"If that happens, you'll be back to the days before yesterday. Not only that, but your companions who were previously spared from slavery will probably suffer the same fate next time."
The fact that the future was still dark was laid out before their eyes, and not only the Bunnymen, but other demihumans also lowered their heads.
"Are you willing to accept it?"
Of course not. They certainly don't want to go back to the days when their dignity was trampled upon, and they don't want to let their loved ones suffer that kind of pain.
But what can I do if I don't want to...
Kam looked at his compatriots with a stern gaze, who lowered their heads, and told them loudly that the answer was right in front of them.
"Of course you don't want to, right? So what should you do? It's simple. If you want to protect the ones you love right here beside you... then fight. If you don't want to just be exploited and live in despair... then stand up and resist. If you hope to change the Bunnymen's fate... then let your heart be filled with anger! That's what the Haulias are like! The Bunnymen are by no means the weakest race! With determination, the Bunnymen can become stronger! We've proven that!"
Someone let out an "Ah..." They seemed to realize again that the one who had defeated the powerful enemy and saved them wasn't some special being, but a member of the same Bunnymen tribe.
The rabbit people who had originally lowered their heads raised their heads one after another.
"Remember the humiliation you suffered in the Empire. Do not endure this miserable situation! Protect your loved ones with your own hands! Sharpen your weapons instead of giving up! Light the fire in your hearts! Fight!!"
Though faint, the light of hope did shine in the eyes of the bunnymen. Their drooping ears now stood erect, as if reborn.
Seeing this, Cam raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said with a smile:
"We will teach you combat techniques. If anyone is determined to fight and seeks strength, please come to us. The Hauriya tribe welcomes you at any time!!"
Cam concluded his speech with these words. The lined-up Hauriyas smiled arrogantly, as if inviting the other Bunnymen to join them in battle.
Kam made another gesture, and then the Hauriya people dispersed like ninjas and disappeared in an instant.
When the rabbit people saw this, they became even more excited. Even among the young rabbit people, some seemed to want to sign up immediately.
Cam chuckled to himself, cheering in his heart, "Great! Our fighting power will increase again! Once you join, don't even think about escaping. I will subject all of you to a diabolical transformation!"
"Boss, I'm sorry to interrupt you in the middle of this conversation, but this is a great time to secure talent."
“Oh, oh, I’m fine…”
Hajime spoke with a guilty conscience. For some reason, the word "proliferation" flashed through his mind. While he was ultimately responsible, the thought of the "decapitation rabbits of the forest" constantly appearing made Hajime break out in a cold sweat, thinking, "Maybe I've trained some incredible guys."
"...And so the docile rabbits of the forest became extinct."
"Stop it, Miss Yue! As a member of the Hauriya tribe, I'm extremely embarrassed!"
Shia's sadness surged up again.
It is almost certain that the timid and gentle Bunnymen will become extinct soon, and the cruel Bunnymen will be born in their place.
If someone in the future were to ask, "Who turned the Bunnymen into this?", Shia might have to answer like this:
——is my husband and father.
It's really embarrassing.
"Hmm, alright, then it's almost time to let you in. Eltina, please."
Alfred was also sweating profusely at the possibility of the Hauriya tribe multiplying. He forced himself to cheer up and urged Eltina to lead the way.
He is worthy of being the oldest elder who has lived the longest. When other elders and warriors - especially the bear people - are about to roll their eyes when they think about their own future, he can show his superior leadership style.
"Then please come this way, everyone. I'll lead the way. Come, Mr. Nagumo, please follow me."
For some reason, Eltina smiled and tried to take Hajime's hand to lead the way. It seemed that, provoked by Cam's actions, she had completely fallen into his trap.
Anyway, due to Shia's interference, Eltina's hand that was extended to Hajime was slapped away.
Shia and Eltina's eyes met, and the illusion of sparks flying between them seemed to be visible.
"Please lead the way for us, Miss Eltina."
Shia said with a grin. Her beautiful smile perfectly matched the forest's little white rabbits, but her ears spoke volumes. The fur on their ears stood up, as if to intimidate an enemy.
"Of course, Miss Shia. But there are so many people here, and we might get lost, so to be on the safe side, I'll hold Mr. Kaishi's hand."
Eltina smiled broadly, a smile befitting her status as a forest princess. But her fairy ears spoke volumes. They twitched rapidly, as if in protest.
Cam's face flashed with a sly grin, as if to say, "Just as planned!" Seeing Cam's expression, Hajime understood what was going on. He smiled and lashed out at Cam, instantly sending cold sweats pouring down his face.
