After going home, it feels like everything suddenly got quiet.
But just as we’re putting Elsa and Alto to bed, there’s a transmission from the communications device.
I take it out and turn it on, and hear Kotori’s voice, which sounds exasperated.
“What is it, Kotori?”
“What is it? Have you been to the guild lately?”
“The guild? The merchant guild?”
“Yes. There should be a message from the beast king…”
According to her, Argo received a message through the adventurer guild. Apparently we’re being invited to the Beast Kingdom, and so are Naoto and the others, so they’re going there.
I remember hearing Kaede and the others saying they wanted to see this country of beast people. I get that, but what do they want with us?
The fact that the beast king is contacting us directly leaves me a little worried. I’d feel more reassured if it was Ryuryu.
“Okay. I’ll go to the merchant guild tomorrow.”
“They want us to go there within the next couple of months. Is that okay? You’re exploring a dungeon, right?”
“Ah, we’re done with it. But two months…”
Would we make it if we walked there? I don’t know, because we still have to deliver Calotos to the dungeon in the Dragon Kingdom.
Anyway, I need to think about getting a wagon, but not before talking about this with the others.
“I don’t know if that’s enough time, but I wanted to go to the Beast Kingdom anyway, so I’ll try.”
“Really? Ah, but the Beast Kingdom has wagons pulled by magic beasts, so I think it will be faster once you get there.”
Then I could use the golems to pull a wagon… But the problem is how it would look.
Guardian Sword knows about my golems, so how about I say I got them from a treasure chest in the dungeon?
Maybe I should talk to Reese about it.
“But Kotori, did Argo and the others say what it was about?”
“They said they couldn’t say anything or it would spoil the fun. Don’t you think that’s awful?”
But they still feel like they want to go to the Dragon Kingdom?
Well, Suiren said Kotori used to sleep while holding the beast people children in the faraway town, so I guess she doesn’t mind any of that if fluff is on the horizon.
Anyway, Chris and Rurika are still awake, so I tell them about going to the merchant guild tomorrow, and what Kotori said.
And Rurika tells me I should not consider a magic beast wagon, with an intense look on her face. All I can do is silently nod.
“But I wonder what they want.
“An invitation from the beast king… Could it be…”
“Yes, it’s almost time for the tournament.”
“Tournament?”
“Yes, the Beast Kingdom decides its king through a martial arts tournament. It’s held every five years.”
Every five years? Wait, not that, they decide who’s king through a martial arts tournament?
“Power is everything in the Beast Kingdom of Lath. And everyone can participate, even humans or elves.”
“But what would happen to the name of the kingdom if a human won?”
“I think it would change. But it’s mostly run by ministers and civil officials, so there wouldn’t be crazy changes in policy if the king changed.”
“…So is there a point to changing the king?”
“It’s an old tradition.”
According to Rurika, once you become beast king, your opinion gains weight. But then it still has to be evaluated to see if it would benefit the country.
Also, most people who win the martial arts tournament tend to not be good with politics, so they defer to their subordinates.
“And the current king has been sitting on the throne for twenty years. That’s a long term. Some races among beast people live long lives.”
“Yes.”
Every country is different, and if the people are happy with that, I guess that’s what matters.
Also, apparently the Beast Kingdom is one of the oldest out of the seven countries.
“But are they trying to get us to take part?”
“…Considering who the beast king is, that is a possibility. But I also heard that people who participate are more likely to get permission to go to the dungeon.”
“So he contacted us because he heard we’re conquering dungeons?”
“That could be it. But in any case, we won’t know until we get there.”
“Yes. And Sora looks raring to go.”
Well, it’s the only country I haven’t visited yet, although I only passed through the empire, so I don’t know if that counts.
But permission to go to the dungeon… Maybe I should look into it a bit before going.
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Thanks for the treat.