Revolution inverts the class pyramid. The ones who suffered the greatest loss were naturally the humans who reigned at the pinnacle of power. Just as the tip wears away when a soft pyramid is stood upside down, humans too found themselves in a position where they had to watch their steps and navigate the pressure closing in from all sides just to go about their daily lives.
However, hidden beneath that grand downfall, there was a class that groaned without being heard by anyone.
They were the dog beastmen, who inherited the traits of dogs, the friends of humanity.
"Hey, Orc! Why do we have to be surveilled?"
"Return our weapons and badges and just wait at home? That means we're being kicked out!"
The dog beastmen guards vented their frustrations toward the mercenaries of Orcma.
Most of the guards in Obeli are dogs. This is partly because dog beastmen possess an excellent sense of smell and hunting instincts, but naturally, that is not the only reason. The most important reason is that dog beastmen are friendly with humans.
They are the beastmen said to have been created first by Muhu. They are loyal to humans and show them affection, and above all, they do not hide it. Dog beastmen, who are affectionate and good at endearing themselves, were widely utilized as human slaves, butlers, friends, and companions.
That was the reason the majority of Obeli's guards were dog beastmen. Because dogs do not betray humans.
However, that logic now carried the exact opposite meaning with Orcma in power.
"You've been colluding with humans and enjoying power until now. It's only natural to be suspicious. Don't worry. As long as you don't do anything foolish, you'll be fine."
"Even so, do we have to lose our jobs overnight and be surveilled? This is tyranny! You said all beastmen are equal!"
"Yes. All beastmen are equal."
Gulta, the cart magnate who was in charge of Orcma's logistics and personnel deployment, and who, thanks to that, now held the personnel authority over Obeli, spoke to the dog beastmen who came to argue.
"That is why we must drag down those who have been unfairly benefiting until now. Isn't your authority, rather than your innate abilities, all gained by clinging to humans?"
"What?"
"How dare you spout such nonsense!"
"We rose through our abilities!"
Fierce rebellion erupted, but Gulta answered while still holding a sneer.
"Then let me ask. What do you have that's better than us orcs?"
"That's..."
"What, your so-so senses? Orcs aren't much different. No, our sense of smell is actually far superior. Slightly sharper teeth? Snort, chanting about teeth when you use weapons and qi just the same. Hunting instincts? Do you really need instincts to chase down an enemy?"
Gulta let out a snort, typical of orcs. The snorting sound of a pig beastman was once the subject of mockery, but now it was used as an expression of confidence. The dog beastmen could not utter a rebuttal even as they watched the pig beastman looking down at them proudly.
"There is only one thing that sets you apart from other beastmen. That you are friendly with humans. And in Ende, which has become a city of beastmen, that is not an advantage at all."
"...Still, we served as guards for years! You can't just kick us out arbitrarily!"
"To put it another way, you have no reason to be in that position other than the fact that you served as guards for years. Even now, you're using your status as guards to collude with humans."
At Gulta's point, the dog beastmen reacted as if pricked by something sharp. A dog beastman with its tail tucked in protested.
"What? Are you doubting us? Without any evidence?!"
"Evidence? Snort. When were we ever kicked out with evidence? If there's a foul smell, they look at the orcs first, and if the ledgers come up short, investigators come frowning into the pig beastmen's residential district first? You'll have to keep proving yourselves from now on too. Just like we always have."
The orcs surrounding the guards and mocking them cheered Gulta on. The dog beastmen gritted their teeth and growled softly.
After the revolution succeeded, the vast majority of Orcma occupied Obeli, throwing their weight around using their numbers as a weapon. The very existence of the space known as Obeli granted the authority to control Ende. The orcs, having taken up nearly half of it through sheer headcount, had even the dog beastmen completely under their thumb.
Backed by power, Gulta declared to the guard unit.
"Bring Duke Electus. That is the only way for you to prove your capability as guards and your loyalty to Ende."
"How do we find a duke hiding in this vast Ende...! Those we call dukes are all of the ducal bloodline! It's true you've taken Obeli, but you don't rule all of Ende. The people of this city, even if their sense of belonging is a bit thin, are subjects of the vassal state! They will not report the duke!"
