Chapter 212: The Contract
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 212: The Contract
This wasn't bad news. I had felt power flowing into me on a regular basis, but this was the first time I had directly heard the voice of the God of the Battlefield. There were no physical changes, but I felt my magic power had increased. The walls of my mind had also become more fortified. It was a realm I had never been able to feel before.
After a long while, Alisha seemed to calm down a little, but to be honest, I didn't understand why she was reacting that way.
“What did you see?”
“I… I don’t know for sure. It’s just… suddenly…”
Alisha said no more. Perhaps having glimpsed into my mind, she understood me now and felt there was nothing more to say.
Beside us, Baek Ahyeon was staring at Alisha with eyes full of envy, but I had other questions, so I turned back to the elf.
“Is it possible to send my mind into someone else’s?”
“If… if it’s done the same way as just now, then yes, it is possible.”
“And if the opponent has a stronger mind than mine…”
“It would be just as you saw.”
You can drive them out. Depending on the situation, there might even be some damage. But as great as the risk is, the fruit to be gained is just as sweet. I nodded. Hearing that it was possible to send one’s mind into another’s, Baek Ahyeon looked over with a fluttering heart, but I realized there was no need for that and moved on.
I thought it would be best to hold a meeting with the executives of the Blood Dagger Clan.
“We will hold a meeting at once. Baek Ahyeon, inform the tribe.”
“Ah! Yes, my Savior.”
Watching Baek Ahyeon’s back as she hurried away, I slowly rose to my feet. Alisha began to trail after me. I figured the Green Skins who could speak her language would quickly relay the message to the other executives, so it would be fine.
We were walking down a quiet corridor, just the two of us.
“I will never speak of it. I swear on my family’s name.”
I could guess what she was talking about. It seemed she had glimpsed not only my past but a part of my inner self as well. I had allowed her into my mind partly for the experience, but also because, quite literally, I didn't care whether this elf figured me out or not.
This elf could never leave my side anyway. I was only keeping her around out of necessity. To be precise, it wouldn't matter if I killed her after her purpose was served. Whether she had seen this thought of mine or was simply anticipating it, Alisha had hit the nail on the head.
“As long as you know.”
I could see her ears trembling faintly. Even so, I believed the reason Alisha followed me was that she knew I would keep my promise. All she wanted was a garrison and an outlet for her desire for battle. We would have crossed the forest with or without her.
They would surely be gathered in the meeting tent. I headed that way and stepped inside. As I slowly looked around, I saw that everyone was already seated.
“For Blood Dagger.”
They bowed their heads. Gark was in the chieftain's seat, with Hakajin and Kim Yoora in the strategists' seats. Mev, Jung Hayeon, and Baek Ahyeon were sitting together. Orbo of the Shield, Hark, and the Goblin Three Sisters were on one side, their expressions grim.
Alisha looked lost and uncertain. I spoke to her, then immediately walked to the seat in the very center.
“Follow me.”
“Y-Yes.”
After I sat down, everyone waited for me to speak.
“Report.”
The moment I spoke, Hakajin began.
“Jang Ye Ri and Lee Wanyong are currently attempting to make contact with the Spider Clan through the King of the South. From what we hear, it won’t take long.”
It seemed the man was indeed competent. I had sent him to the East on a whim, and while Jang Ye Ri had told me he was producing good results, I had never imagined he could advance things this far. It seemed that contacting the South as Jang Ye Ri's spokesperson had been effective.
“Next.”
“We have gathered all the ingredients for the potions. The human magician we captured last time and our own alchemists are currently at work.”
“Good. You’ve done well, Orbo.”
“Hmph!”
Orbo of the Shield snorted and nodded. He had been through a lot as well. It seemed he hadn't stopped training and hunting in his spare time, as he had grown larger, and like me, his horns had grown a little longer. Naturally, his shield had also become more massive. Just looking at him was incredibly reassuring. He was a member who did the hard work at the very front without complaint. I was truly grateful to him.
“Gark. Jung Hayeon.”
“For Blood Dagger.”
“Yes.”
The two of them came forward with a contract. This was to prevent any trouble later on. When the contract actually appeared, Alisha’s eyes widened slightly. In truth, the terms were absurd.
A contract promising to relinquish the Eveluse Kingdom in exchange for leaving one thousand elves alive. I glanced to the side and saw Alisha’s ears trembling again.
Since we had no official seal, I handed her a pen and ink, but Alisha couldn't bring herself to sign easily, staring at the contract for a long time. Of course, I hadn't played any strange tricks with the document. The words were written exactly as stated, and it was now just waiting for her signature. I thought a thumbprint would be more fitting for me, so I pricked my thumb with a fang and immediately pressed it onto the contract.
“Hmm…”
Hark and the Goblin Three Sisters nodded their heads for no particular reason. Mev and Baek Ahyeon did the same. After seeing me press my thumbprint, Alisha seemed to make up her mind and moved the pen. She had decided to sign, just as she had originally resolved.
“I officially welcome you. We will head out as soon as this is over.”
“Yes. I am in your care.”
It was not an easy decision, but she likely had no other choice. I turned to my clan members, who were all looking at me, and spoke.
“We will confront the Spiders.”
“For Blood Dagger.”
