262―――――
How to Befriend Beasts
Even though the Beastmen were quite easygoing, they couldn’t remain completely carefree after hearing the news that the Fairies were openly trying to be hostile.
Just a moment ago, they were happily gobbling up the meat in front of them, some even enjoying it raw, but now, the Beastmen, including the Wolang, Hobi, and even Gus, the Great King of the Myo-eun, looked gloomy and remained silent.
‘Ha, these guys.
Daring to show such low spirits in front of meat?
This is disrespectful to the meat.
You guys.’
Who should I cheer up first?
Sion, internally deciding on Hound of the Wolang, who had a similarly easygoing demeanor as Great King Gus, cautiously opened his mouth.
“Still, I think Hispaña [a fictional kingdom] is fortunate. If it were the Beastmen, not the Fairies, who were hostile to the kingdom, it would have been more troublesome.”
“…Hmm?”
“Think about it. Would those self-important beings accept gifts, no matter how lavish? They would probably just kick you out, telling you not to do anything foolish.”
“…Being kicked out would be lucky. They’d probably try to kill you for defiling their land, right?”
“And they’d steal the gifts too, right? They claim to be noble, but their temper is so foul that even humans want to stay away from them. Beastmen are much better.”
As expected, the best way to become friends is to badmouth someone together.
Sion subtly criticized the Fairies while praising the Beastmen, and as expected, the Wolang, who were the most susceptible to compliments among the three tribes, perked up their ears and reacted.
They were already being blatantly ignored by the Fairies, so they seemed pleased that a human shared their thoughts and criticized the Fairies.
“Sion Claussens, was it?”
“Yes, it is.”
“You certainly know your stuff. Beastmen are a hundred times better than those unlucky Fairies.”
“Ah, I don’t think that’s quite right.”
Sion answered without hesitation, and Hound blinked for a moment before opening his mouth with a sharp voice, asking what he meant.
“Wouldn’t a hundred times be enough? Honestly, I think it would have to be at least a thousand times for humans to nod in agreement.”
“Puhah! That’s right. Beastmen are a thousand times better than Fairies! Hahaha!”
Swish, swish.
As expected of the Wolang, the tribe of Beastmen who loved to be recognized and praised the most.
A tail wagging so vigorously it seemed like a windmill was turning, and a smile full of uncontrollable joy.
Thinking that there was a reason why it was said that they couldn’t hide their happy expressions, Sion decided to befriend the Wolang first.
“The situation has become serious, but I’m trying to manage it as best I can. After all, the Beastmen have been on good terms with Hispaña, and it would be a loss to lose a reliable ally if they were to suffer unnecessarily. There’s no need to worry too much.”
“Worry? If the Fairies are really plotting something like that, it’s war. Just because the descendants of light favor them doesn’t mean they’re anything special.”
“If they are favored by the descendants of light, they should act accordingly. Instead, they look down on other races, so they’ll get burned someday.”
“That’s right, that’s right! That’s what I’m saying!”
As expected, it seemed like their favorability was soaring as he criticized them together.
Sion mercilessly insulted the Fairies while boosting the Beastmen’s pride as much as possible, and the Wolang seemed to have loosened their stiff bodies to some extent, wagging their tails in unison.
‘Now, I need to stimulate Great King Gus a bit to add some more excitement.’
Thinking that, Sion turned to look at Great King Gus.
In response to his questioning gaze, he recited the lines that he thought would please him the most.
“Wasn’t this kind of thing not even a crisis for the Beastmen? Ria said that the Fairies were raised too preciously and couldn’t use their strength in a crisis.”
“Did my daughter say that too?”
“Yes, Great King Gus. And she also said that her father was much better in times like these.”
A slight ‘Nyaang?’ sound was heard from behind.
It meant, ‘When did I say that!’
But Sion subtly waved his hand, signaling her not to come forward, and fortunately, Ria, who was quick-witted, nodded and stepped back.
“Kahat! It’s been a while since my daughter said something right! Is she whispering that I’m a good dad in front of her mate, even though she scolds me so much in front of me?”
Saying that, Great King Gus was about to hug Ria and caress her cheeks.
Naturally, Ria was horrified and warned that she would scratch him if he came closer!
“Nyaang!”
“Ha! Is she acting like that again in front of her mate!”
“You’re noisy, Dad. Please, at least maintain your dignity in a place like this!”
“If I maintain my dignity, not only my own tribe but also the Wolang and Hobi will worry. They’ll think I’m about to die.”
