206: That’s the thing, right? You grow because you’re determined.

In Goldendown, there’s a massive church.

Azul, Craft’s childhood friend and a beastman, was appointed as the first-ever beastman priest in the church’s history and ran it for a while as its head. Now, however, a high priest has been sent from the church itself, and Azul operates as a regular priest.

The Lumiscent faith, the state religion of the Maugaria Kingdom, worships the goddess Lumiscent.

While the Lumiscent faith officially rejected discrimination against half-beasts, it hesitated to act on dismantling it—due to pressure from entrenched factions still clinging to such prejudice.

And then there was a fox beastman who bore the mark of a priest. Naturally, that was Azul.

Churches have plenty of priests as a profession, but few bear the priest’s mark. A beastman with the priest’s seal—now that’s Azul. That alone’s a powerful counter to beastman prejudice.

Proper training. A disciplined life. And participation in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony—any beastman can earn the mark just like a human. No difference there. That’s what I tell the faithful. Spread that idea, and it becomes common sense.

That’s why, in Kyle’s new frontier, Goldendown, coexistence isn’t just happening—it’s thriving, way beyond anything before.

In the very church the Ruinscent faith had dreamed of, Azul was busy today.

Since the news broke that the Empire was advancing, people haven’t stopped worrying.

"It's fine. Lord Kyle may be young, but he's exceptionally capable."

Azul, the priest, gently touched the elderly woman's shoulder as she voiced her worries at the church.

"Of course I know Lord Kyle is capable, priestess. But this time it's war, isn't it? I understand he's skilled with settlement and politics, but leading troops—well, he's still so young... I don't know if he can manage."

Most of the villagers who came to the church had the same fear. Nearly every question boiled down to this.

"Ha. It's fine. Remember—how many times have we faced swarms of monsters from Goldendown? Even when the stampedes were bigger than usual, Lord Kyle never let a single villager die."

The old woman's eyes widened.

"Yeah... that's right... Even when the city walls weren’t finished, Lord Kyle protected us."

"Yes. That’s not all. The king has already decided to send the royal army. King Vaindeck is said to be especially brave among all the past kings. If his knights are coming, there’s nothing to worry about."

"That’s true. Lord Kyle’s favored by the king, after all. No reason to be worried."

"Yes."

And so, Azur continued to soothe the villagers’ grievances every day.

On the surface, it seems small. But from the standpoint of civilian control, it’s vital—quelling the kind of resentment toward the military that could easily lead to outright rejection of military action, born from fear. It’s a big deal.

Of course, Azuur wasn’t acting with any grand plan—she just wanted to save people, plain and simple. But in the end, her actions had become crucial for the Elxir Domain.

As for the orphans under her charge, they were all doing well.

More immigrants meant more orphans, sure—but the center of it all was still the Kendall siblings.

When they found out another country was coming to attack, they were furious.

"Attacking Golden Dune while Azu-sister’s there? No way we’re letting that slide!"

The shout came from a wolf beastman—the eldest of the four Kendall siblings, Ed Kendall. They called themselves the Kendall Adventurers.

The four weren’t blood-related to begin with, but Kyle had given them the surname Kendall, and now they were honorary siblings.

The one to pipe up is Kai Kendall, the red panda beastman.

"Du Battan Empire, Ed."

"I know that already! Kai!"

"Really? You're always so sloppy."

"Shikka..."

It's Shikka Kendall, the rabbit beastman, complaining at Ed. This part's become a routine by now.

Next comes Wamika Kendall, the cat beastman. Her voice is naturally sleepy.

"Learned other countries' names in class... but I can't remember much..."

"Yeah, yeah! Wamika!"

"Kai, you're basically admitting you don't remember..."

"Wha—?!"

"Ed's just dumb, honestly."

"I do remember! Anyway, let's train hard to take down the Ibattera Empire!"

"Wait, we're not going to a battlefield, are we?"

"Ed, it's the Du Battan Empire, remember?"

"Both of you shut up! I know we won’t lose—Raidock’s brother’s here, after all. But still, maybe one or two enemies could make it to the church!?!"

Ed looked up at Raidock with starry eyes. He was biased, plain and simple.

Saika tilted her head slightly at that.

"Can’t even imagine anyone who could pierce Solar’s bow…."

Unlike Ed, Saika admired Solar deeply. Even discounting her bias, she couldn’t picture the bow goddess missing a single target.

Kai nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. I can’t imagine Wise-man’s Eva letting enemies get this far…"

To Kai, Eva burning every enemy to ash was easy to picture. Losing? That wasn’t even a thought.

Finally, Wamika, who looked up to Marilyn, added slowly, relaxed.

"Complacency? That's the real enemy. Goldendoon's huge, after all."

Marilyn, being the high priest's banner-bearer, didn't really seem like someone who'd jump into battle—so her calm words stood out all the more.

"Exactly right! Complacency is bad! That's why we train!"

"True. Let's do our best in class."

Right. Until the imperial army arrives, the academy runs just like usual.

◆

"Good morning! Maina! Faydral! Persia’s older sister!"

Kendall siblings arrived at the academy, and immediately called out to their friends.

It was Maina, Kyle’s twin sister, who answered Ed.

Back when they’d first arrived in the frontier, she’d been shy and always hid behind Kyle or Craft—but now she was fearless.

Maybe it was the backlash from that past, but she’d become wildly curious, far from the quiet girl she’d once been.

"Uh, morning."

Persia, standing behind Maina, returned the greeting with a light nod and a smile.

That was all. She was only here as an escort.

Next to reply was Faydral, the grandson of the Seal Officer.

He’d only been in this territory a short while, so he’d hardly experienced anything as big as a stampede.

“Ed… why the hell are you so cheerful?”

Faydral shook his head, looking worn out.

“The Empire’s about to attack! Don’t you feel any tension at all!?”

“Of course I do! You’re the one overthinking it all, aren’t you!?”

“W-what!?! This is war! What the hell can kids like us even do!?”

A retort for a retort.

Faydral snapped back, voice rising automatically.

“Hey. Listen. I’ve been thinking. Since we’re all here, how about we do this together—Faydral, Maina… all of us?”

Ed huffed sharply, launching into his usual argument, talking about how they should train together now that they were all here.

Kyle sighed, glancing sideways at the scene.

“Faydral’s fine, but Maina? Physically, socially… that’s pushing it.”

Saiya gave Ed a half-lidded look.

“Relax. Persia hasn’t said a thing. And really, Faydral’s right—we can’t do anything.”

“True enough.”

Persia, Maina’s guard, was watching with a fond, almost amused expression.

Maybe she thought this was part of her advice to Maina—just a little more exercise.

Besides, guards weren’t allowed to interfere in academy classes. Unless something was clearly dangerous, they stayed out of it entirely.

Ed’s fiery speech had caught on. Maina and Faydral were breathing hard too.

Seemed like Ed’s fire had rubbed off on them.

“Then it’s gym class with adventurers coming to train us!”

“Ooh!”

“If Maina-chan’s gonna push herself, then so will I!”

And with that, the oddly motivated Kendall Adventurers and their sub-members—(and Ed, who’d just decided that for them)—began their chaotic training session.

“Stop it, Persia….”

Ed glanced sideways at the warm, useless knight who was just watching, then let out a deep sigh.

Can’t help it, he’s useless, you know.

Went with that title and worried about it