I had been making it obvious for days, so it was only natural that they would nod. I didn't know if we would be able to contact the entire Spider Clan or just its master, but we were fully prepared. There would be no mistakes like last time. Every member of the clan had grown strong enough to protect themselves. There was nothing for me to worry about.
“The roster will be all executives except for Kim Yoora and Hakajin. Be ready to leave at any moment.”
Gark calmly gazed at his sword, while Orbo of the Shield continued to snort. Hark, still unskilled at controlling his emotions, stared at me with reddened eyes. Jung Hayeon, excited for battle after a long time; Baek Ahyeon, simply happy to be going on an expedition together; Mev, finally able to face a worthy enemy after a long hiatus—everyone was baring their fangs.
Of course, I smiled too.
*
“Has word come?”
“Yes… hehe. It has. You are as beautiful as ever today, Lady Jang Ye Ri. The Chieftain will be pleased.”
“Hmph. A compliment from you brings me no joy. But… is it really true that he will be pleased?”
“Yes, of course. It is true that Lady Mev was the first to bear an heir, but is it not Lady Jang Ye Ri who is closest to Blood Dagger’s tastes? It is most certainly true.”
“Hmph. It seems you’re not completely blind after all. Well… I won’t deny that I have been beautiful lately. He always said I was beautiful, too… But your gaze is unpleasant. If you fear having those eyeballs of yours plucked out, you’d best lower your gaze to the floor.”
“Ah, I… I apologize.”
Jang Ye Ri looked down at Lee Wanyong, who was bowing as low as he could. When Blood Dagger had told her to try accepting help from this vile-looking human, she had her doubts, but in reality, the man was incredibly competent.
Seeing him not only conclude the talks with the South in an instant but also handle the city's backlogged administrative work was quite a marvel to Jang Ye Ri, who had no interest in politics herself. Even recalling a recent conversation proved it.
‘But antagonizing the South is still a burden. Of course, I’m not afraid of those filthy bastards. It’s the blood my people will shed in the process that weighs on me.’
‘We can just eliminate them, Lady Jang Ye Ri. There will be no evidence. And isn’t that why we are pursuing an alliance with the North? The reason the West-South alliance can’t run rampant right now is largely due to the North’s influence. That is why they are constantly trying to pull in the East, where you reside. The North is a thorn in their side, is it not?’
‘You are right. You are a competent one.’
‘Hehe… Thank you.’
Unlike his servile bowing, the man’s words had merit. In fact, seeing that the alliance with the North had also taken a step forward thanks to Lee Wanyong’s advice, he was certainly a capable diplomat. It was to the point where she sometimes wanted to ask Blood Dagger to lend him to her.
Jang Ye Ri spoke to Lee Wanyong, who had his gaze fixed on the floor and was holding his breath.
“It won’t be long now.”
“Yes, that’s right. Hehe. Then shall we get moving, Lady Jang Ye Ri?”
“Very well.”
Jang Ye Ri started walking. An envoy from the North had just arrived for the alliance. From the East's perspective, it was akin to keeping one foot in both camps with the South, but in reality, the South was merely bait to get what they truly wanted.
“By the way, what was the name of the human who came as the envoy?”
“Her name is Choi Seulgi, my lady.”
“I’ve heard of her. I thought she didn’t make public appearances. This is unexpected.”
“Let’s… see… It seems she has been appearing more frequently as of late. It appears she is also actively involved in the North’s movements.”
It couldn't have been long since he moved from the Blood Dagger Clan to the city, yet he seemed to know more than she did. In any case, Jang Ye Ri continued walking and entered the meeting room.
There were no other envoys or diplomats. The only one seated was Choi Seulgi. She had been entrusted with full authority. It was likely proof of how much she was trusted by the Queen of the North.
“My apologies for being late.”
“Not at all. I just arrived myself.”
Seeing Choi Seulgi flash an innocent smile, Jang Ye Ri began to think this meeting would proceed quite easily. She had just taken her seat, and Lee Wanyong was about to speak.
But Choi Seulgi cut him off and spoke urgently.
“Let’s get straight to the point. We in the North have decided to accept the alliance with the East. We’ve also decided to accept all the terms you previously proposed, with the exception of a few clauses. I believe you will be satisfied when you read the document.”
Jang Ye Ri’s eyes widened. Following Lee Wanyong’s advice to start with a high-ball offer, she had added some rather unreasonable clauses, but she had never imagined an alliance could actually be formed with those exact terms.
‘Just what is this man…?’
She even found herself thinking this as she glanced at Lee Wanyong, but he, too, nodded after reading the contract, as if there were no issues.
“There are no problems, Lady Jang Ye Ri.”
“I will read it as well.”
“Yes.”
Even after reading it again, she couldn't find any problems. As Jang Ye Ri looked at Choi Seulgi with a puzzled expression, Choi Seulgi spoke softly.
“Actually, you can think of this as the result of a little personal influence on my part. I personally like the East very much, you see.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“Yes. It’s not exactly in exchange, but… may I ask for a very small personal favor?”
Jang Ye Ri nodded. As she expected, there was something she wanted for herself. Whatever it was, she thought, it wouldn't be a demand greater than the benefits of this alliance.
As Jang Ye Ri leaned in to listen,
Choi Seulgi’s small lips slowly parted.
“How many humans in the East are named Kim Taesung?”
It was a remark whose intention was impossible to grasp.