Chapter 462

Day 105 – Daytime, Gamerein Commonwealth, Royal Castle

How long had it been since the royal castle of Gamerein last welcomed foreign guests? These days, it was rare for any proper visitors to come to our land at all. Those who did arrive were almost always the uninvited sort, vile, armed slave hunters and merchants, thieves without the honor of warriors, without pride, relying on poisoned blades, magic, and magical tools to fight in cowardly ways. The kingdom, long cut off from us, had resisted being forced into hostility, and even while embroiled in civil war, they drove back the army of slave hunters that had invaded our country. They even left behind and distributed to our people a large haul of supplies captured from the Confederation.

「The delegation from the kingdom has already reached the woodlands. After taking lunch at the outer edge of it, they departed again. Here are the details.」

「And what of that tactician rascal? I understand selling him foodstuffs, but why must we go so far as to entertain that brat, it’s infuriating.」

For a nation like ours, which has no exports, being able to trade the condiments said to have been handed down from the ancient beastmen sage ape tribes is a great boon. Though we beastmen possess the greatest physical strength of the continent’s races, without weapons or armor we are at a disadvantage against the humans. Differences in numbers mean nothing to us beastmen, but fighting without protection, being already poor with magic as we are, we end up falling to their cowardly poisons and spells and hunted down.

Our numbers continue to decline, and the strongest of us are even fewer still. Yet if we could equip even just those strongest, the fate of our nation could change. The cowardly humans of the Theocracy or the Confederation, who can only fight with their petty, underhanded tactics, we could invade and destroy them. I understand that this requires money, but that is the concern of lowborn merchants. For us, proud warriors, to have to deal with a low-level human who hides behind women and merely gives orders, this is the height of humiliation.

「It seems… The only low-level man present was apparently a servant, and was preparing the meal. No other presence was sensed in the carriages…」

「Beast King-sama, once word came that the tactician-dono was arriving, receiving him became a necessity. The trade is important, and we cannot allow any discourtesy. But more than that, he is the leader of the black-haired warriors who saved our helpless people from the Confederation’s slave hunting forces and even provided us with supplies. There must be no offense. And accompanying him are none other than Princess Shariceres, daughter of King Diorer, and Lord Omui, the frontier king, who have aided us despite the risk of making enemies of other nations in order to uphold our ancient alliance. Show them the highest level of hospitality.」

「I know that! You’re tedious. I’m sick of hearing the same thing over and over. I may be a warrior, but I am also a king, I understand diplomacy and courtesy well enough.」

Regardless of my various thoughts on humans, I would bow my head as many times as necessary to the royal house of Diorer. Especially King Diarusez, who, in defiance of the Theocracy and the church faction that refuses to recognize us beastmen as people, upheld our alliance even to the point of civil war, and in the midst of his own nation’s crisis still sent the black-haired warriors to repel the Confederation’s slave hunting forces and sink their fleet. Could I possibly repay such a debt with rudeness?

And while a king, I’m also a warrior of the beastmen. Of course, to the black-haired warriors, transcendents and great benefactors, and to the black-haired warrior princesses among them, I will show the utmost respect. Not to mention Princess Shariceres Knight Princess and daughter of King Diorer, and Lord Omui, hero of the frontier, who come as his envoys. There could be no question of disrespect. We beastmen, even toward humans, do not forget to honor the strong, least of all when they are our benefactors and heroes. They will be welcomed without reserve.

「What of the heads of the high-ranking clans?」

「They have all already arrived. However, given that the tactician-sama himself is coming this time, I have been explaining the situation to them repeatedly.」

Of course, it goes without saying, it is inevitable. To show respect to the strong is only natural for a warrior, and for one of high rank, gratitude toward those to whom they owe a debt is equally natural. In that case, holding in contempt what is merely a greedy clown is just as inevitable. But still, proper courtesy must be shown, for the sake of those heroic benefactors who serve him, and for the sake of earning foreign currency to build the foundation of Gamerein’s future.

I will resign to this humiliation. Even if it means bowing my head and dishing out flatteries and pleasantries, I must secure weapons and armor, gain the strength to protect the beastmen, and strike down the humans who call us animals. Having a great ambition however does not make selling my pride any less humiliating.

