The garden is covered with colorful flowers all over. By the side, white columns and roofs, and white benches and tables can be seen. Three beastmen run under the clear sky, buried in the flowers. Two are silvery white, but one is brown. There was happiness there, and it seemed to last forever. But time keeps moving forward. Whether happy or unhappy, time has passed, and the three of them have grown up.



This was over twenty years ago, roughly. The time was still a little before Minerva ascended the throne as the Beast King. In recent times, the great nation of Dahms Ardan had fallen and the Dahmskale Empire had been founded there?　The world was full of talk about it.
The name of the king who ruled over the beast nation of Neitzart-Katalia at the time was Serion. She was Minerva's mother. And Serion, the Beast King, was of the white cat race.
Among the beastmen, the 'cat race' is an excellent race, although not the most extreme. In particular, the 'White Cat Race' is excellent and valuable. And if you look at the beast race as a whole, they are few in number.
So why are the White Cat Tribe so superior?　This is because the first Beast King of the Beast Kingdom was the White Cat Race.
　It is said that the first Beast King, who had the profession of "Cat Wizard", used his magical power that surpassed the physical abilities characteristic of beastmen to unite a large number of beastmen and build this country. Since then, the Beast Kingdom has been ruled by the White Cat Tribe for generations. And no one but the White Cat Tribe has ever been king. That is the Beast Kingdom. The profession of "Cat Wizard" is unique to the White Cat Tribe, and that is the breakdown of the White Cat Nation that will continue for a long time to come.
　At this time, the Beast Nation had reached a crossroads. However, the Beast King Serion was unaware of this.

''Serion-sama, I have received a document from the Durmscales Empire...''

An old man with fox ears on his head and a long white beard. He wears a robe of black with purple lines. His hips are bent and he is supporting himself with a staff in one hand.

'Fool!　Leave such people alone!

Seryon, the female king, sits on the throne in the hall of the king. At the same time, the Beast Kingdom was being pressured into an alliance with the newly born "self-proclaimed" empire - "Dahmskale". Serion was so irritated by the persistent solicitation that the mere mention of the Empire's name was enough to put him in a bad mood.

"Leave Uranos the Madman alone," he said, "the end of a traitor who has abandoned his own people is already written in stone. It won't be long before the Eightfold King will take care of it. This is not our business.

Serion, the Beast King, disregarded and ignored the recruitment of the empire that would later become a threat to this continent.

''More importantly, old man, what's wrong with Anna?　I don't see Anna?

Well Lady Anna is in her room, sir.

Again....

Serion hears the old man's words and holds his head in his hands.

''Huh ... so?''

'Yes. It means you're being abused on campus.

I don't need to go into details. This was not the first time that Anna had withdrawn to her room for this reason. She had been born with brown cat ears and was discriminated against by both the people and the royal court as unworthy of royalty. Even some of the maids who looked after her were discriminating against her. That's why it was natural and important for the royal family to be the White Cat Race. And among the royalty, there was no one else who was not of the White Cat Race, except for Anna. The Beast Country is a country ruled by the White Cat Tribe.

''So, have you finished the process?''

Yes, I've sentenced him to be expelled from the Beast Warrior School.

Okay.

But Serion himself doesn't think that will cure things. He has always done so. But as a result, things have happened again, and Anna has been discriminated against because of her appearance.

'We're sending someone else over now,'

To the right of the great hall, as seen from Serion, was the first princess, Minerva, and the third princess, Serena. Anna hit the second princess.
Just then, the great door of the hall opened wildly and a panicked looking maid entered without refusal.

''Beast King-sama!　The Beast King!

'What!　It would be impolite to enter the hall on the part of a maid!

Instead, an aide who doesn't empty his blame. But.........

Good, what's going on?

Serion allowed the maid to say that it was not just a matter of time, from the way she looked at him.

'Lady Anna!　Lady Anna is gone!

