Chapter 83: The Forest Worm Burrow
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: The Forest Worm Burrow
At my words, the look in their eyes began to change. Unable to hide their innate nature, they were already showing their will to fight. Surprisingly, the one who looked most pleased was Jung Hayeon. She seemed thrilled at the prospect of venting her recently accumulated stress.
“Let’s go.”
I had already told the clan members that a battle was likely to occur, so everyone was anticipating it. Of course, we still had to wait a little longer for the real fight to begin, but Gark and Hark seemed to be enjoying even the wait. The moment they stepped out of the tent, they started shouting. I hadn't ordered them to be quiet, so it didn't matter, but it certainly made the settlement much livelier.
“A battle! Blood Dagger said there’s going to be a fight!”
“A glorious battle alongside Blood Dagger! He said the pregnant women can’t go!”
As expected, the settlement erupted in an instant.
“A real battle! A proper fight for the first time in a year! Kireuk!”
“Kireuk! Kireuk!”
“For Blood Dagger!”
It was incredibly boisterous outside. Mev, looking pleased, joined the commotion. Jung Hayeon glanced at me furtively before following Mev out. Soon, I could hear Mev’s loud voice echoing from outside.
“Do not despair just because you cannot participate in this honorable battle. Your duty is also of great importance. It is for the prosperity of the tribe!”
I was sure she was speaking to the pregnant women who were disappointed about not being able to go into battle. She was quite skilled at looking after her subordinates. Thanks to her, it seemed there was nothing left for me to say. Ragia gave a slight smile and headed out, while Hakajin and the Goblin Three Sisters also bowed before rushing out of the tent.
“Let’s go! Kireuk! Pack the food!”
“Bring the food we’ve gathered! Kireuk!”
The settlement had always been lively, but now it was truly overflowing with energy. Amidst the continuous noise from outside, I could hear the sounds of people organizing supplies everywhere. When the tribe was smaller, I used to help out, but after it grew, Mev had stopped me from participating in such tasks.
It was a matter of the chieftain's authority.
In any case, I slowly made my way out of the tent. They were all smart, so I was sure they would handle things well, but I thought there might be something they could have missed.
“For Blood Dagger!”
The tribe members greeted me as soon as they saw me.
Some tripped and fell while happily carrying their luggage, and there was even a goblin riding on top of a bundle an orc was carrying. I even saw six goblins hauling a rather large chunk of meat. Even though no one was ordering them, the sight of them finding their roles and moving with such energy was surprisingly endearing.
“Kireuk! This way! The meat goes this way!”
“Bring the human meat over here, too! Set aside the chieftain’s food separately!”
Among them was the goblin who did our drawings. He was already gathering the flags. He looked overjoyed, but he kept glancing back at his tent, as if saddened by the thought of parting with his newborn daughter, Nicole.
I approached him and spoke quietly.
“Do you wish to stay with your family?”
“That’s… not it. I will win in battle and become a glorious father to Nicole! Kireuk! For Blood Dagger!”
It seemed I had asked a needless question. He, too, was filled with the will to fight. The same was true for the many other Green Skins who did not yet have children. Just like humans, they too carried their own burdens.
With everyone moving in perfect sync, the preparations were finished in no time. Gark and Hark raised their flags high on either side of me, and I stroked the fur of my Giant Wolf, Ibar. Just then, a figure slowly walked over from somewhere. It was Black Spear. I had only mentioned to him that a fight was likely, but it seemed he had noticed the commotion in our settlement and had come over himself.
“It seems you’re heading to battle.”
“That’s right, Black Spear. Will you join us?”
It was only natural to test the waters. As a brother clan, I could extend the invitation much more casually than before. And with him on our side, the battle would certainly be much easier, so I watched him with a hint of hopeful anticipation.
“Hmm… My heart wishes to go, but I don’t think I can join you this time, Blood Dagger. It seems new Green Skins are undergoing the trial to head to the Land of Glory. Hmm… I don’t mean to brag, but starting now, our clan has earned the right to assist other Green Skins.”
“Oh… Congratulations, Black Spear. That’s wonderful news. A very honorable task.”
It was a shame, but I couldn't argue with a reason like that. It didn't quite fit his personality, but it seemed he had come over to deliver a not-so-humble brag. A wide smile bloomed on his face, and he looked so genuinely happy that I couldn't help but feel that way. It seemed that while we were fighting, he would be heading to the Land of Glory.
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
“Strength, Wisdom, and Honor.”
With that, I mounted my wolf, and our Blood Dagger Clan slowly began to set out. Mev hadn't found the exact point yet, but since getting closer was the priority, we decided to head out anyway. As we traveled, a Hobgoblin archer quickly approached and began to guide us.
Knowing I was in a hurry, Mev and Jung Hayeon had quickly found the point where we would begin our work. It was a secluded spot, far from their location. Since we would be moving underground anyway, it seemed they had found it without much difficulty.
