Comment and Thank You to Those Who Gave Coupons: Episode 228
71. Peace with the Magical Beasts – Part 1
In the vast center of the circular arena, a round table sat, boasting twelve seats. Taking up half of them were Jupiter, clad in silver armor, along with the elders of Cairo.
Behind the table, robust griffons, decked out in helmets and armor crafted by Stone Dwarfs, flaunted their fearsome appearance with sharp steel claws.
However, the armor and weaponry seemed more decorative than functional; they were likely for show rather than serious combat.
— Heh.
Leaf, gazing at the round table surrounded by tens of thousands of people, emitted a sound of discomfort from his half-open raccoon mouth.
— So many beasts and Stone Dwarfs.
— Grrr.
Yingyi, cradled in Leaf’s paws, wriggled as if feeling claustrophobic, but Leaf, intimidated by the overwhelming crowd, clutched Yingyi even tighter.
— Grrr…!
Flap, flap.
Suddenly, a powerful flapping sound pierced through the air. On this sunny day, the assembled crowd looked up to see a shadow looming over them.
— “Hey, it’s the dragons!”
“Real dragons have come to Cairo…!”
— P-Please don’t suddenly attack. Where would we run?
The desert dragons, the other protagonists of this meeting, circled overhead, showing off their presence in a manner reminiscent of small planes performing acrobatics just above everyone’s heads.
—!!
With a resounding roar, the dragons dramatically landed on the spacious arena floor, folding their wings in front of Azidahaka.
— “Ancient Dragon, we have come upon your word. But we hope to remain mere observers.”
— “Regardless of the meeting’s outcome, don’t think we will follow along blindly.”
I gazed at the grand and respectful dragons warning Azidahaka, my eyes drooping with mild astonishment.
Blue, red, and even black and polka-dotted dragons. Not all dragons looked like lizards with wings; they each had unique patterns and shapes.
Azidahaka elegantly swayed the red dress skirt that she had purchased before the meeting and bowed slightly.
“Greetings, my siblings. As you said, we dragons shine individually. I stand here today not as the leader of dragons, but as Azidahaka. This is personal, so please don’t fuss about it.”
— I will be watching. I can keep the griffons from doing anything funny.
The dragons surrounded half the round table, facing the griffons.
Flicker.
Caw-caw.
The two races, said to have fought for thousands of years over the West, stood facing each other, creating a tense atmosphere that felt like an uneasy breeze ruffling fur.
The intense glares exchanged between them were enough to send chills up one’s spine.
In this tense situation, the only ones who seemed at ease were Jupiter and Azidahaka, their leaders.
“My dear friend, thank you for permitting us to gather in such a setting.”
Azidahaka fluttered her red dress and stood before the table, facing Jupiter, who flashed a friendly smile and extended his hand.
“Is it not enough to appreciate your courage in proposing peace?”
With a firm grip, Jupiter and Azidahaka’s right hands clasped together.
Creeeak.
Their hands held tightly as if their joints were about to explode from the sheer force. A nerve-wracking competition ensued, yet from a distance, it simply looked like two friends shaking hands.
— “Wow! I never thought I’d witness a day like this!”
“Not just any day, but during my lifetime, two races are reconciling. It’s a moment for the history books!”
Peace doesn’t seem that far-fetched after all. Just by shaking hands after their feuds, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
Sparkle. Sparkle.
Every now and then, the golden armor glimmering amidst the crowd was blinding.
‘Those golden armors…’
As I fell into an eerie feeling of déjà vu and instinctive anxiety…
Swish.
Jupiter and Azidahaka, having finished their lengthy handshake, simultaneously released their flushed hands.
“Then let’s sit.”
“Yes, let’s.”
Thus, Azidahaka and Jupiter sat across from each other at the round table, with servants and elders of Jupiter lining up next to him.
Leaf, Yingyi, and I also took our places at the table.
