Chapter 497: An Unexpected Reward
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 497: An Unexpected Reward
“Is something troubling you, my brother?”
“It’s not so much a worry… It’s just because of the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony…”
“The Great Tribe Leader has gotten sentimental…”
“You’re not making fun of me, are you?”
“I feel the same way, Goff. Isn’t this the first coming-of-age ceremony the three clans will be holding together? When you think of it that way… it feels rather nostalgic. It brings back old memories, the battles we fought together, all of it.”
“Hmm… You’re right about that.”
For someone who had just accused the Great Tribe Leader of getting sentimental, Goff’s eyes seemed to have gotten a little misty. It seemed Black Spear’s profound words had struck a chord with him. A great deal of time had passed since we first came here. I couldn’t remember exactly, but it felt like about eight years had gone by. Nicole was now seven and awaiting her own coming-of-age ceremony, so eight years was probably correct.
“A lot has happened.”
So much had happened. It was absurd, even to me, that I had accomplished more in these eight years of my new life than in the ten years of my past one. Of course, it was only possible because of the advantage of regression, but it truly felt like I had been running nonstop. I had taken breaks here and there, but the memories of constantly pushing forward were far more vivid.
Contrary to my belief that I would never have children, I had become the father of three. I had evolved from a small goblin into a demon with a tail and wings.
The clan, which had started with just a few dozen members, had now grown so large that it was difficult to remember every member’s name.
Of course, I wasn’t the only one who had changed. The Goff Clan and the Black Spear Clan, who had been with us for a long time, had also changed tremendously.
“You must have been disappointed that Shakara held her coming-of-age ceremony early.”
Black Spear seemed to have aged recently. It wasn’t that he had excessive wrinkles or white hair, but he looked a little older, and that was what mattered.
“…”
His appearance was better described as more dignified than old. His long fangs had grown even longer, and the skin on his arms looked a bit darker. His hair, swept high, seemed to proclaim that he was a Troll.
The most striking feature was the black magic swirling around his arm.
In a way, it seemed to be a state similar to my own integration with Isaac. Although it was only a part of his arm, the power contained within it was likely beyond imagination.
“To think my son would become an adult. Tsk.”
Goff’s skin had become incredibly red. His massive frame had grown even larger, and the muscular strength that filled it was impossible for even me to measure. He was much stronger than the last time we had fought. Since I had met Black Spear after coming here, he looked much the same as before, but when I remembered Goff’s previous goblin form, the change was truly astonishing.
“Speaking of which, I heard some interesting news… It seems young Gogh has taken an interest in Shakara. Lapura told me. Puhahahaha!”
“Ahem… ahem…”
“Isn’t that enough to become an adult? Isn’t he already trying to become one?”
Considering Ratga’s case, it was a good topic to drop a bomb with, but the rumors hadn’t spread that far yet. Still, Goff’s face grew incredibly grim.
“That boy can’t even handle himself, and he’s already trying to find a mate… Tsk, tsk.”
“Don’t be so cold to your son, Goff. He’s still your son, isn’t he?”
“The problem is that he doesn’t meet my expectations. I had hoped for a strong child to be born, but who would have known I’d get one with nothing in his head. Tsk.”
“He didn’t seem that foolish to me.”
“He seems to have matured a little, but he’s still lacking. No, the problem isn’t that he’s foolish, it’s that he hates studying. I, too, used to neglect things other than strength and honor, but my son is definitely…”
“Then isn’t it perfect, since Shakara is wise? Puhahaha.”
Subtly teasing the two of them was quite entertaining. It seemed that while they respected each other, they were secretly hoping their son and daughter wouldn’t get together. Goff probably thought that if Gogh and Shakara became a pair, Gogh would be completely controlled by her. And Black Spear, of course, didn’t seem to approve of a son-in-law who wasn’t very bright. Naturally, out of consideration for each other, neither of them voiced such thoughts.
“Shakara isn’t interested in men yet…”
“…”
“To be honest, back when the Blood Dagger Clan had no successor and everyone was in an uproar, I understood how you felt… but now that Shakara says she has no intention of finding a mate, I’m starting to get a little anxious…”
“Hmm…”
“Speaking of which…”
“Ahem…”
“Actually, it seems there is someone she has her heart set on… She just won’t tell me about it… She just says she’ll handle it herself… and mutters that no other man catches her eye… I don’t know who the bastard is, but he seems to be quite the womanizer.”
“There are occasionally trashy Green Skins like that.”
Goff strongly agreed with Black Spear’s words.
“I don’t know what my daughter is lacking, but that girl, who has always listened to me so well, clams up whenever the topic of a mate or grandchildren comes up… She even shouted that she’s an adult now and will handle her own relationships… The gentle Shakara, of all people… Just between us, if that bastard ever shows up, he’ll have to face my spear before he gets my permission.”
“…”
Sensing the ominous atmosphere, I spoke without thinking.
“That fellow must have his own circumstances…”
Nothing was certain, but for some reason, I began to feel a pang of guilt. It was true that Shakara had made advances toward me, but there was no guarantee that I was the person Black Spear was talking about. It could have just been an approach born of simple admiration, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
“Lately, she’d been looking depressed, often staring up at the night sky… but now, for some reason, she’s been smiling all the time… It seems she’s planning to meet him soon.”
“Is he from another clan?”
“I suspect that’s likely.”
“…”
It couldn’t be me. And even if it was, there was nothing I could do.
“I don’t know what son of a bitch he is, but I’ll deal with that bastard myself!”
