Chapter 493: The Results
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 493: The Results
I figured that those with sharp eyes might have understood why Laveua made the choice she did. Choi Eunju, who was controlling the situation, must have had a faint inkling as well. That was likely why she watched until the very end without intervening.
Laveua had broken the rules.
Even though her life orb had already been shattered, she had continued to attack Lapura without pause. In turn, Lapura had been forced to unleash her own attacks to fend off her older sister’s relentless advance.
That was likely how it appeared.
Still, the substance of her performance wasn't bad. Of course, in a real battle, Laveua would have collapsed in an instant, but the fight she put up was certainly impressive. Had her orb not been broken, she would have garnered a great deal of support. The other children had also been impressive, of course. Lapura, who showed she could control her power, albeit imperfectly, had done well, and Ratga had also put on a fine display.
“Huu… huu… Laveua…”
Mev, who had been praying to some unknown god, looked somewhat crestfallen, likely contemplating the penalty for breaking the rules.
And yet, a smile crept onto her lips, as if she was genuinely amazed by Laveua’s final stand. She was probably most relieved that Laveua was safe. She seemed embarrassed about having tearfully screamed at me to save her daughter, and the way she averted her gaze was rather cute.
“We won…”
Jung Hayeon’s voice sounded somewhat bitter. Lapura had been declared the victor, but she didn’t seem entirely pleased. She was undoubtedly worried about Lapura, who had shown signs of mental instability.
Her expression was more mournful than joyful, reminding me of Jang Ye Ri looking at Ratga.
Unexpectedly, the one who seemed happiest was Jang Ye Ri herself.
Of course…
“Lee Wan… yong…”
Jang Ye Ri could be surprisingly petty.
The person who would likely face the worst outcome from this test was probably him.
“Then let us move.”
“O-Okay!”
“I have been waiting for those words, my mate.”
“Yes.”
Each answered in their own way.
I confirmed that Choi Eunju was casting her spell, which meant she would soon be here to transport us. Since all the members of the Blood Dagger Clan were currently in the Brother’s Land, it was only natural that the Green Skin mothers here would go as well.
After all, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony was to be held in the Brother’s Land after the voting was finished.
Of course…
Storm Shadow, who believed he would soon be freed from his suffering, would manage the Land of Glory in my absence. For the sake of that truly overworked fellow, I even considered that it might not be a bad idea to allow him to relocate his home once this was all over.
“That’s…”
“Troll wine. My husband loves it.”
“Did you pack the Half-Minotaur milk?”
“Of course. I heard the new cheese that came out is also delicious.”
“By the way… did you hear who won?”
“I heard it was Lady Lapura.”
“As expected of Lapura! She’s on another level!”
“Really?”
“Then… the successor is…”
“She hasn’t been chosen yet. I heard it’s after the vote.”
“Is that so!”
I could hear the chatter of the Green Skin mothers, excited at the thought of an outing to the Brother’s Land after so long. The way they were each packing their belongings made it seem like they were going on a picnic. It was an amusing sight, each of them holding food for their children who were about to undergo the ceremony, and gifts for their husbands or lovers who had been enjoying the festivities. But the biggest topic of conversation was the result of the test; voices filled with disappointment echoed, as they would have loved to see it for themselves.
They were once warriors who enjoyed battle alongside us, but they had chosen the path of motherhood.
They would probably try to hear all about what happened from their husbands or relatives as soon as they arrived at the Brother’s Land. They, too, had the right to vote, so they would surely cast their ballots after careful consideration.
Soon, Choi Eunju arrived, and a large portal began to open. What was amusing was that the Green Skin mothers couldn’t bring themselves to step into the space she had opened. Their reaction was like that of people boarding an airplane for the first time; it was both refreshing and entertaining.
No, to be honest, it was incredibly cute.
“Y-You go first, Nicole’s mom.”
“N-No…”
“You go first!”
“Well…”
A smile spread across my face without me realizing it. Only the combat personnel of the Blood Dagger Clan had ever experienced teleportation. Even after I became the Great Tribe Leader, I hadn’t used Choi Eunju’s ability to move from the Land of Glory to the Brother’s Land. They had probably heard stories, but it seemed they felt a subtle fear at the idea of their bodies being moved in an instant.
“Everyone, do not panic!”
Of course, the one to bring order to the situation was Mev, the matriarch of the clan.
“I-It’s Lady Mev!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
“Everyone, remain calm and enter the portal one by one! I will go first!”
“Let’s follow Lady Mev!”
“Lady Mev is with us!”
“Follow Lady Mev!”
Having inspired confidence in the Green Skin mothers with her unique charisma, Mev strode majestically into Choi Eunju’s portal. Of course, the other mothers followed her as if possessed. Jung Hayeon watched the scene with a small smile and gently took my hand.
Naturally, my other hand was claimed by Jang Ye Ri. Choi Eunju’s hands seemed to be itching to join, but it looked like she was restraining herself to maintain the spell.
