Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Urich entered the tent, his eyes rolling around and scanning the inside.

'Noah Arten is here too.'

Urich gazed at Noah, who nodded slightly to him in greeting. They had no personal animosity; if it werent for the complex situation, they might have even been close, as they seemed to be sharing a strange bond.

'Hes also a man who crossed the mountains to experience both worlds.'

It was rare to find someone else whos also experienced the two worlds.

"Ah, Urich. Come and sit here."

Samikan happily invited Urich to a cushioned seat. Urich sat down and looked at the fire. There was meat being barbecued over the fire, and the sweet and savory aroma of the meat intensified with each drop of its grease burning in the fire with a sizzle.

"You dont send me into battle these days."

Urich grumbled, cutting the surface of the cooked meat, taking a bite, and washing it down with a drink.

"You know exactly why I dont, don't you?"

"So, how long are you going to keep me here for no reason?"

"Holding you here is the objective itself."

Samikan laughed, lifting a cup made of a buffalo horn.

"I am a free man. I'm going to go back to my tribe."

"That would be a problem for me. Why do you think I didn't completely wipe out the Stone Axe Tribe?"

Urich spun the cutting knife in his hand. He could kill everyone here if he wanted to. Samikan was a great chief, but as a warrior, Urich was far superior.

"I'll become the chief of my tribe."

Urich spoke, staring into the fire. The flames flared aggressively as the grease dripped, casting flickering shadows in front of Urich's eyes.

"...Is that really your choice? You're choosing a difficult path. I understand your strong attachment to the tribe, but it's the same tribe that once turned its back on you. You've already done enough for them."

Samikan wanted Urich as his own subordinate. Urich was a dual-natured warriorcautious yet impulsive, calm yet passionate.

"I was an orphan of the plains. I don't even know my parents' faces or names. The Stone Axe is the tribe that took me in and raised me... Even if that tribe turns its back on me, I won't turn my back on it."

Samikan squinted his eyes.

'That's why I wanted to keep him as my subordinate.'

Urich didn't play games, nor did he rack his brains to find an easy way out. He chose the hard path, according to his duty and principle. Those who play games betray those around them without hesitation at the sight of better opportunities.

"You want me to send you back so you can become chief? That is ridiculous. I'm not foolish enough to let a potential enemy grow stronger."

Samikan glanced at a sword lying nearby.Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

"I hold no grudge against your conquests. In fact, I support you, as long as my tribe isn't the target. I want the tribes to unite as quickly as possible. In three or four years, and thats at most, we'll all have to fight together."

"Are you still talking about that enemy of yours beyond the mountains? Keke."

Samikan chuckled, covering his mouth with his fist. He looked intently at Noah, who sat impassively.

"Let's make an oath of brotherhood, Samikan. That'll be our vow not to be enemies."

The smile faded from Samikans face.

"Are you being serious right now? I am your tribe's biggest enemy."

"Let's forget past grievances and become one. I've seen people manage to do that in the past."

The north and west were similar in many ways. They both had limited resources, harsh environments, and people killing and plundering each other for survival. Even the north managed to become united after putting their mutual grievances aside.

"If we make this oath and I become chief of the Stone Axe, us, the Red Sand, and the Blue Mist will all be virtually allies. We'll be the largest and strongest power in the plains and wastelands. We can advance further west. Under the western sky, we'll swallow all tribes."

Samikan stared at Urich, enticed by the offer. A troublesome element seemed to have vanished in the blink of an eye.

I didnt think hed be the one to offer brotherhood first. His ability to see the bigger picture is quite impressive.'

Samikan had thought of brotherhood as a strategy but never believed Urich would accept.

"You're proposing an alliance of tribes."

"No matter how strong your Blue Mist is, it's at most comparable to Red Sand. It's hard to conquer them, and I believe you know that very well."

"Thats not a bad offer. But I have a condition, Urich. Support me as the supreme chief."

Urich nodded. Samikan's face brightened.

Urich greeted each person as he passed by. He wiped his face with a wet cloth to clean off the dust.

"Kirungka!"

Urich called out to Kirungka in the distance. Kirungka was also in disbelief, overjoyed to see his brother and sister again.

"Urich, I should start with this. Thank you. I don't know what kind of deal you had to make, but getting the family back is what matters most."

Kirungkas smile was genuine. Urich patted his shoulder and nodded.

"Where's Gizzle?"

Kirungka's expression changed. He looked at Urich and shook his head.

"He went hunting and hasn't returned. It's been three days."

"A hunt lasting over three days is normal, but Gizzle is the chief..."

"Yes, that's the problem. Gizzle never leaves the village for more than two days. Hes always prioritized his duty as chief more than anything."

Gizzle was missing, and the whole tribe was aware of his absence.

Vald approached Urich upon hearing this.

"This could be a good thing for us. If Gizzle doesn't return, you would naturally become the chief."

"Well... I think I need to find Gizzle first."

Urich asked around the tribe, but no one knew where Gizzle could have gone.

Soon the Stone Axe warriors learned why the captives were freed. Hearing about the brotherhood pact with Samikan, they had mixed reactions. Influential warriors gathered and discussed.

"An oath of brotherhood with Samikan, this is I don't know what to say."

"But that must have been the only way."

"The important thing is that everyone is back."

"But what about our revenge? Where should our anger and hatred be directed now?"

Various opinions were exchanged. Some had forgotten their anger in their joy, while others still held on to it.

"Urich made the brotherhood oath, and as a token of respect, our people were returned. We can't attack the Blue Mist. That would be petty and despicable."

Everyone agreed on that.

"The bigger problem is the absence of our chief. Talking among ourselves is pointless without a leader. We dont have a head! If, for some reason, the chief never returns..."

"Don't let words become reality! Don't speak carelessly!"

Despite various opinions, the Stone Axe Tribe celebrated with a festival. They danced and sang all night.

Urich took a chunk of smoked meat and headed to the forest. He always visited the old shaman when he returned from a trip.

The old shaman welcomed Urich with the meat. She put a pot on the fire, telling him shed make a delicious soup.

"Today I added the extra good stuff! You being so sturdy is all thanks to me, Urich."

Urich shrugged and casually sat down.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just give me a reading. Gizzle went hunting and no ones heard from him since. If you can tell me the general direction of where he went, I'll go look for him."

The old shaman, putting herbs into the pot, grinned, showing her yellow teeth.

"That brat went up the mountain. I sent him with a talisman to ward off the evil spirits."

Urich jumped up, his eyes wide.

"He went up the mountain? Gizzle did?"

"Don't worry. He has my talisman, so hell return without any curses."

"You stupid old hag..."

Urich frowned. Hearing Urichs insult, the old shaman smacked his head with a wooden spoon. Urich snatched her fur cloak and wrapped it around himself.

"Eat my cooking first, you rascal!"

"Shut up. The mountain is dangerous, not because of evil spirits. It's not a place to cross without any preparation. Which way did Gizzle go?"

Urich had crossed the mountains twice and knew how dangerous it was.

'Why did you cross the mountains, Gizzle?'

He already knew the answer. Gizzle was always like this. Whenever Urich achieved something, Gizzle tried to do the same. That was their competition.