Ba Maple Tree, Kaede wasted no time in calling a meeting three days after Shifu’s return.

  The rge ference hall was well-lit, its walls lined with banners bearing the sigil of Maple Tree. A red rose at the forefront of a rge maple tree.

  The long table at the ter of the room was filled with an assortment of dishes and drinks, ensuring that those present could eat while they discussed important matters.

  Seated at one side of the table were the key leaders of Maple Tree’s growing popution.

  At the forefront sat Shifu, the ever-loyal ogre who had since evolved into an Oni.

  Beside him was Cam, a representative of the Haulia, an evolved race of horned rabbits. While the Haulia Queen, Deborah, remaiheir official ruler, she had voted for Cam to act as their representative in cil meetings, as she chose to focus on raising and nurturing the younger geion of Haulia. On her behalf, Kaede had agreed to this arra but ehat Deborah retained authority over internal affairs. For now, she worked under Hachi and Acer in farm development.

  o Cam was Delta, the leader and stro of the Faunus, a newly evolved race that bore strong simirities to beastmen. They had once beeory monsters, wolves, leopards, and even blood boars, but after Kaede grahem hey transformed into intelligent humanoids.

  Seated beside her was Darius, the newly evolved Goblin King. Uhe green-skinned goblins of the western Jura, the goblins in the east had inally possessed gray skin. However, after Kaede hem, they evolved into Hobgoblins, with their skin turning a muted blue. Darius, in particur, had grown signifitly stronger, his frame rger and more imposing than before.

  o him was Chibari, the dwarven bcksmith of Maple Tree. She was responsible for overseeing armament produ and city defenses, ensuring that the growing nation remained well-equipped. While she focused on onry and armor, her children specialized in crafting tools for daily life, including furniture, kitware, and infrastructure. Kaede had been particurly pleased when they successfully designed a funal sewage system, ensuring a high standard of liness withiy.

  Seated o her was Edward Vale, the human leader of the elite guard, the Roots, along with his sed-in-and, Gaara of the Sand, a drago. Gaara had fully evolved into a humanoid form, with short red hair, a distinct symbol on his forehead, and his signature gourd on his back. However, its previous cy-like color had ged to a sleek metallic sheen.

  At the end of the table sat Eryn, a former forest elf who had undergone a remarkable transformation. With Kaede’s title of [Mother of Monsters], the elves had evolved into Dark Elves, a rare B+ Rank race with dark skin and increased magical potential. A handful of them had even broken into A-Rank, marking them as formidable Warriors, Archers and Spellcasters.

  On the opposite side of the table sat Kaede’s daughters, Ari, Aurina, Hachi, Crimara, Acer, and Hanae, each pying a crucial role in Maple Tree’s development.

  Beside Ha Kaori and her daughter, Momiji. As the leader of the Tengus, Momiji had great responsibilities, yet now she had to nurture her retionship with Ari, to whom she was engaged. Kaori, meanwhile, attehe meeting in her role as Kaede’s advisor, providing sel where needed.

  With food and drinks served, everyoled in as Shifu began to ret the events that had transpired in Raja.

  "I see," Kaede said once Shifu had finished. "This aligns with ito and Charlotte discovered as well." She turo her side. "Pito."

  Thwoom!

  In an instant, Pito, a pink-haired girl with antennae on her forehead, dressed in a muted green coat, appeared behind Kaede’s seat. A sed ter, four more figures materialized behind her, with Charlotte standing beside Pito.

  "Yes, my dy," Pito said with a serious expression, one Kaede might have believed if not for the smudge of caramel on her lower lip. She quickly licked it away wheiced Kaede staring.

  Kaede sighed. "Alright, Pito. Your report on the orcs."

  Pithtened before answering. "Yes, of course. After Sir Shifu informed us of the state of his vilge, Lady Kaede tasked us with iigating the surrounding areas. Initially, we found nothing but the remnants of a battle. So, we expanded our search, dug a broader s of western Jura. That’s when we discovered it, an orc army."

  Gasps filled the room. Eryn looked stunned, Gaara’s brows lifted in surprise, and Edward's expression turned ptive. Shifu's eyes widened, while Kaori remained unreadable.

