Tilea's Worries

A week had passed since surrendering to the Demon God Army.

Everyone had tired faces, but whether they liked it or not, tomorrow would come.

Since having no clan leader indefinitely would affect the wolf tribe's morale, a new clan leader was decided.

The clan leader was Giu.

With the village's tough warriors killed across the board, Giu, who was positioned in the middle ranks, had no choice but to take office.

As soon as Giu gained the village's consensus, he immediately reported the clan leader decision to Ortissio.

"Hmph, clan leader? How presumptuous for livestock."

Ortissio was dealing with him in a bothersome manner, resting his chin on his hand.

"Y-yes. My name is Giu. I have come to humbly request that Ortissio-sama recognize my appointment as clan leader."

Giu prostrated himself, rubbing his head against the ground.

The clan leader and other warriors also prostrated themselves.

I was also prostrating in the same position.

Originally, this would be impossible for someone of my status as the village's good-for-nothing.

In Vegeta Village's status system, it goes [Clan Leader] → [Vice Clan Leader] → [Executive Warrior] → [Strong Warrior] → [Middle Warrior] → [(Small) Warrior] → [Quasi-Warrior] → [Apprentice Warrior].

Everyone starts as an [Apprentice Warrior]. Your status rises as you clear trials.

I failed at the first trial of moving a rock about ten meters. I have the same status as a small child - [Apprentice Warrior].

And even among [Apprentice Warriors], there are upper, middle, and lower rankings. I've always remained at the very bottom.

[Apprentice Warriors] cannot enter the clan leader's mansion.

Most places are no-shoes zones where you go barefoot. Furthermore, you're absolutely never called to gatherings like this clan leader appointment.

It's customary for those with [Strong Warrior] status or above to gather and deliberate.

Yet for some reason I was called.

And I'm almost in the upper seats.

This position clearly corresponds to [Executive Warrior] status.

Everyone is glaring at me with murderous intent.

Why is this good-for-nothing here?

They're angry that a good-for-nothing has brazenly appeared at the important ceremony of clan leader appointment, insulting the warriors.

I don't understand either.

For some reason, Gil-san's colleague brought me here.

When I asked for the reason, they only answered that it was Vice Commander Gil's order.

I wish they'd complain to Gil-san instead...

However, Gil-san's colleague was always sticking close to me. So while they glared, they didn't directly harm me.

Sigh~ I wonder when this will end.

After prostrating, Giu was appealing to Ortissio about what an excellent warrior he was.

Ortissio was listening to this with a bored expression while yawning.

For me, it didn't matter who became clan leader.

If Giu was no good, then Vice Clan Leader Gau, who had almost equal strength, would be clan leader. If Gau was no good, then someone else.

They were all rough people who believed might makes right.

Nothing would change.

No matter who became clan leader, the unreasonable treatment wouldn't change.

I just wanted to live peacefully.

"Sigh~ that's enough. You call yourself a warrior with that level of strength? A clan leader is unnecessary - you can all just be [livestock]."

"P-please wait. Since ancient times, it has been the clan leader's role to unite the wolf tribe. If the clan leader's absence continues, it will affect the villagers' morale."

"How tedious. More importantly, what about today's livestock duties? Break time passed long ago."

Ortissio raised his eyebrows intimidatingly.

After making them work continuously for over ten hours, he apparently wanted them to work even more.

Giu and the village warriors were also at a loss for words about this.

They seemed to want to vent their dissatisfaction, but were too afraid of Ortissio to speak up.

Even so, Giu continued to insist on his clan leader appointment.

He tried desperately to persuade Ortissio, but...

"Hmm~ I should thin out one or two more. Such laziness - how much would Tilea-sama grieve if she knew?"

Ortissio stood up from his chair and was about to throw a punch at Giu.

"Please stop, Ortissio-sama."

Edim intervened from the side to stop him.

The timing was perfect.

If she'd been a little later, the punch would have hit Giu.

Giu had a narrow escape and was relieved. He must have thought it was quite dangerous, as his face was covered in cold sweat.

"Edim, don't interfere."

"Ortissio-sama, we cannot stay here indefinitely. In any case, we need a leader to manage this place."

