Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 168: The Election

It goes without saying, but the humans summoned to this world don't hold elections either. In a world governed by the logic of power, there's no need for voting. The human with the greatest strength or influence seizes power. Naturally, it's also common for factions of equal power and authority to exist. To protect their vested interests, the human leaders chose division.

That is precisely why power is fractured across the East, West, South, and North. With few exceptions, they ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠never relinquish their power. And they aren't the only ones who want them to hold onto that power. Interestingly enough, even those without vested interests hope they don't give up their power. This is because they judge it to be far more stable and beneficial for themselves.

They need a leader who can protect them. A strong leader.

Having lived a life at the bottom, I was the same. Even if I had been given the right to vote, it would have been natural to ultimately choose the fence that could properly protect me.

I didn't know how these guys would take this concept, but at least a few of them had expressions that said it wasn't a bad idea.

What's important is qualification and honor. To instill in each chieftain how precious their single vote is, and how honorable it is to wield that right. Although I was introducing the concept of an election, I had no intention of importing the political circus from Earth. Of course, a little ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trickery to make Storm Shadow the Great Tribe Leader wouldn't be bad, but this idea was far from being dishonorable or illicit. Rather, it was a matter of sacrifice.

I began to speak to the Green Skin chieftains, some of whom were nodding while others stared at me with strange expressions.

“Those who are qualified are, of course, those who possess both strength and wisdom. The chieftains just mentioned are the ones who could be called qualified. To be chosen by other chieftains is an honorable thing... but more than that, for each chieftain to exercise the right of their single vote is also an honorable act.”

They are obsessed with honor. It might sound like instigation, but it's not wrong. I must guide them in a different direction from human elections.

Exercising the right of a single vote is more honorable than any other act.

If the honor-obsessed Green Skins live with this mindset, their politics—if you can even call it that—will never become corrupt. They won't cast their votes for personal gain or simply because they owe someone a favor. It is self-evident that they will bestow their precious honor upon those they truly believe should be the Great Tribe Leader. And the Great Tribe Leader, who bears that honor, will not forget that they bestowed their precious honor upon him.

That is why it is crucial to engrave the concept that a vote is honor. This concept must be established before the election itself.

“Each chieftain should personally declare to whom they cast their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠precious, honorable vote. They must state before everyone why they cast their vote—why they used their honor.”

The voting method, of course, will be a public vote. Since this is not a shady business, there is no need to hide. They will express their opinions proudly and exercise their rights with dignity.

They all looked like it wasn't a bad idea. Even the Orc from the South was the same.

The idea that this wasn't simple side-taking, but a chance to exercise their precious honor, resonated in their hearts. A Great Tribe Leader chosen this way would have legitimacy in anyone's eyes.

“Blood Dagger's words are not bad.”

“A war with the South is a decent idea, but we need a Great Tribe Leader to welcome the new Green Skins. Since they are the ones taking the Warrior's Exam, we cannot simply let them step onto the Land of Glory without a proper welcome. We need a Great Tribe Leader to greet them.”

“Exercising honor! How splendid.”

The one nodding to himself in agreement, the one worried about the juniors to come, the one simply fixated on the word 'honor'—the reactions were quite varied. It's not as if they were completely ignorant of the principle of majority rule. While it's true that the chieftain makes most of the major decisions when leading a tribe, from a leader's position, one cannot ignore the opinions of the tribe members.

Whether they are conscious of it or not, the opinion of the majority cannot be ignored. But that doesn't mean the minority's opinion can be completely dismissed. An unexpected objection came from the Minotaur of the plains, Earth Wave.

“Your words are not bad. It is also right that the one who gathers the most honorable votes becomes the Great Tribe Leader. I am not disrespecting the honor of the chieftains here, but the majority is not always right.”

“You are right, Earth Wave of the plains. However, my proposal is not to exclude or dismiss the opinions of the minority. The majority is not always the correct answer. Likewise, the minority is not always right either. That is why this is so important. This is a crucial matter that will decide the future of our entire race. What rests in your hands is not just an ordinary vote. It is the fate of your entire tribe... in other words, it is the honor and life of your entire tribe. Of course, we will not dismiss the minority's opinion. That is why the public vote exists. We can voice our opinions in many ways. I believe that a wise chieftain who bears the honor of the majority will surely take care of the honor of the minority as well.”

“I see...”

In truth, it's an unavoidable weakness of the majority rule principle. I had only taken the phrase 'I will gather your opinions' and spun it out at length to suit their tastes, but for now, the response seemed positive. Earth Wave also wore an expression of deep thought. I looked at the Orc from the South, Sand Glave, and spoke.

