Chapter 136: The Settlement
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: The Settlement
And so, the next morning arrived. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Baek Ahyeon, holding a cup of tea.
“My Savior… it is time to depart.”
“Thank you.”
I took the tea from her, drank it, and then headed outside. I was completely naked, so I casually draped a piece of leather over myself. As I did, my eyes met Baek Ahyeon’s; she was staring intently at me.
“F-Forgive me! My Savior!”
“It’s alright, my disciple.”
She must have seen more than enough last night, yet her eyes were still drawn to me. Her face flushed red, and she couldn’t bring herself to look up. I found it rather cute, so I patted her on the head.
While I was happy to have Baek Ahyeon remain in the settlement, I knew it was about time I sent her back among the humans. She and her followers had adapted well here, but someone like Baek Ahyeon is most effective when she’s in human society.
More importantly, being cut off from news about the humans was a significant disadvantage.
The destination I had in mind for her was the North. Of course, she couldn’t go there directly, but I figured the best course of action would be to pass through smaller cities, gather more followers, and then enter the region.
Naturally, she would be reluctant to go, but it couldn’t be helped. I had often seen the profound anxiety on her face, fearing that she might have to leave the settlement, and it pained my heart. I would have to think carefully about how to bring it up. She would obey if I commanded her, of course, but I felt it would be better to coax and soothe her.
“Let’s go, then.”
“Yes, My Savior.”
After getting dressed, I went outside to find the work already in full swing. The ogres, who had plenty of experience with butchering, had already set up their operation.
It was simple work—skinning the hide, separating the flesh, and sorting the bones—but the creature’s sheer size meant that it would take a whole crew of ogres and orcs to get the job done.
Ragia, who had to carefully remove the poison sac, and Jung Hayeon, who was holding the beast aloft with her roots, were also key figures in this operation.
The scene was an even greater spectacle than I had imagined.
Using her roots, she had hung the beast upside down over a pit to drain its blood. Goblins and orcs stood on a high, simple wooden scaffold, continuously working their knives to separate the hide, while other ogres held the scaffold steady to keep them from falling or used axes to hack through parts that were difficult to separate.
“The bones and flesh of the eastern beast will become the foundation upon which we brothers build our home!”
“We need to separate the head. I heard it’s to be stored separately.”
“The head of the Blood Dagger Clan is already detached!”
The young ones were also watching from a distance. A typical human might have covered their children’s eyes or sent them inside a tent, but for our young, watching and learning from such things was part of their education.
Kim Yoora and the other human children seemed to have fully adapted as well. Seeing her talking with Hakajin, it looked like he had decided to take her on as an unofficial apprentice.
As I approached them, the human kids around them began to shout.
“For Bwood Dagger!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
Kim Yoora and Hakajin did the same.
“For Blood Dagger.”
I patted the heads of the young ones who reached out to me, and they immediately broke into smiles.
“Th-Thank you.”
Amidst it all, Kim Yoora’s face was bright red, as if she were terribly embarrassed. I had initially thought of her as a rather bold girl, but her recent, more childlike reactions were quite fascinating.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since I’d spoken with her. I looked at Kim Yoora and began to speak. She seemed to be adapting well, but I was sure there were still difficulties for her as a human.
“How have you been lately?”
“Ah… I’m doing well, thanks to you. The mothers have been very kind… and I’ve made a lot of friends.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The young Green Skins, who thought of Kim Yoora as their little chieftain, nodded their heads vigorously. I had expected some friction, but it seemed the Green Skin mothers raising the children were being very attentive.
I was about to speak again when a thought struck me, and I was startled. I had just spoken to Kim Yoora in the Green Skin language without even realizing it.
“You learn the language quickly.”
Kim Yoora nodded at my words. She was certainly brilliant. It seemed her talents weren’t limited to ‘play.’ I turned to Hakajin and spoke.
“Hakajin, I’d like you to take Kim Yoora with you as we build the new settlement.”
“Understood.”
Nicole and Orbo’s son were also exceptional, but Kim Yoora was ideal. What I saw in her were the makings of a leader. Not only did the children who were captured with her follow her well, but so did the Green Skins who were born later. If I were to assume I would have no heir, I would even consider making her my successor. It was quite enjoyable to watch how a human raised among Green Skins would grow.
Fortunately, Hakajin also seemed pleased with the idea.
The construction of this new settlement was, in fact, quite important. So much so that I had spent the previous night reviewing the plans Lee Wanyong had drafted with Hakajin. To put it simply, we were planning to introduce elements of human civilization along with the construction of this settlement.
