Chapter 366: A Fight Between Brothers
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 366: A Fight Between Brothers
It wasn't that I intended to fight. It was, at best, a reflexive action to a threat.
Contrary to my expectation that he would charge at me again, Goff was just staring at me quietly. The sight left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“..................”
“........................”
As I slowly scanned our surroundings, I could see that many Green Skins were indeed staring our way. The chieftains inside the half-collapsed tent hadn't emerged yet, but they were likely unharmed. They were all capable of protecting themselves.
Looking at the distant tent, I realized just how far I had been sent flying. His attack had been that threatening, that full of intent.
As the tense standoff continued in heavy silence, the sound of a sword being drawn cut through the air. To be precise, it came from behind me. The elite Orc swordsmen of the Blood Dagger Clan, and Hark, had drawn their weapons.
The Goff Clan was just as wary. Behind Goff, many Ogres with bloodshot eyes were glaring at our ranks.
The situation was a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment. Of course, I had no intention of pitting clan against clan. Besides, this was the Land of Glory. No one could duel here without raising a banner. Goff would inevitably face disciplinary action for attacking me.
“Is that your answer?”
“......................”
“I told you I would resent you for the rest of my life. Blood Dagger. My brother.”
“I just thought... you weren't suited for it.”
“Bullshit...”
His voice was loud enough to make my ears ache. His eyes, fixed on me, were still blazing with anger. He seemed furious, perhaps even jealous. And beneath it all, I could feel a current of sadness.
I couldn't tell if he looked at me that way because he thought I was looking down on him, or because he truly wanted me to become the Great Tribe Leader. But one thing was certain: the foundation for all these emotions was his fighting spirit.
‘I want to fight you, Blood Dagger.’
His words suddenly resurfaced in my mind, and my head seemed to clear. I thought I finally understood why Goff was so furious.
‘The Fight.’
To him, this election was just another form of struggle, another fight. His desire to compete against me was unchanged. Though the form was different, the vote to select the Great Tribe Leader was undoubtedly an important battle. From Goff's perspective, I had avoided that clash.
It was as if I had assumed I would win, so I ran away and conceded out of pity.
There was no way someone as proud as Goff could tolerate such pity. I slowly opened my mouth.
“I did not avoid the fight, my brother.”
“I don't care what you think, Blood Dagger. I am not as weak as you believe. Even now, it's the same. You're looking down on me. If you don't see me as your equal, then we can no longer be brothers.”
“I wasn't thinking...”
“Stop pitying me.”
He was right. Even now, as we stood ready to cross blades, I was still holding back for his sake. I was thinking, If we fight, he'll be the one to get hurt. I had grown stronger, and Goff could no longer surpass me.
That was likely the main reason I hesitated to fight him.
“I've watched you for a long time, Blood Dagger. I know what you're thinking right now. I know it all too well. It was the same then, and it's the same now. You're hesitating to fight. If you were running away for your own sake, I could have tolerated it. But I cannot tolerate you running away and hesitating for my sake.”
“......................”
“That, I absolutely cannot tolerate. My dear brother.”
No more words were necessary. Exchanging them would only complicate things further. I drew my sword and met his gaze. Seeing this, Goff's lips curled into a grin.
It was then.
“Surely you don't intend to come to blows here. Goff... and Blood Dagger.”
It was the voice of Storm Shadow. Only then could I take a moment to process what was happening. If we had fought here, everything around us would have been obliterated. Moreover, we hadn't clashed after raising the banner for a formal duel. Next to Storm Shadow, another chieftain—Braid Sword—was glaring our way, his face contorted in a scowl.
“To cause such a scene in the Great Tribe Leader's tent... Can they truly be considered worthy candidates?”
“Ahem...”
“Hmm...”
It seemed to be the desperate thrashing of someone who didn't want a new era. Still, the fact that we had caused a disturbance was undeniable. As I swallowed nervously, Storm Shadow spoke again.
“I won't be pedantic and assign blame. This sort of thing is not without precedent, after all.”
“Th-that's...”
“Did the previous Great Tribe Leader, Agar, not strike Sand Glave? One could call that a precedent. A punishment will be decided later, but I will not revoke your candidacy over this incident.”
I hadn't known about that. I felt a sudden urge to thank Agar.
“However, it seems it will be difficult to continue our discussion today. My tent is in shambles, so it would be best to take a break until it's repaired. You two, go and cool your heads.”
I nodded at Storm Shadow's words, as did Goff. He must have guessed why we fought. He was being quite clever, pretending not to know. In a way, I was grateful.
