After the corrupt Elders were shut up by the other elders, Mikohime finally had time to breathe again. It seems she has a hard time trying to convince these annoying old men… the interesting thing is that all of them are men, the women are in her side, and these old men seem to not like her that much to begin with. It seems that having a female sect master goes against their stupid beliefs or something.
"You should discipline your elders a bit more, they shouldn't dare go against you this much. They might have power over some part of the sect but that doesn't mean that they can act as if they were ordering you around, they're not your parents." I said.
"I know… I just… these Elders had always been against my position as a Sect Master, but it was bound to happen as the strongest of the Winter Lotus Family at Rank 4. I was also chosen by the dragon. You see. Since I was a child that they had always been against women becoming the sect master. My older brother used to be the person they were trying to help become the sect master, but I was able to surpass him in cultivation speed and reached Rank 4 before him… Ah well, he's now missing and I don't even know where he went to… Since the war against the Jade Snakes that everything had been such a mess… These men here are just making things worse just because they still don't like me." She sighed.
"What? So these idiots really just don't like you because you're a woman? What's wrong with women being strong? are they retarded?" asked Benladann. She seemed to want to give them a piece of her mind… and a few punches.
"Yeah, they're retarded. Mikohime you're amazingly strong, the strong always governs the weak, its normal for you to become the sect master in this harsh world, your gender doesn't really say a thing about it." said Miranda.
"Indeed, they're just biased old men, probably they're salty that nurturing your brother ended in no results at the end… What baffles me is that even after all this time and the wars, they're still so unsupportive of you instead of trying to help you and everyone else so they can hang on the sect together. Almost as if they were traitorous and… would sell themselves off to the Dark Shadow Sect… Hmmm… Are you sure of their loyalty?" I asked.
"Eh?! T-They would never! I know all of them very well… They would never try to do such a thing! They had been protecting the sect since I was a baby… It would go against their very beliefs to try to sabotage the sect or treason it… It… It doesn't makes sense to me." Said Mikohime.
"I guess that's that, I can't go against your thoughts I suppose, but you shouldn't relax in front of those guys, they seem suspicious to me to say the least… Even as Rank 4, there are many ways that low-ranked can damage you or do something to you. You're not invincible." I said.
"I-I guess you're right in that regard, Drake… But Tsukuyomi is protecting me, so I trust him." said Mikohime. I guess she's very overconfident of her own strength and her dragon's power with this entire thing. I hope this doesn't end up biting her in the back when she least expects it.
"Hm, I see, I guess you're confident in your own strength in this regard, oh well, I was just trying to help you out, if you think that's the case then that's that. Anyways, I also plan in helping your sect with building resources, wood, metals, and all of that. I also thought about supplying you not only with food with armor and weapons, but probably potions also too and some things that alchemy can offer…" I said.
"S-So much help…?!" she asked.
"Yes, we should begin with repairing this temple, it is filled with holes and is rather unsightly to see. This is your residence so you must keep it pretty and clean." I said.
"B-But Drake-sama, what you've offered is already enough… W-Why do you need to help us so much? I-I know you're generous and gentle-hearted, but this is… it pains me to think that you cannot take me as a bride, I would gladly marry such a generous man!" said Mikohime, looking at me with puppy eyes. She was very desperate for me for some reason, but I had to resist, I don't want any women more than what I already have. Miranda was already unexpected and I don't want more than this if possible, I had already turned down two, and with her, three, so let's keep increasing the count instead of reducing it.
"No thanks… And well, what I want in exchange is very simple. I want your sect to… well, make an Alliance with me and become part of my Empire. I am also a sect master, but I've begun to make my own Empire that covers large areas of this continent, I had begun with the Ice Moon Sect, but I also want to add your sect into my property. This will bring you all the benefits I told you about, and more, you just simply have to join me in my crusade, and I will help your people survive and your legacy continue for many generations." I said.
"E-Empire?!" gasped Mikohime.
All the other Elders were losing their shit, even the ones supporting her.
"W-what?!"
"An empire?!"
"You're trying to conquer our sect!"
"So that's what his intention this entire time!"
"My lady, this is not right! We can't give up our sect to him…"
"We'll lose everything if we become part of an Empire, all our possessions, our legacy, our everything…!"
"No… I accept. Drake, please. What do I need to sign? I believe this is the best… for my people. I want them all to flourish and survive, I cannot possibly let them die out of selfishness for rejecting such a good opportunity… I believe my ancestor would had done the same in my situation. She was a strong woman that knew how to take the right decisions." Said Mikohime.
"Excellent! You will never regret this decision, Mikohime." I said.
