Chapter 298: A Changed World
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 298: A Changed World
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Ah… yes, Taesung. I received a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yes.”
What Jung Hayeon happily took out was a set of newborn’s clothes. They were garments for an infant, but I could guess why she was so pleased.
It reminded me of a superstition I’d heard back on Earth. Of course, more people were unaware of it than not these days, but there was a belief that if you slept with a newborn’s first clothes under your pillow, you would conceive a child. To be more precise, it was said to be more effective if a baby had actually worn them, but the clothes Jung Hayeon held didn’t look like they had ever been used.
They were likely made with magic and hadn’t been created long ago. I had been worried about Jung Hayeon’s persistently gloomy expression.
“Sung-eun, the man we saw today, gave them to me as a gift. You know that old superstition from Earth, right? I think that’s what he remembered. I already knew about it, but it was quite amusing to see him sweating while trying to explain it.”
After blushing slightly, she looked at me with a peculiar expression. It seemed she had brought one for me as well, as she discreetly handed it over. I accepted the baby clothes from her.
He’s a pretty smart guy. No, more than that, he’s incredibly desperate.
“He also asked me to tell you that he will find the answer.”
Her tone had been so cold toward him before, but now she was speaking of Lee Sung-eun with respect. For a moment, I felt as if I’d been struck by a stone. It was because I realized just how arrogant I had become. This was the same Lee Sung-eun who had clawed his way up from the bottom. I couldn’t understand what right I had to judge him so arbitrarily and feel disappointed.
I had grown lazy lately. I would often skip the daily training I had never once missed, and I was no longer moving with the same desperation I had before capturing the Sword Saint.
It’s a bit much to say it myself, but I had climbed to a rather high position. With a single word, the Green Skins of the East would move, and I was in a relationship with the supreme rulers of the North and the East. I had the trust of the Great Tribe Leader and strong, dependable brothers. My subordinates were renowned as some of the most powerful warriors on the continent, as were my lovers.
Since forming an alliance with the humans, not only the Green Skins but also the humans looked up to me. It was ridiculous, but it was a situation that would naturally make anyone conceited. After capturing the Sword Saint, I had lost my purpose.
“Hmm…”
“What’s wrong, Taesung?”
“It’s nothing.”
No, to be precise, it wasn’t that I had no purpose.
To live.
It had always been that way, then and now. Lee Sung-eun wasn’t as brilliant as Lee Wanyong, but he was desperate. He was trying to survive and climb higher, no matter what. I had been the same. I had tried to grow stronger and survive by any means necessary.
Though I had become stronger than before after acquiring Isaac, this was a matter of mindset. That man had made me realize it all of a sudden.
The truth was, I was nothing special. I wasn’t a genius or some great person. I was an ordinary man, or rather, someone below average.
I immediately spoke to Jung Hayeon.
“I’d like to repay him.”
“Ah! Yes. Should I summon him here now?”
I nodded. Jung Hayeon’s expression brightened considerably.
I suppose being surrounded by such exceptional people had raised my standards. To be honest, Lee Wanyong was in a league of his own. But excluding him, the talented individuals in our clan were doing their absolute best in their positions and achieving the greatest results—more than I could ask for.
The one who was always lacking was me.
It was true then, and it was true now.
Soon, Jung Hayeon’s voice could be heard.
“Taesung, I’ve brought him.”
“He may enter.”
As I spoke, Lee Sung-eun immediately entered. Jung Hayeon, sensing the atmosphere, seemed to decide it wasn’t her place to be and discreetly excused herself, which only made the man more nervous. He wore an expression of being utterly overwhelmed with honor. From his perspective, it was like a great general summoning a common soldier to his private chambers, so it was only natural for him to be trembling. I looked at him and spoke directly.
“Thank you. For your consideration in many things. For the matter concerning the Green Flower, and for playing along with the Witch of the East. I especially want to express my gratitude for agreeing to enter the dungeon with Mev.”
“N-No, not at all. The honor is all ours.”
“By the way, where did you get those cards from earlier?”
“That…”
I could see the surprise on his face. I figured he must have gotten them from some black-market dealers he knew. I didn’t care what route he used to get the information or how he connected with them. He might have his own private channels, or he might have obtained them from the humans living in the Brother’s Land. A brief silence fell before I spoke to him once more.
“What was your reason for trying to establish a connection with us?”
The man flinched in surprise, but that was all. Soon, he answered my question in a voice that lacked confidence. This wasn’t the Lee Sung-eun of the Golden Eagle Clan I knew. He didn’t look like the master of a successful clan. He looked afraid of failure, and he looked desperate.
“I… I thought it was an opportunity.”
No other words were needed. They wanted to climb higher, and they grabbed the rope that was lowered to them. I spoke at once.
“After your dungeon expedition with Mev is over, I want you to bring me information on the Sword Saint, Ha Yuri. Information from the place called Earth is fine too. No, preferably, focus on information from Earth… You will be compensated.”
