Barbarian Quest

Chapter 140

Urich's group crossed the red hill and arrived at the village of the Red Sand Tribe, where smoke billowed from the blacksmith's forge. At the entrance, they saw people from other tribes, likely there to trade for their iron.

"We're from the Stone Axe Tribe."

Kirungka had visited the Red Sand Tribe several times for trade. It wasn't just him; warriors from neighboring tribes usually had experience visiting the Red Sand Village due to its iron production. Thanks to their specialty, the Red Sand village had become the center of trade among tribes.

"You seem lightly packed for traders," a warrior of the Red Sand at the gate commented.

"We're not here to trade. We represent the Stone Axe chief and have important matters to discuss with the chief of the Red Sand. It's urgent."

The Red Sand warriors murmured among themselves, then one went deeper into the village.

"Come in. We've kept our guests waiting."

The Red Sand warrior gestured them in.

As Urich and the Stone Axe warriors approached a large tent in the village, a clear, sharp voice was picked up by Urichs ears.

"Youre joking, right? The skinning is so poorly done it smells rotten. What am I supposed to do with this? I should just split your skull."

A man holding furs was kicked out of the tent, grumbling as he passed Urich and his group.

"Hah, what would a bitch know? How dare she criticize my leather?" The man mumbled to himself as he put the furs back in his load.

Crunch!

Suddenly, an axe flew out of the tent, lodging itself in the man's back.

"K-kugh!"

He staggered, screaming.

Step, step.

From inside the tent, a figure emerged.

"What did you just say? You bastard."

The person who walked out of the tent was a woman. Urich immediately realized that that was Belrua of the Red Sand, and Kirungka's warning to not see her as just a woman all made sense.

"I-I'm from the Thunderbird Tribe..."

The man with the axe in his back struggled to speak. Belrua swiftly pulled out the axe, spun it skillfully, and chopped off the man's hand.

"Kaaaaagh!"

He screamed, clutching his severed hand. Belrua signaled her warriors.

Drag, drag.

The warriors dragged the wounded man away. This was the Thunderbird Tribes first time trading with the Red Sand after their new chief took over, and they had certainly learned a lesson not to underestimate the new female chief.

"Now you see what I meant, right? Urich."

Kirungka whispered to Urich.

"Youre right."

Urich nodded in agreement.

Belrua of the Red Sand was as big as an average male tribe member. Her forearms were muscular enough to throw men around, and her entire body was so solidly packed with muscle that there were no visible feminine curves.

Burn scars, a sign of an excellent blacksmith.'

Urich observed Belrua. Her arms and shoulders were scarred with burns, extending to her neck and cheek. Her hands were rough like a warrior and scarred with burns, and there wasnt a single fingernail that was completely intact.

'She's earned the respect of warriors in the wasteland. Obviously, she's better than most male chiefs.'

Belrua brushed her hair and glared at Urich. The warrior who guided Urich whispered to her.

"Stone Axe? They have no dealings with us."

Belrua murmured after hearing about the Stone Axe. The Stone Axe and Red Sand tribes had a detached relationship, engaging in trade only when necessary.

Kirungka stepped forward.

"We are here as representatives of the Stone Axe chief."

At the mention of 'representatives,' Belrua's expression soured.

"Come on in."

Belrua flicked her finger and entered the tent first.

'Stone Axe, theyre located not far from the mountains. Why are they here?'

Belrua thought as she slowly sat down.

"Seen what happened earlier, right? I don't have much patience. So, you're the leader, right?"

Belrua glanced at Urich and Kirungka alternately and then pointed at Urich. She quickly discerned the leader of the group, befitting the chief of the Red Sand who has to deal with other tribes on a daily basis.

"Urich of the Stone Axe Tribe," Urich responded briefly.

"Urich?"

Belrua repeated, glancing at the other warriors. Urich had crossed the mountains when he was just about to gain fame as a warrior. His name hadn't reached the Red Sand Tribe.

"No need for long talks. We want an alliance with the Red Sand Tribe."

As the word 'alliance' was mentioned, the warriors of the Red Sand stirred.

"An alliance, I didnt see that coming."

Belrua leaned back, her chin propped on her hand. She raised her repeatedly broken and healed fingers. She twisted her lips and spoke.

" The Blue Mist Tribe got you, didnt they?"

Belrua hit the nail on the head. She had heard the rumors of the Blue Mist Tribes recent activity. On top of that, the Stone Axe Tribe, known for its pride and aggression, came to propose an alliance.

'Its obvious.'

Belrua laughed. She had become the chief only two years ago, but despite her rather fresh experience and young age, she had the observance befitting a chief.

"I got you there, keke."

Belrua slightly bowed her head and shrugged.

"Losers are of no interest to me. An alliance? Id have to think about it even if your tribe was in good condition. How about this, just come under us, and we'll protect you. If you dont like that, you can leave."

The warriors of Stone Axe, including Kirungka, trembled. Belrua's words were harsh but true.

'We didn't come all this way to be humiliated, Urich.'

Kirungka looked at Urich. It was Urich who claimed the possibility of forming an alliance that led them here.

"This is our trade offer."

Urich dropped the load he was carrying.

Clunk, clank.

Pieces of iron tumbled on the ground. It was Urich's steel armor: helmet, breastplate, gauntlets, and greaves.

Schring.

A crisp sound of a sword, one clean enough to enchant ones ears, echoed inside the tent, revealing the smooth blade of an imperial steel sword.

"Iron armor?"

