Chapter 322: Cannon Fodder
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 322: Cannon Fodder
“Baek Ahyeon is here too. Didn’t you say she was busy?”
“She is busy with matters in the East, but… of course she’d come. You probably don’t know, but her divine power is likely comparable to a high priest’s. Priests are the most crucial asset in this war, and Baek Ahyeon is easily one of the top priests on the continent.”
“I’ve never in my life seen someone gain divine power this way. Does Isaac happen to know how it works?”
“I asked him once. Isaac found it fascinating too… He explained it in detail, but I didn’t catch all of it.”
Isaac couldn’t come with us, as he was currently in the middle of making more Translation Bracelets. In truth, the bracelets were just an excuse; he was probably too embarrassed to face Choi Seulgi and me. After we’d tricked him that one time, Choi Seulgi had tormented him quite a bit. Of course, for some reason, Isaac seemed to enjoy being tormented, but even now, thinking back on that chaotic situation makes me swallow a groan.
Regardless of Isaac’s feelings, however, the production of Translation Bracelets was essential. The elves couldn’t always be there to translate between the human and Green Skin languages. Not many bracelets were being produced, so supply couldn’t keep up with demand.
Still, the bracelets were selling like hotcakes. If I were human, I’d probably be sitting on a pile of money by now.
Choi Seulgi and I made idle conversation as we headed toward the training grounds. The chieftains, each with their own strong personalities, didn't participate in the training itself, but they were required to attend the meeting. I wanted to see the faces of my clan members at least once before heading in, so I left Choi Seulgi behind and went to where they were gathered. I was soon greeted by their bright faces.
“My Savior!”
I stroked the head of Baek Ahyeon, who was looking at me as if she had been waiting. She nodded.
“I have brought all the believers who will participate in the holy war, my Savior.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
It had been a long time since I’d seen Baek Ahyeon, as she had been incredibly busy. It was her turn today, so it seemed we would have plenty of time to catch up tonight. The ensuing greetings and welcomes were almost overwhelming. I spoke with Mev, Jung Hayeon, Choi Eunju, Gark, the Goblin Three Sisters, Orbo, and many others, clapping each of them on the shoulder.
The same went for all the clan members. They were probably in the middle of tactical training. Other concepts might be difficult, but explaining the idea of a siege defense to Green Skins would be incredibly easy. They absorbed any knowledge related to combat with astonishing speed. Of course, the Brother’s Land had never fought a defensive siege, but they had witnessed one.
I figured I didn’t need to worry too much. After finishing my greetings, I headed to the conference room with Goff and Black Spear. Countless Green Skins and humans, including Silver Fang, were already seated. Contrary to my expectation that it would be a chaotic mess, the atmosphere wasn’t too bad.
While there was a palpable tension in the air, everyone was seated around a circular table, observing one another. A few were talking, but I could feel a strange undercurrent of hostility.
It was because Silver Fang and the Orc from the South were baring their teeth at the Queen of the North, Han So-Hye.
She looked the same as the last time I saw her, but her aura had grown even stronger.
“The Brother’s Land has arrived. Take a seat.”
With her short hair, she spoke with a spear much larger than her body planted on the floor beside her. She wasn’t projecting her aura, but everyone here could sense she was a powerhouse. It was no wonder Sand Glave and Silver Fang were acting that way.
“I heard a new child was born, Blood Dagger. Congratulations.”
The Queen of the North muttered this without even glancing in my direction. Of course, at her words, the other Green Skins began to speak up again.
Their reaction was quite different from the last time I saw them. For some reason, she seemed to be jealous, but that was probably just my imagination.
“Congratulations, Blood Dagger.”
“Congratulations.”
I had already received plenty of congratulations, but it still made me happy. I thanked each of them before finally taking my seat. Once the atmosphere had settled, the first to speak was, naturally, Han So-Hye.
“First, I want to thank all the city leaders and Green Skin clan chieftains who have come here. I especially want to thank you, White Silver Fang, who has fought alongside us for so long.”
“It was the only natural choice. The humans of the North are worthy warriors. The undead are not warriors; they are enemies. There is no honor in their battles. This is nothing if it means protecting our home.”
“Hmph.”
Sand Glave snorted. For someone who had worked harder than anyone to push for this alliance, he now wore a displeased expression, which I found a little amusing.
“A meeting can’t happen without alcohol!”
I had no idea what kind of meeting couldn’t happen without alcohol, but that was Big Ogre of the Big Ogre Clan for you.
“The alcohol is for after the meeting…”
Goff muttered, looking at him, and everyone nodded in agreement. Big Ogre seemed to have taken quite a liking to the humans. The administrator of the city located in the jungle looked as if he couldn’t get used to Big Ogre’s behavior.
It was understandable, seeing the one they called the “Mad Monster of the Jungle” whining about wanting to drink with them.
“As Goff of the Brother’s Land said, let’s save the drinking for after the meeting. Though we may be lacking, our side will lead the proceedings.”
There were no objections. This land originally belonged to Silver Fang and Han So-Hye, and those who had fought against the humans knew better than anyone that they excelled at things like strategy. Since we would be fighting a defensive siege from atop the massive walls they had built, it was only natural that Han So-Hye had the right to lead the meeting.
