Chapter 313: Children
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 313: Children
“Hmm, I’ll take it that there are no objections to opening it up.”
Black Spear muttered, looking at me and Goff. Of course, there were no objections. We were currently in an alliance with the humans, and with the Free Dungeon Agreement proving to be a greater success than expected, this continent had reached a saturation point.
It wasn't just the dungeons. Humans and Green Skins had started teaming up for large and medium-sized monster hunts, and the sight of Orcs and humans drinking together in the taverns of small cities had become commonplace.
‘The Opening of the Eastern Continent.’
It was a matter we had no choice but to pursue, if only because of the saturated dungeons.
“The Green Goblin was quite pleased.”
“Indeed... For some reason, those with the Rogue class have a hard time getting into dungeons unless they know someone. It was the same when I went into a dungeon with Goff last time. The human Rogues wouldn't stop trying to talk to me...”
“But it's also rare to find anyone who knows dungeons as well as human Rogues do. Their sheer numbers are a bit of a flaw, but... if a new continent opens up, the situation might improve a little.”
I doubted that. The Rogue and Assassin classes were already overflowing with people. Even if a new continent opened, they would still suffer from massive unemployment.
Still, it wasn't a problem we could just ignore. In fact, there had been quite a few cases of unemployed Green Skin and human Rogues heading into dungeons together, only to get trapped or wiped out. Perhaps they thought they'd be fine if they all went together, charging into dungeons with nothing but bandages and no priest, but there was no way they could fight properly.
Even at this very moment, a party of Rogues might be trapped in a dungeon, waiting for rescue.
“And we'll take charge of the construction this time.”
“Hm?”
Goff suddenly offered his opinion.
“I feel bad leaving all the work to the Blood Dagger Clan every time... and Gara from our side is very eager to take on the job. We plan to build a massive, magnificent gate, as well as shelters and taverns for the new humans and Green Skins to use. And also something like a trading post to trade with the humans...”
“A trading post, you say?”
“That's right. Trading with humans is beneficial. Things we don't need hold great value for them, and things they don't need are of great help to us. Bartering is already happening at the Adventurer's Guild, but not on a large scale. If we open the Eastern Continent, our Brother's Land will become the center of the continent.”
“Goff is right. Blood Dagger, have you ever heard the word 'economy'?”
I nodded in admiration.
“I knew you'd know.”
I wouldn't have been surprised if it were Black Spear, but I never expected Goff to say something like this. In my mind, Goff's role was, without a doubt, the muscle. It was no exaggeration to say he was a complete layman when it came to administrative or diplomatic matters. Yet here was that same Goff, thinking for himself about the future of the Brother's Land and suggesting a path forward.
“You're talking about things like production, consumption, exchange, and distribution, aren't you?”
“You're right, Blood Dagger.”
“Just as we placed no restrictions on the Dungeon Agreement, I thought it would be best not to restrict the exchange of goods between us. We don't, but I hear humans pay something called taxes. If we were to announce that we won't levy taxes on trade within the Brother's Land...”
“Oh...”
“The humans will want to trade with us, and in the end, it will be even more beneficial for the Green Skins.”
I couldn't help but think Goff was a genius. This was not an idea that could have come from a Green Skin. The idea of creating a tax-free zone within a free trade agreement... It was something I had been considering myself, but hearing it come from Goff's mouth was certainly jarring.
“Goff, I never thought you'd say something like this.”
“Hahaha, my perspective has broadened a bit. I've even been reading things called books... I hear that some of the smarter humans have already started learning the Green Skin language. Thanks to that, I was able to get some translated texts. Of course, the small size is inconvenient... but they say they'll eventually sell books made specifically for Ogres and Minotaurs.”
I hadn't read a single book since coming here. I didn't know what had suddenly gotten into him, but he was striving to become the Great Tribe Leader, just as he'd always said. I'd always thought he was an incredible guy, but now he seemed even greater.
It's a joyous thing to see a brother grow.
“Then I'll leave this matter entirely to the Goff Clan.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“And next... is about the North...”
The meeting was proceeding smoothly when a sneeze suddenly sounded from the side.
“Achoo! Ah! S-Sorry.”
It was Little Finger, who was also attending the meeting. As soon as Little Finger sneezed, Crugar handed her a cloth as if he'd been waiting, and Giant Scream Apachi offered her a cup of warm tea. There was a specific reason I had called those three chieftains to the meeting.
While I was trying to give them various experiences, they had requested to observe how we conduct our meetings. For reference, Little Finger had already been discharged from the training camp. Having married two capable men at once, she was now waiting with them for their discharge dates.
Of course, from Crugar and Apachi's perspective, they seemed to wish Little Finger would leave as soon as possible, but having grown accustomed to their service, there was no way she would go.
“Little Finger, if you're not feeling well, you may leave.”
“No. Since we've also decided to run our clan as a three-tribe system, I definitely want to observe the Brother's Land's meeting.”
“Hmm... I see.”
Black Spear nodded, but it probably didn't mean much. Unlike the equal relationship between the three of us, Little Finger was, in name and reality, the one in charge. Having awakened as a proper curse shaman, she was literally a tyrant and a queen.
