We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
Gawon’s Hesitation
A phoenix, shaped from flames, soared into the sky ahead of us.
Following the phoenix, we sprinted across the grasslands at full speed.
The phoenix circled in the blue sky, letting out a shrill cry and pointing in multiple directions.
“Kiiri, run with Gawon!”
“Yes!”
“Elnea, you know our roles, right?”
“Yeah. Gawon, I’ll leave Ruiseine and the others to you.”
“Leave it to me!”
Gawon took the lead, with Kiiri carrying Mei close behind. Inea and Ruiseine followed in their footsteps.
Gawon galloped across the grasslands, moving several times faster than a human. Kiiri and the others kept pace, their movements swift and fluid.
This was a teleportation spell called “Star Crossing.”
After kicking off the ground, one would propel their body into the air, creating a brief moment of levitation. Activating Star Crossing in that state allowed for high-speed travel parallel to the ground, a special high-speed method for the Miko.
Ruiseine and the others chased after Gawon, gliding across the ground.
“We won’t let you break through Iskui Forest!”
“Humans? Relying on other races, are we, Gawon? How pathetic for the Beast race!”
As Gawon and the others advanced, several beastmen emerged from the tall grass.
“We’ll take care of you!”
Ristea attacked from the right. I charged towards the beastmen who appeared on my left.
The phoenix dove down, incinerating the arrows fired at us. Ristea lunged at the panicked Weasel-kin beastmen, swinging her Holy Sword with a flourish, scattering flames. The phoenix swooped down from the sky, outmaneuvering the Weasel-kin who had emerged from the grass.
I couldn’t fall behind!
From a low stance, I engaged a Leopard-kin beastman.
I swung the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword, creating an opening. The beastman, who had been about to chase after the running Gawon and the others, hissed and leaped away to evade. I didn’t falter, charging straight into the midst of the Leopard-kin beastmen.
“A human brat, quite bold, aren’t you?”
“You’re underestimating us.”
The warriors’ sharp eyes and ferocious claws glinted.
Undeterred, I danced the Dragon Sword Dance amidst the encircling beastmen.
I swept aside a descending arm and unleashed a flash of my White Sword. A single swing intimidated the warriors advancing from the front and right, and with a spin, the next blow from the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword brought them down.
I dodged a kick, thick as a log, by crouching. Then, I delivered a low kick to the female warrior who had lunged.
She thought my kick, from a seemingly frail human boy, would be nothing. Her eyes told me so. But the next moment, that turned into a scream.
You’re mistaken. I have strengthened my entire body with Dragon Energy.
It seems that the carnivorous beastmen prefer to fight using their physical bodies, without armor or weapons. But that works to my advantage.
The Leopard-kin and Tiger-kin beastmen were wary of the sharp edge of my White Sword and moved to evade. Conversely, they seemed to underestimate the simple-looking Spirit Tree Wooden Sword and my seemingly weak kicks, attempting to take them head-on with their bodies.
That’s a big mistake!
My entire body is enhanced with Dragon Energy, and my Spirit Tree Wooden Sword is also brimming with power.
The shin of the female warrior who received my low kick bent at an unnatural angle. She cried out in pain, rolling away, and glared at me with hatred.
The glare of a Tiger-kin beastman?
Eyes filled with resentment?
In battle, such things are useless against me.
Their glares don’t even compare to Old Man Sleigsta or Asher, let alone Revalia or the Dragon race’s intensity. Resentment and curses are nothing compared to the fear of high-ranking demons or the undead.
“Focus a few individuals on the brats. The rest, stop those other guys!”
“We won’t let you!”
You’re underestimating our strength by sending only a few to deal with me and Ristea.
In sync with the Dragon Sword Dance, I expanded my Dragon Energy across the grasslands. Then, I ensnared the beastmen who had started running away from us with my Dragon Energy, pulling them in with a swirling vortex.
Suddenly caught by an invisible force and pulled back towards us, the beastmen panicked.
“Let’s go, faster!”
The Dragon Energy continued to spread, and the vortex gained momentum.
At the same time, I sensed the presence of other beastmen who were still hidden and lurking in the distance.
There are so many. Beastmen were lurking ominously all over the grasslands. I couldn’t discern their specific races by their presence alone, but I knew that many of them objected to Mei’s appointment as宗主 (Souju – leader/patriarch).
Is it truly right for Mei to become the宗主 when so many oppose her? Are we making a mistake? For a moment, I found myself considering the circumstances of the beastmen.
