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38. Wolf’s Hidden Village -11

「Will you please be our king?」

For a moment, I didn’t understand what I just heard.

King? Me?

Of the werewolf race?

「Asagi-san, I am sorry for saying this, but… after almost losing your family and tribe, it is possible to have lost your presence of mind at the moment. I just arrived here today.」

「No, this is our collective will.」

The villagers around us kept silent, raising no objections. It doesn’t seem to be a lie.

「Marge-dono, do you know the law of the werewolf tribe?」

「Don’t use your power for your own sake, you should use it for someone else’s sake. I heard that from Shizuku.」

And Shizuku was putting it into practice. Even if she was forced to eat poisonous grass.

「You possess great power, yet you used it for our benefit. Not only that, but you tried to return the jewel to us generously.」

Asagi spread his hand and pointed to the people around. The werewolves in the surroundings knelt down, and…

Bowed their heads simultaneously.

「Werewolves bow to those who are strong and above all proud. Regardless of race or age, it is our long-cherished desire to have the one who stands at the top as our king. “Reign heaven and earth without shame”. That is the only pride of the werewolf clan. Considering our way of life, you are worthy of being king.」

「It seems that I misunderstood the werewolves.」

Werewolves are noble warriors. That’s what I heard in folklore.

It wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t right either. They are not born warriors. They believe that anyone who can reach the martial peak can become king. And so the entire clan toil everyday in hopes of becoming the king. That is their way of life.

I was chosen by those people.

Asagi himself bowed his head as he once again presented the sword, which can be called the soul of the werewolf clan.

「Marge-dono, if you accept this treasured sword, our clan will hunt beasts for you, cultivate the soil for you, and fight for you. Please end your journey here.」

I pondered in front of the treasured sword in its shiny black scabbard.

There is no destination for my journey. Adventurers are like that to begin with, so I don’t really care about that, but Koe-san is different. She has just learned how to walk.

For her sake, who followed me with a smile, I knew that I had to lay down roots somewhere soon. If I become the king of the clan, at the very least she won’t have to lead a difficult life. If so, should I accept this proposal?

「Master.」

Koe-san’s white fingers gently stopped my hand as I was about to receive the sword.

「I will think of a way to make you happy. That is what I said.」

「Yeah, you said so.」

「That is why I stopped you. I want you to choose a path that would satisfy you. Please forgive my rude behavior.」

「I guess you can see through me.」

I pulled back my outstretched hand and looked around. The werewolves were holding their breath, waiting for my answer.

「You all don’t know me. I’m not the kind of person who likes to be served by others.」

「Even so, we have seen what you have done. We know what you have done.」

「At the same time, I don’t know you either. In order to get to know you, I would like to ask you a question.」

I paused for a moment, waiting for the villagers to understand the meaning.

「Yes, by all means.」

「After defeating the King, I returned to the surface. But I brought out someone at that time.」

A “prisoner” whom I kept in the forest within an ice cage. I asked the women of the werewolf race to drag the cage here. Inside the cage was a woman wearing scout equipment.

Mello Brandy, Duke Abik’s elite soldier.

Asagi looked inside. His eyes widened at the mud stained appearance of the woman.

「Marge-dono, this person!」

「The reason why this village was attacked by monsters is not just because a Dungeon Break was approaching. It was because this woman’s party chased the monsters out of the dungeon for their own personal gain. Isn’t that so?」

「…Yes, it was our doing.」

There were murmurs, screams, and angry voices.

Asagi’s shoulders trembled when it was confirmed that she is indeed one of the perpetrators. I put forth my question after waiting for the people to quiet down.

「Decide what to do with her. That is my question to you.」