After the deal was struck, Zysera and a few of the lizardman guards rode off into the distance with quick haste
They had to not only reach the hundred tribes in a few days, but they also had to find a way to convince their tribe, the Yolan tribe, to send out strong fighters to negotiate with the human tribes on their behalf.
It was a tough task, but they had no choice.
"Hehe," watching the silhouette of Zysera and her guardsmen ride off into the distance, Cious rubbed his hands slyly as an evil smile formed on his face. Then, like clockwork, he looked over at Qarc and said,
"Tell me, kid, what do you do for fun?"
His words were very friendly, but the tone at which he spoke sent chills down Qarc's spine. He could understand why Malvorrak would want to harm him, but what had he ever done to this little lizard?
…
A few days later, the villagers of Yolan village had successfully settled at the back of Malvorrak's mountain, laying out rudimentary tents and campfires for basic living.
This was to be a temporary settlement, so there was no need for any elaborate constructions, especially if it was to be done on territory that belonged to the wild Malvorrak.
"This is embarrassing; we are seeking help from that wild beast? Wasn't he the one who put us in this situation in the first place?" One of the villagers, a Kiajin male no older than sixteen, commented grumpily as he sat on the floor with his back against a wooden board next to a tent.
"You have a better idea? Or do you think the humans will spare you?" Right next to him, a Shelka female snorted in annoyance while she folded several items of clothing into a basket.
She knew the horrors of the savage humans; her parents had lived through the conquests of the savage humans, and their words to her were clear as day: those savage humans were ruthless and relentless. They would not take any form of disrespect lying down.
She believed that Zysera's call was the right one. And it wasn't like she was dumping them here forever; this guy in front of her just liked to complain.
"They will if I give them the true culprits of the lost treasure," the young Kiajin male said shiftily.
All they needed to do was present Malvorrak and his stolen loot to the humans, and then they would have no choice but to face Malvorrak solely and leave them alone.
"You're so stupid, Keffh," the Shelka female sneered at how naive this kid was. Did he really think this whole thing was about treasure? The savage human kingdom had a bountiful trove of treasures in different varieties. Why would they risk their men and go to war for measly treasures?
This was about land and control.
They wanted the Yolan village, all of their homes, and the territory that came with it. This was not about some yearly tribute.
Just as the two young beastfolk were engaged in their little argument, a giant monster slowly emerged from below the mountain slope and made its way forward with large strides.
This creature had a big, four-legged feline with razor-sharp claws, sagging right between its teeth as it carried its dead body around.
Malvorrak's appetite was massive, and with his evolution, it seemed to be growing even more. They had been here for barely four days, and this big guy had been hunting ten times, each time returning with massive prey.
"Get out of the way!" an elderly lizardman yelled at the kids playing around the mountain, alerting them of the approaching Malvorrak.
They didn't want to piss off the monster, lest he step on them and crush their frail bodies.
"Hmmm." Malvorrak noticed this but did not take it to heart. They still saw him as a mindless beast, even though he had saved their lives and was their benefactor.
Who then was the wild beast between them?
Soon after, he crossed the tents and went straight up the mountain to the peak, where he could get some alone time to enjoy his food.
But upon getting there, he was met with Cious and his four goblin servants.
"Arggg! What are you doing up here?" Malvorrak asked, annoyance on his face. He didn't have peace anywhere on the mountain anymore. Even the top? What had he gotten himself into?
"Ehnnn? Well, we are having a little fun," Cious smiled innocently as he moved his body aside, showing the figure of Qarc squatting down with several rocks placed on his head.
He didn't actually have anything against the kid, but the whip he had used against Malvorrak during their battle in Yolan village was very interesting, and he wanted more information on where and how he got it.
Unfortunately, Qarc here was being uncooperative, so he had to force it out.
"Oh?" Malvorrak saw this and smiled; this little shithead was finally getting the proper treatment he deserved. This he approved of.
"Well, go on then. This sounds really important," Malvorrak smiled and laid down to continue his meal while watching Qarc being punished.
It was like watching a movie unfold with popcorn in front of him—truly entertaining.
…
Meanwhile, several kilometers away in an undefined location in a big hall, a slightly older male in a heavy fur coat made from the back of a mammoth gritted his teeth with vexation.
"Those little shitheads! They have the guts to hold our Tribes envoys hostage? We will wipe them out!!!"
Just from the fur he wore around his back, one could tell that this old man was of dignified position. Not only that, he was powerful too.
In the entire savage human Tribes, there were few who could actually tell him what to do.
"Get me Duan and Vincent." The man sat atop a throne made from stone and adorned with beautiful gems. He was one of the eight chieftains of the human Tribes.
A being of astronomical strength.
"Duan? Okay, sire," a guard to the side rushed out of the hall immediately upon hearing the command.
Duan was the chieftain's personal student; this man was not a random fighter.
He was a level 5 warrior.