Chapter 293: A Changed World
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 293: A Changed World
Some time passed.
The Great Tribe Leader, who had returned to the Land of Glory, and the Green Skins, who had returned to their respective regions, immediately began to promote the dungeons. I had expected as much from their satisfied expressions at the end of the meeting, but Great Tribe Leader Storm Shadow and the other chieftains began to advertise the dungeons with great enthusiasm. At the same time, the alliance with the humans was pushed forward at a rapid pace.
The conference, driven by the Queen of the East Jang Ye Ri, the Queen of the North Han So-hye, Great Tribe Leader Storm Shadow, and myself, sent massive ripples across the continent.
It was a historic alliance between Green Skins and humans, who had fought to the death for so long. There were opposing factions, of course, but perhaps thanks to the last continental war, public opinion had become more favorable toward Green Skins, and the alliance was dramatically forged.
In the East and the North, where there had been little animosity toward Green Skins to begin with, an alliance was possible. Although relations with the Werewolves were not good, Choi Seulgi and Han So-hye, the real powers in the North, had insisted on the necessity of the alliance.
As a result, the sight of Green Skins and humans fighting each other vanished from the continent. The official announcement about the hidden continent was likely the decisive factor. It was our home, but it was their home as well.
[So... it’s called the Free Dungeon Pact, is it?]
It had been quite a while since I’d last communicated with Jang Ye Ri. Her belly had been quite large when she attended the meeting, and now that even more time had passed, it would be even larger.
The thought of Jang Ye Ri lovingly cradling her stomach brought a smile to my face. I immediately replied to her voice.
[That’s right. The Free Dungeon Pact.]
The Free Dungeon Pact.
To accommodate the sudden alliance between humans and Green Skins, new laws were created among humans, and new rules and traditions were established among Green Skins.
Even if they agreed not to attack each other, cultural differences certainly existed. The pact, designed to reduce these differences and foster mutual understanding, was very simple in its content.
[Humans and Green Skins entering a dungeon together... It sounds interesting, but I worry an accident might occur. Of course, I know you entered a dungeon with that woman, Park Ah-jung, but that was with you present... The East will be fine, but I wonder about the North...]
Her concern was natural.
[We’ve prepared various safety measures, so it should be fine. The trial runs have also shown good results...]
[Hmm...]
The idea had actually come from Lee Wanyong’s head. Even while working hard with Baek Ahyeon to construct the underground city and temple, the man never stopped working. He brought me an idea, and I revised his proposal. While new buildings were being constructed for the Free Dungeon Pact, we also engaged in continuous promotion and established a more systematic framework.
First, a massive new guild was created on the continent. It was less a simple guild and more a federation of countless guilds and clans. The defunct Mage Tower was converted into the guild’s headquarters, and branches were established in various locations. Lounge areas were also set up where humans and Green Skins could meet and converse.
Of course, Isaac had been furious, but he was in no position to resist. Seeing him smile at the sight of his old home bustling with people after the Mage Tower was remodeled into a guild, I didn’t think he felt too bad about it.
The branches were managed by elves capable of translation magic or human mages who could learn it. Naturally, the elves with translation magic also entered the dungeons with the parties.
Only qualified humans and Green Skins were allowed to explore dungeons with other races. A personality test was mandatory. For humans, those with a criminal record were disqualified, and for Green Skins, those who couldn’t control their feral instincts were rejected.
Forming a party was left entirely up to individual freedom. Of course, if someone had trouble finding a party, an elven administrator would help arrange one, and our side would sometimes subtly make recommendations.
The deciding blow was when Choi Seulgi released the vast amounts of information I possessed to the guild. Of course, it was mostly just tidbits like, “There’s a certain dungeon somewhere in the West,” but the response was overwhelmingly positive.
[I’d like to visit the guild sometime...]
[You’ll see quite a unique sight. It might even be the picture you’ve been hoping for.]
[Is that so.]
Even now, a few Green Skins had settled down and were living in Jang Ye Ri’s city. They were Green Skins who had lived alongside humans since they were young. If Jang Ye Ri saw this adventurer’s guild, she would surely be astonished.
Humans drinking with Orcs and Goblins, a demon clinking glasses with a priest, a human rogue riding on an Ogre’s back—there were many sights that would have been unimaginable in my past life. Thinking that Jang Ye Ri would be delighted to see this, I sent another message.
[How about we go tomorrow?]
[..........................]
[Is... is... is that a request for a date?]
Her voice burst out after a moment of silence.
[Yes. That’s right. You have been quite neglectful of me. I wondered if you were avoiding me because my belly has grown large and unsightly, but... I see you haven’t changed.]
Jang Ye Ri seemed to have high self-esteem, but it was actually low. She had shown great anxiety when she first met Choi Seulgi, and when we first got together, she had been trapped by past trauma and hadn't been in a good state.
I had thought we hadn’t been in touch much lately, but it seemed she’d been having such useless thoughts. I smiled faintly and sent my reply.
