Chapter 249: Meeting the Queen of the North
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 249: Meeting the Queen of the North
Her hand was by no means soft. It was a hand so firm and steady that anyone could tell she was a warrior. We had only just clasped hands, but I could feel the calluses on her palm, and I squeezed a little harder without realizing it. For a moment, she winced slightly, which prompted the North Knight, Kang Changhoon, to discreetly send a surge of magic in my direction.
Despite that, she smiled. I think I understood what it meant that my physical specs were superior to hers.
I imagined a fight with her in my head, but I couldn't see myself winning.
‘Shit…’
It was enough to make me worry that the gap between us had widened. I was incomparably stronger now than I could have ever imagined before, yet the wall still felt high. It wasn't that I felt I couldn't climb it, but I could sense her formidable presence.
The interesting thing was that she remembered me. She might have heard about it from Choi Seulgi, but she seemed certain that I was the same Orc from before. As a rival, it was naturally a pleasant feeling. I bared my fangs, and Choi Seulgi sighed as she watched.
As we stood there holding hands, Jang Ye Ri spoke up, looking somewhat displeased.
“I am Jang Ye Ri, the Witch of the East. You are just as I've heard. A strong warrior.”
“Han So-Hye, the Queen of the North.”
The two of them then clasped hands as well. Next to introduce themselves were Goff and Black Spear.
“Goff of the Brother's Land.”
“I am Black Spear. I never thought I'd be meeting humans like this.”
“Oh my, you're both so reliable. I'm Choi Seulgi.”
Choi Seulgi spoke to Black Spear and Goff with a nonchalant air, but Goff, seeming unable to adapt, scratched the back of his head.
I had thought the atmosphere was tense, but exchanging introductions like this seemed to clear the air a little. Of course, the North Knight's expression still didn't look pleased. He was probably thinking about the werewolves and orcs active in the North.
It was clear he had come to this meeting on Choi Seulgi's introduction and recommendation, but he wasn't happy about it.
“Let's head inside for now. It would be best for the troops to wait outside. I've prepared some light refreshments, so we can talk in detail while we have them.”
I was worried they might start fighting amongst themselves, but I shook my head. Looking at the eyes of the northerners, I got the feeling they wouldn't move even with a knife to their throats. Seeing them maintain such discipline even while facing Green Skins showed just how much trust they had in their Queen and Choi Seulgi.
But the same was true for Gark and the executives of each clan; they wouldn't move until given an order. Though the two groups were glaring fiercely at each other, neither made a move. It meant that I, too, was trusted by my people just as much.
Stepping inside, I saw that the seats were already prepared. There was a large, round table with chairs big enough for Green Skins to sit in. Seated like this, I could see everyone's face with just a turn of my head.
What was interesting was how much the Queen of the North seemed to follow Choi Seulgi. Seeing her sit next to Choi Seulgi with a blank expression, or tug on her sleeve when she tried to come over to my side, it was clear their bond was quite strong. If I had to describe it, they felt like sisters.
“I never expected to meet with monsters like this. It's quite surprising.”
The first to speak was Seo Lee Ju, the Master of the Frost Dragon Guild.
I remembered her as a magician who had made quite a name for herself in the North. Like most northern magicians, she seemed to specialize in ice magic. I roughly estimated her level to be on par with Jung Hayeon. Considering Jung Hayeon's current power, that meant this woman's skills were immense.
“Allow me to correct you. Call us Green Skins, not monsters. What you people define as monsters are likely the magical beasts outside.”
“My apologies. I was rude.”
“No, from your perspective, it's understandable. I'll let it pass.”
There was no way Black Spear would let someone call us monsters and get away with it. As soon as Black Spear pointed it out, Seo Lee Ju immediately bowed her head. That woman was more flexible in her thinking than I expected.
As a magician, it was only natural for her to be interested in our race. She probably insisted on being here, even if she had to throw a fit.
Anyway, the situation was rather awkward. If the North had directly asked for our help, things would have been much simpler, but they were allied with the East. In fact, we could be seen as an eyesore that had suddenly barged in. The glare from the North Knight, Kang Changhoon, only confirmed it.
“I'm grateful for your understanding. You're right. In our eyes, you are still seen as monsters.”
Grrrrr...
Goff was watching him silently with his arms crossed, which couldn't help but make me a little nervous.
The man had probably suffered a great deal at the hands of the northern werewolves and orcs. Judging by his reaction, he must have lost precious comrades to Green Skins, or had a memory just as painful.
“It seems you've had a hard time with the northern folk. I won't deny your words.”
As soon as Goff finished speaking, the knight's aura became even more murderous.
“So you know of the northern werewolves.”
“You could say that.”
I knew this topic would come up, but I never imagined it would be before the talks even officially began. I was honestly a bit flustered, so I raised my tail. It was a signal I sent to Choi Seulgi.
Choi Seulgi discreetly glanced at the North Knight, who looked ready to clash at any moment, and I could feel him calm down a little. I looked at the North Knight and began to speak.
“Let me say one thing.”
There was no reply, but I continued anyway.
