In the brick house of the returning Vanguard squad, torches were lit, and important managers of the tribe gathered together, creating a lively atmosphere.
Clara and Tia suddenly brought back over a dozen people from the Chagga Tribe, who were to join the Crimson Star Tribe. This was definitely a major event, and if not handled properly, could lead to trouble.
Clara spoke up first: "Lord Enzo, I do not recommend keeping those who have experience as plunderers."
Although Clara was also from the Chagga Tribe and had killed people from other tribes, she did not fit the definition of a plunderer as judged by the tribes.
Conflicts between tribes were inevitable, and various insidious methods such as ambushes and poisoning were common. While many tribes scorned such methods, they were still commonly used in disputes.
Plunderers, however, took joy in plundering.
They stole food from other tribes not to feed themselves but simply for the pleasure of taking and watching the members of those tribes suffer from hunger and even die.
These so-called plunderers were truly demons.
Enzo looked at Clara and said, "Clara, don't misunderstand me. I'm not giving them a chance just because of you. In fact, I don't believe they can last a month of labor. If they can behave themselves and work well for a month, then they won't be plunderers anymore."
With that, Enzo instructed Tia, "Tia, for now, send out a few members of the combat teams to keep a close eye on them. If they dare to cause trouble, just kill them."
Tia nodded, and the others had no objections.
As for the regular workers, they were dispersed and assigned to different areas for work. These individuals also required close attention, but that was the responsibility of Sovita, Ward, Brian, and others.
With the matters concerning the Chagga Tribe members settled, the temporary meeting moved on to other topics.
Enzo then asked, "Clara, what happened with the Chagga Tribe?"
Clara briefed him on the situation.
After hearing the details, the atmosphere in the room shifted noticeably.
Sovita looked particularly panicked, with anger evident in his eyes, as he informed Enzo, "Five years ago, the Crimson Star Tribe had around five hundred members. At that time, the tribe was thriving, with many children under the age of ten. Then the plunderers from the Chew Bone Tribe arrived. They cruelly killed the tribe's children and women, leading to a generational gap in our tribe. Only Tia and a few other children survived."
This was a tragic chapter in the history of the Crimson Star Tribe.
As Sovita recounted the story, Ward, Brian, and others also felt sorrow, as their own children and wives had perished at the hands of the Chew Bone Tribe.
Learning of this history, anger surged within Enzo.
He asked, "Did no tribe attempt to eliminate the plunderers from the Chew Bone Tribe?"
Clara sighed and replied, "Many tribes have tried, but without success. The Chew Bone Tribe doesn't have a fixed camp, and once word gets out about any attempt to eliminate them, it triggers their furious retaliation. However, in the past two or three years, the Chew Bone Tribe has been less active. But now, they've resurfaced."
Enzo frowned, speculating, "Is it related to the sacrifices?"
Clara nodded, sharing the same thought, saying, "It's very likely. Unfortunately, there's no precise information about the sacrifices, but given the Chew Bone Tribe's style, many tribes in this area are likely to suffer attacks." With that, the trail went cold.
The plan to assimilate the Chagga Tribe had fallen through, and an attack from the Chew Bone Tribe could strike at any moment. Plans never kept pace with the changes, and these sudden twists frustrated Enzo.
Yet, this was another characteristic of the primal era—filled with randomness.
You never knew when a hostile tribe might perish due to some unforeseen event, be it an attack by supernatural creatures, a sudden meteorite strike, or the spread of a disease...
Amidst the camp, a commotion arose once again.
"The Vanguard squad is back!"
The tribe members shouted loudly, but their voices were tinged with panic.
Enzo realized something was amiss and rushed over with Sovita and the others, only to see the Vanguard squad's captain, Heru, clutching his empty right sleeve, his face drained of color.
Only four members of the returning Vanguard squad remained.
Heru stumbled forward and knelt before Enzo, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Lord Priest, the Vanguard squad encountered the plunderers from the Chew Bone Tribe. I failed to protect the other members!"
Enzo helped Heru up and spoke softly, "Heru, this isn't your fault."
With that, he emitted a green light from his palm, healing Heru and the other three members of the returning Vanguard squad, ensuring they were out of immediate danger.
Then he said, "Heru, please tell me what happened."
Heru nodded, his eyes filled with sadness, his right sleeve still empty.
Although the Tree of Life Totem could heal wounds, it couldn't regenerate lost limbs. Losing his right arm was a devastating blow for Heru, even though he was a hero of the tribe.
He would no longer be able to serve as the captain of the Vanguard squad, a harsh reality that couldn't be changed by personal will.
Next to the crackling fire pit, Heru's voice rang out as he recounted the findings of their recent exploration and their encounter with the Chew Bone Tribe, his tone becoming calm.
...
Over ten days ago, the Vanguard squad, equipped with sufficient supplies, departed from the tribe's camp.
Under Heru's leadership, they crossed two tall mountains and luckily stumbled upon the rock salt mine mentioned by Enzo, albeit smaller in quantity compared to the lizard cave, but safer.
Heru instructed the accompanying members to record the route on stone tablets before they continued.
Following the stream, they journeyed for another dozen kilometers and entered a cave, where they discovered some red and yellow minerals mixed together. Heru and his companions were unsure of what they were but collected some samples nonetheless.
Afterwards, they left the cave
They continued their exploration outward.
On the sixth day of their departure from the camp, they encountered several refugees. From them, Heru learned about the Stone Bull Tribe's encounter with floods and the trend of those ominous clouds moving towards the direction of the Crimson Star Tribe, which worried Heru greatly. He decided to end the exploration and return to the camp.
The Stone Bull Tribe was over a thousand kilometers away from the Crimson Star Tribe.
Considering the speed of the cloud movement, the Crimson Star Tribe had about half a month to prepare, which was relatively ample time. Therefore, on their way back, Heru chose a different route to explore the surrounding areas for any undiscovered minerals.
However, this time, an unexpected event occurred.
By the fire pit, Heru continued, "Lord Enzo, we found thousands of members from various tribes imprisoned in the cave beneath Bald Mountain. Their faces were smeared with blood, seemingly some kind of peculiar mark. We intended to return to the tribe first, but we were discovered."
At this point, Heru's emotions became somewhat uncontrollable, and he sobbed uncontrollably.
After a few minutes, he finally calmed down and continued, "The person who discovered us possesses some sort of special perceptual ability, able to sense the presence of other life forms around them. Our escape became extremely difficult, and it was only thanks to continuous arrow harassment that some members of the Vanguard squad survived."
"Lord Priest, I have failed your trust!"
Heru lamented.
Enzo sighed, looking at Heru, and said sternly, "Heru, the Vanguard squad encountered an accident, and it's not your fault! But now you should be thinking about how to avenge the fallen members of the Vanguard squad, not shedding tears. You are the brave warrior of the Crimson Star Tribe, not a coward!"
Heru lifted his head and said, "Lord Priest, but I..."
His right arm lost, he felt like a cripple.
Enzo understood Heru's thoughts and said, "Heru, one arm does not define you. You still have plenty of experience to impart to other tribe members. You are a hero of the tribe, not a criminal."
Hearing this, Heru felt ashamed of his thoughts.
Enzo didn't say more but ordered the Vanguard squad to rest. As for the stone tablets, collected minerals, and seeds brought back by the Vanguard squad, they were sent to his residence.
The camp returned to tranquility.
Only by the fire pit did Enzo and a few others continue their discussions.
Sovita sighed repeatedly, then stood up and exclaimed, "Lord Priest, we must make the Chew Bone Tribe pay for this!"