Storm Shadow wasn't forcing us into a formal duel under a banner, nor was he demanding we fight in front of everyone. He wanted us to resolve this between the two of us. His suggestion that we ‘go out for a bit’ was a clear sign of that.
This wasn't meant to be a sacred duel for honor. He undoubtedly saw it as a way for brothers, for friends, to settle the bad blood between them. Just as we started to leave, Black Spear slowly approached Goff and me. I couldn't know for sure, but he must have been through a lot, caught in the middle of all this.
“I want to go with you, but I think it would be best for the two of you to resolve it.”
“Sorry.”
“No need to be sorry. This is something Goff and I have often discussed over drinks... When this is all over, it would be good for you and I to have a talk as well.”
“............”
Black Spear smiled slightly at my reaction and continued.
“In any case, be safe.”
And so, Goff and I began to walk away. I had no idea when the tent would be finished, but it would likely take a long while.
Goff and I walked in silence. We just kept walking. Finding a suitable place was harder than expected. We kept walking, I suppose, because we wanted a place where we wouldn't be disturbed.
Past the grasslands, a vast desert came into view. The very desert we called the Path of Penance. A sandy wind began to whip around us, and the scorching sun beat down on us both. Still, we didn't stop walking. By then, the silence had become heavy, so I was the first to speak.
“I didn't think it would be like this... but I suppose this is a good chance to talk.”
“This is what I've always wanted. Even when we walked this path together, I imagined clashing with you.”
I knew.
“The Great Tribe Leader...”
“I still want to achieve that dream. But not like this. I don't want my dream to come true this way. What about you, Blood Dagger?”
I didn't answer. My own thoughts were a tangled mess. But I felt I had to say what was on my mind. I slowly began to speak again.
“I think you're the one suited to be Great Tribe Leader. I really do. The position is a burden to me. I don't have a dream like you do, Goff. I have neither the ambition nor the confidence to lead our people.”
“That's not for you to judge. You are worthy. You've accomplished so much, and many Green Skins have witnessed it.”
“...................”
“If anything, I'm the one who isn't suited. Without you, I would have achieved nothing. I couldn't have settled in the Brother's Land, nor could I have become this strong. You say you aren't worthy, but I don't believe you truly think that. You're running away. You are definitely running away, my brother.”
“That's not...”
“You pitied me because you know the weight of that seat. You pitied me because you knew you would be the one to take it. We both know who is truly worthy without having to think about it. Do you really believe you aren't suited for that position? No, let me ask again, my brother. What is it that you truly want?”
I swallowed hard and began to question myself. I knew I wasn't suited for it, and I knew all too well the weight of that position. But if I were to cast aside all that pressure, to assume there was no risk of failure like the Kim Taesung of the past...
It wasn't that I was without desire.
I was once human, but I am grateful to this race that gave me a new life. That's why I believed he was the one who was suited for it. And that belief hasn't changed.
But,
if I dug deeper into my reasons, perhaps Goff was right. As if reluctant to admit it, I gave a rough nod.
“It wouldn't be bad, I suppose.”
“That's the most you'll ever admit, isn't it? I understand you perfectly.”
Seeing Goff's wide grin, I realized I'd been played. He knew me too well. Goff and I slowly took our positions. Though nothing was said, it was as if we had an unspoken agreement as we began to face each other.
“After Great Tribe Leader Agar died, if it weren't for you, they would have chosen his successor through a sacred duel. Storm Shadow wants a new way of doing things, yet here we are, about to clash. Just like the generation before us.”
“............”
“You will become the Great Tribe Leader, Blood Dagger.”
“That's impossible.”
“Maybe if I beat that stubbornness out of you, you'll finally listen. I will put you on that throne myself.”
“I wasn't pitying you. I simply thought you were the better fit. It seems confirming it with our bodies will be faster than talking. There's a big difference between 'it wouldn't be bad' and 'I want to be.' My choice was for the good of our people, and I don't care what you think about that. At least here and now, I won't hold back for your sake.”
“That's what I wanted to hear.”
“You might die.”
“Right back at you.”
Slowly, his body began to glow red. His muscles swelled, and a crimson light poured from his eyes. He was so hot on the inside that I could see steam escaping his lips, but I was in the same state. My vision began to tint red as power surged through my body.
The joy of the coming fight sent my spirits soaring.
We didn't discuss what the outcome of this fight would mean. But this was a fight with an unspoken promise. It felt like something out of a coming-of-age story. I never imagined I'd find myself in a situation like this, so I let out a small smile and drew my sword. The same thought was running through both our minds.
The loser of this fight will take the throne.
I lunged at Goff, and at the same instant, the great Ogre let out a monstrous roar.