The Kurenai Village mortals stood in rows in front of Tsubaki who had a cigarette patched into her mouth. Looking at them, she felt a mixture of emotions.
As someone born a mortal then hired to work for a big clan, she knew what being weak meant. However, she wasn't going to let them have it easy.
Her deriding gaze swept past all the morons, a whip materializing in her hand.
"Now, tell me, who is the one in charge of you lot. There has to be someone who monitors you, right? Get that person here and let him suffer! If he doesn't, all of you will!"
There is no such a person since Miyato is dead. That being said, the group needed someone to take the fall. Gazes swept past Tsukino who didn't flinch, then toward Lucien who remained stoic, before reaching Shinji.
The Main Character felt unstable; such attention made him give up. Walking up front, he bowls to Tsubaki.
"Excuse me for my rudeness, Bushi-sama. I'm the one in charge of this group of warriors. If there is something wrong with either one of them, please punish me.
"As the leader, it's my responsibility to know the well-being of each one of them. If you're interested in this group of 5, 423, then I can tell you their names and the weapons they use. I also have my own list which consist of the weapons they should use."
'Even among mortals this kid is humble.'
Tsubaki was taken back the way she was approached. When mortals approach her they either look at her with eyes with resentment because she is a Tama-Artist, or glare lustfully at the paradise she carries on her chest. However, this brat's gentle... too gentle.
Dropping her thoughts, she observes Shinji more, asking, "Are you a man?"
Shinji furrows his brows for a second, but lets his rage go away with a chuckle.
"I didn't know that Bushi-sama likes to joke around."
Tsubaki tosses the cigarette to the ground, "You're too beautiful to be a man." She steps on the cigarette, showing a light smile, "My name is Tsubaki, pretty boy."
"I will keep that in mind, Tsubaki-san," Shinji said with a chuckle, thinking, 'She is friendly. Too friendly.'
Turning around, Tsubaki crosses her arm around Shinji's back, speaking in a hushed tone, "Now, give your men commands; after you're done, come to me. I need to test if your skills are worthy enough to lead this group."
The black haired samurai stepped to the side after finishing her words, living the beige-haired boy sweating.
'This is bad. I don't like this woman in the slightest.'
Turning around, the young man shows a cold visage to ensure dominance.
"As you all know, our residential houses were destroyed during the profound beasts invasion that killed our benevolent Tama-Artists.
"Now, you all are to build your own places to sleep, whether you do it in groups is up to you. We also need those that build restrooms and dig wells.
"Just like always, take breaks when you're tired, don't force yourselves, you're not slaves. You're free to eat anything from the orchard.
"You can take the crops and vegetables to make your own meals, but you need to plant some back. Some of you can hunt profound beasts if you want meat; Tsubaki-san will give you seasoning just like the Tama-Artists of the past did.
"We are here to build a healthy relationship with her. All of you can address her casually, just like what we did in the past. Now, go to do what you have been tasked."
Tsubaki who knew nothing about the age regiment camp, believed Shinji's lies. She looked at the ground in obloquy.
'Was I being rude with them? I heard mortals were treated like junk hear from the rumors, so I thought I should do the same in a nicer way.
'I've never been so humiliated in my life.'
The 36-year-old was looking for a hole to hide.
On the other hand, the mortals were now giving Shinji an assortment of envious glares. They had given up on the chance to paradise because they were afraid of threats.
***
Meanwhile, in Kushi Village, the news of Muyo's tragic fate had reached every mortal household. The villages had gathered in the mountain where he trained to lay him to rest.
Plum blossoms gently fell upon the group of mortals dressed in black kimonos, gathered to pay their respects to the greatest warrior of Kushi Village with the highest number of loses: Chikoro Muso!
Muso, a skilled swordsman from a young age, like many men from Kushi Village, lay on a simple wooden pallet, his remains wrapped in a purple cloth.... well, many were askant about the remains being his, but out of everyone banged by Lucy's silver hammer, he had it tough, so it had to be him.
His comrades, who fought alongside him in countless battles, stood around him with bowed heads, their faces etched in tears, as the sound of his final words echoed in their minds —a challenge to a person who whooped his ass for years.
Soon, his wife and children came to see what was left of him. They knew one day daddy would be gone, but not in such a brutal manner. Their rage for the culprit mixed with their grief of the memories of loved one they are never going to see brought upon storms of sadness —daddy is never going to come back.
As the beautiful women perform traditional dances to bid farewell to the departed legend, the mortal men accompanied themselves with the somber sounds of sniffs, sobs, and shovels hitting the earth as they laid their comrades to rest.
The mountainous landscape was shrouded in grief as if the very earth itself mourned the loss of Chikoro Muso. Suddenly, the heavens began to weep alongside the warriors, but the rain masked their tears as they continued digging the grave.
Memories of Muso flooded their minds:
A child to the childless, a brother to the brotherless, a friend to the friendless, and a father to the fatherless. Most of all, he was their hero – a selfless leader who had inspired awe and devotion.
Never once had Muso complain about rescuing his people. When food was scarce, he would hunt to feed them; if there was still not enough, he would rather go hungry himself than let his people suffer.
Despite being the leader with the most losses in Kushi Village's history, Muso's victories in their hearts were towering.
As the old saying goes: "Even if my father wears ragged clothes, I will still love him. I would rather give him my clothes and go naked than watch him suffer."
Yet, the people of Kushi Village had failed to reciprocate Muso's selflessness when he needed it most. As his suspected remains lay, they could only watch, powerless due to not interfering.
When the mortals were about to lay the remains to rest, a handsome bastard kicks them, snickering, "What are you morons doing? Why are wasting your time with a loser's body?"
The mortals frown, ready to beat the shit out of the bastard; however, noticing him they stepped back in fright.
The 23-year-old young man, tan skinned, muscular, and handsome, with two beauties unceremoniously cuddling him.
In this New Age, only legends like him blessed with good looks and fortune could have the luxury of having two women, since it is usually the ladies having multiple lovers.
Shamelessly spanking the maidens, the white-haired youth prompted a giggle out of them. Gently getting away from them, he walks over to a tree.
In a swift move, Shoji punches the cedar tree to the ground in one move.
"Why are you mourning for a loser when you have me, the man who is going to give you morons more victories?'