I don't know what grudge she held against Apachi and Crugar, but she constantly tormented them, to the point that Apachi had started avoiding her.
She was even pregnant now, and the problem was that no one knew who the father was. They'd probably only be able to confirm it after the baby was born. Watching Apachi and Crugar constantly glancing at Little Finger, I started to feel a little sorry for them.
“Then let's take a short break. We've been sitting for quite a while.”
“I agree.”
“Mm, that sounds good.”
Having been inside the tent for a long time, everyone headed outside, feeling stuffy. I also went outside the tent and was stretching when I heard a voice.
“Yesterday, you! You didn't cover me properly with the blanket, so I caught a cold. It's all your fault. You'd better be prepared for tonight, Apachi!”
“I-I'm sorry, Little Finger. I've prepared some delicious food for today instead.”
“Hmm...”
It was Little Finger and the pitiful Apachi. Still, it was fun to watch them. It would be a long while before the child was born, but they would be able to build a happy family. Just then, I saw someone rushing toward us.
It was Subleader Gark. He had a rather urgent expression, and just as I was worrying that something had happened, an unexpected voice called out.
“For Blood Dagger!”
“What is it?”
“Jang Ye Ri and the humans from the East have visited the village. She said to tell you that she is currently in labor and will give birth here. Sh-She's in Mev's tent right now.”
I hadn't heard anything about her coming here. It seemed to be her own kind of surprise. I nodded hurriedly. I glanced back and saw Goff and Black Spear nodding as well. The meeting was over. They too were already starting to move. A brother's child was being born. Just as I had watched over the birth of their children, it seemed they also intended to give their blessings.
‘A child is being born.’
I was just as happy as when Laveua was born. A smile crept onto my face without me realizing it.
‘If she had just told me, I would have prepared in advance...’
The problem was that Jang Ye Ri liked surprises in situations like this. If she had told me, I would have been perfectly prepared and waiting.
As I started to run, I saw that many Green Skins had gathered. When I appeared, they began to part and make way for me. The crowd surrounding the large tent was so immense there was hardly room to stand. Kim Yoora, Nicole, Choi Seulgi, Jung Hayeon, and even Choi Eunju were there with Laveua. In front of me was Jang Ye Ri's vassal, Park Han Cheol. I looked at him and spoke immediately.
“If you had told me beforehand, I would have prepared.”
“It was the Queen's own decision, so there was nothing I could do.”
“Ahem. Is Jang Ye Ri inside the tent?”
“She is.”
Just like with Mev, I wanted to go inside and be with her. I hurried into the tent, and my eyes immediately fell on Jang Ye Ri and her wet nurse. Of course, our own Mother Goblin and Mev were also watching Jang Ye Ri with solemn expressions.
The sight of humans and Green Skins tending to Jang Ye Ri together was certainly unusual. But for her, a half-breed, it was perhaps the most fitting scene.
“You've come, my love.”
“Haven't the contractions started yet?”
“No, I've been pushing for a while now.”
“What?”
Only then did I begin to properly take in the situation. I remembered it being chaotic with Mev. She had been screaming and cursing me out, calling me a bastard, a bad guy. Looking at Jang Ye Ri again, I could see that although she wasn't showing it, her face was a little pale and her lips were trembling. I immediately went to her and held out my hand, and she gripped it tightly.
“Your Majesty, you must breathe. You can do it slowly, slowly.”
“I know. Huu... Huu... This is more painful than I thought... but I am also happy. I feel like screaming, but since this is for the birth of your child... the joy is greater.”
Tears welled up slightly in her eyes. I didn't know if she was crying from the pain or from the joy of the moment, but I thought it was probably the latter.
Mev, thinking how different the atmosphere was from her own delivery, guiltily avoided my gaze, but I knew, of course, that Mev's reaction was the normal one. Jang Ye Ri must be in immense pain as well. Her trembling lips, the slight twitching at the corners of her mouth, her hands and feet clenched tight—I could see it all, how she was forcing herself to swallow the pain. Even for a body trained to its limits, childbirth would naturally be agonizing.
“Huu... Hnngh...”
“Your Majesty, I can see the head! Just a little more effort!”
“There's no need to rush me, Nurse. Now that my mate is here, my heart is much more at ease. Huu...”
At her words, I squeezed her hand once more and kissed her forehead. A good amount of time passed, and the difficult struggle continued. Then, I suddenly felt Jang Ye Ri's entire body tense up.
The long battle was coming to an end.
“A little more... just a little more...”
“Huu... Hnnnnngh...”
I wanted to look down and see what was happening, but I couldn't, as Jang Ye Ri was gripping my hand too tightly. It felt as if time was crawling by, heavy as lead. Jang Ye Ri swallowed her moans, Mev and the Mother Goblins were nodding, and her wet nurse was shouting.
Finally, after some time had passed, her wet nurse spoke in a very loud voice.
“Your Majesty! It is a prince!”
“A prince! It is a prince! Congratulations!”
“M-My lady... sob...”
“Ha... hahaha.”
“A son... It's a son!”
In an instant, the inside of the tent erupted in celebration. Even from outside, I could hear the clamor.