The Seedbed and the Wolf's Time
Beastkin. It appears to be a broad concept that encompasses most monsters, but in reality, it is not.
The greatest characteristic of beasts is that they are unaffected by mana and do not possess it.
In other words, they are animals that naturally occur in the ecosystem.
“You have the same temperament as my sister.”
My sister also possessed the temperament of a beastkin.
Of course, there is a clear difference in the intensity.
My sister became the seedbed of the highest-tier beastkin, the Dire Wolf.
For Leti, who received the Blessing from me, to mate with the seed of a high-tier entity, she needs to become proficient in utilizing the Blessing.
She must gradually increase the level of the Blessing.
Lily, who has the temperament of the Ayn species, becoming the seedbed of the lowest-tier Ayn species, the Goblin, is for the same reason.
The level of Blessing rises most effectively through repeated mating and giving birth with lower-tier entities.
Especially since giving birth provides the most experience points, starting from the lower-tier entities that can be modified.
After this repeated process, Lily can mate not only with Goblins but also with higher-tier entities like Orcs.
“Beastkin have so many lower-tier entities that I need to narrow them down.”
“Huu, I understand...”
Leti began dressing her clothes while still not quite grasping the full meaning of it.
Lower-tier beastkin are scattered everywhere. First of all, all livestock fall into this category.
Even if they have lost their wildness, they are still included in the beastkin category.
Aside from that, there are countless others such as wild dogs, tigers, foxes, and badgers.
“I have no idea how to utilize lower-tier beastkin.”
Breeding foxes, slaughtering them for pelts and tails, and earning money would be the most effective, but I have not yet reached that level of human depravity.
“Ela, what do you think?”
“It seems we should mate with foxes to obtain leather and tails...”
The level of thought from the steward’s daughter was no different from my own.
After all, finances were an important issue.
“I’ll tell Leti about it.”
“Ah, my lord! Please don’t!”
The reason clear answers did not come was simple.
There were no lower-tier beastkin worth harvesting.
In the end, the reason I was recruiting seedbeds was to fill gaps in fields like combat or exploration.
But even if I bred tigers and badgers, it would be difficult to gain meaningful income in each field.
“The most promising option is probably mating with dogs for information-gathering work or with sheep to obtain plenty of wool.”
“My lord, those things do not require increasing the population through seedbeds. The existing exploration dogs and sheep are already sufficient.”
Once the Goblin army came into my hands, lower-tier beastkin would lose all usefulness.
After all, Goblins had the advantage of overwhelming numbers, making both combat and exploration easy.
“Um, if it’s all right, could I go do some work for a while?”
“Huh? Leti, is there an urgent matter?”
“It’s just that... the trivial tasks will be handled by the other maids, but I must take care of the Dire Wolves...”
“Ah, so Leti has been taking care of my brother-in-law’s family.”
After my sister’s funeral, the Dire Wolves had been living in the castle’s basement.
It was a decision made after discussing with my brother-in-law Las, since there were still young Dire Wolves.
It had been agreed that they would return to the forest where they originally lived once they matured.
“But why is Leti the one handling it?”
“Ah, if the other maids enter, the young Dire Wolves react sensitively... One of them nearly got badly hurt...”
The new nephews and nieces born this time had no bond with humans at all.
So it was only natural for them to be wary of humans.
This was a part I should have been more careful about.
If the young Dire Wolves attacked the maids and got badly hurt or died, I might have had to kill all the nephews and nieces with my own hands.
“But is Leti all right?”
“Yes~ She can see my belly, and she’s like a very kind puppy.”
“What on earth is she doing...?”
“Hehe, perhaps because I’ve raised a daughter who doesn’t listen well?”
Leti gave a languid smile.
Although they were Las and his children who had entered the castle with my sister, the wild instincts had not disappeared.
The sensitivity to territorial intrusion and wariness toward unfamiliar life forms were still very much alive.
It was clearly an exceptional situation that the nephews and nieces recognized Leti and even acted coquettish toward her.
“Leti, shall we go to the Dire Wolf room together?”
“Yes? Even if I go alone...”
“There is something I want to check.”
*
The room where the Dire Wolves lived was in the castle’s basement.
When I brought the monsters, this was the room they shared.
If Lily brought the Goblin pack and was recognized by them, I had planned to let them use this room.
