Chapter 213: Book 16(3)
Chapter 213: Book 16(3)
About a week had passed since the release of Volume 16, and Leona, who had traveled to Animus, finally returned to the Academy.
However, as soon as she arrived, she sought me out in a frantic state. Without even a greeting, she blurted out that she might become the King and begged me to do something about it.
It was a stroke of luck that there were almost no passersby; had the area been crowded, things could have turned dangerous in many ways. For Leona, of course, not for me.
I quickly led her to a quiet spot—a suitable cafe—where I sat down to listen to her story.
"Before we get into the details, did things go well in Animus? I wanted to ask that first."
Beads of sweat dotted Leona’s forehead, likely from scouring the campus to find me.
Beastkin generally possess the strongest physical "hardware" of all races, so for her to be sweating meant she was in a serious hurry. Finding me must have been easy thanks to the scent of lilacs emanating from my body, but her state alone told me how urgent the situation was.
"Whew... First, I’m sorry for calling you out so suddenly. It’s just so urgent..."
"I can tell it's urgent. So, what was the result?"
"It turned out well, actually. Just like you said, when people started mocking me or pretending not to listen, I provoked them a little, and they fell for it hook, line, and sinker."
"Does that mean the Holmgang will really be held in a tournament format?"
Leona gave a heavy nod to my confirming question. Seeing her reaction, I couldn't help but be genuinely surprised.
In an era like this, changing traditions and culture is an incredibly difficult task. Especially since the Holmgang played a decisive role in the founding of their nation, it must be considered sacred. Touching it at all was an act of immense courage.
However, the fact that they were willing to listen suggested that even they realized the tradition of Holmgang was barbaric and a major obstacle to leading the nation forward.
"That’s the plan going forward. Not immediately, of course, but they’ll establish rules and plan it out slowly. But to officially announce it, we need a Grand Chieftain..."
"And since there’s no King, no official decrees can be issued."
Only a King possesses the authority to change tradition. And even if the throne is empty, that authority must exist.
The moment someone issues a decree without permission, they are essentially declaring themselves King. Since Leona had mentioned having many siblings, a subtle war of nerves had undoubtedly begun.
"Can't they just pass the title of Grand Chieftain to the eldest son of the first wife? Is it different for beastkin?"
"It’s a bit different. Normally, the Grand Chieftain would designate a successor personally, but the problem is that he passed into Lord Hirt’s embrace before a proper succession could take place. Because of that, we can't rashly choose a new Grand Chieftain. To make matters worse, the faction that wants to abolish the Holmgang is insisting on choosing the Grand Chieftain themselves..."
"Which means the nation could end up split in two."
"Yeah."
It’s common for groups with different ideologies in one country to elect their own separate leaders. In my previous life, examples included Korea, Vietnam, and Germany.
This meant that Animus, which Hik had worked so hard to found, was at risk of becoming a divided nation. If measures weren't taken quickly, the probability of a civil war would skyrocket.
While I was momentarily stunned by the internal affairs of Animus, which seemed to have grown even more serious, I asked about the part that piqued my curiosity.
"Then what’s this about you becoming King? Even if you're the daughter of the third wife, you still have the blood of the Grand Chieftain in your veins."
"...First, you need to understand the ideology of the opposition. It’s closely tied to why they want to abolish the Holmgang. They want a Grand Chieftain with intellect—someone skilled in politics, diplomacy, and administration—rather than just raw martial power. Until now, our Lion tribe has run the government simply because we are descendants of Hik. On the other hand, our side maintains that we cannot have a Grand Chieftain who isn't a Lion."
It was a classic political struggle, but a fascinating one. While royalty valuing bloodlines is common, the opposition was the group to watch.
In a way, this could be seen as the first step toward democracy. Of course, it wouldn't be a full-fledged democracy like in my previous life; its significance would lie in the people directly choosing their King.
If the opposition gained enough momentum, the concept of 'voting' might even emerge. Since the Holmgang was already being reformed to match such changes, they could take a step toward democracy if they played their cards right.