But then.
I’ll act selfishly here.
For the human race, I want Mei, appointed by the Shaman Jab, to become the宗主, and for the beastmen to remain as they always have been. I will act not for the sake of the beastmen, but for the human race!
I ensnared the sensed presences with my Dragon Energy.
For those too far away, I struck them with lightning.
“W-what are you?!”
It was only now that the beastmen seemed to understand that their opponents were not just human brats. Baring their sharp fangs, they charged at us, thinking they should deal with us first.
I continued the Dragon Sword Dance, defeating the approaching beastmen.
“Elnea, I’m going ahead!”
Since I had drawn in the Weasel-kin beastmen surrounding Ristea, she was now free to chase after Gawon and the others.
That’s right.
I can’t afford to stay here and fight forever.
The grasslands are vast, and the enemies aren’t limited to this area.
Using the vortex of Dragon Energy to draw in many beastmen, I then departed using Spatial Jump.
The beastmen were surprised as I instantly vanished from their sight. They immediately sensed where I reappeared, but I left the battlefield behind using consecutive Spatial Jumps.
Gawon and Ruiseine and the others seemed to be far ahead. They’re fast, as expected.
I caught up with Ristea, who was running at a speed that surpassed human limits, alongside the phoenix.
Ristea glanced at me as I briefly appeared beside her, then continued running.
I’m sorry, Ristea, but I need to hurry ahead.
From behind, the beastmen, finally freed, were starting to give chase.
“Hey! You’re not planning on pushing all those guys you gathered over to me, are you?”
“Ah, that’s not exactly…”
Thinking about it, is that what’s going to happen?
No matter how fast Ristea runs, she can’t match the physical abilities of the beastmen. Eventually, they’ll catch up, that’s clear.
“I’m sorry! I’ll apologize later!”
I fired all the lightning I had at my back, but then I left it to Ristea. A Hero should be fine with this, I think. However, I’m worried about Ruiseine and the others.
Leaving Ristea glaring at me with strained eyes, I pressed onward.
With each Spatial Jump, I detected new beastmen presences. Many beastmen were sprinting from afar towards Gawon and the others.
I channeled Dragon Energy into my White Sword and scattered lightning bolts around me, all while performing consecutive Spatial Jumps across the grasslands.
Then, I clearly confirmed multiple presences and figures ahead.
It’s Ruiseine and the others!
But Gawon and Ruiseine are being blocked by enormous shadows.
A hulking physique, more than twice the size of a human. Large, flat, thin ears. And a long nose.
I’ve seen it in the illustrations of books. It’s a giant animal, an elephant.
An Elephant-kin beastman swung a massive war hammer downwards. Ruiseine, the target, evaded by leaping backward.
The missed war hammer kicked up dust, burying itself in the ground. The tremor reached us.
What a heavy blow!
There’s no way to block something like that. Gawon evaded the Elephant-kin’s attack while retaliating with his curved sword. However, the thick hide of the Elephant-kin beastman was impervious to the blade.
Kiiri and Inea unleashed their magic.
Multiple arrows imbued with moonlight struck the giant beastman, but it didn’t flinch.
They’re too tough!
Although their movements are slower than the Leopard-kin or Tiger-kin, their destructive power and defense are on a different level.
Blocked like a wall by several Elephant-kin beastmen, Ruiseine and the others were at a standstill.
If this continues, they’ll be caught by the other beastmen chasing from behind, and those approaching from other directions.
I struck one beastman with a bolt of lightning.
But even that was endured.
It’s safe to assume that ranged attacks are ineffective now.
In that case, all that matters is the sharpness of my White Sword!
With Spatial Jump, I closed the distance instantly and swung down my White Sword. With a solid thud, I managed to cut into the Elephant-kin beastman.
Ruiseine’s naginata strike also injured another beastman.
“Kiiri, Inea, run!”
I shouted as I approached the male beastman standing like a wall. Then, I thrust the Spirit Tree Wooden Sword forward. The thrust, imbued with full Dragon Energy, pierced through the thick hide. Not only that, it sent the male flying far backward.
Kiiri and Inea, carrying Mei, dashed through the gap.
Using Star Crossing, they gained distance rapidly.
Once they were gone, we had no reason to stay. Gawon followed them. I grabbed Ruiseine’s hand and vanished from the Elephant-kin beastmen’s sight with Spatial Jump.
“Just a little further. Keep going.”
Gawon roared.
The Ruined Capital began to appear in our line of sight.