“Oh, you were waiting for me?”
When I opened the door and entered, the Dire Wolves sensed my presence and all approached at once.
They were smelling Leti’s scent.
Leti began tossing the rabbit meat she had brought evenly to the Dire Wolves.
The sight of her giving each one without exception and tossing it near them was no different from a skilled tamer.
“I have been in charge of the little ones since Lady Wilhelmina was unwell?”
“Amazing.”
“Indeed. The other livestock were scary, but the Dire Wolves feel somehow familiar.”
While Leti distributed food evenly to the young ones, I approached my brother-in-law Las, who was calmly sitting in the corner.
(Las, are you well?)
(Don’t worry, brother-in-law.)
Las had been in a state of seclusion for several days after losing my sister, refusing to eat or drink and curling up.
Still, he was now eating a little bit by bit, but he had clearly become much thinner and his fur was shedding compared to before.
(The female human’s words are listened to well by the children?)
(I don’t know why either, but they seem to like it too much.)
Las was watching Leti’s actions with a relaxed expression.
It was difficult for Las, whose mind and body were exhausted, to care for his children alone.
Still, it was clear he was holding on because the young ones followed Leti well and did not refuse food.
(Then how about Las?)
(Brother-in-law, what do you mean by that?)
I saw it. Las was gazing at Leti and wagging his tail.
There is a saying that wolves love only one female for their entire life.
However, there is a flaw in that saying.
Precisely, wolves are monogamous animals.
The same applied to Dire Wolves.
They only maintained monogamy, and since there was no mate now, they could take in a new female at any time.
My sister had also recognized this, so she had told me in her will that Las had the right to find a new partner.
(If this female is taken as a new mate...)
(That’s ridiculous. It hasn’t even been several days since Wilhelmina left.)
Las reacted coldly and turned his head sharply.
But his tail was wagging even more vigorously.
Las was being drawn to Leti.
I could not know the exact reason, but at the very least, it seemed to overlap with Leti’s actions and the way she treated his children.
Moreover, Leti’s appearance made it even more understandable.
No matter how much of a Dire Wolf, it was no different from humans to like a beautiful counterpart.
“If Las and Leti connect, Las can continue to stay in this castle. Then the Bestiel family will not lose the power of the Dire Wolves.”
Of course, there were problems.
First, Leti could not immediately give birth to Las’s child.
Because she had not gone through the process of adapting from lower-tier entities and increasing the Blessing level.
Second, it brought the problem of being unable to exercise the Taming Blessing.
She would not be able to control the Dire Wolves relying on the power of the Blessing.
But these problems were not a big issue right away.
First, there was no need to mate with Las and give birth immediately.
Since there were already Dire Wolves born from my sister, if they all matured, they would be sufficient as combat power.
Also, since Lily would bring the Goblin pack, the gap would be sufficiently filled.
“Ouch, I don’t have milk.”
The young Dire Wolves were clinging to Leti’s chest, searching for her nipples with their noses and licking them.
Because of that, Leti’s chest area was soaked with the young Dire Wolves’ saliva.
“They have already recognized me as close to their mother?”
I saw that this appearance could solve the second problem.
They were acting coquettish toward a strange human and whining, even begging for milk.
This was not common.
It meant that the absence of their mother could be filled through Leti, and it became evidence that Leti could sufficiently control the young ones even without the power of the Blessing.
“I will stay with the Dire Wolves until the Blessing level rises. The Blessing level will not grow as quickly as giving birth to a monster’s child, but with a strong bond, I can adjust the speed to some extent.”
It was indeed a regrettable part that I could not repeat giving birth.
After all, it was true that the power of the Bestiel Duchy would grow stronger as the number of Dire Wolves continued to increase.
Still, finding a way to secure the Dire Wolves was where it was.
“And I think my sister in heaven would like it too.”
My sister had been worried about her husband and children until the end.
When an opportunity arose at a time when there was no other way, I wanted to let my brother-in-law and nephews and nieces live here for my sister’s sake.
(Brother-in-law is fine, right? I’ll tell Leti and let her live together with you.)
Las turned his head away without answering, as if embarrassed.
After all, even high-tier beastkin were no different from humans in being embarrassed.
*
Deep night had fallen.
I descended to the basement alone with Leti.
During the day, the young Dire Wolves were too restless and disturbed the room.