I already knew, but Black Spear’s love for his daughter was quite profound. If it were simply about finding a mate, he might not see it so negatively, but he seemed to feel that this person was toying with his daughter’s heart. Of course, in this desperate situation, my chosen course of action was to escape from reality. I didn’t know which Green Skin was making the heart of Black Spear’s successor flutter, but he was clearly a scoundrel.
“If you catch him, I’ll join you, Black Spear.”
“Thank you, Goff.”
I felt Goff and Black Spear slowly turn to look at me, so I slowly opened my mouth as well.
“This is our brother’s daughter we’re talking about. I’ll join you. A trashy Green Skin like that needs to be taught a harsh lesson personally.”
Only then did smiles appear on their faces.
It had been a while since the brothers had spent time together. As is the case with all parents, the main topics of conversation were about successors and children.
They couldn’t stop praising my children, as the trials of Laveua, Lapura, and Ratga had apparently impressed them greatly. It was a pleasant time, listening to their compliments while sipping my drink. Of course, some completely unexpected topics came up as well.
“To be honest, I thought you would make that human your successor.”
“You mean Kim Yoora?”
“Hmm. That was her name. Didn’t you actually try to adopt her as your daughter?”
In truth, I still thought of her as a daughter.
“I did try to adopt her, but she refused.”
Thinking back, Kim Yoora had always been like that. Whenever I tried to take care of her in some way, she would always take a step back, preferring to stand on her own two feet. There’s a saying that you shouldn’t take in black-haired beasts, but Kim Yoora was the complete opposite.
She did her best for the clan that had saved her, and she even treated Laveua with the utmost respect. If she thought something was more than she deserved, she rejected it flatly and drew a firm line in her actions. Her behavior was such that it almost made me feel disappointed.
Of course, I later realized that Kim Yoora felt burdened and sorry for all this goodwill, but it was still a shame not to be able to give what I wanted to give.
“She was a smart and strong child. Hmm… Do you have something else in mind?”
“I’m not sure, but whatever path she chooses, it’s right to support her.”
Just like my own children’s paths, Kim Yoora’s future was a small concern of mine. I thought it was best to watch over her quietly.
“Actually, I thought that child would participate in this trial. It’s a pretty good system, a good mechanism… If I had chosen my successor that way, my son might have come to his senses a bit more…”
“The same goes for me. I did suggest it indirectly, but…”
She had clearly expressed her refusal.
“Ahem… anyway, how did you come up with such an idea?”
“To be honest, the most accurate way to put it would be that I found it difficult to choose, so I left it to the clan members. It was a bit of a gamble, and things didn't go exactly as I had planned, but I’m satisfied with the result itself.”
“Lapura. She’s a brilliant child.”
“And strong…”
“She still seems to be struggling to control what she has, but honestly, I feel it wouldn’t be strange if she becomes stronger than me after some time has passed.”
That was the honest truth, without a single lie.
The reason Lapura felt she wasn’t growing was because the power she possessed was immense. To put it bluntly, Lapura would get stronger just by aging.
Regardless of push-ups, squats, or sit-ups, she grew stronger just by breathing.
Of course, that didn’t mean she wasn’t training. Since the types of magic were so diverse and profound, she was studying the fundamentals, but the task she spent the most time on was controlling the power of the Demon World Tree.
She already possessed a vast ocean, and its waters were constantly rising.
The important thing was to digest it, not to increase the amount of water. That was the judgment. And Jung Hayeon’s teaching method had been a perfect fit.
Digesting that power was like a lifelong homework assignment for Lapura. Of course, I might be able to help her to some extent.
[Quest - Choose a Successor: Please select a successor who can lead Blood Dagger in the future. (1/1)]
[Reward - A blessing will be bestowed upon the child you have chosen as your successor.]
‘A blessing…’
I had been lost in thought for a moment. In my vision, I saw someone opening the tent flap and entering.
‘Shakara.’
“Ahem. The meeting…”
“It ended a little early, but on a good note, Father.”
It was quite burdensome how she looked at me as she bowed her head slightly.
“I didn’t know the Great Tribe Leader was here… You were together. Strength, Wisdom, and Honor. It’s been a while, Uncle Goff.”
“There’s no need to be so formal.”
“Th-Then, Broth—”
“Calling me ‘uncle’ is sufficient.”
“Yes.”
I wasn’t sure what that was, but it had been a close call.
“Then I’ll be heading back first.”
As I rose from my seat rather quickly, a hint of suspicion appeared in Goff’s and Black Spear’s eyes, but there was no way I could explain the situation. The priority was to get out of here. Being the object of my brother’s daughter’s affection was by no means pleasant; it was unsettling.
Especially after the conversation we just had.
“Where…”
“I have some business with Lapura. Let’s continue this drinking session tomorrow.”
“Uh… hmm…”
It wasn’t a lie, since I really did have business with her.
I needed to confirm exactly what I had received as a reward. Feeling antsy, as if I had to do something, I immediately completed the quest, and a familiar voice began to ring out.
[Quest - Choose a Successor: Please select a successor who can lead Blood Dagger in the future. (1/1)]
[Reward - A blessing will be bestowed upon the child you have chosen as your successor.]
[Quest Complete.]
[You have succeeded in bestowing the Blessing of the Seat as a reward.]
[With the consent of the Mythical Species - Demon World Tree Lapura, you will now customize Lapura.]
[Will you receive Lapura’s consent?]
“What… is this… Is this even possible?”
I had expected it wouldn’t be ordinary, but the result was even more absurd than I had imagined.
I had customized myself before, but…
To be able to evolve my daughter in this way…
I had never even dreamed of it.