Chapter 370: Great Tribe Leader
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 370: Great Tribe Leader
His back was quite broad. Being carried like this wasn't something I was used to, but I was too lazy to walk, so I just entrusted my body to him. The real reason I didn't bother walking was that I couldn't stop thinking about that last punch, the one that seemed to carry all his feelings. It was around the time we arrived at the Land of Glory that Goff finally spoke.
“Shouldn’t you be able to walk by now?”
“Mmm… I don’t think I can. My chest aches where you hit me. I can’t bear it.”
“.......................”
I could practically see the expression on the back of his head. He must have realized he’d been tricked, because he suddenly tossed me off. Of course, I landed lightly on my feet. A look of utter disbelief spread across Goff’s face, as if to say, I knew it.
“You… can’t you see the wounds on my body?”
“Aren’t you an Ogre?”
“..............”
“Honestly, it’s hard for me to even stand right now.”
“Walk anyway, Blood Dagger. We can’t show a pathetic sight to the chieftains in the Land of Glory.”
“Judging by appearances, I think you should be more worried about your own state…”
I was right. In fact, I was the one who looked a little more intact. Compared to me, Goff’s condition looked truly severe. He was holding his own severed hand, and though the bleeding had stopped, one of his legs had also suffered a fatal wound. His entire body was tattered, yet it was strange how he acted as if it were nothing.
In my case, my outward appearance was surprisingly fine. My arm was twisted, but it was still attached, and while my chest was crushed, it didn't look that serious. The real damage was to my internal organs.
“These are pleasant wounds. I don’t mind them.”
“Puhahahaha!”
“If someone who might become the Great Tribe Leader shows up looking like this, he won’t be able to gain the trust of the other chieftains.”
A sigh escaped me as he subtly emphasized the words “Great Tribe Leader.”
“You’re the one who lost. And I haven’t given up on being the Great Tribe Leader yet. I never said I’d give up my right. It will be difficult, but I will win it the way I truly want—through the glorious vote.”
“Hm. That’s a relief to hear. But… I can’t lose this time, either.”
As I muttered this, he broke into a wide grin. To be honest, in that moment, he looked quite cool, in a way that didn't seem very Ogre-like. I’ve lived my life learning many things from many people, but thinking that this straightforward Ogre had probably influenced me the most made me feel strangely sentimental.
“So, what do you think? Do you want to be it?”
“Didn’t I say it wouldn’t be a bad idea?”
“Right. I forgot.”
If I had to choose between wanting it and not wanting it, my heart leaned toward the latter. But just as I’d said out loud, it wouldn’t be a bad experience to have at least once. Since Goff hadn’t relinquished his right, I could probably scheme my way out of it, but I didn’t want to do that.
Any more foolishness would be even more disrespectful. I should just leave it to fate. The thought brought a sense of peace to my mind.
As we set foot in the Land of Glory, the shamans were the first to rush over, as expected. Seeing our conditions, they began chanting healing spells. The other Green Skins nearby were also watching us. They were likely imagining the fight we’d had, piecing it together from the roars and explosions they’d heard from the Path of Penance.
Storm Shadow and the other chieftains were nowhere to be seen, but Black Spear greeted Goff and me with a smile.
“You two had a grand time out there. Must have been fun.”
“It was.”
He was as smooth as ever. He didn’t say much, but Black Spear also wore an expression of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
“I should have seen it with my own eyes. A shame.”
“Puhahahaha!”
We had truly fought as if to kill each other, but just as he’d put it, it had also been a fun time.
“Where is Storm Shadow?”
“The collapsed tent was repaired long ago, but they’re still waiting for you.”
“And the other chieftains?”
“The same goes for them. They are all in their places, talking amongst themselves.”
“Ahem… My apologies.”
I could roughly guess the topic of their conversation. The sudden, unplanned incident must have drawn a great deal of attention. There were undoubtedly all sorts of speculations about why we had fought and why the ever-serious Goff had become so enraged.
I was sure some of them were even romanticizing our fight as an honorable battle.
“I wonder what sort of things they’re saying,” Goff muttered as he sat calmly, receiving healing magic.
“Hmm. I haven’t heard all the details, but various rumors are flying around. From the Brother’s Land splitting apart… to you two being jealous of each other. The most absurd speculation was… that since you both know full well there can be no new era without the old, you set out to prove your strength to each other according to the customs of the old era.”
“.............................”
That was truly absurd. But the way Black Spear put extra emphasis on the last part made me feel like they had interpreted our fight in whatever way suited them best.
“Hahahat. Interesting.”