When I heard those words, Serion wasn't the only one. All of us in the hall understood that, for once, this was no ordinary occurrence. This had happened many times before. Each time, Anna had never been able to resist except by hiding in her room. But this time, Anna was gone.

'You may use all the guards!　You must find it!　I will find them and bring Anna here!

For once, even Serion, Queen of the Beast Nation, was in a hurry to get out of the country. However, an investigation revealed that Anna had fled the country. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Serion formed a search party and set her free. Thereafter, everyone in the country who had ever been involved with Anna was investigated, and anyone who had "potential" to be involved was ruthlessly expelled and removed from the country. The "potential" was those who had hunted Anna down.
　This was the Princess's disappearance. She is royalty, even if she is a brown cat tribe, which is not appropriate in the land of beasts. But since then, the months have passed.



Two years have passed since Anna's disappearance. The Beast Kingdom search party found Anna in an obscure forest near Radshausen. Anna is then taken back to the Beast Country. After returning to her beloved Oliver Joe, she was imprisoned in a dungeon for a while.
But in the Beast Kingdom, another problem is brewing. It was a story about Serena, the third princess of the Beast Kingdom. She has the same white cat ears and tail as the Beast King Serion and Minerva, and silver hair that flutters in the wind. Anna was discriminated against because she was of the brown cat race, but Minerva and Serena were both beautiful and magical enough to be recognized by all the people.
But there was a big difference between the two of them.

'Serena, what did you say?'

I am resigning my commission as princess. I don't follow the ideas of this country.

The Beast King is exasperated. And Serena, who doesn't change her expression and doesn't back down.

''Has Anna poisoned you?　Serena.

Next to her, her sister Minerva was biting her lip and watching the situation; the three sisters were very close, and apparently Serena had only confided in Minerva.

''I'm not poisoned. That has been my intention, from the beginning.

All the guards and officers lined up in the hall were stiffening their expressions.
Just then, the great doors of the hall opened and a message came in.

''What's the matter?''

Irritated, Serion turned his gaze to the messenger in an attempt to divert the topic.

'Ha!　Prince Arnold Radshausen is here to see you from the capital city of Radshausen at the main gate.

Beastmen do not respect humans. This is just a formality, and I'm sure that Denrei is also fed up with it in his heart. This is the relationship between beastmen and humans in this era. Humans look down on and discriminate against the beastmen. And the beastmen treated humans as a weak race of lowly creatures, and forbade them to have anything to do with them in the beast kingdom.

Turn them away and tell them, "Tell them to stay away from this country. "Tell them to turn him away and tell him to stay away from our country, for I am generous and did not take his life.　And you're going to shit all over it? "And tell them that.

Ha!

Then, he left the hall. Who is "life"?　-- it was Prince Arnold, the people of Rashausen, and, above all, Oliver Joe. Serion, the Beast King, knew that Anna had been in love with a human man, as she would have been. Normally, this would never be leaked to the outside world in the Land of Beasts. The princess of a country that forbids even contact with human beings would never be allowed to know that she was in love with a human. Nevertheless, the third princess Serena now says that she will flee the country and live in the town of Anor Feria, where beastmen and humans live without discrimination. Hence, the Beast King had his head in his hands. And the conversation returned from Anna to Serena.

''So?　Serena, what are you going to do when you leave the country and go to Anor Feria?

Living hand in hand with many species, on an equal footing. That is what we are meant to do.

That was Serena's will. A country that forbids contact with humans and sets penalties, and could easily be executed when conceived, such as a human child. Laws, ideas. In many things, Serena had given up on the beast country. There is no future in this country, that's what she thought.

''What if I told you I won't forgive you?''

The Beast King asked with a cold stare.

''I choose to die. I have no intention of living under the rule of the beastmen.''

You think it's good to be human?

'Not so, I say it's foolish to think that you're tied to the beastmen alone.

Stupid? .....

Serena was not afraid. Oh no, she said that the people of this country, including the Beast King, were stupid.

