Luban couldn't help but laugh and said magnanimously:
"You Snow Wolves saved me and are helping to rescue my tribesmen. Don't mention black stone; you can take anything you want from our tribe!"
Eric's heart was so excited he wished he could leave immediately. He looked at Luban with sparkling eyes full of expectation.
Luban said helplessly, "You're still a little beast. It's not safe for me to take you."
Remembering the time he was chased by a wild boar, Eric felt a pang of apprehension and thought it would be better to find Michael to go with him.
For the past few days, the chieftain and Max had been away, and Michael was in charge of storing hides, furs, and magic cores. He had just returned to the square at that moment. Eric handed the task of watching the fire over to Leo and went to find Michael.
Michael was cleaning up the bloodstains and filth from magical beasts with other Snow Wolf people. Seeing Eric, he was a little puzzled.
Michael is so busy, and here I am about to cause more trouble...
After the excitement faded, Eric felt a little guilty. It was true, he'd turned into a little beast, acting on impulse without considering others. He hesitated, standing in place, reluctant to go forward.
Michael stopped what he was doing and said with a smile, "What's the matter, little Eric? Why the long face?"
"I want to go to Luban's tribe to get some black stone..." Eric said quietly.
Michael's head was full of question marks.
What is black stone?
The little beast's hobbies were strange, but he didn't think much of it. "Alright. I'll take you when I'm done, or how about I find an adult beastman to go with you?"
Eric nodded and was about to speak when someone behind him said, "Let me go with him."
Michael's face lit up with joy. "Max, Chieftain, you're all back!"
Eric quickly turned his head.
He saw Thomas's party, all of them travel-worn and weary, carrying large and small bags and various wooden barrels on their shoulders. A few tribesmen in their beast forms were carrying many Dwarves, whose faces were filled with panic and unease as they looked around.
"Why are you only back now? Luci was still worried about you all this morning." Michael punched Max lightly on the chest.
"Some of these Dwarves were very seriously injured. We found medicine to treat them, then let them rest for a few days before heading back," Thomas explained to everyone.
Max looked at Eric, who was standing in place. "We brought back quite a few things. We'll share some with everyone, and then I'll take you to find the black stone."
Eric quickly refused, "Max, you just got back. You should rest in the tribe. I can just find someone else to take me."
The Snow Wolves in the tribe let out knowing laughs. Michael said bluntly, "Max's constitution is the strongest. It's no problem for him to go with you."
Helpless once again, Eric didn't argue anymore. Arguing too many times would make people suspicious.
Chieftain Thomas and the tribesmen opened the things they brought back: many bolts of linen cloth, jars of coarse salt, various captured weapons, and also some spices and wine.
Max placed an entire wooden barrel of spices in front of Eric.
"This is all for you. We don't know how to use it."
Happily hugging the large wooden barrel, Eric saw that inside there were bay leaves, star anise, and even garlic. This gift was truly perfect for him! He hugged the barrel and said his thanks.
Thomas waved his hand and distributed the remaining linen cloth and coarse salt evenly among everyone in the tribe. Eric also received three large bolts of linen and a jar of coarse salt. The weapons were all given to the Dwarves.
At that moment, Luban heard the commotion and ran over, excitedly embracing the other Dwarves. A Dwarf with a short gray beard looked at Luban with teary eyes:
"I thought you were killed by that damn knight..."
Luban said with a choked voice, "I climbed out of the river. Luckily, I was saved by the Snow Wolf tribe's little beast, so I wasn't eaten by magical beasts."
His wife and son both embraced him, bursting into tears of joy for having survived the calamity.
"Alright, alright, stop crying. Everyone, pull yourselves together!" Chieftain Joseph of the Dwarf tribe shouted to his people. They knew this would not be the last attack.
Eric felt very sympathetic. A great man was right: truth is only within the range of the cannons. The Dwarves' situation was a case of great talent meeting with disaster.
"That's right, Iris, Robin." Luban wiped the tears from his wife and son's faces, then introduced Eric to them. "This is the little beast from the Snow Wolf tribe who saved me. The food this kid makes is even more delicious than that of human nobles!"
These words were particularly believable, as Luban had been eating so well these past few days that his complexion was ruddy. If not for the scar on his chest, he wouldn't look like someone who had been severely injured at all.
Iris hugged a shy Robin and thanked Eric nonstop. He was really afraid of scenes like this. "Actually, I just happened to run into him. You should all get some rest."
Chieftain Joseph also said solemnly, "Thank you, little beast of the Snow Wolf tribe. Thank you, Chieftain Thomas and everyone, for rescuing us."
He led his tribesmen in a deep bow to thank the Snow Wolf people.
Thomas helped him up, looked at the Dwarves' terrible condition, and then announced the decision he had discussed with Max on the way back:
"First, we will build some tents for the Dwarves. For the time being, let them live with us in the tribe."