Of course, Green Skins had their own homes and way of life, but after successfully hunting a large beast using human methods, I thought it would be fine to adapt and incorporate more of their ways.
Discard what should be discarded, and accept what should be accepted.
That was the core principle for building this new settlement.
“Have you reviewed all of the human’s plans?”
“Yes. Aside from a few things, I believe we can accept most of it. Since that human has lived in the settlement with us… he seems to have a good understanding of our way of life.”
“That makes sense.”
“I especially liked that many of the plans were made for the young ones.”
The most important features were, of course, for the future of the tribe. Aside from things like a septic system and a water supply, there was little else that required special attention. If we were to truly live like humans, we would need things like an auction house, a market, or a tavern, but Green Skins had no need for economic activity yet.
Those who form a tribal society are remarkably equal and free. They hunt together and share together. This is the natural way of the Green Skins.
There are no slackers. They consider more difficult and dangerous work to be more honorable. Their pride comes not only from taking the lead in battle.
It may sound absurd, but the biggest thing I realized while living with the Green Skins was that their society was a form of perfect republicanism.
From my limited perspective, it was hard to comprehend, but the idea of aiming for equality over private interest is, frankly, unbelievable. Looking at the history of several collapsed nations on Earth, it’s only natural to think that way.
It was an act made possible only because the Green Skins had a completely different way of thinking.
The only drawback was that they were equal under the chieftain, but in a world where a dishonorable person could never be called chieftain, I had yet to hear of a tribe where major problems had arisen.
In any case, besides the facilities for the young Green Skins, another important part of this plan was ‘farming.’
The way Green Skins acquire food is simple. If they want fruit, they go into the forest and pick it. If they want meat, they go out and hunt.
Since humans are constantly flowing into the continent, it wouldn’t be strange to call them a never-ending resource for the Green Skins, but the number of Green Skins was also increasing.
The beasts of the wild are not infinite.
We didn’t need to farm to the extent that it would suppress their fighting instincts, but we did need a minimum amount of food to endure.
In fact, the biggest reason Green Skins don’t flock to large cities is food. No matter how much beast meat you prepare, a siege takes time. Hunger is terrifying. It saps your strength and even quells your will to fight.
The Green Skins who had just arrived here might not know it, but I was sure that an experienced Great Tribe Leader would understand just how crucial food is on the battlefield.
Indeed, the one who was most pleased to hear this idea was Black Spear, who had lost tribe members to starvation before. I realized that if I could make the Green Skins understand the concept of military rations, the direction of future battles would change significantly.
My thoughts had wandered a bit. When I looked at Hakajin, he and Kim Yoora were reading the Hangul written on a piece of leather. It seemed Kim Yoora was reading it aloud for him.
As we discussed various other matters, the butchering of the beast was mostly finished, and as always, the meal began.
Once the hard work was done, they naturally started eating the meat of the eastern beast.
I was getting a little hungry myself, so as I watched the excitedly running children, I spoke to Hakajin and Kim Yoora.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
“Understood.”
I found a suitable spot where my clan members were gathered. The little ones also swarmed over, drooling.
Soon, the Green Skin mothers began bringing the children tender meat they could eat. Of course, they didn’t forget to bring the human children’s food cooked over a fire. They knew that human stomachs couldn’t digest raw meat.
I smiled unconsciously as I watched the scene.
Before long, Jung Hayeon, Baek Ahyeon, the executives, and the tribe members who had finished their work began to gather around me. The sound of laughter and chatter made me feel even more cheerful.
Orbo’s son and an unknown human child were perched on his shoulders. Gark and Hark, after greeting me, were sharing meat with the young Green Skins. Hakajin was with Kim Yoora, and Ragia was mingling with her tribe members.
“Would you like to try some of this?”
I turned toward the voice to see Jung Hayeon smiling slightly as she offered me a piece of grilled meat, just like what the humans were eating.
“Thank you.”
“Chief! Try this too!”
Mev also ran up to me and began offering the meat she had saved. I smiled slightly and took the meat Mev brought as well.
It was so peaceful. This place was worth protecting. The Green Skins were busy, but they were relaxed and happy. They took pride in grueling labor that would make others frown. The same went for the butchering, and for the simple act of sharing meat with everyone. They were grateful and returned the kindness.
It was at that very moment, as I was thinking that this wouldn’t be a bad place to raise a child…
“Ugh…”
“Uuugh…”
Mev, who had been eating meat, suddenly started to gag. A quiet silence abruptly fell over the gathering.
“Ugh…”