Chapter 106: Contact
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 106: Contact
[The term 'Green Skin' originally referred to races with green skin, such as Orcs, Goblins, and Ogres. After they were summoned to the continent by the call of the God of War, the scope of the term broadened slightly. Then, following the emergence of Blood Dagger, the definition of Green Skin expanded once more. It was Blood Dagger who first accepted the great and honorable matriarch, Warcry Queen Kim Yoora, as a Green Skin. According to him, a Green Skin is... [excerpt]. - From a very old text, Footprints of the Great Chieftains.]
Of course, they couldn't understand what I was saying. They were still in the process of learning the Green Skin language, so it was only natural. Even so, quite a few of the little ones were shedding tears. Kim Yoora, in particular, was looking at me and sniffling nonstop. She looked completely different from when I first saw her, like a normal child. I figured she had probably understood the gist of my words. It had been a short time, but she was one who had studied with true desperation.
The other Green Skins also seemed a little surprised by my declaration. But they weren't unsettled. Instead, they began to shout. I hadn't expected any opposition, but I never imagined they would welcome it like this. Thanks to them, my own mood began to lift.
“We welcome the humans as clan members!”
“The human children are also of the Blood Dagger Clan!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
At least within our clan, there wasn't a single one who held any complaints about accepting humans into the tribe. Even the new kids, who looked like they had no idea what was going on, started shouting along.
“Wooooah!”
“For Bwood Dagger!”
As everyone roared, the young ones raised their voices too. Among them, Kim Yoora and the other human kids also shouted, albeit quietly.
“F-For... Blood Dagger.”
Interestingly, and surprisingly, what came out of their mouths was the Green Skin language. The kids had clearly memorized the Green Skin words. It was obvious they had thought that, even if they couldn't say anything else, they absolutely had to memorize this phrase. I glanced over at Jung Hayeon and saw her nodding in satisfaction. It seemed that even she had a bit of a soft spot for children.
“For Blood Dagger!”
Watching them shout my name until their throats were raw, I was lost in thought for a moment. They won't betray me. Just like Baek Ahyeon. To them, I'm not a monster, but the hero who saved them. Unlike with Baek Ahyeon, where there was a clear objective, this time I had acted out of pure goodwill. This feeling wasn't half bad.
Just then, I started to feel a gaze from somewhere. I turned my head to check and, sure enough, Black Spear was looking this way. His eyes held a look of great amusement. Seeing that look, I could confirm that he, too, supported this decision. The same went for Little Finger, who was beside him.
When our eyes met, Black Spear bowed his head and placed a hand on his chest, so I returned the gesture of thanks in kind.
Meanwhile, the impromptu welcoming party continued. Led by the Goblin Three Sisters, Ragia, and Mev, the female clan members began to greet the new children. The Orc swordsmen, clumsy with words, kept finding food from somewhere and handing it to the kids. Thankfully, it seemed none of them had brought human flesh. The mother goblins were also looking after the human kids as if they were their own.
It was a truly interesting sight. It seemed the children’s earnest efforts over this short time had paid off.
It was then that the ring began to glow faintly. More good news. Baek Ahyeon had finally arrived in Somorah.
[My Savior. I have arrived in Somorah.]
[Well done.]
I let out a faint smile. Just like our Blood Dagger Clan, Baek Ahyeon had grown immensely. While she had grown in external strength, what had changed even more was people's perception of her.
Perhaps it was because she frequently visited the slums, or perhaps it was because of the many Pagans who followed her, but absurdly enough, Baek Ahyeon was now being called the “Saint” of the West. Her followers, who initially numbered around thirty, now exceeded one hundred, so in a way, the title fit.
The mysterious holy power that had grown stronger as her Pagans increased also helped Baek Ahyeon maintain her moniker as the West's Saint.
[Thank you, my Savior. Please rejoice. The number of your followers increased slightly on the way to Somorah.]
I had no idea what words she used to sweet-talk the poor, but like a multiplying amoeba, this mysterious religion was slowly swallowing the continent.
[Well done. So, how is Somorah?]
[It is a bit dark, but the atmosphere is not bad. I see no poor people, either.]
[I see.]
Baek Ahyeon and her hundred-plus followers. In other words, a hundred walking bombs. They would likely fire the signal flare for the city's conquest, but there was something to be done before that.
Making contact with the slaves inside Somorah. If the future were to unfold as it originally did, Somorah would be completely destroyed in two years. By a rebellion started by the slaves, no less. The one who started this rebellion was a Troll shaman. Making contact with him was the first step.
Of course, it would be best if I made contact myself, but thankfully, I had a second-best option: Baek Ahyeon.
