The System Sent Me to Breed an All-Female Amazon Tribe-Chapter 92: The Children of Sakura’s Stepmothers
***
After Benjamin had bathed—dressed in the same simple tunic he had initially arrived in, and gathered a small bundle of souvenirs (some delicate lacquered boxes of sweets, a few carved wooden charms, and a silk scarf dyed the exact shade of warm pink) for the Amazons—he was led into a humongous temple.
The building was nearly wide enough to fit half a village inside; The towering pillars of dark wood rose to a vaulted ceiling painted with constellations and blooming cherry branches, as incense smoke drifted in lazy spirals.
Soft light filtered through paper screens, turning the atmosphere golden and lively.
"Was it because people like Kuzunoha and Leorin were giants that some buildings here are so big?" Benjamin muttered aloud as he was guided toward the center.
The temple was already filled with people, different beastkin from every corner of Shishi-no-su; Fox people with elegant tails, Tanuki people with rounded ears, rabbit men with twitching noses, tengu with their folded wings, and even a few more bizarre forms he could not quite place.
But one thing was that, all of them were silent and deeply respectful, as they watched him go by.
Near the center of the great temple stood the familiar fox sisters and the bunnies, surrounded by several high-ranking figures he had not officially met yet:
A brown-haired raccoon lady radiating queenly grace, with her hair neatly brushed, and her eyes well-defined and expressive.
A human-looking woman in a flowing red regal robe who had a serene countenance, but was still unmistakably commanding.
A younger-looking woman with slanted yellow pupils well set in black sclera, with her slit tongue flicking out occasionally as though trying to taste the air.
And last of them was a muscular man, his arms and masculine features visible through the furry dress he wore. With bear ears and a short, snug tail peeking from brown pants, he gripped a seemingly heavy scepter in one massive hand.
In truth, no much introductions were needed before Benjamin could tell.
He realized instantly that these were the rulers of the districts of Shishi-no-su, and the children of Sakura’s stepmothers.
The entire hall fell pitch silent, the music stopping, the moment Benjamin stepped fully into view of everyone.
Then Sakura rose from her cushion on the high platform were she was.
She wore the queenly garb of the Japanese from Benjamin’s former world: layered silk in deep crimson and gold, with the sleeves flowing like water, and her hair pinned with jade combs.
One could say, majesty clung to her like perfume.
"Welcome, Benjamin Mark," her voice echoed with solemnity. "On this day, you depart from Shishi-no-su. But we want you to know... that you are always welcome to return at any time, as you have become more than just a mere visitor to our great land."
Benjamin was a bit taken aback at Sakura’s majestic calm; he thought she would be more familiar and casual.
So he nodded at her words and bowed deeply, then raised his head and flashed her a bright, genuine smile, sending the telepathic message: [You’re doing well, Sakura!]
She flinched visibly from her high post, as a weak blush crept across her cheeks. But then she quickly regained her composure, clearing her throat.
"Ahem. Please, step atop the white ring at the middle," she told him, gesturing toward the intricate circular lines etched into the stone floor. "And do not be wary, it is a teleportation circle."
[Of course I won’t be worried, I trust you.] [Ben]
"...The teleportation circle will take you directly to Verdant Spire. Since the vulnerability spell cast on you has not worn off yet, there is risk of you being kidnapped if you are simply teleported there without the protection."
[You mean, there is risk of me being kidnapped AGAIN, due to the vulnerability spell YOU cast on me?] [Ben]
[B-Benjamin! Please... I already apologized for that! And stop speaking to my mind, I’ll fumble, you know!] [Saku]
[Ahaha! Sorry, sorry!] [Ben]
After their small and in-mind banter, Benjamin finally stepped onto the high platform.
The circular stone was carved with intricate lines and ancient characters that shone dimly under the temple’s soft lantern light.
He stood at the center, turning slowly, with his neck craning, and his legs shifting as he took in the sea of faces surrounding him; hundreds of them, maybe thousands. A wave of beastkin packed into the vast hall.
And their eyes unmistakably shone with unrestricted emotion: pride, affection, something close to grief it was all laid bare in their expressions.
So much so, it made him chuckle tenderly, the sound of the sweet, androgynous laughter carrying farther than he expected in the suddenly hushed space.
"Uhm, thanks for having me, you guys!" he exclaimed, raising both of his arms in a wide and sincere gesture. "We’ll meet again soon, I promise."
Sakura smiled at his pure gesture, then breathed calmly.
"Very well, then... Farewell, Benjamin Mark," She raised her hand, with her palm open, and her fingers trembling just slightly.
"..."
"..."
She was not doing anything besides standing there like a statue.
Princess Lily made a dry smile before stepping closer to her sister. "Onee-sama, I believe it is time for you to—"
"No!!!" Sakura’s voice broke into a sudden, childish whine, as she shook her head furiously, her pink hair whipping across her face. "I don’t want Benjamin to go just yet!! Another week! Please, stay another week so I can breathe in a century’s worth of your scent!"
"Heavens! Desist at once, Onee-sama!" Lily threw her arm, her small tail fidgeting once in exasperation. "We have the citizens of Shishi-no-su here, please act accordingly!"
"No, no, no, no!" Sakura refused, stomping one foot like a petulant child, her ears flattening on her head.
The crowd only let out a gentle ripple of soft and fond laughter. After all, they understood their queen can be a bit of a child at times, and... they haven’t been seeing much of that child lately, so they even liked it.
However, beneath their chortles, most of them had some tears in their eyes, and not from laughing too hard.
The fox sisters stood silent, nevertheless. Even Midori—who had been the merriest person the night before—kept her head bowed, and her lips pressed tight, with her ears drooping.
And for some reason Benjamin couldn’t quite place, Usagi-sama was seated among the high-ranking members on the platform, looking unusually solemn.
He then spoke softly, his gender-neutral voice carrying through the stillness.
"Sakura... trust me. I’ll come back again. I never abandon that which I love. And I love you very much, okay?"
He turned to the sisters.
"Uhm... you were all fun to be around, but the most important thing is that you all taught me different aspects of the world that I didn’t know. Really, I enjoyed all our time together, and I’ll love to still be in touch with you guys."
Gin closed her mouth with a hand, trembling and holding back the urge to say something selfish and petty.
Benjamin then moved his gaze to Usagi.
"Ahaha, I don’t know what you’re doing up there with the higher-ups, but your cuteness has been a breath of fresh air for me. I love you too."
Then he moved his eyes to Lily.
"And I love Princess Lily."
She reacted instantly, with her golden hair shifting as she looked away with flushing cheeks.
"And I love Silverøse, and I love those attendants who always come to take care of me, and I love all the children—who are actually in their thirties—and wish for them to grow healthily and strong... uh, like me. And I love Shishi-no-su more than any of you imagine."
He turned to face the district leaders seated closest to Sakura.
"I wasn’t opportune to meet with you all officially," he said, bowing deeply. But when he rose, his smile was bright and toothy, completely unguarded. "But I’m certain I would love you all as well."
Then the silence fell again, as Benjamin kept quiet.
And, all at once, out of the blue, the entire hall began to sing. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦
A warm, rolling melody rose from every throat, like a tranquil waterfall. Or like the sound of rain.
And somewhere in the back a single flute joined in, so clear...... and so evocative.
The lyrics flowed like a river:
Shishi-no-su has found a gem, one that beautifies the nation
We shall forever treasure the gem; we shall forever hold it in our hearts
The gem is the reason we laugh and smile, the gem is the reason we have no fear
We shall forever treasure the gem in our place of work, battlefield, and in our beds, O legend of the great nation, Shishi-no-su~
