Chapter 162
The alliance that advanced further west mercilessly trampled, plundered, and conquered.
'The customs and language of each tribe we encounter are quite different. It's almost easier to find differences than similarities with us.'
Belrua looked at a village billowing with acrid smoke. It was a tribe that had resisted right to the end, so the alliance had no choice but to burn down the entire village and have its people massacred. The smell of burning flesh lingered.
'How long can we maintain such a size?'
The alliance now wasn't just composed of tribes from the early days of the Sky Mountains. Several tribes from beyond the wastelands also joined the alliance.
"Ah, there you are, Belrua."
Samikan appeared behind Belrua. He was covered in blood, seemingly having participated in the battle.
"You joined the battle yourself? What was the occasion?"
Belrua sneered at Samikan's appearance.
"Sometimes, leading by example is the only way to get the warriors to follow. I can’t let rumors spread among the warriors that Samikan's sword has rusted."
Samikan grabbed a water pouch. He poured the water over his head to roughly wash off the blood.
'Samikan.'
Belrua narrowed her eyes, glaring at him. He was the man who had rapidly grown the Blue Mist Tribe and achieved tremendous expansion. He was the undisputed leader of the alliance, and his achievements were destined to be praised by warriors for generations.
'He knows how to package himself and keep himself above others.'
From the perspective of those below him, Samikan was a great man. But Belrua wasn't one of those below him.
‘Looking at him from the same level of power, he can be a nauseating bastard at times.'
Samikan was chillingly cold and calculating. Every action of his had a reason.
"How far are we going to advance?" Belrua asked.
Though most things were determined through the tribal council, the alliance practically moved according to Samikan's will. Half of the chiefs attending the council were essentially Samikan's subordinates.
Samikan's political and control power was the highest among the three great chiefs. Belrua had her political skills, but newly joined chiefs didn't easily accept a female chief as their superior.
"Until we see the end of all these tribes..."
Samikan picked up his finger and pointed toward the western horizon.
"If we go too far, we might not return."
"We have lived our lives without truly knowing even our own land. A man should travel to the ends of the land connected to his feet. You, being a girl, might not understand. Keke."
Samikan provocatively taunted Belrua. She was used to such provocations. Being born a woman was always an obstacle.
"Even the high-rising sun eventually sets, Samikan."
Belrua pulled out her meteorite dagger and cut some meat soaked in rock salt brine. She chewed on the meat while looking at the burning village.
"Do you think this is the peak? Because I don’t. We’re not even close to reaching our peak yet. Our world will intertwine not just on a tribal level but on a larger scale in the future. Even looking at our alliance, the tribes from the Sky Mountains, yes, different tribes we thought of as Stone Axe, Blue Mist... and Red Sand... have united already."
The tribes of the Sky Mountains relied on each other. Meeting tribes with entirely different languages and customs, they realized that their former enemies were actually brothers. This expedition brought significant changes to the warriors' mindset.
'Viewing a broader world changes one's way of thinking, just like it did for Urich.'
Urich was the first to cross the mountains to experience a different world. Now, the warriors were finally beginning to understand Urich's words. The fact that they were fighting each other inside a small cage now seemed foolish.
"Beyond the mountains, there are 'nations' and 'kings.'"
"I've heard. They refer to tribes with vast territories and their rulers."
"The title of chief isn't enough to describe my position. I am akin to a 'king.'"
Upon hearing this, Belrua clicked her tongue.
“How arrogant of you."
"Of course, the other chiefs won't accept such titles. It deviates from our traditions."
"This talk is boring me. Be content with being the Great Chief."
Belrua spoke as if she was about to leave.
"For me to fully control the alliance, I have to firmly weave the tribes under the Sky Mountains. Urich and I have become brothers, but you and I have no relation."
"...So what?"
Samikan grabbed Belrua's wrist.
"Bear my son. Marriage and offspring are a firm alliance and promise. You being a woman is actually a good thing this time."
"You must have a bunch of lives to spare if you’re talking to me like that, huh?"
Belrua frowned. She pointed her meteorite dagger at Samikan's throat.
"Belrua, I will use whatever I have at my disposal."
"Sorry, but I have no intention of being used, so fuck off. I am Belrua of Red Sand. I have no intention of lying with a man who can't even wield iron."
"...Come to my tent whenever you change your mind."
Through this expedition, Samikan understood the importance of unity. It was better for tribes to be as closely knit as possible.
'As Urich said, when an enemy appears from beyond the mountains, we will unite more firmly. Not just the tribes of the Sky Mountains, but all tribes of this land will stand as one against the external enemy.'
Unity through the use of an external enemy.
Samikan wasn't afraid of enemies beyond the mountains. Rather, he awaited their appearance. Samikan and the alliance were ready to fight. All that remained was to defeat a formidable enemy and become a legend.
* * *
Urich attended an outdoor feast of the Phergamo Tribe. It was primarily a celebration of the return of Chikaka and the warriors.
'This stuff isn’t even close to filling my stomach.'
Urich thought as he looked at the sparingly served food. As would be expected from a tribe with vast forests, the food was fresh and varied. Though tasty, the portions were too small to be filling.
'In a situation like this, even picking up food feels awkward.'
Urich surveyed the banquet. The Phergamon warriors sat around a table made out of a log.
"The chief will be here soon. He must have been in a meeting with the tribe's advisors. It’s likely that they didn't come to a good conclusion."
