Chapter 362: The Path of Hardship
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 362: The Path of Hardship
This was the first time we had returned since all the Green Skins gathered for a memorial that wasn't quite a funeral, right after the war ended. Not even a full year had passed, but it felt like it had been a long time. It was probably because I had been so busy.
The giant stone statues were not as they had been before. If I had to describe them, they were even more majestic. The faces of Agar and Sand Glave looked as if they were alive, and the sculpted details of their muscles showed a higher level of craftsmanship.
“Hmm…”
After I had made the rough versions, the goblin artisans had begun restoration work, and the result was a far more magnificent set of statues. It was an honorable task, to be sure, as it was meant to capture the likenesses of Agar and Sand Glave in their prime. The Great Tribe Leader’s hammer that Agar once wielded was now in my possession, but the hammer he used in his final battle and Sand Glave’s enormous glaive were still embedded in the ground right where they had been left.
“A-Amazing! Amazing!”
“They’re magnificent, Father.”
My children probably wouldn’t have reacted this way if the statues had been left as I had made them.
“They were truly great Green Skins in life.”
“Yeah! Yeah!”
“Great Tribe Leader Agar was one of the Green Skins who made it possible for us to live on this land. The same goes for Sand Glave, who was always by his side.”
“I see.”
“Do you respect them too, Dad?”
Laveua’s question made me pause and think. If I were human, I might have dismissed them as just some great figures from the past. But things were different now. I considered myself a Green Skin, and I was genuinely grateful to both of them. Moreover, my respect for them was real.
If not for them, the Brother’s Land and my children might not exist today. The reason we could now paint such a grand picture was that they had prepared the vast canvas for us.
“Of course. I respect them very much.”
“Okay!”
I stroked the heads of my children as they placed their hands over their chests toward the two statues, and a feeling of deep contentment filled me. In truth, it was no exaggeration to say that I had brought them here just to see this.
It was a bit ambiguous to call it an education, but I hoped my two children would feel many things. It seemed I wasn't the only one with such thoughts, as I saw Black Spear speaking to Shakara, who stood beside him. As I was smiling to myself, a voice came from my side.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Blood Dagger. It’s been a while.”
“Green Goblin. You look well.”
“Of course… I’m always healthy.”
“Haven’t you aged a bit, Green Goblin? I heard you’re still getting persecuted at the Adventurer’s Guild…”
“A-Ahem… That place is too dismissive of rogues and assassins.”
I let out a small smile at Green Goblin’s words. Many things had changed, but one of the things that hadn't was the party problem at the Adventurer’s Guild. Even after all this time, rogues and assassins were still suffering. Although they roamed the dungeons by forming special parties called Gold Parties, an assassin like him was still less popular than other Green Skins.
Green Goblin’s face flushed in embarrassment at my words, and a moment later, his gaze fell upon my two daughters.
“Are these your children?”
I nodded, naturally. Laveua and Lapura, realizing they were being watched, greeted the Green Goblin.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
“Yes, yes. Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
Feeling the need for an introduction, I gestured toward the Green Goblin and began to speak.
“This is the Green Skin who took your father in when he first came here. I lived in his village for three years.”
“I see…”
“Really? Really? What was our dad like?!”
As expected, as soon as I finished speaking, both children’s eyes began to sparkle. I had told them many stories of the past, but it seemed that meeting someone who had actually lived through those stories was a novel and exciting experience for them. Perhaps enjoying the attention after so long, a strange smile bloomed on the Green Goblin’s lips.
“Puhahaha! Blood Dagger was really weak back then. So weak he’d go down in one hit from me.”
“Really?!”
“Yes, really. But I remember his eyes were always shining. Just like yours are now.”
It seemed he was about to start telling some useless stories. I watched him and let out a slow sigh.
“Of course, your father is much stronger now. I thought he was a special Green Skin back then, and my opinion hasn't changed. He changed the world. Changed it for the better.”
Green Goblin’s words were incredibly flattering. There was no way I could stand hearing such praise to my face. He slowly began to recount various simple anecdotes, and his storytelling must have been quite good, as Laveua and Lapura were nodding their heads nonstop.
Their expressions were like those of people watching a tense sports match, and the more they reacted, the more excited he became. I figured it was also because he was talking about Mev and Jung Hayeon. After all, those two were founding members who helped establish the clan. It was no surprise that Green Goblin remembered them.
“The little fairy and the plant were also quite amazing. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that your father became a special Green Skin thanks to your mothers.”
“I-I see.”
“That makes sense. Our mothers are strong, too.”
The story ended some time after that. He had suddenly pivoted from praising me to praising himself, but I was grateful for the stories nonetheless.
“Well, that’s how it was. By the way…”
“Hm?”
