Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Chapter 3-1. Black Tree Tribe
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The room visible through the open door was completely different from what he'd imagined.
He had pictured a tribal chief's quarters piled high with mysterious totems and filled with objects infused with shamanistic meanings, but nothing of the sort was in sight.
Instead, it looked just like a place that traded with Baekje: woven mats covered the floor, and there was a low desk, a folding screen, and pottery visible.
But even more captivating than any of that was a single woman.
"What are you looking around at like that, outsider?"
She was the chieftain.
Her rust-red hair was swept up with a hairpin, her eyebrows arched refreshingly, and her sparkling eyes seemed to draw in the gaze of anyone who looked.
'Isabel.'
The moment Judah saw her, two people came to mind.
The charisma emanating from her appearance reminded him of Viscount Pierzen, the lord of Selenia Castle, while her manner of speech evoked Gentia.
Remembering that she had addressed him, Judah bowed his head and replied.
Thankfully, his response wasn't too late.
"My apologies. The room was just so different from what I expected. May we come in?"
"Heh heh. Of course. Take off your shoes before entering."
She smiled softly at his fluent words and gave her permission.
There was a separate area at the entrance for removing shoes, like a foyer.
It took a little time to untie their laces, but all three managed to slip theirs off.
Fortunately, there were no foot odors.
Judah spotted cushions in one corner and, without needing instruction from the chieftain, fetched one, laid it down, and sat.
He sat facing the chieftain directly, with Jeanne and Arhil settling behind him.
"You're a bit late, but welcome to the land of the Black Tree Tribe, outsider. I am Chieftain Isabel."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Judah Arshelle."
They gave their names in turn.
She glanced at Arhil and Jeanne seated behind him, then made a mischievous face.
"Are those your wives behind you?"
"Yes."
Arhil let out a startled sound at the immediate response.
"Judging by her reaction, they're not?"
"She's just shy."
"Shy? Heh heh. How amusing. Outsider—no, Judah, was it?"
"Yes."
"Watching you, I can see why they call you a spirit."
Chieftain Isabel wore what looked like a bikini, leaning forward over the low desk with her chest resting on it, smiling with her eyes.
Her gaze fixed straight on Judah's eyes held an inexplicable fondness.
"Black hair and eyes like pure crystals—no one would doubt it if you called yourself a spirit."
"...Well, I'm human."
"Heh heh. I know. Me too. Unlike my tribesfolk, I don't blindly believe you're a spirit. Especially since you yourself deny it. But... tempting."
"Excuse me?"
"If my Black Tree Tribe took you as a husband, we'd feel so superior to the other tribes. We'd be known as the tribe chosen by a spirit."
Her eyes gleamed as if she might pounce on him right then.
Had Arhil and Jeanne not been there, she might have done so without hesitation.
Sensing his wariness, she pulled her head back.
"It was a joke—no need for that face. Or do I not appeal to you?"
"No, of course you do."
"So you do like what you see?"
Judah felt trapped as she spoke in a voice full of playfulness.
No matter what he said, she'd steer the conversation her way.
After a brief moment of embarrassment, he nodded.
"Yes, Lady Chieftain's..."
"Isabel."
"...Isabel's appearance is beautiful. As a man, how could I not be tempted?"
She curled her lips in satisfaction, then burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Good. I like your honesty. Well, I fancy you too, outsider. We both like each other, so how about spending the night together?"
At her bold words, Jeanne and Arhil flushed behind him.
Judah's face reddened too, needless to say, at her seductive display of her tightly bound cleavage in leather garb.
A brief silence fell.
The chieftain spoke again.
"You need time to think, I see. Well, it wasn't entirely a joke, so give it serious thought."
"Yes."
"Then, shall we talk about why you're here? What's your purpose, outsider?"
"Traveling."
"...Huh? Traveling?"
Isabel made a face like she'd heard something utterly unexpected.
Traveling? What was there to see in a place like this?
She stared at him, unable to comprehend.
If this was a lie, what did this boy hope to gain by coming here?
She narrowed her eyes at the outsider, but couldn't read his intent.
