She Who Became Immortal

I sprinted with all my might.

Logically, we should have waited for dawn to set out, but such common sense didn’t seem to apply to the Beast King.

Or perhaps it was odd to equate the marching of humans with the actions of beastmen in the first place.

Regardless, we had a wagon waiting in Gaeriko Village with Pookie Shamal and the curved sword-wielding Jade. Regalo and the two of them needed to travel by wagon. Hence, they didn't join the Beast King's mad dash and were instructed to follow later. Additionally, those still weary from the recent battle at Spade Castle were also ordered to join the wagon party. Somehow, it was my directive, and the beastmen accepted it as a matter of course, which left me feeling a bit peculiar.

I guess it’s only natural.

Among the beastmen, no one could speak to Beast King Randall as an equal.

Lex Asuka, the brains of the operation, Brandon Kruger, his son, and probably even Garland, not to mention his aides or Brandon's mother... everyone, from the closest to the more distant, all placed themselves beneath Randall.

Thus, from an outsider's perspective, seeing me, Euphemia Grimwood, talking on equal footing with Randall elicited a sense of awe among the beastmen. After all, it was something they could never achieve.

Of course, whether it was the Lion King Randall or any other beastman, the fact remained that being subjected to violence could lead to death. For me, an immortal, it was merely a question of how much they could do before I would revive.

As I pondered these thoughts under the starry sky, being carried princess-style by Junos, I kept silent to avoid biting my tongue.

About three-quarters of the group decided to keep pace with Randall’s sprint.

Though it seemed risky to run at such speeds through the night where visibility was poor, everyone did so as if it were the most natural thing. Perhaps I needed to adjust my own understanding of what was normal.

I couldn’t see the Lion King’s back under the starry sky, but I thought he seemed like a child heading to a playground.

Probably just my imagination.

 

---

In the end, after running through the night, we approached the Beast King’s capital as the morning sun rose.

Amazingly, there were no dropouts.

We must have been running for about six hours—though I did sleep partway through—but no one got separated, and no one fell behind from exhaustion. Randall had likely been holding back considerably.

So, we arrived at the outskirts of the capital, at the village where Junos and his group had been blocked before. There, we were greeted by Lil Ligrill, a female werewolf beastman warrior, who reported the situation.

"The 'Anti-Lion Alliance' has advanced from the north and is marching towards the capital. The villages along the way have been trampled. Currently, Lord Garland and Lord Brandon are leading the beastmen in defense, but it's a stalemate."

“A stalemate?”

The information itself wasn’t much different from what Brunoa had brought to Gaeriko Village. However, it was puzzling that the battle hadn’t progressed after more than six hours. Especially for a fight between beastmen.

Advance, trample—that was the Beast King’s way.

Yet it was a stalemate.

A back-and-forth struggle existed.

"The movements of the 'Anti-Lion Alliance' are peculiar. Lord Garland and Lord Brandon attempted to split their forces to counter them, but every advance is met with a retreat. Lord Brandon cautioned against overextending, while Lord Garland insisted on pressing the attack, leading to a deadlock."

“What a farce. Not even funny.”

Randall's mutter made Lil flinch. The atmosphere grew tense among the beastmen who had followed Randall.

I signaled Junos to put me down and decided to speak to the disgruntled Beast King directly.

“So, Beast King, now that you’ve grasped the situation, what’s your next move?”

“The 'Anti-Lion Alliance' is attacking, huh? As the name suggests, they’re a faction opposing me. They decided to strike while I was away—though I can’t say I don’t have issues with my unfilial son, I’ll give him credit for holding them off. But now, they’re my guests. I’ll handle them.”

Randall grinned viciously, and I returned the gesture with a serene smile.

“In that case, I’ll watch. But first, I’m curious about what your strategist has been up to. Lil, do you know?”

Perhaps relieved that Randall’s focus had shifted, the werewolf warrior nodded.

“They’re positioned slightly behind the front lines of the battlefield.”

“So, they’re at the front?”

“Likely giving a sermon.”

Randall’s remark made me laugh.

“Indeed. Letting those weirdos have free rein while Brandon and Garland fail to coordinate properly—that’s definitely the strategist’s fault. Go give them a piece of your mind.”

