"I have a few questions as well, Kent..." The elderly tiger tribesman stepped forward, his deep eyes looking past Splitting Blade and locking onto Kent, who wore black armor. After a moment, he finally spoke the last two words, "...Sir."
"Coincidentally, I have some questions for you too," Kent replied with a smile. "Go ahead, ask first."
The elderly tiger tribesman nodded, and Splitting Blade moved aside, allowing the two of them to stand face-to-face, separated by a distance of several meters.
"Kent, the heavy armor you wear..." The old tiger tribesman began. "Where did it come from?"
Kent's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly remembered that, back when they were questioned by the guards of the Cavern Tribe and the Bloodstone family of the Rapids Tribe, they had mentioned that the magical armor was purchased from the Tiger Tribe.
The members of the exploration team also noticed the question posed by the tiger tribesman.
"Hey, old man, aren't you asking a little too much?" Splitting Blade growled, clearly irritated that the tribesman had asked about their leader's armor.
Such powerful armor worn by their leader was not something one could simply inquire about!
"Barbarian, don't get angry," the elderly tiger tribesman chuckled. "Your leader will be quite willing to discuss this with me."
"Oh? Why are you so sure I will talk about it?" Kent asked, his curiosity piqued by the tribesman's confidence.
"You must be aware of the secret behind this armor," the old tribesman said, his gaze lingering on Kent, his brows furrowing slightly as though he remembered something but wasn't sure. He grinned, showing his fangs in a manner that could only be described as predatory. "Since you are a wizard, Kent, you must know the secret behind this magical armor."
"Yes, I do, but maybe not all of it," Kent said with a smile. "Why don't you tell me more about it?"
"I'd like to make a deal with you, Kent," the elderly tiger tribesman said.
"Go ahead," Kent replied.
"If you let us go, we'll give you five more sets of this magical armor," the elderly tiger tribesman said, standing tall with confidence. "You must know that the magic woven into these armors boosts one's strength. If you feel it through your magical senses, you won't refuse such a deal."
Kent smiled inwardly, knowing that the armor was not of the craftsmanship of the Red Earth continent. Certainly, the Tiger Tribe was not known for forging, nor did they have any magical experts to craft such an item. The armor's enchanting magic and its intricate designs were too complex and exquisite for the Tiger Tribe to have made. It could only have come from the Outer Continent.
"Sounds good, but you have seven of you. Five sets seems a little too few," Kent smiled, teasing. "You guys should each get one, right? One, two, three, four, five, six—at least six sets."
Seeing that Kent was easily taking the bait, the elderly tiger tribesman couldn't help but look down on the human leader in front of him.
"Ah, my mistake. You're right, Kent. It's not six sets, but seven sets..." the old tribesman quickly corrected himself.
"No, no, six sets," Kent interrupted him, pointing to the young tiger tribesman in the middle. "That one, he should count separately. One set should be worth ten."
The other tiger tribesmen's faces darkened. Even the young tiger in the middle, whose face was adorned with tribal patterns, looked visibly angry, as if the tiger tattoos on his face were about to come to life.
A trace of cold murderous intent flashed in the old tiger tribesman's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He forced a chuckle and said, "Kent, don't joke around. This magical armor is not something you can have just because you ask for it."
"I see. Well then, how about you trade the route for these armors?" Kent proposed.
Kent was confident that the magical armor had not been forged on the Red Earth continent. He was even more certain that the Tiger Tribe had no part in making it. The Tiger Tribe was not known for either smithing or magic. It could only have come from the Outer Continent, which left Kent wondering how the Tiger Tribe had managed to establish contact with such distant lands.
The Outer Continent was separated from the Red Earth by vast oceans, swirling whirlpools, and violent storms that thwarted adventurers' efforts. Only ships made of ironwood could brave the passage, yet even those ships would risk their lives.
"Kent, why do you mention... a trade route?" The old tribesman furrowed his brow, sensing that something was amiss.
"Let's put that aside for now. I have a question for you," Kent said, his smile fading as he focused. "How did you end up in Bloodhammer's prison? Did your trade relations with the Bloodstone family collapse?"
All the tiger tribesmen's faces changed, including the old one.
"Turns out, you took it!" The old tiger tribesman said in panic.
The Bloodstone family had paid a high price to purchase a sample of magical armor from the Tiger Tribe, but it was stolen on the way. This caused embarrassment for both the Bloodstone family and the Tiger Tribe. The Bloodstone family claimed that the Tiger Tribe had reneged on the deal and sent people to retrieve the armor. To clear up the misunderstanding, the Tiger Tribe had sent a few members as a secret mission to negotiate with the Bloodstone family.
However, as soon as they arrived at the Bloodhammer camp, the Bloodstone family had surrounded them and thrown them into prison.
"Whether I took it or not, the Bloodstone family should know," Kent chuckled. "But I think the Tiger Tribe is not after a small-time player like the Bloodstone family. Maybe we could become allies instead."
Kent had already surmised that the Tiger Tribe's real goal was to establish trade routes or secure resources from the Plateau Alliance. The Tiger Tribe was likely acting as an intermediary, not directly involved in the wars between the two alliances. If they had been after information or spies, the Tiger Tribe's reach would have extended beyond the Wilds to the Plateau.
"Kent, you are truly insightful," the old tiger tribesman said, his eyes shining. "But may I ask, what exactly are your needs?"
"My needs are simple," Kent answered promptly. "Trade routes, resource exchanges, and more slaves."
"Are you the leader of an armed trading convoy, Kent?" the old tribesman asked, clearly taken aback by Kent's demands.
"No, no, just a small lord," Kent replied with a smile.
The old tiger tribesman's expression shifted as he quickly considered various border territories, including a recent king's bastard who had become a leader in a new territory. Yet, he could not seem to connect Kent with any of them. There had never been a magic user in charge of a territory.
"Lord Kent, we are willing to establish trade relations with every territory in the northern wilderness," the old tiger tribesman said respectfully. "But, may I ask... what resources does your territory have to offer?"
"Armor," Kent replied.