Chapter 216: The Great Chieftain(2)
Chapter 216: The Great Chieftain(2)
The situation regarding Leona was settled amicably, one way or another. Since Leona said she would resolve the Grand Chieftain issue first and think things over slowly afterward, there was no need to worry about the future.
Of course, sacrificing my poor lower back was unavoidable.
It hadn't been long since Kate asked for my "seed," and with Leona added to the mix, the jealousy of my two lovely lovers truly exploded.
As if determined to make sure I couldn't even look at another woman, they kept going until my stamina was completely bottomed out—and the next day was no different. Marie, in particular, was so passionate that she even skipped her classes the following day.
On top of that, they were openly possessive, declaring that they would always be first and that they would be the ones to have my children first.
Since no one is as lovely as a jealous girlfriend, I responded to their fervor with everything I had. Though the result was Marie fainting, I was satisfied because it felt like we had reaffirmed our love for one another.
"Hey. You doing okay?"
"I'm fine, so don't worry about it."
And so, the day the representatives from Animus were scheduled to arrive came. I answered Leona's worried question with a nonchalant expression.
Whether it was thanks to my Divine Power or the result of the physical training I'd been doing with Adelia, my back was perfectly fine.
It was my first time handling both of them at once, so I had overexerted myself, but I recovered quickly enough to go about my daily life.
"Hmm..."
Leona looked at my composed face with a look of surprise before sliding her gaze downward. I could feel her staring at a rather... sensitive area.
As if she were appraising a piece of meat, I narrowed my eyes slightly and scolded her.
"Stop looking at weird places and get ready. Aren't you worried? If things go wrong, you could end up as the Grand Chieftain without any say in the matter."
"Not really, since I have you."
"Sigh. I really envy how easygoing you are."
Talk about the cart before the horse; it looked like I was the one who would have to solve the problem Leona was supposed to deal with. Of course, since she almost became the Grand Chieftain because of the Xenon Biography, I did bear some responsibility.
As for the talk about her becoming my third wife, I just had to resolve that slowly. For now, the Grand Chieftain issue was the priority.
"So, when are they arriving?"
"They should be here any moment."
It was evening, after all the classes had ended. Currently, Leona and I were waiting near the Academy entrance.
Ideally, I would have preferred them to come on the weekend, but given the circumstances, they had no choice but to come during the week. Thus, we agreed to meet in the evening after classes.
"Who did you say was coming?"
"My eldest brother and Zinai."
"Just the two of them?"
"Yeah. They're strong enough that they don't really need guards, and it'd be a pain if they drew too much attention."
"I feel like just being together would draw attention, though. Are you going to be okay?"
As everyone knows, Leona was attending the Academy while hiding her identity as a Beastkin.
There was a common prejudice in this world that Beastkin were bellicose and ignorant, leading people to assume they could never enroll in an Academy.
However, from what I could see, it wasn't that Beastkin were ignorant; they just didn't study because they didn't feel the need to use their heads. It was more a case of having such good physiques that brainwork felt redundant.
Regardless, no Beastkin had ever enrolled in the Academy before, so if Leona's identity were revealed, it would cause a massive uproar. Knowing this, Leona nodded in response.
"I'll have to be careful not to get caught. That's why only the representatives are coming. Oh, there they are."
Leona pointed toward the entrance, and I turned my head. Two figures were striding toward us from the main gate.
My eyesight wasn't particularly great, and they were too far away for me to make out their features clearly. Meanwhile, Leona waved her arm vigorously, looking happy to see them.
One of the two figures waved back, showing a friendly sign. The person next to them, however, showed no reaction at all.
The one waving was likely Leona's brother, and the one next to him was probably Zinai. Even from a distance, their builds looked similar.
Come to think of it, didn't they say female hyenas are larger than the males?
I had heard that hyenas, uniquely, maintained a matriarchal society for that reason. Perhaps that was why their representative was a woman rather than a man.
As they drew closer, I asked Leona if there was anything I should be careful about.
"Is there anything I should watch out for when speaking? Like sensitive topics?"
"If I had to pick, maybe Zinai? She's got a silver tongue. So, be careful not to get played by her."
"Got it."
It seemed Leona still held onto her preconceptions about Hyena Beastkin.
*
As planned, we met with the representatives and immediately moved to a place where we could talk comfortably. Fortunately, both of them had already eaten, so we just needed to chat at a cafe.
The problem, however, was that both of them were enormous. I thought I'd never see anyone larger than my father in my life, but the physical hardware of the Beastkin was truly no joke.
In the end, we decided to talk at a restaurant rather than a cramped cafe. Conveniently, Leona and I also needed to eat, so we asked for their understanding.