Edim made an accurate point.

Yes, exactly right.

Ortissio couldn't stay in this village long-term either. A coordinator during that time was absolutely necessary.

"Edim, that's a separate matter. Right now I must punish this one's laziness."

"Ortissio-sama, please stop killing more villagers. It affects tax revenue. Actually, it's already affecting it, actually, please understand already... please."

Edim desperately tried to persuade Ortissio.

Perhaps because Edim's lines included things like "for Tilea-sama's sake" and "Tilea-sama would be pleased," he seemed to listen obediently.

Ortissio must have sworn tremendous loyalty to Tilea.

"Fine, fine. Indeed, it would be bad if even food procurement for Tilea-sama were delayed. I won't commit any more slaughter."

He said the same thing three days ago and then killed villagers, but I won't mention that.

Basically, Ortissio was moody.

"Hah, hah, you finally understand? Then this guy is fine for clan leader."

Edim pointed at Giu while breathing heavily.

Ortissio also nodded magnanimously.

"Haha, thank you very much. From now on, Clan Leader Giu pledges eternal loyalty to the great Tilea-sama."

"Mm, good attitude. From now on, you will dutifully pay the Demon God tax as the leader of the livestock."

Demon God tax?

An unfamiliar term.

Humans usually talk about beast head tax or beast land tax.

"...Demon God tax, is it? Understood. What is the tax rate?"

"Let's see, you should pay ninety percent of the harvest."

"What!?"

Everyone cried out in shock.

"Surprised? Of course you would be. I'm leaving you a whole ten percent. Be grateful for Tilea-sama's mercy."

Ortissio was nodding as if it were perfectly natural.

The village beastmen began to make a commotion.

After all, even the previous ruler, the Arcdas Kingdom, called tyrannical, only took sixty percent.

"Ortissio-sama, we have surrendered. We will pledge loyalty to the Demon God Army. But if ninety percent is taken in taxes, we have no choice but to starve to death."

Giu earnestly tried to reason with Ortissio.

"You... are you mocking me?"

Ortissio glared menacingly.

His good mood from moments before changed completely, like an autumn storm.

"B-but ninety percent is too merciless! It's unreasonable!"

"The mercy of leaving you ten percent - you call that unreasonable?"

Ortissio leaned forward.

He clenched his fist and released killing intent toward Giu.

"W-we will work sparing no effort. B-but this is still extortion, completely unreasonable!"

"It's not unreasonable. That's called laziness!"

"Ugyaaaah!!"

Ortissio mercilessly drove his fist into Giu's face.

A tremendous impact sound echoed.

Giu opened a fist-sized hole in his face and bled. After twitching convulsively, he died.

"Shall we decide on a new leader of the livestock?"

Ortissio said this and the gathering ended.

He killed him after all.

Tyrant Ortissio - everyone must have felt the same way.

A few days later, another clan leader meeting was held.

Regardless of the phrasing "leader of livestock," one could become the clan leader of Vegeta Village. And without the fifteen trials, no less.

Though Giu had been killed, many volunteered eagerly.

But they were all found fault with for various reasons and crushed by Ortissio across the board.

One person said "thank you for your hard work" in appreciation and was beaten to death with "You get tired from this much?!"

Another appealed his own robustness and was beaten to death with "Then let me test it!"

Everyone was looking at each other.

"What's wrong? Is there no one else? You're just becoming the leader of livestock."

Ortissio's loud voice echoed.

In front of Ortissio lay numerous beastmen corpses.

Thinking that would be their future selves, they were hesitating.

They wanted to become clan leader. But they valued their lives - such was their state of mind.

"Hmm, it can't be helped. Shall I appoint someone?"

"That's right, Ortissio-sama. It's useless to say anything to these unmotivated people."

Ortissio and Edim observed us as if appraising.

Everyone had expressions full of expectation despite their fear.

If it were appointment rather than volunteering, there would be no need to desperately appeal. The possibility of touching Ortissio's reverse scale would be low.

"Mmm, I've looked around, but they're all weak rabble. I don't feel like appointing anyone. Edim, what's your opinion?"

"I agree with Ortissio-sama on this. They're all equally unremarkable dirty people."

What harsh words.

