Chapter 707: Mask (11)

p>Compared to the Cow Clan, the Pig Clan had better leadership.

Uma was able to do what he did by demonstrating power that the Cow Clan couldn’t understand.

There were a few who went against his will, of course, but persuasion, intimidation, and purges consolidated power.

As a result, there were no unexpected rebellions on the day of the incident, unlike with the Pig Clan and Gullinbursti.

‘But in the end, Uma was captured, including Apis’ incarnation and the other cows.’

I wonder if someone would save Uma.

Even if they don’t go rescue him, will they continue his will?

Will they cut ties with Uma and ask for forgiveness from the 12-point alliance?

The opinions of the remaining leaders were divided.

At this time, the Cow Clan was in two factions — between rescuing Uma or not.

When Hwang Jiho briefly explained this, the noisy leaders who seemed to have lots of thoughts began to listen in silence.

Tiger Clan [Tiger-nim] “We decided not to engage in each their death or rescue if they only work within the territory of the Cow Clan.

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “So you’re not going to help the opposition faction drive out their former leader.”

Tiger Clan [Tiger-nim] “Unshamefully, the self-proclaimed opposition made their intent known to cooperate with me, but I have no intention of getting involved.”

Hwang Jiho said coldly.

Tiger Clan [Tiger-nim] “Most of the cows from the opposition implicitly followed Uma’s will. There’s no reason to intervene because the traitors are cutting their own flesh by causing a stir.”

Hwang Jiho’s distrust of the Cow Clan was deep-rooted.

He could trust, even by a speck, Gullinbursti who lived abroad for a long time and was almost killed by his fellow pigs.

However, it was difficult to believe the self-proclaimed opposition of the Cow Clan who would’ve reaped benefits regardless if Uma succeeded or not.

Hwang Jiho seemed to think that it wouldn’t be so bad if the Cow Clan was extinguished like this.

‘But we can’t leave one spot empty for a long time. The 12-point alliance’s symbolism has to be maintained.’

Even so, it’s difficult to find a royal lineage to replace the Cow Clan.

The members of the 12-point alliance are all situated in Korea.

If the alliance begins to collapse, the strength of the boundary they create will also weaken.

Of course, we prepared for that in advance.

Tiger Clan [Tiger-nim] “Well, no matter what direction things take, the result will be the same. After the infighting of the traitors, a proper new leader will take over.”

Hwang Jiho looked at me with a faint expression.

Jeokho had a similar look on his face.

When I explained it to the tigers, they collectively said “Why would you go to such extents for something like that!”

Rat Clan [This Kkeodori received the Best Designer of the Year Award] “Hwangho must’ve dealt with it. Why don’t you tell us? We’ve worked together on this one too!”

Rabbit Clan [DMR] “If it were me, I wouldn’t tell a rat like you either. Wait, I don’t know what it is too!”

Dragon Clan [Respected By Nephew, Full-Level Cheongryong] “The Tiger Clan safely fended off this great incident. I’m sure they patched things up.”

Snake Clan [Finished Shedding LOL] “I’m good since the stupid idiot who received my order is safe. Anything else is up to everyone.”

Dog Clan [My Dog Fur is Expensive] “Phew, I believed in Hwangho, but I was a little scared that he would say that he was going to destroy the Cow Clan. The boundary falters when a spot becomes vacant.”

From the conversation, it seems like the heads will leave the traitors, the Cow Clan and Pig Clan, to the Tiger Clan.

It’s only natural because the tigers had the greatest influence in this case.

‘Thanks to the clan head who cooperated, the Tiger Clan easily took initiative.’

Except for the Tiger Clan and the two traitors, six of the nine clans cooperated with each other,

Seodol and Ok Toyeon blocked Nabiryeong at the Players’ Association.

Cheongryong led the Dragon Clan and fought against people of royal lineage at the school’s east gate.

The head of the Snake Clan gave scales to keep Bang Yoonseob from being completely corrupted.

Jecheondaesung overpowered Jogangryeob and prevented Eungwang High from being covered in frost.

The head of the Dog Clan fought against the Cow Clan in the bamboo forest and helped restore Eungwang High’s boundary.

‘We could’ve asked for Heukma’s help since they’re still indebted, but I decided to save it for future scenarios.’

I wanted to prevent Heukma and Hwang Jiho from joining hands just in case.

If Heukma was confirmed to be a non-traitor, the biggest victim in the Demon World scenario would be her.

Likely, Heukma and the Horse Clan would completely collapse.

In that scenario, it would be best to hide the alliance from the enemy’s eyes.

Sheep Clan [No Nightmare] “There must be a lot of royal lineages who cooperated in the incident at the Tiger Clan’s territory. I think even the golden boar is brought out by Hwangho.”

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “Yeah. I think the new recruit has a connection with Hwangho. Well, otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to set foot here.”

The head of the Sheep and Rooster clans conversed.

From the standpoint of the clans who didn’t help in this case, it was still noticeable.

The longer the conversation, the more information was revealed.

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “Isn’t this a post-mortem rather than a place to punish a traitor?”

Horse Clan [More-Sensitive-Than-Usual Heukma] “You said it.”

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “I guess I wasn’t entrusted because I wasn’t there. Well, I couldn’t help anyway because I was busy!”

If he couldn’t have helped anyway, why is he expressing regret?

Dog Clan [My Dog Fur is Expensive] “Why are you so busy when you’re stuck in the mountains?”

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “Can’t you see my nickname? I’m gonna fly.”