I felt as if his expression had changed. But he didn’t ask any questions.
He would find out, no matter what it took. It might have been top-secret information in the past, but security was likely lax these days.
“And while you’re in the dungeon, please go easy on the card games. Mev doesn’t know her limits. I’ll speak to the elites separately, but… I’m counting on you.”
“Y-Yes! I… I understand.”
At my words, the man nodded his head desperately. Having concluded his business, he quickly left the room, and amusingly, Jang Ye Ri entered in Jung Hayeon’s place. Jung Hayeon had known that today was Jang Ye Ri’s day.
I felt sorry to Jang Ye Ri for ruining our meal, and I felt sorry to Jung Hayeon for making her yield. But apologizing to the woman before me came first. I had ruined our date because of my own personal indulgence. I parted my lips slightly.
“I’m sorry about today. You must have wanted it to be just the two of us…”
“It is nothing, my mate. Though I was not pleased, it was an enjoyable time. The meal with Mev and Jung Hayeon was fun, and seeing that guild for the first time was quite fascinating… That human also seems rather useful, and above all, what is important is that I was with you after so long. It seems you also had some sort of realization… Isn’t one meal a small price to pay?”
“Puhahaha!”
I laughed at Jang Ye Ri’s words. Since we wore the Rings of Covenant, she must have felt some of my emotions and realized what I was thinking.
“It seems I’m about to get busy.”
“Have you not been busy enough until now? So busy that you barely even show your face. I wonder how much busier you can get. I hope it does not reach the point where seeing you once a month becomes difficult. It will not be that bad, will it? If it becomes once a year, I shall punish you.”
“Ahem… It won’t be that bad. I hope you’ll just take it as a symbolic statement.”
I had expected to be pressured, but contrary to my thoughts, Jang Ye Ri smiled faintly.
“However, I welcome this kind of busyness anytime. You were right, and it was worth the effort. I cannot believe my own eyes. Green Skins living alongside humans… Humans living with Green Skins… I regret not having come here sooner.”
“It must hold a special meaning for you.”
I had already anticipated that she would comment on what she saw at the guild.
It truly would feel special to Jang Ye Ri. She was a demon who had cut off her own horns and chosen to live among humans. Having dreamed of such a world since the time she felt confused about her identity, the approach of her ideal must feel wonderful. However, the answer that came from Jang Ye Ri was unexpected.
“Of course, it does. The child to be born will not have green skin, but it will have the body of a demon. It will have horns as well. To be honest, I was anxious. I wondered whether I should raise the child in the city or in your settlement. If I raised it in a human city, what should I do about the horns? Whether it would be better to raise the child as a demon or as a human. But seeing that, I realize it does not matter where I raise it. I know you did not do this for my child, but my mate, I am truly grateful to you.”
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but be a little surprised. She was thinking not of herself, but of the child. Without even realizing it, she had become a mother. That was how much she must cherish the child in her womb.
“It was for the child, but it was also for you.”
“Wasn’t it said that Green Skins do not lie?”
A small smile escaped my lips. I remembered saying something similar when I first met Jang Ye Ri.
“That is true. Except in a few special cases.”
Jang Ye Ri slowly approached and lay down on the bed, and I faced her. A smile came to my face for no reason. Jang Ye Ri looked at my face and smiled faintly as well. It wasn’t something I had planned and acted on, but in the end, this changed world would be a better place for children to live in. As I smiled, Jang Ye Ri spoke once more.
“Even if they are just sweet words, they make me very happy. It seems the child is happy too, as it is kicking.”
“Hmm…”
When I gently placed my hand on her belly, I thought I could feel something.
“Thank you. You have given me the greatest gift.”
“You have also given me the greatest gift.”
As I slightly extended my arm, Jang Ye Ri immediately nestled into my embrace. I could instantly smell her scent, and my lower body naturally reacted. Jang Ye Ri slid her thigh onto my lower half and spoke, her voice sounding incredibly sweet.
“Is that all that is in your head? Hahaha. Do you wish to do it even with this body?”
Her voice sounded extremely pleased. Instead of answering, I averted my gaze for no reason, but at Jang Ye Ri’s next words, I had no choice but to surrender.
“It should be fine as long as we move in a way that does not strain me. You may do as you please. I am yours, so take your fill of me.”
“If you wish.”
“Is it not what you wish?”
At her words, I smiled and pressed my body against hers. I had thought I was resting until now, but this truly felt like a rest.
And the next morning.
Good news came from Choi Seulgi. I had expected it, as I had entrusted the task to her, but it was sudden and seemed rather fast.
“I found it, Kim Taesung!”
“That?”
“That’s right. I think I found a way to separate the Holy Sword from Ha Yuri!”
That was welcome news. It was a bit bewildering since I was having breakfast in bed with Jang Ye Ri, but it was such good news that even Jang Ye Ri nodded in approval.