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Chapter 147: Gizzle
Chapter 147: Gizzle
The Blue Mist Tribe continued its expansion. It was an expansion unprecedented in the history of the tribe.
In tribal wars, even with repeated victories, casualties were bound to accumulate. A tribal warrior was not only a fighter but also a hunter and a member of the society. As casualties mount, the social foundation becomes unstable. Unlike the civilized world where life and combat were separate things, the number of warriors was not just a measure of combat strength but also the foundation of tribal society.
The Blue Mist Tribe adopted tactics from the civilized world to minimize their war casualties. The battle formation was not only for victory in battle but also excellent for preserving their forces.
Urich continued to participate in the wars of the Blue Mist Tribe. Samikan freed the hostages of the Stone Axe Tribe according to Urich's achievements.
"Urich, this time it's twenty."
Samikan laughed, satisfied with Urich's accomplishments.
"Add ten more on top of that. Vald fought too."
Urich argued, wiping off the blood off his face. Samikan raised his hand, granting his wish and freeing more Stone Axe tribespeople.
'I should stop sending Urich into battle now.'
The number of hostages Urich had freed so far was getting close to a hundred. It was a significant number. Freeing more would make it hard to control the Stone Axe Tribe.
'If only I could get Urich to serve under my command.'
Samikan coveted Urich. His combat skills were outstanding, and his occasional displays of sharp intellect were extraordinary. Having a subordinate like Urich would make expansion much easier. Entrusting an army to Urich could allow for expansion on two fronts.
'I don't have anyone else under me to entrust with command.'
Noah Arten was an outsider on top of missing a leg. The warriors wouldn't listen to Noah's orders.
'Soon, we'll have to prepare for a clash with the Red Sand Tribe. Our territories are starting to overlap.'
Stone Axe and Red Sand were allies. For Samikan, they were a troublesome force. Although they were wounded, the Stone Axe was still a beast with fangs.
'It's troublesome. I should have completely dealt with Stone Axe first before striking Red Sand...'
Moreover, if Urich rejoins his tribe, gaining the upper hand with tactics from beyond the mountains becomes blurred.
'Urich needs to stay under me. If that can’t be, then he must be killed.'
Urich the Ironclad had earned the respect of the Blue Mist warriors. No warrior could resist admiring his bravery of always leading the line and crushing the enemies. The enemies trembled and retreated in fear of Urich's might.
'Such a warrior is too good for Gizzle to waste. Gizzle couldn't use such a warrior properly and lost to us.'
Samikan thought deeply. He wanted to leave the name Samikan in the plains and wastelands. As time passes, the body decays back to earth, and only the soul ascends to the heavenly mountains.
'Leaving my fame, my name immortalized is the only way to mark myself into the history of this era.'
Samikan didn't want to fade away meaninglessly.
* * *
The reconstruction of the Stone Axe Tribe was somewhat complete. They had as many tents as the number of families in the tribe and enough food stored to last for a while. It was a relief that the dry season hadn't yet arrived. Furthermore, the Red Sand Tribe, which Urich had brought into alliance, did not hold back in providing various forms of support.
'Red Sand Tribe is also wary of the expansion of Blue Mist. They've realized they need an ally like Stone Axe.'
Gizzle didn't refuse Red Sand's help. Swallowing his pride, he secured everything he could. As a result, they were able to stockpile as many weapons as they had lost to Blue Mist.
'We are sharpening our claws again, Samikan.'
Gizzle bore the humiliation, vowing revenge.
"The women who were captured have returned!"
An uproar ensued outside.
"Listen up. These women were saved by Urich. It's a debt paid in his blood."
Vald, who brought the women, emphasized several times that it was Urich who had saved the woman of the Stone Axe.
"Pass my gratitude to Urich, Vald. For saving my daughter."
The warriors bowed their heads upon seeing their returned daughters and wives. The Stone Axe tribespeople looked favorably upon Urich. Anyone who spoke of Urich being cursed for breaking a taboo ended up being scolded.
It was Urich who had secured the alliance with the Red Sand Tribe and returned the hostages. He was doing everything that a tribal chief should do.
Gizzle stepped out of his tent. The tribespeople's eyes turned to him.
"Looks like Urich is well-received and trusted by Samikan. How is he enjoying the special treatment?"
Vald glared at Gizzle's sarcasm.
"At least he's getting the respect he deserves for his abilities. Unlike when he was under a certain someone."
Gizzle stared at the old woman. Holding a basket of herbs, she cackled with her black teeth showing.
‘This old hag is close to Urich.'
Gizzle disliked the old woman. He thought of her as a survivor who should have died long ago.
'She's always praised Urich, calling him the warrior of light, or something.'
No one knew the old woman's name. She was probably the eldest in the Stone Axe Tribe. Everyone just called her the old forest shaman.
"I came to hunt."
"All by yourself?"
"That's none of your business."
As Gizzle spoke, the old woman chuckled mysteriously.
"If you manage to catch a rabbit, I'll cook a delicious soup for you. It's been a long time since I've eaten meat after Urich just randomly took off."
Gizzle scowled but obediently went hunting. He hadn't gone far into the forest before he caught two rabbits. He was exceptional with the bow.
'Well, I did train every day not to lose to Urich.'
A hunting competition with Urich was almost torture for Gizzle. Even if he succeeded in hunting, the next day Urich would return with an even bigger game. Thanks to Urich, every day was misery for Gizzle.
"Good, you're back! Put the meat in the pot, chief!"
The old woman excitedly said, happy to eat meat after a long time.
"Hmm."
Gizzle frowned at the color of the soup. It was swampy and emitted a subtle plant odor and stench.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and put the meat in! It's delicious. Urich loved my rabbit soup, too. He was crazy about it."
Gizzle hesitated to put the meat in the pot after seeing and smelling it.
Tap!
The old woman slapped Gizzle's wrist with a ladle, and the meat fell into the pot.
'My precious meat...'
The old woman scooped the muddy soup into a wooden bowl and served it. Gizzle grimaced as he drank the broth.
"Hehe, I told you it’s delicious."
The old woman gnawed on a rabbit drumstick with her dingy nails, which were tainted with grime underneath them.
"I guess I did manage to torture Urich, in a way."
Gizzle forced himself to finish the bowl, feeling nauseated. It was like eating vegetables mixed with mud. Even the savory taste of the meat was lost in the earthy and planty smell.
"Urich, yes, Urich. The son of the plains..."
The old woman mumbled, her eyes half-closed.
'Damn shaman.'
Gizzle finally recognized the smell in the soup. His vision blurred. The soup was undoubtedly filled with hallucinogens.
"Yuck."
Gizzle stuck his fingers in his mouth to vomit what he ate. He glared at the old woman, annoyed. She was already in her own world, paying no attention to Gizzle.
"Urich was never cursed. He was born from the land and returned after being blessed by the heavens."
The old woman sorted the rabbit bones and cast them. She laid the bones in a line on the ground.
"He broke the taboo."
"It doesn't matter, Urich is a great warrior. Great warriors are not bound by taboos. Keke."
Gizzle grabbed the old woman's collar. She just laughed, her breath reeking of the aged stench.
"If Urich is a great warrior..., then what am I, the son of Stezo? Why did I become chief?"
Gizzle's eyes welled up. He released the old woman's collar.
"That you would have to ask the heavens, chief."
The old woman pointed upward.