"Greetings. I am Balkan Lions, the eldest son of the Grand Chieftain. It is an honor to meet the Sage who delivered wisdom to Animus."
The Lion Beastkin sitting across from Leona introduced himself politely, placing a hand over his chest. Unlike Leona, his face was closer to that of a beast than a human.
With a lion's mane instead of hair and brilliant, glowing golden eyes, he looked every bit the image of a courageous warrior.
Furthermore, his attire was leather armor rather than everyday clothes, giving him the image of a warrior rather than royalty.
His deep, cave-like bass voice also exuded masculinity and steadfastness.
"Zinai Krochuker."
The Hyena Beastkin sitting across from me also had a face closer to a beast's.
With a protruding snout and dark eyes, her fur was a mix of dull, messy-looking black, unlike Balkan's. It gave her a somewhat sly impression.
However, her well-tailored purple silk clothes and monocle gave her a surprisingly intellectual air. Her voice was a pleasant tenor, carrying a sense of calm.
Just as Leona had mentioned, her impression was that of a sycophant, but I felt I should add that she looked quite capable.
"Nice to meet you. I am Isaac... Ducard Maishal, the one who shared wisdom with Leona. I'm not a sage, so I'd appreciate it if you'd drop that title."
The reason I hesitated for a moment was, naturally, because of my father. Even if it happened in the border region, my father had a terrifying record of slaughtering Beastkin.
And as expected, as soon as I revealed my surname, the two individuals in front of me widened their eyes in surprise. Balkan was the first to question me.
"Maishal? Isn't Maishal the surname of the Red Lion?"
"Yes. I am the second son of Hawk Ducard Maishal."
"I suspected as much seeing the red hair and golden eyes... but this is quite surprising."
It seemed my father's fame had reached the ears of Animus. Well, everyone who was anyone knew him, so it would be stranger if they didn't.
While I laughed awkwardly, Balkan looked at me with an intrigued expression before shifting his gaze to Leona.
"You've built a connection with a quite remarkable person."
"It just kind of happened."
Leona shrugged her shoulders and replied nonchalantly, as if it were no big deal. Meanwhile, Zinai stared at me intently before letting out a smirk and speaking.
"I guess you're the type to use your head rather than your body?"
"How did you know?"
"I can tell just by looking at your hands."
Zinai replied, pointing at my hands. Indeed, anyone could see that I had never properly held a sword; my hands were long and slender.
It didn't matter to me, but apparently, it did to Balkan. He frowned slightly and scolded her in a stern voice.
"Isn't it rude to say such things to the son of a warrior?"
"Why? I'm just stating the facts. Can't I even say that?"
"Be careful not to let that flippant mouth of yours run wild."
"Whatever you say."
It was clear at a glance that the two of them didn't get along. It was only natural, considering her father had died due to the Holmgang and she was the mastermind who had plunged Animus into chaos.
I just hoped they wouldn't cause a scene here. While my head wasn't at risk, I couldn't afford to let my guard down.
"Ahem. My apologies. Anyway, Leona. Do you have any intention of becoming the Grand Chieftain? Since Zinai has also agreed, we will follow your decision."
"It's annoying to have a lion on top again, but there's no one with a clearer justification than the Young Lady."
It seemed that not only Balkan but also Zinai intended to obediently push Leona for the position of Grand Chieftain without greed.
Furthermore, seeing the title 'Young Lady,' it seemed she respected Leona in her own way.
But they didn't know. Leona had already made up her mind.
Hearing their words, Leona glanced at me once and then declared with a look of firm resolve.
"No. I will not take the position of Grand Chieftain."
"What?"
"Hmm..."
Unlike Balkan, who was visibly flustered, Zinai remained calm. Though she looked surprised, she didn't show an agitated reaction like Balkan.
Seeing that, I could infer that she had expected Leona's refusal to some extent. She seemed as sharp as her appearance suggested.
"W-what do you mean by that? You're refusing the position of Grand Chieftain?"
"Exactly what I said. I never had the slightest intention of becoming the Grand Chieftain in the first place. I might be smart, but I'm not wise. As Isaac said, a king must be wise."
Knowledge and wisdom might seem similar at first glance, but there is a distinct difference. Knowledge can be acquired through learning, but wisdom is not something you get just by being taught.
The true value of these two abilities is revealed in one's capacity to handle situations. Knowledge tends to falter when a specific accident occurs, but wisdom allows one to navigate through it smoothly with appropriate improvisation.
This is why a king must be wise rather than just smart. One never knows how the world will change, and the future is full of various variables.
