Chapter 64: Jungle Affairs
It was this clarity that deeply moved Enzo at this moment.
Piled like small mountains were white bones, rough stone carvings, and an altar overgrown with weeds...
But what struck Enzo the most was the figure seated on the altar. This person had long since passed away, yet their body had not decayed.Instead, it appeared mummified, with eyes like dark voids staring fixedly toward the entrance of the cave, almost as if they could see Enzo.
Enzo became alert, thinking to himself, "What in the world is this?"
He walked toward the mummified corpse, slowly ascending the altar. Before the corpse, he found a slate tablet, upon which were written some messages in the script of the barren mountain.
[Ritual failed.]
[If attempted again, perhaps it could succeed, but I have no more time...]
[Thun Tribe's Power Domination Ritual...]
[Is disaster coming again?]
These fragmented messages seemed hastily written.
The only useful information was about the Power Domination Ritual, a ritual that could enhance physical strength through sacrificial offerings, akin to the baptism by tribal fire but more economical, as not all tribes could afford ample tribal fire.
Enzo noted down the contents from the slate and then destroyed it.
He searched the surroundings but found nothing else of value.
This left Enzo puzzled. He couldn't help but mutter, "Disaster? Another disaster... According to the thick layer of dust on the ground, it's been at least a hundred years. And haven't the people of the Steel Teeth Tribe been here before?"
Enzo was enveloped in numerous doubts, but now wasn't the time to dwell on them.
He felt the transfer of power weakening.
So, he walked out of the cave and instructed Heru, who was waiting, "Heru, thoroughly search the Steel Teeth Tribe's camp for any other discoveries, but do not linger. Also, when you return, make another trip here. I will return again, and Arceus will accompany you."
Heru nodded.
Enzo's figure disappeared instantly.
Seeing this, all members of the Vanguard squad were exhilarated.
They were increasingly certain of one thing—Lord Enzo was indeed the deity who had come to save them!
...
Meanwhile, at the ritual square of the Crimson Star Tribe...
Enzo suddenly felt intense pain in his brain, as if someone had thrust a sharp blade into it and was violently stirring. The sensation was excruciating and unbearable.
Gritting his teeth, Enzo leaned on the scepter of the barren mountain, his body swaying.
He couldn't help but curse, "Using the scepter of the barren mountain has such side effects? It seems I can't use it casually..."
At that moment, several tribal members passed by the ritual square.
Upon seeing Enzo's pained expression, they immediately shouted, "Oh no, Lord Priest is in trouble!"
The cries echoed out, throwing the tribe into turmoil.
Luckily, Amy promptly stepped forward to take charge, preventing further chaos .
In the two-story bamboo hut.
Enzo leaned his head against Amy's plump thighs, sniffing the fragrance from her body. Her gentle hands massaged his temples.The intense pain immediately dissipated.
Amy complained, "Enzo, why do you take such risks? What if something happened to you..."
Sensing Amy's anger, Enzo reassured her, "Amy, I understand the situation well. I won't come to any harm."
Tears streamed down Amy's face as she cried, "But seeing you like this, I'm so worried."
Enzo sat up, acknowledging the risk he had taken to save Heru and the others.
He held Amy close, wiping away the tears from her face.
Then, he gently kissed Amy's cheek and said, "I was testing the scepter of the barren mountain and happened to sense trouble with Heru, so I intervened."
Enzo detailed everything that had happened to Amy.
After hearing him out, Amy apologized, "I'm sorry, Lord Enzo, I shouldn't have criticized you like that."
Enzo smirked and said, "Is a mere apology enough?"
Amy looked into Enzo's malicious eyes and asked, "Then what do you want to do?"
Enzo's gaze kept scanning Amy's body, and then he reached towards the breasts bound by animal skins and gently grabbing them.
Amy's eyes grew misty, but she persisted, saying, "Not ...now."
Enzo asked, "Why not?"
Amy replied, "I still have a lot of work to finish. Tonight, though, anything you want…"
Amy's promise made Enzo ecstatic. He released Amy, nodded, refraining from insisting on keeping her now, knowing a firmer approach later would likely meet with her agreement.
