Ch.131King Maker #1

Perhaps it was because we avoided a war that should have erupted, or maybe because peace had lasted too long. I couldn’t be sure, but I definitely felt uneasy about the situation.

When I was ignorant, everything seemed fine, but now that I understood the flow of events, I felt strangely tense. If not for my mental fortitude, I probably wouldn’t have been able to sleep properly due to anxiety. I was newly impressed by the power of mental strength.

“Is it that they cannot control their power because of peace, or do they think the time has come…?”

Ise muttered with a sigh as he skimmed through the documents I had brought. What he held were reports from spies we had sent to the Beast-folk Nation. Though we couldn’t know exactly what the Empire was planning, there were several unusual pieces of news.

“They might just be making empty threats.”

“It would be fortunate if it stopped at empty threats. But the fact remains that the Empire is showing unprecedented movements.”

It had already been a month since we began sending spies. They were dispatched to various regions in both the Empire and the Beast-folk Nation, working hard to send information like this. They carefully gauged the atmosphere and cautiously listened for intelligence without alerting the Empire.

Thanks to their efforts, the information, which had been slow to come at first, had improved greatly in both quality and quantity. Ise seemed to recognize this too, nodding with a slightly brighter expression than before. Though the situation wasn’t ideal, it wasn’t entirely grim either.

“Anyway, if the Empire is trying to make some kind of proposal to the Beast-folk Nation… we should extend our hand as well.”

“…Do you have a method in mind?”

Without hesitation after hearing my question, Ise tapped the documents on the desk and slowly began to speak.

“I think it would be good to insert ourselves into the Selection Ceremony mentioned in this report. If we assume the Empire has decided on war and is trying to draw in the Beast-folk Nation… we must at least ensure they remain neutral. It’s undoubtedly dangerous, but resolving this matter without risk would be difficult.”

He was right. I nodded in agreement with Ise’s words. We couldn’t know for certain whether war would break out, but we couldn’t just sit idly by. If we were to relax and think, “Surely there won’t be a war,” we might end up dead. The situation was clearly precarious.

“You’re right. Then I should head to the Beast-folk Nation.”

“Yes. According to the report, of the twelve tribal heirs participating in the Selection Ceremony, five have been eliminated, leaving only seven. If we want to make contact, we should hurry. Whether they’ll accept our extended hand is uncertain, but…”

“We can’t just sit back and do nothing.”

As Ise nodded in agreement, I shifted my gaze to the report. The Selection Ceremony had already been underway for half a year, and nearly half the participants had been eliminated. We needed to make contact before the numbers dwindled further. Whether it worked out or not, that was our only option. Ise seemed to think so too.

“For this purpose… I think it would be best to approach the weakest faction, but what do you think?”

“It’s difficult, but that’s our only path.”

Those who are doing well have no reason to accept help from others. Ise’s suggestion made sense, and I agreed with it. We needed to negotiate with those who were desperate; those who were already satisfied wouldn’t listen to our proposals.

Aligning with the weaker side would inevitably be challenging, but it was far better than not making any connection at all. The neutral ones would likely just waste time without committing.

.

There are twelve Beast-folk tribes, and each selects one representative to participate in the Selection Ceremony. The ceremony is conducted according to the principle of survival of the strongest, allowing everything from poisoning attempts and assassinations to direct confrontations.

It continues until only one remains, either by killing or subduing the others—a truly brutal event that directly translates the logic of the wild. After all, survival of the fittest is the basic principle of nature.

“Ugh…”

Helena groaned as she watched me pack my things. Unlike when I tried to enter the Empire to seek revenge on a merchant, she couldn’t dissuade me because of the danger—that’s how serious the situation was.

Of course, the possessive Helena didn’t simply accept my decision to go. She strongly objected and insisted on coming along. Moreover, since I planned to leave Ellen behind as well, I faced even more fierce opposition—at least until three hours ago.

“Don’t worry too much. Ive is coming with me.”

“Even so… can’t you change your mind now?”

“As you know, Helena, we can’t just sit around doing nothing in this situation.”

To make an impact at the Selection Ceremony, one needed the appropriate abilities. From that perspective, Helena and Ellen would be invaluable assets, but they were too conspicuous to bring along. I emphasized this point and spent the night persuading her physically.

“…You must return safely.”

Eventually, as if running out of arguments, she reluctantly uttered those words. Though with Ive by my side, I didn’t expect much danger, but her concern stemmed from the unpredictability of the world.

Understanding her worry, I packed the holy water regularly sent from the church and prepared ample weapons. The holy water, though limited in quantity since it was smuggled in unexpectedly, was reassuring due to its excellent effectiveness. While this continent had potions made from processed monster blood, holy water was even more effective.

When I first brought up this matter, I wondered if I really needed to go. But with the recommendation of my calm father-in-law, and my own agreement with the idea, I decided to set out. Moreover, I wasn’t going alone; Ive, who was capable of handling various situations, would accompany me. That was reassuring enough not to be afraid.

“Um, Your Grace… I’m ready.”

Perhaps nobility wasn’t for me. Just then, with a knock, the door opened, and Ive cautiously poked her head through the gap.

“Thank you. I’m ready too, so let’s—” “Wait.”

As I was about to get up to leave, Helena’s voice held me back. Wondering what it was this time, I turned toward her, only to see her looking not at me but at Ive.

“I need to speak with Ive alone… could you wait a moment?”

She needed to talk. The intensity in Helena’s eyes as she said this made it clear that it was something she absolutely had to say. I could only nod in agreement.

