Ch.213Volume 16 (3)

After the release of Volume 16, about a week had passed, and Leona Lions, who had gone to Animus, returned to the academy.

But as soon as she returned, she urgently sought me out and abruptly asked me to help her somehow, saying she might become king.

Thankfully, there were hardly any passersby around; if there had been many people, it would have been a dangerous moment in many ways. Of course, not for me, but for Leona.

I hurriedly took her to a quiet place, a suitable café, to listen to her situation carefully.

“Before getting into details, did things go well in Animus? I wanted to ask that first.”

Beads of sweat were forming on Leona’s forehead, as if she had been searching everywhere for me.

For a beastkin, who basically has the strongest hardware among all races, to be sweating meant she was in quite a hurry.

Thanks to the lilac scent emanating from my body, finding me must have been easy, but I could roughly gauge how urgent her situation was.

“Phew… First, I want to apologize for calling you so suddenly. It’s just such an urgent matter…”

“I can tell it’s urgent. So what’s the result?”

“It went well in the end. Just as you said, when people laughed or pretended not to listen, I gently provoked them, and they took the bait.”

“So does that mean the Holm River will really be held as a competition?”

Leona nodded heavily to my confirming question. Seeing her response, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

Changing traditions and culture in this era is very difficult. Especially since the Holm River made a decisive contribution to founding the country, they would consider it sacred, so even touching it was an act of courage.

But judging by how they listened, it seems they themselves knew that the Holm River tradition was barbaric and a major obstacle to leading the nation.

“That’s the plan for the future. Not right away, but they’ll establish rules and slowly develop plans. However, to announce this, there needs to be a Warchief…”

“So you can’t issue an official document because there’s no king.”

Only a king has the authority to change traditions. And even if no one sits on the throne, that authority must exist.

If someone were to announce it arbitrarily, it would be tantamount to declaring themselves king. Since Leona mentioned having many siblings before, it’s essentially the beginning of a power struggle.

“Can’t you just pass the Warchief position to the eldest son of the first wife? Is it different for beastkin?”

“It’s a bit different. Originally, the Warchief should designate a successor, but the problem is that he went to Hirt’s embrace before properly establishing succession. Because of this, we can’t hastily choose a Warchief. Moreover, the faction trying to abolish the Holm River insists on choosing the Warchief themselves…”

“So there’s a risk of splitting into two.”

“Yes.”

It’s common for groups with different ideologies in a country to elect their own leaders. In my previous life, there were examples like South Korea, Vietnam, and Germany.

This means that Animus, which Hick had established, could potentially become a divided nation. If swift action isn’t taken, the probability of civil war increases.

Momentarily taken aback by Animus’s seemingly more serious internal affairs, I asked about something I was curious about.

“So what’s this about you possibly becoming king? You’re still the daughter of the third wife, but you’re still the Warchief’s bloodline.”

“…First, we need to understand the opposing faction’s ideology in detail. It’s closely related to why they want to abolish the Holm River. They want a Warchief with intelligence in politics, diplomacy, state affairs, etc., not just strength. Until now, we lions have run state affairs because we’re Hick’s descendants. Meanwhile, our stance is that we cannot put forward someone who isn’t a lion as Warchief.”

This was something that could happen anywhere, but it was very interesting. Royal families that value bloodlines are common, but it’s necessary to focus on the opposing faction.

Come to think of it, this could be considered the first step toward democracy. Of course, not proper democracy like in my previous life, but they’re focusing on directly electing a king.

If the opposing faction gains strength here, wouldn’t the concept of “voting” emerge? Coincidentally, the Holm River is also changing accordingly, so if used well, it could be a step toward democracy.

It’s a bit funny that the beastkin, considered barbaric among all races, would be the first to move toward democracy, but that’s how the world works—unpredictable.

Anyway, setting that aside—

“While this tense confrontation was ongoing, Volume 16 of the Biography of Xenon was released. Have you seen it by any chance?”

“Of course I have.”

I’m the author, after all. Swallowing those words, I nodded affirmatively, and Leona nodded with a serious expression.

Then, as if embarrassed, her cheeks turned slightly red, and her ears, which had perked up, drooped lifelessly.

After hesitating in that state, Leona finally spoke in a timid tone, not her usual cynical manner.

“Um… I don’t know if you remember, but last year I told you something like this? That I would never read something like the Biography of Xenon written by humans.”

“Did you?”

I tilted my head, trying to recall. It was the day I accidentally discovered Leona’s identity, if I remember correctly.

A tiny penguin-like creature was squawking fearlessly, so the looks directed at me probably weren’t very favorable. She probably said the Biography of Xenon was boring too.

Of course, I had forgotten all about it by now, but it seems she had kept it in her heart.

‘She’s surprisingly sensitive.’

She pretends to be fierce and strong on the outside, but now I see she has a sensitive side. I can’t tell which is her true self.

Perhaps her sensitive side is real, or her fierce personality might be a front. As the daughter of the third wife, she might be wearing a mask to avoid being looked down upon.

“…Actually, that’s not true. I really like it. Not just me, but my siblings enjoy reading it too.”

“Your siblings? That doesn’t seem likely.”

“I recommended it to them. I told them they should read at least once. No matter what, they should read something, right? So they reluctantly read it. But after Volume 16 was released, a problem arose. You know what Volume 16 is about, right?”

Of course I know. I’m the author, so it would be strange if I didn’t.

When I nodded, Leona also nodded with a troubled expression and began to reveal the details of her story one by one.

“As you know, in Volume 16, Kaind defeats Satan… well, that’s a bit ambiguous. Anyway, at the conclusion, Kaind, who is physically weak but intellectually strong, takes the position of Warchief.”

