Chapter 372: Mother of Green Skin
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 372: Mother of Green Skin
Being alone in the Brother's Land without Blood Dagger was incredibly boring. At least, it was for Mev.
The only advantage was that she could play cards to her heart's content without anyone watching over her shoulder. But even that was impossible to enjoy, all thanks to Ratga, who had suddenly developed a sense of duty to protect the East.
“Where’s Ratga?”
“I confirmed he’s asleep. We can relax and enjoy ourselves!”
“I’m… I’m a little nervous.”
It was a late-night gathering of card game enthusiasts. The only ones present were the Goblin Three Sisters and Nicole, who had been reluctantly dragged along. But for Mev, who hadn't had a chance to practice at all recently, an opportunity like this was too good to pass up.
“Ratga is too uptight. Sometimes, you need time to relieve stress.”
“He’s as serious as Blood Dagger, which is unusual for a young Green Skin, but that inflexible side of him is just like the Queen of the East.”
“Mmm. That’s right! If Ratga becomes the heir, things will definitely get even more tiring than they are now!”
Mev couldn’t quite join in as the Goblin Three Sisters raised their voices in complaint, but she nodded her head desperately. He certainly inherited Blood Dagger’s seriousness, but his strict, inflexible side was just like that woman. It had gotten to the point where she sometimes wondered if that woman was secretly watching over the settlement. The stress had been building up without her realizing it; in this settlement without Blood Dagger or card games, it felt like there was no hope left.
Still, she couldn't back down. They had decided to gather late at night and had finally succeeded in shaking off Ratga. She had personally seen him sleeping, so he was undoubtedly off in dreamland.
Nicole kept glancing around nervously as if something was wrong, but there was definitely nothing nearby. In fact, even this time spent worrying was a waste. Mev looked at her companions with a serious expression and nodded.
“We’re wasting time, so let’s get started. I made sure he was asleep before I left. Nicole, you don’t have to be anxious anymore.”
“B-But Ratga said we’d be in big trouble if he caught us again. He said… he said he’d tell the Chieftain everything…”
“Ratga isn’t what’s important right now! We have to defeat Kim Yoora to win this tournament!”
“I… I don’t really want to defeat Yoora…”
“You can never achieve what you want without effort, Nicole. The Chieftain used to say that. He would go outside alone with his sword while everyone else was asleep. Without that time, the Chieftain wouldn’t be who he is today. I admit Yoora is talented, but we have to show her that we can do it too!”
“Th-That’s a different story…”
“Nicole! You have no grit!”
“No grit!”
“You can beat Yoora too, Nicole! No throne is eternal!”
As the goblin sisters raised their hands and fumed, Nicole mumbled and quietly opened her mouth.
“I-I mean, I don’t really care about winning at a card game…”
Her voice trailed off. Mev shook her head. Nicole was already a lost cause. It felt like maybe she was the one in the wrong, but in any case, Nicole was definitely wrong. She had chosen to cower and hide, already intimidated by Kim Yoora. The brave Nicole of the past was nowhere to be seen. The Goblin Three Sisters were pressuring her from all sides to awaken her grit, but it seemed her passion had cooled after continuous defeats.
‘Foolish…’
It wasn’t that she didn’t understand. Kim Yoora was like a great mountain. It would be strange if Nicole, her best friend, didn’t feel a sense of inferiority.
‘She must have been crushed countless times.’
To fight a monster, you have to become a monster yourself. Mev slowly looked at Nicole and spoke.
“I will avenge you, Nicole. So, start telling me a little about the types of cards Kim Yoora uses.”
“Th-That’s…”
“Yes, it’s a cowardly act. But the Chieftain did whatever it took to win! Even if it meant abandoning his pride. As the lady of the clan, it is my duty to follow his example!”
“S-Something seems a little off, but if you’re going to put it that way, Mev…”
Seeing Nicole nod subtly, a smile began to bloom on Mev’s lips. It felt like she was one step closer to victory. The Goblin Three Sisters’ eyes also lit up when Nicole nodded. In truth, the three sisters were also her rivals. They were on the same side for now, but if they became enemies, she would have to defeat them with all her might.
The naive sisters didn't know she was sharpening her own blade, but the world of competition was a harsh one.
‘To defeat a monster, I must become a monster!’
Mev nodded, steeling her resolve once more.
It was then that she felt a strange presence from somewhere.
“Sc-Scatter!”
Startled, they all flipped the board, but before they could flee, a voice pierced the air.
“Goblin Aunts, Little Mother… and even Nicole, whom I trusted… What is the meaning of this!”
It was unmistakably Ratga.
“R-Ratga… h-how…”
There had been no presence. She had clearly confirmed he was asleep and had even set up a watch just in case. For Ratga to have broken through her defenses was clearly impossible. It could only be explained by him having help from someone.
“You… you betrayed me! Gark!”
