Chapter 42

I apologize for the long break in updates.

Now that the editing of the first volume is complete, I can return to writing.

The first volume will be published by Monster Bunko on October 30th.

Thank you for your support.

I succumbed to sleepiness, so this time it's quite short.

I apologize.

"Shironeko and Mineko, what brings you to the capital today?"

"It's nothing much. We just came to greet the Beast King."

"We haven't shown our faces for a while..."

"I see, are they friends of yours? They look human..."

"More like friends and masters."

"Huh?"

To enter the capital Regdam, one must pass through the town gate.

The scenery of the town, made mostly of wood, spread out beyond it, and the strong scent of nature made me feel nostalgic.

"...That soldier was staring with wide eyes. Was that good?"

I asked the cat sisters, who passed through almost without a glance, in a exasperated voice.

There were several points to nitpick, but I decided to listen to their story for now.

"The fact that we have a master was quite shocking, I guess."

"We sisters have always been isolated. Bringing a master suddenly would naturally be a surprise."

"Wait, hold on, you guys."

Why did I become their master?

I've heard that among beastmen, certain species have the habit of having a master.

More specifically, I first learned about this habit when Roa, the daughter of the Beast King, asked me to be her master.

Apparently, they feel happiness by becoming the pet of the one who defeats them (regardless of species).

However, even though I have a relationship with the masochistic Elka, I've never felt the urge to keep her as a pet, and I politely declined, hoping to avoid any twisted desires.

I endured being begged for a while...

"Setsu defeated me. It's only natural for him to be my master."

"But I didn't give permission..."

"I'm sorry... But if I say this, it will serve as proof of Setsu's status!"

"Hmm? ...Now that you mention it."

Indeed, even if I'm with these two, who are apparently famous in the beastman community, my presence would stand out in this town where human entry is rare due to the war.

According to Mineko, there are people who would pick a fight with us.

However, by spreading the word that I'm their master, it would prove that I'm stronger than them.

"If that's the case... I understand."

"Thank you. Please bear with it for a while... My sister seems to want you to stay as her master..."

"It would be a waste to let go of such a strong master. I can brag to my friends."

Shironeko said this while hugging my arm.

I ignored the sweet scent from her body that would excite a male, but...

Do these guys have a habit of boasting about their masters?

Normally, it's the masters who boast about their pets...

"...Well, we'll talk about that later. Anyway... you're still as big as ever."

While casually holding Shironeko, I looked up at the giant tree that towered in front of me, dwarfing any city building.

The World Tree――――――

The largest and oldest tree in this world, and the most massive building, supporting the capital Regdam's castle.

Inside the tree, there are passages and rooms like an ant's nest, where the knights who protect the capital, the Beast King's family, and those he favors live together.

A significant portion of the inside must have been hollowed out to create this much space.

However, the World Tree has never wavered.

Even someone as strong as me or Fuyuma would find it extremely difficult to cut it down.

Incidentally, unlike the World Trees in various fantasy games, this one is just a tree from top to bottom.

It doesn't have the power to revive the dead with its leaves or fully restore a companion's health with its sap.

It has no magical power at all, just a plain tree. It's quite unromantic.

"World Trees in fantasy are supposed to play a significant role..."

"I don't understand what fantasy is. But the World Tree doesn't have an important role."

"It is the home of the Beast King and his family, though."

"That's true. The World Tree is important after all."

...No, that's not it.

◇ ◇ ◇

"――――――Huh, a nostalgic smell has come..."

In the top floor room of the World Tree's castle, which serves as the king's chamber with a throne.

"Father, what's up?"

"Hey, you're a girl, so don't call me 'Father.'"

"It's fine, isn't it?"

The man sitting on the throne had a robust build, with golden hair carelessly grown out, and eyes sharp enough to take a life with a single glare.

However, despite his rough appearance, he gently scolded the girl lying on the floor and gnawing on a bone, as if scolding his own child.

The girl had the same golden hair as the man, which reached her shoulders.

It was unkempt but not unpleasant.

Her body was slightly tanned, her chest modest, and the rest of her figure was well-toned with no excess fat.

Her face somewhat resembled the man's, and they could easily be mistaken for father and daughter.

No――――――they are actually father and daughter.

"Roa, you're the daughter of the Beast King. How can you act like this... Try to be more like my daughter."

"Speaking of which, Father, as the Beast King, you should speak with more dignity."

"Ugh..."

The Beast King Regulus, the king of the beastmen and a wielder of absolute power, was speechless at his daughter Roa's perfect counter.

"Anyway, why are you here?"

"Anyway... Do you feel it? This smell."

"Hmm?"

Roa sniffed as she was told, but she didn't feel anything special.

"Hmm, I don't get it."

"Looks like you still need more training. Go down to the lower floors. There's someone nostalgic there."

"Nostalgic? ...Okay, I'll go check."

Roa gave Regulus a suspicious look but placed the half-eaten meat on a plate on the floor and started to leave the room.

Just before leaving, Roa suddenly turned back to Regulus.

"Don't take my meat!"

"I don't want it! Go quickly!"

"Then it's fine!"

With that, Roa left the room.

In the quiet king's chamber, Regulus sank deeply into his throne.

"...I never thought you'd still be alive, Setsu..."

...The thought of fighting you again makes me excited...

The Beast King laughed.

He laughed loudly to express his excitement at the prospect of meeting a strong rival and enemy.

He laughed to savor the joy of reuniting with a dear friend he thought he would never see again――――――

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Currently, I have illustrations of Setsu, Yūhi, Elka, and Leviathan available...