After returning, Esdeath still couldn’t keep the matter hidden.
After all, she had taken so many people out and brought back a tortured Staven.
Upon learning that Esdeath had taken her subordinates to wipe out a camp of the Chinubi Tribe, most of the tribespeople cheered, but the elders cursed, stating bluntly that Esdeath had acted on her own authority and would bring great disaster upon the tribe.
“We have already killed everyone there; they won’t know it was us.
Besides, must we tolerate it every time the Chinubi Tribe provokes us?”
Esdeath was unconvinced.
Alei naturally protected Esdeath: “Esdeath is right; we people of the Barutesu Tribe cannot always let others bully us.”
“Although the Chinubi Tribe is numerous and powerful, if we dare not even resist, then there is no need to be part of the Barutesu Tribe.”
The Head Elder shook his head: “Oh, Alei, how have you become so willful?
How can we go to war with the Chinubi Tribe?”
“No, we are just protecting our own people.”
Seeing this, the Head Elder walked away, shaking his head.
Esdeath felt that her actions seemed to have burdened her father.
Although the chieftain manages tribal affairs, he is also constrained by the council of elders.
“It’s okay, I think what Esdeath did was very right,” Alei sighed with emotion.
“Esdeath, in the blink of an eye, you have grown into someone capable of standing on your own.
I can be a little more at ease now.”
Alei seemed to be stirred by emotions today; he pulled Esdeath into the tent and talked for a long time.
He patted Esdeath’s little head and then said: “Esdeath, you look just like your mother, cute and beautiful.”
Esdeath complained inwardly; she didn’t want to be seen as some cute girl.
She felt that her actions were completely unrelated to being cute—just how big of a filter did her father have?
“Esdeath, you are turning thirteen soon; I have something for you.” Alei took out a blue ring with a hollow center and strange runes carved on the surface from a chest.
Esdeath touched it curiously; the ring felt warm and smooth to the touch, with a nice texture.
“This is a relic left by your mother.
It has been blessed with prayers at the temple.
From now on, Esdeath, wear it on your person; it can protect your safety.”
Esdeath was not very interested in the so-called blessed prayers and asked casually: “Then why doesn’t Father wear it?”
“Of course, that’s because your mother said this was to be left to you,” Alei said.
“This little ring is your mother’s family heirloom, passed down through three generations; now it is passed to you.”
“Is it very valuable?”
Alei replied impatiently: “How can a family heirloom be measured by money?”
“Oh.” Esdeath hung the ring around her neck.
Since it hung inside her clothes, it wouldn’t affect her movements.
It wasn’t heavy anyway, so she just wore it.
“Father, is what you just said about it being passed down through three generations true?”
“In short, this is something passed down from your mother’s family.”
Esdeath played with it for a while, but really didn’t find anything special about it, so she stuffed it back into her clothes, treating it as an accessory or mascot.
Soon winter arrived.
Continuous snowstorms spread across the entire Northern Territory, and the blizzards made it difficult for people to walk outside.
The Chinubi Tribe did not come to cause trouble.
With such heavy snow, it would be impossible to come out anyway.
Esdeath spent three full months of winter with the tribespeople in the camp, and it wasn’t until April that the snow in the Northern Territory began to melt.
Spring returned to the land, and all things revived.
The elders brought back news: the Chinubi Tribe wanted to have peace talks with them, to cast aside past grudges and live in peace.
“This is an opportunity!” The Head Elder strongly urged Alei to accept the peace talks.
“Our tribe already has a small population, and hunting is troublesome enough; we have no energy to deal with conflicts with the Chinubi Tribe anymore.
Yesterday, when our people were out hunting, the people from the Chinubi Tribe proposed this suggestion to us.
I think we should resolve the past hatred in one go.”
Alei said: “I know, but this could be a trap.
The Chinubi Tribe has always been unkind to us; suddenly proposing peace talks…”
“Oh, Alei, although the Chinubi Tribe is big, they cannot go against everyone; they also have to consider survival.
I think it is worth a try.”
Alei nodded: “I know.”
The Head Elder said: “They sent us a message: one day later, the peace talk meeting will be held below the Great Valley.
Alei, you need to make a decision.”
“I understand.
Take the elite of the tribe, and we will go to meet them tomorrow.”
Alei did not want to give up the possibility of peace talks; just as the elder said, they just wanted to develop and survive well now.
“Is Father going to meet the leader of the Chinubi Tribe?
Take me with you too; I can help.” Esdeath volunteered.
The Head Elder immediately praised: “That goes without saying; Esdeath is the strongest expert in the tribe.
Even if something unexpected happens, with her there, it will be fine.”
The Head Elder’s praise made Esdeath feel uncomfortable all over; she did not like the Head Elder.
Alei thought for a moment and agreed.
In the end, Alei took two squads of the elite Hunting Team, plus Esdeath and the accompanying Head Elder, for a total of fifty people, to head to the Great Valley for peace talks.
The leader of the Chinubi Tribe, Agl, was a big man with medium-long hair who habitually used double axes.
His face was as rugged as an ordinary Northern Territory person, but his expression had an indescribable slyness.
In short, he was a person who looked unpleasant at first glance.
Agl was followed by a dozen people.
He walked up to Alei: “Hahahaha, long time no see, Alei.”
“It has been a long time, to be able to communicate with you face-to-face so quietly.”
Alei cut straight to the point: “Alright, enough small talk.
Do you really want peace talks?”
“Hahahaha.” Agl did not answer but laughed instead.
After finishing his laugh, his expression became increasingly cold.
“Alei, I will give you a chance.
If you take your tribespeople and join my Chinubi Tribe, I will give up attacking the Barutas Tribe and spare your life.”
Alei drew the long sword from his waist, ready for action: “Heh, you really didn’t have good intentions; you deliberately used the peace talks to lure me out, didn’t you?”
“Don’t put it so harshly; assessing the situation is what smart people do.
My Chinubi Tribe has thousands of warriors and will definitely unify the Northern Territory.
By then, you stubborn people will all be eradicated by me one by one.”
“Is that so?
Then you can try it now.” Alei did not seem to be frightened.
Although he vaguely guessed that Agl did not have good intentions, Alei still held onto a glimmer of hope and agreed to come for the peace talks.
Both sides set the location at the Great Valley; it was a plain for a thousand meters around, with nowhere to hide, so there was no need to worry about the other side ambushing them.
Agl did not bring many people; although his strength was good, Alei was not afraid.
Agl shook his head: “You will regret it.
Let’s go.”
The communication failed, and Agl took his men and left.
Esdeath felt this was an opportunity and seemed to want to try attacking Agl; she tilted her head and asked Alei with her eyes, but he stopped her.
“They might have set an ambush behind them; let’s go back.”
Esdeath nodded and followed her father back home.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”