CH 40

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Clawis Omnibus Worstitters/Clawis Garcia, Crown Prince of Worstitters

Rivera Hernández, Clawis’ aide/escort

Benedict Regalia Worstitters, Wise Beast King of Worstitters

Marshal Hastings Fels Worstitters, the King of Worstitters’ older brother

“……I’m shocked, when on earth are you talking about?”

My voice echoed through the throne room more than I expected. It was quiet, as if the clamour of the battle earlier had been a lie.

“What?”

“There certainly was such a time. We, the human race, must not forget it and must reflect on it. But nowadays, if you go down to the city, you’ll find that beastmen and humans live in harmony, right? There are even those who choose to mate with someone of a different race. Have you seen the citizen’s lives properly? Of course it is important to protect the country with force. If anything, it is certain that there are people who will try to solve it with force.”

Just like you. Implicitly including that.

“But that’s not enough in this day and age. We need to recognise our differences and cooperate with each other. The age of warfare is ending……but if you insist on a strong man ascending to the throne, then I will be your opponent.”

I pointed the tip of my wand at Marshal Hastings. If power is the sign of a king, then go for it. Of course, I won’t hold back. I will crush you to the bitter end. I do not accept Marshal Hastings’ vision for the country.

“……!”

He must have decided that he couldn’t win if he fought me. The sword slipped from the hands of Marshal Hastings, who was slowly reverting to human form. I think it’s good to be able to judge the competence of the opponent you are fighting against.

In a simple power comparison, it is obvious that I would lose, but strength is not just about power. There are those who are skilled in magic, those who excel in wisdom. There are many other kinds of strength. But  don’t look down on the weak just because you am strong. Small rock insects can break down huge rocks over a long period of time. There are stories of rock insects crumbling strong forts that have protected borders for hundreds of years. The lesson is that no matter who you’re up against, if you underestimate them, they’ll eventually scoop you off your feet. If that is the case, isn’t it better to be friendly and respectful with different races, and let each other use the other’s superior abilities? I think it’s going to be important to give and take to bridge the gap between the races from now on.

“……We beastmen are strong and should rule the continent……so why doesn’t the goddess recognise me……?”

Marshal Hastings grunts hatefully, as if he has run out of strength.

“I think it’s because the goddess doesn’t care about such things.”

In the strange place where I had a chance encounter with what seemed to be a goddess, and I was only a bare soul, I somehow vaguely felt her will.

It’s not the case that the goddess is a completely good being. If you ask if she’s evil, that’s not true either. In the first place, our good and evil and the good and evil in the goddess’ eyes are not the same. She doesn’t care if we’re leading people in the right direction, she doesn’t care how the world changes. She doesn’t mind, but she’s not indifferent. That’s why she dropped a weirdo like me into the world.

“……Brother Hastings. I was hoping that you and I could support each other and lead this country together……it is really unfortunate.”

When His Majesty Benedict said this, Marshal Hastings clenched his fists. I don’t know whether it was regret or contrition that was in the man’s heart as he sagged in front of me.

“Hastings Fels Worstitters, who has disturbed the country and threatened the people, is to be imprisoned in the spire of the castle!”

At the sound of King Benedict’s voice, knights who have remained loyal to the King surround Marshal Hastings. He was docilely taken away, without looking back at his younger brother, His Majesty the King, in any way. His Majesty Benedict looks away behind him, and Her Highness the Queen quietly snuggles up to him.

If the brothers had joined forces like the old king did, they would have been able to build a better country. It is a pity that it turned out like this.

The aftermath of the rebellion will make things a little more difficult for the Worstitters. The alliance with Solmontana is going to be a long time coming. From here on, I’m out of the picture.

“Clawis, it ended safely.”

“Ah, I have nothing but gratitude for the two of you. I thank you on behalf of my father.”

Clawis bowed deeply, and Rivera did the same.

“Don’t be like that. We’re friends. When we’re in trouble, aren’t you the same?”

“But without Sapphiras, we wouldn’t have been able to subdue my uncle’s soldiers so easily.”

“I’m glad I could help……but I went a bit overboard……with the north gate, the throne room door and the throne maybe?”

I gently turn my gaze to the shattered former chair.

“Don’t worry. I’m not so ungrateful as to ask the magician who saved the country to pay for repairs.

“It’s comforting to hear you say so……well, we’d better be off. If we go back now, we’ll be back in time for dinner in the cafeteria. Right?”

