Chapter 215: The Great Chieftain(1)
Chapter 215: The Great Chieftain(1)
By nature, cats are haughty, prickly, and fiercely independent. They are also surprisingly wary and generally possess quiet temperaments.
Normally, they don't approach strangers easily, but those commonly referred to as "puppy-cats" are sociable and affectionate. Some even go for walks.
Leona, who had expressed her affection(?) for me, was quite similar. At first, she was cynical and prone to growling, but after I helped her, we became significantly closer. Today, she even let me stroke her head.
Of course, she isn't a cat but a lion. However, they both belong to the feline family, so let's let that slide. She takes great pride in being a lion beastkin, so mentioning the comparison might lead to a disaster.
Anyway, due to certain circumstances, I have been "chosen" by her. I plan to tell Mari and Cecile, but resolving the issue regarding the Grand Chieftain is the top priority.
The problem is that this is the most difficult part. Given the current situation in Animus, Leona is undeniably the one who must become the next Grand Chieftain.
She is the only one who can perfectly satisfy the desires of both the royal family and the opposition.
"When will the decision be made?"
"Someone from the upper echelons will probably arrive in three days. Ideally, the decision would be made after I graduate from the Academy, but that’s out of the question. Since the position of Grand Chieftain is vacant, they need to seat someone as soon as possible."
"So the final decision is made then?"
"Yes."
"Then what about the Academy?"
"For now, they’ll just transfer the authority and let me focus on my studies. You can think of it as just leaving the seat empty for a while."
Three days from now—the schedule is incredibly tight. I have to find a way to prevent Leona from becoming the Grand Chieftain before then.
Of course, I plan to tell Mari and Cecile as well. If Leona becomes the Grand Chieftain, it wouldn't matter to them, but if the opposite happens, they absolutely need to know.
If I were to suddenly introduce Leona without them knowing anything, it would be a complete lack of respect and consideration. I have a duty to inform them.
"Do you have a 3 o'clock class tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
"Then let's meet then. I need to tell Mari and Cecile too."
"Got it."
"But..."
My voice trailed off as I looked at Leona. Currently, she wasn't sitting across from me; she was sitting right beside me.
As if flaunting her affection, she rubbed her head against my arm and even started purring.
She even had a happy smile on her face, looking quite content. What kind of change of heart did she have in such a short time to act like this?
"...Leona?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you tell me why you're sticking to me like this? You've already shown your affection."
"I just like your scent. To be honest, I've wanted to do this since the last time we met."
Leona said this as she began to rub her cheek vigorously against my arm. It seemed she was intoxicated by the lilac scent radiating from my body.
I barely managed to suppress a sigh and gently pushed her head away. When I pushed, she didn't resist and moved back according to my touch.
Instead, a look of confusion appeared on her face, as if asking why I was pushing her away.
"Stop that for now, and you should also think about how to escape the position of Grand Chieftain. Is there really not a single other candidate?"
"Hmm..."
"Before that, tell me who the representative of the opposition is. Leading an opposition group suggests they’re quite a formidable person. Even if there's no single leader, there must be someone skillfully coordinating things."
"...Are you talking about that bitch?"
When I asked about the opposition, Leona's expression crumpled in displeasure. Since she referred to the person as "that bitch," it seemed the leader was a woman, and likely one with a poor reputation.
However, among beastkin, the ideology centered on strength is widespread, leading to rampant discrimination. So, I shouldn't take Leona's words at face value.
"I don't know who she is. Can you explain properly?"
"...Fine. Her name is Zinai Krochuker. She's a hyena beastkin."
"A hyena beastkin?"
My eyes widened at the mention of a hyena beastkin. I couldn't remember clearly, but I had heard that hyena beastkin were poorly regarded even among other beastkin.
It was so bad that if you asked someone, "Are you a hyena beastkin?" a Holmgang would be declared immediately. While discriminatory, I guessed there was a reason for it.
Because of my memories from my previous life, I didn't have a great image of hyenas either. They were seen as mean, cunning, and in many ways, the perfect image of a treacherous sycophant.