''You are ordered to be deported.''

"Your Majesty!

The entourage doubted the Beast King's words. That too. They brought Anna back, but deported Serena. The story is a mess. But the heart of the Beast King Serion was complex and simple. While he wished for his daughter's happiness and wanted each of them to live their lives the way he wanted them to, as a king, he couldn't violate the traditions that had been passed down to him. As a beast king, he must consider humans to be an inferior race and incompatible with each other to the extent that they are inferior. But Serion himself didn't have such deep thoughts. That's why he wanted to allow his daughters to live outside the Beast Country if they wanted to. To cut to the chase, the bottom line was that as long as Minerva, the first princess, was in this country, the blood of the royal family would never cease. And that was fine. And Minerva understood such a mother's thoughts.

''Mother, I........''

Don't ever let me see that side of you again, okay?　It's Serena....

　Those were the last words that the Beast King Serion had exchanged with his daughter Serena.
　While Serena left the country of her own volition, Anna ran away without telling her why. Of course, Serion knows the reason for Anna's desertion. But there is a big difference between the one who announces his or her will and is allowed to do so and the one who runs away. But I'm sure she had feelings not as the Beast King, but as a mother. When the time came, Serion would forgive Anna, and then Anna and Oliver would be reunited again. But for now, they needed time. Therefore, Serion acknowledged Serena's will.
　But as the Beast King, Serion couldn't afford not to eliminate those who defied the traditions of his country. In any case, this was something that would be known to the people in time. Then, as the Beast King, he would have to show them. What happens to those who disobey.
But deportation would be a light decision for the Beast King, if not for his mother, then for the Beast King. But Serion couldn't kill his daughter.
And Serena would then leave the country. Without saying goodbye to her sister Minerva and without saying goodbye to the imprisoned Anna, she left for Anor Feria.





o





　A few years had passed since her visit to Anor Feria, and Serena had become completely integrated into this town. Humans and beastmen, dwarves and elves, and demons all lived together in this town without separation. For the oppressed, it was a perfect place to live.
Then Serena walked through the marketplace located in the center of the town. All that could be seen there was a roof with multiple layers of cloth for proper rain protection. Underneath it, foodstuffs like fish, fruit, meat and milk were sold. Some of these foods are rare and can only be found here, and some of them are visited by travellers who understand many different tribes.

Serena, are you shopping for something today?

Then a certain shop owner spoke to Serena. Apparently he was close to Serena.

'Good morning, Aunt Trish,'

It's a beautiful day, isn't it?

Yesterday it was raining heavily. But today it is fine.

'Yes, now the laundry will be dry.

Selena good morning.

Then one of them looked behind the shopkeeper, his cheeks blushing with embarrassment.

'Good morning, Raven. What's the matter with you?　Why are your cheeks so red?

Oh, no, I mean...

Then Trish pats Raven on the back, telling her to get a grip.

This girl looks like she's in love with Serena, you know?

Hey, hey!　Mom!　It's not like that!

Serena chuckles at the sight of the father and son. There was a warm and friendly routine there.
Trish and Raven are human. But they do not discriminate against Serena, who is a beast. On the contrary, Raven seemed to like Serena.

''Hey, Serena?''

Hmm?

Then Raven, with a blush on her cheeks, calls out to her.

''Well it's a celebration party today, and, well, have you decided who you're going to dance with?''

The celebration is a dance party tonight in the nearby central square. It's not that extravagant. Residents bring their own food and ingredients, and it's a small party built by all the townspeople. The party is held to celebrate the past and future prosperity of the town, and ends with a big dance around a large central fire in the square.
This feast is especially important in a town where events and celebrations abound. The final dance is an event for each person to declare their intentions to their loved ones.

Dance?　No, I don't have a partner, and besides, I wasn't going to join you today...

Serena spoke with a little slurred speech.