It was somewhat ironic that the beastkin, often called barbaric by other races, might be the first to head toward democracy, but you never know how the world will turn.
Anyway, moving on—
"While this tense confrontation was ongoing, Volume 16 of the Xenon Biography was released. Have you seen it by any chance?"
"Of course I have."
I’m the author, after all. As I swallowed those words and nodded, Leona gave a serious nod of her own.
Then, as if suddenly embarrassed, her cheeks flushed slightly, and the ears atop her head drooped listlessly.
Hesitating for a moment, Leona spoke up—not in her usual cynical tone, but in a voice that was timid to the extreme.
"Um... I don't know if you remember, but last year, I told you something, didn't I? That I would never read something like the Xenon Biography that humans write."
"Did you?"
I tilted my head, searching my memory. I believe it was the day I accidentally discovered Leona's true identity.
Back then, a tiny penguin had been squawking fearlessly at her, so her opinion of me probably wasn't great. She likely said the Xenon Biography was boring too.
I had forgotten all about it by now, but it seemed she had been holding onto it.
She’s surprisingly timid.
She acts tough and fierce on the outside, but looking at her now, she definitely has a shy side. I couldn't tell which was her true self.
Perhaps the timid side was real and the fierce personality was a bluff. Or, as the daughter of the third wife, she might have worn a mask to avoid being looked down upon.
"...Actually, that's not true. I love it. In fact, not just me, but my siblings enjoy reading it too."
"Your siblings? They don't seem like the type."
"I recommended it to them. I told them to read it at least once. I said they should at least know how to read, and they reluctantly started. But then Volume 16 came out, and a problem arose. You know what happens in Volume 16, right?"
Of course I knew. It would be weird if I didn't, considering I wrote it.
When I nodded, Leona gave a troubled nod of her own and began to lay out the details one by one.
"As you know, in Volume 16, Caind defeats Satan... well, calling it a defeat is a bit ambiguous. Anyway, at the end, Caind, who is physically weak but highly intelligent, takes the seat of Grand Chieftain."
"I know that part."
"That’s where the problem starts. The Xenon Biography is currently being treated as a book of prophecy. Because of this, voices are growing louder saying that someone like Caind—someone with superior intellect rather than martial power—should become the Grand Chieftain."
"...They actually believe that?"
I mean, following a book's plot to that extent seemed a bit much.
The pollution of the World Tree's roots, the Demon Worshippers, and the Reaper were all things that had already happened, not the future.
Yet, Animus was trying to follow the events of the Xenon Biography to the letter. It wasn't a case of "How is this actually happening?"; they were forcing reality to fit the fiction.
"Naturally, there was pushback at first. People asked why we should follow the contents of a mere book. But thanks to the Xenon Biography, everyone realized how complicated the situation in Animus really is. So, they all believe it. They think Xenon knows the future and is trying to change Animus as well."
"That's not it at all..."
"Huh?"
"I mean, I'm sure that's not the case."
I was so flabbergasted I almost made a slip of the tongue.
Leona blinked her golden eyes at my agreement before continuing her explanation.
"Right? But that's where the political issues get mixed in. I’m smart enough to get into the Academy, and I have the bloodline of a Lion beastkin. There are no issues with my lineage, and I satisfy the desires of the opposition."
"So, they’re pushing for you to be the next Grand Chieftain. Is that it?"
"Exactly! And I don't have the slightest desire to be the Grand Chieftain!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Perhaps frustrated by her current predicament, Leona slammed her fist onto the table with a burst of resentment. She really knew how to deliver a "shotgun" strike.
Whether she failed to control her strength or was just naturally that powerful, her fist left a clear indentation in the table.
I’ll have to pay for that later. Realizing her mistake a moment too late, Leona gasped and began to glance at me nervously.
"...I'll pay for the damage, so just keep talking."
