The Gaun Castle of the Divine Spirit Tree
“Wow, incredible…”
“What a view.”
“Hahaha! I knew you’d say that!”
The place the Beast King guided us to was located at the very top of the Divine Spirit Tree, rather than the castle itself. It was high enough that one could almost reach the clouds by looking up, and down below, the townscape of Gaun spread out before us. Gaun was a lush, green country, and even its structures were built with consideration for the environment. This castle was no exception, and many houses were built on top of trees. Seeing so many such buildings laid out before me, it might be the most fantastical scenery I’ve ever witnessed. On the other hand, there were also normal houses in areas with suitable space. They seemed to vary their building types according to the location.
“Look, there’s a large building over there. Can you see it, Efil?”
“…Is that a circular arena, a coliseum? Two men who look like warriors are fighting.”
“Come to think of it, during the mock battle between me and Silvia, someone from Gaun, a professional announcer or something, came. I believe… Ronowee from the Gaun General Coliseum, was it?”
That was likely where they lent us the magic item that acted as a loudspeaker. Ugh, I remembered a sound I’d rather not recall… I won’t say what it was. I really won’t.
“Indeed, it is Gaun’s pride, the Colosseum. This country is full of hot-blooded people. I can’t explain it well, but if they don’t have an outlet, their beastmen instincts start to stir. That place is a perfect venue for quenching the audience’s thirst and testing one’s own skills.”
“Oh…”
Of course, I had researched the Colosseum beforehand. Generally, when one thinks of a coliseum, one imagines slaves forced into gladiatorial combat, spectacles involving death. However, Gaun’s Colosseum has no such individuals. It’s a venue for events like tournaments involving soldiers held periodically. There, status and accomplishments are not considered; in essence, if you’re confident in your strength, just participate! We don’t care if you die! That’s the spirit. Even with such ridiculous participation conditions, the number of applicants is endless, which is unmanageable. Well, I’m the type who enjoys that kind of spirit too. Frankly, it’s the place I’m looking forward to the most. So much so that I’d participate if possible.
“Heh heh, the tourism revenue is quite substantial. One, two, three…”
“Father, stop grinning and calculating with the abacus in my form.”
…I’ve thought this before, but the Beast King seems like quite a strange fellow. It’s just my personal image, but when I think of a Beast King, I tend to imagine a loyal personality who prefers straightforward battles. Like Sabato, for example. However, the actual Beast King was cross-dressing as the daughter of the Elf Village elder when we first met, and now he’s calculating with the abacus in Goma’s form. …Where did he get an abacus from? And did abacuses exist in this world too? His abacus skills are no joke; he’s overwhelmingly faster than me. –Including these aspects, the Beast King Leonhart Gaun is a uniquely outstanding existence. With Pritia and the S-Rank adventurers, is there no hope for them?
“Kelvin, by the way, the naming ceremony is also held in that Colosseum. Please remember the location just in case.”
“Huh? It’s in the Colosseum? Got it, I’ll remember.”
The venue for the naming ceremony is the Colosseum? Well, it’s fitting for Gaun, I suppose. Will there be some kind of entertainment?
“The Colosseum, huh? I want to give it a shot too! I’ve gotten a lot stronger recently!”
“You’ve been losing to Boga more often lately, though.”
“Sis Sera! That was supposed to be a secret! Besides, that was a fight without using abilities—”
“Sour grapes don’t suit a man. And Dahak has been too preoccupied with his farm and romance lately. Train a little.”
“Train hard!”
“Mmmph!”
Dahak has no retort to Gerard and Ryuka’s sound reasoning. In contrast, Boga is constantly training with Gerard. It’s clear he has no chance of winning if he clashes head-on.
“What, Kelvin and the others wanted to participate in the Colosseum too? You’re lucky. There’s a big tournament happening in five days. Let’s see…”
I didn’t miss the Beast King’s wicked expression as he wore Goma’s face again.
***
“Where is this?”
Next, the Beast King guided us outside the castle. Gaun’s soldiers were engaged in fierce swordplay with mock swords, sweating profusely. It looked like a training ground.
“Some won’t be convinced without seeing a little of our strength. Well, wait here.”
Saying that, the Beast King crossed his arms and went towards what appeared to be an instructor, a beastman overseeing the training. The beastman, who had the brave face of a lion, looked greatly surprised upon seeing the dressed-up Goma (the Beast King) and returned a salute. Visually, he looked more like the Beast King than the other.
“That’s Jerol, big brother. He’s my martial arts instructor and the second strongest warrior in Gaun after Father. He’s under his wife Lisa’s thumb, though. But they’re a very loving couple.”
Oh, the second strongest after the Beast King? That’s worth checking out.
“Oh, isn’t that Kelvin! You’re already in Gaun! I was just about to come pick you up.”
A loud voice called out my name from within a group of soldiers. This voice— I looked towards the group and, as expected, it was Sabato. I exchanged greetings with Sabato, who ran up to me.
“If both you and Goma are at the castle, have you taken a break from being adventurers? Or have you returned to royalty?”
“It’s not like I quit. My father evaluated my accomplishments against the Demon King, and I have a chance to inherit the name of Gaun at the upcoming naming ceremony. Not just me, but Goma too. Right now, it’s like we’re warming up for it!”
“A chance?”
“The ‘Beast King Festival,’ held annually before the naming ceremony. That’s the big tournament Father mentioned, the one in five days. The naming ceremony itself is held twice a year, like in other countries, but only on this day can one inherit the royal name of Gaun. You must achieve accomplishments through martial training and demonstrate your skills before the Beast King. Only then can we inherit the name… that’s the custom. You don’t necessarily need to win, but you have to achieve a certain result. I’m also sparring with Brother Jerol every day.”
“Just achieving accomplishments isn’t enough? Goma and the others have it tough. Well, with A-Rank adventurer skills, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
If one is an A-Rank adventurer, they are among the strongest on the continent. They likely wouldn’t lose to ordinary opponents.
“That’s…”
“It’s not quite like that…”
Both of them sighed deeply at the same time.
“The Beast King Festival is the highest-level tournament in Gaun… Among the participants we know of so far are Father, Leonhart Gaun, and S-Rank Adventurer Gordiana Pritiana.”
“Plus, Brother Jerol and Brother Yujil who are over there are also participating. There’s a chance we might lose in the first round. Sigh, I wish I had studied like Brother Kilt. Then I would have been exempted.”
“Sabato, that path is more hopeless, so come back to reality. You only have this path.”
Ho, ho, ho! I can fight the King legally!
“You know, Kelvin. How about we participate in that Beast King Festival too? We might be able to go quite far, don’t you think?”
Sera, perhaps sensing my feelings, made a welcome suggestion.
“Oh, Sis Sera, you’re motivated too? Then I am too! It’s a chance to show Prettya something good!”
“Is surprise participation allowed? Then I want to participate too!”
“I want to participate!”
One after another, participants from my group declared their intentions. Ryuka even raised her hand amidst the chaos.
“Um… if Kelvin and the others participate, our win rate will decrease… Also, the participant slots are already decided—”
“Seriously! Oh, this is the kind of development that gets you fired up! This is no time to be talking about trivial matters! If we can win against Kelvin and the others, not only the name of Gaun but S-Rank is within reach! Hey, Goma! You with the chivalrous spirit, you think so too, right!”
“Shut up, you hot-headed idiot!”
Ah, Sabato flew away after a long time.