“I agree with that.”
“Me too.”
Paulga and Hound spoke at the same time, and Great King Gus said, ‘How about that! Dad is right, isn’t he?’
Thanks to that, not only Ria but even Sion gave him a look that said, ‘What kind of man is this?’
“But you’re right, Gus, what your daughter and Sion said. You’re much better than those Fairies. If there were guys around me who only acted high and mighty and hid behind cowardly schemes, I would have torn them to pieces.”
‘I’m not pricked, I’m not flustered, I’m not bothered at all!’
Sion shouted inwardly, showing no signs of wavering at Paulga’s words.
Strictly speaking, the Fairies are plotting schemes, but everything he does is ultimately for the continent and everyone living on it.
What they call unavoidable sacrifice is actually what Sion should be saying.
Using the Beastmen, who could be considered his in-laws, was not a pleasant thing, but it wasn’t just the Beastmen who were being mobilized. There were also the northern tribes and the Demons who had deliberately chosen to hide in order to avoid conflict with the Celestial Race.
Raido, Lucia’s father, was also being worked hard, and above all, the Claussens Territory, which could be called his home, was continuing to move according to his requests.
‘It’s not just for me to live. Of course, it’s for me to eat well and live well, but at least I’m not pushing other people into hell just to survive alone, am I?’
So there’s no need to feel guilty.
Rather, when they find out the truth later, others will bow down to Sion and thank him for saving them!
“Of course, that goes for you all and Hispaña, but it would be best for everyone if we didn’t interfere in each other’s affairs, right? That’s why Hispaña is trying to end the conflicts with neighboring countries with the power of the kingdom and, furthermore, have a slightly closer conversation.”
“That’s good. Even though fighting is fun, peace is definitely better.”
Paulga said with a smile.
But she didn’t seem to know that the close conversation Sion was talking about wasn’t really a conversation with words, but a conversation with fists and swords.
“There are still many gifts left, so everyone, please enjoy them more. And there are also gifts for the Wolang and Hobi tribes separately, so you can take them with you when you leave.”
Sion nodded slightly, and the Myo-eun brought in another armful of something.
Inside were things that were slightly inferior to the gifts that the current leaders of each tribe were enjoying, but they were still full of things that could be called gifts.
Paulga only let out a small exclamation, but Hound and the Wolang were already in a good mood due to Sion’s praise, and they seemed quite pleased with his thoughtfulness in taking care of their tribes, wagging their tails even more diligently and smiling broadly.
“Humans are definitely easier to talk to than Fairies. You have to show this much sincerity to at least be willing to do something. Those self-important guys need to get hit on the head and wake up after a good beating.”
“That’s right. Why else would human merchants trade goods to some extent with the Beastmen, even though they hardly interact with the Fairies?”
The Wolang were almost completely won over.
Now, all that was left was to turn the hearts of Lafra and the Hobi, who were still watching with a sullen expression as a human participated in the Beastmen’s meeting and spoke as if he were a Beastman, so that they could at least consider it, if not completely.
What they needed was the conviction that they were a little higher up, or a picture of humans bowing their heads to them.
“Since I didn’t officially visit the Beastmen, there will definitely be limitations to how much my words and actions represent the kingdom and humans. But the royal family seriously considers my words, so I can say that I’m not just talking nonsense to you.”
“I suppose so. I’ve heard that you’ve done quite a few things.”
“I’m glad you say that, Great Mother. In that sense, although I can’t say that it will be compensation for everything, I would like to offer my apologies first.”
Sion said that and slowly, but surely, bowed his head.
Great King Gus and Ria were flustered by Sion’s apology, which was directed at the Hobi and Lafra, Hound was troubled, and Paulga exclaimed as if it was quite impressive.
“…Huh?”
And the Hobi and Lafra seemed confused by Sion’s sudden apology and showed an ambiguous reaction.
They were clearly flustered that someone who had already won the favor of the Beastmen’s leaders was suddenly apologizing.
“In the future, we will thoroughly find and crush those who harm other races while avoiding Hispaña’s gaze. You may or may not know, but Kashgar, a great noble of Hispaña, also had alien race slaves, so it was judged that he had disobeyed the royal order and posed a serious danger to the country, and his entire family was wiped out.”
“That’s true. I heard about it.”
Ria subtly confirmed that it was true, and the Beastmen, who knew the power that a ‘great noble’ had in the human world, looked surprised.
