28. The Great Chieftain of the Austro-Hungarian Tribe

Too many doubts had led me to a conclusion that made me both laugh and cry—this elusive ruler of the Austro-Hungarian tribe, who only occasionally appeared to deliver some punishment, manifested merely as a shadow with a pair of eyes, the Great Chieftain.

Its true identity was likely this shabby little fox before me. If possible, I would prefer not to connect these two characters who were so out of sync; I would rather speculate that the Great Chieftain was actually the cunning Pigeon Rom, than to guess about this fox.

But the facts were laid bare. As soon as I finished speaking, the little fox, Zelus, tensed up immediately.

“W-what do you mean I’m the Great Chieftain? Don’t drag me into this, human! I don’t want to be implicated if the Great Chieftain gets struck by lightning!”

I watched as this little fox stammered, her nervousness causing her to try to cover her feelings with threats. But girl, your tail is flailing behind you like a feather duster in panic; how could I not see that you were just making excuses?

Moreover, I had come with a bit of evidence.

【Zelus is worried.】

Noticing the little fox’s current thoughts, I continued, trying to ease her tension: “Don’t worry, I didn’t bring anyone else with me this time; there won’t be a third person to overhear.”

“……”

Only then did the little fox’s tail stop its frantic swishing, and she began to scrutinize me closely, like a small animal that stares and sniffs at another of its kind for the first time.

“I just came here to confirm something. Let me think: the Great Chieftain of the Austro-Hungarian tribe is you, and then…”

I paused, revealing my second guess: “It has nothing to do with that old rat of the Grand Sorcerer, who harbors ill intentions towards the beastmen. Originally, the reason for the conflict between the Austro-Hungarian tribe and the Kingdom of Pruliss—the ‘shadow’ that fled between the two sides, meeting the beastmen of Pruliss, is you, isn’t it?”

“Tch, that’s why I don’t like cunning humans at all…”

With a very social click of her tongue, the little fox finally shed her guise of a “brat.” I had heard that beastmen and elves were quite similar in terms of “age issues,” both belonging to a type that, once they reached a certain level of growth, their bodies and appearances would no longer change with age.

So, the little fox before me must have just been a bit of a brat in personality; her true identity as the mysterious Great Chieftain of the Austro-Hungarian tribe could not possibly be that of an underage little fox.

“Indeed, I am the Great Chieftain who appears when necessary under the name ‘Saar’ to scare those single-celled idiots. Human, can you not be so nosy with your woman? Touching ears and tails is one thing, but why do you have to satisfy your curiosity about so many secrets of our tribe?”

【The fox beastman Zelus is the Great Chieftain of the Austro-Hungarian tribe!】

The script unfolded, and it seemed my guess was correct.

“Don’t think I want to be some gossiping tabloid.”

After all, I had only deduced these facts out of necessity, in a passive situation.

From the moment the shadow of the Great Chieftain appeared during the first debate of the high beastmen’s assembly, helping me reprimand and punish the Grand Sorcerer without asking anything, I had begun to suspect—could it be that this Great Chieftain had opened her heavenly eye and knew everything? She chose to help me without even inquiring about the situation?

Now I realized: she wasn’t helping me; she was more concerned about helping her Austro-Hungarian tribe. After all, the night before attending the high beastmen’s council, the bored Kfeir had carelessly discussed the conflict between the Austro-Hungarian tribe and the elves while petting Zelus’s ears, and this little fox must have heard everything, so there was no need for her to inquire further.

As for the second appearance to punish the Grand Sorcerer, that was also because the Grand Sorcerer’s scheme to use the beastmen as scapegoats had been completely exposed to Zelus; she certainly had no reason to show mercy to him.

Everything seemed to indicate that the Great Chieftain was all-knowing, but once I discovered that the little fox present at both instances was indeed the Great

—

In the end, the little fox chose to help me cover up the truth, keeping silent about the identity of the shadow. Following this line of thought, it becomes clear: the little fox herself is that “shadow” in this incident. It was she who went to see Adéle, and she shares the same reason as Adéle for not wanting to reveal her whereabouts, even to her own kin.

“I’m just an ordinary person trying to understand the facts.”

I scratched my head. “I came here to resolve this matter for the elves, so naturally, I want to ensure that the target isn’t dangerous.”

“Well, now you know, human? I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve had rice. Don’t always think about being some great detective in the tribe. After all, if I don’t show up in ‘that kind of posture,’ you can imagine the consequences, right? I believe even your rusty brain, nearly washed away by the rain, can understand that.”

Of course, I knew.

After all, I had thoroughly experienced the strict hierarchy of the Austro-Hungarian tribe. Among them, the subhumans were essentially the powerless “slaves.” If it were discovered that the tribe’s great chieftain was actually a subhuman little fox…

The beastmen would surely go into chaos.

So, I understood why this little fox reacted so strongly after I uncovered her identity. I resolved my doubts with Zelus, but only for one final purpose—a purpose that, even if it made me seem like a villain, I had to demand from Zelus.

“I didn’t plan to tell a second person, but great chieftain, I’ve inadvertently helped you resolve two matters that have been particularly troubling you lately. As a return, it wouldn’t be too much to ask for a little favor, right?”

“……”

The little fox took a cautious step back, looking at me with suspicion. “I don’t just have sharp teeth for biting bones; my tongue has barbs too, you know, midgetcon.”

“It’s not what you think!”

Does this little brat look down on my taste that much!?

“I just hope you can help me find something.”

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. “An item or creature called ‘fairy’ seems to exist within the Austro-Hungarian tribe. I hope you can find it for me.”

After all, you should be aware, great chieftain, that nothing escapes the revelation of my script.

【The Austro-Hungarian tribe has a self-disciplined fairy.】

【Zelus is aware of the existence of self-disciplined fairies.】

I watched as the little fox quieted down, patiently waiting for her response. Helping out was certain, but… don’t mistake me for some kind of savior of beastmen.

——

The mystery is unveiled, and soon Zelus’s character design will be updated to the next version~

Stay tuned, and everyone remember to cast your monthly votes to support me~