Chapter 165: A Star Falls
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 165: A Star Falls
[ In truth, this ancient tome was created after the death of Agar, the greatest first Great Tribe Leader in Green Skin history, so it does not contain an exact account of his life. Stories of how the ground split and mountains crumbled with a single swing of his hammer, or how he single-handedly rescued young, newly arrived Green Skins from the midst of countless humans with his blood-soaked body, were speculated to be slight exaggerations born from the testimony of the many Green Skins who remembered him. However, it is an undeniable fact that Agar, the most honorable and powerful Great Tribe Leader in history, shed much blood to claim the Land of Glory, created countless glorious battles, and dedicated his entire life to all the Green Skins who took root in this land.
Despite the imprecise information, many Green Skins reading this book have recorded the deeds of the first Great Tribe Leader Agar so that the great first leader would not be forgotten, even as time passes. We shall, for all our lives, about the first Great Tribe Leader Agar… omitted… -From a very old tome. In memory of Agar, the greatest first Great Tribe Leader in history. ]
“The Great Tribe Leader is dead.”
“…”
To be honest, I couldn't help but be stunned. It was just too sudden. The Great Tribe Leader I had seen three years ago was steadfast, looking as if he would never fall, no matter what enemy came. I had never imagined I would receive news of his death in such an abrupt manner.
Goff and Black Spear, hearing this heartbreaking news for the second time, also seemed flustered, swallowing repeatedly.
Naturally, the death of the Great Tribe Leader held great significance for all Green Skins. For Goff, who had sincerely respected the current leader, the shock must have been even greater.
It was the same for me. A whirlwind of emotions raged within me. His death felt a little too soon, even more so than the news of the South being utterly devastated. A thought crossed my mind—could the South have been involved in the Great Tribe Leader’s death? But it was a hasty assumption. I decided it was more important to first find out what had happened and how he had died. I forced my tightly shut mouth open.
“Strength, Wisdom… and Honor…”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
Storm Shadow accepted my greeting with considerable composure. As someone who had long served as the Great Tribe Leader’s right hand and dedicated himself to Green Skin society, the shock must have been immense for him. Yet, he appeared quite calm.
“How did he die?”
At my question, Storm Shadow slowly began to speak.
“He passed peacefully in his sleep.”
Something felt off, but it seemed to have been a natural death. Even if it was the truth, it wasn't entirely surprising. He had looked incredibly strong at a glance, but the life of the Great Tribe Leader, as I’d once heard from Goff, was a continuous series of struggles. The Land of Glory we now possessed was a place forged through his self-sacrifice and bloodshed for the sake of his people.
If he had been living with all those wounds, it would be no surprise if his lifespan had been cut short. It was a relief to hear he had passed peacefully, but I doubted it was a matter that should be revealed so quietly.
“I will say this here and now: the Great Tribe Leader’s death is top secret. He said that only those who have passed the Trial of Strength, Honor, and Wisdom, and endured the Trial of Patience, should know this fact.”
After hearing Storm Shadow’s words, Goff spoke curtly.
“Why?”
The answer came from Black Spear.
“He must have been thinking about the chaos that could arise.”
Black Spear was right. The Great Tribe Leader Agar was our focal point. He was the figure who united all Green Skins and created a bond between them. He built the foundation for our existence here and established the laws and traditions we were to follow. If the leash that was the Great Tribe Leader was removed, in the worst-case scenario, the Green Skins could scatter to the winds.
And that wasn't all.
The other problem was how the other chieftains would take this news. As much as they all respected him, they would surely gather in the Land of Glory to honor his death. But if the situation wasn't handled properly, I believed that sparks would ignite across the continent in an instant, and many would emerge seeking only strength and honor.
This was an undeniable fact. They might think of it as glorious blood, but in the eyes of the Great Tribe Leader and myself, it would be pointless bloodshed. While it is an honor for warriors to die, it was clear that their families, the Green Skins who had not yet settled, and the Green Skins who would be summoned in the future would surely suffer.
