An Extra’s Rise in an Eroge

Chapter 214: Beastkins

After witnessing Arthur's overwhelming prowess in battle, Raoul made a swift decision.

He stepped forward, removed his bloodstained helmet, and saluted Arthur with a fist over his chest.

"Young Master Arthur," he said firmly, "it is only right that you lead us from here. Your strength and instincts far surpass mine. I will act only as a guide while you command the knights."

The knights behind him—battle-worn, but now filled with newfound respect—nodded in silent agreement.

Arthur, sitting atop his horse with Alicia in front of him, raised a brow. "Hmm? Handing over your authority so easily, Captain Raoul? Aren't knights usually prideful about their chain of command?"

Raoul let out a short chuckle. "Pride has its place, but so does survival. I'd be a fool to let my ego get in the way when there's someone more capable of leading us through this death trap."

Arthur smirked. "Smart man."

And so, with Arthur now in command, their journey deeper into Heartwood Forest continued.

The dense canopy above thickened, shrouding the group in shifting shadows. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and beastly musk, a clear sign that they were venturing into more dangerous territories.

With Arthur in charge, the efficiency of their formation changed drastically.

The knights focused on cutting down the lesser beasts—stray direwolves, venomous serpents, and rabid boars mutated by demonic energy.

Arthur personally handled the stronger ones—monstrous wyverns swooping down from the treetops, armored goliath lizards lunging from caves, and even a berserk, two-headed troll that had shrugged off a dozen sword strikes before Arthur cleaved it in half.

Cedric, still mounted, grumbled under his breath every time Arthur made it look effortless. "Monsters, huh? The real monster here is this guy..."

Alicia, sitting comfortably in Arthur's arms, giggled. "Oh, Cedric, don't be jealous~. Not everyone can be as incredible as Arthur."

Cedric clicked his tongue and looked away. "Tch. Just wait. One day, I'll have my moment."

And then—

A figure suddenly dropped down from the trees ahead, blocking their path.

A hulking beastkin warrior stood before them. He was tall, muscular, and covered in coarse, dark fur, resembling a black panther in human form. His ears twitched, and his golden slit pupils observed them with sharp intelligence.

His clawed hand rested on the hilt of a curved blade, and his presence alone was enough to make the knights instinctively tighten their grips on their weapons.

"Halt," the beastkin growled, his deep voice carrying authority. "From here onward, this land belongs to the Beastkin Tribes. Outsiders are not welcome."

Raoul tensed, ready to step forward—

But Cedric held up a hand.

"Wait."

Reaching into his coat, Cedric pulled out a small, intricate token. It was carved from dark iron, bearing the emblem of a snarling wolf with gleaming ruby eyes—the insignia of the Wolf Tribe Chief.

He raised it confidently. "I am Cedric Raven. I am the guest of wolf tribe. Do you still intend to stop us?"

The reaction was instantaneous.

The beastkin's entire demeanor shifted.

His ears perked up, his eyes widened in shock, and his stiff posture immediately softened.

"That token...! You are an ally of the Wolf Tribe?" His voice now held deep respect. He stepped forward, lowering his head slightly in deference. "I had no idea we were in the presence of an honored guest."

The knights behind Arthur and Cedric exchanged confused glances, clearly not expecting the sudden change in tone.

Arthur smirked, leaning slightly against Alicia. "Judging by your reaction, that token must hold some serious weight."

The beastkin nodded without hesitation. "Of course. That token is not just a mere symbol. It belongs to none other than the Chief of the Wolf Tribe—one of the eight beast clans that rule the beaskingdom."

Cedric, hearing those words, puffed out his chest in pride, flashing a cocky grin. "Well, of course! I am close to the daughter of wolf tribe chief.."

Arthur, seeing Cedric's smug expression, chuckled under his breath. "Oh? Close, huh? You sure about that? Seems like she barely tolerates you most of the time."

Cedric snapped his head toward Arthur, scowling. "Shut up! This is my moment!"

The beastkin warrior cleared his throat, forcing himself to ignore their antics.

"I shall personally guide you from here to avoid any unnecessary conflicts with the other tribes. Please, follow me."

And with that, their journey through the Beastkin Territories truly began.

Their guide, Ragnar, a tall and imposing panther beastkin with sleek black fur and piercing golden eyes, led them deeper into the heart of the Beastkin Territories.

As they moved through the forest, Arthur, Alicia, and Cedric couldn't help but notice the watchful gazes following their every step.

