Chapter 475: Storm Shadow
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 475: Storm Shadow
His plans for a peaceful retirement had been completely ruined. But I couldn't just let him go. Storm Shadow's value here in the Land of Glory was immense. He handled all sorts of matters in my stead when I was away, and frankly, he did the same even when I was present.
Letting a symbolic figure like the former Great Tribe Leader simply relax was out of the question. Guilt aside, I believed it was right to utilize every asset available to me.
“..................”
As I walked a little further, Storm Shadow's tent came into view in a corner of the camp. He and a few clan members who had retired alongside him had formed their own small community. It was a simple and modest setup, yet I could easily see the tracks of many visitors coming and going.
It was the usual scene. As I approached, his people greeted me.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor. Is Storm Shadow inside?”
“Yes. I heard he was waiting for you.”
No more words were necessary. I immediately opened the tent flap and saw the exhausted figure of Storm Shadow. Beside him sat Park Ah-jung, the human who had become the wife of the former Great Tribe Leader.
As expected, Park Ah-jung’s expression was not a pleasant one.
She wasn't openly scolding or glaring at me, but I could feel her intense displeasure. It was a look that seemed to hold a single, powerful question: Why?
“....................”
“Oh... Great Tribe Leader Blood Dagger. You've come. It's been a very long time.”
There was nothing I could do but slightly avert my gaze. Unlike the impressive figure he once cut, he now looked utterly drained by fatigue. In truth, the duties of the Great Tribe Leader aren't that extensive. Like all who stand at the top, the role is simply to set a direction for the other Green Skins, listen to the complaints that follow, and mediate conflicts among the tribes. That's the gist of it.
Other than that, there were tasks like frequently touring the Land of Glory, showing that the Great Tribe Leader was still going strong, or greeting guests, but it wasn't a position that could be called more difficult than that of a human leader.
‘....................’
The crucial part is that this is a position of responsibility, one that deals with the aftermath of events. And naturally, I had never once cleaned up my own messes. The opening of the Western Continent to those deemed worthy, the Free Dungeon Agreement, the Free Economic Zone, the opening of the Eastern Continent, the war with the North, and even the most recent incident on the Continental Front—it was Storm Shadow, the man right in front of me, who had dealt with the fallout from every single one of these events. How could I not feel both grateful and sorry?
He had, in essence, been shouldering the repercussions of my many policies all by himself. It wasn't me, the one gallivanting around outside, who had to face the countless individuals with complaints; it was Storm Shadow. It was no wonder he was so stressed.
“Have some cold water.”
“Thank you.”
This was likely why Park Ah-jung handed me the water with such a disgruntled expression. Even she looked exhausted. Mev, for her part, was working incredibly hard, but she had been away for long periods.
Besides, given Park Ah-jung's strong sense of responsibility, it was highly likely she wouldn't have left Mev to handle things alone. She was likely supporting Mev with all her might from behind the scenes. She was like the tribe's matriarch, anxiously watching over her reckless children to make sure they were doing alright.
‘Today was perfect, Chief!’
Mev, the Mother of Green Skins, would smile with delight, seemingly without a thought as to who had done all the preparation.
As I was lost in these stray thoughts, drinking the cold water, Storm Shadow’s voice cut in.
“Do you know the Half-Minotaur, Wingrin?”
“Of course. How could I not, since I was the one who brought him?”
“He looked happy.”
A single sentence, laden with meaning.
It was a roundabout way of saying he wanted to live a life like that Half-Minotaur.
“I suppose so. Who would have thought so many Green Skins would find happiness in that way of life? I'd like to think it's meaningful that our people have found one more path to joy.”
“Indeed... That way of life didn't exist before. It may look dull from the outside, but when I imagine being part of it, it doesn't seem like a bad life at all. Leisurely... peaceful... a life where one has time for self-reflection. My wife sometimes spends time with them, but I can't leave this place. It pains me, Great Tribe Leader.”
“Is that so...”
He was clearly appealing to my sympathy. He looked so pathetic that I was tempted to tell him to just pack his things and do as he pleased.
But I had no intention of granting him that peace. No, that’s not right. I wanted to let him rest, but I simply couldn't. I felt sorry for him, but the truth was, I couldn't give up the comfortable life this arrangement afforded me. There were, of course, bigger reasons, but that was the gist of it.
He was still a Green Skin respected by all, a living Great Tribe Leader who remained in everyone's memory. My own convenience was a factor, but honestly, I just wanted him to stay here a little longer.
“So... how have you been lately?”
Changing the subject was the best option. The moment I casually opened my mouth, Park Ah-jung’s eyes sharpened, as if she’d seen right through my intention.
“It's always the same. While you were off at the Adventurers' Guild picking up that staff, I was dealing with the chieftains who failed the test to enter the Western Continent...”
