Ch.178Outside. Winds of Change (2)

Islras, one of the many islands of the Duchy of Microssia.

This place was filled with beastkin everywhere.

The former human royal palace, which now served as the residence of the Beastkin King, was no exception.

“Nya! Leoneo demands that you stop blocking nya-nya’s path!”

“Woof woof-!”

A cat beastkin and a dog beastkin were chasing some insect like mad. The Beastkin King was watching them with a dejected expression.

They were so absorbed that they seemed to consider even the Beastkin King as an obstacle in their way.

The Beastkin King would have preferred to step aside if possible, but he couldn’t. He was currently communicating with an important figure.

‘If young ones played like that, it would at least be cute.’

But those two were both adults.

And not just any adults, but middle-aged ones. They were well past the age where chasing bugs should be entertaining.

Still, he didn’t feel like scolding them.

The cat beastkin running around with an expression of pure joy had once been a powerful warrior who had served as the chief of a tribe. However, about seven years ago, after injuring his head in a battle with the knights of the border count, he began showing signs of regression.

There were many others who had been severely injured in battles against humans.

Most would normally die without proper treatment, but quite a few survived as disabled individuals thanks to their tenacious vitality and the care of their kind. That fellow was one of them.

Yes, he could chase bugs if he wanted. It wasn’t particularly disruptive, so he could just let it…

No, that wouldn’t work.

“Stay still nya!”

The deranged cat had the audacity to use the Beastkin King’s shoulder as a foothold to leap into the air. Immediately after, he caught the bug and howled with joy. Finally, the Beastkin King growled and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

“Nya!”

“…Take him away. Tell him to play by climbing trees or something.”

“Yes, Lord Leoneo.”

As a lizardman followed the Beastkin King’s instructions and took the cat beastkin away, the dog beastkin, left alone, awkwardly wandered around before finally disappearing.

Soon after, the sound of barking suggested he was playing with his kind.

Having finally regained his composure, Leoneo let out a short sigh. Then he looked back at the crystal ball that was glowing brilliantly.

He was currently communicating with an acquaintance in the Empire.

The Duke of Microssia, Erick Wellesley, was his counterpart.

He was the owner of all the islands that made up the duchy, including Islras where the beastkin lived. Though he didn’t visit the duchy often, he seemed to care about it, looking after various aspects.

It was thanks to this that the Beastkin King could freely ask Erick for advice. Besides, without Erick, there was no one else to turn to for help.

“I apologize, Duke. Please continue. A fight broke out among humans on Turias Island.”

“A fight?”

“Yes. A Dragon Turtle appeared there, so I went to subjugate it, but the atmosphere was tense. It seems the local powers were fighting for control of the island. When I showed interest, they started arguing again, each asking me to take their side.”

“Hmm.”

“Which side should I support? I think it might be better to back the human who is more obedient and less greedy.”

The Beastkin King didn’t want to interfere in human politics either.

But he couldn’t ignore it. The humans scattered across dozens of large and small islands were essentially supporting the beastkin. Thanks to the food and various supplies regularly provided by humans, the beastkin were enjoying prosperity for the first time.

To maintain this prosperity, the Beastkin King was devoting attention to humans.

However, Erick’s response was cold.

“No, there’s no need to choose one.”

“Are you saying I should let them fight, Duke?”

“Not that either. Actually, I’m planning to appoint one influential person from each island to an official position soon. I don’t intend to grant titles, just non-hereditary positions. Most people in the duchy probably already know about this.”

“So they’re fighting for that position. Then I should just leave them be?”

“For now. And delivering those appointment orders will be your job. Formally, it will look like you’re recommending and I’m approving.”

“……”

A beastkin presenting appointment letters to dozens of humans.

An unimaginable scene… or so he’d like to say, but honestly, he could imagine it.

It had already been a year since the beastkin began migrating here.

The Beastkin King roughly understood what his position was in this duchy. And by now, he knew enough about human habits.

Humans were peculiar animals—weak but cunning, possessing both stupidity and wisdom. The beastkin would have to continue living alongside such humans.

“I understand, Duke. I’ll do as you say.”

“Oh, and when you present the appointment letters, kill one person as an example.”

“……”

“There’s an island called Tenerife. It has a population of about ten thousand, and the self-proclaimed lord there is quite vicious. I hear he routinely kills innocent people and takes their property and women. Meanwhile, he bribed the liaison I sent. He’s better off dead.”

“You want me to summon him with the promise of an appointment and then kill him in front of everyone?”

