Chapter 371: Great Tribe Leader
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 371: Great Tribe Leader
“Huuu…”
The scorching sun beat down. His feet sank deep into the sand, and the swirling sandstorm blinded his view. Targar slowly began to look back. He wanted to see if his clan members and the other chieftains were keeping up.
After the Warrior's Exam, as soon as they had been dropped into this land, the trial for the Great Tribe Leader had begun.
‘We shouldn’t have set out in such a hurry.’
He meant it literally. Perhaps it was the excitement of meeting the Great Tribe Leader, but it had been a mistake to set off so hastily without securing enough food. While they had managed to secure some monster meat from the beasts that had attacked them at first, their supplies had already run dry. To make matters worse, a sandstorm had descended upon them, making it difficult to find anything to eat in the vicinity.
The worst part was the physical exhaustion. They had set out immediately after the Warrior's Exam and their battles with the monsters, so everyone was worn out. They needed to rest somehow, but everyone here knew that lingering in this place would only worsen their situation.
As he bit his lip, a voice reached him from somewhere.
“The goblin archers haven’t returned.”
“Dammit…”
The goblin archers who went out to find food had gotten lost.
“Red Hawk Targar, what will you do now?” one of the chieftains from the large group asked.
“How long has it been since the goblin archers moved out on their own?”
“Not long.”
“And the number of personnel involved is…”
“Each clan sent five goblin archers. That’s by no means a small number.”
“First, we find the goblin archers.”
“And if we can’t find them…”
“…”
It wouldn’t just be the archers; the rest of them would be in danger too. They had only been told to head south, and they weren’t even sure if they were going in the right direction. If they failed to find them and became isolated in the desert, they would die. But first, they had to bring back those who had split from the group. They were the ones who had ventured out into these harsh conditions for the sake of the tribe. If he abandoned them, he would surely regret it.
They might not be able to find their way back.
He figured that if they realized they were lost, they would either wait in place for the main party or wait at some visible landmark.
But there was nothing to be seen in the surroundings.
He was nervously swallowing dry saliva and continuing to press southward when it happened.
“Targar, there’s something up ahead.”
“I see it.”
Two giant stone statues came into view. They were too far away to see clearly, but he could definitely make out two statues facing each other.
“They’re huge. Perhaps…”
“Let’s head there for now. There might be some kind of hint.”
Moreover, those who were lost might have spotted that place and could be waiting there. The group quickened its pace. As they walked, the statues that had been blurry silhouettes began to reveal their forms in greater detail.
Two colossal statues. He could see an Orc holding a hammer and another Orc facing it with a glaive.
“Overwhelming.”
“Mm…”
Seeing an oasis next to them, it seemed to be a resting place. Color returned to everyone's faces. The march had pushed them all to their limits. They had secured a space where they could preserve their stamina once more.
The lost goblin archers were waving from that direction, so it seemed they were all safe.
“Looks like everyone is safe. What a relief.”
“We would have been in big trouble without these statues, Targar.”
Targar nodded. After patting the shoulders of the goblin archers, who were making a fuss about how they thought they were going to die, he stood at the foot of the statues. He could now see who the two figures were.
‘First Great Tribe Leader, Agar’
‘Orc of the South, Sand Glave’
He couldn't quite imagine what kind of honorable battle had taken place. But one thing was certain: these two were respected by many. No detail had been spared, from their faces down to their legs. Their expressions were so lifelike they seemed ready to move and swing their weapons at any moment, filling all who looked upon them with a sense of awe.
He could also see the weapons they had used. They hadn't been weathered by time. The chipped and dulled glaive and the hammer with its handle worn smooth were a reflection of their lives.
‘The Great Tribe Leader…’
It was only natural that his mind was suddenly flooded with thoughts. The Great Tribe Leader, respected by all. His curiosity about the one who had created and was now conducting this trial grew even stronger.
He glanced to the side and saw his tribe members plunging their faces into the oasis, quenching their thirst. Targar cupped some water in his hands and brought it to his face.
‘This wasn’t formed naturally.’
It was clearly an artificial oasis. It was different from a natural spring. And that wasn't the only strange thing. The sandstorm that had been blowing also had no effect on this area.
‘Sorcery? No…’
It seemed similar to sorcery, but of a different kind. The water in the oasis had certainly been summoned by a shaman, but what maintained this place was something else entirely. It was only natural to think that their discovery of this place might not have been a coincidence. Someone was guiding them. The chieftain next to him seemed to have realized it as well and began to mutter.
“It seems we are being protected. Someone is watching over us.”
“It hurts my pride… but I'm also grateful. I hate to admit it, but we were at our limit. Let’s set out again once the sandstorm clears. We’ll use this place as a temporary base to stock up on food, then we’ll be on our way. I’d appreciate it if you passed that on to the other chieftains.”