Hajime looked coldly at Cam, who began to tremble in fear, and reached out to hold Shia's hand tightly.
"what……"
Shia couldn't help but scream, but she quickly put on a full smile and hugged Hajime's arm tightly.
Seeing Shia's happy expression, Eltina unconsciously looked towards Hajime.
Hajime's eyes were extremely cold, showing no joy at being so fond of the beautiful girl. Anyone could clearly sense that his implication was "Hurry up and lead the way."
Eltina, looking dejected, began to lead the way without saying a word.
Shia was a companion who shared joys and sorrows, while Eltina was a stranger with whom she had no connection. From the very beginning, it was impossible to compare the two of them. This result was not surprising, but...
Hajime's attitude towards Shia seemed to be even softer than before. The female members except Yue stared at Hajime's back with a look of surprise and mixed emotions.
Everyone was led to a hall, with the elders sitting inside, and sitting opposite were several members of the Hauriya tribe, including Kam. On the right side of Kam and the others, with Gaharud in the middle, and Shi and the others sitting next to them.
His Majesty the Emperor himself announced the defeat and stated the contents of the oath, and the elders finally felt the reality.
Perhaps to sort out the indescribable emotions in their hearts, they either groaned, or looked up at the sky, or covered their eyes with their hands and sighed deeply... Everyone used their own way to understand this moment in history.
Outside, the sounds of joy and celebration could still be heard. One of the elders, the Tiger Clan leader, Jel, gave a sharp look. His gaze was fixed on Gaharud, who, despite being in the enemy camp, still wore an arrogant smile and acted insolently.
"For a king of a defeated nation, your attitude is truly arrogant. You don't know how much we hate you, do you? You don't think you can return safely, do you?"
Jer's eyes were fierce, his bestial nature flaring, his entire body brimming with astonishingly intense murderous intent. The other elders and warriors also revealed a faint hint of murderous intent and hatred that could not be completely concealed. Since Gaharud was their mortal enemy, their reaction was normal.
However, even though everyone was filled with murderous intent, Gaharud himself seemed to be unconcerned.
"Of course I think I can return safely. You don't really think you can kill me, do you? If you really think so, then the leaders of Feyalbergen are idiots, right?"
"What did you say!? You bastard!"
Jer was very excited, but Ælfrelik tried to dissuade him.
"Jer, don't be impulsive. I understand your feelings, but don't forget that Gaharud came here to prove to us the great achievements of the Hauliya tribe and the validity of the oath. If you kill him now, the oath that the Hauliya tribe risked their lives to forge will be in vain."
"Well……"
Jer's expression seemed to be unwilling, and he pounded the ground hard with his fist.
Gaharud looked at Jer and snorted. The atmosphere was extremely dangerous, and Ælfrelik also gave Gaharud some advice:
"Gaharud, change your attitude. Don't treat us like idiots. You have to know that sometimes reason can't control emotions. You did something so extreme."
Ælfrelic's tone was calm, but the emotion contained in it was heavy enough to make even Gaharud put away his smile.
Alfred is the longest-lived Forest Man, which also means that the pain, unwillingness, anger and resentment in his heart have also accumulated for the longest time.
Gaharud sat cross-legged and stared at Ælfrelik for a long time.
Then he raised his head and chest and said:
"In that case, take up your weapons and fight me."
Aelfrelik showed a suspicious look, and Gaharud looked directly at him and said:
"The Empire and I only respect the strong. If you don't like my attitude, then use your strength to force me to obey. Don't think you can force the Emperor of the Empire to submit by just preaching."
Gaharud showed no remorse or apology for enslaving the demihumans.
He did not look down on the demihumans because they were a race without magic and abandoned by the gods.
Nor is it discrimination against them because of their half-human, half-beast bloodline.
Gaharud did not consider demihumans to be valuable simply because of their "weakness".
"I wasn't defeated by the demihumans. You weren't the ones I should respect. It was the Hauriyas who took up arms, risked their lives, and demonstrated their formidable strength on the battlefield!"
Jaharud's powerful aura shook the entire hall.
The atmosphere at the scene was tense and tense, giving people the illusion that they were seeing a brutal massacre unfolding before their eyes.
For a long time, invisible sparks flew between Ælfrelic and Gahalud.
In the atmosphere where everyone was holding their breath, the person who finally broke the silence was...
"Hey, Gaharud. Sorry for the inconvenience. You can go back now."
"what?"
Hajime who doesn't know how to judge the situation.
