Gundar got carried away with his storytelling, telling Leone how he personally killed the previous Chieftain of the Darkmane Tribe after the latter did sothing the old man couldn’t forgive.
It was then that the high-ranking tribes realized the extent of Gundar’s strength. He was also the very reason why they reinforced the law that no chieftains must be hard unless they were at war with another tribe.
The mont Varus hard Leone, the high-ranking tribes, especially the Darkmane Tribe, beca anxious, fearing that history might repeat itself.
If there was another precedent of a chieftain getting hurt by so random tribe mber from another tribe, this might break the one law that protected them from assassinations!
Using lethal poison and assassination were the two things the Barbarians looked down upon the most. Anyone who used such underhanded thods would be executed without fail.
That was the only way they could prevent such things from becoming the norm in the Borderlands.
"As expected of Great Uncle," Leone said with praise. "You’re so strong that you can singlehandedly destroy a high-ranking tribe on your own."
"Hmph! You should have seen when I was fifty years younger," Gundar replied with a smile. "Back then, I was unstoppable!"
"Great Uncle, you’re so amazing! How about you beco my vassal?" Leone asked.
"You brat! You still haven’t given up!" Gundar didn’t know if he should laugh or cry at the outright poaching the young man was doing.
"Tsk! I almost had you." Leone clicked his tongue.
"Fool! Do you really think that will ever happen?!" Gundar smacked the young man’s head with his fist, making the latter cry out in pain.
Yuni only giggled from the side, finding Leone’s antics funny.
"Anyway, don’t let your guard down," Gundar said in a serious tone. "Once those tribes arrive, they might not attack you right away. Instead, they might send ssenger birds to ask for reinforcents from the Darkmane Tribe, as well as reinforcents from the other middle-ranked tribes.
"If they only wait for one more week, thousands of reinforcents will co. By then, you will really have a problem."
Leone nodded in understanding. "So, all we have to do is eliminate their ssengers, right? Whether it be ssenger birds or people, they must be eliminated at all cost."
Blitz, who was perched on Leone’s shoulder, made a cutting motion over its neck with its paws.
*Squeak!*
"Alright, Blitz. I’ll let you handle the ssengers. Make sure to eliminate them at all costs."
"Squeak!"
The flying squirrel gave Leone a salute before patting its chest, as if telling everyone that they could count on it to handle this mission.
Blitz was the fastest among Leone’s vassals. It was now even strong enough to fight multiple enemies at the sa ti, so letting it handle the ssengers of the various tribes wouldn’t be a problem.
"If they have any brains, they will probably try to intimidate us with words and force us to surrender," Kael comnted. "They will also give us promises to lower our guard."
"Good luck to them," Leone replied. "I’ll make sure that no warrior of the Bloodtusk Tribe and the Ashclaw Tribe will leave this place alive."
The young man already knew that he and these two tribes couldn’t co-exist. Since that was the case, his priority was to eliminate them once and for all.
"I’ll just remind you that one of the sons of the Chieftain of the Darkmane Tribe will also participate in this battle," Gundar said. "He is of the sa age as you, Leone. Capture him alive if possible. You can use him as a hostage, or you can use him to ask for ransom.
"Either way, don’t kill him. If he dies, you and the Darkmane Tribe will beco enemies for life."
"How would I know who he is?" Leone asked.
"Oh, believe . You’ll notice him right away," Gundar answered. "The high-ranking officials of the Darkmane Tribe always wear a black cape when they go to battle."
"I see." Leone nodded. "Very well. I’ll do my best to capture him. Great Uncle, you won’t be participating in the war, right?"
"I can’t." Gundar shook his head. "I represent the Grimhowl Tribe. We don’t have a valid justification to participate in this war."
"Then can I ask a favor?" Leone said in a serious tone.
"That depends on what kind of favor you are asking," Gundar replied.
"Great Uncle, when the battle starts, the battlefield will be chaotic. The son of the Chieftain of the Darkmane Tribe might get hit by a stray arrow or a falling rock. If you think he is in danger, can you try to save him and make the Darkmane Tribe owe you one?"
Gundar played with his beard while considering this proposal. A few minutes later, he finally replied.
"I can’t promise you anything," Gundar replied. "Even if my intentions are good, people might think I am supporting your tribe, which will lead to complications. If he were to actually die such a ridiculous death, then so be it. It’s his fault for underestimating his enemy."
"Then, wouldn’t that make the Darkmane Tribe our enemy?" Leone blinked.
"It’s fine." Gundar sneered. "After the war ends, I will declare that the Aslan Tribe and the Grimhowl Tribe will be allies. Even if the Darkmane Tribe becos your enemies, they would have to think twice before doing anything!"
"Wow!" Leone clapped his hands. "As expected of Great Uncle. Truly powerful!"
Gundar knew the young man was just flattering him. But for so reason, getting flattered by Leone felt so good that he didn’t mind it one bit!
"Great Uncle, are there any strong warriors we should look out for?" Leone asked. "For example, those who are as strong as Ulric or those who are very proficient with bows? If there are other warriors with special abilities, please tell about them as well."
"There are many warriors in the Borderlands who are as strong as Ulric," Gundar said with confidence. "However, they belong to the high-ranking tribes.
"Of course, the middle-ranked tribes have their own powerhouse. For the Bloodtusk Tribe, it’s the Juggernaut. But I think Ulric is slightly stronger than him..."
The old shaman could vaguely sense the strength of a person. And based off his comparison through his senses, he deed that Ulric was still stronger than the Juggernaut.
"As for the Grimfang Tribe, they have the Hyena. He is a very opportunistic warrior also known for his deadliness in close combat," Gundar added. "You are a bit lucky that the Redmaw Tribe is not joining this fight. Their strongest archer, Eagle Eye, is a very dangerous enemy.
"He can shoot twice as far as any archer, and his accuracy is the best among ALL the tribes. Even the high-ranking tribes desire him very much, my tribe included. If not for the fact that he is actually the son of the Chieftain of the Redmaw Tribe, he might have already sworn allegiance to others."
Gundar continued to tell the nas of the powerhouses of the different tribes, which Leone, his vassals, and the warriors of their tribes paid close attention to.
Since the old shaman was already there, he went out of his way to give Leone additional advice on the kind of warfare that barbarians do.
He hoped this would help the young man plan his defenses for the upcoming siege that would take place in a few days.
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