Chapter 81: Arrogant Kevin
"The envoy from Plata Plain?"
Upon hearing the news, Clara was somewhat puzzled.
After all, the Mpondo Tribe had been recently eliminated by the Crimson Star Tribe, so it seemed suspicious that an envoy from Plata Plain would arrive now.
Clara couldn't understand it.
Therefore, she informed Enzo directly.
In the second industrial zone, Enzo was discussing glass-making with Brian.
As the weather grew colder, farming became difficult, which freed up many hands.
In the past, these people could only wait in the tribe's camp for winter to pass, and some even had to huddle in small caves due to lack of necessary warm clothing.
Now, things were different.
The battle with the Mpondo Tribe had yielded a large number of animal skins for Enzo. While not every tribe member could get one, at least three or five people could share one without issue.
Because of this, even on snowy days, the tribe still had many people able to work.
Some hunted, some fished, but most took on tasks such as transporting ores from the several mines . Enzo's team had discovered, including halite ore, pyrite, and the latest river sand used for glass-making.
When Clara arrived, she saw Brian blowing glassware.
Surprised, she admired Enzo's wisdom even more. After all, such transparent and smooth jars had never appeared before; it was as if created by a deity.
Seeing Clara, Enzo couldn't help but ask, "Clara, what's the matter?"
Clara explained the reason for her visit.
After listening, Enzo furrowed his brow and muttered, "An envoy from Plata Plain? They actually came to the Crimson Star Tribe. Interesting. Take them to the reception hall, I'll come shortly."
"Understood." Clara replied, then turned and left.
Enzo briefly instructed Brian about the glass-making process before heading towards the camp's reception hall.
...
The northern gate of the Crimson Star Tribe camp.
When Clara returned, she addressed Gorn and his party, saying, "Lord Enzo has agreed to meet with you. You may enter, but the Giant Bone Wolf and weapons need to be temporarily surrendered."
Gorn and his group were slightly displeased.
But this was standard protocol for visitors. Gorn reluctantly agreed.
Under Clara's guidance, Gorn and his party met Enzo.
Both sides sized each other up.
Gorn hadn't expected Enzo to be so young. Most importantly, Enzo gave him an unsettling feeling, seemingly more dangerous than facing Chief Linda herself.
This Priest Enzo was no ordinary person!"
Gorn thought warily.
At that moment, Kevin arrogantly questioned, "Are you Priest Enzo of the Crimson Star Tribe? You've managed to wipe out the Mpondo Tribe, so you have some skill. But as jungle monkeys, who gave you permission to enter Plata Plain?"
As soon as the words left Kevin's mouth, Gorn felt things were about to go south.
Damn it!
Kevin was so reckless!
Gorn cursed inwardly. He was about to speak up to explain, but then heard Enzo's cold voice, "Are you here to cause trouble?"
Kevin sneered, "Cause trouble? You think the Crimson Star Tribe is capable? Listen up, you jungle monkeys. I'm Kevin, the next Chief of the Thorn Bush Tribe. I've come here to forgive your sins. Starting this month, you will tribute ten wild beasts to the Thorn Bush Tribe every month. Otherwise, the Crimson Star Tribe has no reason to exist!"
It was a blatant threat.
In fact, this was Kevin's primary reason for volunteering as an envoy.
He had never held any goodwill towards the jungle.
Especially after hearing that his own mother, Linda, who was also the Chief of the Thorn Bush Tribe, was considering recognizing the jungle tribe's legitimacy. He was displeased but feared his mother's authority, so he dared not openly oppose her. Instead, he chose to go to the jungle himself to prove that his ideas were correct.
People from the jungle are nothing but a bunch of cowardly monkeys!
They should kneel before us and become servants of Plata Plain, offering up their wealth and even their lives.
And if he could solve the problem of the Crimson Star Tribe, he would gain enough prestige in Plata Plain to smoothly inherit the Thorn Bush Tribe. Who knew, might the next time Lord Freya visited Plata Plain, he would have the chance to become one of Lord Freya's subordinates, getting closer to achieving his wishes.
Kevin's thoughts were quite idealistic.
He completely failed to realize that this was just his own one-sided fantasy.
Moreover, the gathering of representatives from various tribes in Plata Plain to discuss matters had already shown the oppressive feeling that the Crimson Star Tribe brought to the tribes.
As a result, Gorn, who had come along, was sweating profusely at this moment.
Feeling the increasingly oppressed atmosphere, he struggled to figure out how to fix things and appease Enzo's anger, but then heard the clear sounds of clinking.
He raised his head slightly and glanced over.
