Chapter 170: The Election
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 170: The Election
Unlike the humans who live on the continent, the Green Skins choose their leader through a vote. The first to introduce this concept to the Green Skins was Blood Dagger of the Blood Dagger Clan, who had at the time lost his honor.
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The idea of a vote—of entrusting the honor one possesses to another—was a revolutionary concept for the Green Skins. There were even some who aspired to become chieftains just to earn the right to vote. As much time passed, the practice of voting spread from the chieftains to all Green Skins, and in the present day, everyone has earned the right to cast their one, honorable vote.
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Failing to exercise this right was considered the same as losing one's honor. Thus, even the elderly who could barely support their own bodies and the injured who struggled to move would drag themselves to the polls. As such, Blood Dagger of the Blood Dagger Clan is remembered as a figure who greatly influenced Green Skin society. There is even a story that it was Blood Dagger who proposed the writing of this very historical text to the chieftains. Meanwhile, for this same Blood Dagger, the great and honorable chieftain Warcry Queen Kim Yoora… [abridged]…
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—Excerpt from a very old text, Footprints of the Great Chieftains.
“Let us begin.”
As old Darkmoon’s voice echoed, everyone’s expression grew solemn. This was an act of bestowing the honor they each held. I had expected the atmosphere to become a bit heavy, but it was far more serious than I’d anticipated.
To put it bluntly, even I hadn't predicted this level of reaction. Their faces were more earnest than I could have imagined.
At first, I had considered running it like an election on Earth, where candidates would stand on a platform to explain their vision before ballots were distributed. But since they all knew each other so well, I decided to skip such formalities.
Likewise, rather than writing on ballots, raising a hand and speaking directly seemed a more fitting method for us. Fortunately, my judgment appeared to be correct. If our numbers grew, we would have to devise another way, but for now, there were only seventy-one of us. Besides, facing one another and calmly stating one’s opinion seemed more in line with the original purpose of bestowing honor.
Neither Sand Glave, the Orc of the South, nor White Silver Fang, the Werewolf of the North, nor Storm Shadow would ostracize those who did not bestow their honor upon them.
The first to speak was the Minotaur, Earth Wave, who had honorably withdrawn himself from the running.
“I support Storm Shadow. I believe the Orc of the South and the Werewolf of the North are also more than qualified, but the atmosphere in the settlement is not good right now. I believe Storm Shadow can fill the Great Tribe Leader’s vacant seat better than Sand Glave or White Silver Fang.”
A good start. His reasoning was sound, too. Considering Green Skin society as a whole, Storm Shadow was indeed the most suitable choice at this moment. It was a time to calm things down and strengthen our foundations. Although we had won the war against the South, it was impossible that the Green Skins had suffered no losses.
Next was a chieftain I had mentally classified as a moderate. He was a Lizardman from the East who led a small but respectable tribe. The creature flicked his tongue before speaking in a pleasant tone.
“I support Sand Glave, the Orc of the South. There is merit in what Earth Wave says, but the one to whom I wish to bestow my honor is the Orc of the South. He is a man of talent who can lead us well.”
It seemed he was voting his conscience. I felt a little strange. It wasn’t a bad thing, of course, but it was a bit awkward that things weren’t going according to my plan. What was more, this chieftain was under Storm Shadow’s command, so for him to vote for the southern Orc was somewhat surprising.
I subtly began to watch him. Sand Glave. He certainly had presence. It would be a different path from the one the former Great Tribe Leader had walked, but I found myself a little curious to see what kind of Green Skin society he would create.
Those who felt the same were likely the ones casting their votes for the southern Orc. I swallowed hard.
One by one, everyone began to bestow their honor, each for their own reasons, each with their own thoughts. The front-runners were Storm Shadow and Sand Glave. The Werewolf from the North, having seemingly given up, wore a slightly disappointed expression. He looked to be blaming his own shortcomings rather than resenting anyone else.
‘Thank you for that.’
What was interesting was that the Green Skins who had settled in the North seemed to trust him deeply, as many of them sent their votes his way. Having survived together in the harsh northern environment, a strong bond of trust was palpable among them.
“I, Goff, cast my vote for Storm Shadow. He is the one who best embodies Strength, Honor, and Wisdom.”
“I, Black Spear, also bestow my honor upon Storm Shadow. He is a worthy Green Skin.”
“I, Stone Turtle, wish to cast my vote for Sand Glave, the Orc of the South. He is a strong chieftain and will bring prosperity to all our tribes.”
As the process continued, their expressions grew more and more serious. In proportion, a sense of tension began to creep into the faces of the candidates.
Who would become the Great Tribe Leader? It was naturally a sensitive matter.
The voting was already halfway through.
Storm Shadow had 20 votes, Sand Glave had 18, and the Werewolf of the North had 6.
