༺ A Far Away Tale. An Aloof King And A Kind King ༻

The soldiers, who had toppled the kingdom, demolished the royal palace and established martial law. The first king to visit this new nation was none other than the King of Dogs.

The King of Dogs personally visited the Military State, asking them to join forces in driving away the wolves.

At that time, the Military State loathed the existence of kings; it was a sentiment stemming from both a denunciation of incompetence and an inferiority complex of those not chosen by the king.

As such, this aversion applied even to Beast Kings. The King of Dogs, who represented all dogs and regularly clashed with wolves, was seen as no different from a warmongering tyrant by the Military State.

Nevertheless, the Military State, not just driven by simple hatred, made an alternative proposal to the King of Dogs.

To stay hidden away, as they would offer a place that could be concealed from the wolves’s eyes and noses. That they would help drive away the wolves if the promise was kept.

Of course, this was also a political calculation.

The King of Dogs was an existence that attracted the King of Wolves. And after executing the king, the Military State was already in a precarious situation, needing to keep some cards in hand for potential conflicts. Otherwise, this newly born, it was a certainty that this fragile nation would be broken and ruined by foreign invasions.

The King of Dogs had nodded her head to the proposal. It marked the first treaty made by the newly formed Military State.

However, like how someone felt differently when entering a restroom in comparison to exiting it, a nation’s perspective could change as well.

When the day to fulfill old debts approached, the State was only left with one thing:

A dilemma.

“…King of Dogs. You have broken the pledge.”

General Boyden of Defense High Command walked out steadily from the command center. The officers hastily cleared the path. Some, deeming it dangerous, tried to protect him, but they hurriedly stepped back at General Boyden’s gesture.

While privately conversing with the King of Dogs, Boyden sluggishly spoke.

“Our promise was for you to remain quietly in the Abyss until that time came. But you escaped from there instead.”

“Woof.”

Azzy barked as she snorted. General Boyden anticipated that the King of Dogs would protest in incredulity.

Don’t be unreasonable.

How could I stay in the Abyss when it disappeared?

25 years was more than enough of a wait.

Boyden planned to use this to gain an upper hand if she replied this way.

A blatantly political maneuver that was utterly transparent, yet had no argument that could hold ground against it.

As such, General Boyden, who was attempting to gain the concession of the Dog King, had ulterior political motives in his calculations.

However…

“You don’t, want to keep, the promise anymore, do you?”

General Boyden was taken aback at her words.

Though she was far too pure to be called human, could he really regard her as simply a dog? An existence that precisely understood the position and intentions of both Boyden and the State?

“Scared of, wolves? Don’t want to fight?”

General Boyden replied slowly; not out of a psychological upper hand, but because he was at a loss for words.

“It is not fear. We are just not ready. It is not the time yet to….”

“I am ready.”

Azzy, looking directly at the General, spoke.

“The Wolf, in a pack. Me, not in a pack. Instead, made promise with humans. Humans who made promise with me are my pack.”

“…We are not dogs. We cannot be a part of your pack.”

“I know. You’re human. That’s why I, made the promise. To be at the head when fighting wolves. That I would protect humans, so humans would protect me too.”

It was far too pure to be called a treaty, yet far too significant to be regarded as a mere promise.

The Wolf, a symbol of wildness, as well as the most violent King of animals; a clever and ferocious beast that had numerous conflicts with humans.

That king, the King of Wolves, was more aggressive than any other beast when it came to attacking humans. As such, humans, along with their friends, drove the wolves away.

…Though that too was a thing of the past.

“Woof. I, waited patiently. Waited while believing the promise would be kept. No sunlight and no walks. Wasn’t enjoyable, but to chase the wolves. To protect humans. I kept waiting and enduring.”

The crown, split in half, emitted a resounding hum. The King of Dogs, the Herald of All Dogs, was commanding humans to assist them.

Boyden felt anger surging from deep within after seeing the powerful presences that symbolized a King.

Unlike the fake kings of humans, the beastkin before him was an existence chosen by the world. The King of Dogs, who genuinely represented dogs for their sakes, as well as had the power to support such decisions.

Why? Why was it that only such trivial, insignificant beasts had a King? The more Boyden brooded over this, the more it fueled his hate and inferiority complex, but as a seasoned politician, he expertly hid his emotions.

“…It is not my concern. Mobilizing the military against wolves is irrational.”

“Won’t keep, promise?”

“It is not something I can decide.”

Even General Boyden, one of the few Generals in the Military State, couldn’t decide on significant matters alone. A cabinet meeting had to be conducted through signallers to make any decision.

However, General Boyden knew; there would never be a time where the State engaged in battle with the King of Wolves.

With the Abyss gone, there was no reason to confront the King of Wolves. After all, the dholes, eyeing the Abyssal Wastelands that had the grace of Mother Earth returned, would swarm in.

There would be war. Sooner than expected, but already foreseen. The Military State was preparing for war with the countries bordering the Abyssal Wastelands.

