Chapter 68

Monopolies are truly wonderful.

You can manipulate a specific market however you want. Even if prices go up, consumers can’t complain much.

There are products that can only be obtained from my shop. The cat cafe was part of that.

It’s a form of cafe that has never existed before. A healing space where you feel like being lazy while watching the lounging cats.

Similar shops may emerge later, but that’s not now. So, I must row the boat while it’s popular.

There’s no way to pass Yu Hwa’s test just by having one successful shop.

So, I envisioned a dog cafe.

I rented the building opposite the cat cafe to a landlord and carefully selected stray dog breeds, especially the cute ones, to bring in.

All of it anonymously.

If they find out I’m the proprietor, I’ll surely earn the disdain of cat people.

The structure of the dog cafe is almost similar to the cat cafe, except there’s a backyard where you can play with the dogs instead of massages.

Now, all that’s left is to start the business.

“Dog cafe? Isn’t it just the same as a cat cafe?”

“You don’t know. Dogs are different from cranky cat people; they will rush over happily with just a little kindness shown!”

“That’s true… Even if you give treats to cat people, they don’t react much. Should we give it a try?”

A couple was conversing on the street. They often visited the cat cafe, but today they entered the dog cafe.

Cat people watching from the window gnashed their teeth in anger.

“How can you go to that dim-witted dog leaving us behind? It’s betrayal! Don’t ever think of coming back to our cafe!”

“Everyone is blind. Our cat people are superior in species compared to dogs that wag their tails at anyone.”

Cat people were unable to hide their shock every time customers were taken away in front of them. It was a good thing that customers were spending more money for their care, though.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Seira called me to the back of the shop while looking around to make sure no one else was there. Once she confirmed, she opened her mouth.

“That dog cafe is your doing, isn’t it?”

“That’s correct. It’s quite difficult to pass the test with just one cafe.”

“Why a dog cafe, specifically? Wouldn’t it be better to do a different business to attract more customers?”

“That’s generally true.”

I had several business ideas in mind.

But I was aware that time was limited.

In that regard, as people learned about ‘a cafe where you can be with beastmen,’ it also revealed attractions they could gain from other beastmen. That meant I didn’t have to pioneer a new path.

However, what I was aiming for was different.

There was a specific reason I chose dogs.

“Nothing attracts attention quite like creating a division.”

***

The next day, an article appeared in Vestia’s newspaper.

[Cat People vs. Dog Tribe: Which Species is Truly Superior? Detailed results can be checked at the cafe of District 6.]

Which species is superior?

This topic had been debated since before the founding of the beastman kingdom, Vestia, during tribal unit lifestyles based on species.

Aquatic beastmen versus terrestrial beastmen.

Herbivorous beastmen versus carnivorous beastmen.

And the flying beastmen were considered the most superior.

As time passed since the establishment of Vestia, the sparks of discord might have gradually diminished, but they still exist. As long as there’s enough fuel, they can ignite again at any time.

Just like now.

Inside a certain cafe.

A mustached gentleman and a fan-wielding lady were having a heated debate.

The topic was the recent hot issue of dog tribes vs. cat people.

“Ultimately, it’s the dogs that are fundamental. They’ve been companions and family to humans since ancient times, haven’t they?”

“Of course, aristocrats would say cat people. Their graceful movements and noble demeanor symbolize our nobility, don’t they?”

“You have no discerning eyes. Look at dogs; they greet you by wagging their tails when a person comes and stay in their place until their owner returns.”

“That’s the same for cat people….”

The gentleman shook his head resolutely.

“All those cats are called dog-like cats. In the end, cats are inferior to dogs. What about shedding fur?”

“There are shedder dogs too! A dog that wags its tail at anyone is no different from a strumpet.”

“There’s a limit to your slander!”

Unable to contain his disdain, the gentleman stood up abruptly.

As a result, the glass on the table fell and shattered.

“Oh my! Hey, why are you getting so worked up over a mere discussion? You can’t sit still; you’ve become just like a dog.”

“Ugh… Could you clean this up?”

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No problem. I apologize for causing a commotion.”

A dog employee came over, cleaned the broken glass, and stepped back. As she left with a bright smile, the gentleman couldn’t help but show a satisfied grin.

“Look at that. How polite! In contrast, cat people…”

“If it were cat people, they would’ve deftly caught the glass before it fell.”

“What?”

“And to calm the startled, they would’ve given a soft little massage.”

