Chapter 381: Lee Wanhee
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 381: Lee Wanhee
“How are things these days?”
“Every day is the same… I honestly feel like I just want to run away somewhere.”
“Hmm. Having many wives is naturally a difficult thing. The story of a clan chieftain in the East who was murdered after taking five wives is still quite famous. And you only have two, don't you? Now that you have a child, it’s best to take care of yourself.”
“This isn’t what I wanted…”
“Isn’t it all your own doing?”
“These days, my daughter is the only reason I’m living.”
Lee Wanyong sighed, clinking his glass with the Orc across from him.
Life in the Eastern Continent wasn’t bad. It was incredibly comfortable, and it felt good to use luxury goods he could never have obtained no matter how hard he tried. While he still had to watch his step, he wasn't the old Lee Wanyong anymore; he was a Green Skin, reborn. That eased much of the burden. The problem lay somewhere else entirely.
Bringing Inquisitor Park Jihye, one of Baek Ahyeon’s closest aides, into his life was the beginning of all his misfortune. When he couldn't see Lee Jihee for long periods due to work, his eyes naturally began to wander. He started meeting more and more with Park Jihye, who was also involved in the development of the Eastern Continent, and they eventually ended up married.
By the time he realized it was a mistake, it was already too late. He still couldn’t get used to seeing Park Jihye’s crazed face.
‘Darling. I don’t see faith in your eyes. I wonder if you’ve been seeing another woman.’
Being interrogated by an inquisitor surrounded by all sorts of torture devices was an agonizing experience. He had only wanted the safest place, but that very place had become the most terrifying one.
And it wasn't just Inquisitor Park Jihye. Lee Jihee, who was playing a crucial role as her potion-making skills blossomed explosively, was also a problem. He had cheated on her while she was pregnant, so the looks she gave him were anything but kind.
‘Oppa. I’m so disappointed. Really… If something like this happens one more time, I’m really going to drink a potion and kill myself. I mean it.’
It was all his fault, so he couldn't blame anyone.
‘Do you like that crazy woman that much? Oppa? You know living with a lunatic is bad for our Wanhee, right?’
‘Tell her to watch her back. That potion-making woman.’
The worst part was that the two of them did not get along. They acted fine during official engagements, but they clearly showed hostility toward each other in private.
A harem is best left to those who can handle it.
He couldn't undo the mistake he had already made, but those words had become deeply engraved in Lee Wanyong’s heart.
What allowed him to endure this tightrope-walking life was his lovely daughter, Lee Wanhee. She was so adorable. He didn't know if it was the influence of the continent or what, but she seemed to be growing a little faster than normal. She wasn't old enough to talk yet, but watching her crawl around was enough to heal his suffering.
“Stay strong, Wanyong… Life is hard, but now that Lord Blood Dagger has become the Great Tribe Leader, things will get a little easier from now on.”
“Ah!”
At the Orc’s words, Lee Wanyong smiled brightly and nodded.
‘Great Tribe Leader Blood Dagger.’
As expected, his choice had not been wrong. He had truly grabbed hold of a lifeline. It wasn't that he didn't feel anxious being with Blood Dagger, but his steadfast pledge of loyalty had paid off. Who would have known he would become the Great Tribe Leader? The stronger his faction grew, the more his own safety was guaranteed, so it was only natural for a smile to appear on his face.
The only other problem was his worry that he might have been pushed out of the path to success.
If anyone could be called a founding contributor, it was him. Life in the East was safe and peaceful, but the safest place of all was still within Blood Dagger’s embrace.
Being left to his own devices after being put in charge of the Eastern Continent's development was enough to make him feel insecure. It was because he had seen many colleagues and seniors back on Earth who picked the wrong side and were cast aside just like that.
“But he so rarely visits the Eastern Continent… It breaks my heart.”
“He must be busy. Lady Baek Ahyeon is also having a very hard time. I think he might visit soon, though…”
“You’re right.”
“Working hard is all we can do. Krrrk. Lord Blood Dagger never neglects his tribe members. He will surely encourage everyone.”
“Yes. That’s certainly true.”
If only things would turn out as the loyal Orc said, he would be truly happy. It was best to cast aside such complicated thoughts. Just as he was tipping back his glass, a voice called out.
“Follower Lee Wanyong! Follower Lee Wanyong!”
A very urgent voice came from somewhere. It was Baek Ahyeon. She sounded completely different from a few days ago when she had been listless. Her voice was so energetic that it nearly sobered Lee Wanyong up instantly. As he got to his feet, the door burst open and Baek Ahyeon rushed in, her face flushed with excitement.
“Follower Lee Wanyong! The… the Savior is coming! Pre… prepare to receive him at once!”
“What?!”
“The Savior has announced he will arrive here shortly. Please hurry and prepare to welcome him!”
“Ye-yes! I understand.”
It was only natural that the Orc who had been drinking with him grinned. He was grateful for the visit, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
“Wh-why so suddenly?”
“He said he wants to look around the Eastern Continent. He will tour the area after a… a simple meal, so Follower Lee Wanyong, you should call your family and participate as well. Lord Blood Dagger himself has commanded it.”
‘As I thought.’
He hadn't forgotten him after all.
“My family too?”
“Yes. It seems he intends to give your daughter her baptism during this visit, as she has not yet received it.”
“Ah…”
His face instantly brightened. He had heard that he would be treated as a Green Skin, but this was the first time he was truly receiving such treatment. For his daughter to be granted what the believers called a baptism and the Green Skins called a ritual was something to be immensely grateful for. Not all Green Skins received the ritual.