「All the clan heads have the resolve when the time comes. But even if they understand it in their heads, to stand alongside the weak and cowardly is a shame to the pride of the beastmen, and the thought of conversing with such people is unbearable. We understand it, but we are not merchant riffraff; we are proud warriors. Do not lecture us.」

「If you truly understood, I would not speak at such length. They are guests of King Diorer himself. Any discourtesy on our part would shame King Diorer and smear mud upon his face. To repay kindness with insult, that would be the true disgrace for a warrior. I beg you, please restrain yourself.」

「Persistent! I said I understand!」

Called beasts and animals, not recognized as humans, we have suffered countless humiliations and long years of persecution. After hardship, we withdrew into the forest, reduced our numbers, yet still hunted and enslaved. It is Diorer in whom we have trust and respect, we have no faith or hopes for humanfolk. And yet now, to play merchants with a foreign jester… I understand it, but…

「Did you succeed in inviting the black-haired warriors who, visited the clans in the forest earlier, providing them with food, clothing, and medicine, and even hunting down the Confederation’s hunters?」

「Yes, we informed them of the arrival date just the other day.」

「Good. Take care that there is no discourtesy. It’s not just the occasion, they are also the people who drove off the Confederation’s slave hunting forces and saved our people, they must be met with the highest honor.」

「That is a given. And I am saying the same honor, or more, must be shown to the tactician-dono as well. He is the leader of those black-haired warriors. Even the slightest disrespect would insult both the warriors who serve him and King Diorer himself. Do not forget this for a moment.」

Humans have a custom of taking the achievements of others as their own. Even military feats are said to be credited to commanders or tacticians. I know this, but that does not mean I can accept it, and it only makes my irritation worse. But I have already said I will endure any humiliation, if the future of Beastmen Country is at stake, yet he wouldn’t stop pestering me with this. No wonder the goatfolk are so often found tiresome.

「Your Majesty, the guests’ carriage has been sighted. Please prepare yourself.」

「I’ve been ready for some time. Let’s go.」

Too soon, the report of their rest at the forest’s edge came only moments ago, and now they are here already? If the message from the couriers was delayed, they could have said so earlier. I have been prepared since morning to avoid any lapse in courtesy, and if the one to be honored is worthy of our gratitude, then even a king will gladly perform the rites… but to think it is for the sake of a jester, the mere thought stirs my anger. Could I really be blamed for feeling a certain resentment when wondering if I became a King to suffer this kind of humiliation?

「Her Highness Princess Shariceres de Diorer of the Kingdom of Diorer, Lord Mellotosam Shim Omui, Margrave of the Kingdom, and Haruka-sama, guest of the Kingdom of Diorer, with their party, entering!」

The crystals of the chandelier reflect the flames of the great hall, casting a wavering light across the room. Along the walls, radiance and shadow alternate, creating intricate silhouettes akin to an exquisite shadow play.

The doors open.

Beauty is strength, and at times, it can even intimidate others. Golden hair caught the brilliance cast by the chandelier, flashing radiantly and casting it back, an overwhelming beauty that rendered the masses in the hall as insignificant as roadside stones.

Yet everyone knew, or, even without knowing, could feel the dignity of a true strong one. Her features, as if sculpted by the gods themselves, brimmed with refinement; as lovely as a softly polished heavenly jewel, draped in a resplendent gown so splendid it could make onlookers faint, the descent of a beautiful goddess. But her true nature was that of a warrior: Princess Shariceres de Diorer, the Sword Princess, a royal general of the kingdom. The very air quivered under the pressure of her beauty and strength, even the shadows of the hall froze against the walls, unmoving. Beneath that graceful, lovely exterior drifted the unmistakable aura of a valiant, true warrior as she walked forward.

Behind her walked a living legend, neither adopting a posture of reverence nor exuding might, moving with relaxed, natural grace. He advanced without any bluster or intimidation, yet not a single gap showed in his bearing.

The beastman chieftains, veterans of many battles, gazed up at him in reverence and fear, yet their eyes also alight with a dazzled respect. This was none other than Mellotosam Shim Omui, the War God, undefeated as a swordsman, said to turn any army under his command into a great blade ripping the enemy to shreds. It was only natural. The Omui family, guardians of the perilous frontier known as the Demon Lands, had long been part of legend, and he would surely leave his name blazing in that lineage, the pacifier of the frontier. The kingdom’s sword that struck down the worst of monsters now stood before them. His entire presence was saying that even if all of us here joined together, we could not so much as step upon the faint reflection of his shadow on the polished floor of this hall.

