Chapter 242: Family Meeting
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 242: Family Meeting
The silence was almost unbearable. In truth, the Kim Taesung of the past had eyes only for Choi Seulgi. If he had been forced to choose just one person back then, he would have picked her without hesitation, but such a hypothetical was meaningless now. Having lived as a Green Skin for quite some time, every single person here had become incredibly precious to him.
That was why this situation was so incredibly pressuring. The one silver lining was that Choi Seulgi didn't seem particularly worked up. In fact, she seemed to find the whole situation rather amusing. It was a natural confidence, born from the time and trust they had built, and the great secret they shared.
Alisha, now a Dark Elf, gave a quiet nod and began to chant the translation spell. Soon, all six of them were seated. The atmosphere was a bit somber for a "family meeting," but I thought it was good to have a gathering like this at least once.
After everyone was seated and the food slowly began to arrive, Jang Ye Ri cleared her throat once and spoke.
“We have all gathered for different reasons, and we met Blood Dagger at different times and in different ways, but we have formed a family. I understand this is a crucial concept not only for you humans, but in Green Skin culture as well.”
“That’s right!”
Jang Ye Ri was correct. In fact, I knew it was even more important to Green Skins than to humans. Mev, who considered herself the official mistress of the clan, nodded her head in agreement.
“If you truly think of us as family, then it is only right that there be rules and regulations to support it. It would have been fine if you had only one woman, but you have five—no, six. Considering your wicked loins, that number might grow even larger… Of course, I would not recommend you take such action.”
Jang Ye Ri’s gaze was incredibly cold. Still, I fully recognized the need for rules and regulations. It was unlikely, but it would be troublesome if any unnecessary power struggles were to break out.
Mev and Jang Ye Ri had ambitions. Though she didn't show it, the same was true for Jung Hayeon. Baek Ahyeon’s mind was completely filled with thoughts of her Savior, and Choi Eunju, who couldn't yet be considered a full-fledged member, was the type to always yield to others.
If they were ordinary people, it wouldn't matter much, but these were individuals who possessed power and authority far beyond the norm.
Jang Ye Ri, reigning as the Queen of the East.
Mev, a renowned Spirit Archer and the undisputed mistress of the Blood Dagger Clan.
Baek Ahyeon, who was no different from the Pope of the Savior's Church.
Jung Hayeon, the World Tree itself and the most powerful fire-power mage, including in the East.
Choi Eunju, the continent's only teleporter, the Magic Sovereign.
And Choi Seulgi, a true power in the North and an assassin beyond all measure. If they were to view each other with disdain or become overly competitive, problems would naturally arise. I looked at them all and spoke. Though Jang Ye Ri had called this family meeting, I felt that as the head of the family, I had to intervene to some extent. This wasn't just a problem for the women; it was a family problem. It felt only natural to get involved.
“First, thank you. I felt we needed a gathering like this at some point… With a few exceptions, you are all living apart, and since we’ll have to be separated for a while longer, it’s very important to take some time to get to know one another. This is good. Let’s eat first, and then we’ll begin the meeting in earnest. We’ll decide on the agenda after the meal as well.”
Everyone nodded. Sharing a meal is the best way to grow closer. Choi Seulgi was smirking, finding it amusing that the pathetic loser I once was had ended up in a situation like this. For some reason, she seemed strangely proud.
It seemed a capable man was indeed more attractive than an incompetent one.
For some reason, Jang Ye Ri was glaring at Choi Seulgi with displeasure, while Choi Eunju simply looked anxious about the growing number of women. Jung Hayeon shot a jealous look at Choi Seulgi before finally nodding, and Baek Ahyeon was looking at me, same as always.
Mev was smiling at me, looking utterly delighted. She seemed happy to see my face after so long. But it didn't take long for that smile to vanish. The seating arrangement had me at the center, with Choi Eunju, Baek Ahyeon, and Jung Hayeon on my left, and Choi Seulgi, Jang Ye Ri, and Mev on my right. The women had started to talk amongst themselves.
“Unni, try this.”
“Ah… thank you, Ahyeon. It’s delicious.”
“Ah! The Savior has given his permission to build a temple. I think it would be good to build a large one in the Eastern Continent. An underground interrogation room, too. I think I’ll be working with Brother Lee Wanyong… Are you staying in the East as well, Unni?”
“I haven’t heard anything yet, so I’ll probably be staying in the Brother’s Land… Anyway, that’s great. Let’s see each other often since we’ll be close.”
Baek Ahyeon and Jung Hayeon, who spent a lot of time together and shared common interests, seemed to be on good terms. Since they even shared the sorrow of being unable to conceive, it was a given that they had grown close.
The sociable Choi Seulgi cautiously struck up a conversation with Choi Eunju, who was sitting across from her. Fortunately, the two of them also seemed to get along quite well. To be precise, Choi Eunju was accommodating Choi Seulgi, and Choi Seulgi was simply satisfying her own curiosity, but their combination certainly didn't seem bad.
“What’s your name?”
“Ah… I’m Choi Eunju. My… my husband and I…”
“Aha… I see. I’m Choi Seulgi. I’m from the North.”
“Ah… are you perhaps the one who is close with the Queen of the North…?”
“Yes. That’s me. Oh my, Unni. Your skin and figure are amazing. What do you eat to get so… big?”