　If I had to describe Serena in one word, she is an immensely beautiful woman. When the wind swept her silver hair, all the men around her turned to look at her. And they are enchanted by her dainty figure. It is impossible to believe that no one has ever asked her to dance. Then why is there no one to dance with?　Serena is too beautiful to be approached, and the men of the town have become distant because of it. That's why the young men in town can't talk to Serena, even if they wanted to. Partly because of Serena's own shyness, the only people who could talk to Serena were aunts and old people like this Trish. In other words, Raven is lucky. She should be grateful to her mother.
Then Raven's expression changed when she realized that Serena had no one to party with, and she was ready to go.

'Well!　If you'd like, you can dance with me tonight!

Suddenly, Raven's voice is strange in volume. But he was single-minded.

''Eh.........''

Serena is confused by the sudden offer. No one has confessed to her since Serena's visit to this town. It might be an exaggeration to call it a confession, but it was so important to Raven that everyone was staring at Raven and Serena at the situation.

''Well ... if it's okay with me, please...''

At that moment, Raven's expression turned from embarrassment and happiness to a disgusting object. And the men who happened to be in the vicinity let out a loud sigh.

''Really?!''

Yeah, yeah...

Then he suddenly took Serena's hand in both of his and looked into her eyes, "Thank you! Raven replies in an exaggerated manner.

'You!　What are you doing?　Serena, you must be surprised!

But Trish doesn't empty it, she stops him.

'What? ...Oh!　I mean, I'm sorry!

Then, Raven immediately lets go of her hand and a blush spreads across her cheeks. Scratching her head in embarrassment, she was lightly berated by her mother for being "polite to women" and all that. Serena smiled at the situation and looked at Raven's face.
But for some reason, just like Raven, Serena's cheeks were also red. Is it because Raven suddenly grabbed her hand?　This was because Serena herself didn't seem to feel bad about it.
On the contrary....



　This is how Raven and Serena met. The meeting was an ordinary one. But no one could blame them for their meeting. Even the Beast King would not be able to deny it. This is the life that Serena wanted and loved.....
But on that day, Serena had a reason why she couldn't go to the night party. That's because on this night, her sister Minerva from the Beast Country was supposed to come to see Serena just in time.
　A princess from the Beast Country was visiting this town unintentionally, and Serena and the princess were having a friendly conversation. To put it bluntly, if someone were to see them like that, it would affect the existence of the Beast Country later on. That's why Serena chose this day several times a year when the popularity (humanity) is concentrated in the center of the town.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you have to be able to get your hands on a new one. .....

Then Serena spoke to her with an anxious look on her face. Then Raven turned around at the voice, and as soon as she saw Serena's expression, she looked just as anxious as Serena did.

''D-Does, what's wrong?''

So, you know, I'm having a soiree, and I was wondering if I can stay a little later?

Then Raven pats her heart out and says, "Oh my God, that's not good enough.

'Oh, yeah, of course!　Come along slowly, I'll be waiting for you.

Yes, thank you.

They smiled at each other, and though it should have been embarrassing to do so, they looked into each other's eyes.



　As the sun went down and the sky was shrouded in darkness, a light melody and the joyful chatter of the townspeople could be heard from the center of the town. There was currently a celebratory evening party going on in Anor Feria. But there was no sign of Serena there. Now, in the shadow of a large tree at the side of the town, Serena and Minerva were having their first "secret" meeting in a long time, meeting once a month by the tree.

It's a noisy town, isn't it?

It's a gala dinner.

Serena said that for some reason it was hard to answer. Then Minerva looked at Serena's expression and smiled softly. Apparently, she noticed Serena's change of heart.

''Celebration night party, Serena isn't going?

I'm....

You're keeping me waiting?

'What? .....

Surprised by Minerva's words, Serena looked at Minerva's face in surprise. Then she smiled at Serena. That smile invites Serena, and when she does, she lets out an embarrassed smile.

''After all, I can't fool you.......in front of your sister....

You got a girlfriend?

'You're not my boyfriend!　Oh no...

