Nation of Negesta, Royal Capital, Central District
“Get a move on and carry it already!”
“I-I can’t carry this… Please, spare me…”
“Honestly, no matter how many centuries pass, humans remain so weak.”
In the Nation of Negesta, a place renowned for its security among the five nations of the Litapia continent, the Uzei Religion originated here. Most humans living in towns and villages outside the royal capital are followers of the Uzei Religion. They do not raise livestock at all; the food produced consists solely of grains, vegetables, and a meager amount of fruit.
The streets are strictly divided, with everyone required to keep to the right side. Anyone who disrupts this order is immediately apprehended and subjected to a punishment disguised as training. Yes, punishment. It’s a contradictory and foolish nation that imposes hardships despite claiming to be a sect that does not punish.
At present, a large, furry dog-like Beastkin was strutting about. The arrogant bald man was being bossed around by this strange creature. Just watching this scene made me want to laugh. No, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Pfft, ahahaha! Oh come on, that’s just cruel! You guys have physical abilities several times greater than an adult human, right? There’s no way you can carry such a huge boar!”
“Hah, this is Lady Elmera. However, we have been commanded to treat humans as slaves…”
“Human labor is hardly worth much. If you keep that up, he’ll die! Be a bit gentler, will you?”
“Understood…”
After bowing to me, the Beastkin roughly called over the bald man and dragged him off somewhere else. Poor guy, he looked like he was about to collapse. At this rate, he might end up taking his own life soon. After all, Beastkin tend to be quite aggressive, depending on their lineage. They are strictly instructed not to kill, but accidents can happen.
Still, what a clear view this is. All around the royal capital, humans are being used as labor by the Beastkin. Some humans were even seen walking with collars around their necks, being pulled along. Yet, it seems children are treated with a bit more affection, often found sleeping in the fluffy arms of a Beastkin.
“Ahh! This feels so good!”
This is the ideal ecosystem that we Phantoms aspire to. Once, the most prosperous race on this land was, of course, humans, followed by the Giant Race, Beastkin, Dwarves, and finally, Elves. As for the Dragonkin, I’ve only heard tales of them; I’ve never seen one even in the era when we were alive. However, I’ve heard that they possess overwhelming individual strength and, according to rumors, once nearly destroyed the world alongside one of the Five Divine Beings, the Dragon God.
Setting aside such dubious tales, the next strongest race is the Beastkin. They come in various types, like dogs, wolves, cats, and birds. It seems they have evolved to be bipedal like humans, establishing unique territories that keep humans at bay with their superior physical abilities and senses. It’s like they have their own territories, but I wouldn’t know.
The Giant Race seems to have gotten along relatively well with humans. Depending on the region, they appeared to coexist to some extent. Lastly, the least combat-oriented races are the Dwarves and us Elves. Dwarves live quietly in underground caves, while we prefer the depths of the forest.
I didn’t dislike humans, nor did I avoid them. I just wanted to live quietly. In truth, I didn’t know them well enough to develop any strong feelings against them.
“Elmera, so this is where you’ve been.”
“Oh, Balbus is here. Don’t Elmera and Balbus look somewhat alike?”
“Perhaps. More importantly, how do we deal with that human? It seems they’ve been acting on their own again.”
A figure even larger than the strolling Beastkin appeared before me. To be specific, if he were to enter a single-story house, he would easily break through the ceiling with his head. He was a wolf-type Beastkin, and his charming dog ears were the only cute thing about him. However, his shaggy fur and bloodthirsty, sharp gaze were anything but cute. Additionally, his limbs were as thick as tree trunks, instilling a sense of destruction in anyone who laid eyes on him. “Muscle dog” would be a fitting description, but even I wouldn’t dare say that out loud. Beastkin are notoriously aggressive and have no sense of humor. They take offense at the slightest hint of insult, so I tread carefully when teasing them.
Balbus, clad only in a loincloth, was the leader of the Beastkin. They are incredibly prideful and would never submit to anyone weaker than themselves. Standing at the top of such a proud race, his strength was to be expected. No matter how riled up the other Beastkin might be, they would fall silent at his command. Indeed, with his arrival, the other Beastkin who had been toying with the human or were on the verge of conflict suddenly quieted down. Scary, scary. It’s a mystery why someone like him follows me. Well, it’s pretty clear, actually.
“Is that bald human the one you’re talking about? Kensei, was it?”
“I’m surprised. To think there exists a human capable of easily scattering us Beastkin. If it comes to overpowering him, it would likely have to be me.”
“Then go ahead and overpower him.”
“You were the one who ordered not to kill.”
“Overpower him without killing.”
“Do you think I can pull off such a feat?”
I doubt it. After all, this race knows nothing of holding back. If someone were to hunt while holding back, they wouldn’t be able to make a sound in response. That’s just how it is.
“Ugh, what should I do? I could just kill him, you know.”
“…Humans are truly fascinating. Some individuals can rival us. The hero who once drove the Demon Race to extinction… If he exists in this era, I would love to hunt him down.”
“Oh! That reminds me! Speaking of the Demon Race! I thought something was off! That thread guy! What right does he have to use the name of the Phantoms?!”
“I came here to say just that. However, that thread user is not a Demon Race member…”
“Either way, he’s part of the Demon Lord Army, right? What was his name again? Something like Clay. Where is he now?!”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll catch him and give him a good thrashing! Hoo!”
