Chapter 360: The Arduous Path
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 360: The Arduous Path
“What is it?”
Seeing me enter the tent, Choi Eunju’s eyes widened as she spoke.
“It seems I have to make a quick trip to the Land of Glory.”
“Right now?!” Mev exclaimed, clearly startled. She didn't seem pleased that our family dinner was being interrupted so suddenly. A sense of anxiety flickered across the children's faces as well. Any child their age would react the same way if their father, who they so rarely got to see, suddenly announced he had to leave during a long-awaited family gathering. Tears were unmistakably welling up in the eyes of Laveua, who I had thought was all grown up.
“....................”
The atmosphere naturally grew heavy. But I shook my head. It was late, so I judged it would be fine to depart tomorrow. The other Green Skins would likely be dragging their feet as well.
It had been unavoidable in the case of the former Great Tribe Leader, Agar, but it was clear that no one wanted the current Storm Shadow to retire.
“No, it should be fine to leave early tomorrow morning. I’ll be traveling on foot. You should get some rest too, Eunju.”
“Yes.”
The faint look of disappointment on her face when I told her to rest was surely not my imagination. As soon as I finished speaking, the children’s eyes filled with relief. It was the fate of children with a busy father, but I smiled as I looked at Laveua and Lapura. A good idea had just come to mind.
“And Laveua, Lapura, you two will be coming with me, so you should both get ready. Ratga, you and I will go together alone next time.”
“Huh?!”
“R-Really? Father?”
I answered their disbelieving expressions with a nod. Of course, I wanted to show them the Land of Glory. Experiencing different parts of the world would be an immense help to them both. Ratga, who was older than Lapura but not yet fully grown, would be excluded from this expedition. It probably wouldn't have been an issue to bring him, but taking a child not yet two years old on such a long journey was too much. He seemed to understand why he wasn't called, but his eyes filled with tears as if he didn't want to accept it.
“Hk… sob…”
The way he didn't throw a tantrum was incredibly mature. But his trembling hands and face showed anyone that he felt it was terribly unfair.
It was admirable how he tried his best to remain composed, with food smeared on his lips and still chewing a mouthful. Naturally, I felt sorry and stroked Ratga’s head.
“It won’t take that long, Ratga. You must protect your mothers well. Both here in the Brother’s Land and in the great city of Garia. I’m entrusting the East to you.”
“I… I understhand!”
Only then did his face brighten, as if a flower had bloomed. The anxious expression and teary eyes were replaced by a look of dignity and solemnity. I watched him and smiled softly.
A storm of thoughts raged in my mind, but I tried my best not to dwell on them. Time with family should be focused solely on family. Laveua and Lapura were half-dazed with anticipation for tomorrow’s departure, while Ratga was already glaring around as if to protect his family.
He was adorable, glancing around and checking if anything was amiss near Choi Eunju.
And so, the meal ended, and morning came.
Ratga, who had declared last night that he would wake up at dawn to patrol and see me off, was still asleep. It was only natural, as he had roamed all over the settlement late into the night, vowing to protect it.
I had assembled a modest party for this trip to the Land of Glory. There was too much to do in the settlement to leave with a large, formal entourage, and I had no desire to move on a grand scale. With so much to think about, a slow journey wouldn't be a bad thing.
“Dad!”
“Father…”
“I’m going to speak with the other chieftains. Wait for me on Ibar’s back.”
“Okay.”
Laveua and Lapura were already perched atop Ibar. I had been worried they might be late, but I had to nod at the sight of them, perfectly prepared. They reacted like children who had just been told they were going to Disneyland. Even Lapura, who wasn't very expressive, was smiling nonstop, so there was no need to even mention Laveua.
Not only was she constantly flapping her wings, but she spent more time with her mouth open than closed. I had entrusted them to Ibar, knowing the long march would be hard on them, and Ibar seemed to find the two little ones cute, reacting favorably.
I patted Ibar’s back, said a few words to my two children, and then slowly made my way to where Goff and Black Spear were. As soon as I appeared, Black Spear spoke.
“Did you hear?”
“I did. Of course, I did.”
Black Spear must have been planning to bring his child as well, as Shakara was standing beside him. After seeing her shoot a flirtatious glance my way, I had no choice but to turn my head away again.
“I had a feeling he would retire… but this is definitely too soon.”
At Black Spear’s words, Goff also spoke up.
“Black Spear is right. It’s natural that he’s suffering from the aftereffects of the last battle, but I was hoping he would remain our center a little longer… This is a shame. I’m sure the other Green Skins feel the same way. The best option would be to persuade him not to retire.”