When I looked at Percival standing next to me, he lightly nodded.

Clawis will be busy for a while, and it will be some time before they can return to the academy.

“Please tell the daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield that I am grateful……and also to Melchior-dono if you have a chance to meet him…….

“Yes.”

Even with Aurora’s help, the reason we were able to accept the injured at the academy was because His Highness the Crown Prince had helped in some way.

Helping an injured person is a humane act, and there is no reason for anyone to complain. As a country, they probably decided that there was no disadvantage.

“The wounded over there, when they are able to move, we will bring them back here.”

“Thanks for everything.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s no big deal to me. Don’t worry about it.”

As we walk down the long corridor, I suddenly look behind Clawis. I didn’t notice it earlier, but the walls of the corridor leading to the throne room were decorated with portraits of successive royals. Among the dignified royals, there was a person I knew very well, so I unintentionally took a second look.

Ehhhh……no way……no way, right?　

I walk up to the portrait.

He’s dressed in a very fine outfit, but there’s no doubt about it.

“……Byron…….”

“What, Sapphiras, you know the King’s older brother, His Highness Byron. He is the one who overturned the old system of succession and handed over the throne to his brother. As a young man, he hardly ever returned to his country and travelled around as an adventurer.”

What a surprise. I can’t believe he was royalty. He never talked about himself, and I never asked. I didn’t care who Byron was or where he was from. Even so, he’s got a bad attitude and a bad mouth, who would have thought he was royalty?

“His Highness Byron defeated Insania Metus and became one of the Four Heroes, but when his companion, the Great Magician, died, he quit being an adventurer and returned to his country. Naturally, many people wanted him to be the next king, but he renounced his right of succession to the throne, believing that the future would not be an era of power alone. After that, I heard that he supported His Majesty Brandt with the experience and knowledge he gained as an adventurer.”

Is that so? After Weathervane was disbanded, Byron went back to his country? So he worked hard to build a good country.

Byron’s ambitions have been carried on, haven’t they? I’m sure Worstitters will become a better and better country from now on.

I turned my gaze to Clawis.

“Mm? What?”

“Clawis looks like His Highness Byron, doesn’t he?”

“Eh? I-Is that so?”

Clawis looked somewhat embarrassed at my words.

Byron was a generous and good man. He was a beastman, but he was popular with human women. At the bar of the inn, there were more women vying to be next to him than he could hold in one hand.

With this incident, Clawis would eventually be more determined to be a man who would eventually carry his country on his shoulders. That kind of determination makes a man look attractive. I thought, as if to myself, that it must be very hard for him to choose a consort.

Guided by Clawis, we entered the castle through the small northern gate, and on our way back, we went out of the castle from the main entrance. The sun was setting and the red sunset was beautiful. I remembered the summoned beasts that were guarding the soldiers we had captured, so I decided to ask them to remain in the country for a while until the security situation stabilises. The people in the capital might be frightened, though, because there are too many strong faces. But in this time of turmoil, that’s probably just fine.

“……Oh, by the way, where’s Cait Sith?”

“Sapphiras, over there.”

Ahead of Percival’s line of sight was Cait Sith, carrying the setting sun on his back and walking lightly. Judging from that scene, it must have been a lot of fun.

“We’re going home, Cait Sith.”

“Ehhhh……I don’t want to go home yet.”

No, I’m the one who wants to say ehhh. Haven’t you had enough fun yet?

But, well, the more help the better.

“Clawis, I’m sorry, but could you keep the summoned beasts and him for a while? Maybe they could be useful.”

“Oh, we’re a bit shorthanded, so that would be great. You may stay in my country to your heart’s content, Cait Sith-dono.”

“Nyan!”

Cait Sith did a somersault and ran off again towards the royal capital. He must have gone looking for prey rebels.

“It’s time to go home.”

Percival urged me as I watched Cait Sith run away gleefully.

“Right. See you later, Clawis, Rivera!”

“Yeah, see you.”

I waved to them both and transferred. We’ll eat when we get back. I haven’t eaten anything for a whole day, so I’m starving. I’m definitely going to get more meat.

After transferring to the courtyard of the academy and looking back at Percival to go to the cafeteria, my vision was distorted for some reason.

Percival is saying something with an unusually impatient expression on his face, but I can’t quite hear him.

Huh, what’s wrong? As soon as I thought so, the world went dark.

melon: Yay! About 1/3 of the raws has been translated (currently 127 chapters) now.