Chapter 484: Mock Battle
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 484: Mock Battle
At my call, those who had been occupied with their own tasks gathered in an instant.
Ratga had been in the middle of training, while Lapura was reorganizing her camp. Laveua, who was relatively weaker in terms of combat power, must have been in a meeting, as I had already spotted Lee Wanyong scurrying about.
A smile touched my lips as I watched them run their camps, each according to their own unique style.
In truth, it seemed the mothers were more nervous than the children. It was a natural reaction, of course, given that their children’s futures were on the line.
Jang Ye Ri remained expressionless, but Jung Hayeon looked a little tense, and Mev was acting like a puppy desperate to be let outside.
The nightmare I’d had before came to mind, making me a bit anxious, but I figured that if a crisis were to arise, her ‘Cornered Fairy’ trait would activate, so leaving her be wasn’t a bad option.
“Is everyone here?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Yup!”
“Yes.”
Laveua, Lapura, Ratga, Mev, Jang Ye Ri, and Jung Hayeon all nodded in response. A strange confidence flickered on each of the children’s faces. It was clear that they, too, believed they had chosen their personnel successfully. What they were most curious about at this moment were the rules of the mock battle. Having a general idea of why I had summoned them, they stared at me with wide eyes, as if determined not to miss a single word.
I hadn’t given them any prior explanation, forcing them to pour their hearts and souls into building their camps. My intention was to prevent them from skewing their forces toward a specific strategy, but this choice had likely also encouraged them to build forces that were uniquely their own.
The atmosphere had grown quite heavy, so I spoke with a slight smile.
“I’ve been observing the situation through Elia, and I must say, it’s even better than I expected. Building the camps was part of the test, but you have all done so well that there’s no need to rank your performance.”
“Ah…”
“I rather like that each of you has your own distinct color. Of course, some of you may have been forced into certain choices due to limited circumstances, but seeing your faces, it seems you are all satisfied. I’m glad.”
The corners of my three children’s mouths lifted slightly. The same was true for their mothers. They, too, must have felt a sense of pride after watching their children from the sidelines.
The children I had thought were still so young had suddenly matured. It was the same for me, but watching their process of growth was an incredibly joyful experience. I took a short breath and then continued.
“I imagine you are all curious about how the mock battle will be conducted.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s get straight to the point. First, let’s talk about the battlefield. The mock battle will take place in the Forest of Mist, located between the Brother’s Land and the Eveluse Kingdom in the East. The Goff Clan and the Black Spear Clan have agreed to cooperate, so you need not worry about the surrounding clans.”
The volcanic island in the South or the jungle where the Big Ogre Clan had settled were also decent locations, but after considering various factors, I concluded that the Forest of Mist was the most suitable. Unlike in the past when visibility was near zero, the mist had cleared to some extent, but some hazy areas still remained due to its lingering influence. It was a familiar place, and one they had wanted to visit, so it would be a good location for the children.
There were magical beasts, of course, but Goff and Black Spear were currently busy clearing out the dangerous ones, so I wasn’t particularly concerned about the risk. As I was speaking, Lapura quietly raised her hand.
“Father, may I ask a question about the range?”
“The entire Forest of Mist, from the very edge of the Brother’s Land to the entrance of the Eastern Continent. I don’t mind if you use the locations or paths designated for the Free Dungeon Agreement. Any area included under the name ‘Forest of Mist’ is fair game.”
Using the entire eastern forest, a considerably vast area, as the battlefield was undoubtedly good news for Lapura’s faction.
“Second is the time limit. The mock battle will last from the moment you establish your positions in the Forest of Mist until one month before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony begins. If no victor is decided before the test period ends, the mock battle will conclude as is. The winner and loser will be determined based on various factors, including the battles fought and the forces lost.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
It was a period of time that was neither short nor long. If the Coming-of-Age Ceremony hadn’t been a factor, I wouldn’t have minded extending the duration, but dragging it out for too long didn’t seem like a good idea. For the duration of the mock battle, the Blood Dagger Clan would be completely paralyzed.
All operations, from the Eastern Continent to the remaining training camps in the Brother’s Land, the Free Dungeon Agreement, and the Free Economic Zone, would come to a halt. Since we had influence in so many areas, I thought it best to finish this as quickly as possible.
“Third are the rules. As soon as the test is announced, you will proceed to the Forest of Mist in sequence. Once you have established your positions, you are free to do as you please. I don’t care if you immediately seek out and attack another’s camp, or if you build a settlement and lie low. I also don’t care if you join forces or refuse to fight at all within the battlefield. It would be more accurate to say there are almost no rules, but with one exception: a temporary chieftain can only be captured by another temporary chieftain.”
“Ah…”
“You are the ones taking the test. I have no issue with your temporary clan members creating situations for you.”
That last statement carried significant weight.