  Eryn was the first to break the silehat’s… incredibly foolish. Orcs are k monsters. What could an army of them hope to aplish? Any force they gather would be easily crushed."

  He turo Pito, his dark elveures still showing disbelief. "Lady Pito, just how many orcs are we talking about?"

  Pito met his gaze evenly. "By the time we finished ting, we had identified exactly two hundred and fifty-eight thousand, three hundred and een orcs. Furthermore, most, if not all, of them were B- rank, with a few reag B+ rank."

  The room fell into an even heavier silehe weight of the revetioling over them. For those hearing it for the first time, the implications were ridiculous.

  Crimara was the oo break the silence. "How are they feeding su army?"

  An answer came, but not from Pito.

  "An Orc Lord."

  Kaori’s voice carried through the room, calm yet certain. The air grew heavier as all attention shifted to the Tengu leader.

  "An army of over two huhousand orcs," she tinued. "It’s the only reasonable expnation. Somehow, an Orc Lord has been born. A unique monster with the power to devour the fear of its allies. An army that knows no fear, marg relentlessly forward, ing the bodies of both fallen foes and rades alike, gaining strength with every battle."

  Kaede raised an eyebrow, resting her on her hand. "You don’t think we win?"

  Kaori chuckled behind her metal fan. "Lady Kaede, I suggest we keep the jokes to a minimum. The orcs? A difficult oppo? Hardly." She scoffed. "An odd question, though, especially since you have no iion of fronting this army."

  Shifu looked at Kaede in shock. "Lady Kaede," he murmured, the others following suit, all bewildered by the revetion.

  Ari spoke up, her voice tinged with . "Mother, this army has the potential to bee a true threat to us. As pitiful as orcs may seem, this... Orc Lord," she spat the name, "has the power to keep growing strohe more it devours. What’s to say it won’t turn its huoward us?"

  Kaede’s expression remained calm, her resting on her hand. "The orc army is still on the far side of Lake Siss. True, if they e at us, I'll obliterate them instantly. But as long as they stay on the western side, they pose no threat to us." She paused for a moment before tinuing, a faint smirk pying on her lips. "Besides, I already know how it will unfold."

  Internally, she mused, 'I’ll go over there, stop the orcs, and intimidate every monster in the region. They'll fall under my trol. I just want a break. Let that other presence deal with the orcs, after all, it’s way stronger.'

  Ari smiled knowingly. "Of course, you already know how the invasion will go. As expected of you, Mother."

  Kaede raised an eyebrow in fusion. 'What the hell is she talking about?'

  Meanwhile, murmurs of agreement filled the room, with everyone praising Kaede's wisdom as they nodded in approval.

  Kaede turo Pito. "Girls, I want you to keep an eye on the orc army." Then, activating her mental link, she added privately, ‘Also, find the stro monster in the west and monitor them. Protect them if necessary.’

  Pito, Charlotte, and the rest of the Leaf disappeared in a whirl of leaves, activating their collective Unique Skill, [Shadow of the Forest].

  With their departure, Kaede shifted the discussion. "Now, about Queen Towa’s request. Eryn, what did you find out?"

  Eryn straightened before speaking. "Raja is a retively small nation pared to other human nds. Some of our elves passed through it while searg for a way to repair our barriers."

  "Raja is unique in that it accepts most races without prejudice, even pg some demi-humans in high-ranking positions. However, this has made the surrounding nations hostile, always looking for an excuse to stir flict. Despite the struggles, Raja has endured, at least until a few decades ago, when their mines began poisoning their kes, worsening their situation. That’s all I could uncover."

  Kaede nodded. "Thank you, Eryn." She turo her subordinates. "It’s safe to assume Queen Towa is seeking aid."

  Everyone nodded in agreement.

  "Of course she is," Ari scoffed. "Without someone like Mother, how could they possibly hope to prosper?"

  Kaede sighed internally. '

  That was… unnecessary.'

  "Alright then," she said. "Get ready, we’ll be paying Raja a visit."

  SaberGlory