Originally, cats are sly, prickly, and independent creatures. They often have a subtle sense of boundaries and tend to have mostly calm personalities. Typically, they don’t easily approach others, but some can be rather friendly, sociable and show a lot of affection. They might even go for walks.
And Leona, who expressed affection to me, was similar to this. At first, she was cynical and often growled, but as I helped her, we became closer, and today she even let me pet her head. Of course, she’s not a cat but a lion, but let’s overlook that since they belong to the same feline family. She takes pride in being a lioness, so mentioning it might lead to an unfortunate incident.
Anyway, I found myself chosen by her due to some circumstances. I plan to speak with Marie and Cecily, but solving the Great Chieftain issue was more urgent. The problem is that it’s the most challenging part. Judging from the current situation in Animers, Leona is the most likely candidate for the next Great Chieftain. There’s no other being who can perfectly satisfy the desires of both the royal faction and the opposing faction.
“When will the decision be made?”
“It’ll probably come from above in about three days. It would be ideal to decide after I graduate from the academy, but that’s unlikely. We need to appoint someone as the Great Chieftain as soon as possible since we currently don’t have one.”
“Will the final decision be made then?”
“Yes.”
“In that case, what about the academy?”
“For now, I will just hand over authority to them and focus on my studies. Just think of it as leaving my position temporarily vacant.”
Three days from now, the schedule was quite tight. We need to find a way to prevent Leona from becoming the chieftain during that time. Of course, I planned to inform Marie and Cecily as well. If Leona becomes the chieftain, they won’t have any connection with her, but if it goes the other way, they must know.
Being kept in the dark and suddenly being introduced to Leona without them knowing would be disrespectful and inconsiderate, so I have an obligation to let them know.
“Are you attending the class at 3 tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s meet then. We need to inform Marie and Cecily too.”
“Okay.”
“But…”
I hesitated as I looked at Leona. Currently, she wasn’t sitting across from me but beside me. She was even leaning her head on my arm as if showing her affection, making purring sounds. There was even a happy smile on her face. What could have caused this change in her mood in such a short time?
“…Leona?”
“Yes?”
“Can you explain why you’re getting so close? You’ve already shown your affection.”
“Just because I like your scent. Honestly, I’ve wanted to do this since before.”
Leona continued to purr, pressing her cheek against my arm without saying a word. It seemed like she was intoxicated by the lilac scent vibrating from my body.
I suppressed a sigh trying to escape and gently pushed her head away. She yielded without any resistance, but a question formed on her face.
“Enough for now. Think about how you can get out of the position of chieftain too. Is it really true that there isn’t a single person with the aptitude?”
“Um…”
“Before that, tell me who leads the opposing faction. Judging by the way they lead, they seem like a formidable figure. They might not have a center, but there’s likely someone skillfully coordinating things.”
“…Are you talking about that woman?”
Leona seemed uncomfortable when asked about the opposing faction. Judging by the way she referred to her as “that woman,” it seemed like she was a woman, and her reputation didn’t seem to be particularly good.
However, discrimination was widespread due to the focus on strength among the Beastmen. So, I couldn’t take Leona’s words at face value.
“I don’t know who that woman is. Can you explain properly?”
“…Alright. Her name is Jinai Crochuker. She’s a Hyena Beastwoman.”
“Hyena Beastwoman?”
My eyes widened when I heard Hyena Beastwoman. I didn’t remember much, but I had heard that Hyena Beastmen received a less favorable evaluation even among the Beastmen.
Just how bad was it? If you were to ask a beastmen if they are a hyena, a sacred duel would immediately fly at you. It was discriminatory, but I suspected there might be a reason for it.
I, too, don’t have a favorable image of hyenas due to memories from my past life. They are cunning and malicious, and in many ways, they fit the image of a scoundrel.
However, this was just an image, and in reality, hyenas play a very important role in the ecosystem. Moreover, even if we look at them as a group, they belong to the strongest individuals in the food chain, competing with lions.
