Arcadia (4)

A beast god born from beastkin, now in the form of a small puppy, licking the hands of beastkin and frolicking about—it created a truly bizarre impression.

Even if it's the Beast God with somewhat low intelligence... hmm. Urgh... no, that's not it. Thanks to all the rumors I've spread, it must have gotten subtly smarter. The Beast God only had animal-level smarts before I started those rumors. But after traveling around and steadily building its reputation, its intelligence should have improved... no way. Is this guy... doing this on purpose...?

"Ahaha, that tickles. My hand's all slobbery and gross now, so don't rub your head on it."

The wife of King Makairodus—the queen—laughed awkwardly as she kept petting the Beast God nonstop.

"But it's so strange. I've never seen an animal like this before... yet it feels incredibly familiar somehow. Like looking at family I've lived with for years..."

"Hoo..."

Familiar like family, huh. Hmm. I've traveled far and wide, met tons of people, including plenty of beastkin... but none of them ever felt this kind of instant closeness to the Beast God, the original beast.

Not satisfied with just nuzzling her face, the Beast God hopped onto the queen's lap as she sat on the cushion, settling in like it belonged there.

Indeed. So that's how it is.

"I've never seen it take to anyone but us like that."

The Hero murmured softly beside me.

Hmm. Yeah, I'd never seen the Beast God act that way with anyone else. With the Hero, it was like, you're strong enough to beat me, so I acknowledge you. And with me... well, after I showed a glimpse of my real power, it immediately hid its teeth and claws and started wagging its tail like crazy. True to its beastly nature, it grovels pathetically before anyone stronger but looks down endlessly on the weak.

Yet here it was, meekly curling up on her lap? There had to be something more to this!

I reached out casually to scoop the Beast God off the queen's lap, but it shot me a pitiful look.

Hmm. Does her lap feel that good? Enough to resist me taking it away? It hadn't acted like that with other beastkin, so... hmm. Does it just like the queen? Or maybe they have some great chemistry? Or... is the queen some kind of Beast God priestess?

"It's so adorable. I can feel immense power from it, yet it's this cute. Mysterious."

The queen stroked the Beast God slowly, and it basked happily in her touch.

Is she really some kind of Beast God priestess...? Well, since it's a primal god born from primitive faith, having a shaman wouldn't be weird.

"Well then, please relax here for a bit. I'll have some food prepared soon."

With that, the queen gently lifted the Beast God from her lap, set it down beside her, and left the tent. And the Beast God trotted right after her.

Hmm. Looks like she really is its priestess? I've never seen it follow anyone like that. Not even me!

"That one's totally smitten with the queen at first sight."

"Seems like she's someone special to the Beast God. Well, beings like her can vaguely sense my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠power too."

Priestesses are sensitive to the power of other gods. That explanation fits pretty neatly. If she's truly a Beast God priestess... maybe it's time to let the Beast God go.

A short while later, the queen returned with several women who looked like maids, carrying in a few dishes and setting them on the low table.

A creamy white stew made with milk, assorted vegetables, and meat. Rough-looking bread. And slabs of meat sliced wide and sprinkled with salt.

These were a bit too rustic for the queen to have brought herself.

Hmm. They look like everyday home cooking from other cities. Just with way more meat.

"It's not much, but I hope you enjoy it."

The queen smiled faintly as she spoke. Her horse ears twitched cutely with every word. Cute.

Speaking of which, the Beast God... was still clinging to her leg. It really wouldn't let go. Yeah, definitely time to say goodbye.

"That pup really likes you."

"Huh? Oh, this one. Yeah, it keeps following me whenever I move. So cute, right?"

"Mm."

A tiny puppy sticking like glue? Of course it's cute. But when it's actually a god... hmm. Hard to put into words. Like, where's its dignity as a god?!

But still.

"Since it wants it so badly, why not keep it with you?"

"Me? Well, I'd love to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠since it's cute... but it's your pet. Is that okay...?"

"Of course. It seems to have found what it wants now, so it doesn't need to travel with us anymore."

It was a shame not to have a mount for long journeys anymore, but the Hero's adventure was nearing its end anyway. I couldn't keep it by my side forever. It wasn't some subordinate god like the Cloud Whale under me. It was a god of its own race, after all.

So.

"It looks like a cute puppy now, but it's actually an incredibly mighty beast. It'll help you someday if you keep it close."

The queen tilted her head slightly at the puppy circling her feet, her face saying, This one?

Yeah, hard to believe. How many humans have ever seen a god up close?

"If you give it to me, I'll gratefully accept."

"Whoa, no—I'm not giving it to you. From now on, you'll be serving it."

"Pardon?"

Reversal of roles... not quite the term, but anyway. A human can't be above a god. The god has to be above the human.

"If you care for it with all your heart, it'll repay your sincerity. Oh, and if you end up having lots of kids, have one of them take over caring for it."

"What do you...?"

"Even after you grow old and die, and your kids grow old and die, it won't age. Give it a little time, and you'll see how special it is."

The queen looked half-doubting, half-curious at my words.

Hmm. Anyway, this milk stew is surprisingly good. The ingredients seem simple, but the seasoning mix gives it a subtle flavor. That faint sweetness... sugar? No, not sugar... honey? Yeah, honey. Getting honey in this barren land? Impressive. Even in harsh soil, bees can thrive. Crops won't grow, but flowers and trees can, so plenty of nectar.

Impressive. So ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠impressive.

Our meal continued for a bit, until the king entered the tent with a slightly excited expression.