Chikaka sat next to Urich and spoke.
"I was prepared for that. But them talking to us at least means there's a chance, right?"
"A positive attitude is always good."
Chikaka smiled. Urich picked up a worm skewer the size of his finger and popped it into his mouth. The outside was crunchy, but the inside was slightly undercooked, spreading the worm's gooey innards in his mouth.
"Woo-hoo-hoo!"
Intoxicated warriors shouted and did somersaults. The Phergamon warriors were incredibly agile.
"Quiet!"
A warrior in a crimson mask pounded the ground with his spear shaft and yelled. The jovial warriors immediately fell silent.
"He's finally here."
Urich stood up too. The Phergamon chief, escorted by his personal guard, entered the outdoor feast.
"I hope the meal suits your taste,” the Phergamon chief sat down and said formally.
"It's good and fresh. You can really taste the life in it."
Urich genuinely admired the food he was shown.
"That's good to hear. It might be your last meal, after all."
The Phergamon chief said coldly. Not just Urich, but the expressions of the attending Stone Axe warriors hardened. The Phergamon warriors who had been blade dancing pulled out their masks from their waists.
"You’re threatening me already? Tsk."
Urich drew his axe. He planted the axe in the log table and sat back down, crossing his arms.
The Phergamon warriors' eyes were drawn to the steel axe. The shine of the axe was extraordinary.
Urich looked around. The Phergamon warriors had already surrounded the banquet. Archers were also positioned in the trees.
"I didn’t want to say this as a threat... But if you kill me, more than five thousand warriors will come and demolish this place," Urich spoke slowly.
"You won't see our defeat. By then, the spirits will be guiding your soul."
The Phergamon chief smirked. He raised his hand high. Lowering it would signal the start of the attack.
"I am Urich, chief of the Stone Axe Tribe. Your hospitality seems lacking. Do you also kill your guests as if they are intruders?"
"Hospitality is a tale for kinfolk. We do not recognize you big idiots as kin."
The conversation between the Phergamon chief and Urich was getting heated.
Chikaka was the most anxious. Caught in a dilemma, he clenched his teeth.
"Urich is my guest."
Chikaka raised his head toward the chief.
"That was your mistake, Chikaka. I've finished talking with the advisors. Letting an outsider who knows our location leave is dangerous."
"I’m sure that’s what the advisors said to you. But they are not the ones who have seen the outside world. I, no, we, the mountain goat warriors, have always been in contact with the outside world. We made them fear us by killing. But this time, things are different. They won't fear us because they have more warriors than us."
Chikaka's words stirred the warriors, especially those who came with him, nodding in agreement. They had seen a tremendous number of warriors in the village. It was an army unseen in tribal society until now.
"Are you saying we will lose, Chikaka? You became a coward after losing our warriors and returning."
"There are those who talk bravely with their mouths but have never been outside. Anyone can fight with their words only."
Chikaka's bold statement caused a stir at the feast, especially among the mountain goat warriors, who resonated with his words. They always fought at the forefront, riding on mountain goats.
'Chikaka...'
Urich didn't understand the entire conversation, but he grasped the flow of it. Chikaka was challenging the chief and the advisors' opinions. Such actions were radical in the strictly hierarchical Phergamo Tribe.
"Are you seriously supporting this man’s threats! Chikaka, you've lost your mind!"
The Phergamon chief exploded in anger. Chikaka flinched but didn't blink.
"I'm just stating what I saw. The mountain goat warriors have kept Phergamo safe by winning battles against other tribes. But the outside world is changing. Tribes are uniting. Once they come together, even our mountain goat warriors won't remain a terrifying presence."
Phergamo was a tribe that had settled in their rich, fertile lands. They shunned contact with the outside, and their exclusive traditions weren’t going to crumble overnight.
"Chikaka has a point, chief. The losses of mountain goat warriors are increasing with each hunt. Incidents like this, where many warriors die, will only become more frequent."
An older mountain goat warrior, rich in experience, supported Chikaka's statement. His words encouraged other warriors to murmur in agreement.
Urich sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere. He still struggled with Phergamon language, so he rehearsed what he wanted to say in his head before speaking.
"I, no, we, will accept the Phergamo Tribe as brothers. You have my word on that. Our alliance needs warriors as strong and brave as you. I've seen many tribes, but none fight as skillfully on mountain goats as you Phergamons do. ...I hold a position as high as the chief of Phergamo, yet I came here myself because I value your warriors enough to risk my life. My death would start a war, and my safe return would be the start of a new exchange."
Urich's words made the Phergamon warriors widen their eyes. No one dislikes being acknowledged. For the mountain goat warriors, it was uncomfortable to think of killing Urich, who had approached them with goodwill. Urich clearly showed goodwill toward the Phergamon warriors.
"...And that was what I had to say to you as chief. If you still choose war, I will oppose you with all my might as a warrior. I will wreak havoc big enough to make sure you never forget me, even in your dreams. Becoming the terror of the enemies is a warrior's pride, just like your mountain goat warriors."
Urich bared his teeth like a predator. He picked up the axe on the table and drew the sword from his waist.
The Stone Axe warriors, not fully understanding the conversation, drew their weapons and assumed a battle stance. They were brothers with Urich and a community of fate. Whether they lived or died, they simply followed their chief.
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