Chapter 479: The Successor
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 479: The Successor
A problem that had been lying dormant has now surfaced. This decision was harder to make than determining the future of the entire race, because the ones I had to choose from were my own family. Jang Ye Ri wore a somewhat somber expression.
I had told her that my previous questions would have no bearing on the succession, but she herself seemed to feel that Ratga was still lacking. And she knew it wasn't Ratga's fault, but her own.
She must have realized that she was unknowingly putting pressure on him.
I generally left matters of child-rearing and education entirely to my wives; this was their wish, not mine. Of course, if there was room for me to intervene, I did get involved in caring for the children, but I hadn't been able to spend much time with Ratga, who stayed in the castle more often.
‘Hmm…’
Lapura and Ratga were different.
If Lapura was the type to act on her own initiative to meet her parents' expectations, Ratga was the type to move according to Jang Ye Ri's rigorous educational methods.
Of course, when it came to educational zeal, Jung Hayeon was no slouch either, but there was a clear difference between her and Jang Ye Ri, who controlled everything down to break times and lessons on how to handle accidents. It was a necessary education to raise him as the king who would one day rule the East, but if he lost the ability to think for himself, he would be nothing but an empty shell.
With a dark expression, Jang Ye Ri was coming to terms with that fact.
“…”
Laveua, Lapura, and Ratga also fell silent, sensing the sudden weight in the atmosphere. Jung Hayeon and Mev’s expressions, however, remained unchanged.
“Now, let’s talk about the method. Before you arrived, I had a brief discussion with your mothers about whether it was right to give you a chance, or if it was better for you to simply follow my decision. We naturally concluded that giving you a chance was the right thing to do, but it’s true I was worried. However, after hearing your words, it seems you are all sufficiently resolved.”
“Of course,” Ratga said.
“Uh-huh, Dad,” Lapura added.
“…” Laveua remained silent.
They might get hurt. This was especially true for children so young. But leading others was not something that could be achieved with a half-hearted resolve. It was crucial that they recognized they would be hurt and prepared themselves to endure it.
I myself had come this far without any particular resolve or consideration for the penalties I might face, but this was the lesson my life had taught me.
It wasn’t just the position of the Blood Dagger Clan’s chieftain that was heavy. Any position of responsibility, no matter how small, carried its own weight. What I was talking about now was whether they had the confidence to bear that responsibility.
“You will compete.”
It was a short phrase, but its meaning was immense.
Not only the children, but even Jung Hayeon and Mev swallowed nervously, looking utterly perplexed. If three of them were to vie for a single position, it was already a competition by definition. But they were shocked to hear me utter the word ‘competition’ with my own mouth.
I had deliberated, but now that the decision was made, I would see it through. Ratga was probably the one who most resembled me in this regard.
“You will undergo a test in various ways. Of course, the result of this test is important. However, regardless of the outcome, I plan to give voting rights to everyone in the clan, excluding the three of you.”
“Ah…”
In other words, there would be an election after the test. The test was to verify the candidates’ capabilities, while the vote was to determine if they had won the hearts of the tribe.
“What happens if someone wins the test but loses the vote, Father?”
“In that case, we will review the vote count and the details of the test, and another meeting will likely be held.”
But that was unlikely to happen. Winning the test alone would probably sway a significant number of votes. As of now, the tribe members had no particular allegiance. They had no thoughts on who they wanted as the next chieftain. Though they were shouting with excitement, their interest lay more in the event of selecting a successor itself.
“Ch-Chieftain, what kind of method will it be…?”
Mev spoke up, her voice tinged with excitement. She seemed to think this might give Laveua, who was relatively weaker in martial prowess, a glimmer of hope. But Jang Ye Ri and Jung Hayeon looked pleased as well.
Holding an election was a rule that put Ratga at a disadvantage, as he had spent relatively little time in the Land of Glory. However, the fact that he was the eldest son and bore a striking resemblance to me were considerable advantages.
The same was true for Lapura; to the Green Skins who revered strength, she was in some ways the most suitable leader. They must have been thinking they had a good chance of winning.
“I will now explain the method.”
“Yes.”
“Uh-huh, Dad.”
“Yes, Father.”
I let out a short sigh before speaking.
“The entire tribe will hold a mock battle.”
“What?”
“Interesting… and a rational choice, my mate.”
“Chieftain?”
Choi Eunju and Mev looked dumbfounded, while Jang Ye Ri seemed to have expected something of the sort.
