The Hegemon Who Ruled

【Beginning】

Master: Oh bull, why do you think the king wants the land over that mountain?

Master: This land is fertile and animals are pleasant;

Master: I would hate to see this place ravaged by war.

Master: ...Haha, fine, I will admit it. War scares me...

Since Humans divided themselves into states, wars would arise as a result of conflict over lands. The owner of the bull was cowardly and indolent; hence, he had deserted from the army and escaped to the dense forests. There, he met a Xian; upon seeing the relaxing Xian lifestyle, he had delusionally hoped to achieve Xian-hood and attain that way of life.
The bull was originally a wild ox lost in the forest when it had unfortunately ran into his current master. Since, it had to answered to the calls of “Bull.” But compared to returning to the Human populations where it would likely be slaughtered for food, it prefered the rather comfortable life by his master’s side.

Master: Sigh...I had thought learning spells would mean a relaxing life,

Master: But my Master said, ascetic pneuma actually attracts Xian and elf attacks.

Master: So, Bull, would you take some of the pneuma for me?

Having said that, the master channeled pneuma from his body and directed it into Bull. Bull did not resist as a stream of warmth passed into it from its master’s hand. The current steamed to course through the body, and was rather comfortable.^ But as the current strengthened and amassed in its body, its head started heating up...

Master: Bull?

Master: Oh no! I have given it too much pneuma!

【Before Battles】

Master: Bull, calm down! You would be fine after using some of the pneuma!

Master: Here, test it on that wolf!

【After Battles】

Master: Sigh — you frightened me.

Master: Thankfully, you are fine.

【End】
Since Bull took in the pneuma, it became a mystical beast with human sentiments. Its body grew in strength because of the pneuma. It even surpassed those of demonic creatures and thus, it protected its master’s path to Xian-hood with its body.

Master: Bull...I think...It’s time I took up the responsibility I have avoided for years.

After its master achieved Xian-hood, he brought the mystical bull in his journeys throughout the realm of Humans. Seeing many killed by demonic creatures, he could no longer remain non-interventional.

Master: I have always run from battles on account of my own weakness...

Master: That is no longer an excuse.

Master: Bull, from now on, would you accompany me to battle?

Bull: Moo.

The mystical bull entered the fields of war alongside its master, fighting for justice. Originally, they simply helped Humans, but were soon drawn into the war between Xian and elf. Yet, the mystical bull stayed by its master’s side with no compliant.^ This did not change until its master was killed by a demonic creature in a Xian and elf battle; the mystical bull then pulled on its master’s helmet, and wore his armor. He traveled through the mortal realm alone in search of his enemy.

【Beginning】
As the mystical bull gradually gained power, the many years of conflict had reduced its initial desire for revenge. With the power of Gods and Demons running rampant over the earth, the mystical bull was also impacted by the elemental powers, and gained wisdom that rivaled the mythological beasts.
To enhance its strength, the mystical bull travelled to a pneuma-imbued forest to absorb mystical pneuma for itself. The beasts ran rampant leading to much commotion. The activity led the mystical bull to believe they were trying to expel him, and he immediately prepared for battle.
Unexpectedly, the various beasts treated the mystical bull as if he was invisible, and simply continued their journey forward. This confused the mystical bull until he looked towards the direction from which they had escaped — he was shocked to find a wall of flood water cascading through the forest!^ Drawing pneuma from within, he struck the flood with his power, saving the forest.
Since, the beasts honored the mystical bull as lord, and he proclaimed himself the Bull King, overlord of the forest. Yet, peace did not last...

 : Scum who started the flood that killed my monkey subjects,

 : come and face me!

Spirit of Pine Wood: Help us, Your Majesty!

Spirit of Pine Wood: A monkey showed up suddenly and is attacking every elf it sees!

Bull King: What? A mere monkey dares cause trouble in my turf?

Bull King: How dare him! Let me go take him on!

【Before Battles】

Bull King: What creature dares cause trouble here, in me, the Bull King,’s turf!?

Monkey King: You are the one who caused the flooding, huh? Take this!

【Enemy Dialog】

Bull King: Hmm, not bad...

Monkey King: You as well!

【End】
Bull King and the mystical monkey fought for a hundred days to no result. The two beasts fought harder and harder, while gaining respect for the other until they regarded each other as friends. Bull King probed the mystical monkey and discovered that he sought the cause of the flood, and passed through here on his search.

Monkey King: The flood killed my monkey subjects and destroyed my home.

Monkey King: I want vengeance!

Monkey King: But until now, I have found no shred of evidence. This is so enraging!

Unified Shadow Spirit: Where have you searched, bro?

The mystical monkey informed Bull King of everything he experienced before he arrived here.

Bull King: Wow... Your experience surpasses even mine.

Monkey King: You are too kind, bro. I drifted from place to place,

Monkey King: I have no idea when I would find those responsible...

Bull King: Don’t worry; from now on, I will search with you.

Bull King: We can cover each other’s shortcomings;

Bull King: With my help, this process will be much quicker!

With that, the two beasts traveled through the realm as companions. They learned Human manners and languages. Upon learning of the Dragon King, they hoped to attack the Dragon Palace, but that is another story altogether.

【Beginning】
Since leaving the mystical monkey’s side, Bull King returned to his old home and expanded his territory. He established a hegemony and was honored by the many elves as Bull King.

Rakshasa: Your Majesty, you are home? Come check on your son.

Rakshasa: He has locked himself in his room,

Rakshasa: fidgeting with the artifacts you have brought home.

Rakshasa: He works through meals and nights!

Upon hearing that, the Bull King walked to his son’s room where he noticed the child focusing avidly on an artifact that looked like a four-legged animal.

Bull King: Son, what are you doing?

