Tradition, by its nature, tends to change as time passes. However, its ‘origin’ remains unchanged. For example, there’s ‘wrestling.’ Originally, wrestling was a martial art designed against soldiers in thick iron armor in ancient times to somehow kill each other.
They would overthrow their opponents, stab them in the gaps of the iron armor, or even make use of deadly techniques like Muay Thai. Over time, it evolved into a sport. Martial arts designed to kill people transformed into sports as eras changed and civilization advanced, as long as they are not used by the military.
Of course, that’s a story from my previous life, and this was a medieval era. In a place where war may break out anytime, it will take more time for martial arts to evolve into sports. However, traditions like the sacred duel must somehow evolve into sports. Otherwise, as in the recent Chieftain incident, the foundation of the nation could be shaken.
That’s precisely the transformation of tradition into sports.
“…Do you really think that will work? Changing the sacred duel into an annual competition?”
Leona responded with a somewhat bewildered expression to my proposal. Her face clearly showed her disbelief.
In fact, her reaction wasn’t entirely surprising. The sacred duel was not just a simple tradition, it was a sacred contest that brought the tribes together as one. The idea of changing such a tradition into a simple competition could appear to dilute its meaning.
“It might sound a bit strange, but honestly, it could be a good idea. Not holding it once a year but every 3 to 4 years wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Sorry, but what’s the convincing part? Did I not explain about the sacred duel? It’s not just a simple duel. It’s a sacred duel watched directly by the Goddess of Nature, Lady Harte. It’s a match where you stake everything on the line.”
“Didn’t you say earlier that you didn’t like that aspect of the sacred duel? The previous chieftain also lost his life because of that.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Leona, still struggling with what she couldn’t quite grasp, narrowed her brows while contemplating. At the same time, she mumbled around the steak in her mouth.
In truth, her reaction was normal, as I was a reincarnator who had crossed over from Earth to this world. And Earth’s civilization was far more advanced and developed than this world.
Even what seemed simple to me would inevitably appear different to them. Changing people’s minds is difficult enough, let alone changing the traditions that form the foundation of a nation.
But the world is changing rapidly, and stagnant water must flow. Otherwise, it will rot.
“From the start, trying to change tradition itself will face a lot of resistance and clashes. If that’s the case, it might be better to go in a direction that spills less blood. The sacred duel is watched by the Goddess Harte herself, right? Make a new format of competition centered around the sacred duel. Recruit candidates who meet certain criteria, and the winner can spread their opinions widely. Do you get the rough idea?”
“Um… so that means we can take away all the opponent’s authority?”
“That’s definitely something we should exclude. You’re not just a bunch of tribes anymore, but a nation, a country. You can’t live barbarically forever, right?”
“Sigh… It’s too difficult…”
Leona groaned while clutching her head. It seems like she’s experiencing a headache from trying to absorb a lot of knowledge at once. Worried that I might have explained things too complicatedly, I turned my head to look at Marie.
To my surprise, she was staring at me with a curious expression. Her bright blue eyes were filled with amazement and curiosity. I opened my mouth with a slightly perplexed feeling.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s fascinating. Isaac knows so much.”
She didn’t hide the look of wonder in her eyes. It almost seemed like there was a subtle hint of suspicion. Perhaps deep down, she actually believed that I might be a time traveler.
Considering the pranks she occasionally played on me, it wasn’t such a strange thought. I gave Marie a wry smile in response to her gaze filled with suspicion and curiosity, then turned my attention back to Leona. She seemed to be lost in deep thought, her face contorted with contemplation.
Several minutes passed like this. Leona removed her hands from her head and looked at me before asking.
“…Holding the sacred duel in a tournament format is a good idea. And for an adequate preparation period, it’s better to have a gap of 3 to 4 years as you suggested.”
It seemed like she was truly determined because Leona echoed my words exactly. There was a sense of deep commitment gleaming within her golden eyes, like a fierce resolve had settled in.
Then she looked straight at me and said about one issue.
“But if that happens, the winner of the sacred duel will be predetermined. It would likely be one of the naturally strong clans, nobles, or elites, right? In that case, it seems meaningless, doesn’t it?”
“Will it really be like that?”
“With what confidence?”
“Just by looking at my father, you can tell.”
“Hehe.”
As I replied absentmindedly, I heard Marie chuckling beside me. Leona was blinking her eyes with a perplexed expression. Well, that’s because my father, despite being human, possesses unmatched strength in the world.
He was renowned as the Red Lion within the military and continues to be to this day. Even though humans are the weakest among all the races, he confidently stands among the strong. In this way, innate limitations can be overcome with talent and effort.
“You’re right, those three groups are likely strong contenders for victory. But there are no eternal champions in this world. Unexpected winners can always emerge.”
The reason people get excited about the Olympics or the World Cup is precisely because of unexpected variables. Countries perceived as strong are often defeated by smaller nations, especially when they become complacent.
“Even if you have to resort to unfair means, it’s fine. As long as Lady Hart is watching and is lenient, we can slip in the origin of the sacred duel subtly.”
“Is it okay to use poison or tricks?”
“Ah, we should exclude such things. At the beginning, even if there are many deficiencies, the essence of the tradition of the sacred duel can be maintained, and that’s where the significance lies.”
