180
“By any chance, is it because he’s too weak to even court her…….”
“No. You have no idea how strong Edenber is.”
At that, Leon’s face looked more and more like he didn’t understand the reason.
Edenber, who had been listening quietly, asked cautiously.
“What exactly is this ‘Courtship Dance’?”
From the feel of it, it didn’t seem like simply dancing to woo someone.
Was there a meaning other than the one he knew?
* * *
Because beastmen revere power, they feel attracted to the opposite sex who possesses great strength.
However, since they cannot engage in duels every day just to show their strength, the ‘Courtship Dance’ was created for this purpose.
For exactly one day a year, beastmen sincerely ambush the person of the opposite sex they usually like.
By cornering and subduing them, they court them by showing that their power is this strong and attractive.
Since it happened to overlap with the delegation’s visit this time, Asil shook her head as if it were nothing.
“I’m going to dance with my siblings at the party hall. You said you’d come with Rai then, too.”
“Right. But you can’t stay in the party hall all night, can you? Besides, there’s no guarantee no one will court you at the party hall.”
Leon pointed out.
He was saying this because it didn’t matter where they attacked, as long as other beastmen didn’t get caught up in it.
At that, Edenber, who had been listening silently, muttered.
“……Are you saying a brawl will break out in the party hall?”
“A brawl?”
“A brawl?!”
Even if it is a real fight, the word ‘brawl’ is too much!
The two beastmen took offense at the sacred Courtship Dance being described as a mere brawl.
“The Courtship Dance is nothing like a brawl!”
“That’s right. Do you know how important this event is? As expected, wouldn’t it be better to marry a fellow beastman first rather than a human who doesn’t even know the Courtship Dance?”
“If he doesn’t know, I can just teach him.”
Leon’s tail drooped dejectedly.
Regardless, Asil spoke in a firm tone.
“Anyway, Edenber won’t be performing the Courtship Dance.”
“Why? Because he’s a human?”
Asil said nothing.
In fact, the reason Edenber had come as Fear’s attendant while hiding his identity was a bigger factor.
Leon, interpreting Asil’s silence as an affirmation, grumbled.
“Tch, then you’re going to get hurt quite a bit again.”
“Get hurt?”
A startled Edenber questioned.
At this, Leon replied unpleasantly, as if he were asking the obvious.
“Asil will receive the most Courtship Dances, so of course— Mmph.”
Leon stopped speaking as his mouth was covered by Asil.
However, the important information had already been revealed.
Asil shrugged at Edenber’s deepened, serious gaze that asked what this meant.
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing?! Do you know how many pounced on you last year—”
“I’m going to pull out all your mane.”
Leon, turned pale by the chilling whisper, clamped his mouth shut.
Edenber asked with an expression that found it hard to understand.
“Why didn’t the Young Lord Erzébet help?”
“Who is the Young Lord Erzébet?”
“My brother. It’s a rule that no one can interfere in the Courtship Dance unless they are the parties involved.”
“Lion beastman, did you do it too?”
“……W-what do you take me for! There’s no way I’d court this bald little dragon!”
“Leon is really weak, so he loses to me every day.”
“No, I don’t!”
An incensed Leon shouted.
However, Asil and Edenber were already no longer listening to Leon.
“Can’t you just pretend to lose and move on?”
“I can’t. It’s a rule of the Courtship Dance that you must face them with your best effort. And if you lose, you usually marry that beastman.”
What kind of barbaric rule is that? The thought flashed across Edenber’s face for a moment.
Meanwhile, Asil and Leon had expressions that said there was no problem.
“Usually, it’s done when there’s mutual interest.”
“Human, you don’t marry by force like you’re thinking. If you firmly refuse after the dance is over, they have to back off without a word.”
“Then, Asil, you……”
Edenber’s voice trembled slightly.
“Does that mean there are other beastmen you like……?”
“It’s not that.”
Asil drew a clear line.
“They’re all just trying to show off their strength to me.”