Enzo sat on a bamboo chair, one hand resting on the table, lightly tapping his index finger on the wooden surface. He didn't seem angry about Kevin's offense, but calmly asked, "You are from the Thorn Bush Tribe."
Gorn, puzzled, quickly replied, "Not entirely."
He explained briefly that the members of the envoy came from various tribes, but the Thorn Bush Tribe took the lead.
Then Gorn added, "Priest Enzo, Kevin didn't mean to offend the Crimson Star Tribe. He simply stayed in Plata Plain for too long and isn't very aware of external matters."
Enzo smiled and said, "I see."
In the next moment, Enzo changed his tone, "However, for every wrongdoing, there must be consequences. If one misspeaks, it should be the same, wouldn't you agree, Mr. Gorn?"
Gorn's expression soured a bit, gritting his teeth as he asked, "Priest Enzo, what do you intend?"
Enzo stood up, walked towards Kevin, and declared, "Anyone who dares to threaten in front of the Crimson Star Tribe must pay the price!"
Kevin realized his mistake and shouted, "My mother is the chief of the Thorn Bush Tribe!"
A cold smirk played on Enzo's lips. "Since that's the case, you deserve even more of a lesson."
Crack—
The sharp sound of bones breaking echoed.
Kevin didn't immediately register the pain until it surged through his arm, causing him to collapse to the ground in agony, his eyes filled with venomous disbelief.
Gorn and his companions all turned their furious gazes towards Enzo, their faces pale with anger.
Gorn thundered, "Priest Enzo, we demand an explanation. Despite Kevin's offense against you and the Crimson Star Tribe, I've already apologized. But now, you've gone as far as breaking Kevin's arms. This is a provocation against Plata Plain! Are you sure the Crimson Star Tribe can withstand the fury of all the tribes in Plata Plain?!"
Enzo sneered.
He returned to his seat and calmly said, "You can leave now. But before you do, convey a message to the chief of the Thorn Bush Tribe for me. We have unfinished business, and I will personally visit them in due time. I hope the chief of the Thorn Bush Tribe will be prepared."
Gorn, shocked and furious, exclaimed, "You're beyond reason!"
Others in their party mocked, "Your actions will bring disaster upon your tribe. Do you think destroying the Mpondo Tribe gives you the right to ignore the power of other plains tribes?!"
Enzo glanced at them coldly. "If you don't want to leave, then don't ever leave."
His words sent a chill through Gorn and his companions.
They realized they were still within the domain of the Crimson Star Tribe, and despite their envoy status, it didn't guarantee their safety. Kevin was a living example of that.
With that realization, Gorn and his group hurriedly helped Kevin and departed, riding swiftly on their Giant Bone Wolf back towards Plata Plain.
Back in the reception hall, Enzo sat quietly.
Suddenly, he spoke, "Amy, how long are you going to hide over there?"
With the establishment of the Adventurer's Association, the Crimson Star Tribe found itself increasingly busy with various affairs, not only internal but also involving other tribes. The reception hall was thus established, featuring several rooms aside from the main hall, designed for resting or serving as temporary meeting rooms.
At this moment, Amy stood at the corner.
Upon hearing Enzo's words, she walked over, her eyes somewhat reddened.
Seeing Amy in such a pitiable state, Enzo couldn't help but feel some sympathy. He pulled Amy into his embrace and asked, "Amy, do you think I shouldn't have let them go?"
Amy hurriedly shook her head and replied, "Lord Enzo, I don't think that way."
Enzo gently wiped away the tears from Amy's eyes and said, "The Thorn Bush Tribe destroyed the Red River Tribe, and you're the only survivor. I can't ignore the hatred you harbor. Don't worry, Amy, I will help you seek revenge. Moreover, even without that reason, Thorn Bush Tribe deserves to be eradicated just from their words alone! However, I need those people to guide us. It will save us a lot of time."
Enzo was magnanimous towards his own people.
However, Gorn, Kevin, and the others clearly were not his own people. Although Enzo allowed them to leave safely, he marked each of them with the power of a totem.
This mark was highly secretive.
Using the scepter of the barren mountain, he would be able to sense the traces and exact locations of the totem marks.
In this way, the camps of the major tribes in Plata Plain would be exposed to him, and when the timing was right, Enzo didn't mind wiping out another tribe.
Amy was already intelligent and instantly understood Enzo's implications.
Tears of gratitude welled up in her eyes as she buried her head in Enzo's chest. Her furry fox ears nuzzled against Enzo's cheek as she softly said, "Lord Enzo, thank you."
After a moment's hesitation, Amy continued, "Lord Enzo, there's another matter concerning the Red River Tribe..."