I returned to my seat, clenching the ticket that represented every cent I owned.
The race was about to begin. The massive monsters were already gathering before the starting gates, milling about in anticipation. Among them, the Behemoth was staring straight at me again.
We were quite far apart, so I wasn't sure if my feelings would reach it, but I tried projecting my will toward it using Sympathy Magic.
"It all depends on how hard you work..." I thought.
A moment later, the Behemoth gave a slight nod and finally looked away. Once I saw that, I sat down.
"Alice, does the Behemoth actually have a chance?"
"Hmm. This is the Main Race, so... well, as you can see, most of these monsters are incredibly aggressive. It usually turns into a total brawl. Realistically, a baby Behemoth can't take them all on... unless the Red Dragon and the Fenrir manage to take each other out. Then, maybe..."
"I see."
"However..."
"Yeah?"
It sounded like a victory was a long shot, but the possibility existed if the heavy hitters clashed. Alice mentioned that the Main Race was practically designed for massive upsets, so it wasn't an impossible scenario.
However, as she spoke, she tilted her head as if something was nagging at her.
"That Behemoth... it’s a little different from the ones I’ve seen before."
"Different? In what way?"
"Well, I haven't seen many myself, but I’m fairly certain a Behemoth’s horns are supposed to be red."
"Red? But that one’s horns are black."
"Exactly. That’s why I’m thinking, maybe..."
『And now, it is finally time! Let the Main Race begin!』
The commentator’s voice boomed just as Alice was about to finish her thought. We cut our conversation short and turned our eyes toward the track.
The gates vanished, and the moment the race started... it happened.
The Behemoth, which had been standing on all fours, suddenly reared up on its hind legs and let out a deafening roar. Jet-black lightning erupted from its dark horns, arcing through the sky to pierce the Red Dragon mid-flight.
『W-What is this?! The Red Dragon has been downed in a single strike! Is this the power of a legendary magic beast?!』
"I knew it! That Behemoth is a Special Individual!" Alice shouted.
"A Special Individual?"
If I remembered correctly, that was the same term used for Acht, the Blue Ogre. It meant a specimen that deviated from the norm.
"Kaito-san! Our odds just skyrocketed! I’ve only read about them in old records, but they say a Special Individual Behemoth is clad in Jet-black Lightning and possesses several times the power of a normal one!"
"Several times... then that means..."
『Look at that speed! The Behemoth is closing the gap! It’s gaining on the Fenrir in the lead!』
As if to prove Alice’s excitement right, the Behemoth—having already neutralized the Red Dragon—shot down the track at terrifying speed, closing in on the massive wolf leading the pack.
Sensing the Behemoth’s approach, the Fenrir skidded to a halt and let out a piercing howl.
『The Fenrir is standing its ground! It’s going to intercept!』
Massive icicles manifested around the Fenrir, launching toward the Behemoth like high-velocity bullets. A monster of the Fenrir's caliber was more than capable of using magic. The Behemoth dodged with nimble steps, though a few stray shards grazed its hide.
Despite the fresh wounds, the Behemoth reached its target and swung its horns. However, true to its lupine nature, the Fenrir was incredibly agile, dancing away from the strike with ease.
"The Fenrir’s footwork is just too good. But if that Behemoth really is a Special Individual... it should be able to use that, even as a baby."
"Use what?"
"Watch closely. This will probably be over in a heartbeat... Here it comes, the Behemoth’s Breath."
I focused on the Behemoth as Alice commanded. It reared up once more, letting out a roar that felt like an earthquake. In response to the cry, the lightning sparking from its horns began to condense around its maw.
"There is a saying: the Breath of the Nidhogg of the Heavens is a Hellfire that Burns the Earth. But the Breath of the Behemoth of the Earth is... a Flash that Pierces the Heavens."
"–?!"
A bolt of black radiance erupted from the Behemoth’s mouth. In less than the blink of an eye, the flash tore through the Fenrir.
Fired with the literal speed of lightning, the Breath was impossible to dodge regardless of the Fenrir's agility. The great wolf collapsed into the dirt.
『The Fenrir is down! It’s over! The other monsters are too terrified to even move! This is—is it really happening?! The Behemoth takes first place! The winner is the Behemoth! It’s the Behemoth!』
"We did it! Kaito-san, we won!"
"Yeah, that was incredible!"
"Whoo-hoo! I’m gonna be rich! I’m—Ow!?"
"Try to read the room, would you?"
By the time the 7th Race was getting underway at the arena, Alice and I had already cashed out. We had stopped betting after the 5th Race and were currently inside a large building behind the track.