Goff nodded and slowly rose to his feet. He had suffered many wounds and his treatment wasn't yet finished, but his standing up suggested he was eager to get this over with. Still missing an arm, he was the first to open the flap of the Great Tribe Leader’s tent. The expressions of Storm Shadow and the other chieftains came into view all at once.
They’re sparkling.
The thought crossed my mind before I could stop it. Some of them were nodding repeatedly as they looked at Goff and me, while others placed a hand over their chest. No one asked for the details of what happened, perhaps thinking it would be rude to inquire about the result of such a glorious battle, but their expressions were more burdensome than any question. In particular, an Orc named Brave Sword, who had been calling for the dawn of a new era, was staring at Goff and me with a fiery gaze.
I felt like I could see what he was thinking without him having to say a word.
The first to speak was Storm Shadow, who had been watching us with a slow smile.
“That was quite a long walk.”
Goff continued his words.
“My apologies. Ahem…”
“No, rather, a great deal of time has passed, so we should continue the meeting from earlier. Where were we…”
“.............”
“Ah, yes. Blood Dagger said he had something to say.”
He definitely knew and remembered everything. Seeing the once gloomy and quiet Storm Shadow act like this, it was clear that the position really did change the man. I let out a sigh and slowly opened my mouth.
“It was that there is a new era here…”
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. They were likely recalling Earth Wave’s words when he had recommended me. Looking slowly into their eyes, I continued.
“Earth Wave’s words were an overstatement. The expression that a new era is here does not suit me at all. I am not the new era. I have merely shown the way. The changed continent of today is something the previous generation and the generation after them achieved together. I am truly grateful to the Minotaur of the plains for thinking so highly of me.”
At my words, he nodded.
“I originally thought this position was not for me, but since there are those who have expectations, I cannot give up my right. I am not a perfect Green Skin. I make mistakes, and I am selfish. If I become the Great Tribe Leader, I will be very different from Agar or Storm Shadow. There will surely be times when I make the wrong choice, but I believe in our race.”
“Hmm…”
“I am not as great-hearted as the Ogre before me. I am petty and narrow-minded. I am also a coward. Because my vessel is small, other Green Skins may have to suffer to clean up the water I spill. Perhaps some will spend their entire lives cleaning up the water I’ve spilled. The wise Earth Wave could not be unaware of this fact. Nevertheless, I am truly grateful to Earth Wave for recommending me.”
“...............”
“Though I have been recommended, like Goff, I will recommend my own name once more. I cannot be a perfect Great Tribe Leader, but following me will certainly be an interesting affair.”
This kind of speech was always incredibly embarrassing. I finished speaking and began to look around. The reaction wasn’t bad. My brothers were nodding, and others were nodding as well, whether they realized it or not.
“Then, if there is any other Green Skin who wishes to run for Great Tribe Leader, you may speak now.”
After Storm Shadow finished, a silence fell over the tent. There were no other candidates. The others who might have been considered qualified simply looked at Goff and me with impassive faces. It seemed this round was to be decided between him and me.
And with that, the meeting concluded. The various Green Skin chieftains left the Great Tribe Leader’s tent and began to enter their own. Some gathered in groups to talk, but they all clearly looked to be in deep thought.
I, too, returned to my tent immediately. After a little more time passed, the vote would begin. Neither Goff nor I prepared anything that could be called a campaign. We believed that the others already had a rough understanding of the picture we were painting.
By the time another day had passed, strange rumors had begun to circulate.
‘Blood Dagger is the stronger one.’
That was the rumor. It had spread among some of the Green Skins who had seen Goff’s battered state. The absurd part was that Goff didn’t deny it. He simply nodded at the rumors that drifted his way and showed no other reaction.
We had mutually agreed not to speak of that day’s fight, but I couldn’t let a false rumor stand and tried to clarify, yet the atmosphere remained the same. Goff’s silence was likely the decisive factor.
‘Being stronger in might doesn’t make one the Great Tribe Leader, so there’s no need to say anything else, Blood Dagger. And… though I won the fight that day, I still don’t think I am stronger than you. It’s the truth, so it’s right not to deny it.’
A statement just like him. Around this time, I, too, simply began to watch the situation unfold. As Goff said, who was stronger was meaningless. All the Green Skins were discussing the strength, wisdom, and honor that Goff and I possessed, and time passed with a nervous tension.
‘I… for Great Tribe Leader… Goff…’
‘I give my right to… Blood Dagger…’
‘I give my precious right to Goff…’
And so, the voting began. For all my anxious waiting, it felt like it was over in the blink of an eye.
‘To Goff…’
‘To Blood Dagger…’
There were no surprises in the vote.
I looked at Goff.
Goff smiled back at me.