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Early the next morning.
At the Blackwing Tribe's settlement.
"Another meeting?"Edgar glanced at Eve, a little puzzled.
"Yes. Grandpa Mir said he wants to hear the master's opinion," Eve nodded. "What happened with the Demon King's army yesterday really shook him."
"That's understandable."
They talked as they walked, already drawing attention from the Blackwing tribe around them.
"Ah, that's Lord Edgar. He really is just as handsome as the stories say."
"Sigh… too bad Lord Edgar already has so many beautiful wives."
After yesterday's battle, Edgar's prestige among the Blackwing tribe had reached an unprecedented level.If not for the overwhelming presence of his followers, who made everyone else feel painfully ordinary by comparison, who knew how many Blackwing girls would have thrown themselves at him last night.
Before long, Edgar and Eve arrived at the meeting hall.
Led by Mir, the Blackwing elders all stood and bowed, respectfully inviting Edgar to take the main seat.
Edgar accepted it without hesitation.
With his strength and the massive favor he'd done them, acting humble now would just be pretending.
"Lord Edgar, about the Demon King's army yesterday, we'd like to hear your thoughts," Mir asked politely once Edgar was seated.
"In my opinion, even if that entire force was wiped out, the Demon King won't let this go," Edgar said calmly, tapping his finger on the table. "If this drags on, the Blackwing tribe will be in serious danger."
"That's exactly what we think," Mir nodded. "So we've decided to relocate the entire tribe and seek refuge with the Star Rabbit tribe."
"They're our allies, and they've always opposed the Demon King's tyranny. Joining forces with them is our best option right now."
Hearing that, Edgar agreed.
He'd originally considered having the Blackwing tribe directly defect to the kingdom.But now that he thought about it…
Picking up another allied race along the way wasn't a bad deal.
He wasn't exactly busy, after all.
And besides—
Bunny girls.
Edgar found himself looking forward to it.
Once the decision was made, the Blackwing tribe began moving almost immediately.
Thankfully, their numbers weren't large.As long as they were careful, Edgar didn't even need to step in, and they wouldn't attract unwanted attention.
About a day later, a town appeared before them.
The settlement covered a vast area, practically a small city.
Clearly, the Star Rabbit tribe had already received Mir's message and had come out in advance to welcome them.
At the front stood a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, wearing a monocle.
But Edgar's gaze wasn't on him.
It was fixed on the rabbit-eared girls behind him.
As expected.
Bunny girls really are the best.
"..."
That look… it's exactly the same as when he first saw me.
Without realizing it, the little doggirl became alert.
Star Rabbit Palace.Reception Hall.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Carroll, the chieftain of the Star Rabbit tribe. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Carroll smiled warmly. "Please, have a seat. I'm sure we have a lot to discuss."
"Prepare red tea for our guests."
"Yes, Chieftain."
Several bunny girls in maid outfits quickly left to make the preparations.
"Hello. I'm Eve, chieftain of the Blackwing tribe," Eve replied politely.
Because of her status as the divine bird's master, Mir had consulted her on the journey and formally elevated her to chieftain.
"I have to say, Chieftain Carroll, your settlement is truly astonishing," Eve praised."I've never seen a tribe this prosperous. When we first arrived, I honestly thought we'd reached a human city."
Carroll shook his head modestly. "That's not solely our achievement."
"For a long time, many races persecuted by the Demon King have gathered here. It naturally grew into what you see now."
"And with the Blackwing tribe joining us, it will surely become even more prosperous."
As they spoke, cups of red tea were placed in front of everyone, including Edgar.
"Come, everyone," Carroll stood, lifting his teacup."Let us use tea instead of wine, to celebrate in advance the cooperation between our two tribes and our shared resistance against the Demon King."
Edgar looked down at the tea in his hand, his eyes flickering slightly.
"So," he said calmly, "is poisoning red tea the Star Rabbit tribe's way of welcoming guests?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Mir and the others froze mid-motion.
"What do you mean by that, sir?"Carroll was still smiling, but anyone could see how stiff it was.
Something was very wrong.
Mir slammed his cup to the ground, shattering it. His expression darkened."Chieftain Carroll, what is the meaning of this?"
"I apologize," Carroll said, sighing deeply, his face full of regret.
"I did this entirely because of my daughter."
"She's gravely ill. Only medicine provided by the Demon King can keep her alive."
"I originally planned to poison you and hand you over to the Demon King."
"But since that failed, I suppose I'll have to do this the hard way."
As his words fell—
Figures appeared at the doors and windows, one after another, surrounding the reception hall completely.
Carroll looked at them and said quietly, "Give up. I don't want unnecessary bloodshed."
No one spoke.
All eyes turned to Edgar.
"???"
Carroll frowned slightly, confused.
Shouldn't Eve be the one calling the shots here?
"Those words," Edgar said with a smile, looking at him with amusement, "are mine to say."
In the next instant, an overwhelming pressure crashed down like a mountain.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
From every direction, the Star Rabbit warriors felt their knees buckle as they collapsed to the ground.
Only Carroll, the strongest among them, managed to remain standing.
Even so, his entire body trembled, sweat soaking through his suit.
Carroll stared at Edgar in disbelief, every cell in his body screaming in terror.
What… terrifying presence.
What kind of monster had they provoked?
This man was terrifying beyond reason.
In his entire life, not even the Demon King himself had ever made him feel this much fear through sheer presence alone.
This person—
The Star Rabbit tribe absolutely could not afford to offend him.
With just himself, he could probably slaughter their entire race.
But who was he?
Even the human Hero shouldn't possess this level of power.
"Master…"
Eve hesitated, tugging lightly at Edgar's sleeve.
"Chieftain Carroll was being threatened. I think he deserves a chance."
"Since my follower has spoken, you're lucky," Edgar shrugged.
The pressure vanished instantly.
"Hah…"
Carroll let out a long breath. If he hadn't been holding onto the wall, he would have collapsed on the spot.
Edgar walked up to him, his black-and-white eyes deep and unfathomable.
"Now then, answer my questions properly."
"Yes, sir."
"Is your daughter pretty?"
Carroll's eyelid twitched. After a moment of silence, he answered respectfully,"Before she fell ill, my daughter was the most beautiful woman of the Star Rabbit tribe."
Tch… the master's interested again.
All the followers shared the same thought.
Shana puffed out her cheeks, her tail swaying irritably.
Just as she thought.
She wouldn't be the only pet forever.
Damn rabbits.
"..."
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