"Miyama Kaito-sama, thank you for your purchase today. I am the manager, Chapel. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
"Ah, yes. I'm Kaito Miyama. Likewise."
Chapel, the man who ran the Monster Race Track, greeted me with a radiant smile. He was dressed in quite flamboyant attire.
Well, I suppose it made sense. I had just purchased a Behemoth; I was essentially a VIP who had just dropped a fortune at his establishment. The polite treatment was logical. Still, I couldn't quite get used to someone clearly my senior bowing so deeply to me.
"Your reputation precedes you, Miyama-sama."
"My reputation?"
"Indeed. I have heard you share close ties with the Six Kings, and that you were the brilliant victor of the recent Treasure Tree Festival."
"E-Err... well, yes..."
"As expected of a man of your caliber, you certainly have an eye for quality. I hope you will continue to favor us with your patronage."
"Ah, right. Thank you."
The news of me winning the Harvest Festival had apparently reached other countries already, which was incredibly embarrassing. Then again, maybe Chapel just had a very wide information network. I certainly hoped that was all it was.
For the record, the Behemoth’s payout had been a staggering 205-to-1. Even after paying the full price for the creature, I still had over a hundred Platinum Coins left. I felt a bit guilty for winning so much, but Chapel didn't seem to mind at all; he just kept smiling. I’d heard that the house always wins in gambling regardless of individual payouts, so I assumed the race track was doing just fine.
"Excuse me~ Could I get some more snacks? —Oof!?"
"Stop being so greedy..."
"No, no, please, help yourself... Oh, it seems the preparations for the handover are complete. This way, if you please."
"Thank you."
After I silenced the idiot who was trying to clean out the snack tray, Chapel led us to the back. As we walked, Alice leaned in and whispered so only I could hear.
"...He certainly knows which side his bread is buttered on. This guy is a real shark."
"What do you mean?"
"That Behemoth is a Special Individual. Normally, its price would be double what he quoted, at the very least. I bet there were plenty of high-ranking nobles clamoring to buy it."
"There were?"
"Just a hunch. But he probably decided that making a good impression on you was more valuable than the extra coins. That’s why he gave you the discount, right?"
"I suppose so..."
Alice was right. Although the listed price for the Behemoth was 300 Platinum Coins, he had knocked it down to 280, claiming it was a "new customer discount." A two-hundred-million-yen discount... that was a hell of a way to show sincerity.
It seemed Alice’s intuition was spot on. Chapel glanced back at me with a knowing smile.
"Please, Miyama-sama, do come again. And if you should ever find yourself accompanied by the Underworld King-sama or the World King-sama... well, if you would be so kind as to give me advance notice, I would be delighted to provide the absolute best hospitality for you all."
"Ah, I see. I'll be sure to tell Kuro... the Underworld King and the others how well you treated me."
"Oh, what a generous promise! I am truly honored."
It seemed Chapel knew his ulterior motives had been spotted and was being quite open about his goals. I gave him a polite, formal response. As Alice said, the man was a pro. I just wished Alice were as sharp with her own business as she was at reading others.
Soon, we arrived at a massive cage. Inside, I saw the Behemoth. Seeing me, it slowly stood up and approached the bars, staring at me intently.
"It is quite a fierce creature, so we must register you as its master immediately—Wait, Miyama-sama!?"
"Eh?"
Without thinking, I had stepped right up to the cage. The Behemoth lowered its head toward me. I felt no hostility from it—only gratitude and affection. When I reached out and stroked its head, it leaned into my touch with a satisfied hum. Chapel let out a gasp of shock.
"...Unbelievable. To see that Behemoth so docile... I suppose I should expect no less from you, Miyama-sama."
The Behemoth had clearly already accepted me as its master. It remained perfectly calm during the registration process for the Collar-type Magic Tool. Once the process was finished, the cage was opened. The Behemoth stepped out and slowly rubbed its face against me.
"Gau..."
It was just a baby, and its behavior was incredibly endearing, but those two sharp horns were still intimidating. I just had to hope it wouldn't accidentally impale me while acting spoiled.
Dear Mother, Father—I honestly can’t say I saw this coming, but one thing led to another and I bought a Behemoth. I’m a little worried about what the future holds, but... I’m keeping a pet now.
A certain King: Prioritized his own petty emotions and ended up sitting on a bed of needles. Chapel: Rebuffed the demands of high nobles to favor Kaito, and treated a younger man with utmost humility. The man truly has an eye for the bigger picture.