"As for the first elder's investigation report. It was biased and incomplete. He could not provide a proper reason for the terrorist attack, theft of the blue gem or the vulnerabilities of the security of the tribe. It was a waste of paper." The third elder who kept quiet suddenly said. He was fascinated to see a thick vein emerge on the first elder's forehead.
"Laya, please come forward to read your investigation report."
"Yes." Laya stood up to come forward.
The matriarch allowed her to speak.
As the smartest in the tribe, Laya had better knowledge about what happened during the terror attack on the city. Analysing and reporting were her forte.
"First, the identity of the attackers is a mystery. But the goal was always the blue gem stored inside the tribe's shrine. And the reason to reach this conclusion…"
"The strongest people in the tribe always guarded the shrine and palace. The attackers carefully created a distraction by launching a large-scale attack on the city. Their motive was to make the shrine susceptible to infiltration."
"Second, it was not a space skill. Instead, a space rune was used to teleport tier 3 beasts into the city. Sir, Taka can vouch for that. Runes are something made by the westerners."
"Third, The tier 3 beats were mutants of the ones seen in the continent. Dissecting the bodies, we learned they were not natural and somehow strengthened. A weird energy was present inside their body."
"Fourth, they accurately attacked when the matriarch was not present in the city."
"Fifth, the people were death soldiers willing to die in battle. No information was acquired from the captives."
After saying that, Laya took a deep breath. What she was going to say next might disturb the audience. But she needed to say it.
"By analysing all the data, there are reasons to doubt that someone from the inside leaked information about the tribe. And the goal of acquiring the blue gem has something to do with the sealed demon in the north."
It was a daunting realisation for the ice phoenix members that something sinister was at play here. Did the other tribes get a warning before the ice phoenix tribe? Were they preparing for a war for a reason? They thought.
After a day's worth of discussion, the punishments were dealt and decisions were made.
Kalina was sent to house arrest for a year and they decided to close the city gates until summer.
It also meant that Alex was free. He left the city after discussing the partnership with Taka. And no one stopped him from going.
—---
After a week, back at the village of the stone head tribe.
"Everyone, the food is ready." Alex happily smiled while warmly inviting his tribesmen.
They were hard at work building his house. So, Alex cheerfully invited them to provide them with food. He couldn't give them proper wages, but with the support of the interdimensional farm, he had no shortage of food.
"Big brother Meru, I want some more chicken soup." Unda, the son of Mani requested. This little brat was playing around all day. Yet when it was time to eat, he always appeared on time.
"Okay! Have some more."
Looking at the warm scene, everyone was happy.
Usually, in the winter, the tribe survived by tightening their belt. But due to Alex's help. They could trade safely with the void fish tribe. And now, food was not a problem. The tribe was slowly raised from poverty.
"Meru, The Mupan is calling you." Suddenly, someone said.
Alex heard it and quickly went to the Mupan's house.
"Mupan! Why did you…" Before he could complete his words, he saw an icy figure looking at him. The cold beauty was gazing at him with faltering eyes. And this beauty was none other than Kalina. The princess of the ice phoenix tribe.
'She should have been under house arrest.'
'Why is she here?'
'Won't they let me have some peace?'
After the near-death experience, Alex hoped to relax and grow stronger while staying far away from trouble. Yet, trouble seemed to have followed him back home.
'Let's just ignore her. Imagine that I am blind. Not blinded by beauty.'
"Oh! Mupan. You seem to have a guest. I will see you next time. Goodbye." Turning around, Alex tried to scoot away.
"Wait a minute, she is here to see you."
"Me?" Pointing at himself, Alex asked in dismay.
"That doesn't seem right. Why would she want to see me?"
"It's about your parents. She wishes to inform you about what actually happened when they died." Although the Mupan said the words quietly, they instantly captured Alex's attention. It was hard to say that he cared about it, nonetheless, he felt that it was important enough for him to listen to what she had to say.
"What do you have to say?" He directly asked the princess.
Kalina who heard it recounted the incident.
"Ten years ago, A group of people attacked my parents. With them was Meena, a two-year-old child. They knew that their enemies were strong and it was impossible for them to survive. And in their desperation, to save Meena, they left her with your parent's care. They were the only friends they could think of at that moment."
"Your father fought against the enemies and perished with my parents. And your mother died after safely returning Meena to the Blue gem city."
"Ahh…" Deeply taking a breath, she looked apologetically at Alex.
"I am sorry," Kalina said with a heavy heart.
After so many years, she finally revealed the truth.
Contrary to what she expected, there was no reaction from Alex. He stood there while staring at her face.
"I am sorry for not recognising you and mistreating you. I am truly sorry." She once again mustered up her courage to apologise.
Alex, who was at the receiving end of the apology did not know what to do. He was not their son, and he didn't have any parents in this world. He didn't even have any memory of them. Other than hearing some accounts of the parents. He didn't know anything about them.
'Should I be sad? Fake a reaction?'
"Why are you saying this right now? Do you really expect me to believe that you ran away from your home to tell me this?" Like a robot, Alex asked.
"No, I discovered your identity by chance. And I wanted to apologise. Without the help from your parents, I would have lost my sister."
"So? Why are you here?"
"To ask for help?"
"Why do you need my help? I am nothing more than a commoner from a weak tribe. How can I help you?"
"Only the matriarch knows that I am away from the tribe. Most of them think that I am still under house arrest. I escaped to try and find the perpetrator of the terror attack. And for that, I need your help." Kalina said feebly.
It was the first time in her life that she was asking for help. She knew that it was shameless of her to ask for Alex's help. She was already indebted to him. But she had no other option.
"No."
"What?"
"I said no." Alex flatly rejected her plea.
"Why?"
"Because you are trouble. And you are trying to ask for trouble." He stated calmly.
"Can you reconsider? I can kneel down and beg. Without your help, my plans would fall apart." Kalina, the proud princess knelt down promptly.
"Thump.." Her knees hit the ground while she hung her head down. It was enough to convey her determination to find the perpetrator.
Mupan who saw this from the side was shocked by her action. He immediately helped her to stand.
"Smack… How can you treat a young lady like this? Meru, do you want to die." Mupan smacked Alex on the head before saying.
"You are already an adult, don't act like a brat. And don't be resentful about what happened to your parents. I know your parents, and it was not surprising to hear that they risked their lives to save a kid. They were kind and heroic."
"I am surprised by how shrewd you turned out to be. To even try to humiliate the princess. Do you really think this is what your parents would want?" Mupan scolded Alex. He didn't want the promising child to grow crooked.
"Even if that was the case, it is still a no, There is no reason for me to help you." Alex affirmed his stance.
"This... Although he is stubborn, he is reasonable. I do not know if you would indirectly harm him with your request. So, I cannot force him to change his decision. If you can convince him, I won't stop him from helping you." Mupan said to Kalina.
"Sir Mupan, can I stay here until he makes a decision."
"You are welcome to stay as long as you want, princess Kalina."
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