The Proud Lineage

Hmm, what to do...

Hmm?

I just saw a weird man. He was saying something about how humans and beasts should coexist peacefully.

Humans and beasts...coexisting?

Hmm... What an interesting thought.

What's interesting about that? There's no way that will happen. Humans and beasts will never work together!

The beasts are our enemy! As long as a single beast exists I will keep fighting! These fists will continue their work!

Lokido, just calm down!

Tell me! Where is that man!

Wh-What the...

I asked you, where is he?!

I saw him around the gate to Miglance Castle.

He was doing his best to talk to everyone who passed through.

Okay! To the castle gate!

Aldo, let's go!

Sure. I'd like to see what's going on.

Hm? Is that the person?

Please, just think about it. Is war really the only option with the beasts?

To be sure, the beasts started this fight. But we are the ones who entered their territory and chased them out.

It is that mutual animosity that resulted in the castle burning. It is why the Beast King is dead.

But who has benefitted from this? Who profits from total war? There have been huge losses on both sides of this conflict.

So is this not the perfect time to try something new? We should work together with the beasts...

Don't be crazy!

Lokido?!

I refuse to believe that there is any way humans and beasts can live together!

Are you...a beast?

Oh, this is amazing! A beast living among the humans!

Silence! I hate the beasts!

And I can smell a beast from a mile off. It's a special stench. And you reek of it.

...What do you mean?

My nose doesn't lie! Show us your true face! Foul beast!

Damn it.

Aaaah!

A beast! A beast! Someone call the soldiers!

Lokido!

Come on, let's take care of this!

Gah! This wasn't suppose to happen...

Beast! Don't run from me!

He went to the Serena Coast! Lokido, let's follow him!

We've found you, filthy beast!

So, you managed to follow me. I was waiting for you.

What?! What are you planning?

Just what are you? You're a beast, but you live with the humans...

I'm not a beast! I just have your dirty blood mixed in my veins!

What?! You're half beast, half human? Th-That is incredible! You're living proof that the two can coexist!

Silence! The only thing I'm proof of is a terrible crime committed by a beast on a human!

I must destroy all beasts, for the sake of humanity! And that includes you!

Wait! Lokido!

Aldo, why?! Why are you protecting this beast?!

Even if he is a beast, he's making a lot of sense.

There must be a way for beasts and humans to coexist peacefully.

You agree with me? You're the first human to do that. I've been working so hard to create a world in which humans and beasts can coexist.

You think I'll believe that!

I see... So my efforts are in vain. Humans refuse to trust beasts, and my fellow beasts call me a traitor and chase me out.

Still, today has been a good day! I finally met someone that proves a coexistent world is still possible!

What nonsense. I will never believe a word a beast says!

How could I...

Lokido. I want to believe what he's saying. After all, he waited for us here. He certainly doesn't look like a liar.

Aldo! But I...

There he is!

So this is where you were, very sly.

Ugh, damn!

Guagh!

Hmph. A traitor like you should be brought before the court in the Beast King's Castle!

Stop!

And what are you? I have no use for humans. ...Out of my way!

Guh!

Come on, let's go!

Damn... Wait!

Are you okay, Aldo?!

Yeah, I'm fine...

I can't leave things like this. They called him a traitor, we have to save him!

Save? You want to go to the Beast King's Castle to save a beast?

Exactly.

......

Then I'll come with you. I need to know if that beast was being serious.

Okay... Then let's hurry to the Beast King's Castle!

Wait!

What's wrong?!

It's this way... I can smell that beast's scent.

Okay. Let's go, carefully!

Yes, I know.

At this rate you'll end up in jail, or worse. You need to forget this human nonsense. Promise us you will, and we'll forget this tomfoolery.

Hmph! I'd rather be in jail than forget my principles.

Foolish man. For all your efforts, what have you actually achieved? Have the beasts and humans stopped fighting?

Even so I can't give up. I'm sure that one day beasts and humans will live together. I have to believe in that future...

Silence!

Guagh!

Why can't you forget about it?! Is it that stupid human girl?!

Why... Why did you have to pick a human girl?! You knew this world would never accept such a bond.

......

As you say, we were in a situation that would be rejected by both humans and beasts. That's why I had to leave her...

And that is why you work so hard to change things?

Right. I-I had no other choice. There's nothing else I could do.

Keheheh... Mwahaha...!

What are you laughing at?!

Let me tell you something. The young human girl you befriended...

I killed her!

Wh-What?!

And what's more, that girl had a child. The child looked like a beast!

I-It can't be... That means?!

Is that true?!

Oho... You've done well to come so far. Were you worried for this old beast here?

I asked if what you just said was true!

Hmph... It's all true! That was your mother, wasn't it? After a little encouragement she fell right off that cliff!

So... You're the one who...

I will end your life with my bare hands! For my mother!

Hah! Revenge! Very well, I'll send you right back to your mother...in hell!

Here she comes!

Guh! I knew I should have finished you off when you were a child. But you looked so much like a beast... However... I won't be going down alone!

What?!

Guagh!

T-Traitor... I-I'll see you...in...

Nrgh...

Hey! Are you all right?

Ngh... So...you're...

You can't die here! There's still so much more you can do. Is this really how you want it to end?

Heh... Just now...you reminded me of her.

......

I'm...glad. I knew there was a reason...we met... ...Melinda...

......

Lokido...

I'm okay...

Aldo. Melinda was my mother's name.

I see...

I'm sorry, but I need a favor. This beast man needs a funeral. Will you help me?

Of course. But, where will you do it?

The Moonlight Forest.

...Here. I'll bury him here.

Okay.

...It's over.

Hey, Lokido... Does this place have some special meaning?

This is where my mother lays.

My mother used to say my father was a kind, loving man. Who loved her more than anything in the world.

I see...

I never believed her. There was no way that a human and a beast could have that kind of relationship. I thought it was a lie she told me to make me feel better about myself.

Now I know that beasts can feel, just like humans. They can love, hate, they can feel loss. My birth was made possible because they shared the same sentiments.

I was only able to find out the truth thanks to you, Aldo. You let me see beyond the hate.

Lokido...

I'm proud of what my father did. That's why I've decided to continue his work. The road to a world where humans and beasts coexist may be a long one, but I believe now that it is possible.

Aldo, you and your friends demonstrated acceptance by taking me in. I want to live in a world of acceptance.

I know you will bring us closer to that world.

I promise, here, on my father!

I shall do my part to create a new world using these two fists!