But that was just an image; in reality, hyenas play a very important role in the ecosystem. Furthermore, even if they were considered second-tier, they were very strong creatures, capable of competing with lions, the apex predators.
And such a hyena was the head of the opposition. I had a feeling there were complicated circumstances involved.
"I heard hyena beastkin have a bad reputation even among your kind. That you might even get challenged to a Holmgang if you say the wrong thing."
"That's right."
"Can you tell me why they have such an image?"
"Historically, they've been a troublesome lot. Not only do they use underhanded tactics to create rifts in tribes, but they'll also use any means necessary to seize an opportunity. Because of this, hyena beastkin lived as wanderers until they entered Animus at Lord Hik's invitation. But it didn't take long for their nature to lead to the current situation."
"Hmm..."
Just hearing about it, only negative elements came up. It wasn't much different from the image in my previous life.
However, to truly know a person's true character, one must meet them in person. I stroked my chin, lost in thought, and then asked Leona one thing.
"Have you ever met her personally?"
"No. I've only heard stories. Historically, the evaluation of hyenas has always been poor."
"I thought so."
I nodded naturally at Leona's answer. I'd have to meet them to be sure, but hyena beastkin seemed to be a miniature version of the Demon race.
As seen with the Demons, prejudice exists everywhere. It was possible that hyena beastkin, like Demons, lived under the pressure of prejudice.
Despite this, the fact that she rose to become the center of the opposition meant she must be an extraordinary individual. I wanted to meet her at least once.
"Leona. It's not right to judge a person just by what you've heard. Look at the Demons. Until the Xenon Biography came out, they were persecuted as devils and whatnot. Couldn't the hyenas be similar?"
"That may be true, but they've brought great chaos to Animus. As a member of the lions, it's hard to look at them in a positive light."
"You're right. But I'm a bit bothered by the fact that Hik personally brought the hyena beastkin in. If hyenas were truly a treacherous race, Hik wouldn't have brought them."
"..."
Hik was the founding king of Animus and the Father of the Nation for the beastkin. Since he gathered the scattered tribes after the Race War and established Animus, he was more than worthy of being called a hero.
Yet, a man of such heroic stature as Hik personally incorporated the hyena beastkin into Animus. If they were as cunning and mean as Leona said, they would have been a hindrance to the nation's founding, but they weren't.
History tells many facts, but it doesn't tell everything. For instance, it's said that humans began using magic because they fought Elves during the Race War, but in reality, it was taught by the Demons.
Perhaps the hyenas had their own circumstances as well. This was my perspective as a third party.
"Of course, this is just my opinion, so just take it as a reference. I'm not saying you should nominate a hyena as the Grand Chieftain either. I'm just saying you should set aside your prejudices."
"...Alright. I'll take it to heart."
"Good. Then..."
I smiled warmly and gently stroked the head of the now-gloomy Leona. It was an instinctive action because she looked so downcast.
Then, Leona's drooping ears perked up! She stared at me with a dazed look.
Realizing what I’d done, I quickly pulled my hand away, but her gaze remained fixed on my face.
"Ah. Sorry. If... if that was unpleasant..."
"Hey."
"I'll apologize... huh?"
Before I could finish my apology, Leona stared intently at my face and suddenly made a strange request.
"Can I bite you once?"
"...No."
Bite me with those sharp fangs? Is she trying to kill someone?
The next day arrived, the day for the three-way meeting(?) between Mari, Cecile, and Leona. I had steeled my heart, but since I expected to be cursed out thoroughly, I briefly considered not telling them at all.
However, Leona had already practically given up on the position of Grand Chieftain. Since I said I would help, she was already giddy with the thought of kicking the position away.
In this state, it was obvious she would declare her intention to become my wife. To lessen the shock, I had to tell them in advance somehow. There’s a reason for the proverb that it's better to get the beating over with early.
Fortunately, Lina seemed to have sensed something and made herself scarce, claiming she had business. Thus, I, Mari, Cecile, and finally Leona sat down for a cozy meal.
"I'm Leona Lyons, the woman who will become Isaac's third wife. Nice to meet you."
