Chapter 196: Laveua
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 196: Laveua
“I want to get off.”
A distinctly cold voice rang out. Nicole knew, for some reason, that Laveua was hostile toward Kim Yoora, but today she seemed especially cold. Nicole stroked the wolf’s fur once before getting down from its back with Kim Yoora. At last, the wolf brothers, reunited after a long time, began to wag their tails and play with each other.
In complete contrast to the heartwarming sight of the wolves, Nicole was on pins and needles. As she watched Kim Yoora and Laveua with an incredibly anxious expression, Kim Yoora cautiously began to speak to Laveua.
“Lady Laveua, is something bothering you?”
“Not really.”
Seeing Laveua turn her head away with her cheeks puffed out, Nicole nervously bit her nails. It was because she felt a little sorry for her friend. No, she pitied her greatly.
Kim Yoora had always lived with a profound sense of indebtedness to Blood Dagger. This was likely true for all the clan members living together in the Blood Dagger Clan. Among them, the Green Skins who had been personally saved by Blood Dagger, like Orbo of the Shield, were even more friendly toward Laveua, and Kim Yoora was no exception.
“Hmph!”
“Lady Laveua…”
Whenever Yoora tried to take a step closer, Laveua would instantly take one back. Nicole, who had so much to talk about with Kim Yoora after their long separation, found herself just staring at the ground because of Laveua.
“Lady Laveua, how about we go inside and play your favorite card game?”
“You play by yourself.”
“Then how about we play with the cargo…”
“I told you I won’t play with you!”
It was a shout so loud it even startled Nicole. It felt like something was about to happen. Kim Yoora’s expression was one of deep unease; she didn’t seem to understand why Laveua kept acting this way. But just like always, she kept a smile on her lips. Amidst the slightly uncomfortable atmosphere, Laveua spoke up sullenly, and Kim Yoora immediately answered, seeming grateful that Laveua was even speaking to her.
“When is Daddy coming?”
“Ah, the Chieftain and Lady Mev are on their way now. They said they had some business nearby and told us to go on ahead. Let’s go inside and wait together.”
“I’m waiting here.”
“Okay. Then let’s wait together.”
This is awkward, Nicole thought. Thinking a little more, she realized that Laveua somehow reminded her of her past self. As the first child of the clan, Nicole had received everyone’s attention, but after Kim Yoora arrived, she had felt an inexplicable sense of rivalry. She would get particularly irritated whenever Blood Dagger patted Kim Yoora’s head. Although Blood Dagger was a father to the entire clan, he held a more special meaning for her, as she had no father of her own.
Because of that, the memory of her first game with Kim Yoora, where she had been miserably defeated and had to be comforted by the other adults as she cried, was an embarrassing memory she could never forget.
Of course, it wasn’t like that now. She wasn’t certain, but she guessed the emotion Laveua was feeling was jealousy. The fact that Blood Dagger favored Kim Yoora was something even a newborn Green Skin knew. It was obvious just from seeing her be the only child to go on expeditions, but it wasn’t because of who Kim Yoora was. If Kim Yoora hadn’t proven herself, she would be living no differently from any other young human or Green Skin in the clan.
She was in her current position because she had proven her worth, her intelligence, and her honor. And that same Kim Yoora was now in a very difficult situation.
“What did you do out there?”
“Ah… I, well…”
“Hm?”
“Um… I’m sorry. Other than that we were hunting… I can’t tell you the details…”
It was probably classified. There was a good reason she couldn’t speak of it. Sometimes, there were stories only the executives or those who went on the expedition knew. Of course, Nicole was curious too, but she made a point not to ask.
“Tell me. Now.”
“I… I’m sorry. The Chieftain said it was confidential…”
“Laveua. It’s an order from Chieftain Blood Dagger. Yoora can’t do anything about it.”
In the end, Nicole had no choice but to step in and mediate. As expected, Laveua puffed up her cheeks again. She knew that when it was put that way, there was nothing she could do.
A little time passed. From the distance, the figures of the Blood Dagger Clan slowly began to appear. Leading the procession was Orbo of the Shield; the Minotaur, carrying an even larger shield on his back than before, came into view. Judging by the bloodstains still fresh on the heavy axe in his hand, it seemed they had been in a battle right before coming here.
Guarding his flanks were Sub-Chieftain Gark and his brother, Hark. Gark, holding an incredibly long sword, and Hark, with twin swords on his back, looked less like Orcs and more like finely honed blades.
Nicole waved her hand.
In response, she saw Hark wave back.
Next was Baek Ahyeon, the only human to have risen to a high position, the Chieftain’s third woman. Peeking out a bit more, Nicole saw a certain figure appear around the middle of the group. The sight of him leading the elite Orc swordsmen from behind looked incredibly majestic.
The man walking slowly, with his usual long horns on his forehead and equipped with various weapons, was unmistakably the one Nicole respected most: Blood Dagger. She glanced at Kim Yoora beside her and saw that Yoora’s face was faintly flushed. Her ears had turned completely crimson.
