Chapter 457: For the Savior
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 457: For the Savior
“What? Didn’t you say you were busy?”
“I had to come, even if I was busy.”
“You didn’t really have to…”
“What? Are you fucking saying you’re unhappy I came? Huh?”
Choi Seulgi’s expression instantly turned vicious. Seeing her furrowed brow and the scowl that showed no sign of leaving, I couldn't help but realize I'd made a mistake.
“That’s not it. I just meant you didn’t need to come all this way when you’re so busy.”
“Then what? My boyfriend—no, my husband—is spending some quality time alone with an elf princess, and I’m just supposed to sit back and watch?”
“...”
Of course, it was hardly quality time. All we were doing was observing the situation in the surrounding cities and checking on Jane and the others. Elia, the second princess of the Eveluse Kingdom, possessed the ability to see places beyond her line of sight, which was incredibly useful in this situation. I wasn't sure about the limits of her power, but her unique ability had a finite range, which meant I had to travel with her. It seemed that fact had gotten on Choi Seulgi's nerves.
Even if it was for work, I'd never spent so much time alone with one woman before, so Seulgi's reaction wasn't unreasonable. For all I knew, the others were probably quite jealous too.
Our camp was quite busy dealing with the aftermath of the war and preparing for the upcoming treaty with the Western Continent. The three clans in the Brother's Land were also pouring their energy into preparing for the imminent coming-of-age ceremony.
For these reasons, the only ones accompanying me to observe the situation were Hark, a few elite Orc swordsmen, and Elia. Since I preferred to travel light, it seemed like a good choice, but from Seulgi's perspective, it appeared she felt a little left out.
We were at the temporary settlement established by Giant Scream Apachi, Little Finger, and the battle-sorcerer Crugar. Since their settlements were usually located near small or large human cities, this trip also served as a sort of inspection.
Of course, a personal visit from the Great Tribe Leader was a huge event for the Green Skins, so I received an unintentionally enthusiastic welcome.
“Great Tribe Leader Blood Dagger has visited the land of Giant Scream Apachi! Uwoooooooh!”
“For Strength, Wisdom, and Honor!”
“For Great Tribe Leader Blood Dagger!”
“This is the tent where the Great Tribe Leader will stay! Do your best! Kkuwooh!”
“Little Finger said he'd give us a reward!”
The problem—if you could call it that—was that voices like these could be heard at all hours. But thanks to Apachi's perfectly timed shouts, the glare in Choi Seulgi's eyes began to subside. She had accepted that this, too, was work.
“Well… no matter how busy I am, I have enough time to join you for a bit. I quite enjoy watching this kind of drama anyway. It's a good way to relieve stress…”
“Then let’s watch together today.”
“If—if you want.”
It was definitely Seulgi who wanted to be with me, but it ended up looking like I was the one asking. Still, I didn't feel bad about it. As I was talking with Seulgi in a suitable spot, Giant Scream Apachi came into view, walking confidently toward us. Out of consideration for me, Seulgi subtly moved away from my side. The reason he was coming was obvious. The preparations were complete.
“For Great Tribe Leader Blood Dagger!”
His voice was loud enough to shatter my eardrums. I nodded at his words.
“The tent for Great Tribe Leader Blood Dagger to stay in is ready.”
“Thank you.”
“S-since you visited the settlement so suddenly, it might be a little lacking. I-if we'd had more time, we would have built an even bigger and more beautiful tent!”
“I understand.”
He sounded quite desperate. Green Skins love to show off, after all. It's a unique part of their culture to demonstrate their clan's strength and loyalty, so long as it's not too excessive. So, of course, I could understand his frantic shouting.
“Ahem… I thought it would be rude to keep the Great Tribe Leader waiting any longer, so we finished it a bit hastily.”
“I understand.”
Before my eyes was an enormous tent. It was far larger than the tents that Little Finger or Giant Scream himself stayed in. In that short time, the unique crest of the Blood Dagger Clan had been carved onto the front of the tent. I'd visited many other clans, but this was the first time I'd received such a welcome. Of course, the fact that he and I have a bit of history was probably the reason for this, but I was still grateful for such a display of loyalty.
“Whoa…”
Behind me, Choi Seulgi was also staring wide-eyed at the sight. A clear sign of her surprise.
“Thank you, Apachi.”
“Ahem! For the Great Tribe Leader! For Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
“For Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
An expression of ‘I did it’ naturally flickered across his face. I could see him smiling at the thought of reporting that I had laughed with satisfaction. I bet he was thinking he'd be able to boast quite a bit to Little Finger today.
“I will convey my thanks later through Little Finger.”
“Th-thank you! F-for Blood Dagger!”
Of course, that gratitude vanished the moment I stepped inside the tent. It was because of the scene that greeted me after I returned his hand-over-heart gesture and entered.
“…”
“Kim… Taesung?”
