The silence lasted for a good minute. The problem was a difficult one.
The divine butterfly tribe is the ruler of Pushpam. And it was their responsibility to maintain the safety of the citizens in the city. By no means could they shirk this responsibility.
The thriving city developed due to the safety and opportunities it could provide. Without those, would the city remain as it is?
"How about giving reparations to those who were harmed by the evil organisation." Another elder suggested. And the majority of the members of the divine butterfly tribe nodded in response, agreeing with him.
However, the first elder wanted more than this response.
"Citizens are the most essential part of a city. What would happen when they migrate away? Would reparations be enough?" The first elder posed the question to remind them about what would happen.
Alex, who heard it felt a light bulb go off in his brain. He finally understood where this man was going with his speech. The first elder directed them at the possible future where the citizens would lose trust in nine great tribes. And the chaos that would ensue due to that.
"Although Chitra was able to prevent the damage done to the city, she had to pay a heavy price. She disappeared, leaving us guessing if she was alive or dead. And the information about what happened is being circulated to the public. Surely, it would affect the grace and dignity of our tribe."
"When you add the similar events that transpired in Thira and Blue gem city. The damage it would do to the public image of the nine great tribes would have a snowball effect. By then, the trust we built would disintegrate into nothing."
"To prevent that, we should act now. With reparation, we must take the initiative in battling the evil organisation. We cannot wait like we always do anymore." The first elder boldly suggested.
"We have to ensure the safety of the citizen. We must rebuild the trust we have lost. We should fight back for once. Just like how we did in the past against the sealed demon." His voice cracked at the end when he said it.
His heavy words resounded in the ears of the members of the divine butterfly tribe. They were once again reminded of who they really are. One of the nine great tribes. The tribe with the foresight and ability to prevent a great cataclysm.
They have to step in.
These words invigorated the others. Even Alex felt that his words made sense. And his usual bullshit detector was not warning him against this man.
'Although the son was stupid, I think the father is not.' Alex thought. The actions of the first elder were utterly different from his son's. The father had answers, dissimilar to the son with too many questions.
"The reason why we invited the White-robed man and the primal chaos tribe was for this reason." With a dignified voice, the leader of the divine butterfly tribe finally spoke. Salwa knew what would happen in the meeting even before it commenced. Her position warranted her to know these.
With the first elder's support, she wanted to know the opinion of the tribe before she decided to take action.
Suddenly, the other members of the tribe were enlightened. The presence of the white-robed man and the primal chaos tribe now made sense.
"The prophecy predicts perilous times. We, as one of the nine great tribes, are vital. But, our strength would not be enough to survive what is about come. For that, we need the help of everyone, that include the other tribes and the citizens.
"We cannot allow their morale to decrease. For that, we will work together with other tribes and share information. I predict, in this future, this prevent us from being blindsided by the evil organisation." Salwa said. When she said the word predict, it affected everyone differently. Her power and prestige made her words instantly believable.
"Is there anyone with a differing opinion?" She finally asked the others.
"What are you planning exactly?" This time, it was Alex that broke the silence. He was the only one fearless enough to ask a question to Salwa.
"The plan is to create an information-sharing network by combining resources of all the nine great tribes. After that, all information about the evil organisation would be transmitted through it." Instead of Salwa, it was the first elder that answered Alex.
"The effort to organise is commendable. But is it really possible to create such a network? Would the other great tribes participate in this?"
"Not just great tribes. We plan to include all the tribes we can. And about their participation, we have yet to confirm. But I can say that more than half of the nine great tribes will work with us. The remaining would join soon once they realise the importance of the information we can provide." The first elder stated calmly.
He was confident that the divine butterfly tribe could convince the other tribes. Even as a neutral tribe, their power and influence over the continent were immutable. Their tribe excelled in dealing with information. Some about the past, some even about the future.
No one in their right mind would want to lose their friendship with the divine butterfly tribe.
"Okay. I will believe in your words for now. But you have to confirm what role I play in this all." Alex wanted the answer desperately.
He wanted to know why the Divine Butterfly tribe treated him so well.
"Because of the prophecy," Salwa stated immediately. This drove everyone into a frenzy.
"What do you mean?" The now alert Alex asked.
"Because the prophecy stated the rise of a hero. A champion that could save us all from doom."
"What does it have to do with me?" Alex asked with a serious tone.
"Nothing," Salwa spoke clearly. And this surprised Alex. For a moment, he thought that she would call him a hero. But it doesn't seem to be the case. In her own words, she said he had nothing to do with the prophecy.
So, why?
"Your words are making it even more confusing. If you have something to share, share it clearly." Slightly annoyed by how Salwa treated him, Alex asked in a steamer voice.
"Do you not fear death?" The young man, the son of the first elder, stood up and asked Alex. His hands were visibly shaking in anger. He was trying his best not to punch, who was disrespecting the leader of his tribe by raising his voice.
"I do fear death. But that doesn't mean that I surrender before my fears." Alex stood up and looked eye to eye with the annoying man. The situation turned tense for a moment.
"SIT!" The first elder had to speak once again to make his son sit.
However, Alex remained standing. He clearly showed that he didn't need to obey anyone in that room.
"Sorry for that." Once again, the first elder apologised. "We invited you to ask for your help." He stated.
"We could identify that you are trustworthy because even the primal chaos tribe was willing to vouch for you. And your combat power is high. From what we know, you are hunting down the members of the evil organisation. Even the white robes you wear show your attitude to the evil organisation. So, we want to ask for your help.
"Although our leader said you are unrelated to the prophecy, that is just the partial truth. As an individual that lives in the central continent, you are connected to the prophecy. But not directly.
"So, we still need your strength."
Alex finally sat down on his chair. Thankfully, the first elder escalated the situation.
"What do you want me to do?"
"We want you to act as if you are the hero from the prophecy." The first elder prayed in his heart before stating the reason.
'I don't need to ask why to know what they are planning. Once, I agreed to act as the hero from the prophecy. I will grab the public's attention, which would raise their morale. At the same time, I would become the target of the evil organisation. They could kill two birds with one stone.'
Alex realised their ploy instantly. But he didn't care much about that. After all, he created this persona for that exact purpose.
"Okay," Alex stated with a calm voice that startled the first elder and Salwa. They never expected an easy answer like that.
"Do you not need to know why?" The first elder curiously asked.
"I could guess why. So, what benefits would it entail to become the beacon of hope temporarily? You know I would be in danger when you suggested that, right? So, I presume the benefits would be just as good."
"Ha ha ha…" The first elder really liked Alex's answer. He wants reasonable people like Alex to be his ally.
"Of course, we can negotiate on that."
"Then let's do that."
After that, Alex went into full-on negotiation mode. He asked for resources he desperately wanted and a way to communicate with the information network while hiding his identity.
Although he was negotiating as if he would work for them. He was also creating a plan in his mind to use the resources of the divine butterfly tribe. For example, anyone can wear white robes until his identity is a secret.
'My pet would have a lot of work to do once she is woken up.' Alex thought in his heart.
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