Chapter 472: Beastkin Democracy(3)
Chapter 472: Beastkin Democracy(3)
Various races inhabit this world. From the "default" humans to the Beastkin, Dwarves, Elves, and even the Demon race.
If one were to include the various "ethnicities" or "tribes" within each race, the list would be far longer, but since even the primary races are difficult enough to distinguish, most people don't bother looking deeper.
However, that doesn't mean discrimination within the same race is non-existent. Differences in skin color, place of birth, and, further still, cultural disparities give rise to various forms of prejudice.
By nature, wherever differences exist among sapient beings, conflict is inevitable. There’s a reason people say that human nature is the same wherever you go.
Among them, there is one race that suffers from internal discrimination even more severely than humans: the Beastkin. Their struggle with prejudice is an internal malady rather than an external one.
Other races tend to view Beastkin as more or less the same—the "furred races"—but the reality inside is entirely different.
Lions, tigers, bears, oxen, dogs, cats, rabbits, and more. A multitude of ethnicities lived within Animus, making it a literal melting pot of species.
But that diversity brought a proportional amount of trouble. Beastkin, much like the animals they resembled, possessed distinct instincts and vastly different cultures.
It was manageable when they lived in scattered tribes across the world, but once Animus was founded as a nation, various problems began to surface.
It was common for a Tiger Beastkin, with their naturally aggressive temperament, to intimidate a timid Rabbit Beastkin.
Bear Beastkin are known to be fiercely protective of their families; once, a Monkey Beastkin, unaware of this trait, played a prank on one and was nearly torn to shreds.
Then there were the Cat Beastkin, with their sharp sense of territory, getting into brawls with others, or people insulting Ox Beastkin by telling them to go pull a plow.
Since the founding of Animus, such incidents had been pouring out, cementing themselves as a major social issue.
"Do you really think those 'votes' will ever unify? With so many different ethnicities involved?"
Anuman Taigri, the Tiger Beastkin, pointed out the clear flaws of Animus and the limitations of democracy.
It would be one thing if it were just a difference in culture or ideology like other races, but for Beastkin, their "birth" deeply dictated their way of life.
Though three hundred years of assimilation had passed since the founding king, Hik, established Animus, these problems remained scattered throughout the nation.
After Hik’s death, the Lyons clan had served as a sturdy pillar to prevent fragmentation, but that pillar had recently been uprooted.
The individualistic nature of Beastkin was already a handful; if the country were to split now, Animus would no longer be able to sustain its existence.
"Well, you have a point. We might understand each other's cultures to some extent now, but as long as Animus exists, this will be an eternal problem."
Surprisingly, Zinai Krochuker readily admitted it. Even now, she found herself looking at that idiot Anuman and wondering, Why is he like this?
"But you know what? People's thoughts are surprisingly simple."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"The chieftains who agreed with you just now, and the ones who agreed with Chieftain Kanu. Even if it’s a bit extreme, the room is split right down the middle, isn't it?"
"..."
As Zinai continued her explanation, Anuman narrowed his eyes and stared at her. His expression was crumpled, but his reaction was closer to 'Fine, let's hear what you have to say.'
Instead of looking at Anuman, Zinai turned to Kanu and spoke in her characteristically nonchalant tone.
"I'll ask you this time, Chieftain Kanu. Even within your own tribe, there are those who agree with Anuman, right?"
"...There were many."
"Then I'll ask the other chieftains as well. Between the compatriots who agree with Anuman’s ideology and those who agree with Kanu’s—even if they are extremes—do you know which side has more support?"
Zinai posed the question to the chieftains sitting on both sides of the table, but they all hesitated.
Understandably so, as they were here because they were chieftains. And unless one was like Holmgang, most chieftainships were passed down through bloodlines.
If they wanted to know the prevailing opinion within their tribe, they would have to conduct a survey. But in reality, the loudest voice usually won, making even that difficult.
"See? You have no idea. You can't just blindly shout for 'Struggle' or 'Safety' when you don't even know what your own people want."
"..."
"If democracy is introduced, it’s highly likely that Anuman’s 'Struggle' and Kanu’s 'Safety' will become distinct categories."
The inseparable rivals of democracy: Conservatism and Progressivism. Ideologies that can never truly become one unless under exceptional circumstances like war.
Despite being a figure from the past, Zinai was reading the future with precision. If Isaac had seen this, he would have marveled, thinking she truly was meant to be the eternal Grand Chieftain.
However, her only desire was to step down from the position of Grand Chieftain even a day sooner.
To do that, the best course of action was to introduce democracy and then naturally fade away.