“I know that.”

“That’s where the problem starts. The Biography of Xenon is currently treated as a book of prophecy. Because of this, there are growing voices saying that someone with superior intellect rather than strength, like Kaind, should become Warchief.”

“…People believe that?”

It doesn’t seem right to follow a book’s content no matter what.

The corruption of the World Tree’s roots, demon worshippers, and the Reaper are events that have already happened, not the future.

But Animus is trying to follow what’s written in the Biography of Xenon. It’s not a coincidence; they’re forcibly making it fit.

“Of course, there was resistance at first. Why should we follow what’s written in a mere book? But thanks to the Biography of Xenon, everyone realized how complex our situation in Animus is. So everyone believes it. They say Xenon knows the future, so Animus should change accordingly.”

“That’s not it at all…”

“Huh?”

“I mean, that’s probably not it at all.”

I almost made a slip of the tongue because it was so absurd.

When I agreed with her, Leona blinked her golden eyes and continued her explanation.

“Right? But here’s where political issues come in. I’m smart enough to be admitted to the academy, and I’m also of lion beastkin lineage. There’s no problem with my bloodline, and I also satisfy the desires of the opposing faction.”

“So they’re promoting you as the next Warchief. Is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s what I’m saying! I don’t have the slightest desire to become Warchief!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Perhaps frustrated by her current situation, Leona slammed her fist on the table with resentment. That’s quite a clean shotgun hit.

However, whether she failed to control her strength or she was naturally strong, her fist left a clear imprint on the table.

I’ll have to pay for that separately later. Leona, belatedly realizing her mistake, exclaimed “Hot!” and began to watch my reaction.

“…I’ll compensate for it separately, so just continue talking.”

“S-Sorry… Anyway, not only my family but even the opposing faction is promoting me as Warchief because I’m intellectually capable and have no issues with bloodline. Moreover, since I proposed the change to the Holm River, everyone thinks it’s right for me to become Warchief.”

“I was the one who first suggested the Holm River change, not you. Didn’t I say family shouldn’t lie to each other?”

“That’s also a problem. They were impressed not only by the proposal to improve the Holm River but also by the statement that a wise king, not a strong one, should rule the country. They’re even guessing that you’re a sage.”

“…Huh.”

I can’t help but laugh in disbelief. Why do they all call me a sage?

After briefly pondering what to say, I spoke in a calm voice.

“Just say I’m a friend.”

“Uh… friend?”

When I casually mentioned being a friend, Leona made a sour expression. The word “friend” seemed quite awkward to her.

Well, since she had to hide her identity in daily life, she probably didn’t have many people she could call friends. Recently, Marie also discovered her identity, but they weren’t particularly close.

For someone who always has to act while wearing the mask of a model student, I might be the only person she can call a friend.

“What? Is it strange that I’m your friend?”

“N-No! Absolutely not! Don’t misunderstand.”

“What misunderstanding?”

The more I talk with Leona, the more I seem to understand her true nature. This seems to be her real self, not her usual cynical appearance.

Her previous fierce attitude might have been because she had no relationship with me. She might have had the mindset that it didn’t matter how she treated someone who wasn’t her person.

I stared at Leona, who was blushing in embarrassment, and took a sip of coffee. Summarizing the story so far, it’s roughly like this:

In the Biography of Xenon, Kaind, who excels in intellect rather than strength, became Warchief, and the Biography of Xenon is currently treated as a book of prophecy worldwide.

So they seem to speculate that if Leona, who is intellectually brilliant enough to be admitted to the academy, takes the position of Warchief, Animus will also have a good ending.

Moreover, she has networked with a wise sage(?) who proposed improvements to the Holm River, so they can see many benefits.

‘At least in the book, that’s true…’

In reality, after Kaind becomes Warchief, Animus will achieve terrifying development and reach a golden age. They will establish an allied force to interact with neighboring countries and, furthermore, play a significant role in the great war that will come later.

But books and reality should be clearly distinguished. Leona may have the qualifications to be Warchief, but no one knows if she has the qualities.

She could become a tyrant, or even worse, a dark ruler, or she could become an unprecedented sage king in history.

“So, in conclusion, you don’t want to be Warchief? Why not?”

“I’m not a leader; I’m better as an aide who assists the leader. I’m already struggling with my studies, and now they want me to be Warchief? That’s nonsense.”

“So you’re not confident?”

“Yes.”

Not feeling the need to deny it, Leona answered proudly. It must be uncomfortable since the Warchief had his head cut off after accepting the Holm River challenge.

Of course, from my perspective, it doesn’t matter whether she becomes Warchief or not. But I can’t ignore her request.

Ah, there is one thing I’m curious about. Since they guess I’m a sage, it will surely affect me too.

From what I know about beastkin culture, they always repay favors. Last time, Leona even said she would become my wife in front of Marie.

Although it was a misunderstanding arising from cultural differences, if Leona becomes Warchief, she might bestow an even greater reward(?). Of course, it’s a reward from their perspective, but it would be extremely embarrassing for me.

“By the way, they think I’m a sage, right? If you become Warchief, will there be any impact on me?”

With this, I picked up my coffee cup and asked Leona. After asking, I drank my coffee while waiting for her answer.

“Since you brought the proposal to improve the Holm River and gave me advice, probably…”

Pondering my question, Leona cautiously glanced at me and answered in a small, creeping voice.

“…Given beastkin customs, I would have to bear your child without question? Not just anything, but a child with the Warchief’s bloodline.”

“… …”

Slurp-

The coffee in my mouth returned to the cup.