That Clay seems to have been using the name of the Phantoms for all sorts of things. According to the Flash Strike Girl, he used our humans to launch attacks, which is just the worst. I had entrusted everything to Clay long ago, but I never expected him to pull such nonsensical stunts. Seriously, there’s no way an ordinary human could kill that monster girl. I mean, who even suggested that? Where the hell did that Clay go?
“Those Demon Race folks are just impossible to handle… So free-spirited.”
“Would you like me to kill them?”
“Don’t kill them. That Aboro is not someone you can deal with easily.”
“Is that so?”
“You deal with Clay. I’m going to Kensei. See you!”
“Wait, there’s still more to discuss…”
I understand that they are a disorganized bunch, and there’s no way to unify them. I get that. But there’s something I absolutely must do. That is, of course, for the sake of this world.
Nation of Negesta, Royal Palace
“I’m hungry. Bring me meat.”
“I’m sorry, but in our country…”
“I’d settle for your meat too.”
“Yikes! Right away!”
Back in the royal palace, I was using the servants who had once been forced to serve me. They claim to follow a frugal diet, but I couldn’t care less. They are slaves, and I am above them. I joined the Phantoms because I want to restore this world to its true form. Survival of the fittest—that is how it should be. Those who are nothing but bones and skin, barely useful for broth, should be grateful just to be alive.
In that era, many of them blended into human society, but I had no intention of getting involved. Some were impressive, but I generally paid humans no mind. If it’s just about eating, there are plenty of other creatures with more value. I found no charm in humans as beings, even for consumption.
That’s why. We are above, and humans are below. I will make that clear once more in this flabby world. It was you humans who stirred such intense emotions in us, who had previously shown no interest. It’s also my own inadequacy that led to being cornered by a race that expanded its influence through mere reproductive power and vanity.
“Welcome back, Balbus-sama.”
“Mm.”
My right arm, the Beastkin named Nice, was remarkably calm, even among her kind. She never exerted unnecessary force and rarely displayed her emotions. Even when provoked by our allies, she remained unfazed, discerning what was beneficial for both us and them. After assessing the situation, she skillfully handled the negotiations. Perhaps it was her sincere demeanor that resonated with them, for those simple-minded beings seemed quite pleased. For us, who often found ourselves embroiled in conflict, her ability to make sound judgments was invaluable.
“Did anything happen while I was away?” I asked.
“The dwarves heard rumors of a top-notch blacksmith in the southern country and set off on a journey. They’re a cheerful bunch, interested only in ale, ore, and forging. Since they closely resemble humans, there shouldn’t be any issues,” she replied.
“Hmph, I knew Elmera wouldn’t be able to keep them in line.”
“About her… to be frank, she’s far too immature.”
“Yeah, I felt that too.”
“Her methods are far too hasty. While she temporarily subdued this country, the neighboring nations won’t remain silent. Given our current military strength, can we even contend with them?”
Nice’s perspective on her immaturity was astonishingly different from mine. I didn’t see it that way. Though elves are a long-lived race, they typically grow even more beautiful over the centuries. However, that girl showed no signs of growth in either aspect. At times, she seemed as fragile as a child. It was her lack of development beyond her appearance that made her inner self feel terribly unstable.
“I sense a precarious fragility, as if she hasn’t matured since childhood. Have you ever seen her smile, aside from that?”
“No, hardly ever.”
“There’s a possibility her heart has been shattered by some cause. Something unbearably difficult must have happened in her past…”
“I never considered that. But we have no choice but to obey, right?”
“Yes. The question is, when will that fragility come crashing down upon us…?”
That was the reason we followed Elmera. We had submitted to her. In the face of her power and madness, we could only nod in agreement.
“If we hadn’t complied back then, we would have undoubtedly been killed…”
In a sense, our survival until today, thriving underground, was thanks to Elmera. We, the Beastkin, do not have the long lifespans of elves. Individual differences aside, we can live for only about three hundred years at most. The elves’ longevity compared to other races is not merely biological; they have prolonged their lives through the use of numerous potions derived from their vast knowledge. I had heard that humans once hunted elves in search of elixirs for eternal youth, and it wasn’t entirely a lie.
Despite possessing such power, elves, unlike us, do not favor conflict. They were supposed to be a modest race, living deep within the forests.
“When I tried to confront her, you stopped me. Thank you.”
“No, that was the least I could do.”
It was unthinkable for us, the Beastkin, to submit to elves. Among the agitated Beastkin, only Nice took the initiative to show her willingness to obey. Was there ever a Beastkin who remained calm while witnessing a dying comrade? She stood there, her gray fur unruffled, acting with solemnity.
“If I lower myself, the rest will be simple. Elmera, in high spirits, treated us exceptionally well, allowing us to live comfortably underground.”
“…Nice. No matter what outcome awaits us, will you continue to follow me?”
“If your path continues, then of course.”
My loyal aide provided a response that exceeded my expectations. She was the only one supporting me as a leader; I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. Even as I felt a mix of emotions that were somewhat frustrating, I managed to smile confidently.
“We are, after all, phantoms—existences erased from this world. There’s no need to fear the outcome. Yes, this world will be slain by phantoms.”
It was a chilling smile, even for me. For a fleeting moment, Nice’s emotions, usually hidden, flickered across her face. It was a strange sense of satisfaction, so reassuring that I completely forgot about having humans bring us meat.