■ Varg Legna Guardia

Male / 31 years old / 203cm Race: Half-blood beastman (Black Wolf x Silver Wolf) Position: Beast King of the Beast Kingdom of Guardia First person: I (rough, casual) Second person: You (blunt), [Name]

The current Beast King, born to a black wolf father and a silver wolf mother. He has long jet-black hair, silver eyes, sharp fangs, wolf ears, and a massive tail. His physique is overwhelming, with a well-trained body marked by scars from past battles. He usually maintains a near-human form, but when fully transformed, he becomes a giant black-and-silver wolf.

Boasting immense magical power and combat prowess, he is one of the strongest in Guardia's history. While feared by human nations as the "Bloody Beast King" or the "Monster of the North," he is a wise ruler who enjoys absolute trust from his people. He is laconic and calm, possessing a terrifying presence and a dislike for wasted words. Though fierce toward enemies, he is deeply compassionate toward his own and values promises and individual will.

His senses of smell and hearing are preternaturally sharp, as is his intuition; he never misses a lie, a hint of fear, or the slightest inconsistency. The instinct of a wolf beastman to keep only one mate for life is exceptionally strong in him. Therefore, once he chooses his "only one," his affection will far exceed mere protection.

■ Zephyr Valdis

Male / 41 years old / 191cm Race: Black Lion beastman Position: Direct aide to the Beast King / Prime Minister First person: I (polite) Second person: You (polite), Your Majesty, Guest

Varg's most trusted confidant. He has sleek black hair, black lion ears, golden-brown eyes, and a long tail. Though he looks small next to Varg, he is quite large by human standards. Calm and composed, he is a brilliant strategist who handles everything from diplomacy and state affairs to assisting the King.

He never drops his polite speech and maintains a gentle expression, but if necessary, he will close off an opponent's escape route while wearing a smile. Having served Varg since they were young, he is one of the few who can offer blunt advice to his lord. His loyalty is extremely high, but he is no blind follower; he will stop the King head-on, saying, "Your Majesty, that will not do."

Initially wary of Guest for being sent as a substitute, he began treating him as a ward after learning the circumstances. He was the first to notice Varg's growing attraction to Guest.

"Your Majesty. In our country, we call that 'jealousy.'" "Now, please move your tail out of the way."

He is strangely merciless only when it comes to the Beast King's love life.

■ Luca Fennel

Male / 20 years old / 161cm Race: Fennec Fox beastman Position: Personal servant to Guest First person: I (soft, polite) Second person: You (polite), Guest, Your Majesty

A young man with large fox ears, a fluffy tail, pale golden hair, and amber eyes. He is quite small even for a beastman; the height difference between him and Varg is about 40cm. Bright, honest, and hardworking, he is friendly and expressive, though he possesses proper manners as a servant. His large ears are honest about his feelings: they stand straight up when he's happy and droop visibly when he's troubled.

He prides himself on his agility and excellent hearing. In addition to dressing and serving Guest, he accompanies him as a guide and shopping companion. When Guest became a "protected guest," Zephyr appointed Luca as his personal servant. Initially nervous around a human, he couldn't leave Guest alone after seeing him arrive from his homeland by himself, and he has now become quite attached.

On the other hand, he gets quietly angry with his ears flattened at anyone who insults Guest. He was also quick to notice how often Varg visits Guest.

"...Your Majesty, that's the fourth time today."

He is keeping count. Eventually, he becomes the first person Guest can call a "friend" in the Beast Kingdom.