This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Chapter 872: Chapter 872: Royal Advisor

The air inside the house was alive with sound—a confusing symphony of sobs, cheers, and the occasional strangled howl. It was almost rhythmic in its chaos, like a pack of emotional puppies celebrating and crying all at once. Anyone passing by would have sworn a litter of dogs was being alternately comforted and scolded.

But upon closer inspection, there was no such pack.

Just one blubbering man.

Takeru Sun knelt on the floor, tears streaming down his face as he cradled a glowing creature in his trembling hands. It was a beetle—no larger than a fist—its shell a shimmering gold streaked with molten orange, radiating a warm light that pulsed gently like the setting sun.

The newly born creature fluttered its translucent wings, each beat scattering motes of light that danced through the air. It gave off a cheerful, almost triumphant hum that contrasted sharply with the sound of its tamer’s ugly sobbing.

“It’s so beautiful!” Takeru cried, voice cracking as he sniffled. “Look at it, Kain! I’m not dreaming, right? This is real?!”

Kain pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yes, it’s real. And so are your tears. Can you please stop howling like that? If you plan to reunite your people, you might want to maintain at least a shred of royal dignity.”

Serena stifled a laugh behind her hand.

The sound of Takeru’s sniffling only grew louder. It wasn’t clear whether he was crying harder out of joy, embarrassment, or the realization that he had indeed been howling.

Out of curiosity, Kain looked at the System description for the beetle:

—————-

Species: Sunset Beetle

Quality:

Level: Red

Affinities: Light, Fire

Description: A radiant beetle species that can only be born during the fleeting period under the light of the setting sun. Known for channeling both warmth and finality, its presence symbolizes endings that give birth to new beginnings. These beetles congregate near places where strong fire and light energies overlap. They thrive in the twilight between light and darkness, drawing power from the dying rays of the sun.

Skills:

Solar Veil (S): Creates a blazing barrier of light that shields allies and blinds enemies.

Candescent Charge (S+): Channels stored sunlight into a high-speed fiery tackle.

Dusk Rebirth (SS): Converts nearby flames and radiant energy into healing light when near death.

Falling Horizon (SS): A wide area of effect skill that compresses light and heat into a descending wave using up all of its remaining spiritual power—the embodiment of a setting sun’s final blaze.

—————-

The system panel faded, and the beetle buzzed softly, landing on Takeru’s shoulder as if proud of its new master. The prince looked at it with the awe of a child who had just seen the heavens.

“You’re incredible,” Takeru whispered, his voice trembling about to burst into tears again. “A real creature of light and flame. My kingdom’s elements…”

“Ahem. Please maintain your royal dignity. The person to rejuvenate your fallen kingdom can’t be a blubbering mess,” Kain muttered under his breath.

Takeru sucked the tears back, but his eyes were distant with emotion. And nostalgia for his family now that he was having to feel the burden of being a royal for the first time. All those years he spent hidden, angry at his family for keeping him in the shadows… now he understood.

They hadn’t abandoned him. They’d protected him.

While his brothers carried the weight of expectation and battle, he had lived unburdened by the eyes of a kingdom. Free to cry. Free to love. Free to act however he wanted while still being supported by his royal bank account.

No throne, no court politics, no betrayal. His isolation had been a kindness—a luxury paid for in the blood of those he loved.

His throat tightened. For the first time in years, his heart no longer felt hollow—only heavy.

“You’re right,” he said quietly. “Now I have to bear the full weight of the crown. I can no longer be as willful as I was in the past.”

Takeru wiped his eyes, straightening his posture. The goofy grin faded, replaced by a flicker of a reliable royal. “If there are still survivors of my people out there—I’ll find them. I’ll lead them again.”

“That’s the spirit,” Kain said with a faint nod. “Do you have any idea where to start? Any leads on where they might be?”

Takeru thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. “My eldest brother’s right hand—Advisor Abe—was the one who got me out when the Abyss invaded. He brought me to the southern border, near the Wuxing Elemental Sect’s lands, before he left. He said he was going to gather any survivors he could find.”

“And you can contact him?” Serena asked.

Takeru smiled faintly. “Yes. He left me something—a communication device that only activates if I use my blood and spiritual power together. It’s an old device rarely used now that more modern inventions exist, but it should still work.”

Kain crossed his arms. “Then that’s our next step. Contact him. If he really is gathering survivors, he might have information on the spread of the Abyss in this continent.”

