The scouts from the various tribes couldn’t help but stare at Ulric’s mount with envy and jealousy.
They had never seen a flying horse in the Borderlands, so they wanted to ask where he had caught it.
So of the thick-skinned ones did try. But Ulric only smiled faintly and offered no answer.
The scouts understood. If they were in his shoes, they would also gatekeep where one could capture such a magnificent steed.
After nearly thirty minutes of traversing the forest, they finally arrived at a clearing surrounded by high wooden walls.
"Open the gates," Ulric called to Castor and Pollus, who stood guard by the barracks entrance.
""Yes, Chief!""
The two opened the gates, allowing everyone to pass through.
Leone and Daedalus had gone all out in constructing the barracks and training grounds. Its size was roughly a hundred thousand square ters, about the size of a large football stadium.
It could comfortably host over a thousand warriors as they trained daily.
"T-This..." one of the scouts couldn’t help but gasp, staring at the interior of the barracks of the Alborin Tribe.
It was quite spacious. There were around fifteen big houses that could serve as the warriors’ dormitory rooms, weapon, ammunition, and food storage rooms.
Leone had copied the size of their territory’s barracks and even the buildings inside. The only major difference was the construction materials used. The buildings here were made of wood, for they did not have enough stone.
"Kael, you’ve traveled a long way," Ulric said. "You can take that big house as lodging while you stay. Feel free to use that area over there as a kitchen as well.
"If you need anything, just let Castor and Pollux know. They’ll let know as soon as possible. Well then, I still have things to do. Please make yourselves comfortable. By the way, you’re only permitted to stay here in the barracks. Going up the mountain is strictly forbidden.
"Any attempt to trespass will make you our enemy. I hope you will not make things difficult for us."
After he was done speaking, Ulric urged Arion to fly back to the top of the cliff. He already had an idea as to why the Riverfang Tribe had co to see them. But now was not the ti to talk to Kael about it.
Scouts from the other tribes were still loitering in the area, and they would certainly report everything they saw when they returned to their own tribes.
"Thank you, Arion," Ulric said as soon as the pegasus landed near the entrance of the cave.
Arion neighed softly, telling Ulric it was not a big deal and that Leone had ordered it to accompany the Chieftain to see their guests.
They entered the cave together, heading to Leone to make a report.
A few minutes later...
"I think they have co to seek asylum," Ulric said calmly. "I’ve known the Riverfang Tribe for years, and frankly they are treated far worse than the Alborin Tribe. If they join us, it will greatly boost our fighting force."
"I see..." Leone nodded in understanding. "How do you think we should handle this, Daedalus?"
"Good question," Daedalus replied. "Right now, I believe news of Arlo’s defeat has reached nearly all the barbarian tribes in the Borderlands. The stronger tribes must be spying on us to check if we’ll pose a threat to them. anwhile, the weaker tribes might be thinking of seeking shelter within our domain.
"The Riverfang Tribe might not be the last tribe who would ask for our protection from the other tribes who wish to absorb them. But it will be more difficult for them to co over since the scouts from the other tribes will definitely report the Riverfang Tribe’s arrival."
Ulric nodded. "Kael is a very wise leader. He must’ve understood that the balance of power among the lower-ranking tribes is broken and so decided to evacuate his tribe while he still could.
"Once the stronger tribes realize what the Riverfang Tribe is up to, they’ll prevent the other tribes from doing the sa thing. They’ll likely send people to monitor those tribes and make sure they can’t leave."
Daedalus agreed with Ulric’s statent. "For now, let’s focus on consolidating and strengthening our forces. Kael will definitely ask for an audience later. Agree to it, but add a condition that he must co alone."
"Will Leone attend the eting as well?" Ulric asked.
"Yes," Daedalus replied. "It’s ti for him to know a few things about diplomacy. But he’ll simply listen and won’t contribute to the discussion. You have more experience when it cos to negotiations, so we’ll only observe during the proceedings.
"But one thing is clear. If they wish to seek asylum here in Grimjaw Mountain, Kael must beco Leone’s Vassal. This is non-negotiable."
Ulric nodded, agreeing with the Grimoire’s condition. Leone was a special existence to them, so his safety was their top priority. For now, he must not make an appearance lest the other tribes learn of his existence.
Once the Riverfang Tribe had truly joined their faction, they would finally have enough warriors to protect the young man.
Leone was now the official Chieftain of the Alborin Tribe, and Ulric served as his Vice Chieftain.
So the final say in any negotiations would still co from Leone.
After the eting ended, Ulric returned to the entrance of the cave to prepare for his eting with Kael.
anwhile, Leone looked at the rewards he gained after completing his fifth mission.
The barracks had been finished just a few hours ago, and he was eager to see the rewards awarded to him.
————
[Fifth Mission: Build the Foundations of Civilization - (Completed!)]
Objectives:
— Construct a Barracks [1/1]
— Construct a Storage Facility [1/1]
— Construct a Training Ground [1/1]
— Construct ten Residential Houses [10/10]
[Rewards]
400 BP
– dicine Work Bench [Unlocked]
– One Rare Blueprint of your choice.
– The maximum number of Vassals have now increased to five.
– Number of Vassals [4/5]
[Bonus Rewards]
5 Stat Points to all the Stat Paraters of your Vassals
5 Stat Points to all of Leone Frontera’s Stat Paraters
————
Leone smiled from ear to ear after seeing his stats increase again. He couldn’t wait for the ti when his stats would surpass Yuni’s, giving him the bragging rights to say he was stronger than her.
"Daedalus, I got a Rare Blueprint," Leone said in excitent. "What kind of things can I unlock with this?"
"Why don’t you see for yourself?" Daedalus opened his pages and showed a projection of the Blueprint Page in the Arcane Shop.
The young man didn’t hesitate to click the "Rare Blueprint" category to browse the things he could unlock with his reward.
"Wait... there are also blueprints for weapons?" Leone’s eyes widened in shock. "I can unlock the blueprint of a Rare Weapon?"
"Exactly," Daedalus replied. "This is very helpful for building an army. If they’re all equipped with rare weapons, it’s easier for you to raise them to Elite Warriors. Elite Warriors are at least Rank 2 Warriors. Their combined stats must be above 300 for them to gain the title."
Leone scratched his head. Having Elite Warriors was a good thing, but training them would take ti, effort, and resources.
"Also, congratulations, Leone," Daedalus said. "You are no longer Rankless. You have officially beco a Rank 1 Hero King. Now it’s ti for you to finally learn skills that rightfully belong to you!"
Daedalus opened its pages and projected the Hero King’s Skill Tree. Through this, Leone could choose skills and abilities that would open whenever he grew stronger.
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