Chapter 177 (1/2)

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The Beastman King

Gra.s.slands stretched out, rolling far and wide like the great ocean—that's what the history books would say about Einbeast a thousand years ago. At present, however, there was only bare earth that spread for miles.

Einbeast's capital, Hopestadt, stood at the center of this rugged wasteland. A bustling metropolis, one only had to follow the road that ran through the lands to get there.

Einbeast's population was 1.5 times more than Ponsonia, but compared to G. Ponsonia, Hopestadt seemed smaller in size, which wasn't surprising, because as the name “multiracial nation” suggested, various races lived in Einbeast. Elves mostly settled in the large forest on the west, Dwarves built a town near volcanoes, and by the lake were villages of Rock People.

The population was spread out over the country. As a result, the capital was smaller compared to other nations.

Under the king was a Council of elders from each race and tribe that managed how the country was ran. The king was required to show respect to the Council, but he could still make decisions with an iron fist. This might seem like an outrageous system, but it was allowed because of the peculiar way Einbeast chose its ruler.

The strongest will be king. The crown wasn't handed down through heredity. Every six years, Einbeast held a tournament to determine the next king. Each race had their own representative. Whoever won became the country's ruler for the next six years.

「Gotthold is asking for advice?」

The king, Gerhardt Vatex Anchor, a lion Beastman who won the previous tournament, glared at the man who gave his report.

Just like a lion, he had long, red hair. His face was almost identical to that of a human's, except for the sharp fangs. He had ma.s.sive muscles and stood over two meters tall.

Winters in Hopestadt weren't really cold. Gerhardt's had the front of his clothes open, exposing his chest. A necklace of large, red gems hung around his neck.

Beautiful women—each one of them from a different race—wearing revealing attire served him from left to right.

「Your Majesty, our troops are currently stationed in Ponsonia's Leather Elka. The adventurers party, Rising Falls, had their weapon stolen and refused to take part in the war. Prince Austrin is asking for an arbitration as well. Lord Gotthold is asking for advice about our next move.」

A man read the report out loud in the audience chamber. Military personnel and civil officials stood alongside the walls.

「Is he stupid? It's too late for an arbitration.」

「His Holiness, the Pope is actually going ahead with it.」

「That old fool…」

The king growled. The va.s.sals present turned pale as a sheet. They were concerned about the king's mood.

The king's angry.

This is bad. When he was this mad last month, three people ended up dead.

Thank heavens I didn't have to give my report today.

The position of king could only be gained through power. As such, if he went on a rampage, no one would be able to stop him. Last month, three men suspected of corruption were brought in for interrogation and Gerhardt ended up killing them all. Evidence popped up afterwards that would've resulted in them being sentenced to death. But if they somehow ended up innocent, it would've been a disaster.

Some believed the current method of choosing the king was not right, but Einbeast had survived all this time with this system. Many supported it as well.

Gerhardt was a moody, yet compa.s.sionate man. For a warrior-type Beastman, he was surprisingly smart—a wise king. He had won the tournament for three straight times, and it was his 18th year in office. Einbeast kept on growing during this period.

「Is the intel department here?」

「Y-Yes, Your Majesty.」

A portly man from a fiend-type race straightened his back.

「I asked you to look into the Solaris Mage and the Dragon Slayer, correct? How'd that go?」

「We're almost certain that the Solaris Mage is a Mage named Selica, a member of the Ponsonian adventurers party Four Stars of the East. However, we still don't have any leads on the Dragon Slayer. The only one who saw this person is the Four Stars' Sarah. At the moment, we're investigating if she's actually the Dragon Slayer herself.」

Gerhardt was quiet.

「Y-Your Majesty?」

The man felt worried. He couldn't comprehend why the king brought those people up when they were talking about Leather Elka.

「Where is this Four Stars of the East right now?」he asked.

「We believe they're in Pond, the royal capital's satellite town.」

「Hmm…」Gerhardt leaned back on the throne. It was made to support his large build and weight without any problem.

「I-Is there something troubling you, Your Majesty?」

Everyone, not only the guy from the intel department, had no idea what the king was trying to say.