Chapter 377: Mev! Awakening!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 377: Mev! Awakening!
What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
Mev desperately clenched her fists. Cold sweat trickled down her forehead, and her legs and arms trembled uncontrollably.
Tears were about to well up in her eyes.
Her bladder was on the verge of bursting.
If ever there was a perfect time to use that expression, this was it. It was a unique kind of agony, the likes of which she had never experienced in her life.
I… I drank too much water.
She had drunk far too much since the morning. It was because of her nerves. Come to think of it, she hadn't gone to the restroom once. She had thought she could hold it, but the sensation that suddenly washed over her was now bearing down on her like a burst flood.
“M-Maybe I should…”
“No, Mev. You’ve worked so hard. From now on, just rest here comfortably.”
She tried to make her case one more time, but Blood Dagger’s sweet whisper in her ear made it difficult to respond. This was her only chance to leave, but she wanted to stay in this blissful moment a little longer. Of course, the decisive factor was that it was incredibly hard to even speak.
Can… can I hold it?
She was near her limit, but she could surely block it with magic. There would definitely be a break during the meal. She just had to endure until then. She glanced at Blood Dagger and saw that he looked genuinely worried about her.
He would never imagine she was trembling because she had to pee. A Green Skin queen who runs out of such an important gathering because she needs to relieve herself? Such a queen did not exist. Such a mother did not exist.
Queen Mev, the Pee-Pants. The very thought sounded like hell. It would be better to walk into hell itself.
It’s not a question of ‘can I hold it’! I will hold it!
She’d heard that in some human clans, members even wore diapers to meetings. Although she wasn't wearing one, she had enough grit to overcome a trial like this.
Block it with magic.
It was definitely possible. As her mind raced, various dishes began to arrive. She tried to stand for a moment to help, but Blood Dagger gently took her hand, rooting her to the spot.
Trickle, trickle…
The sound of liquor being poured into cups continuously stimulated her senses. But she had to endure. As she desperately tried to think of something else, the meal began, and the humans started conversing calmly. A few were speaking with Blood Dagger.
They were all trying to form a connection with him. It was only natural to be proud of her wonderful husband. This wasn't a battle she was fighting alone. Blood Dagger was also fighting an invisible war.
“Regarding the free economic zone…”
“Hmm… It’s been quite some time since the Green Skins and humans joined forces…”
“The specialty products from our city… with the Green Skins…”
The conversation, which she didn't quite understand, drifted past her. Her mind was already elsewhere.
It was then.
Huh?
As if by a lie, the feeling vanished.
Wh-what a relief.
This was the power of grit and sheer will. She had reached a state where she could control even her own bodily functions at will.
The… The Chieftain’s words are never wrong.
She looked up slightly at Blood Dagger and saw him watching her with a warm smile. He trusted her. She couldn't remember the last time she had received such a look. Jang Ye Ri and Choi Seulgi were also looking their way with expressions of envy.
Though they were all conversing, she was the one closest to him. Mev began to quietly scan her surroundings, checking if anything was amiss. As a little more time passed, she began to feel at ease. The conversations she couldn't hear before now reached her ears, and she had enough composure to answer the questions directed at her. Mev let out a sigh of relief.
It was at that exact moment that a new army stormed her bladder.
Huh…?
Huh-huh-huh?
Second Impact.
The previous wave had been nothing more than a reconnaissance unit. The real assault was beginning now, pressing down on her with ferocious intensity.
I’m… I’m done for…
She wanted to run out right now, but she felt that the moment she moved, her resolve would crumble. The situation was completely different from before. The instant she rose even an inch from her seat, she would piss herself spectacularly. Of that, she was certain.
Some time had passed since the meal began. It probably wouldn't be much longer. She could definitely hold on. As Mev hung her head low, she saw someone approaching. It was the woman named Jeong Jina, the one who had brought the magic gun as a gift.
*
“May I pour you a drink?”
“Thank you.”
Just as Jang Ye Ri had described, she was quite bold. Unrestrained and proactive. There had to be a reason why she, a newcomer, had managed to build such a large faction so quickly. She must have known that moving to this spot would draw everyone’s attention to her. Or rather…
[This was planned in advance.]
[I know nothing about it. Choi Seulgi doesn’t seem to know either.]
As some time passed and the mood grew more festive, a sense of anticipation flickered in the eyes of the few humans watching Jeong Jina. I glanced at Choi Seulgi, and she shook her head. Since neither Jang Ye Ri nor Choi Seulgi knew about this, I could guess how things were unfolding.
In short, she was the center of a new power bloc. The Queen of the North and the Witch of the East had close ties to the Brother's Land. This was especially true for the major cities where they resided. In other words, other guilds and clans found it relatively difficult to receive the same benefits.
The free economic zone, the free dungeon treaty—all of it. The West and the South, in particular, were more marginalized. And it was at this juncture that Jeong Jina had appeared. She was a woman of action, ambitious, and above all, beautiful. The rumor that I was fond of women must have spread far and wide. They must have thought she was a very suitable person to get close to me.
Crucially…
The other individuals who had made contact with her were likely also enticed by what she possessed. A hint about the Western Continent.
I didn't know her objective, but it seemed right to play along for now.
“It seems the rumors that the Trolls’ liquor is delicious were true.”
“They are. It’s a very fine drink.”
