Ch.205Tradition (3)

Due to Leona’s bold declaration about becoming my wife, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward. If I were alone, it might have been manageable, but with Marie beside me, the situation was quite uncomfortable.

Leona seemed to sense that something was wrong, as her ears drooped downward and she began to cautiously gauge our reactions. I was caught in a coughing fit and couldn’t even provide a proper explanation.

Meanwhile, Marie, who wore an expression that was half bewildered and half flustered, quietly called out to Leona.

“…Leona.”

“Hmm? What?”

“I’m a bit confused… you know that Issac and I are dating, right?”

“Of course I know that.”

“Then don’t you think it’s a bit… strange to say such things right in front of me?”

Though she spoke calmly, her exasperation was evident. From Marie’s perspective, this was essentially a declaration of stealing me away.

After hearing her question, Leona blinked her golden eyes a few times and replied in a voice that was uncharacteristically timid.

“…Is that strange to humans? Humans sometimes give their daughters as rewards and have multiple wives too. That’s why I said it…”

“*cough!* There are differences in… *cough!* common sense between species. *cough* Let me explain properly.”

It seems she had misunderstood what she’d learned so far. Once my coughing subsided, I explained things properly one by one.

As Leona mentioned, giving away one’s children as rewards was a cultural practice from the distant past. It was common to reward warriors who had achieved great feats in battle with one’s children.

This practice continues in a similar form today, but hidden under the shadow of “political marriages.” The concept of giving someone as a reward is similar, but it’s really about securing allies.

“Ah~ So you don’t necessarily have to give your child as a reward. You can give other things as rewards?”

“Yes. And as you mentioned, while they are rewards, they’re often used politically. You said beastkin have strong independence, right? Humans value family bonds, so even after marriage, they consider each other family. That’s why political marriages exist.”

“I see. Now I understand.”

Humans, being the weakest species, have historically tended to band together, which has led to the establishment of civilization. This unique bond has given rise to the distinctive custom of political marriages.

Conversely, beastkin have very strong independence. So when they marry and form a family, they treat each other almost like strangers.

Of course, this doesn’t mean beastkin lack family affection—they become furious if someone harms their family. This applies to marriage as well.

Treating each other like strangers means there’s minimal interference, but they readily help when asked.

The concept of “reward” that Leona mentioned has no political implications; it literally means giving one’s child as a kind of reward.

“What about polygamy? Humans, like beastkin, sometimes have males with multiple females. Is that also for political reasons?”

“…Yes. Without proper agreement, it can be quite troublesome. Jealousy is common, and dealing with children from different wives often causes headaches. How is it among beastkin?”

“We naturally obey the males. A male having multiple females means he’s strong and has excellent genes. My father has five wives, after all.”

Leona explained beastkin ecology while enjoying the remaining steak. As expected from a species based on animals, even their customs resemble those of animals.

After listening to her explanation and pondering deeply, a question occurred to me.

“Are there cases where females have multiple males?”

“Almost never. When a strong female appears, an even stronger male subdues her and takes her as his wife. Very rarely, a strong female might take multiple males.”

“…”

This truly is an animal kingdom. I now understand why beastkin are called barbarians.

“Then it’s okay to give a different reward?”

“Yes, that’s fine. Do you have something in mind?”

“Hmm…”

*crunch crunch*

Leona was now gnawing on the T-bone steak’s bone. She looked upward as if thinking deeply, then smiled brightly and answered energetically.

“I don’t have anything!”

“…”

“…”

Her confident declaration brought about a silence. Her bright response made me wonder if I’d misheard.

Then Leona swallowed the bone she’d been chewing like candy, looked at both of us, and smiled wryly.

“…I really don’t have anything. Even as the daughter of the Warchief, I’m the third wife’s daughter, so all I have is my body.”

“…”

“B-but I’ll definitely give you a reward, even if it’s not me, by using the wisdom you’ve shared to change Animus! So please don’t make such expressions…”

The more she spoke, the more her voice diminished. Judging by her drooping ears, she didn’t seem confident either.

Seeing her reaction, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or sigh. The contrast with her usually cynical demeanor was stark.

“…You can think about the reward later. For now, you’re planning to return to Animus, right?”

“Y-yes! I need to sort things out first before returning. I’m not sure how it will go, but they’ll definitely listen to me.”

“Alright. Any other questions?”

“Questions… maybe the change in your scent? It’s not perfume, but a natural floral scent?”

“That’s because I’ve received a lot of holy power.”

