Chapter 359: Retirement
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 359: Retirement
“The settlement feels so much more alive with trainees around. Don’t you think, Chieftain?”
Mev murmured as she watched the poor souls going through their hellish training. Oblivious to the suffering of the humans, she fiddled with a card pack, a smirk playing on her lips. I slowly turned to her and spoke.
“Weren’t you supposed to be in charge of the archer training this time? I’m always telling you, play games in moderation.”
“Uh… Huh? I have been playing in moderation lately. Wh-What are you talking about…?”
She started sweating, fanning herself with her hand for no reason. It was highly suspicious. No, seeing her wings fluttering like that, she was definitely lying.
The settlement had undergone quite a few changes. In fact, it wasn't just the Brother's Land. After the war ended, a great change had swept across the continent. While the Northern Continent was being sorted out, the Queen of the North, Han So-Hye, established her new seat of power there. Meanwhile, Jang Ye Ri from the eastern metropolis of Garia and we in the Brother's Land were continuously sending out exploration parties.
The South had yet to make any moves, but they had begun making contact with the dwarves of the West. The dwarves were extremely wary of us, so no major battles had broken out yet, but I had a feeling a meeting for dialogue would be arranged soon.
Of course, these changes weren't limited to such external affairs. One of them was Greenstone.
With the release of Greenstone's new expansion pack, Specter of the Fallen Prince and the Queen of the North—completed with the help of Mev, Hakajin, and the humans—the card game, which had been losing steam, was once again taking the settlement, no, the entire continent by storm.
The other children knew the meaning of ‘moderation,’ but the problem was this little fairy who had fallen completely head over heels for the game. I’d heard she even recently created a secret organization within the tribe called ‘Wagle-Wagle Greenstone’ and was playing cards day and night.
“I heard you were playing yesterday. And the day before. I didn't mishear, did I? You clearly said you'd take responsibility for the human archer training. You were the one who said you'd do it, Mev.”
“B-But…”
“...?”
“Y-You know, Chieftain! The continental tournament is coming up!”
This was the problem. This card game, which we’d made as a joke, had suddenly gained immense popularity, invading not only Green Skin culture but human culture as well. Since the expansion pack’s release, it had grown to the point where there wasn't a single human who didn't know about the game. The current state of the continent was that the second generation of both humans and Green Skins were constantly begging their parents to buy them Greenstone cards.
“…”
Professional illustrators had even joined in to raise the game’s quality, and the prices were steadily rising along with it. I’d even heard that some of the most expensive cards now came with magical effects, so it was no wonder they were so obsessed. A game that even I thought looked fun had been born, but the Mev before me had become even lazier than Laveua.
“Since it’s being held in the Brother’s Land, I absolutely can’t lose. Golden Eagle Lee Sung said he’s participating, too.”
The man who developed the free economic zone maintained a fairly close relationship with the Blood Dagger Clan. Their connection began when he first humored Mev with a few games at the Adventurer’s Guild, and he was still playing cards with her to this day.
Of course, from his perspective, the goal was to build a friendly relationship with Mev by playing nice and get what he wanted, but Mev seemed to consider him her fated rival.
“A-And Yoora said she’s participating, too. Lapura and Laveua are participating as well!”
“Kim Yoora, too?”
That was quite surprising.
“Are there prizes for the winner?”
“Mhm… Of course! Gold coins that humans love! And a good weapon! And finally, a special limited edition golden Blood Dagger card signed by Blood Dagger, the creator of the game, and a tour of the Eastern Continent with Blood Dagger himself…”
“…”
Come to think of it, I remembered Jung Hayeon asking me if I could spare some time a few days ago while organizing my schedule before she left for the West. I was already planning to visit the temple in the East managed by Lee Wanyong and Baek Ahyeon, and she had asked if a few people could accompany me there. It didn't seem like a big deal, so I'd listened distractedly and nodded. That must have been this tour. With such hefty rewards, it was only natural that experts from all over would flock to the competition. Mev’s eyes were shining with desperation, but she probably wouldn’t win. The moment Kim Yoora entered the competition, all hope was lost.
“Th-This time, I really have a chance! I've prepared a killer deck using the new Fallen Prince card!”
It was more likely to be a deck that dug her own grave. In truth, while it was a bit absurd, events and festivals like this were quite helpful.
The economic benefits went without saying. More importantly, providing entertainment for the Green Skins, who knew nothing but struggle, was crucial. The war was over, and the alliance with the humans was being maintained. While their desires could be somewhat sated through dungeons, magical beasts, or exploration, it might still not be enough.
Since Green Skins were enjoying the game just as much as humans, whatever Mev’s intentions were, it was having a positive impact. Above all, the fact that my sons and daughters were burning with fighting spirit was quite amusing. In their case, unlike Kim Yoora, they were undoubtedly after the final prize.
“Daddy!”
Just as I was spending time with Mev in the tent, the children burst in as expected. It was time for a family meal, our first in a long while, as I hadn't been able to make time while cleaning up after the war. Jang Ye Ri, Jung Hayeon, and Choi Seulgi were away from the settlement on business, so Choi Eunju was currently looking after Lapura and Ratga.
As expected, Choi Eunju opened the tent flap, leading the three children and carrying their dinner.
“Honey, it's time to eat.”