Ende is a frontier even within the expansive vassal state. Because it borders the wild lands, it was guaranteed autonomy, but conversely, it is merely a city that can be abandoned at any time. If the home country were to exert its dominance, this tiny spark would be trampled in an instant.
Gulta knew that fact better than anyone. In truth, the reason Orcma was trying to catch Duke Electus was honestly more about preventing the vassal state's interference than revenge. Gulta spoke hastily.
"There's the attendant who took Duke Electus. That dog beastman. Since it's your kin, why don't you do something about it."
"Welsh? Impossible! Before being our kin, that child is Duke Electus's watch dog. Because that child is the daughter of the Watch Dog House!"
"Watch Dog House..."
Gulta groaned at the word he hadn't heard in a long time.
Dogs trace their lineages. Dogs with prestigious lineages are treated almost as quasi-nobles, having been distributed to and loved by those in power for generations. As hunting dogs, as companion dogs, dogs of noble blood guarded the side of noble aristocrats.
And all beastmen were treated as beasts before they were beastmen. The same went for dog beastmen.
Those in power filtered and sifted through the dog beastmen, gathering only the most outstanding specimens to form houses. Dog beastmen, who were already loyal to humans, received education bordering on brainwashing, growing up to become butlers, maids, and escorts.
The Watch Dog House that protects a family. That actually existed, and its lineage continued even after the appearance of the Furred Saint. Unlike the orcs, it was a vicious custom that survived for a long time because it was the most moderate.
"Welsh won't respond even if we call! No, she'll even bite us!"
Once again, Gulta felt an immense pressure. The beastmen created by humans, and the system that utilizes beastmen—what should the orcs do within this invisible flow? With Gulta's short insight, it was absolutely impossible to fathom.
However, the very fact that this revolution occurred within that flow was a miracle. Gulta made his resolve to protect this tiny spark even firmer.
"Snort. You seem to be mistaken about one thing. We didn't call you here to listen to your excuses. If you still can't break free from humans no matter what, then you're nothing more than that!"
"Before you boast about how sturdy your shackles are, you should think about throwing them off first! Like the orcs here!"
"Well said! That's right, we orcs did it... Who are you?"
I also chimed in from beside Gulta. Gulta, who was about to shout with vigor, discovered me and leaned back as if about to fall over. His face was dyed with terror.
"A-A Demonic Beast!"
"Huh? What?"
"No, Sorcerer. W-why are you here..."
This reaction is starting to get a bit sad. I put a lot of thought into arranging it so I could help out if needed, so why is he so scared?
"What on earth is wrong with you? Is it because I caught you and locked you up in Obeli? You know by now, right? To occupy Obeli, I had to infiltrate the inside beforehand, didn't I?"
"Ugh, uuugh. I know. But..."
"It's hurtful that you tremble every time you see me, as if I'm a tiger or something. Sigh, I'm the one who truly helped Orcma. You don't consider me a comrade."
He was still terrified of me, but they say a position makes the man. The surrounding orcs looked at him with eyes full of expectation. Their gazes became a silent pressure, pushing Gulta's back. Riding the support of the public sentiment, Gulta drew out his courage and spoke.
"T-that's obvious. Because you're not an orc, you're a human! How can we trust a human who rolled in from god knows where!"
Hey. You said we're equal. You need to treat me equally too. You said to prove my abilities? What more do I have to prove?
Tell me the truth. You just don't like me and are making up excuses. Just like you did with the dog beastmen.
Hah, seriously. I did all this for you, and you want more?
"Even I, who has already achieved results, has to prove myself again? Sigh. Alright. I'll find Duke Electus."
"That's not it... What? Duke Electus? Is that possible?"
"It's possible. Finding a single person is easier than bringing down a secret organization with thousands of people in it."
Actually, if we're just talking about difficulty, it might be a bit harder. When the scale is large, it catches the eye easily, but for a single person, you have to search like finding a needle in a haystack.
However, I don't make bets I can't win. There was a reason I stepped up confidently to solve the problem.
'Hah. No way. They'll absolutely never find him. How would an outsider find Duke Electus hiding in the inner mansion?'
'Sorcerer? What's that? Is it better than a duke?'
It was because I read the thoughts of the Obeli guards, who were silently just watching the situation.
There's a reason I have such a long tongue, you see.