“It seems okay, but… I still don’t fully understand.”
Leona, still not grasping the situation, clenched her fist, showing a confused reaction. However, unlike before, it seems she doesn’t completely fail to understand.
Then, she closed her eyes, deep in thought, and spoke with a hesitant tone.
“Certainly, it would be great if things proceed as you say. But the sacred duel is requested when one has been insulted or accumulated grievances against someone else. The current chieftain also had a reason to receive a request for the sacred duel. It’s true that the Goddess Hart is watching over it, but if it happens that way, the voice that individuals can express to each other disappears. Is there a way to resolve this?”
“In such cases, it should be brought to a ‘trial’ rather than resolved individually. Resorting to violence is something that only savages do. Don’t you have chieftains with authority similar to a lord among you? In the future, you can request a trial from that chieftain. And if, even then, they fight? Send them straight to prison.”
“What if there’s dissatisfaction with politics?”
“That’s when you use the sacred duel. But instead of individual dissatisfaction, it’s about a group having grievances, and a representative from that group raising their voice. In other words, the representative of the group doesn’t necessarily have to be physically strong.”
An individual’s voice is weak, but when individuals gather and form a group, their voice becomes much stronger.
There are no policies in the world that satisfy the entire population. If someone is happy, it means that someone else is working tirelessly in the background.
“Leona.”
Leona and I made eye contact as I called her name in a serious tone. I gazed at her face for a moment before conveying an important point.
“Animers is not just a nation, it’s the ‘civilization’ founded by Hick. If everything is resolved through force, that civilization is bound to fracture eventually.”
“…”
“Just because it’s a noble tradition passed down from the past, can you simply let it be? Fate is predetermined from that moment onward. You must make clear changes.”
Suppressing one’s instincts was challenging for a beastman, but if you’ve established a civilization, it’s essential to do so. After all, Leona overcame the prejudice that beastmen are uneducated and confidently enrolled in the academy. By making one change at a time like this, things will eventually improve.
“And changing a civilization requires wisdom, not just strength. Throughout history, it was wise kings, not powerful ones, who led their nations to greatness. Conversely, kingdoms ruled by tyrants fared worse. Similarly, the representatives of the groups I mentioned earlier should be wiser rather than relying on force.”
“It’s not easy for a beastman to be wise, is it? Your advice is hard to come by.”
Leona responded with a bitter smile upon hearing my words. Indeed, beastmen had relied on strength to solve problems until now, so there might be some resistance to change.
“Anyway, I understand your point. Let’s start by changing the format of the sacred duel competition to a tournament, and prohibit individual challenges. However, if there are objections, they can form groups and participate together. Does that sound good? Since Goddess Hart is watching, it’s better to consider the words of the winner, right?”
“That’s the idea. But it might be best to refrain from using it for political purposes. The meaning of the sacred duel could become diluted.”
“No, it’s better to use it politically instead. They attended to show their grievances, what else is this if not politics? It’s okay if it conveys the meaning of raising voices without distinction of age, gender, and nationality. Whether they will accept this is the question“
“…Ugh.”
Even with good intentions, it’s all in vain if they don’t accept it from above. Leona sighed in frustration, wondering if she knew about that part. But there’s a simpler way than you might think, a common trait among those in power regardless of their race.
Their pride was as strong as ever, especially in this era where honor is crucial. So, gently touching their pride should do the trick.
“What if we just delicately poke at their pride? ‘Are you scared or something’, wouldn’t they be offended and agree to your opinion?”
“Oh! That sounds reasonable. Even though I may seem reserved, I’m confident in speaking. I’ve never lost in a verbal battle before.”
Leona perked up and spoke with a bright expression, despite being a princess of a nation, she had a rather rough way of speaking. I felt like we were on the right track. After taking a bite of the almost cold soup, I began to speak.
“Does that work then? I explained it a bit complicatedly, but if we break it down slowly, it should be fine. Just be prepared for hardships and challenges. It won’t be easy.”
“Well, I’m grateful anyway. If things work out later, I’ll definitely reward you.”
“I’ll be looking forward to that. Can you give me a rough idea of what the reward might be?”
“Hmm…”
Leona seemed to think deeply, poking at her steak and looking up as if it were no big deal. Then, she opened her mouth.
“If it happens as you say, it means the entire Animus will change… I will become your wife?”
“Cough!”
“Cough! Cough!”
Me, and even Marie, couldn’t help but cough suddenly. The idea of suddenly becoming my wife was such an absurd statement.
However, Leona seemed unfazed by it and asked with a puzzled expression.
“Why are you so surprised? It’s just that there are no other men around, so it has to be me, right? If there were another woman, it would have been her, not me.”
“Cough. No. No. It’s not that… Can you really become someone’s wife so easily?”
This question wasn’t from me, but from Marie. I was still coughing due to Leona’s words.
Leona blinked her eyes, pondered Marie’s question, and then nodded, saying.
“Yeah, in the beastmen culture, when someone makes a ‘commitment,’ they often offer their own child. You humans do something similar, right? Throughout history, there have been many instances of offering one’s own child as a commitment, haven’t there?”
“… …”
“… No?”
It was a moment when I realized the cultural differences between our races.
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