“It's Daddy! Hehe.”
Laveua, who had grown to be about as tall as her mother, had reportedly grown in many ways, from magic to archery and swordsmanship. She still couldn't match Kim Yoora, but it seemed her various tactics and strategies utilizing her unique ability were proving highly effective on the children's battlefield.
Her appearance had changed quite a bit, too. Her silver hair and fluttering wings were the same, but two more wings had sprouted. Laveua looked even cuter now. I thought she had matured a little mentally, but the way she rushed toward me the moment she saw me made me realize I was wrong.
“Daddy! Daddy!”
Still, seeing her made the corners of my lips curl up slightly.
“Sister. You're making Father uncomfortable.”
“Ah! O-Okay.”
Behind Laveua was Lapura, a Mythical species, a Demon Tree. Her long, vine-like hair, the horn sprouting from her forehead, and her lower body covered in petals and plants—rather than looking alien, she looked incredibly sublime. It was probably thanks to the aura Lapura exuded. Lapura was still learning to control her power, but personally, I thought she was already strong enough to make a huge impact if sent into battle right now.
What was a little amusing was that Laveua was always wary of Lapura's reactions. I could understand not wanting to be disliked by her much more cynical younger sister, but sometimes I felt she went a bit too far.
“Father, it has been a while.”
Her slight smile made me nod instinctively. I stroked the head of the blushing Lapura as she bowed her head.
Appearing behind Lapura was Ratga, the heir to the eastern metropolis of Garia and Jang Ye Ri's son. His expression, looking quite solemn for someone who was just over a year old, came into view.
“Father. Have you been in good health?”
“I have, thanks to you.”
“It would have been wonderful if Mother were here as well. It is most regrettable.”
The way he wobbled his head, as if finding it difficult to support the large horns that had already sprouted from his white skin, was undeniably cute. Ratga, for his part, was very attached to his sisters and the other mothers. He was the son I saw the least, as he traveled back and forth between the human metropolis and the Green Skin tribe, but that made me all the more fond of him.
I wasn't sure if he took after Jang Ye Ri or me, but Ratga was more like Lapura than Laveua. If Lapura was born off the charts from the start, my son was born with overwhelming talent. It felt like I was looking at the Queen of the North, the Witch of the East, or the Sword Saint Ha Yuri. His talent seemed to lean toward close-quarters combat, but his magical abilities were by no means lacking.
With a little more time, he would undoubtedly become what anyone would call a powerhouse.
“Father. Mother is very displeased that you do not contact her often. As the head of a family who has gained many mothers, I believe it is right that you care for Mother without discrimination! When I think of Mother swallowing her tears alone in the East, this son cannot sleep.”
“Alright, I get it.”
His deep consideration for his mother could be flustering at times, but it was more endearing than bothersome. He was always asking me to take care of Jang Ye Ri, so it was only natural that she adored her son.
Even though they weren't her own children, Choi Eunju stroked their heads as she slowly placed food on the table, while Mev drummed on the tabletop with the kids.
“Let's eat.”
“Thank you for the food!”
“Father, Mother, thank you for the meal.”
“You too, big sis and Lapura, eat well…”
Not everyone was gathered, and I had never imagined I would build a family, but I truly enjoyed moments like this.
Mev was putting food on Laveua’s and the other children’s plates, telling them to eat more, while Laveua stuffed her cheeks full and laughed.
Lapura wiped her mouth as she chewed her food, and Ratga was trying his best to maintain his dignity. Of course, he seemed completely unaware of the sauce smeared all over his face.
“Ratga. Just a moment.”
Watching Choi Eunju reach out to wipe Ratga's mouth, a smile naturally formed on my lips.
“Thank you, Eldest Mother.”
Having such wonderful children, each with their own distinct personality, was a blessing in itself. As I enjoyed the meal, the quest I had received a while back came to mind.
‘A successor…’
It was a quest that forced me to consider many things. Unlike the Blood Dagger Clan, the Goff Clan and the Black Spear Clan already had their successors more or less decided. Thanks to this, the opinions among the Green Skin mothers of the tribe were growing stronger by the day.
It had reached the point where I would occasionally receive complaints demanding I stabilize the tribe by appointing a successor as soon as possible, just like the Goff and Black Spear Clans. The situation was developing in a very similar way to when I hadn't had any children.
If I were to choose without thinking, Laveua, the eldest, might be the obvious choice, but this wasn't a matter to be decided simply based on birth order. Lapura and Ratga were also brilliant and talented.
My honest feeling was that I wanted to watch them for a while longer. I was smiling at the children’s chatter when it happened.
“A message from the Land of Glory! For Blood Dagger!”
Gark's voice came from outside the tent flap.
“I'll be right back.”
“Yes.”
When I opened the tent flap slightly, Gark nodded and handed me a piece of parchment made from magical beast hide.
“My apologies for interrupting your meal.”
“No, thank you, Gark. This must be important.”
Gark's curious expression naturally came into view. I spoke to him again.
“It says Great Tribe Leader Storm Shadow is retiring. The others have not yet been informed.”
I had a feeling this might happen, but it was much sooner than I expected.
The time had come to elect a new Great Tribe Leader.
At the thought of a meeting being held in the Land of Glory for the first time in a long while, I slowly nodded.