Chapter 318: Children
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 318: Children
The next to speak was Mev.
“Th-Then… about when…?”
Truthfully, I wanted to postpone it as long as possible. From Mev’s perspective, where nothing was certain, she was likely thinking the same thing. As if reading my expression, Jang Ye Ri immediately continued.
“It is not good to leave the position of heir vacant for too long. I am not trying to pressure you. However, if you look into the eyes of your clan members, you will understand what I mean.”
Of course, I understood. In my current position, there were things I had to do even if I didn’t want to. It was unlikely to happen, and I would make sure it didn’t, but if something were to happen to me, the clan could be left adrift. And it would be a blessing if they were merely left adrift. Needless conflicts could arise. These were the people who had been with me from the very beginning, a clan that started small and grew large—my clan, no, our clan. I did not want to see it fall apart.
If I were to depart without deciding anything, the clan would surely be divided. Mev, Jung Hayeon, and the others must have been thinking the same.
I was originally the type to believe it was a virtue to start with nothing and leave with nothing, but my attachment to the Blood Dagger Clan was far greater than I had thought. I swallowed once before speaking again.
“For now, let’s make a formal announcement after the situation surrounding us has stabilized. And it would be best not to assume that the next chieftain will necessarily be one of the children in this room. Furthermore, I will absolutely not permit any discord.”
“I understand. It’s not my place to say, but it’s not good for brothers and sisters to fight amongst themselves.”
“R-Right.”
“Yes… Taesung.”
I believed they would understand. When I nodded, they all nodded in return.
“Then let’s conclude this conversation here. Qualification is something one earns for oneself, not something given by another. This is my duty as well, but for now, I’m counting on you to ensure the children grow up in the right direction.”
“Yes.”
The conversation was more or less settled. Nothing had been decided, but the atmosphere felt much better than before. It was still too early to choose an heir. Lapura needed to learn how to control her power, and Laveua and Ratga needed to focus on growing first. Strength, character, and most importantly, whether the clan members could follow them—unfortunately, for now, the only one who possessed the qualification of strength was Lapura.
It was a night that filled my head with complicated thoughts.
*
The next day, I woke up and immediately headed for Black Spear’s tent.
“Hmm… I understand what you’re saying. It’s bound to be a concern. In our clan’s case, we’ve made a provisional decision…”
“Shakara?”
Black Spear nodded.
“We’ll have to watch a little longer, but for now, I’ve decided on Shakara. She hasn’t given a firm answer yet… but with a great war that could break out at any moment, it’s best to decide these things quickly.”
“So that’s how it is.”
“It might still be too early for you. Aside from Laveua, it’s a stretch to say your other children have grown… But if I consider the possibility that a war with the undead truly breaks out, that the continent is thrown into chaos, and that I die…”
“That won’t happen, Black Spear.”
“But one can never know what the future holds, Blood Dagger. If I consider that I could fall as soon as tomorrow, then deciding on an heir in advance isn’t a bad idea. I imagine it’s what the clan members want most. If things aren’t handled decisively, talk is bound to arise later. What about you, Goff?”
“I, too, am holding off on a decision for now. I don’t think anything will happen. But like Blood Dagger, I find myself with much to think about.”
Black Spear laughed at Goff’s words.
As the brothers gathered to talk about their children, I felt that I, too, had finally become a father. There was a specific reason I was here speaking with Goff and Black Spear. Things had been fine until now, but with the births of Ratga and Lapura, the clan’s situation had changed significantly.
I had managed to stitch up the wounds that were threatening to burst open, but the anxiety remained. The relationship between the three women—Mev, Jang Ye Ri, and Jung Hayeon—was unchanged. At least in front of me, they didn’t show any signs of rivalry, and I knew they would manage the children’s care just as I had asked.
But they were all mothers. It was only natural for them to want their child to be loved by all, and though they didn’t show it directly, their desire for their own child to become the heir must be strong. Green Skins, by nature, have a very powerful maternal instinct. Even if they thought they didn’t care, a part of them would undoubtedly be wishing for their own children to have the best.
They might even think that if their child were chosen as the next chieftain, the weight of my affection would shift. It would take some time to make them understand this part as well.
For now, the most urgent task was to make the children cherish one another. I thought having Lapura and Laveua spend time together was the right answer, so I was planning to have them spend a lot of time together, but it wouldn’t be easy. I looked at Black Spear and spoke.
“Ahem… Black Spear, you have the most children among us.”
“That’s right.”
“When you named Shakara as your heir, were there any other children who objected or held a grudge?”
I asked this because of Mev’s question.
“There was no outward opposition, but it’s impossible for there to have been none. I’m sure they each have their own thoughts. My first and second children are already adults. They are ambitious, but they also respect my will. Thanks to that, nothing has happened, but if they were to harbor different intentions, the right thing to do would be to send them away from the clan. Blood Dagger, seeing you worry like this, is the situation that bad? Haha.”