Engaging on two fronts from the very start of the war would only prolong the conflict.

“Why should we intervene in your war in the first place? Humans have no King, so why should we be harmed in the conflict of Kings?”

“King of Humans, humans got rid of. He disappeared because they said he wasn’t needed. So, I had no choice but to make the promise with humans.”

Azzy responded somberly.

“However, humans don’t remember the promise. No one is keeping it….”

Though the resignation in her tone was pitiable, the matter was far too significant to be swayed by emotions alone. General Boyden waved his hand.

“If your business here is finished, could you leave already? We have important matters to attend to.”

“…Bad.”

General Boyden wore a feigned smile as he replied.

“What else can you do, oh King of Dogs? Will you attack us? Will you rebel against humans for breaking the promise?”

General Boyden mocked her, knowing that the King of Dogs could never do such things.

Indeed, it was true. After all, Azzy, even in the face of humans armed sharply with swords and spears, harbored no hostility towards them.

However, the only ones Azzy did not reserve hostility for were humans.

Swords and spears were different. Azzy bared her teeth at everything excluding humans.

“I’m going to throw a tantrum.”

***

“Nya~aaaaa.”

Fluffy white fur that reached down to the waist. A tail that was calm yet agile. Ears of a cat that stood upright.

A cat beastkin, possessing a very noble demeanor that could briefly captivate anyone’s gaze, stretched lazily, flicking her tail. As she stretched, her back formed a smooth curve.

The stretched-out Nabi mumbled softly while licking her front paws.

“Stupid doggy. Whether you’re a King or not, you’re still shackled meow. You keep seeking humans without getting rewarded meow. How pitiable meow….”

The crown floating above Nabi’s head twisted and disappeared. Though having briefly worn the crown due to the ‘proclamation’ of the Dog King, the Cat King, realizing it was solely a declaration towards humans, relinquished the duty of kingship and returned to being a singular entity.

Nabi watched Azzy’s ‘tantrum’ and shook her body.

“Nyaaaa-. My blood is boiling because of your swoosh swoosh movements meow. Should I help meow?”

A small murmur that seemed to seep through the cracks in the ground. Yet, Azzy, who was moving wildly below, perked her ears up. Additionally, Azzy softly expressed refusal.

“Woof. No.”

Hearing the response, Nabi lowered her half-raised body and yawned languidly.

“Myaaa. Do as you please meow. Poor, stupid doggy.”

Nabi, returning to just being an observer, silently watched the King of Dogs throwing a tantrum.

***

The tantrum of the Dog King focused more on being a King than a dog.

Already, fifteen pieces of military gear were damaged. Every sharp weapon bore unsightly bite marks. The officers, who vowed never to let go of their weapons even in death, had to retract such a resolution today.

The damage was not limited to just weapons. At least the weapons in their hands and the armor enveloping their bodies were relatively intact.

After all, compared to the state of non-human entities, they were at least maintaining their original form.

The entire headquarters looked as if a bomb had dropped, no, strike that. It was as if a gigantic Earthweaver had turned the ground upside down.

The walls of the headquarters were covered with Level 4 alchemic steel to protect against external attacks. However, Azzy treated it as if it were loose wallpaper.

That was to say, it was torn off with teeth.

Alchemic steel wasn’t merely wallpaper, but an armor nailed to the building’s exterior. As such, the building couldn’t possibly remain intact after such steel was torn off by the teeth of a single entity. The once formidable Defense High Command now lay bare, its walls ripped open.

None of the automaton carriages for military use stood intact on all four wheels; the doors scratched by claws were crushed instantly, revealing its interior.

The grounds and walls were full of footprints and claw marks. A farmer would have probably mistaken it for freshly plowed land, thus sowing seeds.

The officers could only chase after Azzy’s rear. After all, they had to do at least that in order to catch up with Azzy before she partially destroyed something.

Whenever the officer’s hands came close to Azzy, she joyfully barked and dashed elsewhere as if playing tag.

In the end, Captain Boyden couldn’t stand it anymore and yelled.

“This is the end of your disturbance-!”

Shoving aside an officer in front of him, he leaped forward without even equipping military gear. Covering 30 meters in a single bound, he spread his palms wide and swept through the space. Blue energy surged from each finger, enveloping Azzy like a net.

Azzy jumped as if scorched by fire, leaping so hastily that half of her body was practically buried in the wall. General Boyden clicked his tongue and pursued Azzy once again.

The officers exclaimed in admiration at their commanding officer’s martial prowess.

“As expected of our General…!”

However, General Boyden knew.

The reason why the King of Dogs reacted so sensitively was because he was unarmed.

General Boyden’s fists were fast and strong. To block or deflect them would bring immense aftershocks to him. Of course, he had the strength and Qi to overcome it, but Azzy couldn’t impose such a treat on a human.

At most, she could bite weapons or tear military gear.

Thus, while other officers were easily disarmed, General Boyden’s attacks could only be narrowly avoided.

