Chapter 89

Sōma felt as if he could hear the sound of drums coming from somewhere.

When he listened carefully, it was undoubtedly the sound of the Zoan drums. Since Sōma and his companions had suppressed the area, the sound of the drums used by the Zoan for communication had become more frequent in the town of Borinis. Therefore, if it were just the sound of drums, Sōma probably wouldn't have paid much attention to it.

However, the drumbeat resonating from afar seemed different from the usual communication drumbeat.

Just then, Shemul, who had temporarily left his seat, rushed in.

"Sōma! Can you hear the drumbeat?"

"Yeah. Is something urgent happening?"

Sōma, who was tense, thinking it might be an emergency communication, saw Shemul shake his head.

"No, it's not. That's not a communication drum. ——It's a musical piece praising the Mane Clan."

"Then, it's……"

Shemul, with a firm tone, clearly stated:

"Yes. Finally, the chieftain of the Mane Clan, Menuin Gajatara Bararak, has arrived."

◆◇◆◇◆

When Sōma accompanied Shemul to the gate of Borinis, he found that Garam and Zugg, along with Bararak's son Menuin Bararak Banuka and other prominent Zoan, were already gathered there.

"Damn Bararak. Despite being late, he comes with a grand procession. Instead of showing the might of his clan, he's just displaying his shame."

Upon hearing Zugg's harsh criticism, Banuka shrank his shoulders in embarrassment.

Noticing this, Garam lightly punched Zugg's thick chest plate over his cuirass. Realizing Banuka's discomfort, Zugg awkwardly scratched his cheek.

At that moment, a loud drumbeat echoed from the crowd.

Looking towards the open gate, a group of Zoan was just entering, marching to the tune of a heroic melody.

First, leading the procession was a robust warrior wearing a cuirass adorned with brightly colored bird feathers and furs, with his exposed face and limbs painted with colored clay. The warrior moved his body in small, rhythmic motions to the music, causing the feathers attached to his armor to tremble, reminiscent of a dancer at a Rio Carnival. Behind him, a band of drummers played the musical piece praising the Mane Clan, followed by four rows of warriors marching in unison.

Each warrior wore a collar symbolizing the Mane Clan, resembling a mane.

"Look. There are Bararak and Shunupa."

Following Shemul's guidance, Sōma looked towards the middle of the procession and saw two palanquins carried by the warriors.

The woman in the rear palanquin, wearing a white loincloth and a white headscarf with a cloth covering her mouth, seemed familiar. She was Shunupa, the younger sister of the Eye Clan's high priestess, Wai Zanuka Shunupa.

The one in the front palanquin, with a distinctive collar and a brown fur with black spots, must be the chieftain of the Mane Clan, Bararak.

This was the first time Sōma had seen Bararak, but he felt a sense of unease.

The chieftains Sōma knew were Garam and Zugg, both of whom were excellent warriors with robust physiques. Even Sōma, a Japanese who had no experience in battle, could feel their prowess.

However, Bararak, who was also a chieftain, did not give off such an impression. Rather, the warriors guarding him seemed stronger.

When Sōma mentioned this to Shemul, she smiled wryly.

"That's inevitable. Our Fang Clan and Claw Clan revere battle, so our chieftains are chosen from among the best warriors. However, it seems the chieftain of the Mane Clan is decided through discussion among influential bloodlines."

As if affirming Shemul's answer, Banuka, who was nearby, nodded slightly.

Even among the Zoan, there are significant differences between clans, Sōma thought, when a particularly loud drumbeat echoed.

Looking over, the procession of the Mane Clan's warriors had stopped, and the palanquins carrying Bararak and Shunupa were being lowered to the ground.

Garam and Zugg, leading their own clan's warriors, stepped forward to greet them. Bararak, standing before them, was clearly shorter by a head. He seemed to be trying to appear larger by puffing out his chest.

"Chieftain of the Fang Clan, Fagur Garguz Garam. Chieftain of the Claw Clan, Kraga Bigana Zugg. I am deeply honored by your welcome."

Bararak said this with a haughty attitude that did not seem genuinely grateful. However, Garam, far from being bothered, responded with a calm demeanor.

"Welcome. Chieftain of the Mane Clan, Menuin Gajatara Bararak. And the Eye Clan's high priestess, Wai Zanuka Shunupa."

Zugg was supposed to follow with a welcome, but he remained silent. Garam, frowning, glanced at him and, seeing Zugg looking away, elbowed him in the side. Zugg, feigning realization, raised his right hand slightly and said to Bararak:

"Hey! You're late."

Bararak's cheek twitched.

Then, Zugg, with an unusually solemn expression, stood beside Shunupa and took her hand.

"Thank you for your long journey, high priestess of the Eye Clan, Wai Zanuka Shunupa. ——Please, take my hand."

Shunupa, who had just stepped down from the palanquin and was unsteady on her feet, grabbed Zugg's hand and thanked him.