Nicole grinned without realizing it. She felt like she knew what audacious thoughts were running through her friend’s head. To test her, Nicole casually opened her mouth.
“The Chieftain is handsome. He’s the coolest Green Skin man there is.”
“Y-Yeah! Isn’t he?”
Seeing Kim Yoora nod her head before she could stop herself, Nicole’s smile widened. It was only natural that Kim Yoora, realizing what she’d just said, began to shake her head frantically. Nicole decided that teasing her friend was quite fun.
“As expected, Yoora…”
“No, Nicole! Shh. It’s not like that! It’s not!”
She waved her hands desperately, but she couldn’t fool Nicole’s eyes. While Nicole was smiling like that, Laveua spotted Blood Dagger and began to flap her wings, moving toward him.
“For Blood Dagger!”
The guards were welcoming Blood Dagger’s return, and upon hearing their voices, the other clan members stopped what they were doing and came out to greet him.
“Daddy!”
It was only natural for Laveua to approach him with a bright voice.
“Laveua.”
Blood Dagger, seeing his daughter for the first time in a while, seemed to hesitate as he reached out to pat her head. When Nicole infused a little magic into her eyes, she could see that Blood Dagger’s entire body was soaked in blood.
She had expected it, but it seemed to have been a rather fierce battle. He probably didn’t want to get anything on Laveua by holding her. Thanks to that, the one who picked Laveua up was her mother, Mev.
“Laveua.”
“Mommy.”
“If you just run into his arms like that, the Chief… Chieftain… no, no, no, Daddy will have a hard time. Let’s go with Mommy.”
“But we haven’t seen each other in so long.”
“Let’s play with the Chieftain—I mean, with Daddy—later when we eat. Okay? Until then, let’s stay with the other goblin mommies.”
“But still.”
“La-La-Laveua! You… you… you have to listen to Mommy!”
She’s an adult.
Nicole thought to herself without realizing it. Mev looked very young, but she was still the matriarch of the clan; Nicole could feel the authority of a mother. Although the slight trembling in her hands and feet and her incredibly flustered expression were hard to ignore, Nicole nodded her head in understanding.
It seemed Laveua would be quiet for a while. She would probably stay quiet until Blood Dagger left for another expedition. Laveua was a bit of a wild child, but of course, there were people she found difficult.
The first was her father, Blood Dagger. Although she would whine and cling to him, in front of the great Blood Dagger, Laveua was a gentle lamb.
The second was the mysterious woman, Jang Ye Ri, who occasionally visited the clan. To be precise, Laveua was a little scared of Jang Ye Ri. She would often watch her warily whenever she approached.
The third was Jung Hayeon. Having appointed herself as Laveua’s magic teacher, Jung Hayeon was quite strict during training, which made Laveua shrink a little in her presence.
The fourth was her mother, Mev. In truth, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everyone else was Laveua’s prey. Of course, she was also wary of Goff of the Goff Clan and Black Spear of the Black Spear Clan, but they rarely came to see Laveua except on special occasions.
In conclusion, the village always waited for Blood Dagger, but these days, that anticipation had grown a little more intense. Glancing around, Nicole could see the overjoyed Goblin Three Sisters and Hakajin.
“Blood Dagger has arrived!”
“He’s finally here! Kkireuk! For Blood Dagger!”
Hakajin was raising both hands in the air. He was truly delighted.
As everyone was welcoming Blood Dagger, he slowly began to speak.
“I will begin the meeting immediately after I’ve washed up. Orbo, Hakajin, the Goblin Three Sisters, Gark, Hark, Jung Hayeon, Baek Ahyeon, and… Kim Yoora. The rest of the clan members are to continue with their duties.”
“For Blood Dagger.”
A clan meeting. They had been held more frequently lately. The attendees were the executives who led the Blood Dagger Clan. Although she had accompanied them on the expedition, this was the first time Kim Yoora had been invited to a meeting. The gazes of the young Green Skins and humans focused on her.
The other adults and the elite Orc swordsmen also nodded. It meant she was qualified. Nicole looked at Kim Yoora and smiled once more. Soon, the clan members returned to their posts to resume their work, and amidst them, Nicole could see Laveua trudging over. She looked incredibly lonely.
Her cheeks were puffed out as far as they could go, and her eyes were brimming with tears. It seemed she was upset that she couldn’t spend time with Blood Dagger right away. Or, Nicole thought, it could be that she was upset that Yoora had been invited to the meeting.
In a situation like this, Nicole couldn’t just stand by. She had things to do, but it pained her to see Laveua with such an expression. She might be a bit of a troublemaker, but Laveua was still her precious little sister.
“Laveua.”
“Nicole… hic…”
“Don’t cry, Laveua. The grown-up Green Skins said you can’t become a strong Green Skin if you cry!”
“I’m not crying… hiccup…”
When she gave Laveua a little hug, she could feel her shoulders trembling slightly. Thinking that a little talk was needed, Nicole patted Laveua’s back and subtly moved them to a different spot. It was the place where the previous chieftain’s memorial stone stood.