Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Pikaia were born in the sea and became fish. Fish became amphibians and came up on land. Some of those amphibians became reptiles, and adapted to live on land as well. The smaller mammals which were born as reptiles were growing to massive sizes, survived an extinction event, became primates, and then eventually became human.

What about the beastmen in this world, though? There were lion beastmen, monkey beastmen, rabbit beastmen, and many other races of beastmen, but had they all evolved from the creatures they were based on?

...No, that was hard to imagine. I had heard that no matter how intelligent chimpanzees were, they wouldnt evolve to become human until modern humanity was wiped out. Unless there is a virus or genetic manipulation like in a certain movie, it was impossible for two human races to exist at the same time.

Come to think of it... Madam Tiamat once called me, You who have a familiar smell. If I considered the link between my past world and this one that she hinted at... it could be that the diverse races of this world didnt evolve separately from humanity, but were an extension of our own evolution. Yes, almost as if they were created by someone. When that thought occurred to me, I shuddered. I felt a primordial fear, like when I thought about the beginning or end of the universe.

Breathe in... Breathe out... I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then exhaled until my lungs were completely empty. In order to calm my uneasy heart. Once I sensed calm had returned to it, I opened my eyes. This line of thought... is something I cant bring up here. If a nation that believes one race is superior heard, they might use it to suppress the other races. Claiming that beastmen came from the same root as monsters.

The high elf supremacist Spirit Kingdom of Garlan, and the Lunarian Orthodox Papal State who claimed they were the descendants of humans who came down from the moon would gleefully proclaim their own races superiority. I wanted to avoid that, no matter what.

Ill keep this secret until I know more. But Id like to discuss it with a select few people. To prepare for the day when it comes out... Ill ask Hakuya, Genia, and the others what to do later.

Having thought that to myself, I turned to the still noisy hall and said, Theres still time. Does anyone else have an opinion?

Even more hands than last time went up in a hurry.

? ?

After the conclusion of the symposium. The chairs had been moved off to the side after the passionate exchange of opinions ended, and in place of them a number of large tables laden with trays of food had been brought out. The post-symposium party had begun.

Food was served as a buffet, and everyone was free to eat and drink what they wanted as they talked about whatever they wanted to. The entire spread was provided by a team of chefs led by Poncho, and service was offered by the maids who reported to Serina. Serina wasnt here herself due to her pregnancy, but her subordinates helped Poncho in her place.

Once the drinks had gone around to everyone, I stood up on the stage with a bottle of wine and a large glass in hand, and called Hakuya over.

...What is it, sire?

Here, take this.

I pushed the large glass into Hakuyas hand as he approached me with a dubious look on his face, then poured the contents of the bottle into it and spoke loudly so everyone could hear.

Sir Ichiha, our guest of honor at this symposium, is still just a child. In his place, I would like to ask Hakuya to offer a toast instead.

...Isnt that a little much youre pouring? Youve emptied out half of the bottle there, havent you?

Its more exciting this way, isnt it? Go on, once we all say cheers, you just knock that back.

Honestly, sire...

Hakuya sounded exasperated, but he turned to the crowd and raised his glass.

To monster research, which took a new step forward today, and to the young genius who has appeared in this country to lead it into the next generation, cheers!

Cheers!

Murgh... Tomoe had a sulky look on her face. She was turned towards Ichiha, who was in the center of that ring of people.

Because Tomoe was cute, when she sulked like that, she just looked a little upset, but... that reaction...

Wh-What do you think? I whispered to Liscia despite myself, and then we both shook our heads with wry smiles.

I cant tell just yet. But girls grow up fast, you know?

Thats right, Roroa chimed in. Shes Big Sis Cias little sister, so when she goes and set her heart on somethin, shes gonna stick to it.

The two of them both sounded like they were enjoying this.

Hrm... If she did that, I could be pretty sure hed settle down in the kingdom, though.

But even if that were to happen, just how many peoples expectations would the other party, Ichiha, have to live up to?

There was her birth mother, Father, Mother, Hakuya, Inugami, and me and my wives... More people adored Tomoe like a little sister or daughter than I could fit on one hand. Whats more, a lot of them were in high positions within the Kingdom. They were all hoping for Tomoes happiness, so if she wanted him from the bottom of her heart, they wouldnt get in the way, but... I guess it was too early to worry about it now.

...Well, whatever happens, happens.

I gave up on thinking about it.