Chapter 175: The Eastern Training Camp
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 175: The Eastern Training Camp
The idea of an Eastern Training Camp wasn't something I had from the start. In fact, it was an unplanned development, but considering the unstable and idiosyncratic newcomers who would soon arrive at the Brothers’ settlement, I had been thinking of a way to keep them in check.
Especially with a group of such strong personalities, I had to get them firmly under control before any complaints could arise. This was something I’d considered when I gave Apachi the nickname “Giant Scream.”
In that sense, Chieftain Little Finger, who was under Black Spear’s management, was a rather unlucky case. He had been adapting quite well, but now it was as if a bolt had struck him from a clear blue sky. Seeing Giant Scream Apachi and Crugar in training, it seemed Black Spear was now planning to put Little Finger through the same ordeal.
We hadn't even arrived at the Brother's Land yet, but Black Spear was already thinking far ahead.
As I was lost in thought about the settlement, I heard the voices of Gark and Hark from behind me.
“Your voices are too quiet! Krrrk! Was this not the path you chose?!”
“This is a trial you must overcome if you wish to become true Green Skins!”
The ones selected as instructors were, of course, the two I trusted most. While Orbo of the Shield was in charge of the Blood Dagger Clan’s banner, these two had purchased helmets that covered their eyes from the Item Shop and had been wearing them ever since. Though only a few days had passed, they were already known among the new recruits as the instructors of terror.
“Green Skin number 5! You’re too slow!”
“Green Skin number 28! Don’t hold your comrades back!”
Ordinary training would never be enough to forge them. That’s why I chose the duck walk. They were to conduct the entire march back to the East in a squat. There were breaks and periods of normal walking, of course, but my initial goal was to test their physical limits and humble them a little.
“Agh!”
“Are you going to give up here?!”
“If you give up, you can never become a true Green Skin. The Green Skins of the Blood Dagger Clan can do this without breaking a sweat!”
In truth, I had never put my own clan members through this kind of training. They were all already at a considerable level, and even if I did make them do it, they would surely complete it with ease. Still, even from my perspective, Gark and Hark looked thoroughly detestable.
“On one! My brother! On two! Do it right!”
“One!”
“My brother!”
“Two!”
“Do it right!!”
The eyes of several recruits were already glazed over. If humans were to see this, they would surely be dumbfounded. I glanced over at Apachi, the main cause of this whole affair. The guy had been trying to take it easy, clearly exhausted, but the moment our eyes met, he started screaming as if his throat would burst.
Next to him, Crugar’s face was a mask of regret. He seemed to be deeply lamenting his decision to come to the East. Being a smart one, he knew Apachi was the source of all this and would occasionally shoot him a resentful glare. However, I thought the one they should truly resent was Little Finger.
“Hmm… This seems more effective than I thought, Blood Dagger. In three years, they will surely become fine, honorable warriors. Nothing is more important in battle than the lower body. It’s crucial even for me when I throw my spear. I’ll say it again, I truly hope Little Finger can participate in this training…”
“If Little Finger wishes to, then of course.”
“I will be sure to persuade him. As it happens, Little Finger has been feeling his limits recently. The timing is perfect.”
Black Spear spoke casually of things that would make Little Finger scream in horror. I could only offer another silent prayer for Little Finger, who was probably just minding his own business back home. Goff, too, was quite intrigued by this training method. He seemed particularly impressed by the idea that it tempered not only the body but also the mind.
“Blood Dagger, did you also go through such training?”
“I only did it for two years.”
It was the truth. And honestly, even with my current physical abilities, I would never want to go back to that time. It was a pain that transcended the physical.
“So that’s why you’re so wise and strong.”
Goff said nothing more. I had a feeling he desperately wanted to participate himself, so much so that I worried he might become Green Skin number 124 once we reached the settlement.
“This training method has little effect on those who have already reached a certain level. It’s perfectly suited for their current physical abilities.”
Only then did he nod. He had probably sensed as much himself but had asked out of lingering disappointment.
“Do not make eye contact with Half Blade! Number 48! Yes! You, number 48, the Green Skin staring blankly this way!”
“Still haven’t learned your lesson!”
Gark and Hark’s voices rang out once more. I had only given them a few guidelines, but they were carrying out their duties almost perfectly. It was enough to make me wonder if there were humans inside them.
Even more heartbreaking than the recruits’ suffering was that of their wolves. The ever-clever Ibar seemed to have grasped the situation and had begun putting the other wolves through the wringer as well.
And so, what was a torturous march for some and an ordinary one for others finally came to an end as we began to pass through the middle forest. Strangely, there were no signs of humans, not even a single track. They had either learned not to use this path, or something had happened in the human cities, just as it had with us.
As we continued onward, the Eastern End slowly began to reveal itself.
“All trainee Green Skins, on your feet! Move!”
“Move!”
Gark and Hark were getting the recruits into formation. It had been a relatively short time, but the settlement had developed considerably. The construction seemed to be completely finished. Perhaps to project an image of dignity for the newcomers, the palisade was massive, and it seemed to be fortified with more than just one or two wards. It felt like a fortress, one that could stand comparison with the Great Tribe Leader’s wooden citadel in the Land of Glory.
