NOVEL WEB 030 – She, Who Harbors Inferiority Complex
"Isn't it odd that we're following the orcs? We're the ones letting you use our cattle, so shouldn't you be following us? We'll even fertilize the fields, harvest, and have our women cook for you. ...What's with that face? Can't handle it? Or is that pig-face supposed to be funny?"
These words came from the Torus tribe representative.
Driven from their homes by the werewolf tribe along with their livestock, they sought refuge and safety in the Sutin village. However, they expressed dissatisfaction with submitting to the orcs.
Katarina, unusually distant from Euphemia Grimwood and assisting Montego, had noticed from the beginning that the Torus tribe's attitude wasn't that of mere "fugitives." Somehow, the Torus representative believed they were in a superior position to the orcs.
Katarina couldn't fathom the reason for this, but it seemed that for the bovine people, the porcine people were naturally considered inferior.
"I don't quite get it, but did you guys run away because your homes were attacked? Or are you part of that 'Beastman Alliance' thing?" Montego, taking on the role of the orc representative, scratched his cheek leisurely, not getting angry at the Torus tribe's attitude, and spoke in a drawn-out tone.
"What are you even talking about? We didn't run away. And we can't deal with the likes of them. It's your turn. What are you going to do? Follow us, or face the consequences..."
He couldn't finish his sentence.
Suddenly, Junos, who had appeared unnoticed, punched the Torus tribesman.
With light footsteps almost like a dance, he swiftly closed the distance, and before anyone realized, his right fist had punched through the Torus tribesman.
Katarina could tell he was clearly holding back.
Recently, she had been training in combat with Kirina, under the guidance of Junos and the fox spirit1Kitsune = fox spirit, foxpeople capable of non basic magic Serena. The action of punching the Torus tribesman was much slower and lacked strength compared to when he sparred with Katarina.
If he had been serious, he would have incapacitated him.
As if to provide evidence, Junos straddled the knocked-out Torus tribesman and silently continued his assault. No longer using his fists, but instead, pushing with the palm of his hand. It didn't seem very powerful, but it made it abundantly clear that they were under 'attack.'
If the power gap was too large, one wouldn't even realize what was happening to them.
It was frustrating, but Katarina was experiencing just that. If Junos exerted a little more force, the current Katarina wouldn't be able to cope at all.
After about twelve punches, the Torus tribesman began to shout, "Stop!"
It was more like "Stobubegue!" in pronunciation, but Katarina had enough kindness to understand.
"Stop? Stop what exactly? Are you planning to attack this village? Or for me to attack you? Do you understand why you're being attacked?" Katarina said while Junos holding the neck of the Torus tribesman in midair.
"Have mercy! I was wrong! Stobubegue!"
"What should I have mercy on? What were you wrong about? Let me make it clear for you. 'Or is it more like it's your turn? We're asking what you're going to do...' Was it something like that?"
"What do you mean, 'forgive us'? Hey, what are we supposed to do? What do you want from us? If you don't make it clear, it's going to be difficult for us too. Maybe you mean something like, 'We're going to occupy this village, but please forgive us'? I don't know—while I'm saying this, I haven't been paying attention to the Torus tribe's representative at all."
Euphemia wasn't looking at the Torus tribe's representative.
She was looking at the remaining thirty-nine people and the herd of cattle they had brought. Despite the situation, the cows stood quietly in line.
"Sorry for being so presumptuous! Please help us! We're fine serving under you! We'll obey you!"
"Hmm? Well, I don't particularly care about hierarchy. And besides, even though your representative is being beaten up, no one's coming to help. Are you sure you're the representative? Are you trying to trick me?"
"Eh...?"
"Think about it. Why is everyone here looking like 'It's not my problem'? If your representative said or did something stupid, it would be their problem, wouldn't it? But all of them are just standing there with dumb expressions, mouths hanging open. When I see them like that, this is what I think: 'Even if we accept them and ask them to do something, they might just stand there with the same dumb expression and do nothing.' Do you understand what I'm saying? You there."
Suddenly, Euphemia pointed at one of the Torus tribe women.
"Apologize, and I'll forgive you. So, what'll it be?"
"Huh?"
"What's the matter, not interested in being forgiven? Hey Junos, looks like they've made up their minds. Quit fooling around—"
"S-Sorry! Please, forgive us... forgive us!"
Finally realizing the gravity of the situation, the Torus tribe woman turned pale, dropped to her knees, and uttered words of apology.
Euphemia—still with her hands on her hips and her chest puffed out—furrowed her brows in annoyance.
"No. That's not it. Not at all."
"Huh...?"
The Torus tribe woman's response carried a different implication from before. Even Katarina could clearly understand that.
Before was mere confusion, a lack of responsibility, as if it were someone else's problem.
Now, it was despair.
The emotions of someone who realized it was all too late.
While maintaining the same posture, Euphemia carefully observed the Torus tribe woman, then let out a grand sigh and continued.
"Apologize for having big breasts."
"...What?"
"Say 'I'm sorry for having big breasts.' And then I'll forgive you."
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
Everyone stood with mouths agape in confusion, all with the same question in their minds, "What?..."
The Torus tribe consists of bovine beastmen.
There's no need to explain further.