Indeed, as Mev had said, their location was quite far. I knew the forest was vast, but this made me realize it was much larger than I had thought. The journey, however, was not boring. We occasionally encountered and hunted magical beasts, and I, too, found myself strangely looking forward to a battle after such a long time.
After traveling deeper into the forest for a day or two, the location Mev had found finally came into view.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes.”
“My roots have confirmed it. It’s a bit far, but if we start digging a tunnel from here, we’ll definitely be able to reach their location.”
If Jung Hayeon had confirmed it with her roots, then it was certainly trustworthy. It was probably connected to the very end of their burrow, but that didn't matter. In fact, it was more convenient for me. It gave us an opportunity to move even more stealthily. Moreover, based on recent information, it seemed the Saint Knights Order had no intention of departing just yet, which meant we had plenty of time to work.
An impatient summoner might have rushed in immediately, but the Righteous Knight isn't like that. He's the type to pursue perfection, wanting to handle things with certainty. Of course, for us, this was undoubtedly an opportunity.
I slowly looked around. The area was surrounded by rocks and large trees. It was the perfect environment for our work. The probability of magical beasts appearing was also low, and it looked like it had been a very long time since any humans had found this place. What I liked most was the river nearby. We had brought water, but we could have run short, so I couldn't help but be pleased.
“Unload the gear and set up a temporary camp.”
“Unload the gear! Set up a temporary camp!”
Hark’s voice echoed again, relaying my command to the other tribe members, and the goblins and orcs began to move swiftly.
After a short rest, the members of the Blood Dagger Clan began their work. We didn't have anything like an excavator, but the work progressed surprisingly fast. This was because Jung Hayeon was constantly digging through the earth with her moving roots. The orcs began shoveling with hastily made makeshift shovels, while the goblins continuously moved the excavated dirt away.
Everyone was covered in soil, but they were working with genuine joy.
“Even this kind of work is fun with Blood Dagger!”
“This is for the battle! How could it not be fun!”
“A battle against the dirt! A battle against the burrow!”
If the roots Jung Hayeon summoned were an excavator, then these guys were tireless workers. I couldn't help but think that they were quite specialized in labor. If I taught them the skills to construct buildings, they would probably erect them in an instant.
Even after the tunnel was dug, Jung Hayeon’s roots continued to play a crucial role. They took the trees that Gark and Hark cut down, shaped them into support beams, and fixed them in place with roots to prevent any collapse. Having too many people inside could actually reduce efficiency, so Hakajin and Mev were outside, trying their best to map the internal structure.
We wouldn't know the exact layout until we went inside, but they were trying to find a path by analyzing the approximate locations of entrances and exits and the ecology of the Forest Worms.
Of course, drawing the map was the job of the artist goblin. When I entrusted the task to the one who usually only drew tattoos on flags and bodies, a map, amusingly enough, began to take shape. Naturally, since it was based on estimations from the surface, we would have to continuously update the finer details once we were inside, but for now, this was sufficient.
Time passed, and the tunnel we were digging steadily approached its target. Around this time, I sent a communication to Baek Ahyeon.
[Baek Ahyeon.]
[Yes! Yes! My Savior… I have been waiting.]
Baek Ahyeon’s voice came through, as bright as ever. Before I could even state my business, she spoke first.
[I… I’m sorry, my Savior. It seems the offerings will be departing later than planned.]
[They’re late.]
[They… they were originally planning to leave, but I heard they want to survey the inside of the burrow, so their departure seems to have been delayed.]
[So they’ve pinpointed the location.]
I couldn't help but be pleased. Our predictions had been perfectly on the mark.
[Ye-yes, but the exact location… They won’t tell me even when I ask subtly… I… I’m sorry.]
It seemed the knight had truly fallen head over heels for Baek Ahyeon recently. Despite that, it appeared he was reluctant to share core details. I suppose it was to be expected from a man renowned for his righteousness, but it was still a little disappointing.
[No. Do not be anxious, my follower.]
[Ye… yes! But please, rejoice. I have succeeded in placing the martyrs among them as squires and laborers. Ah… I am certain the believers will be truly overjoyed when they see you, my Savior.]
[I look forward to it.]
[Ye… yes!]
Seeing Baek Ahyeon carrying out the plan so well without needing specific orders was quite satisfying. She was definitely worth nurturing. From what I’d heard, various small and medium-sized clans from the city were joining the Saint Knights Order. Naturally, when such a force went on an expedition, squires and laborers would be essential. It was probably no trouble at all for Baek Ahyeon to insert her followers among them.
The fact that she had deliberately not taken them as her own squires, in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, was also commendable. In proportion to how blindly devoted she was becoming, she was also growing smarter and more capable.
[My little lamb. On the day we meet, you will receive what you desire.]