How To Live As A Writer In A Fantasy World

Chapter 218: Great Chieftain (4)

The proceedings were as casual as roasting beans in a lightning fire, but the position of the chieftain couldn’t be decided haphazardly. It was concluded that Jinai would become the chieftain to some extent, but it wasn’t 100% certain. As Balkan mentioned, it would take some time to carefully coordinate the opinions of the noble tribes and the people.

However, the original goal of resolving Leona’s chieftain issue had been successfully achieved, so there was relief. Leona had some concerns about the possibility of Jinai becoming the chieftain, but she appeared relieved.

“If I really become the chieftain, then you’ll see.”

“People who say such things are usually the least scary.”

It was an unexpected turn of events that Jinai, who was in danger of becoming the chieftain, was posing a non-intimidating threat to me. Nevertheless, my reaction was more annoyance at getting entangled in a troublesome matter, rather than anger.

If Jinai truly possesses the abilities I imagine, then it’s not just empty words. She could govern Animers more wisely. She often expressed discontent with tradition, has exceptional political skills, and a long-term vision. So, even though it may be difficult, she could potentially become the Great Chieftain.

I suddenly felt a sense of relief and for a moment, the customs of the beastmen came to mind. I remembered hearing before that if Leona were to become the clan leader, she would have to bear my child.

So, could the same be true for Jinai? As this thought crossed my mind, I felt my expression waver, and with a slightly anxious voice, I asked.

“...I’m sorry, but I heard from Leona before. If she were to become the chieftain, there’s a tradition that she would have to bear my child as a reward, right? So, if Jinai becomes the chieftain...”

“Why not? Should I bear your child too?”

It already seemed like I was in a tough spot when Jinai asked in a tone that felt like a sharp jab. I immediately shook my head in response.

I helped Leona get away from the chieftain’s position because I didn’t want to treat her like a pawn. Above all, forming a relationship with someone who had an animal face was far from my preference.

Jinai, upon seeing my reaction, smirked and shrugged her shoulders to ease my anxiety.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t really follow those traditions. Don’t humans prefer material things more? I can give you expensive jewelry or something.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“Fortunate? Why does that sound like it bothers you? Even though I look like this, I’ve received many compliments within the Animers, you know?”

“That’s because I have a lover.”

It seemed my reasonable excuse had worked, as Jinai nodded while watching me silently. She disliked rigid traditions, so she seemed unfazed by it.

By the way, it was fascinating how that animal face fit into the category of beauty in Animers. Differences in culture never ceased to amaze me. In my past life, beauty standards varied across cultures and eras, so this was probably something similar. I wondered if Leona was also part of the less attractive category in Animers.

While lost in such pointless thoughts, Jinai spoke up.

“If you have a lover, there’s nothing you can do about it. I have five husbands, so it would be awkward for me if you asked me to pair up with you.”

“You have five husbands?”

“Yeah, because I have both good abilities and strength. It’s natural for males to fight over me.”

Originally, hyenas form a matriarchal society, with females being larger and much stronger than males. It seems like this was a fact that applies to the world as well.

Furthermore, hyenas have a mating culture that might be described as chaotic. However, it seems not to be the case as she mentioned having a husband.

Jinai looked at me with an admiring gaze, as if finding me intriguing, and confidently spoke.

“Why? Are you in love, by any chance? If you want, I can do it for you at least once.”

“I’m sorry, but your face is far from my type.”

Still, not an animal face. This is a preference that won’t change even if I die and come back to life.

Unless there were only animal ears and a tail attached to a human-like Leona, at least not a face like Jinai’s with a snout and a close resemblance to an animal.

“Wow, that’s strange. Do you really have a preference for a face like Miss Leona’s?”

“Yes.”

“Me, me?”

In response to the short and bewildered question, Leona replied with a surprised voice. What’s there to be surprised about?

In fact, I had more questions. Leona spent time at the Halo Academy, so she should have some knowledge of human culture. So, it’s a bit unusual that she’s so amazed by the fact that the aesthetic sense of the Beastmen and humans was completely different.

At least in my eyes, Leona’s beauty was quite impressive. Unlike Marie or Cecily, she was not flashy and had a wild, almost primal appeal of her own.

“Why are you surprised? You’re a beauty by human standards, too, aren’t you?”

“Really? I didn’t know that. I thought my face was, at best, average by human standards.”

“Well... I can see why you might think that.”

The Halo Academy has a higher proportion of nobility compared to commoners, and nobles often tend to have looks that far surpass the average.

There was a reason for Leona to think that way. Even though there are people who work within the academy, Leona usually keeps to herself, dedicated to her studies.

‘A person like that asked me to pet her as a sign of affection...’

Surprisingly, compliments about her face seemed to have an effect on Leona. Her face blushed slightly. Judging by the way her ears drooped, it was quite clear. Unlike when she confidently said she would become my wife and bear my child, she now appeared somewhat embarrassed. It was a rare sight.