His black eyes held such a pure hue that Isabel had no choice but to set aside her suspicions.
From the start, in this forest teeming only with monsters, he looked far too young to have come with some grand purpose.
Plenty of people from the Empire and various kingdoms sought out her tribe.
Some came with foul intentions, others purely to hire the Black Tribe's skilled archers as mercenaries.
She'd nearly fallen for sweet talk at first in her naivety, but being capable and sharp, she'd learned to discern their motives through conversation.
Yet with Judah, she sensed no suspicion whatsoever.
"Traveling."
She tilted her head, pondering slowly, then let out a hollow chuckle.
"Outsider, are you one of those adventurers? I hear they go around doing all sorts of pointless things."
"You know about adventurers, then. Yes, that's right. But adventuring is just a means to achieve my dreams, Lady Chieftain."
"Not 'Lady Chieftain'—call me Isabel."
There was a subtle stubbornness in her correction.
Judah nodded and said "Isabel" once more.
Only then did her stiff expression soften.
"Hmm. So you're just purely curious about this land and came to sightsee? Risking your life?"
"It wasn't quite that life-risking, but yes, that's the gist."
"Amusing. Fine, then stay here as long as you like. Look around, experience what you want. Just don't go doing anything dangerous. No need to warn you, right?"
"Thank you for allowing it, Isabel."
She smiled brightly at his words.
"Of course. But it's not free. You'll have to pay a price."
"A price?"
"Exactly. In this treacherous, monster-filled forest, where do you think you can spend a night worry-free, with water, food, and a place to wash? The Black Tree Tribe is showing you goodwill because we think you're a spirit, Judah. Any other tribe would've attacked you without a second thought."
As she said, for these people, treating an outsider like Judah's group this way wasn't easy.
Thinking back, from the moment they entered the village, people had bowed deeply and respectfully to him.
Staying in the village might come with some burdens, but they'd enjoy considerable comfort.
And the people of the Rezen were known to kidnap attractive women or handsome men they fancied, making them wives or husbands.
Jeanne and Arhil were beautiful enough to be prime targets.
But if they were known as the wives of a spirit, no one would dare touch them.
Judah thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Understood. While staying here, my... wives and I will gladly help with anything we can. But please don't burden us with too many requests that take up our time."
"No worries there. Then I'll have someone show you to your lodging. Alec! Are you outside?"
At her booming voice, the door opened, and the bear-pelted hunter who had escorted Judah's group into the village earlier entered.
"You called, Chieftain?"
"Yes. Guide them to a room. You know that building we prepared for those Empire folk who visited?"
"Are you sure about that place?"
Her eyes twitched at the hunter's concerned tone.
"Since when do you question my orders, Alec?"
"My apologies. I'll guide them right away."
"Alec."
Isabel called the hunter's name again as he turned to lead Judah's group out.
Sweating coldly, he replied.
"Be more careful next time."
"I'll etch it into my heart."
Jeanne and Arhil exited first, and Judah was the last to leave, about to close the door.
Through the crack, his eyes met Isabel's.
The woman who had spoken with such commanding charisma just moments ago winked and waved.
At her inexplicable fondness, Judah bowed his head and closed the door with a thud.
Her aggressive advances left his heart pounding without time to steady itself.
'Troublesome.'
He never imagined his black hair and eyes would bring him such advantages.
Truth be told, if he hadn't been lying about having no companions, he might have eagerly accepted her playful offer to spend the night.
Her attire and speech were that stimulating.
Having experience with women already, his member stiffened uncomfortably, making walking awkward—but the robe hid it, sparing him a hunched gait.
"Why do you keep staring down?"
Arhil, walking ahead, turned and asked.
Caught off guard by her sudden question, Judah waved his hands.
"It's nothing. Let's hurry and catch up."
"?"
Arhil tilted her head with a puzzled look.
========== Author's Note ==========
1) Whew, Tuesdays and Wednesdays really feel like the toughest days of the week. Back-to-back classes from morning till evening... time's so tight.
2) It'd be great if I could do a streak, right...? But school's kicking my butt, boo hoo.