Serena panicked, flinching at her sister's sharp pursuit. Then a funny silence arose and both of them waited for each other's next words.

'You've changed, haven't you?　Serena.

Minerva suddenly starts to say that as if she was staring somewhere far away.
Indeed, Serena has changed. She no longer has the tone of a princess, and there was Serena as a townspeople. She's no longer a mere beastman. Serena didn't know what to say to those words.

''Anna, how are you doing?''

'Yeah, I'm still not allowed out of the castle, but I'm still fine. It's just that....

'Only? .....

Anna seems to have left someone out in the open. Serena is free, so grab it. Make her happy--

Serena felt uncomfortable with that tone of Minerva's voice. It's such an uncomfortable feeling, as if Minerva also wants to be free.

''Sis, could it be that........''

What if Minerva doesn't want to be the Beast King?　Don't you want to be as free as you are?　Serena was thinking about that.

'No--'

But Minerva denied it before Serena could guess.

'I will be the Beast King. That is my role and my life. I cannot abandon my people.'

Sis....

Don't worry. I originally wanted to be king. As the King of Beasts, I will destroy this old custom and create a country where all the different species can live together. Then I would create a country where all the different species could live hand in hand. Then Serena would be able to come back and Anna wouldn't feel so lonely. Just wait until then.

...Yeah, I'm sorry.

Serena's face fell as she said this, and Minerva stroked her sister's head.
That was Minerva's thought and wish. Minerva was trying to create a new country for these two, Serena and Anna, who were not accustomed to the beast country, and for herself, although she didn't know when it would be. Of course, some of them would not want to coexist with humans. But Minerva believed that one day they would all join hands and understand each other.

'Come on, go. You're keeping me waiting, aren't you?

Yes.

Serena nodded at Minerva, who smiled at her. Minerva loved her sisters, and Serena adored her sister. Although they weren't here, the three of them, including Anna, had a heart for each other and for each other. That was why Minerva smiled as she watched her sister Serena's back with love and prayers as she headed off to the celebration party.



Raven greeted Serena with a smile as she arrived late. She was just glad that she had come.
Raven, who was new to women, held out her hand to Serena when she did. Serena reached out without hesitation, and Raven took her hand. She joins the other townspeople, leans forward, and the two dance in front of the fire. For once, everyone forgave Raven, and even the men smiled thinly. That's the kind of town this town is. And that's the kind of person Raven is. He is well-liked by both beastmen and demons, and no one knows him for the fact that he doesn't talk much.

''Serena........''

Hmm?

The two of them dance slowly to a slow song. Then Raven cuts in.

'I want you to be my ... lover.

Raven's confession was a simple one. But for the reticent Raven, this was the one who tried his best and the best he could do. Then Raven takes out a necklace of glowing blue stones from her pocket.

'Here, I want you to take this.

This is...

The Crystals of Anor, I just happened to find it and made a necklace out of it. I hope you'll accept this.

A large tree that can be seen outside of town. It's the tree that Serena was meeting with her sister just now. That large tree is called the "Light of Anor" and it produces a special type of ore in rare cases. This is a pendant made from that ore. Raven has had it for Serena for a long time.
Then she put her arm around her neck and Raven put the necklace on Serena. Serena didn't refuse, but leaned forward.

'I ... I'm going to be Raven's lover.

It's too easy an answer. It's not like he's a young man in the middle of his youth but even Serena didn't know how to answer that question. Serena only knew life as a princess. This was the best way for her to answer, too.

　And the two of them were then tied together. It wasn't a long road to get there. Serena introduced her sister and introduced Raven to Minerva. When she found out that Serena was a former princess of the Beast Country, Raven was a little confused, but she jokingly showed her that it was a reasonably beautiful translation. Then the two of them were full of love and Minerva laughed happily at that. That was a first for Minerva as well. After all, it had been a long time since she had seen such an expression on Serena's face, and if she remembers, it was the first time since she was a child.

