Chapter 365: An Arduous Path
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 365: An Arduous Path
“So Storm Shadow has grown weak as well. A new era… A new era!”
Brave Sword spoke loudly as he exited the tent, as if making sure everyone could hear him. I could understand his feelings, but he was quite agitated. It seemed the reality of Storm Shadow’s retirement was a tremendous shock.
Silver Fang was just as hot-tempered, so it was rather surprising to see him watching the situation in silence. He must have been feeling it, too. The deaths of Agar and Sand Glave, Storm Shadow’s retirement… I couldn’t know for sure, but his heart must have been in turmoil. He just wasn’t showing it.
After we left the Great Tribe Leader’s tent, the atmosphere in the Land of Glory was deeply unsettled. This was partly due to Brave Sword’s outburst, but it was made worse by the somber expressions on everyone else’s faces.
The regular tribe members must have sensed Storm Shadow’s retirement as well. The same was true for the Blood Dagger Clan. Hark was looking at me with an expectant gaze, and I found it quite burdensome.
“Did you hear anything, Hark?”
“I heard nothing.”
I knew, of course, that he was just being discreet.
No matter what choice I made, he would surely remain right where he was. The same went for the other elite Orc swordsmen. As I let out a soft sigh, Hark spoke once more.
“The Chieftain’s choices have always been right. Whatever you decide, it will surely be the right choice.”
When I glanced back, I saw him heading off somewhere else, his twin swords in hand. I didn’t know how, but he was undoubtedly trying to give me strength as I wrestled with my decision.
“Thank you.”
“Hmph!”
They aren’t wavering.
My people, at least, were not wavering.
I slowly sank into thought. When Goff said he wouldn’t forgive me, he was probably being sincere. He was proud and upright. If I didn’t give up and entered the election for Great Tribe Leader, Goff and I would undoubtedly become the final candidates.
It would be the same even if others participated. Just moments ago, Storm Shadow had calmly announced the end of the old era and the beginning of a new one. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the final testament of the last Great Tribe Leader.
With the exception of a few, the other chieftains would surely follow Storm Shadow’s words.
The Green Goblins and Earth Wave, centered in the West and the plains, supported me. The Big Ogre of the jungle and the Werewolves of the North supported Goff. The clans in their vicinity would also be split due to their influence. The problem was the South and the East.
Those who knew that Sand Glave had been secretly trying to support and help me would certainly vote for me. The same was true for the East.
It might sound like I’m praising myself, but Blood Dagger’s journey as a Green Skin had been nothing short of revolutionary.
I had liberated slaves and stood watch over the final battle of Agar and Sand Glave. I had struck down all manner of powerful foes and opened a new era through harmony with humans.
If we were to face off without reservation…
The probability of me winning is high.
Of course, I could be wrong. But even if my calculations were off, it was an undeniable fact that I was a leading candidate.
“It doesn’t suit me…”
I muttered to myself, but no answer came.
I was one to believe that some are simply born to be kings and generals. One look at Han So-Hye and Jang Ye Ri made that clear. They were born to lead. In that sense, Goff was the same. He, too, was born to be a leader.
He had a charisma that drew others to him, and he knew how to separate public and private matters. He knew when to yield and could swallow his pride when necessary.
“I’m too human.”
Though I now lived with the mindset of a Green Skin, Blood Dagger was undeniably human. I chase personal desires and take what I want. Everything I’ve achieved has been more for myself than for my race.
I shook my head, but no conclusion came. If it weren’t for Goff’s final words, I probably would have just renounced my right, but my thoughts remained just as tangled.
This was probably the first time I’d ever wished for the sun not to set.
As time passed, the other Green Skins began to gather once more at the Great Tribe Leader’s tent. The Green Goblin patted my knee, and Earth Wave gave my shoulder a firm squeeze.
“I believe in you, Blood Dagger.”
“…”
“Please, make the right choice.”
“…”
I didn’t bother to answer them.
Entering the tent, I saw that seats had been arranged around the Great Tribe Leader. Goff, who always sat with me, was now seated on the opposite side. Seeing Big Ogre and Silver Fang beside him, it seemed they had already reached some consensus.
Black Spear, on the other hand, sat a little distance away from both Goff and me, as if observing us. He must have had many questions, but he hadn’t asked a single one. I nodded to him, and Black Spear nodded back in reply.
Storm Shadow still occupied the center seat at the very front, with A-jung sitting quietly beside him.
“Ahem…”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
Everyone exchanged greetings. I, too, gave a slight nod in response. Amidst the quiet atmosphere, the sound of a few Green Skins murmuring to each other could be heard.
“Hmph…”
“It seems he has no intention of changing his mind.”
“…”
After some time had passed and even that chatter died down, Storm Shadow began to speak quietly.
