Verdant followed behind Evangeline. When they arrived at the gathering place, she saw the leader and the Witch standing up front.
The leader of the Midridge Tribe was a male Beastman in the prime of his life.
His frame was burly and robust, like a small, towering mountain, radiating immense power.
In addition, the leader wore magnificent feathered ornaments that swayed in the gentle morning breeze.
Evangeline's gaze swept past the leader and quickly landed on Saskia.
Saskia's face was as dark as storm clouds. Her once-translucent, fair skin had darkened considerably, and her brow was deeply furrowed. A gloomy aura emanated from her.
Evangeline inwardly snickered at the sight.
'Looks like Elias Moretti destroying the mulberry tree was a huge blow to Saskia.'
'Judging by the look on her face, she must be heartbroken. After all, that was her "food supply."'
"Leader! Everything's fine, so why the sudden summons? We're supposed to be out hunting today!" a burly male Beastman in the crowd yelled out, his voice thick with dissatisfaction.
His face was etched with anxiety, veins popping on his forehead, and he clutched a hunting spear in his hand.
It was the middle of the hunting season. For the Midridge Tribe, every day's catch determined whether they could survive the coming rainy season. There was no room for error.
Hearing this, the leader slowly turned his head. His gaze fell on Saskia, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, as if uncertain how to announce what was to come.
But Saskia paid him no mind. Her eyes cold, she stepped forward and declared, "I have gathered you here today to discuss a matter of life and death for our Midridge Tribe!"
Her sharp voice echoed over the crowd, instantly silencing the noisy chatter.
The crowd exchanged looks of shock and confusion, wondering what could have happened that was so serious it threatened the tribe's very survival.
Verdant nervously clutched her Beast Skin Skirt and glanced at Evangeline's calm expression. She wanted to ask something but knew this wasn't the time or place, which only made her more anxious.
Saskia said coldly, "You all know what happened to the Oasis Tribe. Now, it's the Midridge Tribe's turn."
Her words sent the crowd into an uproar, like water dropped into a pan of hot oil.
"Witch! The Grymdale Tribe slaughtered the Oasis Tribe's Beastmen because of that female from the Fox Clan! What does that have to do with us in the Midridge Tribe?"
"Exactly! That Fox Clan female from The Oasis is The Virago, the most wicked female in all the Northlands! She brought ruin upon her own people with her evil deeds! We don't have anyone like that in the Midridge Tribe!"
"Even if the Grymdale Tribe does attack, I'm not afraid! We'll fight them!"
...
As the crowd clamored, Verdant cautiously studied Evangeline's face. To her surprise, Evangeline was listening with great interest, as if she wasn't the very "wicked female" they were all denouncing.
The corners of Saskia's mouth lifted into a cold, deeply mocking sneer.
She tilted her head back slightly, her disdainful gaze sweeping over the crowd as if these impassioned Beastmen were nothing more than a swarm of ants who didn't know their place.
"Fight them?" Saskia drawled, her tone dripping with ridicule.
"Hmph. You're all still in the dark, aren't you? The son of the Grymdale Tribe's leader, Elias Moretti, has successfully advanced. He is now a Six-star Beastman."
Saskia deliberately stressed the words "Six-star Beastman."
At her words, the boiling crowd fell instantly silent, as if struck by an immobilization spell.
Everyone stood frozen in place, their faces a mixture of shock, fear, and disbelief.
The very Beastmen who had just been shouting about fighting the Grymdale Tribe to the death now looked as though their spines had been ripped out. They hung their heads, exchanging defeated glances.
They knew all too well the terrifying power of a Six-star Beastman. In Norfell, that was the pinnacle of strength.
For a moment, an air of despair permeated the crowd. The sudden news left everyone breathless.
Saskia was satisfied. She continued, "After annihilating the Oasis Tribe, the Grymdale Tribe is even stronger. If we in the Midridge Tribe don't want to follow in their footsteps, we need to be smart."
"The Grymdale Tribe has given us an opportunity. As long as the Midridge Tribe is willing to become their vassal, offer them regular tributes of game, and send over a few females, they've promised not to attack us. They'll even protect us!"
As she spoke, Saskia spread her hands in a gesture that was both helpless and matter-of-fact, as if this were the tribe's only way out of the crisis.
A fresh ripple of unease went through the crowd. People whispered amongst themselves, their faces masks of hesitation and conflict.
Some frowned, their eyes showing their reluctance. Others bit their lips, as if weighing the options. Still others muttered under their breath, unhappy with the humiliating terms.
But faced with the Grymdale Tribe's overwhelming power, everyone knew this decision was a matter of life and death for the entire tribe. No one dared to speak out against it.
Hearing this, Verdant finally understood why Evangeline had said she might be moving today.
She let out a bitter laugh. 'So that's it. Saskia has already decided to offer me as tribute to the Grymdale Tribe!'
At the thought, Verdant couldn't stop her body from trembling.
Evangeline glanced at her. 'What a pitiful creature.'
Just then, a deep, sinister voice rang out. "Well, isn't this a lively gathering?"
Saskia's eyes darted toward the back of the crowd, and the other Beastmen turned to look as well.
The sight sent the crowd into a frenzy.
"Shi!" A cry filled with absolute terror suddenly rang out, as if choked by fear itself. The trembling sound exploded through the crowd of Beastmen.
Blending into the crowd, Evangeline casually shifted to the side and stole a glance.
She saw Elias Moretti striding into the Midridge Tribe's territory as if he were a king surveying his domain, a large retinue at his back.
His gait was steady and powerful, and a biting, oppressive aura radiated from him, making it impossible to meet his gaze.
Behind Elias Moretti, several large, burly Beastmen were roughly dragging another Beastman.
The man had clearly been brutally tortured. Blood streamed from the corner of his mouth, leaving a gruesome trail on the ground. He was on the verge of death, his breathing faint.
Elias Moretti paid him no mind. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, filled with an unquestionable ruthlessness and authority, as if announcing to the entire Midridge Tribe that their world was about to be turned upside down.
He strode through the crowd, mounted the high platform, and glanced at the mangled Beastman. "Do you see this?" he said coolly. "I'm not here to negotiate. Unwilling? This will be your fate."
The crowd's eyes were fixed on the Six-star Pattern on Elias Moretti's forehead. They were deathly silent.
Elias Moretti surveyed the dead silence below, looking extremely pleased. A faint smile slowly spread across his lips—a smile tinged with a pleasure that sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"Very good. Now, all of you will stand here, nice and quiet."
"Because I... am about to start a little hunting game."