Chapter 482: The Successor
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 482: The Successor
“What do you think, Mother?”
“He’s a capable man. He might not be the most trusted human in the Blood Dagger Clan, but he is one of those who helped build it into what it is today.”
“I see. My sister made a good choice. Then, next…”
Lapura nodded. She couldn’t say the current situation was bad. The start was certainly a good one. She had managed to team up with her First Mother, who could use spatial teleportation, and Uncle Hark, who could be called the second strongest in the tribe.
The ability to teleport was an enormous advantage. A quick look at the Blood Dagger Clan’s history made the answer obvious.
‘Dropping the Mage Tower on the Northern Continent, the assault on the Eastern Continent’s capital, the battle to capture the Western Continent’s strongholds.’
First Mother had always been at the center of every battle. Her contributions went far beyond merely ‘playing a part.’
Though she had the help of other mages, she had dropped a massive tower on the undead, inflicting damage that was close to annihilation.
She had invaded the Eveluse Kingdom on the Eastern Continent and driven out every last human occupying it.
She had captured all the major strongholds on the Western Continent simultaneously, completely severing their supply lines.
She was the type of person best described as being in a league of her own. Lapura even wondered if she might be the same kind of being as herself, her mother, or her father.
Half Blade Gark was known to be unrivaled in sheer force, and Lee Wanyong could create countless variables to toy with the enemy and deliver victory. They were all fine, but if one were to imagine creating a small clan, they were individuals who could be countered.
“But First Mother is an irreplaceable asset.”
Within the Blood Dagger Clan, First Mother was an irreplaceable asset.
The same was true for her own mother, Jung Hayeon.
Instantly ensnaring all enemy troops with her roots and then sending in the elite Orc swordsmen was a method the Blood Dagger Clan had long favored.
This strategy—swift, concise, instantly taking the enemy’s heads as they deployed their forces—would have been impossible to execute without her mother.
Her very existence was a tactic, a strategy, and highly versatile. In her personal assessment, her current situation was the most advantageous.
Her mother wore a worried expression, as if troubled by something, but Lapura had already anticipated that the road to the final result would not be easy. It was better to take comfort in the fact that she had gotten off to a good start.
“Lee Wan…”
The slight anxiety in her mother’s voice was unsettling. Lapura nodded and continued.
“I know what you’re worried about, Mother. He is certainly a brilliant man. A quick glance through the battle information room was enough to see what kind of work he’s done.”
“…”
“I also know he’s a smart person. I heard Father often seeks him out when something comes up. I’m well aware that Father trusts him.”
“It’s a bit ambiguous to call it trust, but it’s true that he has received help from Lee Wanyong.”
“He’s probably the type of person you could call a genius. I know what my sister is thinking… but I can’t say it was a particularly good choice. Perhaps she wanted to secure a brilliant mind first. But there is one other genius in the Blood Dagger Clan. He just doesn’t stand out.”
“Hakajin?”
That was the correct answer. While she wasn’t familiar with the man named Lee Wanyong, Hakajin was someone she knew better than anyone. It was only natural, as he was in charge of her education in sorcery, history, tactics, and military strategy. Hakajin was a Green Skin who could be called the clan’s teacher. Even Kim Yoora had learned things other than combat from him. While his own abilities as a shaman weren’t exceptional, his healing sorcery, which had supported the Blood Dagger Clan since the days when shamans were scarce, was outstanding.
He had joined the clan around the same time as the former chieftain, Ragia, and had served with all his might, pledging loyalty to the master who had acknowledged him. He was someone who embraced human knowledge and never hesitated to learn from Lee Wanyong and other humans and Green Skins. A Green Skin who never stopped studying and striving every day. He was someone who could be called the Blood Dagger Clan’s other genius.
“Yes. Next, I would like to recruit Uncle Hakajin. Please believe in me, Mother. I will absolutely not disappoint you.”
“You have never once disappointed me, my love.”
“N-No. This time is truly different. Please, believe me, Mother.”
*
“Lee Wanyong…”
“It seems he has decided to join Sister, Mother. It can’t be helped. He probably didn’t want to join our camp.”
“I can guess the reason. He is certainly capable, but he’s not a man of great character. I, too, was concerned about your father… but it was clear he would have turned a blind eye as long as a certain line wasn’t crossed. Tsk. The man was terrified of even slightly overstepping that line. If he showed such an attitude, he wouldn’t have been of much help even if he had come to our side.”
“To put it another way, doesn’t that mean he is that much more loyal?”
“You’re right. He is the type of man who is loyal and capable. If he had a little more courage, he might have become a hero who commanded the world, just like your father.”
“I had heard the stories, but I didn’t realize you held him in such high regard.”
“It’s merely my personal opinion. In any case, are you managing well?”