“Mmm. Of course.”
And so, time passed. Having such a base in this desolate desert was an incredible blessing. They could rest their bodies and replenish their food supplies. The sandstorm and the natural environment had no effect here; it was so comfortable he felt he could live here if he wanted.
But time was passing, and they had to leave. Everyone was curious. They wanted to see the face of the one watching over them, the Great Tribe Leader of this land, as soon as possible. His own tribe members were more restless than he was, so nothing more needed to be said.
“We should stop by here again on our way back. It’s a good place.”
“Mmm.”
Their bodies were heavy, but their spirits were light.
With each passing day, they grew a little more exhausted, but they also felt themselves growing a little stronger.
They were becoming stronger.
Many things began to catch their eye. The site of what appeared to have been a great battle, with a massive crater dug into the ground, looked as if the fight had ended not long ago.
“Looks like it was struck with brute force. What do you think? Can you read the tracks?”
“Impossible.”
He shook his head in disappointment, but this was no time for delays. The group was becoming more unified, and he was beginning to understand why they had been given such a trial. This wilderness was one giant training ground. They were learning how to survive, how to become strong.
A little more time passed.
As they were about to leave the desert, a vast grassland came into view.
“Hahaha…”
A green land so vibrant it was hard to believe they had just been in a desert lay right before them. And that wasn't all. Countless Green Skins had gathered to celebrate them for passing the glorious trial. Minotaurs with their huge frames, small goblins, trolls with long protruding tusks, and werewolves—all of them were looking at them.
There was no hostility. Their eyes held only respect for those who had passed the difficult trial.
“Uwooooooooooooh!!”
Hearing a great roar from somewhere, he looked up and saw countless Ogres lined up in formation.
The giant Ogres let out a war cry. They lifted their massive bodies and stomped on the ground. With a thud, the earth trembled.
THUD!!!!
The tremendous roar and shock were enough to startle his body, and his heart began to pound with excitement. As if on cue, the sound of drums began to echo from somewhere.
The group cautiously took a step forward. Instead of the hot, familiar sand, they felt the soft grass beneath their feet. He wanted to stand tall and puff out his chest, but he couldn't help but feel intimidated. The faces and bodies of every chieftain here bore the marks of struggle. They were beyond comparison.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor. Welcome to the Land of Glory.”
“A fine sight.”
With every step they took, someone offered a word of greeting.
‘The Land of Glory.’
This must be the Land of Glory. A land of struggle where history was alive and breathing. As he continued to walk, he saw a massive fortress whose gates were slowly beginning to open. The blurry figure of a Green Skin walking from the center came into his line of sight.
His very first thought was that he was strong. Even though his aura was perfectly contained, it was still clearly visible. His calm, deep-set eyes seemed to pierce right through him. He couldn't help but shrink back.
He realized how small he was in the presence of this being. Then, a voice slowly reached him.
“Straighten your shoulders and walk with pride. You are all fine warriors who have passed the trial of Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
“Th-thank… you. Are you… the… Great… Chief…”
He unknowingly swallowed hard at the sound of his own foolishly trembling voice. But the Green Skin who appeared to be the Great Tribe Leader simply patted his shoulder lightly and spoke.
“You are correct, Targar.”
“…”
“Welcome to the Land of Glory, my new brothers. I am Blood Dagger, the third Great Tribe Leader of the Green Skins.”
At the quiet introduction, Targar slowly looked up at the demon with massive horns. He unconsciously placed a hand on his chest and murmured.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
He knew he would never forget this moment for the rest of his life.
*
“By the way, Goff.”
“Speak, Blood Dagger.”
“Are you truly not bitter? Unlike me, wasn’t this something you dreamed of your entire life?”
“It doesn’t matter much, Blood Dagger. The fact that I wasn’t chosen must mean I still lack the qualifications. Perhaps I’ll have a chance next time. That is, if you die or step down yourself.”
“I’d rather not think about the former. I want to live a long life.”
“Puhahahat! Now that’s the Blood Dagger I know. Ahem. You don’t need to make that face, my brother. Are you not the Great Tribe Leader now?”
“Right. I suppose I should be.”
“…”
“Tsk…”
“…”
“I congratulate you with all my heart, my friend. It is my joy to see you rise to the top. I may not have become the Great Tribe Leader this time… but I have become the brother of the Great Tribe Leader, a man who can stand as his equal. How could I not be happy? Straighten your shoulders. And greet those who have come to see you.”
“…”
“Those are good eyes. Congratulations, brother.”
*
“Huh? What? Huh!!! The Captain? The Captain! He became the Great Tribe Leader?!! Then what does that make me? Me?! Am… am I the… the m-mother… the mother… of the Green Skins?”
“…”
“I… I have to go to the Land of Glory! R-Right now! Q-Quickly!”