Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 156

..Then, if I may be so bold, Lord Ridd, how much do you know about the Beastman Kingdom of Zubera?"

"Hmm, honestly, I'm not very familiar with it. If you don't mind, could you start from there?"

"Understood."

Emma nodded at my words and began explaining about the Beastman Kingdom of Zubera (hereafter Zubera) with a tense expression.

Zubera is a tribal nation comprising eleven tribes: Cat, Dog, Fox, Bird, Ox, Rabbit, Bear, Monkey, Horse, Tanuki, and Rat.

Each beastman tribe has its own chieftain who governs their territory, and there is a royal capital at the center connecting all tribal territories.

However, the only one who can reign as 'King' in the royal capital is the representative of the tribe that wins the 'Beast King Tournament,' held once every few years.

Because 'the strong lead the nation,' Zubera has become a world of 'survival of the fittest.'

I suppose it's a country where 'rule by military might' is fundamental?

After listening to most of Emma's explanation, I asked about something that bothered me.

"I see... but every few years, the 'Beast King'? Having the nation's king change based on military strength seems like it would destabilize the country. What about that?"

At my question, Emma's expression clouded with disappointment.

"...As you say, Lord Ridd. Depending on the Beast King determined solely by military might, there are cases where they implement bad governance. In such instances, I've heard the tribes cooperate to defeat the 'Beast King.' Apparently, there have been such 'Beast Kings' in the past."

Hearing Emma's explanation, a chill ran down my spine.

First of all, I don't think someone selected by military strength necessarily possesses the qualities needed for governance.

If they lack the qualities to be 'Beast King' after selection, the tribes cooperate to overthrow the king.

In other words, it's a country where a 'coup d'état' can happen at any time.

I couldn't help but frown at Emma's words.

"Hmm. That makes it seem like sometimes the tribes have more power or influence than the 'Beast King,' depending on the situation."

"Yes, in Zubera, the 'Beast King' represents the nation and is in a position to issue orders to the tribes. However, the tribes don't always accept those orders. If they follow an incompetent 'Beast King' with only武力, their tribe could be destroyed."

"I see..."

Summarizing her explanation, Zubera selects the one with the greatest military prowess from among the eleven tribes as the 'Beast King,' the nation's representative.

But if that 'Beast King' is incompetent, they are eliminated through force again.

Naturally, those aiming to become 'Beast King' understand this, so the possibility of an incompetent person with only military might being chosen as a tribe's representative is probably low.

Emma continued explaining about the 'Beast King' with a tense expression, as if adding supplementary information.

"Nevertheless, each tribe desperately tries to produce a 'Beast King' from their own tribe. It's a basic rule among beastmen to follow the 'Beast King's' orders unless they are unreasonable demands that would cause the tribe to decline. If they don't do anything foolish, the benefits the tribe gaining the 'Beast King' can obtain are very substantial."

"So, if a tribe can produce a 'Beast King' capable of normal governance, the advantages are significant, right?"

When I asked Emma to confirm, she nodded.

"Exactly. Therefore, each tribe favors those with strength and talent. As a result, it's often a very harsh environment for those born weak or unskilled in combat. And those are the ones mostly sold abroad as slaves from the beastman kingdom..."

After finishing, Emma looked slightly pained and lowered her head.

Chris, sitting beside her, cast a worried glance at Emma, then looked at me.

"Lord Ridd, according to information from my contacts in Balst, most of those being sold as slaves this time are children around six to seven years old, with at least ten or more coming from each tribe of the beastman kingdom."

I was stunned by Chris's words.

I understand that with eleven tribes each providing ten or more, it becomes a large-scale sale of about 150.

But the age being six to seven means they're children almost the same age as me.

I asked with a dubious expression.

"I somewhat understand the reason for the numbers, but why were so many young children gathered? There seems to be a reason..."

"...That relates to the problem of the 'survival of the fittest' system in the beastman kingdom that I mentioned earlier."

Emma, who had been looking down until then, raised her head in response to my words and explained.

Every tribe in the beastman kingdom tries to produce a 'Beast King,' and those recognized as having 'strength and talent' are favored.

Conversely, those perceived as lacking 'strength and talent' face a situation where even daily life becomes difficult.

Children born into such circumstances, or children deemed lacking strength, apparently find it extremely difficult just to survive.

As a result, in what could be called a reduction of mouths to feed, they end up being sold as slaves.

In other words, when living within the beastman kingdom becomes too harsh, some have no choice but to become slaves.

Finishing her explanation, Emma murmured as if remembering.

"...I too was judged as 'lacking strength,' and was one of the children for whom living in that country became difficult."