“Yes. More than anything, I’m truly happy to be able to work with Uncle Gark.”
“Learn much from him. In truth, he is not a man who should be under anyone. He only professes to be a subordinate because it is your father.”
“Yes.”
“More importantly, Ratga, about that time we had a meal with your father.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Your father asked you about your dream.”
“Yes, he did.”
“Can you tell me what you truly, honestly think?”
“It is the same as what I told you before, Mother. I have etched what you always say into my heart. Uniting the East and remaining king of the Green Skins and Garia is not only your long-cherished wish, but my own goal as well.”
Jang Ye Ri let out a short sigh. It wasn’t the first time she had asked, but the answer she received was always the same.
It was at that moment she realized her method of education had become a little twisted. Her beloved son’s answer was completely identical to her own. She had been teaching the child under immense pressure, so she thought the existence of Wanhee must have felt like a place of rest for her son.
Regardless of the reason, showing such a side of himself at the dinner table was quite an embarrassing affair. Acknowledging her own mistake was important, but winning the upcoming test was also crucial.
She already knew that a mother’s intervention should be minimized, but in truth, she didn’t feel it would be much of a problem.
Ratga was clearly moving exactly as she wished.
“If there is anything you want to say, you must speak up at any time.”
“Yes, Mother. Rather, I am very sorry for causing you concern.”
There were certainly side effects to her method of education, which consisted of constantly cramming a vast amount of information into him, but there were advantages as well. Strategy, tactics, politics, economics, etiquette, humanities, the study of monarchy—all of it was stored inside Ratga’s head.
Of course, his weaknesses were just as clear. The first was application, the second was creativity. He boasted a vast amount of knowledge, as if he had memorized a textbook whole, but he tended to falter a bit when it came to practical situations.
‘I can correct his mistakes later.’
It was baffling how she hadn’t noticed until now that her son was constantly watching her reactions. With the fire now at her feet, she had no choice but to put it out.
No, rather…
‘This could be a stepping stone for his growth.’
He was the child of none other than herself and Blood Dagger.
This test would undoubtedly become a stepping stone for his growth.
It was an opportunity for him to pour out everything he had only understood in his head until now, everything that had been suppressed by his mother.
“Mother, I’m a l-little curious if my choice was correct.”
“Whether it is right or wrong is for you to judge, Ratga. The fact that this inadequate mother of yours says nothing is proof that you are not straying onto the wrong path. In fact, I want to praise you.”
“What? I-Is that really true?”
“It is. It was true before, and it is true now.”
It wasn’t an empty compliment.
First, he had wanted to team up with Gark, and second, with Orbo of the Minotaur Shield. It was a selection made not only with the test in mind, but also the election that would follow.
The time he spent in the great eastern city of Garia was a definite penalty in an election. His intention to work with Chieftain Gark and the universally trusted Minotaur was an expression of his desire to grow closer to the Green Skins.
And the two of them had accepted that expression.
That wasn’t all.
In fact, it was his most recent choice that she wanted to praise the most.
“But I want to ask your reason. Can you tell me why?”
“Yes, Mother. O-Of course.”
“…”
“The truth is, I wanted to form a camp composed only of Green Skins, but…”
“That would not have been a bad method. No matter how much people say the members of the Blood Dagger Clan are close with Garia, they are a people with a strong sense of belonging. If you had formed your camp that way, it would certainly have had a positive impact on the future election.”
“Yes. However, if I pass this test, the Green Skins and humans may one day live as one. I just… I just wanted to show them, and Father.”
“Show them what?”
“How strong we are when we are together.”
“I respect your choice, but structuring the camp, its deployment, and the operation of your forces according to human standards could earn their resentment.”
“It is for the sake of victory.”
Considering the slogan the Blood Dagger Clan always shouted, he wasn’t wrong.
Orbo of the Shield in the vanguard, Gark as the melee warrior to deal damage to the enemy, and finally, the presence of a priest to protect them—it was the most ideal human method of combat. It was the answer she had expected, but she was incredibly proud of the child who had spoken the correct one.
As she was nodding, the slow opening of a door came into her view. The person she was about to face was a somewhat uncomfortable one. It was because of the Ring of Covenant on her left ring finger.
As expected, she felt a gaze piercing her left ring finger.
“It’s been a while, Lord Ratga. And you as well… Queen of the East.”
“It has indeed been a long time.”
“Yes. I’ve been a little busy with many things lately…”
“Is something the matter?”
“Why, of course.”
“…”
“It is work for our Savior.”
A slight shiver ran down her spine at the sight of the smirking lips. This person was very kind to Ratga, but she couldn’t help but reconsider whether having someone who seemed broken somewhere inside would be beneficial for her child’s education.