However, at the very end, a final hurdle awaited us.
“Folganne, who has slain a thousand beasts…!”
Gawon’s groan echoed as we halted.
Ahead, a stout warrior blocked our path.
His golden hair and beard were connected, resembling a lion’s mane. He was a great man of imposing stature. His fur shimmered majestically, reflecting the spring sunlight.
This man, who looked like the king of beasts, was Folganne. He held a battle axe in each hand, glaring at us as he waited.
And around Folganne stood dozens of warriors. Not only Lion-kin like Folganne, but also Tiger-kin, Bear-kin, and many other carnivorous beastmen.
“Folganne, step aside.”
“Valiant warrior Gawon, hand over Mei, and we shall let you pass.”
“That’s impossible!”
Folganne, a Lion-kin, glared at Gawon, a Dog-kin.
“Shaman Jab has said that Lady Mei will bring prosperity to the future of the Beast race.”
“Prosperity? What prosperity can a cowardly Sheep-kin child bring?”
“That is for Lady Mei to show as the new宗主.”
“Gawon, have you been blinded? What ability does that little girl possess to lead us? After becoming宗主? Don’t be mistaken. Those who are powerless now will never gain power. Even with the title of宗主, a Sheep-kin girl will remain a Sheep-kin.”
“Even so, Lady Mei was chosen by Jab.”
“Jab has grown too old. The previous宗主 was also incompetent. They did nothing against the humans’ encroachment on this land.”
“That was because Jab desired peace. It was you who drove out the humans with violence, preventing it.”
“Humans bring nothing but disaster.”
“Why do you say that with such certainty?”
“There’s no need to say it, the evidence is right before us.”
Folganne glared at us.
“Who is causing all this trouble? Gawon, you couldn’t have traversed the Iskui grasslands alone. If Mei had died there, our kin wouldn’t have shed unnecessary blood. But look at this. Because we allowed human intervention, our brethren are shedding blood, and we are pointlessly glaring at each other. Realize this. If you wish for prosperity and peace, Mei is an obstacle. Humans should be eliminated.”
At Folganne’s words, Gawon clenched his fists tightly and looked at us. Then, he gazed at Mei in Kiiri’s arms.
“I… I made a promise to my uncle.”
“The loyal Razegan of the grasslands was Jab’s bodyguard. But you are different. Why must you inherit Razegan’s will?”
“However, we are from the same Dog-kin tribe. I cannot let my uncle’s wish go in vain.”
“Hahaha. A wish? What was Razegan’s wish? Protect Mei? No. He was simply loyal to his duty. Because Jab chose Mei, he was forced to comply. His true will is the same as ours.”
“Impossible! That can’t be true!”
Gawon shouted, shaking his head violently from side to side as if to deny everything Folganne said.
But then, someone emerged to press Gawon further.
“Gawon. What Folganne said is true.”
A man, stepping forward from the beastman crowd. He was a middle-aged man with ears similar to Gawon’s.
“Father…”
“We respect the loyalty to Razegan’s duty. However, we will follow Folganne. Even if Mei becomes宗主, prosperity will not come to the Beast race.”
“Father, you too, dismissicate Jab’s words?!”
“I do not dismiss them. But this time, the divination is wrong. Even Shaman Jab is not infallible. Mistakes can happen.”
“No, it’s not a mistake! Lady Mei will surely guide us!”
“That will surely be the path to ruin.”
“No! It’s the path to prosperity!”
“Gawon, you say so, but has the Sheep-kin ever accomplished anything significant? They always hide behind something, cowardly running away. What can they do? Currently, are there any Sheep-kin who have stepped forward to protect Mei, their representative? Where are the ones who moved to protect their own clansman?”
“Th-that’s…”
“What can a child born from those who cannot even protect their own kin do? They can do nothing.”
The beastmen do not trust the Sheep-kin and Mei. This was the root of the current problem.
Shaman Jab’s divination is sacred. However, because the chosen one was a Sheep-kin child, many people rebelled.
Even Gawon seemed to be wavering at the words of his father and Folganne.
“Elnea-kun…”
Ruiseine looked at me with anxious eyes. Kiiri and Inea also huddled together, looking bewildered.
I gave Ruiseine a gentle smile and pushed past Gawon, stepping forward.
“Excuse me for a moment while you’re all busy.”
Still smiling, I looked at Folganne, the beastmen, and Gawon.
Click the heart to easily express your support. (Login required)
Support
Login if you have an account.
Learn more about the reading experience on KakuYomu.