I silently gazed at her, then shifted my gaze forward and asked a related question,

“Are faces like Jinai or Balkan popular?”

“Yes, they are. I’m sorry to say this, but at least by our standards, Leona’s face is quite far from the ideal. Of course, everyone has their own preferences, so you can also consider it as a matter of cultural differences.”

“What about Leona’s mother?”

“...”

It was a sincere statement without a hint of falsehood. Just like Marie has her own unique qualities and Cecily has her own unique traits, Leona has her own distinct characteristics.

Leona seems to have realized that there’s no falsehood in my words, as she started blushing more fervently and fidgeting with her ears. After staring at my face for a while, she eventually averted her gaze. Occasionally, her trembling golden eyes and quivering lips gave off an embarrassed appearance.

“Th-thank you. It feels weird hearing it from you.”

“You could have heard it from someone else if not me. But first, Leona.”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“Actually... I have something to tell you.”

As soon as I had the chance, I brought up the topic related to Adelia. When a story about a different woman, not Marie and Cecily, came up, Leona also showed her curiosity.

Of course, I briefly explained her situation, leaving out the fact that Adelia was a royal bastard child of the Ters Kingdom. I didn’t tell Marie and Cecily either. Originally, I had planned to reveal everything about Adelia when I fully accepted her, but Leona was a new variable, so I had no choice.

“...It’s going to be difficult to accept her right away. She confessed to me, and Adelia also awaits in that position.”

“Why not just accept her?”

“There are circumstances here. I will explain little by little. So, can you wait?”

In response to my request, Leona blinked a few times and replied as if she couldn’t understand.

“Doesn’t matter to me. I’ll start being your wife when that happens.”

“...You can wait?”

“Why can’t I wait? If you think so, that’s how it should be. You obey the male. That’s the basic family system for beastmen.”

Ah, that’s right. She was a beastwoman, wasn’t she? I feel like I’ve been overthinking this for no reason, and I feel like a fool. Still, I can’t help but feel grateful for her kindness. She could have taken it negatively, but she just brushed it off as if it were nothing.

Feeling thankful to her, I slowly reached out and gently stroked her head. Last time, she made the first move, but this time, I extended my hand first. In other words, I’m also expressing affection. Leona seemed to have noticed the meaning, her eyes widening briefly, and then she smiled and leaned her head against my hand.

“Purr, purr.”

As I pet her head, Leona purred contentedly, just like a cat. She’s always more like a cat than a lion.

After that, the tail shaped like a paintbrush swayed, stirring up the desire to touch it. However, it was said that touching the tail was only possible after becoming a couple, so I endured the urge.

As we continued to express our affection for each other for a while, Leona, who I really liked, lifted her head, purring. It felt like an adorable cat looking up at me.

“Isaac.”

“Yeah?”

“Then do you plan to mate with that female afterward?”

At the mention of mating, my hand, which had been stroking, abruptly stopped. Even when referring to a man and a woman, it seemed like beastmen called it a male and a female, even in the context of sexual intercourse.

I was taken aback by the direct question, but I regained my composure. I already knew that Leona had a straightforward personality, so I didn’t fumble.

“Maybe so, right? It might take a while.”

“Alright. That’s a bit disappointing. I wanted to start in three days if possible.”

“Three days? Why?”

“That’s when the estrus begins.”

“...Estrus?”

Once again, I was taken aback by the word “estrus.”

(TL: estrus – a recurring period of sexual receptivity and fertility in many female mammals; heat.)

I could guess what it meant just by hearing it, but I needed a more detailed explanation.

In response, Leona, still in my embrace, explained about estrus.

“Beastmen go into estrus at specific intervals. If we compare it to humans, you could call it a menstrual cycle. In my case, as a lion beastwoman and taking after my mother, it comes around about once a month. It’s somewhat similar to a human’s menstrual cycle.”

“...So, does that mean your sexual desire surges during that time?”

“Exactly. The reason beastmen can’t control their instincts is because of estrus. I wanted to try it with you since we’re getting married anyway. Besides, contraception is an option, right?”

“W-Well, yes. But still, we can’t.”

Leona seemed to understand and confidently brushed it off, despite my unease. It appeared that she just wanted to test the waters.

I briefly found relief in her consent, but soon, the worst-case scenario that could come in the future crossed my mind.

‘Wait a minute. So, if Cecily’s evil cycle and Leona’s estrus were to overlap...’

I needed to prepare for that situation, even if just to be ready for it. Otherwise, not only my physical strength but even my very life could be completely drained.

Of course, I also had to put more effort into writing to better receive divine power. Originally, I had planned to take it easy, but now I had to write to survive.

‘...Now, I have to write to survive.’

Readers might enjoy it, but for me, it’s a sad reality.

Translators note: