Kousuke didn’t set aside a special preparation period for the beastkin’s relocation just to weed out troublemakers.
He wanted to observe their way of life, something he couldn’t understand just by talking to Akatsuki.
However, being fox beastkin didn’t mean they had a special lifestyle.
Fundamentally, they did the same things as other species, and there was little difference in what needed to be prepared.
Knowing this, he was able to prepare the necessary environment on the floor they would be relocating to.
What Kousuke prepared was a plain necessary for the clan to live in, and resources from which the minimum necessities could be provided.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the primary resource was rock salt.
While it could have been prepared at sea, they were accustomed to using rock salt, so that’s what was provided.
Other necessary resources were also prepared. Beyond that, the beastkin would need to prepare what they required themselves.
It was only natural, as Kousuke couldn’t prepare everything for them.
Thus, half a month had passed since they moved to the Floating Island, which served as their preparation period.
The following day, the promised observation period (?) would end, and the sorting of those who would be left behind would take place.
The announcement of who would be excluded was scheduled for the next day, but on the evening of this day, Akatsuki bowed his head before Kousuke.
“I am truly sorry. We were unable to persuade them.”
There was no need to ask who “they” were. Kousuke already knew and had no intention of commenting on Akatsuki’s (?) efforts.
“No, you don’t need to apologize. As I said at the beginning, we are simply not accepting them.”
When Kousuke said this, Akatsuki’s face twisted slightly.
He understood their desire to relocate together if possible, but for Kousuke, it was a line he couldn’t cross.
If he showed leniency here, he would have to do the same if other species wanted to be accepted into the Tower in the future.
This could very well lead to a disruption of order within the Tower.
This was something Kousuke wanted to avoid more than anything.
Therefore, Kousuke clearly explained the situation to Akatsuki.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t compromise on this. If you can’t even keep the promise we made at the beginning, I fear you’ll act on your own volition once you’re relocated.”
Akatsuki shook his head and bowed again.
“No, I apologize. That’s not it. I just feel incompetent for failing to persuade them.”
“Hmm, I suppose that can’t be helped?”
Kousuke said this in a very light tone, but Akatsuki felt a certain weight in his words, and raising his gaze, he stared at Kousuke.
Kousuke continued, gazing at the distant view visible from the castle on the Floating Island, while feeling Akatsuki’s eyes on him.
“I don’t think this has anything to do with species. Everyone has their own beliefs and lines they won’t cross. If you think you can persuade them solely with your words, I believe that’s nothing short of arrogance.”
This was Kousuke’s conclusion, gained from his life experience in a world with such diverse species.
The existence of many different species implied a diversity of thoughts and common sense.
Trying to bind them all with a single belief was undeniably an imposition.
In Kousuke’s opinion, there was no single correct set of values in the world that was definitively right.
Akatsuki listened to Kousuke’s words for a long time, remaining in the same posture.
Eventually, as if he had reached a conclusion, he bowed his head again and replied.
“Indeed, what we were trying to do may have been an imposition on them.”
From Akatsuki’s perspective, he felt it was a pity and a waste for those who had expressed a desire to relocate to be sent back to their original village.
However, if their beliefs were more important to them than adhering to the rules of their new home, then Akatsuki’s actions would have been nothing but meddling.
While Kousuke’s word “arrogance” was strong, it was understandable if they perceived it that way.
Seeing Akatsuki’s remorse, Floria, who had been silently listening, spoke.
“The place you will be relocating to is different from your previous home; it is inhabited by other species. Consequently, different common sense will exist, and a minimum set of rules will be necessary. If you cannot understand this, it is only natural that you will be excluded.”
Akatsuki nodded at Floria’s words.
This was something he had experienced firsthand through his interactions with various species during his journey to Amamiya Tower.
During that long journey, Akatsuki had repeatedly realized how his own common sense was being challenged.
Therefore, he understood very well the necessity of having a minimum set of rules for people relocating to the floors of the Tower.
While he had felt some resistance when he didn’t know if his clan would be accepted, now that preparations were being made to accept them, he didn’t intend to demand that everything be accepted indiscriminately.
Given the potential to disrupt the Tower’s operations, Akatsuki couldn’t ask for all of them to be accepted.
This was especially true, as he knew the reality of those who were constantly complaining.
“Ideally, it would be nice to accept everyone out of divine compassion. Unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury.”
Kousuke said something that seemed uncharacteristic of a god, and Akatsuki hastily shook his head.
“No! We are already grateful that you have prepared a place for us to be accepted!”
Akatsuki’s firm declaration made him seem as if something had been resolved within him, a change from when Kousuke first saw him at the Tower.
Kousuke didn’t know what that “something” was, but it seemed like a positive change.
***
It was the last day of their life on the Floating Island.
As planned, a sorting was conducted to determine who would be accepted into the Tower’s floors and who would not.
Those who were excluded were not only the ones who had complained the night before, but also others who were deemed unsuitable for various reasons.
Even so, the number of excluded individuals was less than one-tenth of the total population.
This “less than” was Kousuke’s assessment; for the beastkin, there were still those who looked visibly saddened.
This was natural, as some were married, and their partners were among those who were not accepted.
The reason these individuals were not kept together was to show that they themselves possessed the necessary qualifications, allowing them to choose where to spend their future lives.
The policy was that it was up to them to decide whether to return to their original village with their partners or to part ways and start new lives independently.
A period was set aside for consultations regarding this matter.
However, this consultation would not take place on the Floating Island. Instead, they would temporarily move to Kousuke’s created Divine Realm to make their decision.
This period would last about a week, after which they would live completely separate lives.
Of course, Kousuke wasn’t so heartless as to make the decision final at that point. For those who moved to the Tower’s floors but ultimately wished to return to their original village, the option to do so would always be available.
However, this would be a one-way trip; they could not return to the Tower’s floors again.
Only those who accepted these detailed rules would become new residents of the Tower.
This concludes the story of accepting the fox beastkin.
The specific floor they relocated to is not mentioned (partly because it hasn’t been decided).
This time, the acceptance was based on predetermined rules, unlike in the past.
This measure was deemed necessary for the future, so it was unavoidable.
*Please note: There will be no update tomorrow (the 21st).*