“What are your thoughts?”

At my words, he spoke frankly. As expected, his reaction was positive.

“I can understand. The idea that the chieftain who gathers the most honor becomes the Great Tribe Leader is a very appealing one. You are right. Strength is important, but being strong doesn't mean one can become a chieftain everyone follows. The Great Tribe Leader must be more honorable than anyone else and must be able to bear the honor of all.”

It seems he understood the position of Great Tribe Leader as one who bears honor. He was far more reasonable than I had expected. I thought he was just a simple battle maniac, but it seems that wasn't the case. Since Sand Glave had also lived alongside Great Tribe Leader Agar, he was a bit rough, but he wasn't thoughtless. After hearing his words, I looked around at the assembly and spoke again.

“The vote to exercise honor will take place around the time our new brothers approach the Land of Glory. Until then, we will decide on the candidates, and each candidate will have time to speak about their thoughts. I trust that each individual can best judge for themselves whether they are qualified to stand as a candidate for the great position of Great Tribe Leader.”

“Right.”

“A good idea...”

“I think it's the best idea.”

In a way, I thought, the reason they were so receptive to my words was also a legacy of Great Tribe Leader Agar. If the previous Great Tribe Leader had been one who pursued only strength, they probably wouldn't have been swayed by my words. It was the result of his efforts to change the race. They might not know it themselves, but they are definitely changing.

Slowly, but surely, they were changing.

Strength, Wisdom, and Honor—the words they always shouted.

Before they knew it, these three things had become incredibly important values to them.

Great Tribe Leader Agar may not have achieved his dream, but the entire race had taken a step forward in accordance with his will. I looked at them for a moment and let out a small, wry smile for no particular reason.

Eventually, after a bit more discussion on various topics, the meeting finally concluded. Compared to the first meeting, it was a slight improvement. Though ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠other things were discussed afterward, everyone seemed to be most focused on what I had said. It wasn't what I wanted, but my reputation had risen a little.

The Green Skins leaving the tent began to offer me a word or two. Words like, “You're a wise chieftain, just as the rumors said... Blood Dagger,” or “You are wise,” began to reach my ears, and I scratched my head awkwardly.

Everyone was returning to their own tents, and I was about to head to mine with my clan members.

“You truly are a clever Green Skin...”

The one speaking to me was the Minotaur of the plains, Earth Wave. For a compliment, his gaze was quite peculiar. It was natural for him to be wary since I had introduced an unfamiliar concept, but there was a subtle expression on his face that went beyond that.

He had seen through me. He might not have grasped it precisely, but the large, bull-headed creature was looking at me with eyes that were uncharacteristically clear for a Green Skin.

Earth Wave. He was one of the individuals the Great Tribe Leader had trusted most and had wanted to keep by his side. Like Storm Shadow, he had a very quiet personality, but of a slightly different kind. He was a typical loyal subject. He was the type to spare his words and show through his actions first, but he was by no means a fool. On the contrary, you could say he was smart enough to be counted among the most intelligent.

A rare type of warrior who combined both martial and civil virtues. Knowing the Great Tribe Leader's will as well as he did, he was also a suitable candidate. At his gaze, I widened my eyes and spoke to him.

“You praise me too highly.”

His reply came immediately.

“You seem to have some interesting ideas. What is it that you pursue?”

It seemed like a question meant to probe my inclinations. I thought he might have heard from Storm Shadow, but it seemed he wanted to confirm it with his own eyes and ears. The answer had to be a careful one, but I spoke without much thought.

“First, my personal goals. Second, the advancement of the entire race. Third, upholding the will of Great Tribe Leader Agar.”

It was the truth, without a single lie. The Minotaur with the wise eyes began to stare at me quietly without another word. I felt as if my insides were being stirred up. A feeling as if something formless, not mana, had swept through my entire body.

‘A unique ability?’

I assumed it was something like that. It might have just been a guess based on his aura, but I thought he had just tested me. The ability was likely one that could see through one's inner thoughts. Or one that could judge truth from lies. The latter seemed more probable. In truth, it didn't matter whether it was the former or the latter, but I was a little worried he might see the human inside me. However, judging by his reaction, it seemed his ability couldn't see that deep. After a moment, Earth Wave looked at me and nodded once.

I didn't know what it was, but I had passed his little test. After a short while, a quiet but heavy voice rumbled out.

“What should I do?”

I looked at him and smiled slightly. Because it seemed things would unfold more easily than I had thought.