Chapter 269: A Meeting in the Land of Glory
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 269: A Meeting in the Land of Glory
It was more or less expected that the Orcs of the South would take issue with us. While the fundamental principle was to not interfere in the affairs of other tribes, our alliance with the humans was bound to be viewed unfavorably by some Green Skins. I immediately turned to Black Spear.
“Are they latching onto our alliance with the humans?”
“That would be the correct assumption. There’s nothing else it could be.”
“But aren’t we supposed to not interfere in each other’s affairs?”
“There are certainly Green Skins who are just watching the situation quietly… but I’ve heard the Southern Orcs are particularly agitated.”
Humans could be tiresome, but every now and then, you’d find Green Skins who were just as much of a pain. The belligerent Orcs of the South were an especially wearisome bunch. It was good, of course, to value tradition and honor. But that one was far too shackled by it.
He was quite strict about rules and norms, so I figured one of our many unconventional actions must have gotten on his nerves. The problem was likely that his values were too rigid. He would undoubtedly accuse us of being dishonorable, questioning why we would join hands with a race we were meant to fight.
“This is going to be a pain.”
“Indeed. Exactly as you said. It’s become a pain.”
Hearing Goff mutter as well, it seemed he had a good idea of what was coming. But I wasn’t particularly worried. Unlike in the past when we were powerless, we were now a great tribe that controlled the entire East. We had built up considerable trust after the Giant Scream incident, and our military strength was by no means inferior to his.
It wasn’t as if we had no justification, either; there were solid reasons behind our actions. They had no real grounds to criticize us.
If anything, the latter issue was the bigger problem.
It was quite surprising that only ten Green Skins had passed the exam this time.
“The Great Tribe Leader’s exam…”
“Given the gravity of the situation… it seems it will be conducted differently. It would be difficult to hold it with only ten participants…”
“Hmm…”
Goff grunted, and Black Spear spoke calmly. I couldn’t guess how it would proceed, but they likely had a plan. It seemed more important to first understand what had happened during the Warrior’s Exam.
“Right now?”
“We were told to come at our leisure, but given the circumstances, it would be best to go as soon as possible.”
The other tribes were probably already gathered in the Great Tribe Leader’s lands. I nodded and stepped out of the tent. The Brother’s Land, which I hadn’t seen in a while, came into view. I had heard from Hakajin that new construction had begun, and it was quite a magnificent sight.
Ogres carried lumber, Orcs hammered away, Trolls passed large objects to the Orcs, and Green Skin mothers prepared meals. It was a fine scene.
The construction had started because, like the North, we felt the need to improve our facilities and reinforce our defenses. I thought this might become Hakajin’s masterpiece. He had been aware that he was falling behind Lee Wanyong in many respects. You could say that if Lee Wanyong was a genius, Hakajin was a man of ordinary talent.
It was a pleasant feeling to watch the settlement develop. As I stepped out of the tent, the Green Skins of the Blood Dagger Clan let out a roar.
They were happy about my recovery.
“Hahahaha.”
I imagined Goff had received a similar welcome. Normally, it was proper to make a grand entrance to uphold the tribe’s dignity in the Land of Glory.
We had done so when we greeted Giant Scream Apachi, and also when we first arrived in the Land of Glory. But seeing them like this, I lost the desire for a grand procession. Though everyone was surely eager to go, it would be impossible to halt the work we had suddenly started here.
I nodded to my brothers, and they nodded back. It was decided that we would travel light.
“Krrrrrrk.”
Ibar, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, bounded toward me, and I stroked his back. We decided to take only a small contingent: a few elite Orc swordsmen led by Hark, elite Ogres from the Goff Clan, and elite spearmen from the Black Spear Clan. And on this occasion, an idea came to mind of one person I wanted to show the Land of Glory to. I slowly opened my mouth.
“Prepare Kim Yoora. She will accompany us to the Land of Glory.”
A moment of silence fell, then a huge voice erupted. It was Gark.
“Summon Kim Yoora! She goes to the Land of Glory!”
“Kim Yoora goes to the Land of Glory!”
At my words, the settlement instantly became a hive of activity. To accompany the chieftain to the Land of Glory was, of course, a great honor. Black Spear and Goff nodded at me. They likely understood why I was taking Kim Yoora.
“Yoora! Yoora!”
I could hear Nicole’s voice urgently calling for Kim Yoora. I didn’t know what they were doing, but one side of the settlement was in an uproar. They must be getting her ready.
“I heard you summoned me, Chieftain.”
Before long, Kim Yoora appeared, her body covered in tattoos. Her hair was tied up, which was striking. There was no need to go this far, but it seemed Nicole had gotten carried away by the good news. Still, it wasn’t bad. In fact, her more Green Skin-like appearance pleased me, and I stroked her head once.