“Did you know that, unlike the Green Skins, humans brew a great variety of liquors?”
“Of course.”
“We brew many kinds of spirits using a wide range of methods. Each has a different taste; some are bitter, while others are a little sweet. Great Tribe Leader of the Land of Glory, Lord Blood Dagger, are you fond of drink?”
“You could say that.”
As I took a small sip from my cup and smiled, Jang Ye Ri’s voice cut in.
[What a sly bitch.]
[Ahem…]
[A truly sly bitch.]
She was right. Anyone who wasn't a fool could see it. She was comparing herself to liquor. With her moist eyes and suggestive voice, there was no way I wouldn't notice. It was already famous that Jang Ye Ri and Choi Seulgi had a close relationship with me. This was tantamount to a new faction declaring war on the existing ones.
She must want something.
She was undoubtedly trying to get close to us to secure her own interests, just like the North and the East. To be honest, this kind of subtle tightrope walk was incredibly annoying. While such a delicate power struggle might be amusing for an observer, with Choi Seulgi glaring daggers, it was something I wanted to avoid. I looked at Jeong Jina and slowly opened my mouth.
“Is there something you want?”
It was quite direct. After I spoke, I watched her swallow once before she began to speak.
“If you ask what I want…”
“There is no such thing as a favor without a reason. Especially not from humans. Looking at your attire, your expression, and your actions, it seems you strongly desire to mate…”
I paused for a moment, and her face flushed red. It was likely because I had been so blunt.
“But I think that’s probably not it. You do not love me. And even if I consider that it’s merely for pleasure, your expression is strangely unsettling. Those who wear an expression like yours always want something.”
“........................”
Silence fell over the hall. The expressions of those who had been cautiously observing began to change. There were surely some who had come with pure intentions to celebrate. But usually, those who rushed to an event like this had an objective. At a minimum, a simple acquaintance; at a maximum, various matters of mutual interest. With the continent changing so rapidly, there were likely more who desired the latter.
“To be honest, I would like to place more weight on my friendship with you, Lord Blood Dagger, but just as you said, it is not that I want for nothing.”
“If you think it’s something you can handle, you may speak. I say this because I know what you possess.”
This was a gathering of everyone. She would understand my meaning better than anyone. I thought she might not be able to say it. But Jeong Jina nodded and slowly continued.
“May I first ask what the glorious Great Tribe Leader Blood Dagger currently thinks of this continent?”
“Humans and Green Skins are living in harmony. This was the will of the first Great Tribe Leader, Agar, and I have no intention of bending that will. So you may rest assured.”
“That is not what I am referring to.”
“I’m listening.”
“I have heard that Lady Choi Seulgi of the North and the Witch of the East, Lady Jang Ye Ri, have a close relationship with you, Lord Blood Dagger.”
“That is correct.”
“I do not know if the pure-blooded Green Skins are well aware of this, but thanks to you, Lord Blood Dagger, the major cities of the East and North are currently receiving a great many benefits. Some are visible, and some are not… but I believe the most representative example is the gateway to the new continent.”
“Hmm…”
“You called for a full opening, but unlike the Green Skins who can freely travel to other continents, we humans are subject to strict controls. Those from the West and South must spend an enormous amount of time just to head to the Eastern and Northern continents. And the problem doesn't end even if we arrive. If we are denied entry to the other continent, our position becomes incredibly difficult.”
“What you want is a path.”
She nodded at my words.
I glanced at Jang Ye Ri, who wore a look of utter disbelief. It was the same for Choi Seulgi in the North. Jeong Jina couldn't be called a war criminal. She had arrived after the war ended, and in truth, it wasn't even clear where she was from. The only thing certain was that she had established herself in the West. That was all.
I couldn't tell if it was a good idea or not, but from our perspective, it was a bit of a gray area. It was true that the Green Skins had free access to the Eastern Continent. We had also partially opened the Eastern Continent to help them build their strength. But that was done entirely out of our goodwill.
The same went for the Northern Continent. Having received a great deal of territory after the war, the Green Skins' range of activity was vast. While the free dungeon treaty allowed free entry to the continent, it seemed humans had their own circumstances.
“Hmm… This is tricky.”
“Ha… Unbelievable.”
It was Choi Seulgi who spoke.
“That’s a baseless accusation, Lord Blood Dagger. Restricting access to other continents is perfectly natural. It’s necessary for safety. You know that, right? Since you’re from the West and arrived after the war, you might not know, but I hope you understand that the West and South are only maintained because we in the North and East exist.”
She was using honorifics, but if no one else were watching, she would have probably been spewing curses. Jang Ye Ri also slowly opened her mouth.
“I agree with Choi Seulgi. This looks less like a request to Blood Dagger and more like an attempt to screw us over.”
Even after Jang Ye Ri finished speaking, Jeong Jina’s expression remained unchanged.
“It is as you see. The human establishment has no intention of giving up what they want. I am not saying that they are like that… but I cannot help but think that they are using you.”
“Ha! Fuck, what does that fucking bitch take me for!”
It was the moment Choi Seulgi couldn't hold back and shot up from her seat.
CRACK!
With that sound, one side of the table next to me completely shattered. What I saw was Mev, trembling uncontrollably.
She was staring at Jeong Jina with incredibly heavy eyes.
“You are not worthy.”
At the sight of a Mev I had never seen before, I swallowed dryly.