His death would likely be kept secret until the next Great Tribe Leader was elected. Furthermore, a result that everyone could accept had to be reached before they all returned to their respective clans. As I fell silent in thought, Storm Shadow spoke again.
“The Glorious Trial is still in progress. Before it ends, a new Great Tribe Leader will be selected to take charge of the new Green Skins.”
“How will the new Great Tribe Leader be chosen?”
“…”
The answer was silence. It probably meant it hadn't been decided yet. He, too, must be flustered. To Storm Shadow, the Great Tribe Leader Agar meant the same as he did to me, Goff, and Black Spear. When no answer came, I simply nodded.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor… We will prepare to depart immediately. The Glorious Trial will take a long time, but given the gravity of the situation, it would be best to prepare quickly.”
Storm Shadow nodded at my words and, placing an arm over his chest, vanished into the shadows. After he was gone, the tent felt even quieter than usual. Disliking the silence, Goff spoke first, and Black Spear followed.
“I can’t believe it. The Great Tribe Leader…”
“We all die someday, Goff. It is the result of a long life of struggle. Considering Great Tribe Leader Agar’s past, his death was sufficiently glorious and honorable. He was a Green Skin worthy of respect. Personally, I cannot hide my own grief.”
Goff nodded at Black Spear’s words. I nodded as well and spoke.
“Then let’s finish our preparations and head back right away. It would be best to break through quickly with only our elite members.”
“Let’s regroup as soon as possible.”
When we emerged from the tent, the Green Skins, curious about what was happening, were watching the three chieftains’ expressions. I immediately started walking toward them.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, they watched me cautiously. I addressed my clan members.
“We head for the Land of Glory at once. Ragia, Hakajin, Mev, the Goblin Three Sisters, and finally, Baek Ahyeon will remain here on standby. Ragia will be in charge of managing the tribe as its matriarch. It will not take long. I would like you to wrap things up in the meantime.”
At my words, Ragia bowed her head and spoke.
“I will follow your will.”
“I am always grateful. Let’s visit the Land of Glory together next time.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“I will take Half Blade, Mirror Blade, Orbo of the Shield, Jung Hayeon, and half of the elite Orc swordsmen.”
“For Blood Dagger!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
“We depart now. It may take a long time, so prepare enough food.”
While they prepared provisions, I spoke to each of the ones remaining behind. There might be some who were disappointed. Although we had an unofficial alliance with Jang Ye Ri’s city, we still needed people to protect the clan. First, I approached Baek Ahyeon, who had been under a lot of stress recently. She was clutching the ring I had given her—not the Ring of Covenant—and looking this way.
“I will be waiting, my Savior.”
When I pulled her into a light embrace, she let out a small shriek.
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“Ye-Yes. Th-Thank you! My Savior.”
I greeted Hakajin by placing a hand over my chest, and then I approached Mev. She was puffing out her cheeks as if to ask why I wasn't taking her, but of course, I couldn't take a pregnant Mev on such a long journey. She seemed to be well aware of this herself, as she didn't protest, but she certainly didn't look very happy.
“I’ll be back.”
“Alright, Chief. You have to bring back the new Green Skins!”
“I will.”
As I chuckled, the Goblin Three Sisters cheerfully spoke up from behind.
“Don’t worry about the clan! Kkireuk!”
“We will protect Mev, the mother of the Blood Dagger Clan!”
Of course, nothing would happen, but the grim determination on their faces was quite cute. After patting Mev’s head one more time, I mounted Abar and set off.
To the Land of Glory.
I had never imagined I would set foot in the Land of Glory for such a reason. Although we had the duty of looking after the new Green Skins, the atmosphere in the Goff Clan and the Black Spear Clan was quite somber. The same was true for our clan. With the chieftains’ moods so grim, it was only natural that their subordinates would also be subdued.
