Barbarian Quest

Chapter 149

Urich entered the tent, his eyes rolling around and scanning the inside.

'Noah Arten is here too.'

Urich gazed at Noah, who nodded slightly to him in greeting. They had no personal animosity; if it werent for the complex situation, they might have even been close, as they seemed to be sharing a strange bond.

'Hes also a man who crossed the mountains to experience both worlds.'

It was rare to find someone else whos also experienced the two worlds.

"Ah, Urich. Come and sit here."

Samikan happily invited Urich to a cushioned seat. Urich sat down and looked at the fire. There was meat being barbecued over the fire, and the sweet and savory aroma of the meat intensified with each drop of its grease burning in the fire with a sizzle.

"You dont send me into battle these days."

Urich grumbled, cutting the surface of the cooked meat, taking a bite, and washing it down with a drink.

"You know exactly why I dont, don't you?"

"So, how long are you going to keep me here for no reason?"

"Holding you here is the objective itself."

Samikan laughed, lifting a cup made of a buffalo horn.

"I am a free man. I'm going to go back to my tribe."

"That would be a problem for me. Why do you think I didn't completely wipe out the Stone Axe Tribe?"

Urich spun the cutting knife in his hand. He could kill everyone here if he wanted to. Samikan was a great chief, but as a warrior, Urich was far superior.

"I'll become the chief of my tribe."

Urich spoke, staring into the fire. The flames flared aggressively as the grease dripped, casting flickering shadows in front of Urich's eyes.

"...Is that really your choice? You're choosing a difficult path. I understand your strong attachment to the tribe, but it's the same tribe that once turned its back on you. You've already done enough for them."

Samikan wanted Urich as his own subordinate. Urich was a dual-natured warriorcautious yet impulsive, calm yet passionate.

"I was an orphan of the plains. I don't even know my parents' faces or names. The Stone Axe is the tribe that took me in and raised me... Even if that tribe turns its back on me, I won't turn my back on it."

Samikan squinted his eyes.

'That's why I wanted to keep him as my subordinate.'

Urich didn't play games, nor did he rack his brains to find an easy way out. He chose the hard path, according to his duty and principle. Those who play games betray those around them without hesitation at the sight of better opportunities.

"You want me to send you back so you can become chief? That is ridiculous. I'm not foolish enough to let a potential enemy grow stronger."

Samikan glanced at a sword lying nearby.

"I hold no grudge against your conquests. In fact, I support you, as long as my tribe isn't the target. I want the tribes to unite as quickly as possible. In three or four years, and thats at most, we'll all have to fight together."

"Are you still talking about that enemy of yours beyond the mountains? Keke."

Samikan chuckled, covering his mouth with his fist. He looked intently at Noah, who sat impassively.

"Let's make an oath of brotherhood, Samikan. That'll be our vow not to be enemies."

The smile faded from Samikans face.

"Are you being serious right now? I am your tribe's biggest enemy."

"Let's forget past grievances and become one. I've seen people manage to do that in the past."

The north and west were similar in many ways. They both had limited resources, harsh environments, and people killing and plundering each other for survival. Even the north managed to become united after putting their mutual grievances aside.

"If we make this oath and I become chief of the Stone Axe, us, the Red Sand, and the Blue Mist will all be virtually allies. We'll be the largest and strongest power in the plains and wastelands. We can advance further west. Under the western sky, we'll swallow all tribes."

Samikan stared at Urich, enticed by the offer. A troublesome element seemed to have vanished in the blink of an eye.

I didnt think hed be the one to offer brotherhood first. His ability to see the bigger picture is quite impressive.'

Samikan had thought of brotherhood as a strategy but never believed Urich would accept.

"You're proposing an alliance of tribes."

"No matter how strong your Blue Mist is, it's at most comparable to Red Sand. It's hard to conquer them, and I believe you know that very well."

"Thats not a bad offer. But I have a condition, Urich. Support me as the supreme chief."

Urich nodded. Samikan's face brightened.

"Well prepare the oath."

Samikan went outside, summoning a priest to prepare the oath. The startled priest looked alternately at Urich and Samikan.

"Is this real, chief?"

"Yes, it is. I will make an oath of brotherhood with Urich."

The priest of Blue Mist seemed displeased but kept quiet.

When Samikan became the chief of his tribe, he purged anyone who opposed him and monopolized the power within the tribe. His will was the will of Blue Mist.

In tribal society, the value of brotherhood was paramount. Betraying a brother was the most despicable of all crimes. Tribal warriors grew up hunting with peers, living as brothers until death. The brothers who they hunted and battled with were practically an extension of themselves.

The oath of brotherhood was a vow to accept an outsider as ones own brother. Such brothers were equal and received the same treatment.

If Urich became Samikan's brother, he would be treated as an equal to Samikan within the Blue Mist Tribe. Conversely, Samikan would also be treated equally among the Stone Axe Tribe members. Naturally, there was bound to be resistance for various reasons.

What quelled the dissent was Samikan's absolute power. Moreover, Urich was already respected among Blue Mist warriors, only needing to suppress the opposition of the shamans.

The sky was clear. The village center buzzed with people coming to witness the oath. The more witnesses, the better.

"I have ambition, Urich."

Samikan, in a feathered headdress, spoke. It was a more flamboyant attire than usual that made him look larger in stature.

"Who doesn't?"

Urich chuckled, slicing his palm with a knife, and dripping his blood into a pan of goat's milk.

"Although we make this oath out of necessity... I will treat and support you as a brother. I believe you will do the same."

Samikan glared at Urich and cut his palm, also dripping his blood into the bowl.