“…If it were dogs, they would have prepared a meal that could break the table.”

“If it were cat people, they would have fed you bit by bit by hand. Cat people are superior. Good work. No rebuttals accepted. If you argue, your three generations become Cerberus.”

“Wait, that woman?!”

The supremacy debate between the hot dog tribes and cat people in Vestia.

What initially started as a matter between the two species gradually grew larger over time.

For instance, it evolved from a simple fight between dogs and cats to a fight between the canine family and feline family.

Vestia Royal Palace.

Princess Hilde, disregarding any formalities, sprawled on the sofa. While she lazily yawned, she couldn’t hold back the urge to speak.

“Vandy, there’s a hot topic of debate in the kingdom these days. Do you know?”

The raccoon beastman Vandy, who was managing chores, jumped and replied in a small voice.

“Yes? Yes… It was about whether the dog tribes or cat people are superior…”

“I can’t believe they’re making a fuss over such a pointless debate. The answer has been clear from the start. Obviously, the feline family…”

“Right. All beastmen are equal.”

“Huh?”

“Yes?”

Hildu and Vandy’s eyes met in a tangled gaze.

“All beastmen are equal, but above that equal status stands the feline family, Vandy.”

“B-but…”

“But? Are you a cute raccoon daring to contradict a princess?”

Hilde approached Vandy with a sly smile, her demeanor becoming menacing.

Boom.

“Yikes?!”

Hilde slammed her hands down on the table.

The table creaked under the weight.

“Are you implying that the statement I included equals the royal Lioness family with all those insignificant beings on the ground?”

“I-I beg your pardon, my princess!”

“Oh? Look at you. You’re not denying it!”

Vandy, flattened on the floor, flinched as Hilde looked down at her with a lifted head.

“Repeat after me. Say it with conviction.”

“Y-yes, say it with conviction.”

“Cats are superior to all species.”

“C-cats are superior to all species…”

“Dogs are inferior to cats.”

“D-dogs are inferior to cats…”

Vandy gritted her teeth in desperation.

“Hey!”

Suddenly, with a “pop!” smoke erupted, and only a solitary leaf was left in Vandy’s place. It was a fleeing magic typically used by raccoons.

Hilde chuckled. This cute thing dared to disregard the princess’s words and escape?

Well, since they were already close friends—Hilde found it amusing to play around with her—she wouldn’t impose any stricter punishment.

But she would have her perform tricks and rolls when she returned.

First, however.

Hilde stretched and loosened her stiff body.

“I wonder who caused this uproar; maybe I should go see.”

***

Since the article was published, an unprecedented number of customers flocked to the shop.

It didn’t matter whether it was managed by humans or involved Hongho. What mattered was who was superior and maintaining the pride of their species.

The cat faction and dog faction glared at each other across a narrow path, like a borderline.

I instructed my staff to distribute cold drinks to those who were getting heated.

“Mmm! It’s definitely sweeter since it’s given by cat people!”

“That’s all fur taste, isn’t it? Doesn’t the fur get stuck in your mouth?”

The atmosphere was boiling over.

From my perspective, the noisier it is, the better. With this much commotion, it was likely that Yu Hwa in the Celestial Pavilion heard about it.

The profits were smoothly rolling in.

And I was passing the test without even having to take it.

“Zhuin.”

“Yes?”

Lin, who was sitting on my lap and watching the scene, tilted her head to stare up at me.

“Do you like dogs or cats better?”

“Me? Well…”

To be honest, I liked both.

Dogs offered added abilities for escort tasks, and cat people had unique business tactics, like the massages right now.

It all depended on the situation.

Lin looked at me with serious eyes, as if my answer was of utmost importance to her.

Unintentionally, I smiled and replied.

“I like foxes the best.”

Instantly, joy filled her face in real-time.

“I like Zhuin the most!”

Lin’s three tails wagged as they wrapped around my waist.

“Looks like there are two foxes now.”

Seira, watching the scene with cold eyes, murmured to herself. As she sighed and stared into the distance, her eyes widened.

“Huh?”

“What is it? Did another fox arrive?”

Having played around a little, I was caught off guard by her expression, which was painfully serious. It seemed like there was no room for jokes.

It was rare to see Seira this flustered. Intrigued, I followed her gaze.

A woman was striding forward, her hair like a lion’s mane flowing behind her. Golden pupils with black vertical stripes met my gaze.

‘Why is that crazy woman here?’

Hilde or something.

She was the potential tyrant of Vestia.