“Yes, that’s it. Right now we’re implementing a native official system because we’re short on people, but we still need to keep a tight leash. Setting an example will make things easier later.”

It was a message to show that there was only one person with real power.

Of course, the Beastkin King had no aversion to killing humans. After all, humans had been his main enemy until he began interacting with Erick Wellesley.

But he couldn’t help being surprised at how casually someone called the Hero would order the death of a person for efficient governance. Sometimes it felt like Erick Wellesley was more cruel to humans than to beastkin.

‘Well, considering how that Duke came to power, it’s not surprising.’

The Beastkin King knew that following this order meant getting more deeply involved in human political games.

But this was somewhat expected from the moment he first came to the duchy. If it couldn’t be avoided, it was better to embrace it actively.

“Understood. I’ll do that.”

“Good. And…”

“What is it?”

“Congratulations.”

The Duke left this seemingly abrupt greeting before ending the communication. Just before it cut off, he thought he heard a baby crying.

‘Congratulations?’

The Beastkin King tilted his head for a moment.

What was he congratulating him for? For working hard to support the beastkin? Or for developing a taste for liquor and becoming a heavy drinker? Neither seemed particularly worthy of congratulations. Surely he wasn’t mocking him either. He couldn’t understand the intention.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for something to come to mind.

“Ah, that’s what it was.”

The Beastkin King suddenly smiled. Being a lizardman by birth, it wasn’t visible on the outside, but he was smiling nonetheless.

Come to think of it, there really was something worth celebrating.

Today was the day the beastkin migration would end.

For the past year, they had continuously sent ships to transport beastkin living in the border forest, and sometimes the Beastkin King himself had escorted them riding a wyvern. Despite putting them to sleep with water magic during transport, accidents had been frequent.

It was indeed a cause for celebration that the long ordeal was finally over.

The Beastkin King decided he should witness this historic conclusion with his own eyes and got up.

The beastkin who were sprawled around gnawing on dried fish followed him without knowing why. They were a bit troublesome, but their loyalty was steadfast.

***

A few hours later, at the dock.

The Beastkin King was watching three sailing ships slowly approaching the island. Around him were about a hundred beastkin playing among themselves and a few human workers supporting the ships’ arrival and departure.

Despite the noisy situation, the Beastkin King was overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling.

‘It’s finally over… No, it’s another beginning.’

The beastkin were already living happy lives.

In the duchy, there were no enemies threatening the beastkin’s survival. There were no crazy powerful individuals who would suddenly infiltrate and slaughter a thousand precious warriors, nor was there a Demon Lord’s army that treated beastkin like trash. Moreover, the climate was mild and food was abundant.

It was an almost ideal environment for the beastkin.

However, there was no guarantee that this happiness would continue forever.

The Beastkin King, unfortunately, was not a long-lived species. He couldn’t look after his kind forever. For the beastkin to continue enjoying such a safe environment after his death, there was much to be done.

In a way, the hard work was just beginning.

But he didn’t feel particularly daunted. Compared to the days when they were caught between the Empire and the Demon Lord’s army, drained of blood day by day, this was heaven.

The Beastkin King was prepared to sacrifice anything to pass this happiness on to future generations. To be honest, there was nothing to sacrifice. Despite the annoyance caused by some unruly individuals, his life was already quite satisfactory.

‘I wish those fellows would behave a little more quietly.’

While the Beastkin King was inwardly wishing this…

Dog beastkin who had been bustling on the deck of the sailing ships began jumping into the sea one by one, as if they couldn’t bear it any longer.

The dog beastkin swam desperately, as if they wanted to reach land as quickly as possible. This scene had been repeated so many times that it wasn’t particularly surprising. It was understandable that they would be excited after lying around in cramped cabins and finally seeing land.

What actually caught the Beastkin King’s attention was something else.

Three human females huddled together at the bow of one of the sailing ships. Thinking they looked somewhat familiar, he used magic to examine their figures more closely…

Sure enough, they were acquaintances.

They were Gwon Heejin’s females. Everyone except the crazy elf was there.

He had seen them supporting the beastkin migration at Enekia Port, but this time it seemed they had crossed over together. They would probably settle on some island in the duchy. It meant he would be living in the same country as the former Hero’s party he had once fought against.

Though he had once despised these females, now he didn’t feel anything particular.

“They must have come looking for a way to live, just like me.”

The Beastkin King muttered to himself before turning his gaze back to the front. Several beastkin who had crossed the sea were running fiercely toward him.

Each one had a bright, happy face.