“It’s exactly as it sounds. The entire tribe will hold a mock battle. Of course, selecting the forces to participate in this battle will be entirely up to you. I don’t mind if you recruit executives of the Blood Dagger Clan. And of course, whether to accept the offer is entirely up to the executives themselves. However, no executive will be exempt from participating. To maintain balance, the registration of executives will be done one by one, sequentially. Mev, Jung Haye on, Jang Ye Ri, and I will not participate in this mock battle.”
“Ah…”
“Use whatever you can. I don’t mind if you receive your mother’s help in forming a tribe for the mock battle. Seize victory by any means necessary.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the children nodded as if they were under a spell.
*
“Honey? What if a real fight breaks out…?”
“That won’t happen.”
Choi Eunju cautiously turned her gaze to Blood Dagger. It certainly wasn’t a bad rule. Allowing the voting tribe members to experience the children firsthand was definitely meaningful. But the fact that it was a mock battle was what mattered. The thought of the tribe splitting into three factions made her, quite foolishly, start to worry about her husband.
“Still…”
“The truth is, the tribe members have never truly gotten to know the children. They’re just excited about stories they hear from a distance. But if they spend time with the children directly, they’ll start to see things they couldn’t before. Those in Laveua’s tribe might cast their votes for Lapura, and those in Lapura’s might vote for Ratga, regardless of the test’s outcome.”
“Ah…”
“Green Skins don’t play politics. They might support someone, but that’s as far as it goes. They follow if they want to, and they don’t if they don’t.”
She nodded at her husband’s words. If they were human, factions might have formed. But this clan was fundamentally composed of those who followed Blood Dagger. While individuals might have their preferences, their loyalty to his children was predicated on their trust in him.
They simply wanted to see the tribe remain stable; they weren’t the type to rebel just because a candidate they didn’t want took the seat of power.
“It would have been impossible if they were human.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes. And this mock battle…”
“They’ll probably treat it as a festival. The tribe must be in an uproar by now.”
She thought that was likely. For some Green Skins, especially those approaching their coming-of-age ceremony, this event to select a successor would feel like a massive festival. There would be Green Skins waiting to be chosen, and others who couldn’t wait for the mock battle to begin. Choi Eunju nodded and slowly rose to her feet.
“Well, I’ll be going now, honey. Today…”
“Ah, I have some things to think about. For the time being, I’ll probably focus on watching the situation with Elia. Thanks for today.”
“Yes, honey. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I love you.”
“Ah!… Y-Yes! I… I love you, too!”
She had thought the mood was nice, but she had never imagined she would hear those words. Choi Eunju left the tent with a very pleasant expression. It was only natural that the corners of her mouth began to curve upwards. For some reason, she started to feel like everything would turn out well. She was quietly heading toward her tent when it happened.
“Great Mother?”
A familiar voice came from the side. It was Lapura, wearing the same clothes as before. It felt as though she had been waiting here the whole time.
“Lapura?”
“Yes. I’m sorry for the suddenness.”
“Have you been waiting all this time?”
“Yes.”
She had a good idea why Lapura had waited for her. As she gently stroked Lapura’s hair, the voice she expected to hear came without fail.
“I don’t like beating around the bush… so I’ll be direct, Great Mother. I want you to join me.”
“…”
“You said anyone could join, except for Mother Mev, the Mother of the East, my mother, and Father. The term ‘clan executive’ naturally includes you, Great Mother.”
“That is correct.”
“I believe Father probably gave you some indication. Am I right?”
Choi Eunju nodded. It wasn’t a difficult question, and the answer was perfectly correct. Blood Dagger had indeed told her that she, too, could participate. She was a member of this clan and one of the executives representing its military might. She just hadn’t imagined she would be recruited so quickly.
“But there are others, like the chieftains…”
“My chances of winning are highest with you, Great Mother. When I recalled Father’s words to use any means necessary, you naturally came to mind.”
“What about your mother?”
“Mother didn’t mention you specifically. She said she would be organizing the troops needed for the mock battle.”
She was grateful that Lapura had sought her out, but now that the moment of choice had arrived, she felt incredibly awkward about what position to take.
“Most of the magic I use is dangerous, so I may not be able to intervene much in the actual battle.”
“Are you saying there’s a penalty of sorts?”
“You could say that.”
“I don’t mind. I really want you to be with me, Great Mother.”
Choi Eunju knew well that Lapura didn’t want her on her side simply because she was fond of her. In Lapura’s eyes, she could feel the desire to follow in her father’s footsteps.
Those eyes, unwavering in the face of a goal, greatly resembled his. Thinking there was no reason to refuse, Choi Eunju nodded.
“It will only be for a short while, but I look forward to working with you.”
“Thank you, Great Mother.”
For a moment, as she stood on Lapura’s side, she felt like she understood why he had made this decision.