They thought that they would just give a warning and move on, but they were surprised that they had wiped them out completely, and they seemed to think that humans had definitely changed from the past.
‘To be exact, the royal authority has been strengthened, and in addition, the heir to the Claussens Territory, who supports the royal authority, has such a wide base that it is a result of borrowing that power.’
Sion slowly straightened his body and looked at Lafra.
Although it was difficult to call it an official apology, he hoped that it would be enough to refresh those who still had faint hostility towards the human race.
“…That’s unexpected. I heard that humans hate admitting their mistakes and apologizing more than death.”
“Of course, it’s not easy. But there are more people who know that it’s wrong to insist on doing so even though they know it’s wrong than those who don’t. That’s why we’re trying to maintain some level of exchange with the Beastmen.”
“You really speak like a human. They say that humans always have their tongues as their best weapon.”
“Lafra.”
Paulga subtly warned him, but Sion didn’t seem to care.
That was true, and judging from his current voice and expression, Lafra wasn’t saying those words to provoke or stimulate Sion.
He had no other choice but to say those words, and that was the only way to escape from the strange atmosphere.
“I understand, so stop it. Anyone who sees us will think that we’ve all gathered to threaten you to get an apology from the humans.”
Saying that, Lafra mumbled something in a barely audible voice and quickly picked up the meat next to him and bit into it with a ‘Waang!’
It was Lafra’s own intention not to show any more hostility towards Sion and the humans, at least in this place, and the Hobi, who understood that intention, also began to enjoy Sion’s gifts in front of them without hesitation.
As expected, it wasn’t wrong to say that when you’re feeling down, you should go to the meat.
“Ah, and I have some good news to tell you Beastmen.”
“Good news?”
“Yes. I heard that several Beastmen warriors have a way of going out to hunt monsters in harsh weather for training. Am I right?”
“That’s right. Maybe our Wolang, the Myo-eun over there, and the Hobi have similar methods. If the body becomes comfortable, the mind relaxes, and if the mind relaxes, it becomes weak.”
Hound was the first to come forward and answer, and Paulga nodded and finished it off firmly.
At that, Sion smiled inwardly and continued.
“It seems that the Fairies and some foolish humans are taking you lightly because the Beastmen have been less active recently. So, I’m going to give you some information. You know that if you go north from here, there’s another land beyond Hispaña’s territory, right?”
“Of course. We’ve been back and forth a few times through the mountains.”
“I remember. I had a hard time there, saying I was going to do some kind of survival training.”
“Digging tunnels and sleeping there, eating anything to survive. That’s how it was back then. But why are you suddenly talking about the north, Duke Sion?”
“Ah, I heard that monsters are suddenly trying to appear in large numbers in the north. The tribes living there sent such news. And they also said that they were very worried.”
It was natural, but the northern tribes never said they were worried.
Rather, they might be happy that there are many monsters so they have more to fight.
However, if the number increases exponentially, and a large number of warriors are away, even the rough people of the north will have a hard time.
From Sion’s point of view, if the northern warriors were essential to the Nudia front and their base was trampled by monsters, it could become a big problem later.
“If you show the strength of the Beastmen against the monsters there, wouldn’t humans and even Fairies think again? That you are not a race that can be ignored just because you are quiet. That they must not forget the Beastmen who are always glaring with their eyes behind them, aiming for their necks.”
It’s not the only way to unite those who don’t agree and have different desires and make them fight together.
It would be the best way to place them where they are needed, make them do only what they think is beneficial, and then see the benefits that only they can get.
“…Not bad? I was going to take the rookies who just became warriors this winter to a harsh place anyway. If monsters are gathering, the Wolang are welcome.”
“I’m a little excited too.”
Even Lafra stepped forward slightly, and the Beastmen’s eyes sparkled with anticipation again.
Like a race that is as proud as the Fairies, but unlike them, their actions come first.
And like their cheerful selves, they immediately thought of fighting first.
“If you wish, I will send someone to inform the northern nobles. With the content that they should not stop you, but rather help you. If you stop the monsters, Hispaña will naturally benefit, and the Beastmen can simply but surely show off your strength.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. What our Beastmen like is eating as much as we want and hunting as much as we want! Kyahaha!”
‘It’s over.
I got some more reliable fighters with this.’
Sion chuckled inwardly.
And he was grateful that they didn’t know this famous saying.
―There is no such thing as a free lunch.
―――――――Afterword―――――――
If someone says they’ll buy you lunch, ask about the menu first.