And last came the group that followed behind… the crowd drew in their breath, blinking as if unsure whether they were awake. They doubted their own eyes, such a thing could not exist in reality, so perhaps this was a dream.

A clown and the black-haired knight order, a group of foreigners that could as easily be a play as the subject of countless tales. A group shrouded in mystery, credited with innumerable feats of arms. We had heard they were sometimes mocked as a knightly order of vanity but those black-haired warriors had already carved multiple legends in our own country and proven their martial might. No one here was truly taking them lightly, and yet, we had underestimated them, we couldn’t even imagine this.

We had heard so many heroic tales like those from fairytales, clearing dungeons and culling monsters from the Evil Forest as if taking a stroll, cutting down thousands soldiers and sending tens of thousands fleeing, even slaying dungeon masters. And still, we had underestimated them. We had thought them merely the strongest warband in this world, but it was not their warband that inspired awe. Each one of them was a legend, a hero, a champion. We had thought them a miraculous band of dozens of mighty warriors gathered together, yet the miracle was that so many heroes and champions existed in the first place.

They surpass the very concept of 『Strong』. Transcendents over Level 100, clad in the finest of arms and armor, marching in perfect, unbroken order, every step calm and deliberate. Each one of them is a wonder and each one a threat. The condescension that they were merely a dreadfully powerful unit vanished, here was a host of heroes worthy to rival an army of a nation, a legion of champions who could themselves become legend.

…And at their head, that sullen-faced, dissatisfied, insolent boy barely Level 25. The disrespect, a man who, far from being worthy to lead heavenly heroes, should not even be permitted to step on their shadows, walking before the champions… That was the clown, the black-haired tactician.

A tactician… Only a coward can fully grasp the tricks of another coward, only one who can think in underhanded ways can foil a vile intrigue. To oppose a scheming tactician who seeks to deceive, entrap, and ruin, one must have a tactician of one’s own, such is a necessary evil for a king.

A smooth-tongued pretender who lines up petty, clever-sounding plans, a man of words full of complaints dressed as counsel, a weakling who cannot fight. Once battle begins, he hides deep within the ranks, squawking nervously to do this and that, a mere chatterer. And yet, precisely because he possesses a corrupt cunning and is cowardly, he can detect the traps of other cowards. Precisely because he is weak, he will desperately maneuver his troops in the optimal way to protect himself. A necessary evil on the battlefield. Like a canary in a coal mine, ever chattering and noisy, but sensing danger because of his fear, never failing to notice a threat.

The hall, wrapped moments ago in awed reverence, grew dim. The insolent attitude of the distasteful jester caused faces to twist in displeasure, as they swallowed down their anger.

Above all, here we were, hosting him as a guest out of our debt to the royal house of Diorer, and yet he showed no awareness of his place, an arrogant demeanor unbefitting the likes of him. On the battlefield, a tactician like him cowers and hides, but in peacetime he puts on airs and pretends to wisdom, this one beyond all bounds. He did not bow his head, kept a dissatisfied look in his eyes, avoided even making eye contact as if he had no interest, and twisted his mouth in disapproval without so much as a token polite smile.

We, who have long been discriminated against and oppressed as beasts, can recognize it, we cannot help but recognize it. Those are the eyes of one who looks down on others. Those are the eyes of one who holds others in contempt. Those eyes are saying that even finding us loathsome is beneath him… and such a man is an honored guest of the royal house of Diorer?! Yet, it is precisely his economic power as a merchant that Beastmen Country needs. The kingdom must have made the bitter decision to rely on this boy’s financial means and the strength of his champions… At the same time, I have heard they have suffered through numerous dungeon stampedes, and that to keep the nation from falling, His Highness the King’s younger brother, then king regent, went in person to the frontier to welcome them. Diorer endures this humiliation, swallowing the bitterness. If so, then we of Gamerein, indebted to that kingdom, can refuse no humiliation.

We need only endure this one day here. We beastmen have been scorned as beasts because we lose ourselves to anger. But never have we forgotten a debt. Were we to repay kindness with harm, it would reduce us to less than beasts.