"I'll ask Anuman here. The 'Struggle' you're thinking of is a physical fight, right?"
"......It is."
"Then is a struggle of the mind also a struggle? Like I do—fighting with wisdom instead of brute force?"
"It's underhanded, but I suppose it could be called a struggle. Only a fool makes excuses about traps being 'unwarrior-like' after they've already fallen into one."
"And among those, you prefer the former?"
Anuman nodded silently. He simply didn't like the idea of giving everyone a vote; he placed value on the 'Struggle' itself.
Whether it was through strength or wisdom didn't matter to him. Even if it was a simple-minded ideology, it was a method befitting a Beastkin—and a 'General' at that.
I cannot give the same vote to fools who do nothing! If you want a vote, struggle and earn it!
If a frail Beastkin had said such a thing, they would have been mocked as a "Chicken Hawk"—a chicken pretending to be a hawk.
But Anuman had proven his qualifications. The fact that quite a few chieftains agreed with his ideology was proof enough.
"I understand. But Anuman, what will you do if someone is dissatisfied with your methods? Specifically, the method of struggling with wisdom rather than strength."
"If that person defeats me, I will concede. If not, they are nothing but a coward with nothing but words."
"Then what if that person suggests holding a vote? Either way, it's a fight of wisdom."
"......What exactly are you trying to get at?"
Anuman was rough, but he wasn't stupid. Sensing that she was circling around something, he let out a low growl, threatening Zinai.
As if she had him exactly where she wanted him, Zinai smiled and began her explanation step-by-step.
"I'm saying there's a limit to a struggle won through brute force. Especially since the three tribes naturally gifted with strength—Lions, Tigers, and Bears—would have too much of an advantage. Other tribes are bound to be dissatisfied."
"..."
"But if the person who overtakes you turns out to be a tyrant, their support will naturally drop. Conversely, if you rise to power but make a mess of things, people will start to have doubts. It means that even after becoming a chieftain, you have to keep proving yourself. Just like you are doing now."
"Ahem."
At the unexpected praise, Anuman cleared his throat awkwardly. He knew it was flattery, but praise was still praise.
More importantly, it wasn't just empty flattery. Anuman had indeed secured various benefits for his tribe through his struggles.
After sensing that his heart was leaning toward democracy, Zinai shifted her gaze to Kanu.
"The same goes for Chieftain Kanu. The 'Safety' you speak of means different things to different people. Is it safety from the discrimination caused by cultural differences, safety from external threats, or safety in some other sense?"
"......I hadn't considered it to that extent."
"It's only natural. Elections should be complex. You won't be able to satisfy everyone's opinions, but you aim to satisfy fifty-one percent. But those fifty-one percent don't all think the same way. These complexities will intertwine like roots, making the nation as sturdy as a giant tree."
The chieftains listened intently to her strangely persuasive explanation. Even Balkan looked captivated by her words.
Just as most of the chieftains were leaning toward democracy, Anuman, who still harbored some dissatisfaction, slightly raised his hand.
Unlike before, he was requesting the floor, which surprised even Zinai. But a request was a request.
She gestured toward Anuman, granting him permission to speak. All eyes in the room turned to him.
"I still don't like this 'democracy' thing, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. But what about the fact that each tribe has different cultures and laws? How will you handle that?"
"The state will create a grand framework. For example, laws regarding murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, and so on. To ensure that individuals cannot arbitrarily exploit one another."
"If the state makes the grand framework, then the rest..."
"The specific details will be handled by the regions governed by each tribe. We'll have to discuss this slowly. However, I plan to create a force to act as a check so that a chieftain cannot change the laws at will. In other words, even if a chieftain wants 'Struggle,' if that force wants 'Safety,' it will be difficult for the chieftain to change the law as they please."
"It's damn complicated."
Anuman clicked his tongue at the system that sounded complex just by listening to it. But at the same time, he was impressed.
What on earth was inside that hyena's head for her to come up with such thoughts? She might have become Grand Chieftain through abnormal means, but he had to give credit where it was due.
If she weren't so capable, he would have taken the position of Grand Chieftain for himself. Zinai was annoyingly competent.
"As I've always said, that complexity will make Animus even more solid. And here is a system that you, Anuman, might like the most..."
"What is it?"
"You know the rule that says you can't challenge the Grand Chieftain to a Holmgang? I'm planning to abolish it."
"What? What did you say?"
At Zinai’s bombshell statement, Balkan reacted even more strongly than Anuman.
It had been ages since the restriction on challenging the Grand Chieftain to a Holmgang was established, and now she was suddenly abolishing it? It made no sense.