Everyone nodded at the words of the ruler of the North.
“First, the training currently underway outside is in preparation for the upcoming siege defense.”
“Hmm…”
“What’s a siege defense?” Big Ogre muttered.
The Orc from the South, Sand Glave, shot him a pathetic look before speaking.
“It’s when you shoot down the enemy from atop the great walls that humans build. It’s also why weaker clans don’t recklessly charge human castles.”
“Ah… I see.”
They had only ever thought of tearing down walls, never fighting from on top of them. The concept must have seemed quite novel.
“The Orc of the South, Sand Glave, is correct. According to our explorers and your Broken Bow, the number of undead troops is too vast to be accurately counted.”
Everyone nodded.
“If we are to shoot the enemy from atop a high wall, what are the warriors supposed to do?”
“You can think of it like exploring a dungeon or raiding a monster,” Choi Seulgi chimed in.
“Hmm?”
“The warriors’ duty is to protect the archers and throw the undead that climb up back down. It’s not a grand battle on an open plain, but the job is always the same. Warriors are always at the vanguard, at the front.”
As expected, Choi Seulgi’s explanation was perfect. The expressions of the Green Skins, who had feared they would have to hide in the back and watch the fight, instantly brightened.
“Hmm… The location is different, but we’re still the vanguard.”
“Protecting humans. Not bad.”
We had to protect each other. The continuous training and meetings like this would surely help.
“That’s right. The unit composition for the siege defense is as follows.”
At Han So-Hye’s gesture, the Frost Dragon Queen began to chant a spell. A miniature ice wall slowly rose from the center of the table. Not only that, but the flags of each clan also appeared, positioned on the wall.
“It’s just as you see. Broadly, the Big Ogre Clan and the Goff Clan will hold the center, with our North behind them. The left flank will be held by Sand Glave and the Werewolves, and the right by Garia of the East.”
It seemed a lot of thought had gone into it. She had only mentioned a few of the major clans as examples, but the number of flags stuck into the miniature ice wall was immense. She had assessed the characteristics of every clan and placed them in their proper positions.
The Blood Dagger Clan’s position wasn’t fixed. Given our agility and strong individuality, it seemed we were classified as a support unit.
“We have decided that all priests who can use divine power, regardless of clan or guild, will be grouped together to move as one unit. The top priority for all humans and Green Skins here is to repel the enemy’s assault while protecting the priests. You should all be aware that the priests’ divine power is far more effective than human magic or Green Skin shamanism.”
Everyone nodded.
It was truly well-planned. From the supply routes to the introduction of the clans and guilds in charge of logistics, the role of the support units, and manuals for various situations—from the Green Skins’ perspective, all they had to do was fight with peace of mind, so it seemed none of them found it disagreeable.
“Hahaha… Your plan is flawless, Your Majesty.”
An old man-like fellow spoke up. I remembered being introduced to him as the master of a small guild in the North. It was a compliment, but Han So-Hye shook her head and continued.
“You are…”
“I am Choi Hee-chul of the Winter Weasel Guild.”
“I’ve heard of you. However, everything we’ve prepared could end up being meaningless.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“We are preparing now. But no one knows how the enemy will advance or how they will fight. It means all our preparations could be for nothing.”
“Hmm…”
“We are not the only ones preparing. From what I’ve heard, they too possess intelligence. You must realize that the hazy curtain covering the land is not there to give us time.”
Han So-Hye was right. We weren’t the protagonists of this world. A crisis could erupt at any moment, and the enemy could strike from an unpredictable direction. It was no wonder she was so desperate.
“I believe everyone can feel it. The hazy curtain is gradually thinning. We don’t know exactly when it will lift, but everyone can sense it.”
Probably within 100 days. It wasn’t something you knew because you tried to know. You just felt it.
“Within 100 days,” White Silver Fang muttered.
“We must prepare for the unprepared. That is the path to victory, the way to minimize our losses and protect our continent. Furthermore, if anyone has anything to say about the current formation or training, I would like you to speak now.”
As soon as Han So-Hye finished, hands shot up from all over. Most of them were Green Skins.
“I am Warstomp of the Warstomp Clan, based in the East. Our clan may not be as large as the Ogres, but we are warriors who can fight at the forefront. I do not understand why we have been assigned to the supply unit. Of course, I know that supplying goods to our fighting warriors is an honorable task. But we would be much stronger at the front.”
“White Orc of the North. I say the same as Warstomp. My clan… seems to be in the same situation.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t expect this to happen. It was true that many Green Skins were concentrated in the supply units. To Han So-Hye, it might have been a form of consideration, but to us, it could be perceived not as consideration, but as disrespect. I was waiting to see what her response would be when someone else spoke.
“Your Majesty, since the Green Skins are so eager to fight on the front lines, perhaps the supply duties can be left entirely to the humans.”
It was that old man, Choi Hee-chul, who had just been flattering Han So-Hye. At his words, the White Orc and Warstomp looked thrilled, but as someone who understood the hidden meaning in his words, I found the situation utterly infuriating.
‘That son of a bitch…’
He was dressing it up nicely, but the gist of his words was obvious.
He was trying to use us as cannon fodder.