Chapter 74: Ragia
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 74: Ragia
Some time had passed since Hakajin's group joined the Blood Dagger Clan. I hadn't expected a completely frictionless integration, but contrary to my expectations, they were adapting remarkably well. To put it simply, bringing Hakajin into the fold had been an excellent decision.
While they hadn't yet produced any tangible results, they were fitting in as if they had always been part of the clan. With Hakajin as the clan's sole shaman, his group brought with them a large number of archers and other ranged fighters. This bolstered the standing of Mev, the leader of our archers, and combined with her aura as the mistress of the Blood Dagger Clan, the newcomers all looked up to her like a revered older sister.
Furthermore, the few melee fighters among them had already begun training under Gark and Hark. Having never learned proper combat techniques, there was a clear gap between them and our original members, but their passion suggested they would soon reach a respectable level.
Of all the newcomers, my greatest expectations were for Hakajin, the clan's only shaman. The results, however, were not particularly impressive.
According to what I learned from Black Spear, Hakajin's "talent" for shamanism was utterly average. It was a bit disappointing to hear that even with training, it would be a stretch to classify him as top-tier, but having any shaman at all was better than none.
I decided that now that we had a shaman, I should recommend the special 'Commander' class to him—the one I had nearly obtained in the Tutorial.
He himself had mentioned that he'd been torn between becoming a Commander or a Shaman. With any luck, the opportunity for the special class change would present itself again.
What I liked about him was that he was strangely similar to me. If he truly became a Commander, I had no doubt he would achieve great things.
Even as his people assimilated into our clan, I continued my visits to Ragia's settlement. After listening to Hakajin, I began to see things that had previously been invisible to me.
It was truly amusing.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
“Krrrrk. It is nothing.”
Ragia asked, a hint of anxiety in her voice, but I couldn't very well tell her I was assessing the state of her settlement. This group was clearly fracturing. There was a divide between those who had evolved into more human-like forms and those who hadn't. Even within those factions, they didn't seem to get along.
To put it bluntly, they were on the verge of collapse. I couldn't help but notice that this was a group held together not by honor or any other intangible ideal, but by sheer necessity.
It was only natural, then, that Ragia seemed increasingly desperate.
I gave a slight smile and let my gaze linger on Ragia.
At my look, she lowered her head, her face flushing.
“It’s… embarrassing.”
I was aware that my face was considered rather handsome by Green Skin standards, but I couldn't help but wonder if she was genuinely blushing or if it was a calculated act.
“Let’s go inside.”
I said, moving past her and entering the tent first.
This woman lacked the ability to control her people. She was certainly intelligent, but not every intelligent Green Skin could be a chieftain. Hakajin had the makings of a leader, but this woman, no matter how I looked at her, did not.
And since she wasn't a fool, she surely knew this herself.
That was likely why she was so fixated on me.
In other words, she wanted the Blood Dagger Clan to become the new center of gravity, the force that could pull her fractured group back together. I entered the tent, drank some ale, and lay down.
Another day passed like this.
And another.
As time continued to flow, I started to get a bite. It took a little longer than expected, but I could definitely sense that humans were nearby. It seemed a fairly skilled archer had come to scout them out, but Ragia appeared to be unaware. Mev had barely managed to find the archer's tracks, and they were discovered quite far from Ragia's settlement. Of course, I also made sure to meticulously erase the scout's tracks so that none of Ragia's people, who might venture out, would find them.
Naturally, this prompted another communication with Baek Ahyeon. I was worried I might catch her in the middle of something again, but thankfully, it seemed I would be spared such an awkward situation this time.
[Baek Ahyeon]
[Ye… Yes! My Savior…]
[How are things progressing with the second situation?]
[Ah! If I had… participated directly, I would know for… for certain, but… since I didn't…]
[It doesn't matter. Just tell me what you know. Prying too deeply isn't wise, so I'd say you did well. You have my praise.]
[Th… Thank you, my Savior…]
[As… as for what I know, it seems they are pre… preparing an attack force for the second settlement. I only just learned this, but it seems the smaller clans of the minor city of Legius have been searching for that settlement for some time… They consider locating it a major achievement and seem to be planning to use this opportunity to subjugate it for good.]
So they were indeed hunting humans. The fact that so many clans had their eyes on this place made the story a little more interesting, but that didn't mean I could call off the test. I nodded to myself and continued.
[If you see them depart, send a signal and report. You can manage that much, can't you?]
[Ye… Yes! I will do my best.]
After finishing my communication with Baek Ahyeon, I smiled in amusement. When I stepped outside the tent, everyone was glaring, their eyes flashing with anticipation.
