that Fritz guy had an elemental armament. I almost lost my hand just trying to decipher it, but I did. Honestly, you did well, considering you were fighting a superior wind spirit fused with an Enlightened human."

"Yeah, what he said," Rimuru added, casually shifting into his slime form and hopping into Shuna's waiting embrace. She giggled softly and cradled him with care.

"You guys really should chill. Those Saints were no joke. Even though I beat Glenda, they're definitely champions of humanity. The fact that we survived, let alone won, says a lot. We'll just keep getting stronger, and next time, you'll beat them one-on-one."

"Wisely said, other me," Kanade nodded sagely.

"Oi!!"

Shifu chuckled into his cup. "Although... it might just mean you've been slacking and need extreme training."

He grinned at Benimaru, who paled slightly.

Hakurou's eyes gleamed as he leaned forward. "Oh? Is that so? I'd love to see how much you've grown, Shifu. Perhaps I'll test you myself."

Benimaru shrank into his seat between the Kijin and the Oni, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple. "My future... is bleak."

Rimuru sweatdropped. "Don't worry, Benimaru. I'll be praying for you. And besides, if we can clear up the misunderstanding with the Church, maybe we won't have to fight all those Saints again."

The cheerful mood shifted slightly as Souka, Gabiru's sister and second-in-command of Tempest's Intelligence Division, appeared from the shadows. Another Dragonewt followed close behind.

"Lord Rimuru," she said with a bow, her expression composed. "Lady Kaede and the envoys of Maple Tree have arrived."

"Oh right! I did invite them, didn't I?" Rimuru blinked. "Thanks, Souka."

He turned toward her, his tone warm. "I appreciate you holding things down while Soei recovers. Sorry you're stuck working while the rest of us are partying."

Souka's cheeks flushed lightly as her eyes flicked to Soei, who had finally looked her way.

"There's no issue, Lord Rimuru," she said quickly. "I'm proud to help protect our home. Though... I'm not sure I'm living up to the standard Lord Soei would set."

"No," Soei replied evenly. "You're doing a good job."

It was rare praise from him, and more than enough.

Souka's blush deepened. "Thank you, Lord Soei."

'So unfair!!' Rimuru cried internally, watching the exchange with exaggerated despair.

"Hehehehe," a tiny chibi version of Kanade laughed gleefully, his head bobbing in Rimuru's mental space.

"What are you doing in my mind!?" Chibi Rimuru shouted, bouncing repeatedly on Chibi Kanade's head like an angry plush toy. "Great Sage! Kick him out!"

Back in the real world, the atmosphere shifted as Shifu stood and lowered himself to one knee, his expression solemn. "Lady Kaede. You've arrived."

Around him, the various Antari, Elves, Bolvoids, and Equinoids who had accompanied the Maple Tree envoys followed suit, bowing respectfully despite the festivities.

Kaede let out a sigh as she stepped forward. "Seriously, guys?" she muttered. "You don't have to go full formal on a night like this. It's a party, remember?"

She was flanked by her three first daughters. Ari strode ahead confidently, and beside her was Momiji, whose vivid red eyes sparkled with curiosity as she matched Ari's pace. On Kaede's other side walked Kirara

From across the square, Crimara let out a victorious yell as she slammed Geld's arm into the table in an arm-wrestling match, drawing cheers from the surrounding crowd. Catching sight of the new arrivals, she lit up.

"Mother's here!" she called out, waving energetically.

Rimuru bounced over in his slime form, grinning. "Welcome to the party, Kaede-san! Come join us, we've got food, drinks, and enough noise to drown out all that serious stuff!"

But Kaede didn't respond right away. Her eyes had locked onto something, or rather, someone, across the courtyard. Her body stilled, and a strange mix of emotions flickered across her face.

Rimuru blinked and followed her gaze.

"...Kanade?" she whispered.

Kanade, a smile on his face, dropped his cup. "Hey Maple."