Goff, Black Spear, and I all nodded. We realized that in our absence, our acting chieftains had developed the settlement splendidly.
If we were this impressed, it was only natural that the new Green Skins were even more wide-eyed. With their mouths and eyes wide open, they stared at the Brother’s Land at the Eastern End in utter astonishment.
Even Gark and Hark didn’t interrupt this moment. They simply stood with their shoulders squared, watching over the recruits under their charge with a hint of pride. I figured they would be even more shocked when they saw the massive skeleton at the center of the settlement.
It was a little strange that no one came out to greet us, but I assumed the acting chieftains and the other officers inside were preparing a grand welcome to make a strong first impression. Filled with anticipation, we quickened our pace into the settlement.
The gates of the wooden fortress swung open wide.
From within, a tremendous roar erupted.
“May there be Victory!”
“May there be Honor!”
“May there be Glory!”
It wasn't a bad welcome. Behind the massive wooden gates stood the members of the Blood Dagger Clan, the Goff Clan, and the Black Spear Clan, with Ragia at the center.
Everyone had a hand placed over their chest. We began to walk proudly through the path they had formed. I gave Ragia a nod, as if to say she’d done well, and she quietly nodded back with a smile. Bringing her into the tribe was definitely the right decision. She had clearly worked hard as acting chieftain, and I made a mental note to arrange something for her later. I also saw Hakajin, looking gaunt, as if he had been preparing for our arrival until just a moment ago.
Baek Ahyeon stared this way as if looking at a god, nodding her head repeatedly. Mev, her belly now quite large, suppressed the urge to run and embrace me, her eyes fixed on me. The Goblin Three Sisters, however, were looking at the new Green Skins.
I had been worried about a shortage of instructors, but I had a feeling the Goblin Three Sisters would do an excellent job.
Apachi and Crugar’s eyes were wide as they looked all around, staring in wonder at the human children, including Kim Yoora, and the non-combatants like Lee Wanyong.
It seemed they hadn’t known that humans lived here as well. Gark and Hark watched them closely to prevent any incidents, and the recruits, feeling their instructors’ gazes, quickly averted their eyes.
Though slightly smaller in scale than the Land of Glory, the Brother’s Land was certainly well-developed. There was a blacksmith, a laboratory for making potions, new tents, and even a playground for the children. It was no surprise that the newcomers were speechless for a long time.
Our destination was the center, where the eastern beast’s remains were displayed. The creature’s skull, massive even from a distance, would surely inspire awe in anyone who saw it.
“The Goff Clan for Honor!”
“The Black Spear Clan for Glory!”
“The Blood Dagger Clan for Victory!”
As the three chieftains took their places in the center, cheers erupted as if to welcome us, and we nodded in acknowledgment.
It was Goff who spoke to the still-dazed newcomers. His voice was heavy and dignified, even to my ears.
“Welcome to the Brother’s Land at the Eastern End, new Green Skins.”
I felt like this was the first time I had seen their expressions brighten since the start of this expedition. They did not regret their choice.
The same was true when they saw the tents and training grounds they would be using. Goff took Crugar, and I took Apachi, and we began to head deeper into the clan’s territory. The recruits stared blankly at the tents they would be using. At the perfect moment, Gark spoke up.
“These tents were built with the blood and sweat of the Blood Dagger Clan. You are to use them without a speck of filth. This tent will be used by Green Skin number 1! The meal will begin after you have unpacked. All trainee Green Skins are free to rest in their designated areas until then. Trainee Chieftain Apachi will report the status of all trainees to Blood Dagger.”
Though he was just another trainee, it was important to establish his authority. Apachi was, for all intents and purposes, a trainee squad leader. But with authority comes responsibility. If any trouble broke out, he would be the one to bear the full responsibility.
He seemed to understand that much. Even as he entered his rather large tent, he kept looking back at his clan members with a worried expression. It was a rather cute sight. I gave Apachi a nod, as if to say, ‘Let’s do a good job,’ and with trembling eyes, he placed a hand on his chest.
Tonight, there would be a festival—or something like it—to welcome them. I had already decided to let them rest easy today, so after handing them over to Gark and Hark, I was finally able to enter the settlement properly.
“Chieftain!”
“My Savior!”
As expected, these two were the first to welcome me. Mev’s belly was growing surprisingly fast, and I looked at her with some surprise. She, in turn, seemed proud of herself, lifting her chin and patting her stomach.
“The mother goblins said the baby is incredibly healthy.”
Beside her, Baek Ahyeon and Jung Hayeon looked at Mev with an unreadable, anxious expression. Baek Ahyeon, in particular, remembering the words she had spoken to Jang Ye Ri, was sending me an inscrutable gaze.
Come to think of it, Jung Hayeon had monopolized me for a while, so now it was Baek Ahyeon’s turn. A strange sense of anticipation bloomed on her face. I patted Baek Ahyeon’s shoulder once, and she nodded her head furiously and opened her mouth.
“Th-thank you, my Savior. T-tonight… w-what about…”
I nodded in affirmation, and she clenched a dainty fist. After offering my thanks to Hakajin and Ragia, I entered my tent. Only then did I finally feel like I was home.
Home sweet home, I thought idly as I lay my body down on the bed inside the tent.