“I… I merely chose the more righteous path…”
“To think that you, whom I trusted, would stab me in the back! And in front of your own sisters, no less!”
“I am sorry. I simply agreed with Lord Ratga’s way of thinking.”
As Gark nodded toward Ratga, Ratga nodded back in kind.
“A healthy body begets a healthy mind! If you spend the day playing games, how can you possibly face the next day! Father personally asked me to protect the settlement. I may be small and unable to protect it from great threats, but I can handle small matters like this! I trusted you, Little Mother… but to have that trust betrayed like this… it is truly regrettable and pains my heart.”
“W-Well, you see…”
“I will report all of this to Father.”
“N-No. P-Please, anything but that! I-I did it because I was so tired and lonely, Ratga! The Brother’s Land is so… so hard without the Chieftain and Laveua.”
“Even so…”
Though his words were firm, he began to wear a mournful expression as she appealed to his sympathy. As expected, the young Ratga was still soft-hearted. If she could exploit this, there might be a way out. But this little demon was not so easily swayed.
“Did you not use that same excuse to get away last time…”
“B-But… don’t… don’t you like this game too, Ratga?”
“Of course, I do. However…”
“I’m not asking you to let me off for free. Those of Blood Dagger’s lineage never back down from a challenge. How about it? If you face me and win, I swear I will never play this game outside of the designated times again! This is a duel.”
“A… a duel.”
“That’s right. A duel. So, Ratga, are you prepared to accept my challenge?”
She could see him glancing her way, strangely intrigued. He wasn't even three years old yet. Children his age naturally love to play. On top of that, she had ensnared him with the magic word "duel." Her escape was now a foregone conclusion.
“If Little Mother insists… then I suppose I have no choice.”
It was only natural that she clenched her fist. The Goblin Three Sisters were also visibly delighted. The only one who looked anxious was Nicole.
“M-Mev, maybe I should g-go…”
“No!”
She may have been a renowned powerhouse in the past, but now she was nothing more than a whimpering dog who couldn't handle defeat. A crucial battle like this could not be entrusted to Nicole.
“I will face him myself.”
“B-But Ratga is still so young, you don’t have to…”
“A predator always gives its all, even when hunting herbivores, Nicole. Watch me closely.”
No more words were exchanged. She glanced at Gark, who was nodding repeatedly. Though it was just a game, this was the first duel of Blood Dagger’s third heir. He was likely trying to capture this emotional moment, but there would be no touching scene to witness.
‘I won’t hold back. I’ll use my full strength.’
“My cards are not here at the moment, so it would be best if I borrowed another set for now.”
‘Hehehe… a greenhorn who isn’t even prepared.’
“Aunts, I apologize, but I would like to borrow your cards.”
“O-Okay. But they might be difficult to handle.”
“It does not matter.”
There was nothing more foolish than using someone else’s cards instead of your own. It might have been possible in the past, but not now, with so many different types of cards available.
‘This duel… I can’t lose!’
Mev smiled quietly and confidently presented her cards.
And then…
‘Huh?’
‘Wait, huh?’
‘W-wait, huhhh?’
“Wha-wha-wha-what?!?!”
“Wha-wha-wha-whaaaaaat?!”
She lost in an instant.
“It was a good match, Little Mother.”
“N-No way…”
He was on par with Kim Yoora, or perhaps even better. She couldn't comprehend how he was so strong. He must have only just learned this game.
‘A genius.’
Ratga was, without a doubt, a genius. His masterful plays were terrifying, and his constantly relaxed expression was like that of an emperor. It was only natural that tears began to well up in her eyes, feeling as if all her efforts were being mocked. She began to resent the heavens for sending such geniuses into this world.
“S-Sob… sniffle…”
She had to hold back the tears. But her vision was starting to blur.
“Father once told me that to be a true victor, one must also know how to embrace the defeated. Seeing your passion, Little Mother, I will turn a blind eye just this once. It was a good match, Mother.”
Ratga’s words of consolation, or lack thereof, only made the tears flow faster. Laveua and the Chieftain, who would have comforted her, weren’t here.
‘I have to get stronger… I have to get stronger, Mev!’
As she was staring at the back of Ratga, who was walking out of the tent with a fussing Gark, she heard someone’s voice.
“A message from the Land of Glory. Storm Shadow sent it urgently.”
“The Chieftain is not here.”
“I know. It was sent to the Blood Dagger Clan, so I’d appreciate it if you could read it quickly. Well then, I’ll be on my way. Good luck.”
“Mmm. Strength, Wisdom, and Honor…”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
Some news had arrived from the Land of Glory.
“Ahem.”
When she cleared her throat pointedly, Gark, realizing it was Blood Dagger’s business, handed her the letter with a strange expression. Thinking it might be a love letter from Blood Dagger, she opened the leather parchment, only to find news that was even more surprising.
“No… way…”
Mev muttered to herself without realizing it, her eyes darting around.