“The situation isn’t bad, Black Spear. I’m just worried about the future.”
“You worry too much. Though that is the driving force that moves you…”
As Black Spear spoke, Goff let out a hearty laugh.
“Doesn’t that just show how much affection he has for his clan? It’s a problem you can think about a little longer. Blood Dagger, your children are excellent, though not as much as mine, of course.”
“Puhahaha! Goff, my friend, how about we go take a look at the items in the warehouse right now?”
I responded lightly to Goff’s friendly jab. He must have seen the giant beast Lapura caught yesterday, so he probably couldn’t say much more. She had only caught it because it was rampaging, but a little bragging like this didn’t seem so bad.
“Ahem…”
As we continued to talk, a voice came from outside.
“Father, I’ve brought some refreshments.”
“You may enter, Shakara.”
The timing was quite good, with Shakara arriving just as we were discussing heirs. At Black Spear’s words, Shakara slowly opened the tent flap and began to enter with alcohol and some decent food. Seeing Black Spear gaze at his daughter with such a pleased expression made me wonder if I looked the same way when I looked at my own children.
She looked more human than Troll. It felt like seeing Ragia for the first time, though of course, Shakara was much younger. I thought our eyes met for a moment, and just like last time, she sent me a wink, making it hard to decide where to look. I had thought it was just a simple prank, but what I was seeing was completely different.
[Target - Shakara]
[Status - Nervous, Excited, Affection]
‘.......................’
Just as I was feeling awkward from the sudden message, Black Spear posed a question to Shakara. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have noticed her sending me a signal.
“Shakara. Isn’t it about time you gave your father an answer?”
“I am still lacking, Father. I am very grateful for your consideration… but I would like to think a little more on whether I can truly do it well.”
“Hahaha.”
He laughed happily, as if he was pleased to show off his daughter’s character. Even Goff, who was raising an unruly child of his own, seemed envious of Shakara.
“So it doesn’t end just by making a decision.”
“That’s right. The consent of the clan members, and most importantly, the child’s acceptance, are also crucial. Even if you choose someone as your heir, it’s useless if the clan members don’t follow them with all their hearts. They might serve your child out of nostalgia for you, but that’s all it would be. I guarantee they would hit a limit someday. In that sense, Shakara is an excellent heir, but in my view, she lacks too much confidence.”
For someone saying that, his expression was incredibly relaxed. He was pointing out a flaw, but he didn’t truly see it as one.
“Anyway, Blood Dagger, it goes without saying, but I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give it some serious thought. It’s a good thing for both you and your clan members.”
“Mm, thank you. It’s about time… I just remembered something I need to do, so I’ll be leaving first.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Take care, Blood Dagger-nim.”
I nodded at the words from Black Spear, Shakara, and Goff.
I had said after the war, but it was impossible to know when that would be. All three of my children were incredibly precious to me, without exception. I wanted to spend a little more time, but I remembered my promise to Laveua and started walking. Mev’s words from before we parted yesterday also came to mind.
‘Chieftain… I-It’s awkward for me to say this, but I hope you can… take good care of Laveua. O-Of course, I don’t mean it in any other way, it’s just that I think Laveua is feeling left out.’
I hadn’t been paying enough attention to her. She had become quite patient, but a child is still a child. Just as it is with most firstborns when younger siblings are born, she must feel somewhat alienated. Especially when those younger siblings are talented children who don’t need to be looked after, the sense of isolation Laveua felt could be even more severe.
This was even more true given the recent atmosphere. Some tactless fellows were singing praises of Lapura’s greatness for catching the giant beast and spouting stories about how wonderfully Ratga would grow up. Of course, this wasn’t something that could be stopped just by telling them to. The situation when Laveua was born had been similar.
Laveua didn’t know what it was like when she was born. I remember it being an even bigger commotion than now. She was the heir we had waited for for so long, so it was only natural, but every Green Skin had called Laveua’s name, and everyone had truly rejoiced. There were even some who shed tears, and a festival was held for several days after.
I had to make her realize that the joy the other Green Skins were showing now was by no means because she was lacking.
Lost in various thoughts, I arrived at Laveua’s tent in no time. I felt even more sorry thinking about how disappointed she must have been yesterday when I only went out with Lapura.
“Laveua.”
“Ah! Dad!”
As soon as she heard my voice, Laveua burst out of the tent. Contrary to my thought that she would be sad, her voice was incredibly excited and joyful. But the moment I saw her, I was at a loss for words.
“Am I the same as you now, Dad? I’m the same as Ratga and Lapura! Right!”
A horn made from an animal’s bone was sitting on Laveua’s forehead.
Of course, it wasn’t a naturally grown horn. It was very crudely made and looked like it could fall off her head at any moment, but she was grinning from ear to ear, as if that alone made her happy.