528 – Destined To Be Boiled And Eaten
Ende faced an enemy known as the wolf pack. The wolves were fierce and powerful, but they were not a difficult enemy. This was because other procedures that were common in war, such as troop identification, secrecy, hand-to-hand combat, morale boosting, and spy detection, were omitted.
Humans were allies, and wolves were enemies. If they won, they lived, and if they lost, they died. It was as simple as a water strider. If they could only focus on the enemy in front of them, it would be no different from having already achieved a strategic victory.
That’s why Ende’s water striders didn’t feel alarmed even when they saw an army wearing armor. Humans could not be their enemies.
Marquis Rafaeno and his army approached quietly for their size.
“Are you Grull! Glory of the pigs!”
Grull greeted the unexpected guest with a bewildered expression.
It was natural. No matter how bold Grull was, it was difficult to accept a stranger who came with an army behind him. If it was a middle-aged man with an annoying mustache, the feeling of rejection would increase several times.
In addition, Marquis Rafaeno did not hide his realm. Grull instinctively swallowed his saliva as he watched the momentum that was as sharp as a blade.
He was equal to or stronger than him. Grull asked Sapien,
“What is this?”
Sapien was startled.
“Be careful with your words, Grull. This is Marquis Rafaeno, the Black Tiger General.”
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“Ah. Are you one of the five fingers of the principality that you mentioned?”
“I told you to be careful with your words.”
Grull also knew about etiquette. However, he also knew how useless it was to be humble from the first meeting. Grull spread out his five fingers and sneered.
“Don’t fingers have a hierarchy? Which of the five fingers are you? Are you about as good as the middle finger?”
“Grull…!”
“hahahahaha! You’re bold, you’re bold!”
Fortunately, the kind of thing Sapien was worried about did not happen. Marquis Rafaeno laughed heartily at Grull’s obvious provocation.
“That’s right. Our Oho General is often compared to a finger! The five fingers that hold the sword of the principality! And do you know what? There are people in the world who are born with six fingers! What’s wrong with having more fingers to hold a sword!”
He was probably a noble of the principality, but he responded favorably even to weak provocations. It meant that Grull wanted something. And there was only one reason why he mentioned six fingers here.
It meant that Grull wanted to be the sixth finger. Grull said.
“Do you mean to scout me for the principality?”
“I heard you were smart, but you really are! I didn’t even say I was going to recruit you, but you noticed!”
“It was real. It’s unexpected.”
He said that, but Grull had expected this in his heart. It would be strange if a reasonable Master did not try to persuade him.
‘I have no intention of joining. However, I may be able to form a cooperative relationship. Let’s try it once.’
Since he had decided to take responsibility for the pig water striders, he had to get more. Things like power or food. Grull finished his complicated calculations.
“It’s too much of an offer for a savage like me. What do you gain from taking me in, the great principality?”
“Even savages have their uses. Our guild is particularly interested in you. To be exact, I’m interested in the treasure of the kingdom that you will bring.”
“Elixir. It’s worth being interested in.”
The Enger Plains, where the wolf king had disappeared, would once again become a crossroads for adventurers. Grull, who had been in business with that, would have been a coveted talent, as he would need a beast wave to find his way to the kingdom.
“That’s right. Do you know how much elixir it takes to raise a single swordsman? It’s ridiculous. There’s no guarantee that you’ll become a Master just because you ate the elixir. Since you have to keep investing even though you know it’s a waste, there’s always a shortage of elixir. A savage who has eaten elixir crumbs may suddenly become reasonable.”
“What do you have to offer such a savage?”
“What do you have to give to a swordsman? A better textbook, a more precious elixir, and a chance to train with other Masters.”
Grull was also a warrior, so he couldn’t help but be tempted by that offer. However, that was something that a Master belonging to a country should naturally receive. Grull crossed his arms as if to tell him to say more and waited for the next offer.
“And I’ll leave this city, Ende, to you.”
Rather, it was so unusual that Grull failed to control his expression.
“…What did you say? Ende? Are you serious?”
“That’s right. Since the wolves are gone, it’s time to return to the house that the original owner left empty. Ende has now decided to be managed by the principality. While we’re at it, we’re also recruiting a Master.”While hiring Grull, he also wanted to entrust him with Ende. It was so unexpected that Sapien was at a loss for words.
“Wait a minute. Marquis Rafaeno. That’s too sudden.”
“Sudden? What can I do? It was already decided the moment I failed to stop the Beastkin rebellion. It’s time for a human to stop being king among the Beastkin.”
