Free Web NovelChapter 221: The Wish Of The Sandreaver Tribe [Part 2]
Leone sat calmly while facing Malik. He had taken the Chieftain to the conference room he had prepared for important meetings like this.
"First, I want to form an alliance with the Aslan Tribe," Malik said in a serious tone. "Unlike the Grimhowl Tribe, I would take you seriously. I plan to form a true alliance with you.
"However, I do understand that you want to fight against the Darkmane Tribe without anyone’s help. As such, we can announce our alliance after the battle ends."
"Even if we were to lose?" Leone asked. "Will you still want to ally with us even then?"
Of course, he had no intention of losing. If anything, this was only a what-if scenario of the Aslan Tribe losing.
"You might not win this war, but you will definitely not lose," Malik replied. "I don’t know what kind of plan you have in mind, but I believe that the Aslan Tribe will overcome this calamity. Plus, even if you do lose, the Sandreaver Tribe will immediately step in to save you and your tribe from harm. This, I promise you."
Leone could feel Malik’s sincerity. However, who knew if the other could truly keep his promise? It was something only time could tell. Still, allying with the pacifist, ever-neutral Sandreaver Tribe had its benefits.
"Very well. I accept this alliance." Leone nodded. "We can formalize everything once my war against the Darkmane Tribe is over."
"Good." Malik sighed before bringing up another matter, which concerned his own tribe. "I actually came here for two reasons. The first one is to see what the Aslan Tribe is like, as well as the chieftain who leads them. The second is because my shaman has asked me to come here to ask for your help."
"And what kind of assistance do you need from us?" Leone inquired.
"I wish to tell you a very tight secret, and I implore that you do not tell a single soul. Including your vassals," Malik said in a serious tone. "Truth be told, our Guardian is dying."
"The Death Worm?"
"No. The Death Worm is a fake guardian. Our Sandreaver Tribe has one more Guardian, and it’s stronger than the Elder Deathworm."
Leone was genuinely surprised to hear Malik’s reply. The Death Worms were Rank 6 monsters that exclusively lived in the desert where the Sandreaver Tribe was located.
If they had a Guardian stronger than the Death Worms, then that being must be at least Rank 7 in Daedalus’ ranking system.
In the past, the grimoire had told him that the Sandreaver Tribe might be hiding a big secret. If that secret in question was the existence of a stronger Guardian, then the other high-ranking tribes would definitely take this matter seriously.
"Tell me more about this Guardian, then," Leone replied after he regained his composure.
"Our true Guardian is an Earth Dragon," Malik explained. "Its existence has allowed us to live in the desert, for it regularly creates oases for us by burrowing deep underground to find water. It is also the one responsible for creating Sand Steel, which our tribe uses for our weapons and armor.
"Last but not least, it controls the Death Worms that protect our tribe. If anything, they only follow its commands out of fear. However, once our Guardian is dead, even if the Death Worms do not necessarily harm us, they are no longer duty-bound to protect us."
"I see." Leone nodded in understanding.
An Earth Dragon was a formidable existence, so it wasn’t unreasonable for the Death Worms to obey its orders. But if the Earth Dragon was dying, the Sandreaver Tribe would lose its protectors.
"How much longer can your Guardian live?" Leone inquired.
"According to its own estimate, it might not last until next year," Malik answered. "What’s worse is, the egg it gave us for safeguarding has not cracked, let alone hatched, for the past 100 years. It’s truly worrisome.
"If the egg doesn’t hatch, the Sandreaver Tribe might be forced to relocate out of the desert before our oases dry up."
The young man understood Malik’s concern. However, he realized something. Why was he asking Leone for help? ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"I don’t know anything about Earth Dragons, so I don’t know if I can help," Leone replied. "Also, I cannot leave Grimjaw Mountain with the threat of the Darkmane Tribe upon us." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
"I understand that." Malik nodded. "That’s why I was hoping to invite you to our tribe after the war ends. If you see it in person, perhaps you’ll know if you can do something about it. I know I’m asking for too much, but our shaman said that if it’s you, then you might be able to find a solution that would solve our dilemma."
"Allow me to guess. Were you hoping for my assistance in hatching the egg?" Leone crossed his arms over his chest. "But it’s already been a hundred years since that egg was laid. Is the dragon inside it still alive?"
"It is still alive," Malik answered without hesitation. "Our Guardian said that its heartbeat is weak, but it is still very much alive."
"Can’t you help it hatch then?" Leone eyed Malik with a serious gaze. "Something like lightly pounding the shell so it will crack?"
"We don’t dare to do such a thing." Malik shook his head. "The Earth Dragon is also against using such a method. If we make a mistake, the consequences will be dire."
The young man lowered his head as if thinking. In reality, he was just talking to Daedalus.
’Is it possible for us to hatch the egg?’ Leone asked.
’Absolutely,’ Daedalus answered with confidence. ’As long as the baby dragon inside the egg is still alive, then we can safely hatch the egg without problems. However, it will require BP.’
’How much BP are we talking about?’
’50,000.’
Leone almost choked on his saliva after hearing such an absurd amount of BP.
The reward he gained from completing his mission was 50,000 BP.
The young man then checked the remaining BP he had left. While he did want to make the Sandreaver Tribe indebted to him, he would need to keep some BP for himself to ensure that the Aslan Tribe would have enough for emergencies.
[BP: 59,778]
’I have enough... but.’ Leone hesitated over whether he should commit to helping the Sandreaver Tribe.
There were pros and cons to using the BP in order to help the Sandreaver Tribe. Though after discussing it with Daedalus, both eventually agreed that the pros outweighed the cons.
The Sandreaver Tribe was one of the high-ranking tribes of the Borderlands. If they successfully solved their dilemma, then gaining their friendship and support would undoubtedly benefit the Aslan Tribe in the future.
As for Malik, he patiently waited for Leone’s answer, hoping the young chieftain would be willing to lend them a helping hand.
Neither of them knew that this decision would eventually become one of the most important turning points in the history of the Sandreaver Tribe.
For hidden within the endless sea of sand was a secret that they would only uncover when Leone finally set foot in the Sandreaver Tribe.