The priest raised his hand. Veiled shamans bowed their heads, singing in guttural tones. Their sound resonated lowly and heavily.

"Under the sky, these two men shared their blood and became brothers. The word of this new connection shall be spread for ten days."

The priest declared. The witnesses who were gathered on the day of the oath were obligated to spread the news that Urich and Samikan were now brothers. Those who heard the news from these witnesses would also tell others for the next ten days, and so on, spreading the word.

In tribal society, important news was disseminated in this mandatory manner. Information spread slowly in a society that moved only on foot.

Urich drank the blood-mixed goat's milk, feeling it seep into his body. When he opened his eyes, Samikan looked a bit different, perhaps due to the change in his mindset.

"Were now brothers."

Samikan and Urich embraced and bumped each other's shoulders.

Come back here as a chief, Urich. That shall be our beginning."

As a gesture of respect for his brother, Samikan freed all hostages from the Stone Axe Tribe. As chief, he couldn't enslave his brother's tribe.

Urich and Vald prepared to return to the Stone Axe Tribe. Freed Stone Axe women hugged each other, crying. Young boys, who would soon become warriors themselves, looked at Urich in admiration.

Vald spoke to Urich as he packed his things.

"There will be warriors unhappy about you becoming brothers with Samikan. They were waiting for revenge against the Blue Mist. That was the only thing on their minds."

"Do you feel the same?"

Urich stared at Vald's face.

"Nope, I trust you. You and I are brothers, and you saved our tribe's future. What more is there to say?"

"I don't intend on convincing those who don't understand me. There's no time for that. From now on, we can only move forward."

Urich shouldered his load. Outside, the Stone Axe Tribe members had already formed a procession and were on the move. Older boys led the group, protecting the tribe.

As Urich joined them, all eyes turned to him. Words of gratitude flooded his ears. After looking around at his people, he smiled at them.

* * *

"They're back! They've returned!"

"The women and boys are back!"

The tribespeople of the Stone Axe Tribe ran around shouting. Those who were working also rushed outside in a hurry.

"Urich has brought everyone back!"

It was hard to believe, but the people standing before their eyes were real, not made-up. The warriors who were finally reunited with their sons, daughters, and wives whom they were only able to see in their dreams, cried and embraced their families. Warriors usually didn't show tears as it was considered a sign of weakness, but not this time.

"Thank you, Urich. Thank you."

"Dont mention it."

Urich greeted each person as he passed by. He wiped his face with a wet cloth to clean off the dust.

"Kirungka!"

Urich called out to Kirungka in the distance. Kirungka was also in disbelief, overjoyed to see his brother and sister again.

"Urich, I should start with this. Thank you. I don't know what kind of deal you had to make, but getting the family back is what matters most."

Kirungkas smile was genuine. Urich patted his shoulder and nodded.

"Where's Gizzle?"

Kirungka's expression changed. He looked at Urich and shook his head.

"He went hunting and hasn't returned. It's been three days."

"A hunt lasting over three days is normal, but Gizzle is the chief..."

"Yes, that's the problem. Gizzle never leaves the village for more than two days. Hes always prioritized his duty as chief more than anything."

Gizzle was missing, and the whole tribe was aware of his absence.

Vald approached Urich upon hearing this.

"This could be a good thing for us. If Gizzle doesn't return, you would naturally become the chief."

"Well... I think I need to find Gizzle first."

Urich asked around the tribe, but no one knew where Gizzle could have gone.

Soon the Stone Axe warriors learned why the captives were freed. Hearing about the brotherhood pact with Samikan, they had mixed reactions. Influential warriors gathered and discussed.

"An oath of brotherhood with Samikan, this is I don't know what to say."

"But that must have been the only way."

"The important thing is that everyone is back."

"But what about our revenge? Where should our anger and hatred be directed now?"

Various opinions were exchanged. Some had forgotten their anger in their joy, while others still held on to it.

"Urich made the brotherhood oath, and as a token of respect, our people were returned. We can't attack the Blue Mist. That would be petty and despicable."

Everyone agreed on that.

"The bigger problem is the absence of our chief. Talking among ourselves is pointless without a leader. We dont have a head! If, for some reason, the chief never returns..."

"Don't let words become reality! Don't speak carelessly!"

Despite various opinions, the Stone Axe Tribe celebrated with a festival. They danced and sang all night.

Urich took a chunk of smoked meat and headed to the forest. He always visited the old shaman when he returned from a trip.

The old shaman welcomed Urich with the meat. She put a pot on the fire, telling him shed make a delicious soup.

"Today I added the extra good stuff! You being so sturdy is all thanks to me, Urich."

Urich shrugged and casually sat down.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just give me a reading. Gizzle went hunting and no ones heard from him since. If you can tell me the general direction of where he went, I'll go look for him."

The old shaman, putting herbs into the pot, grinned, showing her yellow teeth.

"That brat went up the mountain. I sent him with a talisman to ward off the evil spirits."

Urich jumped up, his eyes wide.

"He went up the mountain? Gizzle did?"

"Don't worry. He has my talisman, so hell return without any curses."

"You stupid old hag..."

Urich frowned. Hearing Urichs insult, the old shaman smacked his head with a wooden spoon. Urich snatched her fur cloak and wrapped it around himself.

"Eat my cooking first, you rascal!"

"Shut up. The mountain is dangerous, not because of evil spirits. It's not a place to cross without any preparation. Which way did Gizzle go?"

Urich had crossed the mountains twice and knew how dangerous it was.

'Why did you cross the mountains, Gizzle?'

He already knew the answer. Gizzle was always like this. Whenever Urich achieved something, Gizzle tried to do the same. That was their competition.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!