"Thank you, Chieftain of the Claw Clan, Kraga Bigana Zugg. And Chieftain of the Fang Clan, Fagur Garguz Garam. It's a relief to see you both in good health."

Garam, who had been grinding his teeth at Zugg's immature behavior, bowed his head slightly in response.

Shemul, who did not have the right to stand in a greeting between chieftains, watched the exchange from a slightly withdrawn position with Sōma. She happened to meet Bararak's gaze, who was grinding his teeth and glaring at Zugg.

Bararak's face suddenly broke into a broad smile as he walked towards Shemul with a loud step.

"Here stands the noble offspring of the great beast god, Fagur Garguz Shemul. I hear you have become close with my son Banuka. I am grateful to you for taking his place!"

Bararak's exaggerated gestures, reminiscent of a stage actor, seemed more aimed at making the content of his words known to the surrounding people rather than speaking to Shemul.

"My son and the noble offspring are close in age and have much in common. I will soon host a private banquet and would like to invite you. If you could impart some wisdom to my son, it would be a great honor."

The blatant attempt to promote his son to Shemul made Banuka squirm in embarrassment.

However, Shemul firmly declined.

"Your kindness is appreciated, but I am now betrothed to the 'Lord Below the Navel.' I cannot easily leave his side."

In other words, she was saying that she would not attend a banquet that invited her alone and slighted the 'Lord Below the Navel,' Sōma. Bararak, taken aback by Shemul's stern response, quickly composed himself with a smile.

"I see. ——So, who is this 'Lord Below the Navel'?"

At this, Shemul introduced Sōma with a rough breath.

"This is my 'Lord Below the Navel,' Kizaki Sōma!"

Sōma, pushed forward by Shemul, introduced himself hesitantly.

"Um... Nice to meet you, I'm Kizaki Sōma."

Bararak was taken aback.

He had already heard from his son Banuka that Sōma was a "reliable-looking human child." However, even though Sōma was recognized as the 'Lord Below the Navel' by the noble offspring of the great beast god, Shemul, and was accompanied by the renowned warriors Garam and Zugg, Bararak had expected him to be a man with a certain presence. When he saw Sōma, he found him to be even weaker than Banuka had described.

As the shock subsided, a feeling of contempt rose in Bararak's chest.

"I am the chieftain of the Mane Clan, Menuin Gajatara Bararak! You are Kizaki Sōma?"

Bararak snorted, mocking Sōma. Invisible anger radiated from Shemul, but Bararak, oblivious to it, continued in a haughty tone.

"I've heard you're quite cunning. It's commendable for a human to work for our proud Zoan. Continue to work hard without sparing your efforts."

With that, Bararak turned his back on Sōma as if he had lost interest.

"Chieftain of the Fang Clan. I and my warriors are tired from the long journey. I would like to rest before the council."

"Ah. Banuka has already set up tents in the lord's residence garden. You can use them."

In response to Garam's words, Banuka stepped forward.

"I will guide you, chieftain. ——However, there are limited tents, so most of the warriors will have to wait outside the town."

"There's no choice. But——"

Bararak sniffed.

"——This place is quite foul. I might prefer to stay outside the town."

With that, Bararak left, leaving Shemul bristling with anger.

"What is he?!"

Shemul, whose 'Lord Below the Navel' Sōma had been disrespected, and whose every word and action irritated her, was seething. When Sōma tried to calm her, she snapped, "Don't treat me like a cow!"

While the two of them were bickering, Zugg said:

"Well, it's only natural, in a way."

Shemul, hearing this, retorted:

"Chieftain of the Angry Claw! Is this an insult to Sōma?!"

"Don't get angry, Chieftain of the Noble Fang. Have you forgotten that I am entrusted with the protection of the Claw Clan?"

Zugg's words left Shemul speechless.

"But if I hadn't seen Sōma's power up close, I would have said the same as Bararak."

Seeing that Shemul was still unconvinced, Zugg nudged Garam with his elbow and urged him to speak.

"Chieftain of the Noble Fang. What the Chieftain of the Angry Claw says is reasonable."

At this, Garam, who had been looking at Shemul, continued in a calm tone:

"Think about it. We Zoan were on the brink of extinction, but a human child appeared out of nowhere and, with our alliance, not only reclaimed our ancestral lands after thirty years but also captured a human town. If someone else told me this story, I would laugh it off."

However, Shemul, still unconvinced, pouted. Garam sighed deeply and said:

"That's how great Sōma's achievements are, beyond the comprehension of ordinary people."

"Ah, I see."

Shemul's mood improved instantly.

Garam, who was genuinely worried if such a simple person could be the offspring of the beast god, had to prioritize the upcoming council over his sister's concerns. He bowed to Shunupa and asked:

"Shunupa. Before the council, may I have a moment of your time?"

"Of course, what is it?"

Garam