The interior of the tent wasn't bad. No, to be precise, it was the epitome of splendor and grandeur. The magnificent bones of some beast, likely caught nearby, were draped over the top of the tent, and the unique Green Skin style was visible everywhere.
The problem was Elia, who was waiting quietly for me in the center of it all. She looked back at me with a frightened expression, her ears trembling, as if she had no idea what was going on either.
Since I had planned to survey the cities with her from inside this tent, her presence here wasn't awkward. Her clothes, however, were extremely awkward.
She was wearing the kind of see-through clothing worn on a wedding night, and her body was painted with tattoos praying for conception. To be honest, it was somehow both mismatched and yet suited her well. The glimpses of bare skin here and there felt a little sexy, and also a bit strange. But I wasn't stupid enough to openly show such an appreciation.
“…”
“…”
“Ch-Chieftain. I… I-I'm not mentally prepared… A little more slowly…”
“…”
It was the same outfit Mev had worn when she and I spent our first night together. Choi Seulgi, now familiar with Green Skin culture, also knew what that outfit signified. Naturally, her gaze fell upon me, demanding an explanation.
'Apachi… you son of a bitch.'
I never imagined he'd pull a stunt like this. I considered the possibility that this was revenge for what happened before, but it was more likely born from pure goodwill.
“Hmph… And to think you refused to let Eunju-unni come along…”
“It's a misunderstanding…”
“So the Fallen Hero Sarubia and the Saintess weren't enough for you… is that it? I guess corruption is best served by an elf, right? I should have known, I really should have… I never realized you had such a specific taste.”
“…”
It was a situation where I'd have nothing to say even if I had ten mouths. The misunderstanding was only cleared up a little while later.
*
“I believed you from the start. From the very beginning. Of course I knew it was a misunderstanding.”
There had definitely been nothing but disbelief on Choi Seulgi's face. Sending me a look of unwavering trust now had zero persuasive power. When I gave her a strange look, she needlessly cleared her throat.
“…”
“Ahem… Even if you're going to fuck other women, it's only right to get permission first. Even if you're gonna do it, do that, okay?”
That was news to me. Getting that permission would probably be incredibly difficult, but it was an undeniable fact that the look she gave Elia had softened a little.
“Did anything… else happen?”
“No. Lord Blood Dagger was only interested in observing the situation in the Western Continent and nothing else.”
Elia, who had changed her clothes, muttered this with a somehow disappointed look on her face. Her expression bothered me, but I chose to ignore it for now and continued speaking.
“That's my man.”
It was an undeniable fact that she'd already lost faith in me, but seeing her happy in her own way wasn't a bad feeling. In fact, it felt good. I smiled slightly and opened my mouth.
“Shall we begin the show, then?”
“Yes. I will begin preparations.”
Immediately, the sound of Elia chanting a spell could be heard. As she listened, Choi Seulgi muttered.
“So, how are things going now?”
“Didn't you see it once before?”
“There must have been some progress since then. It's been a few days since we watched that bitch Maria with Wanyong-ahjussi. Isn't the whole point of a drama that you get hooked waiting for the next part?”
“It'll be more fun to see the details for yourself. Jane is doing better than I expected, so things are moving a little faster.”
You could say it's less of a romance and more of a historical drama. I'd watched many things through Elia, but the current situation was the one that best suited my tastes.
To correct a rotten nation and its corrupt politics, the citizens themselves are rising up, hailing a saintess who cares for the suffering as the leader of their allied forces. Those who doubt the current system continue to voice their questions, while the corrupt leader, her hands tied…
“Is preparing for a clash?”
“Correct.”
Naturally, I never thought she would step down on her own.
If she had admitted her own faults and relinquished what she held, things might have ended quite beautifully. She might have re-entered negotiations with the revolutionary army and united the populace against the enemies attacking from outside.
But there was no way she would make that choice. The fact that she herself was not at the top of the alliance—that was the reason she could never make such a choice.
Considering her obsession with the things she possesses, the very idea of her giving them up is nonsense. The way she's hunkered down, clutching what she has as if she'll never be robbed of it, never give it up, is pathetic to behold. Watching it is one of my small pleasures.
“So it's a showdown between Joan of Arc leading the people and Queen Elizabeth heading for the guillotine.”
“Where else could you see something like this? The funny thing is, the outcome is already decided.”
At my words, Choi Seulgi's face flushed slightly. Everything had been a play staged for the sake of a single scene that was about to unfold. One might have expected her to be jaded by it, but the emotion on Seulgi's face was unexpected excitement.
[ Target - Choi Seulgi ]
[ Status - Aroused. Holy shit, he's so fucking cool. ]
“Kim Taesung.”
“No. It's probably happening as we speak.”
“I-I get it.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Elia began to utter the spell she had been preparing. In an instant, a completely different scene appeared. Watching the image before her, Choi Seulgi's lips curled into a sly grin.