Bear and Tiger (4)

Thus, the merger of the Bear Tribe and Tiger Tribe proceeded with the Bear Tribe at the center.

After hearing about the final contest, some from the Tiger Tribe grumbled that mugwort rice cakes and water dropwort weren't fair at all, but what could they do? The match was already over, and they'd accepted it themselves. Complaining wouldn't change anything. In fact, trying to reopen a settled matter only sparked backlash. Even within the Tiger Tribe, there were complaints about those who kept whining over a done deal.

In any case, Hwan ended up joining me as promised.

"Me... traveling with you...?"

"Yeah. Staying here doesn't seem like it'd get you any good looks anyway. Why not come with me?"

At my words, Hwan glanced away. Her gaze landed on... the Tiger Tribe Chief, standing there with his brows deeply furrowed.

"You need someone like me? Someone who's... not quite human enough?"

Not quite human. Was that how beastkin with fur covering their skin instead of exposed flesh were treated? She had stronger beastly traits, sure, but she was still beastkin all the same. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Was discrimination based on appearance inevitable?

"I'm gathering talented folks for something I'm planning. You're having a tough time here anyway... so come along?"

"I..."

Hwan looked at the Tiger Tribe Chief with lingering reluctance.

"I wanted... my father's recognition."

"Father... You mean the chief?"

"Yeah... I was the chief's daughter, after all."

I glanced at the Tiger Tribe Chief, who still hadn't reined in his temper. So he was the one who'd named his daughter "worry."

"No issue with you coming along... but will your father let you go?"

"No problem at all. It's all settled already."

"Settled?"

I nodded slightly.

"Yeah. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠losers send someone to travel with me, and the winners get the blessing they want."

A shadow fell over Hwan's face at my words.

"In the end... I'm not treated like a daughter, huh..."

Unlike the Bear Tribe Chief, who'd called Goma the next chief, the Tiger Tribe Chief had said Hwan only knew how to fight—nothing else. He probably didn't see her as a child.

"At least, following me seems better than sticking with that guy. What do you say?"

Hwan pondered my words for a moment before speaking.

"You... need me?"

"Yeah. I'm collecting capable people. You're more than qualified."

She was among the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠strongest physically, even among tough beastkin. She wasted that power in wild rampages, but... with some proper training to refine her movements, she'd get even stronger. A fighter with a tiger's might. Honestly, I couldn't pass that up.

"Fine. Got it. I'll go with you. I hope there's a place at the end of that road that needs me."

"Good. Smart choice."

I laughed heartily and patted Hwan's back. Better for this kid to be away from parents ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠who saw her as a burden... and with me instead.

"Looks like we've got another companion, Asterios."

"Yeah. Happy."

Asterios, with his massive build and simple face, grinned broadly, and Hwan gave a small smile in response.

"Take care of me from now on."

"You too. Please."

With Hwan convinced and on board...

"Then, I'll just grant the promised blessing, and we can head out. Hwan, get ready to leave."

Hwan shook her head slightly.

"Not much to prepare. I don't really own anything."

The strongest in the tribe should have value befitting that... but was she ignored and discriminated against just for looking a bit different? It left a bitter taste.

"So, what blessing do you want me to grant?"

After we'd finished preparing to leave, I asked the Bear Tribe Chief, who replied with a resolute expression.

"About that blessing... could it be passed not to us, but to our descendants?"

"To your descendants?"

"Yes. No matter how I thought about it, that seemed the best choice."

Hmm. Interesting. Choosing a blessing for future generations over immediate gain for themselves. Clever thinking.

"Amusing. Alright, what blessing do you want for your descendants?"

Of course, if they asked for immortality or godlike power, I'd be pissed. But contrary to my worries, the Bear Tribe Chief brought Goma over and said:

"I hope the descendants of the tribe that Goma will lead are happy forever."

"Father?"

Goma, dragged in out of nowhere, was baffled, but neither I nor the chief paid her any mind.

"Happy?"

"Yes. We wish for happiness."

Happiness, huh. Hmm. Hmmm. Hmmmm. Happiness means different things to different people—a tricky one. I'd have to tweak how the blessing works.

"Tricky wish, so I'll adjust the blessing a bit."

"Huh? What are you two even talking about?"

"We're giving your descendants a big gift, so stay quiet."

Ignoring the bewildered Goma, I looked at the massive tree towering behind the village. And the faint divinity budding within it.

"That tree you call the God's Tree. I'll bless those who live in its shade to find happiness."

Lending power to that young divinity should make folks under the tree's shade happy enough. I considered tying it to mental bonds so even those who leave the shade stay happy, but linking spirits to a higher being didn't seem wise. And too broad a blessing could cause issues. So, limit it to those under the shade.

"Yes. That should be plenty."

Given the tree's size... the shade would cover plenty unless the population exploded.

So.

"Your descendants under that tree's shade will be happy, help each other, and do right by the world. Those who abandon such ways will lose the blessing."

I infused my magic into the tree, imprinting my will on the young divinity without self-awareness yet. May those who enter the shade—descendants of this tribe with true worth—find happiness. Honestly, the descendant limit might not even be needed... but without it, wars over the tree could erupt. For something as vague as happiness, clear limits were essential. If anyone could just step under and get happy, it'd be no better than drugs.

The young divinity infused with my magic quietly opened its eyes, stretching faintly as its power spread through every branch and leaf. A soft glow spread, and small smiles bloomed on the tribe's faces.

"So teach your descendants well. To always help each other and live rightly."

"Yes. Understood. Thank you, guest from the heavens."

The Bear Tribe Chief bowed deeply, smile unhidden, and the clueless Goma followed suit.

Right. Business here done... time to head out.

I left the two bear beastkin still bowed and went to Asterios and Hwan.

Now, where to next?