Shortly after confirming Enzo was alright, Amy left the bamboo hut.
...
The marketplace was still under construction, with the currency system being implemented, placing everyone in the Crimson Star Tribe in a state of overwhelming work.
Simultaneously, there was pressure from Plata Plain adding to their burdens.
All tribe members appeared extremely busy, striving to build their homes and hoping for a better life.
Meanwhile, Enzo sought out Ward.
Ward was busy instructing people on how to construct the marketplace. When he saw Enzo approaching, he hastily asked, "Lord Enzo, are you here to inspect the work?"
Enzo shook his head and replied, "No, I'm here for something else."
He continued, "Ward, do you know about the Thun Tribe?"
"The Thun Tribe!" Ward's voice noticeably rose upon hearing the name.
Clearly, he was familiar with this tribe.
Though unsure of Enzo's intentions, Ward explained, "Lord Enzo, long ago, the jungle was the strongest in the surrounding regions. Tribes in the jungle could easily hunt supernatural beings in Plata Plain, Caucasus Mountain, Rivaille Forest, and others. This was all thanks to one tribe—the Thun Tribe. They possessed a remarkable method that greatly enhanced the strength of all their tribe members. Unfortunately, the Thun Tribe suddenly disappeared..."
Ward knew only this much. He didn't have more detailed information.
At this point, Enzo also understood. The method used by the Thun Tribe to enhance their people's strength was the Power Domination Ritual. According to previous information from Priest Lucy, the Ritual belonged to the supernatural system of the barren mountain region. This raised questions. Could the Thun Tribe be related to the extinct Barren Mountain Tribe?
If the Golden Lion Tribe could survive, then perhaps the Barren Mountain Tribe could have as well.
However, all of this was speculation. The truth of these events was buried in the dust of time, not easily unearthed about the Jungle Affairs in the past.
Moreover, the current focus of the tribe was not on ancient history.
Enzo didn't linger at the marketplace construction site for long. Instead, he returned to his residence to delve into the study of the Ritual and explore other potential uses of the Scepter of the Barren Mountain.
Time quickly passed.
...
In the evening.
Shirley made a visit to the bamboo house to report on her work tasks.
She had crushed the ramie plants to extract their fibers, and with the help of others, removed impurities to spin the fibers into linen thread. They anticipated soon being able to produce linen fabric.
That meant the tribe's clothing would become richer.
Brian also came .
He came to find Enzo, not because of any issues with ironware production, but because the yellow iron ore was nearly depleted. He reported on the current production of ironware .He said , "Lord Enzo, so far we've forged ten axes, five machetes, twenty daggers, five iron pots, and various iron arrowheads and spear tips..."
Enzo listened and nodded.
Regarding the new yellow iron ore, he assured Brian, "Don't worry, Brian, I'll arrange for its transportation."
Satisfied, Brian left, but returned shortly holding a translucent pottery item, coincidentally meeting Amy on her way back.
Placing the translucent ceramic jar on the table, Brian said, "Lord Enzo, this is pottery we accidentally fired."
Enzo, astonished, examined it and shook his head, "This isn't just pottery, Brian, this is glass!"
Brian was curious, "Glass?"
Enzo held the glass jar, observing it closely.
Though not entirely transparent and containing impurities like dust and bubbles, it was mostly glass, considered exceptionally exquisite for the era.
If Douglas saw it, he would probably have spent a lot of money to buy it.
Thinking of this, Enzo smiled and said, "Brian, for now, there's no urgent need to produce glass. It requires more stringent conditions and specific tools. Focus on producing enough ironware to meet the tribe's needs. When the time comes, I'll teach you how to make glass."
Excited, Brian replied, "Yes, Lord Enzo!"
Afterwards, Brian left the bamboo house.
Only Amy remained, sitting beside Enzo like an affectionate cat, her fox tail brushing against him, her soft hands restless, occasionally reaching towards his legs.
Sensing her actions, Enzo picked her up and headed upstairs.
Gently placing Amy on the bed, he quickly took off her clothes and played with the soft breasts, unable to resist holding it in his mouth. This kind of caressing also quickly dissipated Amy's fatigue throughout the day.