With everyone’s attention focused on us, I felt a chill running up my spine, as if the very bl**d was draining from my body.
I leaned toward Leaf, the raccoon beside me, and cautiously asked,
— “Hey, are you okay? There are way more people than I expected.”
— “I’m actually starting to feel the need to go…! Is it bad to leave now? I’ve heard griffons consider leaving mid-meeting extremely rude…”
Having lived as a princess for the last couple of months, Leaf had clearly gotten the hang of what was acceptable and what wasn’t. However, seeing the raccoon’s face turning increasingly pale, I furrowed my brows.
— “Hang in there!”
— “I’m trying…!”
— “Grrr.”
The only one unfazed by this situation seemed to be Yingyi.
— “Yingyi!”
Yingyi stood on the table, with griffons, dragons, and Cairo council members occasionally glancing at her.
As the noise of cheers and applause from the crowd began to settle, Jupiter spoke first.
“Azidahaka, it’s been so long since we met, yet sitting at the same table feels rather new. Please excuse the poor setting.”
“Poor setting,” Azidahaka replied as she surveyed her surroundings. With her keen eyes, she surely saw the dense crowd of beasts and people around.
“Perhaps it is overly extravagant and exaggerated. There’s no show or gladiatorial competition happening here.”
“That’s where you’re wrong; I believe politics and theatrical performances are one and the same.”
Jupiter paused and waved around to the crowd, prompting them to throw flowers and cheers in his direction.
— “So charming today!”
— “So handsome!”
“Ah, he looked right at me!”
— “He was looking at ME!”
Most of those cheering for Jupiter were females and women. His tall stature and striking appearance likely ignited fiery support among the ladies.
“See? I’m merely playing the role of a gentlemanly and incorruptible leader on this stage. My handsome looks just give the performance that much more energy.”
Jupiter pressed his lips to his palm and flaunted it around. Watching the swooning females and a jovial Jupiter, my jaw twitched.
‘These handsome dudes…’
As I wagged my tail in annoyance, Azidahaka let out a short scoff.
“Such is the problem with Cairo’s democracy. They choose their leaders based on popularity rather than ability. A pretty clown at the top of the city and country, dancing according to the whims of the disheartened citizens…”
“Ha, Azidahaka, you discuss democracy? What about the tower of the fairies that you ruled like a philosopher? It fell without a trace! In fact, the society could run just fine without any leader. As long as some wicked brat doesn’t claim the crown, the major concerns could easily be resolved. Sometimes, we may even see greater progress without interferences from leaders like me.”
Jupiter stopped for a moment and gazed upon the crowd, revealing Cairo’s pride in its unregulated market economy that flourished through commerce and free trade.
Then Jupiter continued, “Cairo’s citizens relish being ruled not by an excellent philosopher, but a handsome clown. They know well what they enjoy. But one thing you’re wrong about is that I am both a popular and skilled clown.”
“Indeed.”
Upon hearing this, both Azidahaka and Jupiter shared a hearty laugh. Despite their heavy and solemn words, I couldn’t help but feel that there was no real substance to them.
It felt like I was flailing in a basket full of air.
‘At this rate, we’ll never reach the end of this conversation.’
Jupiter and Azidahaka were spinning a bubble of fancy nonsense just as fluffy as the feathers and scales covering them.
With a swift pat on the table, I brought everyone’s focus back.
— “Enough with the hard-to-understand talks; let’s get to the point already. We’ve all got busy lives. From now on, let’s declare that dragons and griffons are at peace.”
I may have skipped ahead a bit, but I found that level of directness rather refreshing.
With my sudden announcement, everyone around the table muttered sounds of surprise, fitting sounds like “Hmm,” and “Ohhh.”
— Ugh…
However, the raccoon Leaf sitting next to me started swinging his tail as if he was having a seizure.
His fur had turned a deep, earthy color, indicating a pressing need to relieve himself.