Saying whatever they wanted to the proud wolf tribe.

At these words, blue veins appeared on the wolf tribe warriors' temples.

Everyone was angry.

Ortissio aside, strong hostility was directed at Edim.

Is Edim okay?

Right now, nothing was happening because of Ortissio's presence. But if she were alone, she'd definitely be attacked.

With such a frail body, she couldn't match the village warriors.

Her face was well-formed and beautiful, delicate and helpless - it was obvious she'd become prey to the village warriors. That was truly unbearable.

While looking at Edim with such thoughts...

Ah, I made eye contact with Edim.

I immediately looked down.

From experience, nothing good happens when you catch the attention of those in power.

"Ortissio-sama, let's go with that guy."

Edim pointed at me and said.

I-it's not me, right?

The direction she pointed was where I was, but it must be someone else, surely.

I turned around.

No one was there.

No way!

There's no way someone as weak-looking as me would be chosen. I shouldn't be chosen.

"Hmm, that guy? He looks weak."

"Yes, he's probably weak. But he has a neat face. These guys are all weak anyway. Better than a filthy one."

"Well, that's true. It's foolish to expect combat ability from these guys."

Eh, eh, eh?

The clan leader is decided for such a reason?

"Ah~ please wait."

Just as Ortissio and the others were about to make me clan leader for such arbitrary reasons, Gau interjected.

His face was full of jealousy and malice.

"That guy is the village's good-for-nothing. He's unsuitable for a position that leads the village, even temporarily."

"A good-for-nothing!?"

"Yes, he's so weak he couldn't even pass the village's first trial."

Then Gau told stories with episodes about how much of a loser and coward I was.

Other villagers also agreed with Gau and started badmouthing me.

Frustrating.

But since it was true, I couldn't say anything back.

"I see. If the livestock is that weak, it might not be able to handle even being the leader of livestock."

"Well, that's true. Being too weak is also a problem."

"Hehe, that's right. Then how about choosing someone else with more strength?"

Gau was subtly appealing for himself.

With Giu dead, Gau was the only one with ability. He was saying this with that in mind.

"That's right. Then you should be—"

"Captain Ortissio, please wait."

Just as Ortissio was about to make Gau clan leader, Gil-san appeared.

"Oh, Gil? You said you were going to the Underground Empire urgently - is your business finished?"

"Yes. The procedures took some time, but they're complete."

"I see, I see. Since you've returned, it's convenient. Gil, let me hear your opinion too."

Ortissio's tone of voice changed.

He was relying on him. He was giving off that kind of atmosphere.

Ortissio must trust Vice Commander Gil-san considerably. He explained the entire situation in detail.

"Captain, I understand the situation. If so, the clan leader is Shiro there. Nothing else is conceivable."

"What!!"

All the villagers screamed.

I was also speechless, not understanding the meaning.

It's a lie. Some kind of mistake.

However, Gil-san was pointing directly at me with eyes full of conviction.

"B-but Gil. I hear that livestock is particularly weak even among livestock. We can't risk Tilea-sama's displeasure by making such a person leader."

Ortissio said with a troubled expression, lowering his eyebrows.

"That's right! That guy isn't even a warrior. He's a coward who can't even fight. He's just a weak errand boy who's been making everyone's meals!"

Gau appealed while spitting saliva.

Having his chance at clan leadership stolen by me, a good-for-nothing, must have really angered him. Despite being in front of Ortissio, he was on the verge of screaming.

"Be quiet for a moment."

Gil-san ordered Gau. His expression was utterly cold.

"B-but such a good-for-nothing—"

"We're having an important discussion now."

"Then all the more reason. With such trash as clan leader, everyone's morale will plummet."

"Just be quiet. Don't make me say it twice."

"W-wait a minute. Listen to what I'm saying—"

"Don't interfere!"

"Fubeee!!"

Gau was hit with a backhand from Gil-san and flew away.

He was blown away as easily as a piece of paper.

Gau wasn't dead but had fainted with rolled-back eyes.

"Captain Ortissio, Shiro is an excellent cook. I'm planning to take him to the Underground Empire soon."

"What!? Then Tilea-sama's—"

"Yes, Shiro is the top candidate."