This sentiment was shared by the other chieftains as well. If that happened, the complexity of democracy would become useless.
"Not just the Grand Chieftain, but also the chieftains and the heads of the forces that check or assist them can be challenged to a Holmgang. However, there is a condition."
"A condition...?"
"The target's public image must be at rock bottom. Let's imagine. If I were to use the national treasury for my own luxury, what would you all think?"
"I'd want to rip your throat out."
Classic Anuman. He didn't hesitate to use harsh words even with the Grand Chieftain right in front of him.
What was even more bitter was that even the gentle Chieftain Kanu was nodding in agreement.
But Zinai continued, unbothered.
"See? But what if you couldn't challenge the Grand Chieftain to a Holmgang? How shitty would that feel? We should discuss the details, but we're going to do it. It’s a way of granting 'legitimacy,' so to speak."
"That sounds incredibly refreshing. But what if that tyrant wins the Holmgang?"
"It doesn't matter. The mere fact that a Holmgang was successfully called means the tyrant's honor has already hit the dirt. Who would listen to a tyrant like that?"
"Ho..."
Anuman stroked his chin, finally looking interested. The other chieftains also showed interest in this unique take on Holmgang.
"Unless they have a face as thick as mine, they'd essentially become a political vegetable. I'll make it so the Grand Chieftain and the chieftains are in a relationship where they check or help each other. They'd just become someone who stamps papers."
"Interesting. Gaining honor even if you lose the Holmgang..."
"It seems like a very good method. However, if we add..."
And so, Beastkin Democracy began to take shape bit by bit.
"Alright. Then once democracy is passed, I'll..."
"We'll keep you in the seat for now. That would be for the best."
"I agree. It would be better if Grand Chieftain Zinai continues."
"Fuck? Wait. Why me?"
Zinai’s retirement was pushed back once again.
*
The introduction of democracy didn't happen immediately. However, a positive review was reached through a reasonable compromise.
At this rate, it was only a matter of time before democracy was first introduced. It would provide a massive sense of unity for the Beastkin, who were usually the hardest to bring together.
"Do you really think it will be okay?"
But not everyone was positive. While it was better than other systems, it wasn't perfect.
In the Grand Chieftain's office after everyone had left, Balkan harbored similar concerns. He directed his question to Zinai, who was sitting in the high seat.
Zinai was currently in despair at the thought of having to be the Grand Chieftain again. Hearing Balkan's question, she replied with a weary look.
"...What will?"
"I asked if you think democracy will actually be maintained properly."
"I expect it to become precarious within fifty years."
A negative answer came back instantly, as if it wasn't even worth considering. Balkan looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Noticing his look, Zinai took her hand off her face and let out a deep sigh.
"You don't have to look far—just look at Anuman. There are bound to be compatriots with even more radical ideologies than him. Do you think it will stay stable?"
"..."
"There might be rebellions by those who claim, like Anuman, that everyone must struggle or that a country should be made for the individual. Democracy is essentially a shackle that suppresses the struggle."
Much like how the United States struggles with gun control, Animus was in a situation where regulating physical force was extremely difficult.
Just as Americans carry guns for 'individual' protection and safety, Beastkin used their physical strength for the individual.
But just as guns are used in various crimes, Beastkin could also use their strength to commit crimes.
On top of that, there were the discriminations and conflicts arising within each ethnicity, and diplomatic friction with neighboring countries.
In many ways, Animus was following a path similar to the United States. However, the difference was that in Animus, the individual's power was inherent, unlike a firearm.
"Animus is a case where a country was formed by compatriots who were scattered all over the place coming together. Unlike other races, there wasn't a pre-existing collective. Even after Hik formally founded the country, individuals needed a means to protect themselves. And that was their strength."
"..."
"It would be great if we could stop that, but it will be difficult. Eventually, a civil war is bound to break out. That civil war will decide the fate of Animus. It will either become a lawless land or bond even more tightly through a democracy built on blood."
She then looked at Balkan with complex, subtle eyes. Balkan met her gaze in silence.
"......You want to protect Animus, don't you?"
"It is a country established through the sacrifice of our ancestors."
"Then protect it. Protect this godforsaken country through struggle, so that you can suppress even those who scream for it. Understand?"
At the words laden with multiple meanings, Balkan let out a short laugh. He then stood up from his seat and slowly bowed his head.
"As you wish, Your Excellency."
To Balkan's respectful reply...
"Ugh. That's still so awkward."
Zinai shuddered, as if she had goosebumps.