Relentless movement followed by more movement, and then yet another relocation.

Naturally, this journey was also a mad dash.

Needless to say, I wasn’t running. "Piggyback rides" truly lived up to their name.

Our destination was almost directly north of the Beast King's capital, in the plains where the cotton fields around the capital came to an end. It was there that a makeshift encampment had been set up.

The encampment was rudimentary, with a few wooden stakes driven into the ground and cloth draped over them. In the middle of this was Lex Asuka, standing as usual in her kimono-like attire, her face devoid of emotion. Beside her stood Nova.

Surrounding them were dozens of beastmen, and beyond the Nova's gaze were surely many more beastmen.

“Hey, Lex. Explain what’s going on.”

The Lion King, Randall, approached Lex with wide strides, a sight akin to a burly man intimidating a delicate young girl. It was almost criminal.

Without changing her expression, Lex answered Randall.

"The beastmen army calling themselves the ‘Anti-Lion Alliance’ has attacked. Lord Garland has gone to confront them, but since Lord Brandon insisted on joining, we haven't been able to coordinate properly."

“Why didn’t you just let Garland handle it?”

“In hindsight, I believe it was not a mistake. The movements of the ‘Anti-Lion Alliance’ are unusual for beastmen. If we had left it solely to Lord Garland, significant losses would have likely occurred.”

“They’re using tactics, you think?”

“That’s my assessment. My king, what are your orders?”

Lex’s composure under the Beast King’s pressure was commendable. While most others trembled before Randall, Lex maintained her calm demeanor. Whether she was truly unafraid was unknown, but she succeeded in not showing any fear outwardly.

“Do I really need to be asked?”

Randall grinned fiercely, and Lex nodded without a hint of emotion.

“You seemed to have rushed back, so I thought you might need a rest.”

“No need. Show me where the enemy is.”

“That way.”

She pointed to the northern plains.

Squinting, I could see small figures—many beastmen, certainly more than a hundred or two.

“Do you have an estimate of their numbers?”

When I asked, Lex responded promptly.

“Approximately eight hundred. I used Brunoa as a liaison, and Kuon conducted aerial reconnaissance, but accurately counting such a large number is challenging.”

“That’s understandable. And the composition of the ‘Anti-Lion Alliance’?”

The ones who attacked Montego’s Sutin Village were a varied mix of werewolf beastmen, baboon beastmen, lizard beastmen, and dog beastmen. Yet there was one race that hadn’t shown itself yet—though one had already appeared and was long burned to ashes.

“The main force is primarily werewolf beastmen. They have dogs and bull beastmen under their command, and probably raccoon beastmen in the rear for support. They handle logistics and food supply for the army.”

“And foxes?”

“...They are present.”

At my question, Lex paused briefly before nodding.

Of course. They had to be there.

“The fox beastmen that the Lion King exiled ten years ago.”

Serena, a fox with six white tails, spoke with a mocking smile.

Lex remained silent, and Randall ignored Serena’s words.

Yet, the fox lady chuckled and continued.

“For such a large force to be led, it must be Kairine. A black fox with nine tails, an exceptional sorcerer among the fox beastmen.”

“A friend of yours?”

“Don’t be absurd. I wouldn’t call someone like that a friend. While I acknowledge his prowess and intellect, he’s ultimately just another exile defeated by the Beast King.”

Just like me, Serena smiled.

I thought for a moment and then laughed.

“Hey, Serena, shouldn’t we join forces as fellow exiles to challenge the Beast King? This isn’t the time for self-deprecation.”

“That’s a foolish idea. Is there any fun in that? You’ve changed the demons, you’ve changed Kirina. I’m here with you. Do you know why, Euphemia Grimwood?”

The answer was simple.

I could say this proudly.

“Because it’s fun.”

“Exactly. This is more enjoyable.”

Her previously tense lips softened, melting into a smile that was almost enchanting.

—Then.

Suddenly, something fell from the sky.

With a heavy thud, a figure landed near Lex, Randall, and me.

No, it was a griffon beastman with wings on his back.

Kuon Kisk, son of Brunoa Kisk, landed at a speed that seemed like he was falling.

His body bore several severe gashes, bleeding heavily. Yet he ignored his injuries and shouted.

“Lord Garland has fallen in battle!”