For the bond between Leti and Las, we needed time alone together.
Wasn’t it impossible to have a date with the children?
In the end, we had no choice but to aim for the time when the intruders were asleep.
“Are you really all right?”
“Yes, I’ve seen it many times... And, well... It feels familiar.”
“Then wait here in this room. Las will come soon too.”
“Yes, my lord.”
I opened the door and lit the candles placed throughout the room.
The interior of the brightened room felt like a cozy bedroom.
A thick tatami mat was laid, and a washable bath was also provided.
Originally, the room itself was for mating.
With the bright lighting, I could see Leti’s figure clearly.
A thin outfit that was almost see-through, and a heavily made-up face.
I could tell that Leti had prepared for the first night like a blushing bride.
“It’s embarrassing... since it’s the right place...”
“No, it’s perfect. As long as you remember the wolf’s habits I told you in advance, there will be no problem.”
“Thank you...”
I left the door open and Leti and went up the stairs, praying that tonight’s meeting would go smoothly.
*
Leti stood with her hands clasped and as straight as possible, waiting for Las.
There was no fear of the Dire Wolves.
But there was worry.
(No matter what kind of monster, would they like a mature woman...)
Egon had said Leti would be fine, but Leti was already entering her thirties.
Even a Dire Wolf might not feel attraction.
Above all, Dire Wolves were known as creatures with strong attachment.
My brother-in-law had been with a young woman, and there was concern that he might not have forgotten yet since it had not been long since he lost her.
(I also took a long time to completely let go of him...)
While I was pondering various things, Las silently approached and was already standing in front of Leti.
Leti, startled by Las approaching without a sound, let out a small yelp but tried hard to calm herself.
(If I show fear or embarrassment, they might become wary.)
Leti took a deep breath and cautiously approached Las, extending her arm with the back of her hand facing up.
It was the method Egon had taught her.
First, to let him smell her scent and recognize her.
Leti’s scent was already familiar since she had come and gone to the Dire Wolf room often, but the act of letting the person himself smell the scent was a different message.
It was a declaration to remember me.
It was an action that could only be shown to a friendly counterpart.
Las accepted it by sniffing Leti’s hand and rubbing his face against it.
Soon he sat down by pulling his feet toward her.
“Hello, Mr. Las?”
Leti cautiously tried to speak.
This was the first attempt at conversation with a monster after receiving the Blessing.
There had been times when she had understood the state of the other party through gaze, body movements, and howls, but she had never communicated in a language that both could fully understand.
“Leti, it’s late at night to trouble you. Still, since you came out like this, I am grateful.”
(As expected! Too polite!)
Leti’s tone matched my expectations perfectly.
Moreover, the medium-low, angular voice did not give off a light feeling at all.
“No, I wanted it to be like this...”
Like Las, Leti sat politely and faced him.
“I really wanted to talk to Mr. Las...”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“I don’t know if you heard it from the Duke, but I also lost my husband when I was young.”
Las’s ears perked up as he began to listen to Leti.
There was not much information about Leti for Las, especially personal matters, which were difficult for monsters to hear.
“So, does it make sense to understand a little of the pain Mr. Las is going through?”
“It will comfort you.”
“Yes, it took a long time for me to overcome my grief. I hid it because I didn’t want anyone to see my grief. It was even more so.”
Leti moved her seat closer to Las and slowly stroked the side of Las’s neck with the tips of her fingers.
It was not just smelling the scent, but empathy through physical contact.
Leti was actively expressing closeness to Las.
“Probably, Mr. Las feels the same. But that cannot be. The day it will burst will come.”
“I understand. But I am not that weak.”
Las reacted a bit uncomfortably, thinking that a frail human woman was looking down on him too much, but from some point on, he felt familiar with Leti’s touch and his tail slowly wagged.
“I know. Mr. Las is strong. But, the fact that we share wounds is true. So, to say...”
Leti changed her kneeling posture to sitting with her legs spread.
Under her dress, Leti’s inner flesh was clearly visible.
The scent of a mature female.
That scent immediately captured and stimulated Las’s sense of smell.
“Will you take me as your mate and live together relying on each other?”
Leti lay down with her legs spread wide as if inviting him to accept her, showing her belly.
Completely submissive, she began to seduce Las by showing her heavily wet genitals as if reminding him not to forget her scent.