Afterward, we engaged in trivial conversation. Marie occasionally asked questions about beastkin, and Leona, while crunching on bones, answered diligently.

“Leona, if it’s okay, can you show me your ears?”

“Huh? I’m already showing them.”

“Ah, not those ears. The part where humans have ears. It’s covered by your hair, so I can’t see well.”

“There’s nothing there, but if you insist…”

At Marie’s request, Leona nonchalantly lifted her hair to show. Indeed, being a beastkin, the area where ears should be was completely empty.

Marie looked at it with curiosity before moving on to the next question.

“What about your tail? Can you show your tail too?”

“You’re as curious as your partner. Here you go.”

*swish*

Finally, she revealed her tail, which had been hidden under her school pants, not a skirt. Being a lion beastkin, her tail resembled a lion’s, with a brush-like end.

It was my first time seeing Leona’s tail too, so I watched with curiosity. The way it swayed created an urge to grab it.

“Can you move your tail at will?”

“Of course. Ta-da!”

“Wow.”

When Leona made a heart shape with her tail, Marie exclaimed in amazement. She had the expression of a child discovering a new toy.

As Leona wore a somewhat proud smile, Marie asked with a slightly excited voice.

“C-can I touch it?”

“Absolutely not. The tail is a sensitive part for beastkin. Only couples can touch each other’s tails.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t know that.”

Thanks to this, we learned one more thing about beastkin culture. After playing around for a while, Leona tucked her tail back into her pants, bringing the topic to a close.

Marie seemed a bit disappointed, but it would have been impolite to keep asking.

“It’s already this late. Let’s get going. Leona, have you finished… eating?”

“…I guess we don’t need to wash the dishes separately.”

As Marie pointed out, the plate from which Leona had eaten the steak was spotlessly clean, without a trace of sauce. I wondered what the waiter would think upon seeing it.

Seeing our reactions, Leona seemed embarrassed and scratched her head with a sheepish smile.

“Sorry for always just receiving. As I’ve been saying, I’ll definitely repay you.”

“Sure. Just try not to say things like becoming my wife, as you did earlier.”

At my request, she wore a slightly cautious expression and quietly said.

“…Before that, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“We beastkin have a culture where we must give back to someone who gives to us. Even if you refuse, Animus will somehow reward you. If you refuse, it will be taken as a severe insult.”

“Can’t you just say it was your idea? Wisdom gained from attending the academy.”

“Absolutely not. Lying among family is one of the greatest sins for beastkin. I must reveal that it was wisdom you shared.”

“Hmm…”

If that’s their culture, there’s no helping it. After pondering briefly, I shrugged and said lightly.

“It’s fine even if it’s something strange. So don’t feel burdened and do as you please.”

“…Thank you. I won’t forget this kindness.”

“What kindness? Anyway, I hope things work out well.”

I meant it sincerely. The fact that she asked me, someone she wasn’t particularly close with, shows how desperate she was.

As we left the restaurant and were about to part ways, Leona called out to me.

“Issac.”

Unlike her usual “hey” or “you,” she used my name.

I looked at Leona with a slightly confused feeling.

“Yes?”

“I told you before, didn’t I? About being a tiger’s cub. I sincerely apologize for that.”

Leona bowed her head as she said this. I blinked in surprise.

Come to think of it, after hearing about my father, Leona had said something like that.

It wasn’t incorrect, so I wasn’t angry, but it seems to have weighed on her mind.

She then raised her head and, with a bright smile that revealed her fangs, said.

“Indeed, a lion is born under a lion. Just because one has strong physical power doesn’t mean they have strong inner strength. Right?”

“Well… I suppose so.”

“I’ll remember that a king must be wise. Even if I can’t become a king, I can make the king wise.”

It seems she had her own realization.

Leona bowed politely once more, then exclaimed cheerfully.

“Well, enjoy yourselves! I’ll be going now!”

And she ran off as if escaping. I stared blankly at Leona as she disappeared into the darkness, then turned my head.

As I turned, I coincidentally met Marie’s gaze.

We looked at each other for a while, then simultaneously smiled wryly.

“Shall we go too?”

“Yes, let’s.”

My date with Marie wasn’t over yet.

******

The day after Leona returned to Animus.

“…So who did you say?”

“A believer who serves Luminus, Kate Louise Angelica.”

The Cardinal came to see me. She looked at me with a profound gaze and abruptly asked.

“Would you allow me to bear your child for Luminus?”

“What the hell.”