A week later…
Town Outskirts, Giant Valley, Nux Territory…
Finally arriving at the foot of the mountain near the town, I led the party I had assembled. We were prepared for the task ahead: two tanks, two mages, three warriors, Jaxon, and myself as their leader. Our group exuded confidence, a result of careful balance and preparation for this subjugation mission in the Giant Valley.
"I'll repeat the mission: make the tribes in Giant Valley recognize the power of the Nux Family and submit to our authority. We will demonstrate our strength by plundering their resources. Then, we will clear the peak of the mountain. Understood?!" I commanded, ensuring everyone understood their roles.
Everyone nodded in agreement, though Jaxon remained silent. His dissent didn't bother me; I understood his rebellious nature, and despite it, I appreciated his loyalty and presence.
"Just don't get in our way," Jaxon murmured before moving ahead, leaving me slightly taken aback.
What was that supposed to mean? Did he doubt my ability to fight? How dare he underestimate me! I could handle monsters ranging from Class F to Class C on my own. Taking on a D-class monster alone was already a feat that required at least a C-rank party.
Jaxon could be so arrogant sometimes!
Our first encounter with a tribe of about 500 inhabitants went smoothly. They readily agreed to come under Nux Territory's rule, likely influenced by previous communications from my father's delegates.
The next tribe, with around 300 inhabitants, also submitted without resistance. However, as we approached the other side of the mountain, trouble struck. Arrows rained down on us without warning. Jaxon swiftly intercepted those aimed at me, but others in our party were not as fortunate, with some narrowly escaping being hit or grazed.
Jaxon remained vigilant, guarding me, but I pushed him aside firmly.
"I can defend myself," I insisted.
He regarded me impassively, then shrugged before climbing a tall tree to scout the area. I chose a nearby tree for cover as the arrows continued to rain down, causing alarm among our party.
Fear washed over me, but I held my ground steadfastly. Gripping the hilt of my sword, I summoned flames around it and swiftly moved from tree to tree, burning away any bushes in my path. The archers had spotted us, and I knew we had to act quickly.
Reaching a tree closer to where I suspected the archers were hiding, I began chanting a powerful offensive spell—Fire Blade. My sword, infused with a mana stone, transformed into a weaponized gadget that shot sword-shaped flames towards the direction of the arrows. Countless fiery blades rained down, forcing the archers to cease their attack on me. The silence that followed signaled their surprise and hesitation.
Seizing the opportunity, I cast another spell, conjuring an explosive force that erupted where the archers were hidden. Fire spread rapidly, engulfing the area and creating chaos among our unseen assailants. I erected a protective barrier around myself and charged forward, intent on confronting our attackers.
However, when I arrived, I found Jaxon already standing calmly behind a wooden fence and watchtower, blood staining his sword. He had swiftly dealt with the ambushers.
"You've already taken care of them?" I asked, incredulous, following his gaze to the village ahead.
He nodded silently and turned away, refocusing on the task at hand.
My party regrouped, and we approached the wooden gates of the tribe's village, surrounded by fences as tall as trees. The gates were closed, but archers appeared atop the fences, ready to defend their home.
Damn it! I had let my guard down.
Nevertheless, with my protective barrier still in place, I knew my next move had to set an example. My party unleashed a barrage on the gates, forcing them open. Jaxon used water arrows to immobilize the archers above, leaving only the warriors to confront us at the gate.
Infuriated, I swung my sword, sending flaming blades towards the warriors, but they skillfully evaded them. Jaxon intervened, parrying my flames, causing me confused for a moment.
My frustration boiled over, and I shot an angry glare at Jaxon, who remained unaffected by his actions.
"What are you doing? Are you betraying us?" I demanded, frustration and confusion mounting as I confronted Jaxon.
He shook his head, his expression grave, and pointed towards the houses in the village—the largest tribe we had encountered so far.
I couldn't fathom his intentions. It seemed like an act of betrayal, plain and simple.
"What?!" I exclaimed, unable to hide my disbelief.
Jaxon remained steadfast before releasing a sigh. "Families. Are you certain you want to plunder this tribe when they have so little resources?"
I glanced at the huts made of wood, barely resembling proper homes. They were more akin to shelters for livestock than places for people.
"I am. So what?" I retorted, trying to assert my authority.
"Oliver! Your father tasked you to bring them under Nux Territory, not to massacre them," Jaxon countered firmly.
I couldn't help but scoff. Did Jaxon suddenly have moral qualms about our mission? It seemed like a feeble attempt to manipulate the situation.
My head shook involuntarily at the sight.
"I know you're strong. But if you betray us, we'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth. Choose," I warned, trying to appeal to his loyalty.
"I'm not betraying anyone. I want you to think this through. Why kill the tribe?" Jaxon persisted, his tone unwavering.
"To show them the might of the Nux Family! To make them fear us!" I argued, growing increasingly exasperated. "I thought you had a brain, but you seem intent on playing the hero?"
"Spoiled brat," He muttered, a hint of being irritated. "Who would submit to the Nux Family if we let the competent ones live? The mission would be pointless."
His words struck a chord, leaving me momentarily speechless. Maybe he had a point that I hadn't considered.
Recalling my father's orders, I pondered the boundaries of my authority. Wasn't it crucial to set an example to ensure their obedience? Wasn't that how things were done?
"They attacked us without provocation. It's proof of their hostility!" I insisted, hoping to sway him.
But Jaxon remained unmoved by my arguments.
"Hey, young man. If you can't stomach this, you can stay outside. Let us do our job," one of the tanks from my party suggested, backed by others.
"Damn you! You think you can decide our fate!" a tribesman behind Jaxon erupted, swinging his sword towards him. Jaxon swiftly dodged the attack and, in a blink, subdued the tribesman.