.

When Helena leaves her post, commotion naturally arises and spreads by word of mouth. However, when Helena is in place, such things don’t happen, and since what’s occurring is expected, it avoids suspicious glances.

Where the needle goes, the thread follows, as they say. Helena’s obsession and madness have been known to the world for a long time, and as if to prove it, Helena Krauser stays wherever her husband Zion is. This was common knowledge among the people of Krauser Duchy, and even throughout the kingdom.

That’s why Zion had decided to go to the Beast-folk Nation without Helena. It was a strategic move, exploiting the gap that Helena wouldn’t just watch as Zion departed. This decision followed the conclusion that Zion was the only one with the authority and power to resolve the situation, after discussions with Ise. Moreover, the duchy’s magician Ive would accompany him.

With the capabilities of the man she had raised, he could escape even if facing a Master. Helena had reached this conclusion not out of favoritism but with a cold eye, yet she couldn’t bear to send Zion away due to worry. That was the case until just a few hours ago—if not for the persuasion she had always been subjected to.

“Are you well-prepared?”

“Yes. Don’t worry.”

Sitting across a desk from each other, Helena asked with concern, and Ive nodded firmly. Without the flashy characteristics of Helena or Ellen, she was suitable for a quiet mission, and her abilities were more than adequate for this task. Helena, as the ruler of the land, knew this well but wanted one final confirmation.

“Good. Considering Zion’s skills and your power, I think you’ll be safe. But still, you can’t let your guard down. Understand?”

“Yes. I understand well.”

With a personality far from arrogance and an awareness of the dangerous path ahead, Ive’s expression and voice, much stiffer than usual, helped calm Helena’s anxious heart.

“Seeing you say that reassures me. But take care of yourself too.”

Though it was an unwelcome departure, Ive was still an indispensable person, and they shared a bond through their affection for the same man. She had also given the great gift of youth. So it was natural for Helena to genuinely worry about Ive.

Recognizing this sincerity, Ive responded with even more determination in her eyes, as if moved.

“Thank you. I will protect the Duke with my life, or by killing anyone who becomes a threat.”

Though her words carried the chilling implication that she would unhesitatingly bloody her hands if necessary, Helena nodded with satisfaction. There was an understanding between people who shared the same level of obsession.

.

Ive and I rode toward what had been an Elven ‘slave’ village until a few years ago but was now an ordinary pioneer settlement. Originally, I had intended to keep them as slaves until my death, but I changed my mind and freed them from slavery. Instead, I attached a few conditions, though they weren’t particularly burdensome.

From the moment I removed the yoke of slavery, we engaged in constant dialogue, exchanges, and occasional friction. As a result, the thinking of the proud Elves changed considerably, and their view toward the duchy lost much of its hostility.

Thanks to this, I could comfortably plan and execute a journey to the Beast-folk Nation with the help of the Elves. Going through Elven territory was the fastest way to reach the Beast-folk Nation.

“Welcome.”

As we reached the village filled with herb gardens, a female Elf who had been waiting for us greeted us with a bright smile. It was Eileen, who had once advocated for using us.

From my previous perspective, she had been an extremely uncomfortable woman, but the power of time was truly remarkable. Now she acted as if the past had never happened, behaving gently and accommodatingly.

“Ah. Is Eileen our guide today?”

Thanks to sincere repentance and compromise, we had become quite comfortable with each other, though I still addressed her informally. When our relationship improved, I had tried to use formal speech, but Eileen strongly objected. When I first heard her say that, I was inwardly surprised that such a proud woman could bow her head so readily…

“Yes. I had just finished my shift. Oh, Lady Ive is here too.”

“Ah, hello…?”

When Eileen greeted her warmly, Ive shyly bowed her head in response. Eileen addressed Ive as “Lady” because she knew well her high position in our territory. She had even recently stepped down from her position as village chief, which made me think how much she had changed.

After dismounting with Ive, I approached Eileen and spoke.

“You’ve heard the news?”

“Yes. You plan to blend in with our procession to reach the forest, and then move quickly from there?”

“That’s right. To get to the Beast-folk Nation, crossing through your territory is definitely the most efficient.”

Elves are proud and rarely interact with outsiders, naturally resulting in few people entering their territory. Now they seem to be at a crossroads about whether to open their doors wider, but no decision has been made yet. For us, this was fortunate as it allowed us to move freely without attracting attention.

“To think you have to mix with those smelly Beast-folk… you really have it tough.”

Eileen wasn’t being sarcastic; she genuinely expressed sympathy. Moreover, it was a well-known fact that Beast-folk had a stronger body odor than ordinary people, so I couldn’t refute it. It would have been strange to defend them unnecessarily.

“One smell is much like another. Anyway, where should we board?”

“I’ve prepared a cargo wagon over there. Let me lead the way.”

Eileen maintained her smile as she turned and led the way to the wagon. Her walk seemed to strangely emphasize her buttocks, enough to make observers tilt their heads. The paradoxical phrase “natural awkwardness” came to mind.

Ive seemed to have the same thought, as she asked in a very low voice beside me.

“Why is she swaying her hips like that?”

“Who knows. Maybe she’s loosening up her stiff body. It makes sense if she’s been riding a horse.”

“Ah…”

What’s with that “ah”?

Even I could tell it was a seductive gesture, but this innocent child seemed to believe my words at face value, even expressing admiration. Her naivety, which made her seem so easily deceived, made me sigh.