From the thick canopy above, feline beastkin perched on branches, their tails flicking curiously. From behind the dense undergrowth, canine and bear-like beastkin peered at them, their snouts twitching as they sniffed the air. Some whispered among themselves, others grunted in confusion.

It was clear that humans rarely walked these lands.

Arthur remained relaxed, casually observing the strange mix of reactions around them. Some beastkin had hostile glares, others were merely curious, and a few—mostly the younger ones—looked at Alicia with awe, captivated by her beauty.

Alicia, noticing the attention, smiled softly but stayed close to Arthur.

As they walked further in, the forest became less wild, replaced by organized clearings and structured pathways.

Unlike human cities with stone and brick, the beastkin dwellings were built entirely from natural materials—wood, plant fibers, hardened clay, and leather.

Some homes were carved into massive tree trunks, their entrances covered by thick pelts.

Others were woven from vines and wood, creating dome-like shelters that blended seamlessly with nature.

Tanned leather and fur curtains hung over windows, shielding the interiors while allowing the wind to pass through.

Smoke curled from small fire pits, where beastkin gathered to cook meals or warm themselves.

Instead of markets with stalls, trading was done directly, with beastkin exchanging goods and materials openly.

Despite its primitive appearance, the settlement was far from uncivilized. It had order, a clear sense of hierarchy, and most importantly—a shared unity among its people.

Arthur mused aloud, "Efficient. Everything here is made with purpose, nothing wasted."

Alicia nodded in agreement, her eyes taking in the vibrant scene. "It's different from human cities, but... beautiful in its own way."

Ragnar, walking ahead, glanced back with a slight smirk. "We do not waste what nature provides. Unlike humans, we do not cut down entire forests to build our homes. We live with the land, not against it."

Cedric, still looking around, crossed his arms. "Hmph. No proper roads, no proper carriages… How do you guys even get around?"

Ragnar chuckled, his tail flicking behind him. "We don't need roads. Our warriors run faster than your horses. And for long distances, we use mounts suited to our terrain."

Arthur, intrigued, raised a brow. "Mounts? What kind?"

Before Ragnar could answer—

A deep, rumbling growl echoed from ahead.

From the shadows of the towering trees, a massive wolf-headed beastkin stepped out.

He was a head taller than Ragnar, with gray-and-black fur, piercing amber eyes, and an aura of dominance. His muscular frame, partially covered by leather armor, gave away his warrior status.

The moment Ragnar saw him, he halted and bowed slightly, his ears flattening in respect.

"Beta Garm," Ragnar addressed the newcomer with formality.

Arthur immediately understood. Beta. That meant this wolf beastkin was one of the high-ranking figures in the Wolf Tribe, second only to the Alpha.

Garm's sharp gaze swept over Arthur's group, lingering briefly on Alicia before locking onto Cedric.

"Humans. You step into Wolf Tribe land. Give me one reason why I shouldn't rip you apart where you stand."

Some of the knights tensed, their hands drifting toward their weapons.

But Cedric, unfazed, stepped forward confidently. "I have the right to be here."

With a practiced motion, he pulled out the Wolf Tribe token and held it high.

The moment Garm's eyes landed on it, his expression changed instantly—his ears twitched, his muscles relaxed, and he let out a deep exhale.

That token…" Garm's voice lost its previous hostility, replaced with recognition and respect.

His amber eyes met Cedric's, scanning him carefully.

After a brief pause, he gave a small nod and motioned toward the deeper parts of the forest.

"I will personally escort you to the Chief. Follow me."

Under Beta Garm's lead, the group moved deeper into the Wolf Tribe's domain. The path became narrower, the towering trees forming a natural archway, their dense canopies blocking most of the sunlight.

As they walked, Arthur noticed the subtle shift in atmosphere—the air felt heavier, charged with an unseen presence. It was clear that this was sacred land to the wolf beastkin.

Eventually, they arrived at a large wooden outpost, where several armored wolf warriors stood guard. Their sharp eyes immediately locked onto Arthur's group.

Garm turned to the knights, his expression unreadable. "This is where you stay."

Raoul, understanding the situation, nodded. "I expected as much. We won't trespass further."

A beastkin warrior approached and gestured toward a large wooden hall with carved pillars. "This will serve as your guest quarters. You will be provided food and water."

With that settled, Arthur, Alicia, and Cedric followed Garm alone toward the heart of the Wolf Tribe's settlement.

Like it ? Add to library！