After sending all the mothers through, I glanced back and saw Storm Shadow with a strangely sorrowful expression. I waved a hand to reassure him that he could rest easy once the clan’s affairs were settled, but his pupils were trembling violently, as if he’d already lost all faith in me.
“Ahem.”
I let a slight smile touch my lips and stepped into the portal.
I, too, wanted to see my lovely children as soon as possible. There had been a few incidents, but what was important was that everyone had done their best in their own way.
“This worked out well.”
In an instant, my vision shifted.
The situation in the Foggy Forest was now completely resolved.
‘Brother’s Land.’
We had returned to our beloved home.
The clan members were lined up in formation, and before them stood Laveua, Lapura, and Ratga, their heads bowed like criminals. They looked as if they were expecting a scolding. From their perspective, they had caused trouble, so such an expression was only natural.
Ratga, who had chosen the wrong answer despite knowing the right one.
Lapura, who had nearly inflicted a fatal wound on her older sister.
And finally, Laveua, who had broken the rules and relentlessly charged at her younger sister.
All three were fully aware of their mistakes. They were likely imagining all sorts of things—what kind of reprimand they would face, whether I was disappointed, or if this meant all was lost.
Ratga was even glancing at his mother, his eyes welling with tears. The fact that he was the first to be eliminated had truly hit him. The thought of having betrayed his mother’s expectations must have been unbearable for him.
However…
There was no need to reprimand them for putting on a good show, even if there were a few mishaps. Pointing out their rights and wrongs could wait until after they had been encouraged.
“Ahem.”
At my small cough, all eyes focused on me in an instant. The other clan members, who had been watching the children nervously, were also waiting to hear what I would say.
“…”
“…”
“There were a few incidents, but…”
“F-Father.”
“You have all worked hard.”
“Ah…”
“It was a great pleasure to watch my children take the test together. Of course, there are still problems to solve, but…”
“…”
“Everyone, you did well.”
“Y-Yes.”
“O-Okay!”
They all looked delighted. It was a moment that reminded me that the children standing before me were still just that—children. They were children who would beam brightly at the smallest praise. I wondered if perhaps I had placed too great a burden on them, but they had grown enough to bear it.
I took a deep breath and then murmured in a clear voice.
“From today until the day of the election, and furthermore, until the day the Coming-of-Age Ceremony ends, we will hold a festival.”
It was a reward for those who had run tirelessly without rest, and a decision I made because I was in a good mood.
But as expected…
The effect was tremendous.
“Uwooooooo! A festival! We’re having a festival!”
“A festival! A Blood Dagger Clan festival!”
“It’s a long festival! Bring out the booze and meat!”
“A festival! A festival!”
“It’s been too long! A festival in the Brother’s Land!”
Goblins were hugging each other, dancing and spinning around. Minotaurs were beating their chests and roaring. Orcs were already grabbing alcohol and meat. Although it was a mock battle, far from real combat, there was nothing like a festival to relieve the fatigue after a job well done.
The orderly ranks began to break apart, and as if on cue, the mothers rushed toward their children.
“Are you hurt anywhere? Laveua? Sob… Your wounds? Are your wounds okay? Laveua! Hiiiing… Laveua!”
“Mom! I’m fine! I told you I’m fine.”
“Hiiiiing… Why did you do that…?”
“I-It was just…”
Mev hugged Laveua tightly, checking to see if she was hurt anywhere.
“M-Mother, I apologize.”
“You showed a magnificent performance, so there is no need to be sorry.”
“B-But.”
“This mother has told you there is no need to be sorry. Come here, let me give you a hug.”
“Mother…”
Jang Ye Ri embraced Ratga for the first time in a long while.
“Lapura.”
“M-Mother… I… I…”
“You’ve been through a lot.”
“Uh… Hic…Waaaaah…”
Lapura’s tear ducts burst open once again. Of course, upon seeing her child’s tears, Jung Hayeon’s eyes quickly began to fill with tears as well.
“Announce the start of the festival!”
As the Blood Dagger Clan’s camp suddenly erupted into a clamor, I saw the Goff Clan and the Black Spear Clan also growing loud in response. It had always been this way; whenever one clan held a festival, the other brother clans would do the same.
“Did you bring the booze, my old brother!”
Goff’s voice boomed from the distance.
“How about you greet us first, now that you’re here.”
Black Spear had already appeared, carrying the Troll wine he had brewed himself.
“Puhahahahahat.”
It had been a long time since I’d seen my brothers.
The Goff Clan’s drumming Orc began to beat a large drum continuously, and the Minotaurs stomped their feet. The Ogres roared at the return of their brother clan, and the Trolls were already dancing. A great bonfire erupted from the spot where the skull of the Eastern Demonic Beast lay.
There are no losers.
I opened my mouth and shouted.
“Let’s enjoy the festival!”
“Let’s enjoy the festivaaaal!!!!”
“I’m flying! Flying!!”