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Volume 5 Chapter 117

Victor’s Reward and King’s Appointment

I emerged victorious in the Martial Arts God Tournament.
It took a lot of magic and even summoning Shiro, making it a two on one match, to take down Leo.
Even with this sort of handicap, the crowd still went wild with excitement.
The beastkin seemed to relish every intense moment of the battle, and I could not deny that their reaction was fitting for the show we put on.
Although I say it was a handicap match, Leo did summon eight clones of himself to take me on, but Shiro and I rose to the challenge. In a way, it was an eight on two match. Technically, I did not cheat, at least I hope I did not.
Suddenly, a whirlwind appeared not far from me and Martial Arts God himself made an appearance.
The entire arena was stunned into silence at the sight of the powerful deity.

「You have impressed me, foreigner. You have proven yourself as the strongest person here with your truest strength……」

The Martial Arts God declared, acknowledging my ability to use all my resources, magic and beyond, to come out on top.
「I, the Martial Arts God, hereby recognize you are the mightiest in Vestier, the Kingdom of Beastkin, until the day someone else proves otherwise」
The crowd erupted in cheers, also recognizing me as the strongest in their kingdom.
「Still,」the Martial Arts God muttered, 「for Fenrir-sama to obey you….. 」
I was the only one who heard his words amidst the noise, and I could tell that even as a deity,, the Martial Arts God was taken aback by the fact that I tamed Shiro. Before he became the Martial Arts God, he was a beastkin, I suppose he was still feeling like a retainer to the Divine Beat Fenrir.
I chose to ignore his surprise and basked in my triumph, proud to be announced as the strongest in Vestier.
Shiro had shrunk back down to his normal size and returned to his perch on his usual spot on my shoulder.
「Haruto, you promised. Do tell Tina to make me curry 」
「Yeah, I will 」
Just as we were chatting, a commotion broke out on the other side of the stage. Leo had awoken and was making his way to us, ignoring the pleas from the medical team trying to stop him.
「Haruto-dono…… I must admit, that was an uncontested defeat. Your final attack was magnificent 」
What is magnificent is how you got up after getting pummeled by eight of those magnificent attacks…..
「That was nothing when compared to your eight clones……」
I extended my hand to shake Leo’s hand.
He did not hesitate, and as soon as our hands touched I casted Heal, erasing all of Leo’s wounds in an instant.
「You have my gratitude 」
He turned to the Martial Arts God.
「My deepest apologies. As it had been you who entrusted the position of Beaskin King, I’m ashamed you had to witness my disgraceful defeat 」
「No, fret not. You were facing a beast of a different level, an opponent who can even tame Fenrir-sama. I honestly have my doubts if I could best him myself. You did well, it was a marvelous battle 」
「Th, that’s….. Gracious of you 」
Leo’s face twitched as he shot a look my way.
No, no, it is not like I have defeated this deity yet!
The Martial Arts God should think twice before calling people monsters in their presence.
「Okay, it it that time to end this tournament」
The Martial Arts God took a breath and announced.
「Attention! 」
The arena fell silent as the Martial Arts God’s powerful voice filled the space. I was caught off guard, to say the least.
「Now, the winner of this tournament, Haruto, will share their desires. Let’s all do our best to fulfill them 」
Eh!?
Wait, I have to say it myself?
I cannot just publicly declare, 「I want to touch Melida’s paw pads as my reward」, can I?
「Go on, Haruto, you also have the right to become the king of this country , so it’s important to address that as well 」
The Martial Arts God urged me.
….. Sighing, I prepared myself. Here goes nothing.
I used wind magic to amplify my voice throughout the arena. I may not have the confidence to bellow like the Martial Arts God, but I made sure my words would be heard.
「I may have won the Martial Arts Tournament, but as a child, I don’t feel ready to rule a kingdom. That’s why I cannot be king 」
I said, and boos filled the arena. But I pressed on, determined to make my voice heard.
「I cannot be king, but I’ll be this kingdom protector with everything I’ve got! I will be the shield that drives back any disaster that comes our way」
Reason to announce my guardianship is so I can pat all the fluffy beastkin residing in Vestier.
Of course, I will not force anyone to let me pat them, that would be unreasonable.
The crowd erupted in excitement, and I could not help but smile.
「As for the actual king of this kingdom, I’d like to entrust it to Leo. Leo, would you do me the honour of ruling this land? 」
「It would be my honour 」
Leo bowed to me.
And at the same time, the beastkin applauded and cheered.
It was evident that he was deeply loved by the people as their king.
With the increase of beastkin who could wield magic, Vestier was destined to become an even more powerful country with Leo, a Sage, leading the way.
I had one final announcement to make.
「There’s one last thing 」
The arena fell silent once again as I spoke.
「Melida, come on over here 」
「Y,yes, nya 」
Melida had recovered from fainting after she received damage in her battle with Leo. She had been watching Leo’s battle with me.
Melida came up from the seats, and hurried to my side.
「I have a request to make. Melida, the princess of Vestier, has captured my eye and I would like to take her as my prize for winning the Military Martial Arts Tournament. Are there any objections 」
The silence in the arena was deafening.
I noticed a twinkle in Melida’s eye as she stood next to me. There was also a twitch in her tail.
Proof she was happy with my request.
And when I looked at Leo, he beamed with joy and pride, nodding his approval.
「Looks like there are no objections 」
The entire venue was quiet still.
「Is this fine with you, Melida? 」
「I, I am inexperienced, so please take care of me, nya 」
Melida was okay with it.
With a smile, I wrapped my arm around Melida and announced once more.
「Alright, I will take Melida as my prize 」
As the words left my mouth, the arena erupted into a thunderous applause, for the third time.
The cheers were so loud that the walls seemed to shake.
At just twelve years old, I had won a princess and a kingdom in one fell swoop.