Red Boy: Gime a sec; a few more adjustments and it can move!

Rakshasa: See? He just won’t listen.

Rakshasa: He still hasn’t eaten his lunch yet!

The Bull King ignored Rakshasa and walked to Red Boy’s side.

Bull King: Son, you know how to work this stuff?

Red Boy: They look fun, so I have been fidgeting a bit with them.

Red Boy: With a little effort, these machines should be able to move.

Red Boy: Watch.

Red Boy pointed at the artifact he had just repaired. It rose slowly, and it was only then did the Bull King realize that the artifact had the appearance of a bull. It moved its limbs but did not go far. It raised its head to look at Red Boy as if awaiting orders.

Red Boy: You shall be my father’s mount from now on. Heed his orders.

Upon hearing these words, the bull walked over to the Bull King and kneeled by his side, allowing the Bull King to mount it.

Bull King: Wow, it can really understand you. Impressive!

Bull King: Son, you are so smart.

Bull King: No surprise considering my child, son of the Bull King.

Bull King: From now on, I will bring more artifacts home for you to play with, alright?

Rakshasa: What are you saying, Your Majesty!

Rakshasa: I was hoping you would dissuade him from obsessing over artifacts,

Rakshasa: Why would you do the opposite and encourage him?

Bull King: Our child is a genius!

Bull King: Look at this mount; it was originally just a pile of scrap metal,

Bull King: Now with a few tinkers from our son, it is a moving artifact,

Bull King: We can’t ignore this talent!

Rakshasa: But, Your Majesty...

Bull King: Enough; this matter is settled.

Ignoring Rakshasa, the Bull King got onto the bull and rode away.
Since then, the Bull King sought even more artifacts for his son, and would often lead his elves into the forest to hunt for their trail.

Bull King: Yes, I remember it should be in this area...

Clairvoyant: Your Majesty, there seems to be some commotion over there.

Bull King: What?

【Before Battles】

Bull King: Haha, it’s a fairy charged with protecting the ruins.

Bull King: This proves there are treasures here!

【Enemy Dialog】

Bull King: Time to take your life!

【After Battles】

Bull King: Haha, this treasure is mine!

【End】

Bull King: Brothers, bring these treasures back to our cave!

Ghost of Willow: Yes, Your Majesty.

Clairvoyant: Oh no; oh no! Your Majesty...has gone to crap!

Bull King: Darn you! YOU have gone to crap! Watch what you say!

Clairvoyant: Your Majesty, a large group of Demons are heading towards the Human city!

Bull King: How is it any of my business if they are going to a Human city?

Bull King: Come on, move the treasure back!

Gods and Demons fought proxy battles through the Humans that eventually led to a multiple-front war on all sides; finally this drew the elves into the anti-Demon front as well. From then on, the Bull King led constant expeditions of elves against the Demons, and can no longer indulge alongside his elves.

【Beginning】

Rakshasa: ‘Your Majesty, why not take off your helmet and get some rest?’

Bull King: ‘None of your business!’

In the past, the Bull King was ashamed that he could not take on the appearance of a man.^ Hence, he wore a helmet to maintain his authority by hiding his half-humanized face.

Elf: ‘Everyone charge! Avenge our fallen brothers!’

Elf Mass: ‘Ahhhhhhhh!’

In the past, the Bull King had been bemused about this concept of “vengeance.” ^ Since his Human-esque enlightenment, “vengeance” often entered the Bull King’s ears. Every time he encountered enemies who declared their desire for revenge, the Bull King would still slaughter them mercilessly, but he would feel odd about it afterwards.
Once, Bull King passed by a Human battlefield, seeing the ground littered with armored Human corpses.^ This seemed as if it opened a switch to a floodgate from his past, and the Bull King thought back to his life before becoming a mythological beast.

Master: ‘Bull...I think...It’s time I took up the responsibility I have avoided for years. ’

Master: ‘Bull, from now on, would you accompany me to battle?’

Bull: ‘Moo—’

Past events replayed in the Bull King’s mind like a movie...

Master: ‘Bull! Don’t charge! I will handle them!’

Master: ‘Hmm...I thought I could have...stopped this strike...’

Master: ‘...Bull...Run...I think I...’

Bull: ‘Moo...!’

Bull King: Ahhhh!

Rethinking about his master’s death brought the Bull King back into uncontrollable tears.

Bull King: What am I doing?

Bull King: Have I actually been bloodying my hands for his vengeance?

Bull King: Is my inability to take on a human form because in my mind—

Bull King: I still see myself as ‘the master’s mystical bull’?

The Bull King became confused by his actions and started questioning his own values.^ He drifted across the realm of Humans, hoping to find out about his master as a way of seeking his purpose for fighting.

Clairvoyant: Your Majesty...has gone to crap! Demons are coming!

Bull King: Darn you! YOU have gone to crap!

Bull King: How many times have I told you to watch what you say!

Living in a time of war, the Bull King did not have much time to roam alone. He always kept his Clairvoyant Eye artifact by his side, ensuring he knew what was happening in his fiefdom.

Demon: Attack! This place shall be ours!

Bull King: Don’t even think about it!

【Enemy Dialog】

Elf: Your Majesty! Save us!

Bull King: I am coming! Stand down!

【After Battles】

Elf Masses: Bravo, Your Majesty!

【End】

Bull King: So this is what it is...

The elves’ cheers awoke the Bull King’s heart. The conflict that had just ended reminded himself of why he fought.

Bull King: I don’t fight for my master; I fight to protect them.

Bull King: I have fought until this day to ensure the prosperity of the elves!

No longer hindered by his past, the Bull King regained his confidence, and led the elves in battle without a worry.

Bull King: Everybody, charge!

Elf Masses: Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!