But it seems that the hyenas on the opposite side have a leader. I had a feeling that something complex might be involved.
“Hyena beastmen don’t have a good image even among your kind, right? They say that you might even receive a challenge for a sacred duel if you call someone that.”
“That’s right.”
“Can you tell me why they have such a bad image?”
“Historically, they were conniving individuals. They used all sorts of tricks to create divisions between the tribes and would seize any opportunity they got. That’s why hyena beastmen used to live as wanderers until they were persuaded by Hick to join Animers. But their nature created the situation we’re in now.”
“Hmm…”
Listening to it, all sorts of negative aspects come to the forefront. It’s not much different from the image from my past life.
However, to truly understand a person’s character, you have to meet them in person. I hesitated while stroking my chin and asked Leona one thing.
“Have you ever met them in person?”
“No. I’ve only heard about them. Historically, hyenas didn’t have a good reputation.”
“Indeed.”
I nodded involuntarily upon hearing Leona’s response. While I would need to meet them in person to truly know, I can see why Hyena beastmen might be considered miniature versions of devils.
Prejudice exists everywhere, as demonstrated by the example of demons. It’s possible that Hyena beastmen, like demons, have been oppressed by prejudice throughout their lives.
Nevertheless, seeing someone rise to prominence as a central figure in opposing forces must indicate an exceptional individual. I’d like to meet them at least once.
“Leona, it’s not right to judge someone just by what you’ve heard. Look at the demons, for instance. They were persecuted before the Xenon incident happened. Couldn’t the Hyena beastmen be in a similar situation?”
“That’s true, but they have brought great chaos to Animers. It’s hard to see them in a positive light as a member of the Lions.”
“You’re right. But I’m a bit uneasy about the fact that Hick brought the Hyenas himself. If the Hyenas were truly a vile race, Hick wouldn’t have brought them, would he?”
“… …”
Hick, the founding king of Animers and the wealthiest beastmen in history. After the racial war scattered the tribes everywhere, he united them to establish Animers, and he deserves praise as a hero.
However, someone with such heroic qualities like Hick directly incorporating the Hyenas into Animers, would have been an obstacle to its founding if they were as wicked and vile as their reputation claims.
History reveals many facts but not everything. While it is said that humans began using magic because they fought against the elves during the racial war, the reality is that it was passed down by the demons.
Perhaps hyenas have their own circumstances as well. At least that’s how it looked from a third-party perspective.
“Of course, this is just my opinion, so take it into consideration. I’m not suggesting we crown the hyena as the chieftain. It’s all about letting go of prejudices.”
“…Alright. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Then…”
I gently patted Leona’s head, which had become gloomy, with a contented smile. It was an action that I took without even realizing it, seeing her in such a gloomy state. In response, Leona’s previously drooping ears perked up.
She looked at me with vacant eyes for a moment. I quickly withdrew my hand with a start, but her gaze continued to fixate on my face.
“Oh. Sorry. If… it made you uncomfortable…”
“Hey.”
“I apolog… huh?”
Just as I was about to apologize hastily, Leona suddenly made a strange request.
“Can I bite you once?”
“…No, you can’t.”
With those sharp fangs? Does she want to kill me?
*****
The day after, the meeting of the trio, Marie, Cecily, and Leona, approached. Despite steeling my resolve, I couldn’t help but think that I should just let them know since I was bound to receive an earful of curses. However, Leona had already nearly given up her position as the Great Chieftain. She was already delightfully nonchalant about the prospect of losing the chieftain’s seat once I offered my help.
In this situation, her declaring that she would become my wife was certain. To lessen the shock of it all, I had to somehow break the news in advance. There’s a saying that it’s better to get bitten by a mad dog sooner rather than later for a reason.
Fortunately, Rina seemed to have caught onto something and vacated the scene. Thus, I, Marie, Cecily, and finally Leona, could have a peaceful meal.
“From now on, I Leona Lions, will be Isaac’s third wife. Please take care of me.”
“Cough!!”