“They and we live within the same great fence. But that doesn't mean we share the same will. Each tribe is independent. We cannot force the Green Skins of the North, West, or South to do anything, just as they cannot force us. The fact that you and your comrades have had friction with the northern werewolves is something we were unaware of.”
“…”
“Even if we had known, that is a matter between you and the werewolves. Even if the humans of the North were to wage war against the werewolves, we would not act unless they first asked for our help. And they would not ask for our help. We respect battle, and we respect struggle. Even if you were to take their lives in an honorable fight, we would not care. Of course, individuals might act on their own.”
“How can you say that…”
“Just as we wish to fight humans, humans also wish to fight us. Humans gain much from us as well. Is that not so?”
I smiled, and he was struck dumb. Humans want to fight us, too. We become materials for their items, and they see us as experience points.
“It is not only we who wish to fight and struggle. We are warriors, and you are a warrior as well. You are strong and wish to struggle. If you were not warriors, the werewolves would not have paid you any mind.”
This was half-true. If the North Knight, Kang Changhoon, hadn't been strong, the northern werewolves wouldn't have bothered with them. They were so belligerent they'd be sad to be called second-best, so I thought it was highly likely that the look in the knight's eyes had ignited their fighting spirit.
But his reaction to my words was one of bewilderment. It was understandable, given the difference in our values, but Seo Lee Ju spoke up again.
“I think I can roughly understand you people now.”
“Hmm…”
“You are warriors who revere honor.”
That was close enough. It seemed many tribes were full of guys who only cared about blood, but our tradition was rooted in that.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor. These are the things we revere.”
Seo Lee Ju nodded as if her guess had been correct, and the Queen of the North nodded as well. Making them understand us was important. They were probably picturing Spartan warriors from Earth's past, or perhaps tribes from the steppes.
It wasn't exactly the same, but it was similar.
And them thinking that way was exactly what we wanted. I felt things were proceeding as planned. But the North Knight still looked uneasy. Seo Lee Ju casually ignored him and spoke again.
“I understand the values you uphold. I also know that the East has no friction with the Green Skins. Is there any way for us in the North to avoid clashing with the werewolves? At least until this war is over…”
To be worried about something like this, they must have been fighting relentlessly. It was to the point where I thought if I ever met that werewolf in the Land of Glory, I'd have to ask him just how he fought.
“We cannot force them. However, you likely know the answer to your question better than I do.”
“Pardon…? Ah!”
“It seems you've noticed.”
“Ah… yes. I understand. I see. So that's how it was… You people are truly…”
Right now, the northern werewolves were probably not touching them.
“Struggle is sacred. This applies not only to the struggles between Green Skins, but to the struggles of humans as well. If the werewolves are not touching you, it is proof that they consider you true warriors.”
This was the correct answer. Just then, the Queen of the North, Han So-Hye, nodded at my words and spoke.
“What he says is true. I met him once before, during the Tutorial. He fought me, and I won. At that time, they cleared a path for us.”
Embarrassingly, she was bringing up the story from the Tutorial. The Queen of the North glanced at Goff, then spoke again.
“You're the Orc from back then, too.”
Goff grinned and replied.
“You're right. Thanks to that battle, Blood Dagger lost his honor.”
I really wished he hadn't said that.
“Blood Dagger, the warrior who lost his honor by surviving a defeat in a Sacred Battle. He wishes to clash with you once more. You have a duty to face Blood Dagger again.”
I hurriedly looked at Choi Seulgi and saw her desperately trying to hold back her laughter. To Green Skins or other humans, it might have sounded like a cool backstory, but to Choi Seulgi, who knew the old me, it was just absurd.
“I… I see.”
What was even more absurd was the sparkle in the Queen of the North's eyes. Until now, she had been very reserved or spoken in monosyllables, but her eyes had become like those of a high school fan meeting their favorite singer.
I don't know if she realized it herself, but she seemed to be a huge fan of this kind of chuuni backstory and tales of men.
“A-Amazing. That's amazing. But the reason I didn't take your life back then was not out of pity or disrespect. It was my own way of showing you courtesy. To think you have waited all this time to fight me again… I am honored.”
Choi Seulgi glanced at the Queen of the North and then even bowed her head. She was probably laughing.
“I, too, wish to fight you. The reason I did not take your life was because I wanted to fight you again.”
“…”
Her fighting spirit was real. My own blood was beginning to boil. But of course, I had no intention of fighting. The Queen of the North was also looking at me with a very serious expression, and thanks to that, I couldn't help but feel the atmosphere in the room heat up.
What would happen if we fought now? Unlike back then, I was much less restricted by distance. I wouldn't need to force my way in close. When to use my tail. At what timing to pull out Dainsleif. Since my specs were superior, pushing forward with my body would be the wisest move. I was running through these various thoughts when it happened.
“What about me? Do you want to fight me, too?”
Goff spoke, his eyes turning red. Even though it wasn't cold, steam continuously billowed from his mouth, and his breathing had become incredibly ragged. His bulging muscles looked ready to throw a punch at any moment. I had no idea why he was suddenly acting like this.
Seeing this, the North Knight quietly drew his sword.
But Han So-Hye raised a hand to stop him and spoke.
“If you wish.”
This was a situation I had not anticipated.