‘If that’s how it is, just get up and head to the bathroom already, tsk tsk.’
I glanced at Leaf and clicked my tongue inwardly before shifting my gaze toward the crowd, where those glimmering golden armors were starting to haul out nets and tridents.
‘Looks like Jupiter had no intention of hearing the promised words.’
I simmered my rising anger and calmly stated,
— “Once again, we have no time. No one here has time. I’m going to oversee this meeting from now on. Since I’m the one who made this gathering happen, I see that as sufficient reason, so if anyone disagrees, raise your hand now.”
Swish.
Some of the humanoid elder griffons raised their hands to show their dissent. I smiled, looking at them, and continued.
— “Good, no one raised their hands. So it’s been unanimously agreed. Now, let’s move on. The conflict between dragons and griffons ends today. It’s not just a ceasefire; it’s full-on termination. Done. Got it?”
One of the Stone Dwarfs sitting at the table snorted.
“That’s absurd. This isn’t some childish squabble; it can’t just end so lightly.”
— “Oh, is that so? Then you stand up.”
I pulled the grumbling Stone Dwarf to his feet. Faced with my sudden command, he looked utterly bewildered.
Swish.
Reluctantly, the Stone Dwarf rose.
I climbed up on the table and looked down at him, growling loudly.
— “So, do you have a better solution or not?”
“No, why should I…”
— “Then stay quiet. There’s always one of your kind around who just complains without offering solutions. Those who only whine with their lips all pouty. Even if the god of wisdom comes down to provide solutions, fools like you would still find a way to complain.”
“That’s rather unreasonable and exaggerated…”
Bam.
I thumped my tail on the table. The thundering sound startled everyone seated at the table.
— “Popularity and all that isn’t what matters here! It’s about overwhelming strength. I don’t want to talk about peace or progress. Honestly, I’d love to turn Cairo into a sea of flames for the way you’ve deceived and tried to use me, but simply choosing not to do so should make you grateful.”
With my growl, a man clad in brass armor broke into a chuckle.
— “Ha! You think you can burn down this city? Just because you took down a couple of diggers doesn’t mean you’re some great beast! Do you think Mars and the griffons will just sit idly by?”
— “No, they won’t sit idly. You would already be shredded beneath my paws. Lucky for you, we have the stage set right here. Want me to show off my skills? If you don’t want to be humiliated in front of the crowd, it’s best you stay down and keep in mind that there are keener folks over there who are itching for a fight.”
I flicked my tail, pointing toward the menacing figures sitting quietly around the table—those who would love nothing more than to pounce on Jupiter and the griffons.
The reason they were behaving like docile cats was I had promised to listen to their concerns and take action.
— “I wonder what might happen if those guys went wild in this meeting. Forget about you; can the crowd really survive?”
— “You coward, are you saying you’ll hold the citizens hostage?”
A griffon named Mars snapped, standing up angrily. I shrugged, flashing a sly smile.
— “I didn’t say that. Just think about it. Besides, cowardly? That’s rich coming from you lot! You think I wouldn’t notice the traps you’ve set? Those golden armored men over there?”
— “What do you mean…!”
— “Shh.”
Standing upon the table, I spread my paws wide toward the crowd.
For those citizens unaware of the tumult happening in this gathering, they could only respond with cheers and applause directed at my gestures.
The hidden Golden Mercenary Group in the crowd looked shocked as our eyes met.
The scent of chaos from the ropes, swords, spears, and other weapons they held sent an exciting thrill through me.
— “Oh, liars of Cairo! I’ll say this only once, so listen well. Dragons and griffons are to cease all hostilities today. The Cairo council and army are disbanded as of now. Likewise, any armed forces among the griffons and dragons are not to be deployed without my express permission. And I will be receiving my share of the ambrosia.”
Taking a deep breath, I growled loudly.
— “Immediately withdraw the Golden Mercenary Group. Is a war really what you want to go for?”
—
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