That was when I had gone to meet Isaac.
“During the war with the dwarves... it was the same. And even before that... when the Free Dungeon Agreement and the Free Economic Zone were established, it was the same.”
“...................”
“I’d like to be blunt... It’s time...”
I had to cut him off.
“Ahem... Isn't the Land of Glory a good place to live?”
“Of course... but...”
“It would be good to get outside for some fresh air and relaxation sometimes, Storm Shadow. I'll make sure you have plenty of time to rest.”
He wouldn't have any time to relax. Even I knew it was a cruel thing to say.
“Umm...”
“I understand what you're trying to say. But I must tell you, the situation here is still too unstable to let you go.”
“What...”
“It means there is still much to be resolved. Think about who wanted this new era, and you'll have your answer. Things are still changing rapidly. The dwarves who have come to the continent are constantly hammering away, doing their best to integrate into our society. Don't you think these are sensitive changes for our more conservative Green Skins to accept?”
“That is true...”
“I may be the Great Tribe Leader, but I hope you understand that I must travel frequently to handle external affairs. The majority of our people still need someone here, watching over them.”
It was an undeniable fact. They still needed someone to listen to complaints about the sudden changes, to mediate the various conflicts, and to watch over the people.
Once all this development is complete and everyone's perceptions have shifted, it might not be a problem. But right now, there are still Green Skins who cannot comprehend living alongside humans. They need someone to embrace them. If there's someone who starts things, there must also be someone to clean up the mess.
And Storm Shadow was a perfect fit for this role.
“Of course, I know you are going through hardships to handle our foreign affairs, Great Tribe Leader, but am I not supposed to be retired? Besides, I've heard you haven't had much reason to go out lately. In fact, I heard you've been enjoying your hobbies...”
“Ahem...”
Of course, even during my downtime, I was still performing my duties as Great Tribe Leader. I certainly don't recall handing all my work over to Storm Shadow. It was a tense back-and-forth, with neither of us willing to yield an inch. The truth was, no matter what he said, I had no intention of permitting his retirement.
It wasn't just me being irresponsible; I knew full well that the Land of Glory only functioned properly because he was here. With someone acting as an anchor, their core values wouldn't change even as the times did.
Thanks to him, I could be seen as some kind of globetrotting dignitary, which did make me feel a bit of shame, but that was a separate issue.
“It's not a hobby, it's a simple patrol.”
“For a patrol, you seemed to be enjoying it quite a bit.”
“It's natural for work to be enjoyable, Storm Shadow.”
I never imagined he'd nitpick about me taking time to fly through the sky. He looked that desperate. If he had the authority, I felt like he would have convened a formal hearing. Of course, I could just feign ignorance throughout the whole proceeding, but I wanted to avoid a gathering of all the other Green Skins if I could.
“Ahem...”
Park Ah-jung’s eyes instantly sharpened. Receiving such a resentful glare was a bit difficult to bear. The exhausted Storm Shadow looked at me and opened his mouth once more.
“From what I hear, you have some time when you're not doing anything... I am not as great a man as you think, Great Tribe Leader. Anything I can handle, you can handle as well. Could it be... that you're just making excuses to be outside?”
He was half right, but I knew better than to admit it.
Storm Shadow was being more forceful than I'd expected. It felt like he had staked everything on this conversation. There was no excuse for the fact that I was enjoying my leisure time. Still, I had to counter him somehow.
“In the time I'm not doing anything, am I not looking after the settlement?”
“The settlement...”
“The Blood Dagger Clan, Storm Shadow.”
Storm Shadow couldn't help but nod.
“It was a sudden retirement.”
“I am sorry about that.”
“I didn't bring this up to blame you. I am very happy that you became the Great Tribe Leader, but I can't just leave the Blood Dagger Clan to fend for itself. They still need me, and I cherish them as well.”
“That makes sense.”
Of course it made sense. Storm Shadow himself had risen to the position of Great Tribe Leader in an instant due to Agar's sudden death. Naturally, there had been some discord within the Storm Shadow Clan during that process. Though they had come with him to the Land of Glory, I recalled their position had been somewhat ambiguous for a time.
“A successor...”
“I'll have to start thinking about it soon.”
It was a matter unique to the Blood Dagger Clan—an internal affair. He would know that pressing further would be rude.
“I am always grateful to you, and I am sorry, Storm Shadow. I know it's wrong to keep a retired man like this, but the Land of Glory still needs you. I would appreciate it if you could keep things steady here, at least until I've finished sorting out the internal affairs of the Blood Dagger Clan.”
“Does that mean...”
I nodded my head without a word.
“Hmm... so you were thinking about it.”
“Of course.”