As I stood there with a serious expression, the quick-witted Ragia immediately approached me. I spoke to her.
“Bring me Lee Wanyong.”
“Yes, I understand.”
A moment later, Lee Wanyong was delivered to me, a look of confusion on his face. It was only natural that his expression brightened as he blankly watched the human children being welcomed. Thanks to that, he seemed to have completely fallen for my lie about sparing his life.
[My follower. There is something you must do.]
[I will obey any command, my Savior.]
The task was to make contact. Contact with the slave traders. It probably wouldn't be easy for outsiders who had just arrived in the city to get in touch with them. No, the slaves on public display would be nothing more than humans, at best. That's why Lee Wanyong was necessary. He would guide the way. To the underground, where Baek Ahyeon and her followers were headed.
“Where can one go to acquire slaves that aren't available to the general public?”
“Well... I can tell you the location, but you need to be qualified.”
It seemed highly likely that ‘qualification’ meant military power, fame, or capital. I spoke to him again.
“Would the West's Saint be qualification enough?”
“What? H-How could she...”
“Just answer the question, Lee Wanyong.”
“Y-Yes. It... it should be enough. Probably.”
He then began to explain. It was just as I expected, but quite old-fashioned. To think the method of contact was just speaking a password in a tavern... I wondered why these types never used a more sophisticated method. Naturally, there were conditions—a first-timer couldn't go straight to the underground, you had to pay a certain amount of money, or you had to accumulate points—but what mattered was making contact, one way or another. I slowly began to relay Lee Wanyong's instructions to Baek Ahyeon.
[Go into the Cactus Tavern and repeat my words exactly to the waiter.]
[Understood, my Savior.]
She was probably on her way now. I could hear Baek Ahyeon's voice continuously, as if her followers beside her were speaking to her.
[It is His call. We do not need many people, so some of you may return.]
[Yes... As He wills.]
It seemed she had selected the personnel to enter the tavern with her.
A little more time passed before I heard Baek Ahyeon's voice once more.
[I'd like a strong drink... Do you happen to sell any here?]
She had entered the tavern and was speaking to the bartender.
[Cherry brandy will be sufficient.]
After a little more time passed, just as Lee Wanyong had instructed, Baek Ahyeon spoke to me again.
[I have entered a strange space, my Savior.]
[Was there anything unusual?]
[No. Other than the fact that a few of the humans in the tavern were extremely surprised...]
It was surprising enough that the West's Saint had come to a small city like Somorah, but for her to immediately seek the ‘underground’ must have been shocking from their perspective. If any of them had heard stories about her or genuinely respected her, I imagined they would have been utterly astonished.
I had already explained her objective. Soon, I heard Baek Ahyeon's voice again as a new man appeared. I couldn't hear what the man was saying, which was incredibly frustrating, but based on Baek Ahyeon's words, I could guess what their conversation was about.
[Is qualification required to come here as well?]
[Everyone has a dark side. I am no exception. I am most curious about whether my privacy will be guaranteed. After all, I am concerned about public perception...]
[Ah, that is a relief. You need not worry about money.]
First, they must have expressed surprise that the West's Saint had come here. Second, they must have asked her reason for coming. And third, they must have asked if she had enough money. In truth, Baek Ahyeon was overflowing with funds. Aside from the money from the humans the Blood Dagger Clan had hunted, which was given to the Green Goblins, Baek Ahyeon had all the rest. It would be strange if she didn't have enough. She was handling it so well on her own that I couldn't bring myself to speak, worried that I might interrupt the flow of the conversation. It was then that she continued.
[I heard you also handle monster slaves. I am curious if you deal in strong slaves as well.]
[How much would I have to pay to own one? That's a shame.]
It seemed that the stronger ones, used as breeding stock, could not be owned outright. However, it seemed renting was possible.
[Three days... So that is the limit...]
[The cost does not matter. As for the race... a Troll would be good. It must be the strongest. That is the most important thing. I will give you as much gold as you desire.]
[I don't mind if it doesn't look human. No, in fact, a monstrous appearance would be preferable.]
Perfect. If this continued, she would surely be able to meet him.
[Its purpose? Must I disclose such a thing?]
They check every little thing, I thought. It was probably to manage their slaves, but they seemed worried that Baek Ahyeon might harm their merchandise. Absurdly, Baek Ahyeon blew all their concerns away with a single remark.
[I have... rather peculiar tastes. I'm too embarrassed to explain in any more detail. Of course, I will not harm it, so you can rest assured...]
Baek Ahyeon's bombshell statement was enough to leave even me speechless. It was the moment the woman called the Saint of the West unofficially transformed into the greatest harlot.