In a way, it was a game of protecting one’s king while trying to capture the others. It didn’t matter how they fought or what form the battles took, but it was crucial that the one to capture a king was another king.
For Laveua and Lapura, who possessed the strength to fight on the front lines, this rule was of little consequence. It might have been a bit of a burden for Jang Ye Ri and Ratga, but judging by their eyes, they didn’t seem to mind.
“Not bad. It seems complex, yet interesting, doesn’t it?”
It was quite amusing to see Jang Ye Ri actually enjoying it. She even glanced at Jung Hayeon, the corners of her lips slowly rising.
“This works out well.”
“For your daughter, or for my son?”
There was a slight edge to their words, but a conversation like this was fine. The thought that I might get to see a side of them I had never witnessed before was quite delightful.
I had explained everything I could.
From this point on, it was up to them to find hints in my words and use the situation to their advantage.
“You will depart for the designated location immediately. For convenience, I will divide the area into three zones. You are free to decide where to build your temporary settlements, but you are not permitted to build them in another’s designated zone. Jang Ye Ri, Mev, and Jung Hayeon are forbidden from interfering with the children from this moment on. Of course, you are also not permitted to accompany them to the Forest of Mist. That is all.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, Father.”
The atmosphere wasn’t somber. However, my command for the mothers not to interfere seemed to have struck a deep chord. Jang Ye Ri simply nodded and saw Ratga off, but Jung Hayeon and Mev were a little different.
“Laveua… Hic, sob…”
“M-Mom? What’s wrong? I’m fine. I told you, I’m fine.”
“Hic, sob… You can’t get hurt, Laveua. Promise Mom.”
“It’s a mock battle, Mom. It’s not a real war.”
“S-Still… hic… still…”
“Stop crying. Stop… It’s… it’s embarrassing.”
“Hic, sob… Laveua! Just do your best. R-Regardless of the result, Mom will cheer for you whether you win or lose. Hic, sob…”
“M-Mom.”
“Let me give my Laveua a hug.”
“M-Mom… hic, sob, sob…”
Laveua, who had been trying to maintain her composure, couldn’t seem to handle her mother’s tearful assault, and her own tear ducts began to well up.
Mev, clinging to her child and holding her back, was truly a sight to behold. Seeing her hug Laveua tightly, refusing to let go, was so absurd that I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Laveuaaaaa… hic, sob, sob, sob…”
“M-Mom, I have to go now…”
“Let’s just stay like this a little longer. Hic.”
“Okay… sniffle.”
Though the atmosphere was slightly different, Jung Hayeon and Lapura were much the same.
“Mother.”
“L-Lapura…”
“Mother, please don’t cry.”
“I’m sorry…”
“I won’t disappoint you.”
“I’ve told you before, you have never once disappointed me. In fact, I am always proud to be your mother. You are a special child. You can do anything… and I believe you can become just like your father.”
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind, Mother.”
“I’m sorry for not being a better mother.”
“Please don’t say that. I’m the one who should be sorry for my shortcomings. I will become a daughter that neither you nor Father will be ashamed of.”
The sight of them quietly embracing was poignant. The way their stems wrapped around each other felt like a scene from a masterpiece.
As for Jang Ye Ri and Ratga, their farewell was the exact opposite of the others.
“M-Mother…”
“Stop.”
“I will do my best and return. Hic… sniffle…”
“I told you not to show tears. A king does not weep.”
“B-But…”
“Are you so sad to leave your mother’s side?”
“I-It is absolutely not that I am sad.”
“To hear you say that to my face makes me sad.”
“Th-That is…”
“Pfft. It was a simple jest. Do not be flustered, Ratga. I have not said it, but it seems I have been suppressing you all this time. If you have felt burdened, I apologize.”
“Th-That is not so.”
“If you are victorious, I will of course be pleased. However, I also wish to see how you grow. Go and enjoy yourself to your heart’s content, just as you wish.”
“Yes… Yes, Mother.”
“Stop your tears.”
“………………”
This wasn’t the first time they had been apart. But watching them exchange their goodbyes, I felt I understood what the mothers were feeling.
They were sending their children out into the world. It was only natural for them to react this way. I wanted to say a word or two to each of them, but the thought of getting swept up in such sentimentality myself felt somewhat embarrassing.
As the children, who had been hugging their mothers tightly, slowly pulled away, Jang Ye Ri and Jung Hayeon began to wave them off. Mev, on the other hand, collapsed to the ground and began to wail. She turned her head, as if unable to bear watching Laveua leave, looking like a patriot who had just lost their country.
But then another wave of tears burst forth, so even if she couldn’t see them, it seemed the children’s final words had reached her ears loud and clear.
“We’ll be back.”
“We’ll be back…”
“We’ll be back!”
With a powerful shout, the children exited the tent.
I never said it out loud.
But watching my beloved children take that one step forward…
It was an incredibly,
incredibly joyful thing.
“Go and return safely.”