"Brother Balkan. I am not wise. The improvements to the Holmgang were all told to me by Isaac; I was merely the messenger. Caind in the Xenon Biography is also described as having high intelligence, but if you read it again, his wise side is much stronger."
"Mmm..."
"If I become the Grand Chieftain, I might be able to stop the immediate chaos, but not what comes after. A situation like the current one could happen again. A nation's present is important, but above all, the future is what matters."
I took the baton after Leona.
"It's as Leona says. A king is an ideal figure who must possess not only intelligence but also wisdom. You could force Leona into the position of Grand Chieftain, but doing so would bring about unfortunate results for everyone. Historically, incompetent rulers have caused more horrific outcomes than even tyrants."
"Are you saying Leona would become an incompetent ruler?"
"That's not it. But the position of a king—the Grand Chieftain—is not a seat one should take lightly just because the justification is met. Didn't you say the person who took the Grand Chieftain position through the Holmgang committed acts of tyranny?"
I wasn't referring to Leona and Balkan's father, the former Grand Chieftain, but the man who had occupied the seat for the past two years. The root of all evil who had plunged Animus into chaos and was a tyrant in his own right.
He was simply strong in martial arts and was a living example of the flaws of the Holmgang. The current situation was the direct result of that.
Balkan narrowed his eyes after hearing my words and nodded as if forced to admit it. Since the tyrant had committed blatant atrocities, he likely sympathized deeply with my words.
"But if that's the case, there's no one suitable to sit in the Grand Chieftain's seat..."
"I told you, just put me in it. Why agonize over it? I'm telling you, I can rule well."
While Balkan was muttering in deep thought, Zinai smirked from the side.
At that, not only Balkan but even Leona began to emit a murderous aura, their expressions turning grim. Even if it was a joke, that seemed a bit much.
I shivered at the atmosphere that had turned icy in an instant, while cautiously watching their reactions. Zinai, despite being the target of their murderous glares, maintained a relaxed attitude as if it were nothing.
Was such boldness also a characteristic of hyenas? I had a feeling that one wrong word could lead to disaster.
"...If you wag that tongue one more time, you should give up on returning home in one piece."
"Oh my, how scary. Hey, Sage."
"Yes? Me?"
Zinai ignored Balkan's fierce threat and called out to me. I was slightly flustered by her calling me 'Sage.'
Regardless, she leaned her upper body forward and spoke in a coaxing voice.
"Instead of those narrow-minded lions, what do you think about me becoming the Grand Chieftain? I might look like this, but I've got a good head on my shoulders. I'm overflowing with that 'wisdom' you mentioned."
"That's not wisdom; that's called being a snake."
"If I were just a snake, I wouldn't have been able to grow the opposition force so large. Being a snake is about helping yourself, but wisdom is about helping others. Isn't that right?"
"That's true, but..."
As Zinai said, one can distinguish between being a snake and being wise. Wisdom helps others, while being a snake has a somewhat selfish aspect.
However, they are divided by how they are used; the essence itself can be seen as similar. I rolled my eyes and spoke cautiously.
"...Ms. Zinai, do you consider yourself wise?"
"A little bit?"
"In what way?"
"I'm quite good at utilizing people."
"Isaac. I told you before, it's better to let half of what she says go in one ear and out the other."
While Zinai and I were continuing our conversation, Leona warned me from the side as if grumbling. Just as she said, Zinai's speech had a knack for drawing people in.
She must have used that kind of rhetoric to grow the opposition and, furthermore, bring chaos to Animus. But a question suddenly occurred to me.
What exactly was Zinai's goal? Every faction has a goal. And Zinai could be considered the center of the opposition.
I thought deeply before looking at the smirking Zinai and asking.
"Then, Ms. Zinai, what is your objective? I'm curious what you would want to do if you became the Grand Chieftain."
"It's nothing much. Just living a slightly better life than now? I'd reclaim some land for food stockpiling and, while I'm at it, completely overhaul the political structure. Who cares about those damn customs? Eating well and living comfortably is the best, isn't it?"
"I see."
I nodded.
She had the political sense to grow an opposition force, she was good at doing dirty work, and above all, as she said herself, she was good at managing people.
I wasn't sure about her wisdom, but hearing Balkan say she was a snake, it seemed all she needed was a change in direction. Furthermore, she had the long-term vision to clearly catch the risk factors of Animus.
If this wasn't someone meant to be king, then who was? I looked around and said suggestively.
"I think it might be better for Ms. Zinai to become the Grand Chieftain."
And the response came immediately.
"Are you crazy?"
It came not from Balkan or Leona, but from Zinai herself.