Even the Red Sand Tribe, skilled in ironwork, didn't make iron armor. It was more beneficial to use the iron to forge as many weapons as possible, and even if they spent the effort and resources on making them, they werent very useful.

"I swear on my life, even the Red Sand Tribe cannot produce finer weaponry than this. If I'm wrong, you can take my head right now."

Ironworking was a matter of pride for the Red Sand Tribe. Their warriors frowned and glared at Urich, surrounded by a fierce aura. Urich stood calmly amidst them.

Creak.

Belrua stood up and took a step forward, inspecting Urich's armor and sword. She lifted, touched, and tapped them.

Thin, compared to its hardness.'

Despite being thin, the armor was exceptionally strong, more like compressed iron plates than simple thin sheets. It showed uniform resilience and strength even when tapped.

'Our tribe's technology and iron can't produce blades this sharp.'

The tribe's iron weapons were typically thicker. An attempt to make something as thin as the imperial steel sword would result in a blade too prone to bending in battle.

Gleam.'

Belrua was mesmerized by the imperial steel sword. The metal itself seemed to radiate light, smooth enough to reflect a face. The imperial steel was a technology far beyond the tribe's metallurgy.

"So, do you want to cut off my head?"

Urich spoke, startling Belrua into yelling out.

"Shut up and stay put for a second! Hey, call the blacksmiths!"

At Belruas command, her warriors left the tent.

It worked.'

Kirungka clenched his fist. The chief of the Red Sand Tribe was showing interest in Urich's armory.

This isnt just a warrior's desire, but a blacksmith's curiosity.'

Where other tribes would have been satisfied with killing Urich and taking his weapons, the Red Sand Tribe, proficient in ironwork, sought the method of production over the final product.

"It doesn't bend even when force is applied. Yet, it's so strong, an old blacksmith commented while handling Urich's breastplate.

"Watch."

Urich took an axe and lightly struck the breastplate.

Clang!

The breastplate had a slight slope, and the axe blade slid right off it. It wasn't just the quality of the metal, but also the design of the armor that was exceptional.

"See? Even when struck like this, the blade just slides right off."

"Remarkable."

The old blacksmith's eyes widened in amazement.

As Belrua observed Urich's gear, she slowly stood up.

"Urich, did you say? Where did these weapons and armor come from?"

"That's part of the alliance's terms."

Urich replied, causing Belrua to clench and unclench her fist.

"Would it be okay if we inspect these until dusk? We'll continue our conversation over dinner."

Belrua spoke calmly. She and the tribe's blacksmiths needed time to examine Urich's gear.

"I'll be waiting for a good response."

"Thank you, Urich."

Belrua summoned people to entertain Urich's party. The lavish hospitality was evident. Urich was led to a fine tent, and fresh fruits were served.

"We've caught their interest!"

"The start is promising."

The faces of the Stone Axe warriors brightened. Even they could see that the Red Sand Tribe was highly interested in Urich's gear. There was ample room for negotiation.

"But don't let your guard down. They might attack us to steal the gear."

Kirungka cautioned, raining on their parade. Though forming an alliance would be ideal, they had to consider the worst-case scenario.

"Don't worry, they won't."

Urich reassured them, lying back and munching on the fruits with their skin still on.

"You seem very sure of yourself, Urich."

"Didn't you see the chief's eyes? They were sparkling. Even a woman in love wouldn't shine like that."

The warriors chuckled.

"Forming an alliance with just a sword and some armor..." Kirungka murmured bitterly.

"It's not just the sword and armor. It's the technology behind it I'm offering. You might not understand, but the Red Sand Tribe felt it's a technology far ahead of theirs."

"Is that so?"

Kirungka reluctantly nodded, feeling distant from Urich. Urich had returned after living a completely different life from the brothers of his tribe. His way of seeing things and level of thinking felt foreign.

'Urich, are you still one of our brothers?'

Contrary to Kirungka's worries, Urich was joking and laughing just fine with the other warriors.

* * *

Red Sand Tribe chief Belrua gathered the tribe's finest blacksmiths.

"Be careful. It belongs to our guests."

Belrua instructed the blacksmiths. They were not to damage Urich's gear, which had to be returned unblemished.

"I will give it a swing."

Whoosh!

A young blacksmith swung the imperial steel sword, his eyes widening in awe as he looked around the room. The sword vibrated with a metallic resonance even after the swing.

"This is a fine sword. Where could he have gotten such a weapon?"

"The Stone Axe Tribe used to buy our iron and weapons. They can't be better than us at ironworking. If they could make weapons like this, they wouldn't have been defeated by the Blue Mist Tribe."

The Red Sand Tribe prided themselves on creating the finest iron weapons. Their craftsmanship was so revered that one couldn't become a chief without excelling in ironworking no matter how excellent of a warrior they were.

"If we could make iron and weapons like these... this isnt a matter of alliance anymore. We must learn this technology at any cost."

The old blacksmith was overwhelmed by the potential of this new discovery.

Belrua, sitting in her place, listened to the blacksmiths' discussions with intense focus.

"...This is my destiny as the chief."

She touched the blade with her robust fingers. Like all blacksmiths, she always sought better iron and weapons. Now, she faced a challenge that seemed insurmountable, feeling a bitter sense of inferiority but also an exhilarating heartbeat.

Belrua closed her eyes. Even in darkness, the brilliance of the imperial steel shimmered in her mind.

"This is a secret worth dedicating my entire life to."

She spoke, and the blacksmiths nodded in agreement.

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