“You’ve raised a strong child, Blood Dagger.”
His gaze was fixed on Lapura. I nodded at his words. He must have sensed it from the moment he first saw her. Warriors of our caliber could naturally gauge the strength of an opponent. Lapura, in particular, was very poor at concealing her power.
He must have seen all the magic and danger she possessed. Laveua, thinking he was talking about her, needlessly spread her wings and struck a proud pose, but he wasn't referring to her. Of course, Laveua was by no means lacking, so such confidence wasn't entirely misplaced.
“Well, yes.”
Under Green Goblin’s gaze, Lapura took a slight step back. Seeing this, Green Goblin laughed and clapped me on the shoulder.
“I have something to discuss for a moment…”
Seeing him glance around cautiously, it seemed he didn’t want the children to hear. I gestured for Lapura and Laveua to step away for a bit, and they both nodded before running off toward Hark, who was talking with another clan executive.
It was the first time I had seen such a serious expression on the Green Goblin’s face, so I was curious about what he would say, though I had a faint idea.
“What is it?”
“Hmm… It’s about Storm Shadow’s retirement, Blood Dagger.”
Just as I expected.
“I understand how you feel, but it will be difficult to stop Storm Shadow from retiring. At best, all we can do is make him reconsider during our time in the Land of Glory. He must have made this decision after careful deliberation…”
“No, Blood Dagger. That’s not what I want to talk about.”
“Hmm…”
“I know it will be hard to stop Storm Shadow’s retirement. Many Green Skins probably don’t want him to step down from the front lines. Some have even said they’ll speak to him directly… It’s right to bring it up, but… I agree with you. Storm Shadow’s retirement can’t be stopped. He’s a stubborn Green Skin, and he’s already made up his mind.”
The Green Goblin was quite clever. I should have realized he would have grasped the situation.
“What I want to talk about is what comes after.”
“Green Goblin.”
I murmured his name, and he looked at me and muttered.
“I want you to lead our Green Skins, Blood Dagger.”
I had anticipated this turn of events as the atmosphere grew strangely tense, but hearing the words come directly from Green Goblin’s mouth was still a bit startling. To be honest, it wasn’t something I hadn’t considered.
The Great Tribe Leader, who stands above all Green Skins. Many chieftains probably spend their entire lives striving to achieve that dream.
If asked whether I had no ambition for it at all, it would be a lie to nod.
“Hmm…”
“So you haven’t thought about it. It’s not just me. Earth Wave, the Minotaur of the plains, is also thinking about what comes after Storm Shadow retires. He chose you as well, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to think about it seriously.”
“No, I…”
“I’m not asking for an answer right now. There’s still some time before we reach the Land of Glory. But I just want you to know that regardless of what you think, I will be recommending you.”
With that, the Green Goblin finished what he had to say and darted off in another direction. It was only natural to be a little dumbfounded. Of course, considering the last war and various other factors, I thought I was qualified enough, but I never expected him to approach me so directly.
“Ha…”
All I could do was stare blankly at the Green Goblin’s retreating back. It was even more surprising that even Earth Wave was considering me for Great Tribe Leader. I already knew he wasn’t ambitious. He had calmly stated he wouldn’t participate in the last election, so I had guessed he valued other things more than the title of Great Tribe Leader, but I never dreamed he would be thinking of me.
Great Tribe Leader.
I tried to picture it in my mind, but it was a title that just didn’t seem to fit me. My gaze unconsciously shifted toward Goff, and I saw him staring blankly at the statues of Agar and Sand Glave.
He was probably deep in thought. Unlike me, he had a clear goal.
‘My dream is to become the Great Tribe Leader.’
The sound of his voice still lingered in my memory. As I watched him for a moment, Big Ogre, who had arrived earlier, came into view, saying something to Goff.
For Big Ogre, he had a rather solemn expression, and Goff’s face as he looked back at him was also incredibly serious.
I didn’t need an explanation to know what the two of them were discussing. Big Ogre undoubtedly saw Goff as the next Great Tribe Leader.
As I glanced around, I felt like the crowd was beginning to form boundaries, centered around Goff and me. It might have been my imagination, but those looking at me and those looking at Goff were showing a stark contrast in their demeanor.
“Hoo…”
It’s a good feeling to have others’ expectations, and it’s gratifying that they think of me as worthy of being the Great Tribe Leader. It made me reconsider something I hadn’t originally planned to. What I found somewhat fortunate was that Goff held a considerable amount of influence in this Green Skin society.
Our eyes met, and I saw what looked like a bittersweet smile on Goff’s face. What was he thinking? I couldn’t help but wonder, but I figured asking him now would only complicate things for him further, so I averted my gaze.
“Great Tribe Leader…”
What began as a lighthearted journey had become a little more complicated.