"S-sorry... Anyway, not just my family, but even the opposition is pushing me for the position because I'm smart and my bloodline is fine. Plus, since I was the one who suggested the changes to the Holmgang, everyone thinks it's only right that I become the Grand Chieftain."
"I was the one who suggested the Holmgang improvements, not you. Didn't you say you shouldn't lie to your family?"
"That’s another problem. Not only did I present the plan to improve the Holmgang, but the idea that a wise king, rather than a strong one, should rule the country seems to have left a deep impression. They’ve already pegged you as a Sage."
"...Hah."
I let out a hollow laugh, dumbfounded. Why does everyone keep calling me a Sage?
I pondered for a moment on how to respond before speaking in a calm voice.
"Just tell them I'm your friend."
"Uh... friend?"
When I casually used the word "friend," Leona’s expression turned awkward. The word seemed quite foreign to her.
Come to think of it, she probably had to hide her identity most of the time, so she likely didn't have anyone she could truly call a friend. Recently, Mari had figured out her identity, but they weren't exactly close.
For someone who always had to wear the mask of a model student and act a part, I might be the only person she could call a friend.
"What? Is it weird for me to be your friend?"
"N-no! Absolutely not! Don't misunderstand."
"What's there to misunderstand?"
The more I talked to Leona, the more I felt like I was seeing her true self. This version of her, rather than the usual cynical one, seemed to be the real Leona.
The reason she had been so fierce before was probably because I was a stranger. She might have had the mindset that it didn't matter how she treated someone who wasn't "hers."
I watched Leona, who was blushing in embarrassment, and took a sip of my coffee. To summarize the story so far:
In the Xenon Biography, Caind, who is more intelligent than strong, becomes the Grand Chieftain, and the book is currently regarded as a prophecy worldwide.
Therefore, people assume that if Leona, who is bright enough to attend the Academy, takes the throne, Animus will also reach a happy ending.
Furthermore, since she has a connection with a wise Sage(?) who can suggest improvements to the Holmgang, they believe there is much to gain.
At least, that's how it goes in the book...
In reality, Animus would achieve terrifying growth and enter an era of great peace after Caind becomes the Grand Chieftain. He would form an Alliance Army, engage in trade with neighboring nations, and play a major role in the Great War to come.
However, one must distinguish between books and reality. Leona is certainly qualified to be the Grand Chieftain, but no one knows if she has the temperament for it.
She could become a tyrant, an even worse incompetent ruler, or a sage-king the likes of which history has never seen.
"In conclusion, you don't want to be the Grand Chieftain, right? Why not?"
"I’m better as an aide supporting a leader, not the leader myself. Studying is hard enough as it is; becoming the Grand Chieftain is just nonsense."
"So you lack confidence?"
"Yeah."
Feeling no need to deny it, Leona answered boldly. It was understandable, considering the previous Grand Chieftain had his head taken after someone challenged him to a Holmgang.
Of course, from my perspective, it didn't matter whether she became the Grand Chieftain or not. But I couldn't just ignore her when she was asking for help like this.
Ah, there was one thing I was curious about. Since they suspected me of being a Sage, there would surely be some impact on me as well.
Given the nature of beastkin culture, I knew they always repaid their debts. Last time, Leona had even declared in front of Mari that she would become my wife.
Though that was a mishap caused by a difference in common sense, if Leona became the Grand Chieftain, they might bestow an even greater "reward"(?) upon me. From their perspective, it would be a reward, but for me, it would be nothing but a headache.
"Come to think of it, they suspect me of being a Sage, right? If you become the Grand Chieftain, is there any impact on me?"
I raised my coffee cup and asked Leona. After asking, I took a sip and waited for her answer.
"Since you brought the plan for the Holmgang and even gave me advice, probably..."
Leona pondered my question deeply, then stole a glance at me before answering in a tiny, crawling voice.
"...Given beastkin customs, it’s pretty much set in stone that you’ll have to father my child. It’s not just any child, but one carrying the blood of the Grand Chieftain."
"... ..."
Drip—
The coffee that was in my mouth flowed right back into the cup.