　After that, they built a house in Anor Feria and became known as the most loving couple in town. Minerva would occasionally visit them at home, and they were able to build a good relationship with Raven.
Then one day, Serena and Raven had a child together. He was half beast and half human, but he was a white cat tribe with white cat ears and tail, much like Serena.

''Nem-chan, it's time to eat~''

Raven dotes on her daughter, while Serena smiles at her side. The daughter born to Raven, a human, and Serena, a princess of the white cat tribe, by a rare chance.

-- that was Nem.





o





　It's been a few years since Nem was born, and he's grown up enough to stand and speak. The growth of a beastman is not so different from that of a human, but their life span is very different.
And this is Anor Feria's own home, where Nem and the three other parents and children live. Serena hangs out the laundry and Raven helps with it. And by the side of them, Nem and Minerva are facing each other while keeping a moderate distance from each other. Minerva's expression was serious, and Nem's expression showed anxiety.

'Nem, listen with your heart.

Minerva looks at Nem with serious eyes.

'I'm going to practice on Nem now.

'Is Mimi ... bullying Nem?

Then Nem starts to say such things with an anxious look on his face. Nem was a coward.
Mimi is a nickname. It's Minerva, so Mimi. But it's a name only Nem would call it.

"We don't tease, we train.

Then Nem looks at Serena and Raven with anxious eyes.

'Mother!　Father!　Mimi is messing with Nem!

No, Nem?　Minerva says she's going to teach Nem 'Cat Fist' to me. For the future, make sure you're taught well.

Then Raven urged him to take the training seriously. Then Serena, who was next to her, added a word.

'Okay, Nem?　Neitzart Oblivious Katharlia, the founder of the White Cat tribe, wrote: "Return the kindness of your kindness, and the love of your life to the person who saved it. That's why the white cat tribe needs the power to protect their loved ones. Nekofen is a secret secret secret of the cat tribe, which is necessary for those who were born into the cat tribe.　

But Serena is not so much concerned about the "cat people" part. But the Nekofen is useful enough to defend yourself. The bottom line is that you should learn the art of self-defense.
At that moment, Nem's eyes changed.

'I understand!　Nem is for that time when you meet your future master!　You must learn the cat fist!

For some reason, Nem is sensitive to the word "master," and for some reason, despite the fact that he is a white cat, he longed to be a "master" for some reason. But it was only for a short period of time. The young Nem, at the time, often spoke of the word "master". Perhaps he was influenced by a picture book or something. It was a trivial matter.

'Yes, Nem, cat fists are important to the white cat tribe.

Minerva re-partitions.

''In particular, I don't know what kind of chance I had, but Nem is a 'cat wizard' just like Oblivious-sama. It is said that a person with power comes with a certain amount of responsibility. Therefore, this time, I'm going to teach Nem the basic form [Cat Wind Fury (Cat Food)] and the intermediate form [Seven Colored Cat Fist (Miracle Cat)] to him. Nem, learn them by heart!

Minerva puts on a teacher's face. But Minerva was that happy too. The first time she saw baby Nem for the first time, Minerva was even in tears at the sight of him. Such a Nem has now grown up to the point where he can learn the cat fist. To Minerva, it was a very emotional moment. And Nem had a fondness for Minerva. She called Minerva, the next king of the Beast Kingdom, "Mimi" and Minerva loved her too. It's not an exaggeration to say that the current Minerva almost always comes to see Nem.

Then Nem, this is the basic stance!

Yes, sir!

Afterwards, Nem learns the Nekokun through "gentle" training, which is not too strict. Minerva was the type to spoil him out of love.
　After that, Minerva often visited Nem to see him. This may be one of the reasons why, after a few times of training, she learns two Nekokens. Nem lives a happy life, loved by his parents and then by Minerva.

　However, that life was not to last for long. The Durmscales Empire had been sending documents to the Beast Nation for a long time. When they appeared in the Beast Kingdom, everything changed.