As he chased after Azzy’s tail, he shouted.

“Get lost! Leave the Military State and find another master! A human to kill the Wolf for you!”

“Ruff, ruff!”

Azzy barked threateningly at General Boyden, who had the audacity to yell at her when they were the one who did not keep the promise. Of course, the General didn’t even blink at his own hypocrisy.

Instead, he thought to himself.

Even a dog that only played mere ‘pranks’ on humans had such power.

Then how strong must the King of Wolves be, who used power solely to destroy humans? Moreover, the Wolf King would probably hunt in an organized manner with other wolves….

It must be the price that humans had to pay for abandoning their own King.

They should have secured the Dog King before the promise needed to be carried out.

However, regret implied lateness by its very nature. Shaking off his thoughts, General Boyden shouted again.

“The human you’re looking for will not be found in the Military State! Get lost!”

“Awooooooooooo-!”

The howl of a beast echoed long and loud. Right as General Boyden attempted to chase Azzy away…

He suddenly flinched at the killing intent felt from above, thus looking up.

***

Tyrkanzyaka, who was perched on the beam above while watching the scene unfold below, turned her head at the killing intent coming from beside her.

Shei was aiming Jizan downwards, her expression serious like a surveyor conducting measurements.

“…What are you doing?”

“Just wait a minute. I’m calculating how long it will take for this to fall from here.”

Jizan’s weight was comparable to a mountain, but its power was fundamentally based on Earthweave. It couldn’t shatter the earth with its own weight.

Even so, the impact of a giant boulder falling could be significant. From this height, even the General wouldn’t escape unharmed.

If Tyrkanzyaka hadn’t intervened, General Boyden would not have been safe.

“Weren’t we supposed to look for Hu? Why have you suddenly felt the need to kill?”

“I knew I had seen that General from somewhere. He’s part of the Human Regime. He’s a bastard who both operates and supports it. It’s better to kill him right now.”

Tyrkanzyaka furrowed her brows.

“If you wish to kill him, do so after asking about Hu’s whereabouts first. Killing such a human would only make them uncooperative.”

“That’s why I’m thinking of dropping Jizan to kill him so that our identities aren’t revealed.”

“Do you truly believe that they wouldn’t be suspicious when we appear after their General is killed by a sword that had fallen from the sky? Such foolishness.”

Tyrkanzyaka chided her, but in fact, Shei hadn’t acted thoughtlessly. She was just not used to explaining her actions to others, so she forgot to do so.

Shei put away Jizan for now and decided to address her companion’s doubts first.

“There’s no reason to keep him alive. The Human Regime greatly differs from the State in nature. To achieve their goals, they do not calculate the means, methods, or even the costs. Do you really expect them to cooperate so easily when we’ve caused so much damage to their bases and supply routes? Do you even know how much loss they incurred because of us? They actually might even take him hostage.”

“Hmm.”

Tyrkanzyaka looked below, as if troubled. Though things would be easier if they received their help, that would never be worth doing if it meant putting him in danger.

Having neatly given up on the idea, Tyrkanzyaka gestured towards Shei.

“If that is the case, just leave him be. If he can be killed anytime, why bother doing so now and creating enmity? Let us settle this after we find Hu.”

“Ughh. I really want to kill him now, though…”

But as Tyrkanzyaka said, General Boyden could be killed at any time. There was no need to completely antagonize the Military State already.

Shei clicked her tongue and put away Jizan.

“Tsk. It can’t be helped then. General Boyden isn’t the main body anyway.”

The true core of the Human Regime wasn’t him, but the Warforger of the Six Star Generals; a Weapon Master stronger than anyone when it came to battles with preparation.

She had toppled him several times in previous rounds, but each and every time she had struggled with his constantly changing weapons.

It might actually be better to spare him here, instead of killing him and making the Warforger vigilant.

“You thought well. Now that it has come to this, let us use the second and third methods. What is the second method?”

“The second way is to ask Azzy and Nabi to find him. With the keen sense of smell that comes with being Beast Kings, they should be able to find Hu quickly with just a bit of legwork.”

“Hoh? That is quite the decent idea. What about the third then?”

Shei grinned widely. She, who had just been waiting for the moment to prove her competence, spoke confidently while puffing out her chest.

“The third is to find him via the Information Guild. I know how to contact them, you see.”

“The Information Guild, you say.”

As anticipated, Tyrkanzyaka showed great interest. Shei lightly boasted as she added.

“When it comes to dealing with information in Amitengrad, the Black Cat is the place to go. It’s a magazine company specializing in gossip and exposés, but its work rivals the competency of even the Information Guild. If we go to their counter exclusive to secret members, they’ll sell information, and if we pay the commission, they’ll even carry out investigations themselves. Finding one person isn’t too risky or dangerous, so they’ll be able to find him quickly.”

However, no one here could have anticipated…

What information awaited them at the magazine company run by beastkin.