Dragon Clan [Respected By Nephew, Full-Level Cheongryong] “Chickens can’t usually fly though, right?”

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “We can, for like, uhh, ten seconds? Haha ;;;”

Pig Clan [Serves Northern Europe’s Most Handsome – The Golden Wild Boar] “Anyone could get ten seconds of air time if they jump high though…”

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “Shut up new recruit.”

Snake Clan [Finished Shedding LOL] “Ah —”

Dog Clan [My Dog Fur is Expensive] “Where’s the monkey? Why’s he not talking?”

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “Ma’am, are you crazy? Do you want to fight?”

Then, the Sheep Clan’s head cut off the nonsense.

Sheep Clan [No Nightmare] “There’s something that bothered me about the Rooster Clan saying something about ‘trust.’ There’s more than one head that’s very close to the origin of the head of the Cow and Pig Clans. Can you trust them?”

The Sheep Clan’s leader made a good point.

He’s referring to Jecheondaesung.

‘I knew someone would point it out, but I didn’t expect the Sheep Clan.’

The head of the Sheep Clan wasn’t talkative, but they must’ve been listening.

They dozed off last meeting though.

Besides, I don’t think they remembered the existence of a traitor.

Jecheondaesung answered.

Monkey Clan [Strongest in the Universe, Jecheondaesung] “I proved my innocence to Hwangho. I helped in this case. I caught Bajie and handed him over to the Tiger Clan.”

Sheep Clan [No Nightmare] “Just because you’re innocent now doesn’t mean you have zero chance of betrayal. There might come a time when you’d feel sorry for Jogangryeob and sympathize with him.”

The other leaders were rattled at the Sheep Clan’s cold words.

Horse Clan [More-Sensitive-Than-Usual Heukma] “Why is he making good points today?”

Dog Clan [My Dog Fur is Expensive] “Is he sleep-talking right now?”

Snake Clan [Finished Shedding LOL] “Possibly possessed by a superior being.”

They were surprised not by the content of his words but because it was the head of the Sheep Clan saying those things.

No matter how serious the topic, these clan heads never change.

Monkey Clan [Strongest in the Universe, Jecheondaesung] “That’s correct. Hwangho was also wary of me until the end. But if I betray the alliance, the gingoju goes to his hand.”

At the mention of the mythical headpiece, the Sheep Clan no longer refuted.

No matter how powerful Jecheondaesung is, having the gingoju is like having him in the palm of one’s hand.

Rabbit Clan [DMR] “Then we’ll be fine as long as Hwangho’s good! If you guys get close, you’re not allowed to go easy on him if he betrays later on!”

Tiger Clan [Tiger-nim] “You think this body will let a traitor go?”

Dog Clan [My Dog Fur is Expensive] “He probably won’t. Even if he’s generous.”

Jeokho’s gaze lowered at the word “generous.”

Jeokho would be uncomfortable if this topic continues.

The head of the Sheep Clan sighed as if he had no intention of digging any further.

Sheep Clan [No Nightmare] “Phew, that’s a relief. It doesn’t matter if you fight without me and betray each other. As long as it’s not me!”

Dog Clan [My Dog Fur is Expensive] “Funny. You say you don’t care but you question like that?”

Sheep Clan [No Nightmare] “The spirit of nightmares is getting stronger these days, so it will be difficult if the 12-point alliance’s boundary breaks down.”

The sudden mention of nightmares made the atmosphere go cold more than the mention of the traitors.

‘It was brought up during the last meeting too.’

Even the traitor Uma was wary of nightmares.

The heads of the clans were scrambling to stay alert.

Snake Clan [Finished Shedding LOL] “Suddenly talking about nightmares.”

Rooster Clan [Chicken That Will Fly From Mt. Gyeryong] “You mean Insomnium, right??? Should I not go outside?”

Horse Clan [More-Sensitive-Than-Usual Heukma] “Ah… I guessed it from your conversation name, but I pretended not to see it.”

Rabbit Clan [DMR] “Ah, me too! ㅠㅠ”

Rat Clan [This Kkeodori received the Best Designer of the Year Award] “I doubt it.”

Rabbit Clan [DMR] “ㅗ—ㅗ”

Some leaders were still being playful, but I felt the nervousness as the texts shook little by little.

The existence of nightmares that threaten their true names must terrify the heads.

The Sheep Clan’s leader spoke again.

Sheep Clan [No Nightmare] “I’m ready. Nightmares can’t enter my territory. You know?”

Dog Clan [My Dog Fur is Expensive] “No, that’s unfair! You’re making me feel bad.”

Horse Clan [More-Sensitive-Than-Usual Heukma] “Ha… I’m not sleeping tonight.”

Amid the flood of complaints from the heads, Gullinbursti asked cautiously.

Pig Clan [Serves Northern Europe’s Most Handsome – The Golden Wild Boar] “Uhm, you say nightmares can’t enter the Sheep Clan’s territory. Does that mean you can feel its existence beyond the magic circle?”

Sheep Clan [No Nightmare] “Yup.”

Pig Clan [Serves Northern Europe’s Most Handsome – The Golden Wild Boar] “…So where is the nightmare?”

Where is the nightmare?

All heads must be curious about this.

‘The head of the Sheep Clan has been concerned about it since the last meeting. It’s possible that he identified its whereabouts.’

Nightmare is one of the greatest variables in this world.

Knowing where it is would greatly help the next plans.

All those present in the meeting listened intently.

After a brief silence, the head of the Sheep Clan replied.

Sheep Clan [No Nightmare] “Not telling.”

The head of the Sheep Clan didn’t change.