502 – When The Pyramid Is Turned Upside Down
The revolution inverted the class pyramid. The ones who suffered the most damage were, of course, the humans who reigned at the peak of power. Just as the tip of a soft pyramid wears down when it is turned upside down, humans had to live their lives while being mindful of the pressure coming from all sides.
However, there was a class that let out inaudible groans that were drowned out by the great fall.
They were the dog beastmen, the friends of humans who had inherited the traits of dogs.
“Hey. Orc! Why do we have to be watched?”
“They’re telling us to return our weapons and insignias and to just wait at home? They’re trying to kick us out!”
The dog beastman guards complained to the Orcma mercenaries.
Most of the guards in Obelia were dogs. This was because dog beastmen had excellent senses of smell and hunting instincts, but of course, that wasn’t the only reason. The most important reason was that dog beastmen were close to humans.
They were the beastmen that Moohoo had created first. It was important that they were loyal to humans, showed them affection, and most of all, didn’t hide it. Dog beastmen, who were affectionate and playful, were active as slaves, butlers, friends, and companions to humans.
That was why the majority of the guards in Obelia were dog beastmen. Because dogs didn’t betray humans.
However, that logic now had the opposite meaning since Orcma had risen to power.
“You guys have been colluding with humans and enjoying power until now. Of course, we can’t help but suspect you. Don’t worry. You’ll be fine as long as you don’t do anything reckless.”
“But why do we have to lose our jobs and be watched overnight? This is tyranny! All beastmen are equal!”
“Yes. All beastmen are not equal.”
Gulta, the cart driver who was in charge of Orcma’s logistics and personnel placement, and who had now gained control of Obelia’s personnel affairs, said to the dog beastmen who had come to argue.
“So we have to drag you down, who have been unfairly benefiting until now. Haven’t you gained your authority by clinging to humans rather than through your own abilities?”
“What?”
“How dare you say such nonsense!”
“We got here through our abilities!”
There was a strong backlash, but Gulta still answered with a mocking smile.
“Then let me ask you. What are you better at than us Orcs?”
“That’s….”
“What. You don’t feel like you’re any different? Orcs aren’t that different either. No, rather, Orcs have a much better sense of smell. A little sharper teeth? Humph, you’re talking about teeth when we use weapons and ki anyway. Hunting instincts? Do you even need instincts to chase after enemies?”
Gulta snorted in the way that was unique to Orcs. The snorting sound of a pig beastman’s nose had been an object of ridicule in the past, but now it was used as an expression of confidence. The dog beastmen couldn’t argue back when they saw the pig beastman looking down at them with confidence.
“There’s only one thing that makes you different from other beastmen. That you’re close to humans. And in Ende, which has become a city of beastmen, that’s not an advantage at all.”
“…But we’ve worked as guards for years! You can’t just kick us out!”
“In other words, you have no reason to be in that position other than the fact that you’ve worked as guards for years. You’re still using your position as guards to collude with humans.”
The dog beastmen reacted as if they had been pricked by something sharp at Gulta’s remark. A dog beastman with its tail between its legs protested.
“What? Are you suspecting us? Without any evidence?!”
“Evidence? Humph. When have we ever kicked someone out with evidence? When there’s an unpleasant smell, we first look at the Orcs, and when the books are out of balance, the investigators come to the pig beastmen’s residential area with a frown on their faces? You’ll have to keep proving yourselves from now on too. Just like we’ve always done.”
The Orcs who had been laughing at the guards around them agreed with Gulta. The dog beastmen growled softly, gritting their teeth.
After the revolution succeeded, the majority of Orcma occupied Obelia, and they were using that number as a weapon to run rampant. The space called Obelia had the authority to control Ende just by being there. The Orcs, who had taken over nearly half of the space with their sheer numbers, were even able to push around the dog beastmen.
Gulta, who had the authority on his side, declared to the guards.
“Bring Erektus Gong. That’s the only way you can prove your abilities as guards and your loyalty to Ende.”“How do we find the hidden craftsman in this vast Ende…! All those we call craftsmen are descendants of the ducal family! You may have taken over Obel, but you do not rule all of Ende. The people of this city, while their sense of belonging may be somewhat weak, are still citizens of the duchy! They will not report the craftsman!”