"Pfft!!"
And before the ordered food even arrived, Leona boldly dropped a statement that omitted all context and background.
Since my throat was parched from nervousness, I couldn't help but spray my drink the moment I heard her words.
While I was reacting like this, what about the others?
"...Mari? Did I... hear that wrong?"
"No. I think I heard it quite clearly."
Both Mari and Cecile were visibly flustered. Cecile, in particular, looked as if she was trying to distinguish whether what she heard was reality or not.
Mari already knew Leona and had some understanding of the difference in common sense between humans and beastkin, whereas this was Cecile's first time meeting her. She couldn't help but be beyond flustered—she was dumbfounded.
"No... cough! cough! That... cough!"
Sensing the atmosphere turn strange due to Leona's statement, I tried to speak quickly, but only coughs came out as if something had gone down the wrong pipe.
It was only after Mari patted my back that I finally managed to calm down. Still, occasional coughs were unavoidable.
"Cough. Hey. You... cough... omitted way too much. How can you just say that out of the blue?"
"Once the matter is resolved, it'll become a fait accompli anyway, so does it matter?"
"...Isaac?"
As soon as Leona said that, Mari called my name from beside me in a chilling voice. I flinched and turned my head to find Mari glaring at me fiercely.
Unable to say anything under that gaze, Mari glared at me for a while before finally letting out a sigh. Guilt toward her weighed heavily on my chest, making it hard to speak.
Meanwhile, Cecile, who still hadn't grasped the situation, asked us with an expression demanding an explanation.
"Can someone tell me what's going on? Mari, it seems you've met Leona before?"
"Ah, right. I haven't told the Princess. Take a look at me."
Leona answered Cecile's question instead, showing her ears. She even twitched them for emphasis.
Cecile was briefly surprised to see the animal ears atop Leona's head, but she soon nodded with a calm expression.
"So you really are a beastkin. I suspected as much from the moment I saw you."
"Oh? You knew?"
"Even if you hide it, the 'frame' doesn't change."
As expected of the next Demon King, Cecile seemed to have identified Leona's identity beforehand. Since mana and magic exist in this world, identifying someone's true nature wouldn't be difficult.
She shifted her gaze from Leona's ears and immediately questioned me.
"Setting aside the fact that Leona is a beastkin, what's this about becoming the third wife? Can you explain in detail?"
"I'd like a detailed explanation too, Isaac. I heard that before, so why do I have to hear something similar again?"
My lovers were applying pressure in their own different ways. However, since I had already anticipated this, I was able to compose myself.
I barely suppressed my racing heart and began to explain everything step by step. Starting from the publication of Volume 16 to the story of Leona being on the verge of becoming the Grand Chieftain.
To prevent any misunderstandings, I told them everything exactly as it was, without leaving out even the smallest detail. Since I had prepared thoroughly, I was able to continue without stopping.
After the explanation ended, a long, heavy silence followed, just as I had expected. Mari and Cecile initially gave no answer or reaction to my story.
As I waited for their response, I was incredibly anxious. Leona, also sensing the mood, rolled her eyes and waited quietly without saying a word.
"...Sigh."
How much time had passed under that heavy silence? Mari let out a long, deep sigh that seemed to shake the ground.
Then, resting her chin on her hand, she muttered quietly in a tone that sounded like a lament.
"First, some Cardinal asks for your seed, and now this one openly says she'll be your wife..."
"..."
"I expected the number of women to increase, but I never dreamed it would happen like this... That damn Xenon Biography is really something..."
While lamenting, she shifted her gaze toward Leona while still resting her chin on her hand. As soon as Leona met Mari's eyes, she flinched and adopted a demure posture.
The confidence with which she had boldly declared she would be my wife had vanished, leaving only a quick-witted cat. It seemed the aura emanating from Mari was no joke.
Mari stared at Leona for a moment, then took her hand off her chin and spoke.
"I understand the situation. If you become the Grand Chieftain, you not only have to bear Isaac's children but also accept the seeds of other men to increase the descendants, and if not, you'll become Isaac's wife?"