“I believe everyone has had some time to gather their thoughts. Judging by the atmosphere, it seems there were some who were of the same mind.”
His voice sounded as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He was likely grateful that they had understood his wish to usher in a new era. As everyone remained silent, Storm Shadow’s lips parted once more.
“I am truly sorry to you all. I know this is confusing, but I ask that you please try to understand my thoughts. The only thing I can do now is watch over a fair election to choose the Great Tribe Leader who will lead the Green Skins into the future. But this will be a more glorious task than any other.”
“…”
“The voting will proceed in the same manner as before.”
At the Great Tribe Leader’s words, all the Green Skins nodded. There were no objections.
First, candidates would be nominated, and the vote would commence in a few days. The candidates and their nominators all knew whether they met the qualifications. There was no need to filter the nominees. Those who believed themselves unqualified would likely withdraw or refuse to have their names put forward.
The atmosphere grew incredibly quiet.
This was a meeting for the future. It was only natural that it would begin this way.
A little more time passed, and Storm Shadow gave a slight nod. At that, Goff slowly began to speak.
“I would like to speak first.”
“You may speak, Goff.”
“Mm.”
“…”
“I know that I lack the qualifications. However, I dare to put myself forward as a candidate for Great Tribe Leader. Great Tribe Leader Agar was a leader worthy of my lifelong respect. The same is true for Great Tribe Leader Storm Shadow. Storm Shadow calls the new generation an amazing one, but I do not think we are so great. The present exists only because of the past.”
“Mm…”
“I have achieved much with my brothers. But I do not believe we have ever accomplished anything that surpasses the previous generation. Every Green Skin here feels the same. I know I am not qualified. However, I do not believe my vessel is small, either. The reason I dare to put my own name forward is that I have never once doubted the size of my vessel. I will spend my entire life striving to become a Great Tribe Leader like Agar, and in the end, I will achieve it. I hope these thoughts of mine are not an imposition. No other words are necessary.”
His voice was calm. It was just like him. Storm Shadow, who had at first looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected Goff to nominate himself, began to nod as the speech continued.
It was a speech that made me nod as well. It felt as if my head was clearing. He was true timber. If others were to follow someone, they would undoubtedly want to follow a man like him.
As Goff nodded, the others began to place their hands on their chests.
“Is there a next?”
At Storm Shadow’s question, Earth Wave raised his hand slightly. I was sure he was about to nominate me.
“I… would like to nominate Blood Dagger as a candidate for Great Tribe Leader.”
His voice was steady.
“He is a Green Skin who has brought about great change. I have watched his struggles and his life more closely than anyone here. His qualifications are not just sufficient; they are overflowing. There is no need for further explanation of what he has achieved.”
“Mmm…”
“Whether he wanted it or not, he was always at the center. Blood Dagger was always at the center of change, and it was Blood Dagger who led it down the right path. The new era Storm Shadow spoke of is right here.”
The praise was so excessive it was absurd. The sight of everyone nodding made me feel even more ashamed. My face must have been bright red by now. Goff was nodding, too, as were Black Spear and the others.
No matter how I thought about it, this wasn’t right.
As silence fell over the tent, I very slowly opened my mouth.
“I have something to say.”
“Mm.”
“I am very grateful for Earth Wave’s words, but I do not think I am such a great person. I know this better than anyone.”
I knew I was going to disappoint him. But my mind kept telling me this was the right thing to do. I didn’t look at Goff’s expression. I could already guess what it would be.
It would surely be hideously contorted.
“Does that mean…”
I nodded at Storm Shadow’s question.
“I… my right to…”
It was at that exact moment that I felt a colossal energy.
CRASH!
“Shut that mouth, Blood Dagger!!”
Perhaps because of the threat that rushed me with a tremendous roar, the world around me seemed to slow down.
A-jung, screaming as she threw herself into Storm Shadow’s arms.
The startled expression on the Green Goblin’s face.
Black Spear reaching out a hand. My head naturally turned to where their gazes were fixed.
Goff’s shattered desk. He had risen to his feet and, in the blink of an eye, was on me, swinging his fist.
The mere act of him standing up sent everything around him flying.
It was from the sheer pressure of his massive fist cutting through the air.
What I saw in his eyes was unmistakable fury.
I’ll die.
The thought that a direct hit would kill me made me instinctively flood my body with magic.
Too late…
KRA-BOOOOOOM!
I whipped my tail around belatedly, but I couldn’t stop my body from being sent flying backward. My vision spun instantly. My body was tearing through the tent, flying outside.
The other Green Skins in the area stared at me, their mouths agape, as I was suddenly blasted out of the tent. They couldn’t grasp what was happening. In the brief moment it took me to get to my feet, his voice stabbed into my ears once more.
“You son of a bitch…”
As Goff stepped out of the half-collapsed tent and stood before me, I, too, drew the sword at my waist.