My Kingdom Building Done Right!

Chapter 214: Future Of The Two Tribes [Part 2]

"Continue." Leone crossed his arms over his chest. "What’s the real reason you waited for me the entire night?"

Logan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he glanced at Rasta, as if telling the Orc Shaman to explain everything. He might be smart, but he wasn’t as eloquent as the other when it came to explaining things.

"Do you know how Orcs form pacts with other tribes?" Rasta asked.

"No," Leone answered honestly. "I didn’t learn that from the academy."

The Orc Shaman had no idea what this academy Leone was talking about. Still, since the young man had no idea how Orcs formed alliances, he decided to explain it properly.

"Unlike magical contracts, the pact between tribes doesn’t have any magical binding that will enforce it," Rasta explained. "If anything, the only thing that binds it is honor. For that reason, Orcs don’t make pacts with anyone they don’t fully trust."

He then glanced at Logan, prompting the latter to nod his head in affirmation.

"What I’m trying to say is that our chieftain wishes for you to become his sworn brother," Rasta declared. "A pact that we Orcs recognize."

In fact, the one who had introduced the blood pact as a way to swear brotherhood was also the Monster Sovereign.

Monsters weren’t too literate during that era, and binding contracts didn’t exist. However, there was one thing they all recognized, and that was a blood pact.

It was a very brutish, savage way of forming alliances. Not to mention, very dangerous.

The blood pact was relatively simple. Both sides would draw blood and pour it into a small bowl that was already filled with some kind of concoction.

Only a few drops were needed from each side. The purpose of the concoction was to prevent contamination or infection due to the potency of the monsters’ blood.

Some blood was very poisonous, with some even capable of melting a person’s skin. In order to prevent injury, these kinds of blood would be mixed with other special herbs, neutralizing their toxic effects.

Leone nodded in understanding. Barbarians also did something similar to swear brotherhood with each other.

He just didn’t expect that he would be doing it with an Orc.

"What’s wrong?" Logan saw Leone’s troubled expression. "Are you against it? Or do you think I am not worthy?"

"Neither," Leone answered. "I’m just wondering if swearing brotherhood should be done on an empty stomach. Actually, I’m feeling hungry right now."

The Orcs looked at Leone in disbelief. Then again, he had a point. Forming a blood pact on an empty stomach didn’t seem like a very good idea.

Suddenly, Logan started chuckling.

On the other hand, Rasta and Khan glanced at each other and smiled.

Once upon a time, they couldn’t even imagine that their leader would want to make a pact of brotherhood with someone.

Even the representatives of the Monster King failed to convince Logan to become part of their monster army.

And yet, here he was, taking the initiative to swear brotherhood with Leone.

"Jason, can you bring us something to eat?" Leone glanced at his vassal, who had come running after sensing that his chieftain was in danger. "Enough for the four of us."

"Understood, Great Chieftain," Jason replied before leaving to carry out Leone’s orders.

He was very reluctant to leave, but Leone had sent him a telephatic message beforehand, assuring him that the Orcs had no intention of harming him.

"Um... By the way, Leone, about what happened to Brann..." Khan fidgeted from behind Logan, looking a little awkward. "Is it possible for me to become as strong as him?"

Logan and Rasta both flinched after hearing the shameless request of the Orc Warlord. However, neither of them said anything.

Khan was part of the Ravage Tribe. Not to mention, an Orc Warlord. He wasn’t asking this because he wanted to leave the Ravage Tribe.

He was asking purely out of curiosity.

Leone gave the Orc Warlord a long and hard look. Khan smiled awkwardly in return while holding the young man’s gaze.

Rasta glanced at Khan for a bit before moving his attention back to Leone. He believed that the young chieftain couldn’t bestow his blessings on someone so easily.

If that was really possible, then wouldn’t he have given all the warriors of the Aslan Tribe that kind of power?

"Um, do I have the qualifications?" Khan asked. "Rasta said I must meet some requirements?"

"Oh?" Leone arched an eyebrow and glanced at the Orc Shaman, who was also looking in his direction.

Since the Orc Warlord had brought this topic up, Daedalus brought up a projection in front of Leone. Something only he could see.

’What does Sub-Vassal mean?’ Leone asked Daedalus because both Khan and Rasta had the words ’Sub-Vassal Candidate’ under their names.

’It means they could also gain powers once Logan becomes your vassal,’ Daedalus explained. ’Unfortunately, you’re not strong enough to make Logan your vassal.

’Never mind whether he’s interested or not. You have to wait until your Territory Rank rises to Rank 3. Only then will you be powerful enough to bestow vassalship on him, granting him formidable powers. Right now, you can only convert beings up to Rank 5 as your vassals.’

’I see.’ Leone nodded in understanding.

He then looked at Khan, who seemed to be feeling a little anxious because the young man still hadn’t replied to his inquiry.

"The short answer to your question is yes," Leone answered. "However, I’m not strong enough to make you my vassal right now, Khan. You will have to wait for me to become a little stronger before I can make you strong."

"Oh!" Khan nodded happily. "So I can become strong when you become strong?"

"That’s right!" Leone gave the Orc Warlord a thumbs-up in response.

He didn’t dare to say that he could only make Khan his vassal if Logan became his vassal.

Leone didn’t know how the Orc Champion would react if he said something like that to his face, especially right after Logan asked if they could become sworn brothers.

’Well, you can nurture your relationship slowly,’ Daedalus commented. ’By the time you complete all your territory rank missions, I’m sure the Ravage Tribe would have formed strong ties with the Aslan Tribe. By then, they probably wouldn’t mind if their Champion became your vassal.’

Leone agreed with Daedalus’ comment. There was no need to rush. Building relationships properly should be his priority.

Right now, Logan wished to form a bond with him. A bond not enforced by a contract.

And the Orc had taken the initiative to do so.

He didn’t want the Ravage Tribe to stand at a disadvantageous position. At least, they should be equals.

Leone had no idea that this day would be the start of something far bigger than he could have ever imagined.

A day when an old tale that had long been forgotten would once again rise from the ashes, ushering in an era of change across the entire continent.

An era where monsters, barbarians, and races that had once stood apart would gradually gather beneath a single banner.

The first seed of that future was being planted right now.

And neither Leone nor Logan realized it.