Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Harvest Festival (1)
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There's a saying that even if a rich family falls into ruin, it takes three generations. The Seven Kings were exactly that case.
Of course, with the death of the Beast King, the tide began to turn dramatically. Not only had his overwhelming might vanished,
but above all, he had been the spiritual pillar holding the Seven Kings together.
No sooner had the Beast King fallen in battle than cracks began to appear in the Seven Kings.
First off, the Reverse King, who succeeded him as the leader of the Seven Kings, couldn't even compare to the Beast King.
Yet, like the saying goes, the Seven Kings somehow managed to hold on for now without collapsing immediately.
"Avenge the Beast King!!"
"Don't fall back! We're the predators!!"
"...These mad bastards."
Was it pride that wouldn't allow it? Or did they truly care for the Beast King?
The Reverse King, who became the new leader in the Beast King's stead, insisted on fighting to the last.
Naturally, opposition was fierce. More voices called for retreating to the Demon Realm first to regroup.
But the newly crowned second-generation Beast King ignored all dissent.
"The only reason I'm not tearing you apart right now is that seat of the Beast King. So know gratitude for my mercy and obey."
Compared to the founding Beast King, the second was a outright tyrant who ruled by brute force.
In any case, the remnants of the beastkin tribes, centered around the bear tribe, were stronger than expected.
The Seven Kings chose a strategy of hit-and-run tactics, using captured fortresses as bases. A feat only beastkin could pull off.
But whenever the enemy's leader appeared, they'd turn tail and flee.
"The enemy's leader is approaching."
"I see. Then it's time to withdraw."
"...?? Weren't we supposed to avenge the Beast King?"
"It's not the right time yet."
Indeed. They obsessively avoided Cain, steadily accumulating damage on his forces.
Thanks to their beast-like heightened senses, they could detect the Dragon Horse's intense presence from afar and evade ahead of time.
But it was also clear that not a few beastkin resented this policy.
"Weren't we supposed to avenge the Beast King?"
"But just running away like this..."
"We should've just fully retreated and bided our time for later."
"Damage is piling up. Forget the Lost Empire—even can we beat the necromancers...?"
The hardliners wanted all-out war to the death with the Empire, while the moderates wanted retreat.
The second Beast King's ambiguous choice satisfied neither side.
Moreover, no matter how good they were at hit-and-run, the Seven Kings were suffering more cumulative losses than expected.
That was why the leaders of the tribes, excluding the bear and tiger tribes, had secretly gathered.
"Where's the Reverse King?"
"He's the Beast King now, isn't he?"
"I don't recall ever acknowledging that lowlife thug as our king."
"Say that to his face sometime."
"Hey, why are you picking a fight all of a sudden...?"
"Enough."
Watching the tribal chiefs start bickering the moment they gathered, Fox King Yuri of the fox tribe let out a deep sigh.
How had the Beast King managed to lead these idiots this far unscathed?
In truth, the beastkin tribes' fate was as good as sealed. The Beast King hero had merely been holding it at bay.
"The Seven Kings are on the brink of collapse. We have two paths left: retreat to the Demon Realm and wait for another day... or surrender to the Empire."
"Even as Fox King, there are things you should and shouldn't say."
"The future of the Seven Kings lies with the handful of warriors still in the Demon Realm. Yet our current Beast King obsesses only with attacks."
"...We know that. But the bear tribe is too strong."
The Beast King's tiger tribe was loyal to the bear tribe. The problem was those two tribes formed the Seven Kings' strongest forces.
The snake tribe had lost their Earth King and many warriors, greatly weakened. The cat and cow tribes could still fight,
but even they couldn't compare to the tigers or bears. That's why they were being dragged along like this.
"But betraying our own kin first still feels wrong, doesn't it?"
"They're holding the offensive now, but it won't last. Renheim isn't even at full strength to begin with."
The tribal chiefs all fell silent. The reason the bear and tiger tribes could rampage now was thanks to the previous Beast King.
In the last battle, his massive whirlwind had swept up all the wyverns dominating the skies.
Even Renheim's lord had taken heavy wounds from the Beast King. But even that was only a matter of time.
"If the wyverns and Renheim's leader recover, it's over."
"Even so, the Beast King is our king."
"How can a king who leads us to death be called a king?"
"That's true, but..."
"If we continue like this, we'll all die in the end. The weaker tribes will fall first."
No one could refute the Fox King's words. The current Beast King was rampaging wildly.
Even sturdy ones like tigers and bears could barely keep up. How long could weaker tribes like theirs last?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With Cain's successful slaying of the Beast King, the tide had firmly turned to the Empire. But the war wasn't over yet.
The beastkin weren't fleeing outright—they were employing hit-and-run guerrilla tactics.
Cain was dying from frustration. The wyverns, which could easily catch beastkin, were currently injured.
In the end, he had to use cavalry, but regular soldiers and knights couldn't take down the beastkin warriors.
Yet when Cain himself stepped in, they'd flee without looking back. And he couldn't stay out long due to his injuries.
Thanks to that, losses were accumulating bit by bit—enough to not ignore.
"Where's the master sent by His Majesty the Emperor?"
"Heard the report of the Lord's victory over the Beast King and stopped. Probably won't come now."
"I see."
Cain sighed at Morgana's words. Since he'd come this far, he could've helped a bit.
But Cain shook his head, banishing the momentary weakness.
What was this, thinking of relying on others already? He was the lord. He'd handle it with his own strength.
Heard there were political reasons... Better leave that to the princess.
'Thank goodness the Beast King went for a frontal clash. If he'd joined with full forces for guerrilla warfare...'
Imagining that immense power smashing fortresses and fleeing repeatedly sent shivers down Cain's spine.
Compared to the Beast King, the second-generation one was almost cute.
Of course, the kind of cute that would chop off your hand if you reached out wrong.
Just as his worries deepened day by day, an utterly unexpected guest arrived.
"The Seven Kings sent an envoy?"
"Yes. What shall we do?"
"Bring them in first."
This might be the one way to break this stalemate.
Judging so, Cain welcomed the Seven Kings' envoy into his tent.
Skin white as jade, hair so long it covered her waist, and twitching cat ears.
Before him stood a woman as beautiful as if sculpted from snow and ice.
Her beauty drew gasps of admiration even from Empire nobles, forgetting their place. Except for Cain.
"An honor to meet the Lord of Renheim."
"Yes, you're the envoy from the Seven Kings."
"This one's name is Ryuku."
"What brings you here?"
"To propose a deal."
Deal. At that single word, Cain couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
But the laughter was short-lived. Soon, he glared at Ryuku with blazing eyes.
Startled by the intense reaction she'd never imagined, Ryuku faltered. But Cain paid it no mind.
"You think you're in any position to propose a deal to me right now?"
"Renheim isn't at full strength either."
"You're right. The wyverns are mostly grounded from the whirlwind, and even I'm not fully recovered."
"Then..."
"But do you think you're any better, having lost your king and the war?"
He wouldn't have sent one anyway, but if the Beast King had, it'd be a bear tribesman.
But sending an envoy in the Seven Kings' name behind the second Beast King's back?
That meant a schism between the second Beast King and the other tribes.
And after striking first? A deal now? Unfortunately, Cain wasn't that soft anymore.
"You have only two paths."
Die.
Or surrender.