Before the ordered meal arrived, Leona confidently made a statement, skipping all the circumstances before and after. My throat was parched from nervousness, so I had no choice but to respond exactly as she did. I wondered how the others would react while I was giving this kind of response.
“…Marie? Did I hear that wrong…?”
“No. I think we heard it clearly.”
Both Marie and Cecily seemed taken aback. Cecily, in particular, had a face that seemed to be trying to determine if what she heard was real or not. While Marie already had some familiarity with Leona and some understanding of the differences in common sense between humans and beastkin, Cecily was meeting Leona for the first time. She could do nothing but be bewildered by the situation.
“No… Cough! Cough! Well… Cough!”
I hurriedly tried to speak, sensing the strange atmosphere that had developed due to Leona’s statement, but it seemed like only my coughing could be heard. It was only after Marie patted my back that I finally managed to calm down.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but cough occasionally.
“Cough. Hey. You left out so much… Cough. What will they think if you suddenly say that?”
“It doesn’t matter as long as the problem is resolved, right?”
“…Isaac?”
As soon as Leona said that, Marie next to me called my name in a cold voice. I turned my head in surprise to find Marie glaring at me fiercely. Unable to say anything in response to her expression, I watched as Marie continued to glare at me for a while before finally letting out a sigh.
Guilt weighed heavily on my chest, making it difficult for me to speak. Meanwhile, Cecily, who still didn’t understand the situation, asked us with a questioning look.
“Can someone please explain the current situation? Marie, it seems like you have some history with Leona?”
“Oh, right. I didn’t tell the princess. Let me show you.”
As Cecily asked her question, Leona answered in her place and showed her own animal ears on top of her head. She even twitched them. Cecily, momentarily surprised by the animal ears that had appeared on top of Leona’s head, soon nodded calmly.
“Indeed, it seems she really was a beastwoman. I had a suspicion from the moment I saw her.”
“Oh? You knew?”
“Just because she hides it doesn’t mean the ‘truth’ changes.”
As expected, Cecily already seemed to have figured out Leona’s true identity, as expected of the next demon lord. In a world with mana and magic, it shouldn’t be too difficult to uncover someone’s identity. She briefly glanced at Leona’s ears and then turned to me with a question.
“Leona being a beastwoman aside, what’s the deal with her being a third wife? Can you explain in more detail?”
“I’ll gladly hear a detailed explanation, Isaac. I heard that bullshit last time, so why do I have to hear similar things again?”
Lovers had their own ways of applying pressure, but I was already prepared for such a situation. With an excited heart, I began to explain step by step, starting from Volume 16’s publication until the story just before Leona was nominated for a Great Chieftain.
I didn’t leave out any details, as there might be room for misunderstanding. I had prepared thoroughly, so I could continue without interruption. After all the explanations were done, as expected, there was a long and silent pause.
Marie and Cecily didn’t respond or react at all initially. As someone awaiting their response, it was a nerve-wracking situation. Leona, too, seemed aware and quietly waited, not uttering a word.
“…Sigh.”
How long has this heavy silence hung in the air? Marie exhaled a long sigh, as if the weight of it all had become too much. Then, she rested her chin on her hand and whispered in a somewhat resigned tone, as if lamenting something.
“Last time, one asked for your seed, and now another openly declared that she wants to become your wife…”
“… …”
“I expected there would be more women, but I never dreamed it would happen like this… That damn Xenon’s Biography…”
As she sighed, she turned her gaze toward Leona, still holding her chin. When their eyes met, Leona seemed taken aback and assumed a somewhat embarrassed posture. Her self-assured declaration of becoming my wife had disappeared, leaving only a sharp-witted cat behind. The noises coming from Marie seemed far from friendly.
Marie stared at Leona for a while and then finally removed her hand from her chin to speak.
“I understand the situation. If you become the chieftain, you’ll not only bear Isaac’s child but also receive the seed of other men to increase your offspring. And if it’s the other way around, you become Isaac’s wife, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right!”