“Ah… well…”
With things turning out this way, Mev and Jang Ye Ri were left together, and in truth, their relationship could hardly be called good. If asked whose side Mev was on, it would naturally be Baek Ahyeon and Jung Hayeon’s. But they were quite far away. Though she was desperately trying to appeal to Jung Hayeon and Baek Ahyeon, wanting to join their conversation, her efforts were in vain.
A sense of crisis began to dawn on Mev’s face. She was starting to think she might be an outcast.
“J-Jung Hayeon… and… and Baek Ahyeon.”
She tried to speak to them, but her voice didn't reach. The two were already lost in their own world. The Goblin Three Sisters, who always raised Mev’s voice and sang her praises, were not here.
They might live on in Mev’s heart and on her back, but they were not physically present.
Jang Ye Ri, for her part, was quite aloof, observing her surroundings and eating with an air of dignity. But Mev was fundamentally different from Jang Ye Ri. There's a difference between being comfortable alone and being forced to be alone.
Mev was the type who got lonely easily and couldn't stand being by herself.
“It’s been a while, Green Flower. I’ve heard about you. Your name is Jung Hayeon?”
“Ah… yes. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you last time. Taesung…”
“Heh. Looks like you call him Taesung, too… Could you introduce me to the person next to you?”
When Choi Seulgi even started talking to Jung Hayeon, Mev, sitting at the very end, became a complete and utter outcast.
“It’s… it’s delicious. Yes! Delicious! Ch-Chieftain! This is delicious! Wooow! This meat is so good. Right?”
Mev kept repeating how delicious the food was, even though she hadn't yet brought it to her mouth. It was the classic image of an outcast. Seeing her made my heart ache a little. Tears were welling up in her eyes.
As time went on, Mev’s state became even more pathetic. She suddenly pulled a card game set from her pocket and started looking at it, just like a modern person staring at their smartphone while eating alone.
It was a moment that made one miss the Goblin Three Sisters.
The one who saved Mev was, unexpectedly, Jang Ye Ri. She cut a piece of meat and silently moved it to Mev’s plate. Mev looked at Jang Ye Ri with shining eyes.
“I’ll… I’ll… I’ll enjoy it.”
“It should suit your palate.”
But no further conversation followed. It seemed less a mistake to be seated next to the unsociable Jang Ye Ri and more a problem with Mev’s own communication skills.
Mev’s expression grew more and more anxious. As Baek Ahyeon and Jung Hayeon’s corner grew more cheerful, and as Choi Seulgi and Choi Eunju continued their chat, Mev kept glancing at Jang Ye Ri.
“That’s funny, Unni.”
Seeing Baek Ahyeon laugh seemed to make her even more miserable.
“Hk… s-sob…”
Clutched in one hand was the Goblin Three Sisters’ card. It was enough to make me sigh. She wasn't usually this bad. But after becoming pregnant, she had spent more and more time with just the Three Sisters and had gotten seriously into card games. It was as if she had forgotten how to talk. Without the Three Sisters, Kim Yoora, Nicole, and Lee Wanyong to always prop her up, she was even more anxious.
I wanted to help, but it wouldn't be right for me to step in first. All I could do was hope they would grow closer on their own. Just then, Jang Ye Ri spoke to Choi Seulgi.
“Choi Seulgi. I never imagined you had a connection to my husband.”
“And I never imagined the Queen of the East had a connection to my lover,” Choi Seulgi replied with a grin.
“Well, since we’re family now, I’ll speak casually. I’ve known Blood Dagger here for a very, very long time… Hmm… I knew Green Flower and the Fairy from before, too. This is quite a coincidence. Let’s get along.”
Even in the midst of this, Mev nodded, pleased that her name had been mentioned. In contrast, Jang Ye Ri’s expression looked a little uncomfortable. I couldn't tell if it was because her plans had been completely ruined or if she simply found Choi Seulgi’s appearance unwelcome, but she seemed a bit more on edge than usual.
“I don’t care how you speak. Our alliance has only grown stronger, so this is for the best.”
“Well… I guess so.”
Choi Seulgi smiled at Jang Ye Ri. It seemed to be a rather interesting situation.
“By the way, you two have yet to be joined.”
It seemed that as a witch, she could determine whether someone was a virgin. But Choi Seulgi and I had been together thousands of times in our past life. At Jang Ye Ri’s words, Choi Seulgi let out a small laugh. Seeing this, Jang Ye Ri seemed a little flustered.
The atmosphere between the two was quite strange, but seeing them continue to talk despite it, I was relieved that they didn't seem to intend to be enemies.
What was a little amusing was that even in the middle of all this, they were talking about work. Seeing the two of them constantly exchanging opinions about the West and the South was reassuring in its own way.
Of course, the more they talked, the more Mev looked at me with anxious eyes. The quick-witted Jung Hayeon noticed and swiftly came to Mev’s aid, but I had a feeling today’s events would remain a lifelong scar in Mev’s memory.
“Ah, Lady Mev, please try some of this.”
“U-uhm… Th-thank you. B-but… you can… you can treat me more casually.”
She had mustered her courage. For as long as she sat here, she was family, not the mistress of the Blood Dagger Clan. I thought that perhaps she had come to realize that a little.
As the meal was more or less finished, things that could be called tea and dessert began to appear. In the midst of it all, I looked at the women and spoke.
“Then, as Jang Ye Ri suggested, let’s begin the family meeting. Everyone will have an equal right to speak, but first, we will set the agenda. Those with opinions will take turns stating what they want or wish to suggest, and we will discuss those opinions.”
The moment I finished speaking, it was Jang Ye Ri who spoke up.
“The first topic is time.”