I nodded at Goff’s words and slowly began to observe him.
Goff was even bigger than before. He had already been similar in size to a large Big Ogre, but now he was even larger. I still wasn't used to it. I had to look up just to see his face. His martial prowess had certainly grown stronger as well.
If I had to compare him to myself, I’d say he was just a step below me. But that was only when comparing our raw stats. If we were to truly clash, I thought the outcome would vary greatly depending on many variables.
In terms of raw destructive power, Goff was definitely superior to me.
“We should try to dissuade him if we can. But he’s not one to bend his will, so I imagine it will be difficult…”
“Hmm…”
Black Spear had grown stronger as well. The black energy that used to swirl around his hands now manifested over his entire arms. His long fangs had grown longer, and his frame was a little larger. I had once jokingly told him to throw a spear at me with all his might, and even with these eyes, I hadn't been able to perceive it coming.
If I couldn't see Black Spear himself, it would be incredibly difficult to dodge his spear.
Watching Black Spear and Goff converse, I opened my mouth.
“Storm Shadow must have a lot on his mind. With both Agar and Sand Glave returned to the earth, it’s not unreasonable for him to think this way. Perhaps the aftereffects of the battle are just an excuse. It’s a shame, but we have no right to stop him from retiring.”
“Mmm… Blood Dagger is right.”
“We can talk in detail when we get to the Land of Glory… but it would be good to consider various things for now. Especially you, Goff.”
“.......................”
“Is it still your dream to become the Great Tribe Leader, Goff?”
“I won’t deny it. But I don’t believe I yet possess the qualifications for it.”
Unlike when he fought, his expression in moments like this was quite serious. I let out a small laugh and continued.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to think it over during this journey. Well then, let’s depart.”
“Mm…”
Goff didn’t answer my question. Instead, he nodded and raised his hand slightly. The sound of a great drum began to echo. It was quite a grand signal for a simple departure.
I glanced back and saw Laveua and Lapura with tense faces, but seeing Hark talking to them, I figured I didn't need to worry.
“To the Land of Glory!”
“To the Land of Glory!”
A thunderous roar erupted. Those staying behind to guard the settlement nodded and saluted us, and the warriors setting out placed their hands on their chests in return.
‘Great Tribe Leader…’
The word made me think of many things.
“By the way, which path will we take, Blood Dagger?”
“We have time, so I think it would be good to travel slowly and take in the sights, Black Spear.”
“Hmm… that place?” Goff asked in response to my words, and I nodded.
We could have taken a fast and easy route, but there was a place to stop by on the way. Since all the Green Skins would likely stop there, it seemed like a good idea to claim a spot and set up a temporary settlement.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Honestly, the best-case scenario was for Storm Shadow not to retire, but unlike Goff, Black Spear, and the other Green Skin chieftains, I didn’t think we would be able to change his mind.
Separate from the wounds he sustained in battle, Storm Shadow was feeling a kind of immense responsibility. It was the guilt of failing to stop the resurrected former Great Tribe Leader, Agar, which led to his friend Sand Glave returning to the earth.
Storm Shadow is strong. The resurrected Agar was strong too, but I couldn't understand how Storm Shadow had been so one-sidedly defeated by him. It would be correct to assume he had at least inflicted a fatal or near-fatal wound. In fact, if you thought about it for a moment, the answer was obvious. Storm Shadow couldn't have fought with all his heart against the man he had respected his entire life.
He had made a different choice than Sand Glave, and in the end, that choice had killed Sand Glave. It was surely a story he held in his heart alone.
He clearly believes he is not fit to lead the great race of Green Skins. Considering everything, unlike what our chieftains think, Storm Shadow will definitely retire this time.
What becomes important here is, of course, the next Great Tribe Leader. And Goff has the qualifications to be a contender for that position.
What matters is his own will.
He is more than qualified; he is overflowing with it. The only one who thinks he isn't qualified is Goff himself. The primary goal of this journey is to make him realize many things. There's no need to show him much. He's a thoughtful man, an ambitious man, a man with big dreams. He should be able to reach a conclusion easily.
“Let’s go.”
The Goff Clan always took the lead of the three clans. He began to move, and the Blood Dagger Clan followed behind him. Black Spear’s clan followed behind ours.
After finishing our brief conversation, I returned and climbed onto Ibar’s back. Laveua and Lapura immediately hugged me.
“How long will it take, Father?”
“The journey itself won’t take that long. But we’ll probably rest for a while on the way.”
“Okay.”
And so, we took another step forward.
In a form much changed from before.