"Y-yes!"
"That is the beastkin way of repaying a debt. If he refuses, it would be taken as an insult. Right?"
"Exactly."
It seemed Mari couldn't easily accept it. I had felt the same way at first.
Beastkin customs seem barbaric to humans, and the idea of treating a person like an object is bound to be unsettling.
Demons were originally humans who transformed, so while there are cultural differences, their common sense isn't that different. On the other hand, beastkin have strong instinctive traits, like animals.
"Leona. Do you think that's a normal culture? The custom of treating a person as a kind of trophy?"
"At least for us beastkin, it's a perfectly normal culture. I'd appreciate it if you didn't disparage another's culture so lightly."
Leona, who had high pride in being a beastkin, immediately retorted. Not only was her expression displeased, but her words were also laced with thorns.
Mari, realizing her slip of the tongue, immediately apologized. She seemed to have made a mistake out of sheer disbelief.
"I'm sorry. But it's just so absurd... The way you boldly say you'll be the third wife is a bit... isn't it?"
"What's strange about it? I don't find it strange at all."
"No. I mean... ugh..."
Mari clutched her head and groaned. Since they weren't speaking the same language, she had no confidence in persuading her. This was exactly how she felt.
Cecile looked at her pityingly before turning her gaze to Leona. Then, she spoke in her characteristically charming voice.
"Leona. I can respect that beastkin culture is like that. But I hope you also respect human culture. Declaring you'll be the third wife out of the blue is something humans find rather off-putting."
"But didn't you, Princess, become Isaac's second wife? Isn't it similar?"
"That's possible because I love Isaac, and Isaac loves me. Do you love Isaac?"
"I like him as a male. I really like his ambition to keep his females all to himself without sharing them with anyone else."
"..."
This time, it was Cecile's turn to be speechless. She looked dumbfounded by the statement that was very beastkin-like.
If things continued like this, we would just be going in circles. As the awkward atmosphere settled, I spoke in a cautious tone.
"...I said those things, but nothing is confirmed yet. We still have to resolve the issue of Leona's treatment as the Grand Chieftain. For now, I just wanted to let you know that this situation exists."
"Right. It's a good thing you told us. If you hadn't, I would have squeezed you so hard you wouldn't be able to hang out with other women."
"I agree."
Mari, growling like a fierce dog, and Cecile, acting haughty like a cat. The terrifying statements hidden within were enough to make me squeeze my thighs together.
Fortunately, since there was no mention of breaking up, it seemed things were somewhat resolved. Of course, I would have to deal with the aftermath.
While I shivered from the goosebumps rising on my skin, the groaning Mari suddenly raised her head and offered a solution.
"Fine. I understand Leona's story. You said you hate the idea of becoming the Grand Chieftain?"
"Yes. I hate it."
"I agree. I would also flatly refuse to become a seed pouch. As a fellow woman, I can sympathize with that. But let's consider becoming Isaac's wife gradually. While we respect beastkin culture, you also need to learn about human culture in detail. Got it?"
"Hmm... Alright. We have plenty of time."
"It seems mostly resolved then. And Isaac."
"Y-yes?"
Mari called my name and stared at me with burning blue eyes. I was overwhelmed by that gaze and stood still.
"Isaac?"
From the side, Cecile called my name in a seductive voice. When I turned my head, my vision was filled with sultry red eyes.
Two different pairs of eyes were glaring at me as if they were going to devour me. Who could possibly withstand this gaze?
As I swallowed hard and felt the tension, Mari and Cecile spoke simultaneously.
"I'll make sure you can't think of other women today."
"So this is what happens when you look away. I understand perfectly."
At the same time, Mari placed her hand suggestively on my thigh, and Cecile gently wrapped her arms around mine. Anyone who knows what this means would understand.
The situation was resolved peacefully, but it seemed I would have to sacrifice my waist.
'I'm glad I received some Divine Power beforehand.'
Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get up tomorrow. While I was crying inwardly...
"...There are two lionesses here."
Leona offered a comment of admiration—or something like it—from across the table.