“That’s how the beastmen repay their debts. If he refuses, it will be seen as an insult. Isn’t that right?”
“Exactly.”
It seems that Marie couldn’t easily accept the situation. I, too, initially felt the same way as her.
The customs of the beastmen may seem barbaric to humans, especially treating people like commodities, which can be quite unsettling. Meanwhile, the Demons, originally humans themselves before the transformation, don’t differ much in common sense, aside from cultural differences. On the other hand, beastmen have stronger instinctual traits, much like animals.
“Leona, do you think that’s a normal culture? The tradition of treating people as some kind of bounty?”
“At least it’s entirely normal for beastmen. I hope you won’t casually disparage another culture.”
Leona, who had a strong sense of pride as a beastwoman, immediately countered. Not only did she display a displeased expression, but her words also carried thorns.
Marie, realizing her mistake, quickly apologized. She seemed so embarrassed that it was as if she had made a terrible blunder.
“I’m sorry. But it’s just so hard to believe… you’re willingly going to become the third wife?”
“What’s so strange about that? I don’t find it strange at all.”
“No, I mean… uh…”
Marie groaned while clutching her head. She couldn’t find a way to convince her because words weren’t getting through. Her current feelings were likely something like this.
Cecily, looking at her with a mix of sympathy, shifted her gaze to Leona. Then, in her unique charming voice, she spoke.
“Leona, it’s possible to respect beastmen culture for what it is. But I hope you’ll also respect human culture. Declaring yourself as the third wife might be somewhat disconcerting from a human perspective.”
“Princess, you became Isaac’s second woman, didn’t you? Isn’t that similar?”
“I love Isaac, and he loves me too, so it’s possible. Do you love Isaac?”
“As a male, I’m quite fond of him. I have a strong desire to keep him all to myself without sharing him with any females.”
“… …”
This time, Cecily was left speechless. Her expression showed amazement at the beastmen-like statement, which was very fitting for her.
If things continued like this, it would be like going in circles. I spoke cautiously as the awkward atmosphere settled.
“…I may have said that, but nothing is confirmed yet. We still need to resolve Leona’s nomination as the chieftain. I just wanted to let you all know about this situation for now.”
“Right. You did well to inform us. If you hadn’t, I might have squeezed you so you couldn’t be with other women.”
“I agree.”
Cecily growled like a fierce dog and Marie agreed. Her terrifying words were enough to send a shiver down my spine.
Fortunately, there was no talk of parting ways, but I knew I would have to deal with the aftermath.
As I shivered at the goosebumps that sprouted on my thighs, Marie lifted her head and offered a solution.
“Alright. I understand Leona’s situation now. You don’t want to become the chieftain, right?”
“Yeah. I hate it.”
“I agree. Even if I were like you, I’d refuse to be a seed pouch. That’s something we can empathize with as fellow women. But becoming Isaac’s wife, let’s consider that gradually. We must respect the beastmen culture while also familiarizing ourselves with human culture. Do you understand?”
“Um… I get it. We have plenty of time.”
“It seems to be roughly settled then. And Isaac.”
“Yeah, what?”
Marie called me and looked at me with her burning blue eyes. I was overwhelmed by that gaze and remained silent.
“Isaac?”
Cecily called my name seductively from the side. When I turned to her, I caught sight of her eyes filled with desire, glowing with a deep red color.
Two pairs of different eyes were glaring at me as if they could devour me. Who could withstand this gaze? As I nervously swallow my saliva, Marie and Cecily simultaneously open their mouths.
“I’ll make sure you don’t think about other women today.”
“So this is what happens when you look at other women. Understood.”
At the same time, Marie discreetly placed her hand on my thigh, and Cecily gently wrapped her arms around mine. Those who know what this means will understand. The situation has been resolved nicely, but it seems I may have to sacrifice my waist.
‘…I’m lucky to have received divine protection.’
I might wake up tomorrow. It was when I was shedding tears inwardly.
“…Two lionesses.”
Leona, sitting in front, exclaimed in awe.
Translators note:
3/4