There were still quite a few votes left, but they reacted keenly to every single one.
As expected, there was no resentment toward those who didn’t vote for them. A little more time passed, and I couldn’t help but feel anxious myself.
If Storm Shadow was a wise leader, Sand Glave was a strong one. Some of the tribes living on the plains had also voted for the southern Orc, so I had wondered if consolidating support would even be meaningful, but things were looking good now.
They continued to state their opinions, and as the voting went on, I watched them with a slight smile.
Regardless of the outcome, I felt that a good tradition was taking root.
I had no intention of bringing democracy to a tribal society, but this was not a bad fusion. As long as the color of their honor did not fade, their democracy would never become corrupt.
Finally, it was my turn.
I slowly opened my mouth.
“The Great Tribe Leader I envision is…”
And so, the first election in Green Skin history came to a close.
*
“Hmm… so that’s what happened. The Great Tribe Leader is dead.”
“Yes. It may not affect you much, living in the arms of humans, but for us, it is quite a sensitive issue.”
“No, Blood Dagger. Even if I do not currently live among them, one who forgets their roots cannot present the image of a good king.”
I was exchanging a few words with Jang Ye Ri. She had asked when I would visit, so I had to explain the situation here.
“In any case, how is the Blood Dagger Clan faring?”
“I’ve only been speaking a little with the West’s Saint, but nothing much has happened. Your tribe is safe, as are the children. I heard some news, by the way. You have a pregnant fairy, I’m told.”
Come to think of it, I hadn’t told her about Mev. I didn’t think I’d even mentioned she was pregnant. There was no particular reason for it, but her voice suddenly sounded dejected. It was probably her instinct.
“Ah… I didn’t get a chance to tell you.”
“…”
A moment of silence. Then, Jang Ye Ri spoke to me again, her voice laced with disbelief.
“Hmph. I was quite taken aback to hear that news from the West’s Saint. I thought she was just an innocent woman, but she turned out to be a brazen bitch. The nerve of her, telling me how much you trust that tiny fairy and that they, too, are ready to bear your heir… I knew it before, but I’ve realized just how important pregnancy is to your tribe.”
“…”
As I was left speechless, Jang Ye Ri spoke again.
“She even went so far as to feign concern for my position, asking if my body wasn’t yet able to bear an heir… That brazen bitch. I’m sure she never showed you that side of herself. Hooo…”
Of course, Baek Ahyeon had never shown me such a side. I couldn’t quite picture her flashing a malicious smile at Jang Ye Ri. It seemed the stress Baek Ahyeon had been accumulating had grown quite large. Unbeknownst to me, the Ring of Covenant had been giving her a great deal of power. Of course, I had never ordered her not to speak of Mev, and she hadn’t done anything wrong by bringing up a sensitive topic, but thanks to her, I was now in a slightly embarrassing position.
“I have been thinking a great deal, my mate.”
“Mm… I see…” was all I could manage in response. Just as I tensed up, wondering what she would say next, Jang Ye Ri’s voice pierced through again.
“It may be difficult to become pregnant at this time, but I will try to persuade the ministers somehow. Of course, there is a high probability they will oppose it, and I worry if the retainers will follow a demon child with a full set of horns, but what can be done? The wet nurse has been bored lately, so I think she would be delighted if I gave her a new task.”
I was pretty sure that the last time I met the wet nurse, she had lectured me on the importance of contraception. It seemed Jang Ye Ri was lost in her own thoughts.
“Some of the ministers also seem to want an heir…”
Just as they were getting things in order and preparing to soar, the queen getting pregnant? I couldn’t imagine the ministers would be pleased.
“I am afraid of becoming a mother, but I am ready, Blood Dagger. I’ve heard the probability is very high between fellow demons… The more I think about it, are we not a perfect pair? To show that West’s Saint a thing or two, it must be twins—no, triplets. Giving birth once a year doesn’t sound too bad, either. I want to make her feel the undeniable difference between our species.”
“Difference between species?”
“I hope you do not misunderstand. I am not, of course, scoring the hierarchy of species. Are we not the same race? It is already decided which of us is superior, without needing to compare whether the West’s Saint or I will have a child faster. Hmph… Foolish girl… In that sense, I expect you to contact me as soon as your business there is concluded.”
She was certainly right. For example, the probability was much higher for Jang Ye Ri and me to try once than for Baek Ahyeon and me to try a hundred times. We hadn’t tried yet, but I thought that if Jang Ye Ri and I put our minds to it, we could produce a truly terrifying result.
Of course, the child with Mev was an accident, so I had been doing my best to be careful about contraception lately. I had no plans to have a child with Jang Ye Ri just yet. The moment I was about to say so, she immediately cut off the communication. I let out a short sigh and chuckled.