"Are you certain? Tilea-sama is very passionate about her hobby of cooking. If we bring a half-baked person, it will displease her."

"No problem. Bringing Shiro might be the greatest achievement of this expedition."

"Ho, you say that much!"

Eh!? Eh!? What's going on?

Something incredible was about to happen without my knowledge.

"Then the leader of livestock is you."

Ortissio pointed at me and gave the order.

No, that's impossible, absolutely impossible.

Everyone was initially confused, but as they understood the situation, I could see them becoming increasingly perplexed and angry.

If I accepted the clan leader appointment here, I'd definitely be killed.

"Ortissio-sama, I'm sorry. I cannot be clan leader. Please, please give the honorable position of clan leader to someone else."

I bowed my head and prostrated myself to refuse.

"Rejected. I plan to take you to Tilea-sama's castle, the Underground Empire, and give you an honorable job. Even if it's a village of livestock, you need at least the title of leader or it won't work."

"Captain Ortissio is right. Shiro, you will become clan leader and come to the royal capital. I left the village to handle those procedures."

"B-but..."

"Don't worry. I won't tolerate anyone who lays a hand on you. Don't worry about village management either. I'll appoint someone else as acting leader. You just need the title."

Gil-san put his hand on my shoulder and told me to accept it casually.

Gil-san, you don't understand the beastmen's laws at all.

An [Apprentice Warrior] becoming clan leader. Even looking through the entire history of the wolf tribe, this was unprecedented.

A riot would definitely break out.

"However, Gil-sama, this beastman called Shiro is being ridiculously looked down upon by other beastmen. Even if it's just a title, won't there be some problems with governance if he's clan leader?"

Edim made another accurate point.

That's right, exactly. Edim really has a reputation for good comebacks.

A coward like me couldn't possibly lead everyone.

"Edim, no problem. If a rebellion occurs, we'll just crush it."

"I-is that alright? It's not like you, Gil-sama, and you won't be able to achieve your quota."

"Either way, achieving the quota is hopeless. But we've obtained Shiro, a [rare commodity]. Tilea-sama will definitely look favorably upon us."

"If Gil-sama says that much—hah!? Then this guy really is?"

"Yes, Shiro can do it. He won't be inferior to Dryas or the other division commanders' candidates - no, he'll definitely overwhelm them."

"Oh, I see! This guy can outmaneuver that damn staff officer!"

"Yes, without a doubt."

Gil-san gave his stamp of approval, and Ortissio raised his voice loudly.

His face looked very happy.

What exactly am I going to be made to do?

And damn staff officer?

Who?

"Good, then your status from now on is [Sergeant] belonging to the Demon God Army Second Division, Kitchen Corps."

I received some kind of status from Ortissio.

I couldn't keep up with the rapid developments.

However, I could say this much.

It was impossible to refuse Ortissio with this level of enthusiasm.

If I firmly refused, I'd just join the beastmen corpses that had been lying around.

I had no choice but to accept.

But sergeant?

It was an unfamiliar status.

"You should feel honored. These livestock are [Private Third Class]. You're [Sergeant], five ranks above them - what's called a non-commissioned officer."

"Non-commissioned officer?"

"That's right, do your best. By the way, I'm nine ranks above that at [Colonel]."

When I was puzzled, Edim supplemented about the ranks.

Her face was proud. [Colonel] must be quite a high position.

"That's the limit for a half-baked person. I'm the Second Division Commander with the rank of [Lieutenant General]. Third from the top. Remember that."

Ortissio added further supplementation.

His face was proud. [Lieutenant General] is third from the top. Well, considering Ortissio's overwhelming strength, that would be appropriate. Actually, he's not second? I thought he was second in command after Tilea.

"...Despite being a lower lieutenant general."

"Edim, did you say something?"

"No, nothing."

Lower?

Edim muttered something, but the ranks seemed complicated.

However, [Sergeant] seemed to be a fairly high position.

No, the village warriors are [Private Third Class], and I'm five ranks above them. It must be quite a high position.

Moreover, I had become the [Clan Leader] of Vegeta Village, the pride of the warrior race that only the elite of elites who overcame the fifteen trials could become.

No way!!