Sena was the village's Beastman Race Representative.
Kuro and the other Inferno Wolves lived by a strict social hierarchy. By and large, this ranking applied only to the males; the females held the rank immediately following their respective partners.
Consequently, the current order from the top was as follows: Kuro, Yuki, Kuroichi, Alice, Kuroni, Iris, Uno, Kurosan, Kuroyon, and Elis.
While the hierarchy was absolute, it wasn't immutable. If a lower-ranked male challenged a superior to a duel and won, or if an individual made a massive contribution to the pack, the standings would shift. In practice, however, the order was almost entirely fixed.
Challenges were almost exclusively issued by young wolves within their first year, and they nearly always targeted peers born around the same time. Essentially, it was just a ritual for the younger generation to establish their own internal pecking order. Beyond that, wolves joining from outside the pack sometimes fought to find their place, but they usually settled into the lower ranks without much fuss.
As for contributing to the pack, tasks were generally assigned according to one's existing rank. Unless some major anomaly occurred, it was difficult for a wolf to find an opportunity to earn an evaluation high enough to leapfrog their superiors.
Thus, Kuro’s position at the top remained unshakable. His peace was secure even if he spent his days sleeping on his back.
I did wonder, however, if any of them ever entertained thoughts of an uprising. Even if I assumed Kuroichi, Kuroni, and Kuroyon wouldn't consider such a thing because they were his direct descendants...
I caught Uno’s eye as he stood nearby. He shook his head with every ounce of strength he possessed. It was a clear, desperate expression of "I want no part of that."
It seemed Kuro’s throne was safe. That was all well and good, but I wondered if a total lack of ambition might be its own kind of problem. When that thought crossed my mind, Uno seemed to sense it. He looked at me as if to say, "It’s not about a lack of ambition; it’s a division of roles."
Is that how it worked? I looked once more at Kuro, who was currently napping quite comfortably on his back. I couldn't help but wonder exactly what "roles" they were dividing.
A few days later, I found the answer.
In a corner of the mansion, Yuki, Alice, Iris, Kurosan, and Elis were embroiled in a heated dispute. It had all started that morning when it was discovered that one of Kuro’s pups born this year had been secretly urinating against the mansion's outer wall. The rule that all business must be done in the designated outhouse had not been strictly followed.
Yuki was furious. She was currently rebuking Alice, Iris, Kurosan, and Elis, demanding to know how the children’s education had been handled. Alice and the others had their own excuses, however, and the argument was escalating.
Just then, Kuro approached them with a face more dignified than I had ever seen. He let out a single, authoritative bark. If I had to guess the meaning, it was something like: "I understand everyone has their reasons, but cool your heads first."
Upon hearing his command, Yuki and the others shared a look and then dispersed. I was impressed; it seemed Kuro really did step up when it mattered.
Kuroichi, Kuroni, Uno, and Kuroyon appeared from their hiding spots to praise their leader. Kuro looked quite pleased with himself.
Wait, what was happening now?
Kuroichi and the others began to guide Kuro toward the hallway. They walked a short distance and then led him into a specific room.
Inside that room sat the offending pup, sitting upright and trembling uncontrollably. Standing over him, radiating a terrifying aura of anger, was Ann. Based on the situation, I gathered that the pup had been caught in the act.
Kuroichi and the others were now trying to push Kuro toward Ann. Whether they were trying to save the pup or simply hoping Kuro could soothe Ann’s temper, they were determined to get him in there. Naturally, Kuro wanted no part of it. He dropped into a flat crouch near the door, a firm stance of absolute refusal.
Kuroichi and his brothers began to nudge Kuro with their snouts. Kuro wanted to dig his claws into the floor to resist, but he knew that if he caused any damage, Ann would glare at him, so he remained passive. He was slowly dragged across the floor in a miserable crouch until he was right in front of her.
Ann looked down at him. Kuro peeked up at her from the floor, but he immediately sat upright. He had clearly realized resistance was futile. Kuroichi and the others behind him followed suit, sitting perfectly still.
With a face even sharper and more serious than usual, Kuro lowered his head. It was a formal apology. Ann didn't move, and neither did the wolves. A long silence followed—though in reality, it was probably only thirty seconds.
Ann was the first to speak.
"Kuro-san. This child may not be your direct offspring, but as the pack leader, please ensure that the rules are strictly enforced."
Kuro lowered his head again, signaling his understanding.
"Then I shall leave the rest to you."
With that, Ann left the room. Even so, Kuro and the others remained perfectly still with their heads bowed. They were worried she might double back, so they refused to show even a hint of slackness. Their past experiences had clearly taught them well.
It was only after five full minutes had passed that the wolves finally moved. Kuro gave a light bark to the trembling pup, likely telling him to follow the rules from now on. The pup bowed weakly and scurried out of the room, looking thoroughly repentant.
Then, Kuro gave a sharp, loud bark to Kuroichi and the rest of the lieutenants. "Don't just rely on me for things like this!" or something to that effect. However, Kuroichi and the others didn't seem to mind. They simply chased after the pup and left the room.
Kuro let out a heavy sigh as they departed... and then he spotted me. He trotted over, looking quite cross.
"I'm sorry, Kuro. I shouldn't have just stood there and watched; I should have helped you. But you were very brave facing an angry Ann."
Kuro gestured for me to look at his legs. They were shaking like leaves. I see; it wasn't that he hadn't been scared.
"There, there." I petted his head. "Ann only acts the way she does because she cares about the mansion. She doesn't hold a grudge against you. You understand that, right?"
He seemed to get it.
"Good. Then, just as Ann said, I'm counting on you to make sure the rules are followed. I know they can't always hold it, but please, at least tell them to stay away from the outer walls. The urine makes the wood rot."
As I was consoling him, Yuki arrived and pushed Kuro aside. Kuro looked like he wanted to protest, but one glare from Yuki was enough to make him yield his spot to her. Ah, she was still cross with him for not taking her side earlier. Kuro tried to act cute to get back in her good graces, but Yuki just gave him a sharp tap with her paw. They really did get along well.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder about the true nature of their hierarchy.
Newcomer: "Since I am the newcomer, I intend to work hard from the very bottom of the pack." Young Man A: "Hahaha, you can't be serious." Young Man B: "The elders have the 'job' of taking responsibility for the pack's messes, you see." Young Man C: "Well, considering your age and the fact that you have four partners, you're actually quite high up." Young Man D: "We might as well just put you in the top twenty right now." Newcomer: "Wait, what?"
Uno: "Actually, I'm older than the Old Man (Kuro)..." (He had been a bachelor for a very long time until Kurosan caught him.) Kuro: "Want to take over the top spot then?" Uno: "And have to negotiate with everyone else as the Inferno Wolf Representative? No thanks. Ann and Sena are terrifying." Kuro: "What did you do to make you think Sena is scary?! She's the village's Representative of Gentleness!" Uno: "There was this insolent goat, and when I tried to put it in its place..." Kuro: "Ah, ah, ah! You idiot, that's the kind of thing the Boss will scold you for! When did this happen?" Uno: "Three days ago." Kuro: "..................That means I'm the one who has to go apologize to the Village Head now, doesn't it?" Uno: "I'm counting on you, Boss."