Even Gark and Hark, who had been thrilled to be selected, were unusually quiet. However, as if to fulfill their duty, they proudly tried to walk with the Blood Dagger Clan’s flag raised behind their backs, a sight that was very much like them.
Since we were traveling through the forest instead of crossing the desert, it seemed like the journey would be a bit shorter, but it was still an undeniably long distance.
As we continued to move, we began to see other Green Skins, and they too wore deeply mournful expressions. Our clan started walking in a group with the others, and by the time we reached the middle of the forest, we had formed a rather massive procession.
Countless chieftains from all over the continent were on the move. Though no one said it, it felt like a funeral march to mourn the Great Tribe Leader’s death. And there, I met a familiar face.
“It’s been a while, Blood Dagger. You’ve grown splendidly.”
“Green Goblin.”
Contrary to his usual habit of greeting me with a wide grin, he wore a serious expression for the first time in a long while. I had expected his grief to be great, as he had spent more time with the Great Tribe Leader than I had, but seeing him so quiet was quite heartbreaking.
His green ears drooped, and he looked a little tired, as if he hadn't slept at all on the way here.
“You must have heard the news.”
“Aye… I did. It pains my heart that I couldn’t be there for the Great Tribe Leader’s final moments… I’m probably not the only one who thinks this way. Everyone must feel the same. There isn’t a single place on this continent that the Great Tribe Leader’s hand hasn’t touched. I wasn’t there when he obtained the Land of Glory, but he was truly an honorable and great Green Skin.”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
As time passed, this great procession grew even larger.
No one shouted or shed tears.
They just kept walking.
When we finally arrived at the Land of Glory, Storm Shadow and the Minotaur of the Plains, who had arrived earlier, welcomed us. We were then able to head to the place where the Great Tribe Leader’s body was laid to rest.
Inside the tent where I had first shared drinks with the Great Tribe Leader and the other chieftains. The Great Tribe Leader sat quietly, just as he had back then, with his hammer placed beside him. He looked so steadfast, as if he might stand up at any moment. Looking at him, a goblin chieftain spoke, almost unconsciously.
“Great Tribe Leader…”
“He has stopped breathing.”
He looked as if he were sitting peacefully, but he had certainly stopped breathing. Yet, it seemed as if the Great Tribe Leader was gazing quietly at us. Watching everyone’s reaction, a troll spoke calmly.
“This is the Great Tribe Leader’s final message.”
It was Storm Shadow.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor… I am truly sorry to meet you all like this so suddenly. Forgive me for leaving first, when I should have always been before you, behind you, and beside you. I am indebted to you all. Perhaps you think you are indebted to me, but all I did for you was pass on this land. But I received so much from you. Even in the final moments of my life, I was surely thinking of you all. As the Great Tribe Leader of the Green Skins, what could be more honorable or joyous than this?
I am not the great and honorable chieftain you think I am. I have struggled for a long time in my life; it is no exaggeration to say I have struggled my entire life. During that time of struggle, I ran, I met comrades, I parted with them, and I saw much blood. Battle was enjoyable and it invigorated us, but I could not help but recognize the danger of this instinct we possess.
So I avoided fights and made rules. There were those who left because they did not like my ways, and there were those who adapted and lived on, but I do not regret my choice. For us, instinct is a double-edged sword. I believe the wise ones among you understand why I, who never let go of my hammer through continuous struggle, chose to suppress our instincts after creating the Land of Glory and making it possible for everyone to live.
Strength, Wisdom, and Honor. I trust that you will always carry the meaning of these words in your hearts as you live on this continent. O, glorious Green Skins. I return to the embrace of the god of the battlefield, but I pray that glory will always be with you on your path forward.
Live on, my children.”
For a moment, silence fell upon the tent. Without anyone prompting, one by one, they slowly placed their hands over their chests.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor!”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
The final journey of the greatest Great Tribe Leader in history, who had lived his entire life for his people. No one bowed their heads. But the sound of ownerless sobs began to echo through the air.