“Do you have any idea how popular a beastman Asil is? Since she was in kindergarten, wherever she goes, the males— Mmph.”
As Asil pulled his mane threateningly, Leon hurriedly shut his mouth.
Edenber questioned again.
“Then can’t you just stay home that day?”
“That’s something only cowards do. It’s okay, I don’t get hurt that much. I heal up after a few days, too.”
“A few days? Last time, it was almost fifteen—”
“Do you want to say goodbye to your mane?”
“Sorry, I really won’t say another word now.”
Leon tightly covered his mouth with his front paws.
Asil glanced sharply at the lion before turning her gaze to Edenber.
“Anyway, it’s something I do every year, so you don’t have to worry.”
However, Edenber’s expression was still not good. If she was seriously hurt last year, this year wouldn’t be any different.
But he was in a situation where he couldn’t step forward himself either.
He pondered deeply in his head about how he could protect Asil without causing a commotion.
* * *
Surprisingly, Leon held the answer.
“Hey, human!”
It was when he had returned to the quarters, having parted from Asil and transformed back into an attendant.
A man who looked somewhat innocent called out to him.
At first, Edenber didn’t know he was the lion beastman he had met a moment ago. That was because his appearance was different.
However, he could tell the opponent was the lion beastman from the words that followed.
“I’m a real human. By any chance, can you call a human named Edenber for me?”
He only looked like a human on the outside; his inside was the same as the foolish lion beastman.
Edenber swallowed a sigh.
“Are you the lion beastman from earlier?”
“H-how did you know……. What are you talking about? I’m a real human.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say that name recklessly wherever you go. Why have you come looking for me?”
“Not you, but the human named Edenber with golden hair and sharp eyes like this—”
Without a long explanation, Edenber briefly removed the earring he was wearing.
Leon jumped at the appearance that changed in an instant.
“W-what! A magic tool?! Why were you hiding your identity?!”
“I have my reasons. The King also knows, so there’s no need to run and report it.”
Edenber stopped Leon, who looked like he was about to go report to the King of Beastmen right away.
Leon looked at Edenber with a very wary gaze.
“Well, a magic tool in this castle. If it had been brought in secretly, Lord Arcian wouldn’t have stood for it……”
“More importantly, why have you come looking for me?”
“Your way of speaking is very different from earlier. Was it all an act?”
“…….”
Thinking that unnecessary conversation would continue at this rate, Edenber ignored Leon and tried to pass by.
Then Leon hurriedly grabbed him.
“Wait, wait, listen to me! Would you like to participate in the Courtship Dance?”
“…….”
“If it’s because you’re human, I’ll solve that. We lion beastmen have been skilled at camouflage and disguise for generations. If it’s only for a short time, it will be possible to make your wavelength appear like a beastman’s.”
Leon shook his head stylishly, as if shaking a lion’s mane.
He seemed to have overlooked the fact that it wasn’t stylish at all in human form.
“During the Courtship Dance, take care of the guys pouncing on Asil. If you’re really strong, most of them will fall away, right? And once Asil’s first husband is decided, those who were only interested in the position of first husband will also drop off.”
“…….”
“I don’t mind the position of second or third husband. The fewer competitors there are, the better it is for both of us— W-what, why are you looking at me so scarily!”
Flinching at a gaze that looked like it could devour a beastman, Leon backed away.
“If you don’t want to, then forget it!”
“……Asil’s husband positions are already all filled.”
“What? By any chance, are there more male humans in the Empire who will become Asil’s husbands?”
Edenber hesitated for a moment before nodding.
At that, Leon had a look of considerable shock.
“S-still, wouldn’t there be one spot empty at the very end……”
“There isn’t. They’re already all full.”
“This makes no sense……”
“So, what is the method for a human to disguise themselves as a beastman?”
Sensing an atmosphere as if he might run away crying like before, Edenber hurriedly grabbed Leon’s shoulder.
Leon sobbed slightly.
“That is……”
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