The news of Okma’s rebellion had already reached Marquis Rafaeno. Sapien, whose incompetence had been revealed, bit his lip, but Marquis Rafaeno didn’t even look at him. Grull thought it was very unexpected.
‘Sapien is quite articulate for someone who warned me. It’s also unconventional. What the hell is absurd?’
He didn’t show off his strength or authority, even though he led an army. Isn’t he more humane than the nobles who reigned only because they were human?
When Grull’s heart was slightly inclined towards Marquis Rafaeno.
“I will soon issue an introduction order to the Beastkin, asking them to take responsibility for the rebellion, so be prepared in advance.”
The small voice was like a bolt from the blue.
The house that the original owner had left empty. Ende is now an official in the vassal state. No more being king among the Beastkin.
Drive out the Beastkin of Ende, and humans will enter the empty land. Marquis Rafaeno’s words were all connected to one thing.
Sapien, who was well-versed in the situation, noticed it before Grull.
“The ones who revolted were some pig Beastkin! Most of the Beastkin have nothing to do with it!”
“What’s the difference?”
“What’s the difference…”
It was Sapien who was speechless at the Marquis’s response. Marquis Rafaeno stroked his mustache and said nonchalantly.
“Beastkin are all the same Beastkin. What’s the difference? They should be grateful that I let them live for a while, but they dared to forget their gratitude and attack humans… That alone is enough reason to act, so is there any need to distinguish which ears they have?”
Why should we distinguish between Okma and the others, the pig Beastkin and the other Beastkin? Lord Rafaeno was asking sincerely.
“That’s…!”
“Don’t get too excited. Who said I was taking away your authority? Your title and authority will remain the same. If you want, you can bring the Beastkin you use into your house. However, the other Beastkin must be returned to their original place. There are tens of thousands of homeless citizens in the vassal state, so we can’t let the Beastkin occupy empty houses.”
The land of opportunity, Ende, became a city of free Beastkin because of the wolf king. Humans wanted to live safely under the shadow of the vassal state rather than endure the threat of wolves on the rugged Enger Plains.
However, now that the Beastkin had driven out the wolves, the land of opportunity was about to be occupied by humans again.
“It’s a better story for you. How long are you going to remain a frontier city? Now that you’ve defeated the wolves, it’s time to gather people and lead the city properly.”
Beastkin are not even recognized as objects. They are not even targets of abuse or neglect. Grull intervened.
“Wait a minute. Marquis. I’m also a Beastkin like you.”
“What’s important about that, Grull? What’s important is that you’re a power-hungry master. A good sword, whether it’s a magic sword or not, should be put in its scabbard.”
Marquis Rafaeno flicked his ear as if he was annoyed.
“Well, if you want to take care of the Beastkin… I recommend that you accept my offer. Don’t you need the support of the vassal state to provide tents for these Beastkin?”
If Grull was an ambitious and cold-blooded man, he would accept Marquis Rafaeno’s offer. Because it was an opportunity to fulfill his ambition.
Even if Grull had the kindness to care for his own people, he would have to accept the offer. Otherwise, the Beastkin who were driven out of Ende would be abandoned by everyone.
It’s half a threat. However, I can only feel the will to put Ende under the sure influence of the vassal state. And Ende cannot escape from that will. Unless Grull himself comes forward.
The absurdity really came absurdly. Without a moment’s respite, it was approaching with only one choice, rendering Grull’s determination meaningless. As Grull’s head was spinning, someone else came forward before him… another noble.
“Marquis Rafaeno. There was something I couldn’t just let pass.”
A noble who would be sad to be called a Beastkin discriminator, Lord Erectus. As soon as they saw him, the people around him tensed up as if they had witnessed the personification of a bomb. Sapien seriously considered whether he should grab him by the back of the neck and bring him before he made things worse.
Marquis Rafaeno searched his memory.
“Who… is that?”
“Lord Erectus. He is the lord who remained in Ende when everyone else abandoned their posts due to the threat of the wolves.”
“Ah. The water duke… But what? Do you have any complaints about the decision of the vassal state?”“Of course there is. The Principality is currently encroaching on private property.”
“Private property?”
The tens of thousands of beastmen living in Ende. Erectus Gong treated all of them as private property, as if it were a given, even though it would be difficult for even real beasts to possess that many.
“Yes. The beastmen of Ende are the property of the nobles of Oberi, who have protected this land for a long time. It is the property of our nobles who have kept their pride and duty even when everyone else fled from Ende. I respect the Principality’s judgment… but I cannot accept the introduction of the law. It is our duty to protect our territory and property.”
Racism for racism. Even Marquis Rafaeno was momentarily speechless at the far more radical statement.