—————–

It had only been two days since Takeru’s awakening, yet the quiet of his manor was once again disturbed—this time not by puppy-like sobs, but by hurried knocks at the door.

Takeru, startled, opened the door—and froze.

A stocky, round-faced man with kind eyes and neatly combed hair stood on the threshold. Despite the journey’s dust still clinging to his robe, he radiated a warmth that made him immediately likable. “Your Highness!” the man said, his voice bright with relief. “I can hardly believe that what you described is true—I really can sense the enhances spiritual power in your body!”

“Advisor Abe?” Takeru blurted, blinking in disbelief before breaking into a grin. “You actually came so quickly!”

The man’s soft face broke into a wide smile as he hurried inside and bowed deeply. “When I got your message, I left everything and came at once. I hardly dared to hope, but to see you again—and awakened, no less!” He clasped Takeru’s shoulders, his eyes misting. “You’ve done what your brothers could only dream of. Praise the heavens!”

Kain exchanged a look with Serena, his brow lifting slightly at the man’s enthusiasm. Abe looked nothing like the kind of shrewd tactician or hardened veteran he’d expected. If anything, he resembled a kindly uncle who might scold you for skipping meals.

Still, appearances could be deceiving. Kain sensed the faint but steady pulse of spiritual power beneath the man’s cheerful exterior—he was at least a 5-star beast tamer. Not strong enough for Kain to feel threatened by his presence, but also not someone he could effortlessly defeat either.

When Abe finally turned to face them, he bowed again. “You must be the benefactors His Highness spoke of. On behalf of the late royal family, you have my eternal gratitude.”

Kain waved it off. “No need for that. You’re a royal advisor, I take it?”

“Indeed. I served his father and eldest brother before the fall. And now,” he said, his tone hardening with quiet conviction, “I serve the last surviving prince. The new heir, His Highness Takeru.”

Takeru flushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Let’s… not call me that too loudly yet.”

Abe chuckled but didn’t argue. “As you wish, Your High—Prince Takeru. But now that you’ve awakened, things have changed. We can finally begin rebuilding. And with your permission, perhaps we can even awaken others.” His gaze turned to Kain, eyes sharp with restrained excitement. “Sir, if you truly have the ability to awaken new beast tamers, then perhaps there is hope for our people yet.”

Kain studied him for a moment, his expression neutral. “You’re quick to believe in miracles.”

“I’ve lived long enough to recognize one when it stands before me,” Abe said without hesitation. “And I already have an idea where a large number of survivors fled after the fall of the Rising Sun Kingdom. If we act swiftly, we may gather them before the Abyss spreads further south.”

Kain’s interest sharpened. “Where?”

Abe reached into his robe and pulled out a worn map, spreading it across the table. His fingers traced the parchment toward the southeastern edge of the continent. “Here—within the borders of the Azure Serpent Kingdom. They took in many refugees when the Abyss destroyed the Rising Sun Kingdom since their current queen is the late king’s sister. That would make her His High—ahem—Prince Takeru’s aunt.”

Takeru’s expression shifted—first disbelief, then something like joy. “My aunt…” His voice softened. “She always treated me kindly, even though I wasn’t a tamer. She said I had the sun’s warmth even if I lacked its fire.” His smile faltered. “I wanted to visit her before, but… I was ashamed. I couldn’t face her after everything that happened. That my father, her brother, and all of our other relatives were dead…protecting me.”

Kain’s gaze flicked toward him. “And now?”

Takeru clenched his fists, the timid prince replaced by someone steadier, a faint fire in his eyes. “Now I’ll go to her. I won’t hide behind shame anymore. I’ll show her that the bloodline of the Rising Sun still burns.”

Abe smiled proudly. “That’s the spirit, Your Highn—Prince Takeru. The queen will be overjoyed to see you again. And with your new allies here—perhaps even she might consider joining efforts to awaken more of our scattered people.”

Kain leaned back, considering. A large gathering of refugees. The only disadvantage being that they were under the protection of another royal family. The last thing Kain wanted was for the Azure Serpent Kingdom to have unfavourable ideas about capturing and using him for their own gain… but considering that had been a fear of his for so long (a powerful organization discovering his ability and capturing him) he did have some countermeasures against it by now…

“Then it’s decided,” Kain said finally. “We’ll head for the Azure Serpent Kingdom.”

Takeru nodded eagerly, his hand trembling slightly but his smile bright. “For the first time in years… I’ll return as a true prince of the Rising Sun.”