Ende is a borderland even in the vast duchy, facing the wilderness, so it is guaranteed autonomy, but in other words, it is just a city that can be abandoned at any time. If the home country exerts its dominance, this small spark will be trampled in an instant.
Gulta knew this better than anyone. In fact, the reason he was trying to capture Duke Erektus in Okma was more to prevent the interference of the duchy than to get revenge. Gulta said hurriedly.
“There is a servant who took Duke Erektus. That dog-kin. Since he is your kin, why don’t you try to do something about it.”
“Welsh? Impossible! Before he is my kin, that child is Duke Erektus’ watchdog. That child is the daughter of the watchdog family!”
“Watchdog family….”
Gulta groaned at the word he had not heard in a long time.
Dogs are judged by their bloodline. Dogs with a long and distinguished bloodline are treated almost like demi-nobles, and have been loved by the powerful for generations. As hunting dogs, as companion dogs, dogs of noble blood have guarded the side of noble nobles.
And all dog-kin were treated as beasts before they were dog-kin. The same goes for dog-kin.
The powerful screened and filtered the dog-kin, and created a family by gathering only the most excellent seeds. Even without that, dog-kin who are loyal to humans are raised as butlers, maids, and escorts after receiving an education close to brainwashing.
A watchdog family that protects a family. It actually existed, and has continued to exist even after the appearance of the furry saintess. Unlike the orcs, it was the most moderate and long-lived evil practice.
“Welsh will not answer even if we call him! No, he will even bite us!”
Gulta felt a great sense of pressure. What should the orcs do in this invisible flow of human-made dog-kin and the system that uses dog-kin? Gulta’s short-sightedness could not fathom it.
However, it is a miracle that this revolution has taken place in that flow. Gulta became more determined to protect this small spark.
“Hmm. It seems like you are mistaken. We did not call you here to listen to your excuses. If you cannot escape from humans no matter what, then you are nothing more than that!”
“Before you brag about how strong the shackles are, think about throwing them away! Like the orcs here!”
“Well said! Yes, we orcs did it…. Who?”
I also chimed in next to Gulta. Gulta, who was about to shout with great momentum, leaned back as if he was going to fall over when he found me. His face was filled with fear.
“D, Demon Rat!”
“Yes? What is it?”
“No, magician. Yes, why are you here….”
Now this reaction is starting to get sad. I thought about it for a long time and tried to be considerate so that I could help if possible, but why are you afraid?
“Why are you acting like that? Did I capture you and lock you up in Obel? You know now. You had to infiltrate the inside in advance to occupy Obel, right?”
“Ugh, ugh. I know. I know.”
“I’m not a tiger or anything, so it’s sad to see you tremble every time you see me. Ha, I’m the one who really helped Okma. You guys don’t think of me as a comrade.”
He was still scared of me, but they say that the place makes the person. The surrounding orcs looked at him with eyes full of anticipation. The gaze became a silent pressure and pushed Gulta’s back. Gulta, who had the support of the people, mustered his courage and said.
“O, of course. You are not an orc, but a human! How can we trust a human who came from nowhere!”
No. You said you were equal. You should treat me equally too. Prove your ability? What more do you want me to prove?
To be honest. You just don’t like me and are making up excuses. Just like you do to the dog-kin.
Ha, damn it. I’ve done this much, but I guess I have to do more.
“I have already achieved results, but I have to prove myself again? Sigh. Okay. I’ll find Duke Erektus.”
“That’s not it… What? Duke Erektus? Is that possible?”
“It’s possible. Finding one person is easier than bringing down a secret organization with thousands of people.”Actually, it might be a bit more difficult if you only consider the difficulty level. It’s easy to spot if it’s large, but it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack if it’s a person.
However, I don’t make bets that I can’t win. There was a reason why I stepped up to solve the problem confidently.
“Hey. No way. You’ll never find it. How can an outsider find the Erector’s Orb hidden in the mansion?”
“A magician? What’s that? Is it better than a priest?”
That’s because I read the thoughts of the Obelisk guards who were just watching silently.
There’s a reason why my tongue is long.