[I have never once thought that. Besides, the child in your belly is my child as well. There’s no reason for me to avoid you.]
[Then your neglect must be because of... another woman...]
[It’s not that. I was just busy with work. Besides, tomorrow happens to be your day, so the timing seems perfect.]
She had struck with impeccable timing; I almost got dragged into it.
It seemed she was just teasing me. The emotions flowing through the Ring of Covenant told me that Jang Ye Ri was, without a doubt, very happy.
[Th-then I... I’ll come find you tomorrow morning.]
[No. It would be better for me to go to your city... Your body is heavy right now.]
[Wh-what did you just say?]
[I didn’t mean anything by it.]
[Didn’t you just say my body was heavy! Is that really how you see me!]
Absolutely not.
[That’s not what I meant. You still look beautiful in my eyes.]
[................]
[I mean it.]
[Fine... I’ll believe you for now. I expect you to be waiting for me the moment I wake up in the morning.]
I felt like I could hear the sound of her grinding her teeth. In truth, Jang Ye Ri’s pregnant form was also beautiful enough. I was looking forward to tomorrow, but at the same time, I wished it would never come. Just as I was about to end the communication, her voice came through again.
[A-and thank you for asking me on a date. I... I... lo... love you. My mate.]
[I love you too.]
I let out a soft laugh. The moment I cut the connection, a voice spoke up from right beside me.
“You two are just disgustingly sweet.”
It was Isaac, lying face down on the table with his face hidden. After coming outside, Isaac had been overjoyed, wandering all over the place. But after realizing that I was in relationships with several women and even had children, he seemed to have gone into shock and had remained in that state ever since. To be precise, the incident with Mev might also have something to do with it. I unconsciously recalled the recent meeting between Isaac and Mev. The moment he had locked himself in his room and refused to come out was exactly one month after he had entered our settlement.
I had thought he was naturally a shut-in, but he was just incredibly awkward. Mev was also quite clumsy when it came to conversation and making friends, but for Isaac, who had lived alone for 10,000 years, it was far more severe. Isaac, who had been muttering to himself about wanting to make friends quickly and thinking he was about to get one, had set his first target as Mev.
He must have thought they could be friends since their overall sizes were similar. Besides, for a loner, Isaac had a strong sense of pride. He probably thought that Mev, who was praised by everyone, was a suitable friend for him.
‘I... I... I... am the Archmage Isaac. Ch... child of the fa... fairies. Will you be... my... fr... fr... friend...’
‘Do you know how to play cards?’
‘Ca... ca... ca... cards... you mean card games? O-of course I know... h-h-how...’
I remember him trembling all over, even sweating despite being a spiritual entity. Of course, the card game Isaac knew was one that had been popular a whole 10,000 years ago.
‘Captain. I think this guy’s a little weird...’
She had come up to me and whispered about Isaac, but there was no way he couldn’t have heard her. It was the first time I had ever seen someone get called that by Mev. In the end, Mev used Laveua as an excuse to slip away from Isaac, and the shocked Archmage ended up in his current state.
“Everyone is so happy everywhere. You too, with your lover and child! But I’m happy too. Right, Wilson?”
“.............................................”
“As I thought, Wilson... I knew you’d like me too. Of course. We’re true friends.”
He was tenderly stroking the golem, of which only the head remained. It was no wonder Mev had run away. 10,000 years seemed to have been a very long time.
“Hahahaha. Memphis, don’t be too jealous. I like you just as much. Wait, my eyes are sweating...”
For some reason, I felt like Isaac was on the verge of corruption. In the end, with the feeling of a parent watching over their shut-in child, I spoke to him.
“Go outside and play for a bit.”
“...........................”
I sighed, wondering if this was even the Archmage I knew. He at least seemed somewhat comfortable in front of me, so I spoke again. An idea for a few tasks to make him forget this shock had come to mind.
“Hey. Can you make this?”
I casually held out the Ring of Covenant.
“Hmm... a communication ring. I can’t make it transmit feelings like this one, but a simple communication ring is possible. It might take some time because of the outdated facilities here, but...”
As expected, adding a skilled crafter was essential. I continued speaking to Isaac casually.
“Make them.”
He puffed out his cheeks again. He would do as I said anyway, but to spark some motivation in him, I spoke once more.
“If you succeed, I will grant you a great reward. A kiss should be fine, right?”
For a shut-in, he was quite lewd. In an instant, the pouting Isaac vanished, replaced by an Isaac whose face was beet red. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but he had turned into a complete tomato. She pushed up her glasses with one hand, pretended to read a large book, and spoke while staring at it.
“Hmph. Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m only doing this because the new master of the Mage Tower asked...”
“Then let’s just forget about it.”
“N-no... that’s not it! Th-that’s not it! S-since you’re offering... I... I’ll accept.”
Being able to use such a talent for a single kiss was obviously a good deal. As he spoke, he kept staring at my lips and stuttering. I couldn’t help but think it would take a very long time for him to make a friend.