Elfrelic and the other elders were stunned, while Jaharud was also surprised. And while Kouki, Liliana, and the others gave him expressions that said, "You really don't know the situation," Hajime didn't care. He grabbed Jaharud by the scruff of the neck and opened the 'portal' that connected the two dimensions.
The other side of the portal was a familiar room in the Imperial City...
“Hey, hey! You’re not really planning on sending me back like this, are you?! In a sense, this is a historic meeting between two countries! Even I can’t help but say, you should consider the situation!”
"I don't care what the occasion is. I brought you here to be a witness, not to watch you have a conversation. Since I'm going to send you back anyway, why should I wait for you to talk?"
Hajime continued:
"Besides, the differences in values and hatred between you have lasted for hundreds of years...would a brief conversation now change anything? The gap between you isn't that narrow, is it?"
In reality, the demi-humans wanted revenge on Gaharud or for him to repent, while Gaharud was a complete believer in the supremacy of strength. Even if the two sides met once, there would probably be no intersection.
Hajime had no interest in the world's racial and national issues. For him, these kinds of issues took a long time to resolve... He didn't want to waste his time with them.
Just as Alfred said, the purpose of this meeting was just to get Gaharud, the biggest party involved, to testify about what the Hauriya tribe had done. There was no other intention.
“Hmm, that’s true…”
"So before you get into trouble, hurry back."
"Don't make me sound like a rebellious brat! Ah, stop dragging me away, let me go!"
Although His Majesty the Emperor struggled by moving his arms and legs, he was unable to resist the inhuman arm strength (prosthetic arm).
"Mr. Nanyun♪ That person is His Majesty the Emperor! You're being too harsh in treating him like that♪"
"Princess Liliana! Your words don't match your expression at all!"
Liliana complained to Hajime, but she was in such a good mood she felt like she was about to dance. She even improvised a song, "Even though I'm the emperor, I'm not taken seriously. It turns out it's not just me~♪" and sang it happily. If she had to name the song, it would probably be "From today on, we are companions♪".
"Lily...how pitiful."
"Hashi-kun! At least be gentle with Lily!"
Shizuku wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief, while Kaori asked Hajime with tears in her eyes.
Holina and the guards turned their eyes away from their master's strange behavior, unable to bear to watch. They seemed unable to face reality.
Furthermore, Yue also emitted a light of soul magic, a magic used to calm the mind, perhaps out of sympathy... The princess was enveloped by the light, but she continued to sing happily, "From today on, we are companions♪".
Tio also added soul magic, but it had no effect. It seemed that the darkness in the princess' heart was unexpectedly deep.
Even Gaharud showed a sympathetic expression and complained to Hajime:
"Look, Nagumo Hajime. Because you don't treat the royal family as royals, you've caused the princess of the kingdom to become like that, right? So, you should improve your attitude a little bit..."
"Who cares about you?"
Hajime ignored him and threw Gaharud into the portal without a word. "Remember this! Nagumo Hajime~!" Gaharud vanished through the portal, his expression truly pitiful. The treatment he received was so tragic that even the elders and warriors, who had been so furious just moments before, calmed down.
Guanghui said as if he suddenly understood:
"...Is this his purpose?"
"I guess that's just his nature, isn't it?"
"Rin agrees with Ryuutarou."
Kouki, Ryuutarou, and Ling discussed quietly, but was it really as Kouki said, that this was Hajime's plan?
Seeing Hajime grab the contented Liliana in the same way he grabbed Gaharud, and preparing to throw her into the "portal" to the kingdom, it seemed that Ryutaro and Suzu were right.
After that, Liliana was able to barely escape Hajime's clutches by desperately insisting, "As a princess, I still have work to do!"
It seemed that, just as she had discussed with Gaharud earlier, Liliana also wanted to inform the elders of the current situation between the Kingdom and the Holy Church, and to discuss the future relationship between the Kingdom and [Feyabergen].
Unlike the Empire, the Kingdom lacked slave traders, but that was due to strong discrimination, a fact the demihumans were well aware of. And just as with the case of Gaharud, this issue couldn't be resolved through simple negotiation. That said, the demihumans weren't as hostile to the Kingdom as they were to the Empire, so the elders would likely be willing to listen to Liliana's advice.
"Alas, there's really nothing we can do about you. Let's rest for now. Come back to me after you're done. Princess, don't cause trouble, okay? If anything happens, I'll send you back to your country immediately."
"Mr. Nagumo, I have to remind you that I am actually a princess."
"?"
"Okay, okay, yes, you must be surprised. You think she's a princess, so what? I understand. Haha, it's normal to send a princess back to her country, right? Haha."
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