“Time for battle.”
Unlike the first group, there was no need to spare these ones. This was the last test, after all, and though it was unlikely given the circumstances, the chance of Baek Ahyeon falling under suspicion seemed slim. The rumor was of unknown origin to begin with, so it would be difficult to trace. As long as she wasn't here, we could fight without restraint. Of course, conducting the test came first.
Nevertheless, the members of the Blood Dagger Clan looked ecstatic.
“Uwoooooooh!”
“A battle!”
“It’s Blood Dagger’s test!”
“A battle alongside Blood Dagger!”
“A test and a battle!”
The original clan members roared with excitement, and even Hakajin’s group, no longer afraid as long as they were with us, raised their weapons. However, this was a battle where there could be no casualties. That might be possible for the original Blood Dagger Clan, but it could be dangerous for Hakajin’s people.
“The new recruits will stand in the rear.”
“I… I understand. Thank you for your consideration.”
He seemed to know this himself, as he accepted the order without protest. Since they've always operated from the shadows, this was the most suitable position for them now. Given the nature of his settlement, they would have been positioned in the rear anyway, but I just hoped they wouldn't get caught in any stray attacks.
As originally planned, I decided to stay in Ragia’s settlement for a short while. Mev and Jung Hayeon didn't look pleased, but it couldn't be helped. Everyone except me was on standby for battle. Thinking of the coming fight, I once again made my way to Ragia’s settlement.
“It’s been a while since you’ve visited.”
“Things have been a bit busy lately. The women in my clan are not exactly pleased that I keep coming here…”
“I see.”
“But this place, here with you, Ragia… it feels like a sanctuary. Thanks to you.”
“I am honored you think so.”
Ragia seemed somewhat pleased, likely thinking everything was going according to her plan.
“I’ll be staying a little longer this time before I return.”
“I… I am nothing but grateful.”
At my words, she shyly lowered her head. In truth, even though I was just testing the waters, this woman never made a hasty move. It was as if she knew that startling her prey—me—would make me flee. Her way of speaking, slowly and steadily closing in on me, was a work of art.
She wasn't just a potential subordinate; as a woman, this troll was quite something. Of course, this was all predicated on the assumption that I was ignorant of her true nature. In any case, since I planned to spend a good amount of time here, I decided to move at a leisurely pace, simply passing the time while waiting for Baek Ahyeon’s signal.
And then, after a little more time had passed…
[They have departed, my Savior.]
The moment I had been waiting for had arrived.
[Their numbers?]
[Similar to last time, but they seem to be composed of individuals with considerable skill.]
Since several clans had been eyeing these monsters, it was only natural they would send a decent force, but our side was no pushover either. After all, this battle was not just a test; it was also a trap for the humans.
[You’ve done well. I hope to see you next time. I will arrange a separate place for us to meet.]
[Ye… Yes. Thank you!]
It would take them quite a while to get here, so I decided to pass the time quietly. I spent the hours either relaxing, talking with Ragia, or lying down to sleep.
Soon, a commotion began to stir outside.
“H-How did the humans…”
“Humans!”
“It’s the humans!”
“La… Lady Ragia, it’s the humans!”
The same old story, just like with Hakajin. They must have spotted the humans approaching from a distance, so I figured there was still some time. I kept my eyes closed, and soon, I heard the sound of Ragia rushing over, out of breath. She threw open the tent flap without hesitation and began to speak to me cautiously.
“Hu… Humans. The humans have come, Blood Dagger. They are very close. It looks like they will enter the settlement any moment.”
At her words, I slowly opened my eyes and spoke in a low voice.
“Krrrrk. We must prepare for battle.”
“Ye… Yes…”
I recited the prepared line as if in a play and watched Ragia’s reaction. Her eyes were filled with a hint of confusion. She must want to run. The Blood Dagger Clan was not here. The humans were at their doorstep. All she had was her own group, on the verge of collapse, and me.
Even I could not defeat so many humans on my own. I was on the path to becoming strong, but I was not truly strong yet. If I fought under these conditions, even I would surely die. That meant Ragia and her people were also exposed to the threat of death. But I stood up and began to arm myself, as if I was thrilled, as if this kind of battle excited me.
I equipped the Greatsword Too Large to be a Sword and the Ancient Flame.
Ragia stared at me, her eyes filled with confusion.
Looking at those eyes, I thought she would run, just as Hakajin had. No, I was certain she would run.
But,
amusingly,
she,
with a frightened face, a trembling voice, and an expression full of anxiety, nodded.
“I will follow your will.”