I caught a glimpse of Kim Yoora blushing slightly.
Our destination was the Land of Glory. I wanted to see the nostalgic scenery and retrace the paths we had taken, but there was no time for that now.
“I’m ready, dear.”
“Please. And thank you, as always.”
I nodded, and Choi Eunju opened a portal. She wouldn’t be coming with us. It wouldn’t have mattered if she did, but Kim Yoora alone was enough to draw attention. As I stepped through, the view changed in an instant.
It was the Land of Glory.
“Krrrrrrk. It’s just as I remember. I’ve missed this air.”
“Indeed.”
Unlike the familiar Goff and Black Spear, Kim Yoora wore an expression of utter wonder. It was only natural. The Brother’s Land was impressive, but the Land of Glory had a way of overwhelming a person. It was dignified, majestic, and made one’s heart pound.
Kim Yoora’s expression was a sight to behold.
“Whoa…”
Riding a Giant Wolf, Kim Yoora stared blankly at the overwhelming spectacle, her mouth agape. Come to think of it, this was probably her first time seeing other tribes. It was an expected reaction, as she had lived her entire life in the Brother’s Land. It was as if she were on her first trip abroad, gazing at some monumental architecture. I could begin to imagine just how amazing this place must feel to her.
“You are the first of our tribe’s young Green Skins to come here… Let’s go.”
“Y-Yes! Chieftain.”
As if confirming our arrival, the Orc gatekeeper of the Land of Glory blew a horn.
Buuuuuuuuuu—
A great sound echoed as the stockade gates began to open. I had worried we might have arrived too suddenly, but it seemed they were already prepared to receive us. Storm Shadow was nowhere to be seen, but I could definitely see clan members from other Eastern tribes waiting outside.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
We returned the gatekeeper Orc’s greeting in kind. It was Black Spear who spoke to him next.
“Where is the Great Tribe Leader?”
“The Great Tribe Leader is in his tent. He said the meeting would begin as soon as the great tribe from the Brother’s Land arrived, so you should head inside as well.”
It seemed the horn was not only to announce our arrival but also to signal the start of the meeting. I was glad we had come with Choi Eunju. Any later, and we would have made the other tribes here wait even longer.
“Thank you.”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
Even though we had come with a small party instead of a show of force, many eyes were focused on us. There was me on Ibar, the massive, red-bodied Goff, and Black Spear with his black hands. As the undisputed rulers of a region, it was only natural that we would draw attention.
Furthermore, many gazes were fixed on Kim Yoora—a human in Green Skin attire, riding a Giant Wolf. It wasn’t just that a human was here; it was the sight of a small, young human dressed like a Green Skin warrior that must have seemed strange.
“Walk with your head held high.”
At my words, Kim Yoora straightened her back. The sight of her carrying the banner I had previously given her was impressive.
We were much stronger and had grown far more than when we were last here. The others likely sensed it too. In truth, I hadn’t managed the Green Skins of the East. I had focused more on relations with humans, and while Goff took charge of hunting, it was Black Spear who had built rapport with the other tribes.
He had quelled their complaints, provided them with various conveniences, and offered help. Drinking together, hunting together, and speaking of each other’s honor—uniting the East was a tremendous achievement, even in hindsight. Thanks to him, many tribesmen of the East were raising their hands to us.
Even tribesmen from other regions placed a hand on their chest toward us.
It was their way of showing respect for a strong tribe.
“The warrior who lost his honor, Blood Dagger. The Red Ogre, Goff. And Black Spear.”
“They’re strong…”
“Is that woman over there a human?”
“Looks like it.”
I began to hear the murmurs of nameless Green Skins. In response, Goff puffed out his chest to make himself look even bigger, while Black Spear stroked his large tusk. They certainly knew how to play to the crowd.
I simply stroked Ibar’s fur instead. Hark and the elite Orc swordsmen behind me were proof enough that the Blood Dagger Clan was a group of honorable warriors.
Kim Yoora, riding her Giant Wolf proudly beside me, didn’t look bad at all.
Just as I was thinking the path to the Great Tribe Leader’s tent was quite long, I saw the chieftains of various tribes entering the tent one by one.
“It would be best to find a suitable spot nearby and settle in.”
“For Blood Dagger.”
It was Hark who answered me. As I watched the tribesmen from the Brother’s Land find their places, Goff, Black Spear, and I made our way into the tent.
The first person we saw was, as expected, Storm Shadow. The way he stood waiting for us with numerous chieftains looked so imposing that he almost resembled the former Great Tribe Leader, Agar.
“It has been a long time. The three glorious tribes from the Brother’s Land. Blood Dagger, Goff, and Black Spear.”