Not only his own life, but his daughter’s life was now wide open.
He was a little worried about his family, but Inquisitor Park Jihye would surely become a gentle lamb in front of Blood Dagger. The same went for Lee Jihee, who knew exactly what a lifeline was.
The entire castle already felt like it was in an uproar. Hundreds of thousands of followers, who had been constantly preparing for the moment Blood Dagger might arrive at this grand temple, were all moving at once.
“The Savior is finally gracing the Temple of Promise with his presence.”
“Oh, Savior.”
It was a scene that could look a little frightening, but Lee Wanyong nodded in satisfaction. In truth, his own feelings weren't much different from theirs.
“Jihee! Jihye!”
As he shouted, Inquisitor Park Jihye immediately threw open a door and rushed out.
“I heard the news. Let’s go, quickly.”
Her face was flushed red, and an expression of extreme excitement was written all over it. He didn't think she had ever looked at him with such an expression. Just as he was feeling a little disappointed, a voice came from behind him.
“You look really happy, Oppa. Are you that glad the Chieftain is here? You haven't shown me a face like that recently.”
“…”
Only then did he realize his own expression was no different from Park Jihye’s. It was only natural that he let out a slight, dry cough. His beautiful daughter, Wanhee, was nestled in Lee Jihee’s arms, sleeping soundly.
“But… that ritual, or baptism, or whatever it is… it’s not something bad, is it?”
“It’s absolutely nothing of the sort. After attending the temple for so long, do you still harbor such useless thoughts? I can’t understand why Wanyong-ssi cares for you. A child who receives the baptism will grow up healthy and strong. If I had a child, she could have received the baptism too…”
If he left the two of them alone, a fight would surely break out. Lee Wanyong swallowed hard and cautiously spoke up.
“Alright, alright. Let’s all hurry. Since Lady Choi Eunju is here, he’ll probably come straight to the reception room. We should go and greet him in advance.”
“What about Lady Baek Ahyeon…?”
“She’s probably already inside.”
Lee Wanyong led his family and hurried toward the reception room. Since the preparations weren't finished yet, they would surely try to buy time in there. It was obvious from seeing everyone rushing about. When he quickly opened the door to the reception room, he saw Baek Ahyeon already waiting inside.
“You’re late. Follower Lee Wanyong. And Inquisitor Park Jihye.”
“I… I apologize, Lady Baek Ahyeon.”
“It’s a good thing the Savior hasn’t arrived yet… If you had been any later…”
As Baek Ahyeon muttered, Park Jihye glared at him, so he naturally averted his gaze. Just as he was swallowing nervously, he felt space itself tear open.
“He… he’s here.”
Since everyone except Baek Ahyeon had calmly begun to kneel, Lee Wanyong also quietly knelt. He heard the sound of space closing, and then the sound of footsteps.
“Raise your heads.”
A familiar voice. When he lifted his head, he saw Blood Dagger, looking slightly different than before. He was cloaked in a massive mantle, but the long tail and the huge, upward-curving horns were unmistakably his.
‘This is the feeling.’
This was it. This feeling of safety, the comforting embrace of Blood Dagger that he had forgotten for so long. He glanced to the side and saw Inquisitor Park Jihye shedding tears. It was a familiar sight, but he was a little taken aback to see her even more moved than he was.
After lightly embracing Baek Ahyeon, Blood Dagger made eye contact with each person one by one—the very image of a true ruler.
“I heard you started a family… You seem to be doing well, Lee Wanyong.”
“It’s all th… thanks to you! Hehe… Isn’t all of this due to Lord Blood Dagger’s grace?”
“You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Th-thank you.”
He hadn't groveled so easily for a long time, but he had no idea why such a sycophantic tone and shameless servility poured out of him whenever he stood before the man. He peeked at the figures behind him and saw Choi Seulgi, Choi Eunju, and even a small demon.
‘Ratga.’
The son of Jang Ye Ri and Blood Dagger, the next heir to the eastern metropolis of Garia. It was Ratga, who was already known to be showing extraordinary promise. This was the first time he had seen him since he was a baby.
“Father. This place is…”
“We will rest here for a moment.”
“Yes.”
It was at that moment that Lee Wanhee, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly opened her eyes.
“A… bubu…”
He worried she might start screaming, but he was greatly relieved to see Wanhee quietly open her eyes and giggle.
“Is that your daughter?”
“Ye-yes! It is.”
Unexpectedly, it was Blood Dagger’s son, Ratga, who showed great interest.
“She is very cute, Father.”
“She is about the same age as you, Ratga.”
“Ah! I heard that humans grow slowly. So that’s why. If it’s not too much trouble, may I hold her once?”
“Ye-yes,”
It was Lee Jihee who answered Ratga’s question. She seemed a little anxious, but that child was no ordinary child. He wouldn't drop her or make a mistake.
Wanhee was usually very shy around strangers. He was fully prepared for her to burst into tears, but what he heard instead was a bright peal of laughter.
“Kyaa!”
“Father, I think the baby likes me very much. She’s holding my hand and won’t let go. Haha.”
“Kyahahahaha!”
“She is very cute. Now, would you please let go?”
“Abububububu kyaa!”
He had spent a little over a year with her, but he had never seen Wanhee act like this. Lee Wanyong swallowed and muttered to himself.
‘That’s my girl.’
Blood doesn’t lie.