"The Ice Phoenix tribe will be conducting the champion's tournament at the beginning of next winter. So, there are many things I have to do before that." Kalina stated.
"Champion's tournament? Why… Why now?" Alex asked the obvious question that came to his mind.
He knew what a champion's tournament was. It was an event dedicated to finding the strongest warriors of the younger generation. It was a way to show the strength of a tribe. And the winners will be endowed with precious prizes and glory.
However, the next one should be scheduled to be conducted three years later. Why was the date moved forward? And why did they select the ice phoenix tribe to conduct the tournament? Alex wanted to know that.
"You didn't move the date forward without any reason, right?" Alex inquired.
It seemed like his words put Kalina in a tricky spot. She couldn't give out the details about the prophecy yet. But, her trust in Alex relieved her worry. She knew Mupan and Alex knew how to keep a secret. So, she finally gave in and explained.
"No, there is a reason. But keep this a secret. You shouldn't share it." Looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, Kalina began to say. "The Divine Butterfly tribe was blessed with a prophecy. It foretold a time of great peril in the central continent. Death and destruction will be everywhere. And only a hero can save us. The hero that's among us will rise to defeat evil. However, we need to find, protect and let him grow. And the champion's tournament will be dedicated to achieving this purpose. We will find the hero." Kalina described the general condition surrounding the prophecy.
"A prophecy from the Divine Butterfly tribe!" The Mupan was exasperated by the news. He didn't know how to take it in. The danger predicted by the Divine Butterfly tribe was never wrong. If the news is true, the lives of everyone in the central continent were at stake.
At the same, Alex had different thoughts.
"A prophecy?" Alex doubted the authenticity of the prophecy.
"Yes. So the only way for us to unite the entire continent to find the hero was by using the champion's tournament?"
"You could have done it after three years. Why are you rushing to conduct the Champion's tournament? You have yet to answer that."
"Hm…" Kalina paused and took some time to think. It was not easy to answer this question. After all, it was direct proof that the prophecies of the Divine Butterfly tribe can change. If a prophecy can change midway, who will believe in it?
"About that, be patient and hear this. Even I was doubtful of it. However, we know that the Divine Butterfly tribe is trustworthy. So, we have to prepare for the danger." Explaining a bit, Kalina began to reveal the need to change the date of the Champion's tournament.
"Last year, the prophecy talked about the time of great danger arriving after a decade. So, even if we conducted the champion's tournament after three years. We would have had enough time to respond. But suddenly, the prophecy changed this month. It began to show the danger approaching much faster. If the prophecy is correct, next year, the central continent will bathe in fire."
"Hm…" Alex nodded after hearing her explanation. It was reasonable and logical. But still, he was unwilling to believe them entirely. After all, he was not stupid to believe in others' words without any verification. His mind wandered trying to find alternate scenarios.
"Is that the only reason?" Suddenly Alex spoke grabbing everyone's attention.
"From my understanding, it would not be the only reason to advance the date of the champion's tournament. For example, you could be trying to lure the Evil organisation. And prophecy about the hero might be bait."
Kalina was startled by Alex's words. He hit it right on the mark. They were hoping to lure out the spies of the evil organisation during the tournament. He had enough reason to doubt the prophecy. However, there is a real hero that they are searching for.
First, to fight against an unknown entity like the evil organisation. The large tribes need to unite their members. But they couldn't do that until they find all the spies the evil organisation has hidden in their tribe.
The first elder of the ice phoenix tribe was a good example to show how bad things could get when there is a traitor.
So, to cleanse their tribe of any spies and traitors, they were going to use the champion's tournament.
When the hero is mentioned, they expect the spies to make a move. And it will be the right time to identify the spies.
After identifying the spies, the nine great tribes were going to carefully disseminate fake information and cause the evil organisation to crumble from within.
The hidden plot they cooked up to destroy the evil organisation was massive.
While Alex explained what the nine great tribes were thinking nonchalantly, she didn't know how to respond.
"So, the prophecy could be fake, true or half fake and half true. Anyway, I am not bothered by any of it. I wish you well. You can play 4D chess among yourself. Other than the prophecy, what business do you have with me?" Alex finally gave an out for Kalina.
He didn't want to hear any explanation anymore.
"The champion's tournament is scheduled to happen in six months. It would be the beginning of the winter by that time. An average of a hundred thousand people would migrate into the blue gem city during that time. Some might come to participate in the tournament, and some will come to do business. But most of them would be sightseers who want to witness the tournament and have a good time.
"It would put a heavy load on the supply chains of the city. To alleviate that, I come here to ask for a steady supply of grains. We, the ice phoenix tribe want to purchase crops directly from you and store them for future use."
Kalina explained her other reason for coming to the Stone head tribe personally. If it was just to invite the warriors of the Stone head tribe to participate in the tournament, she didn't need to personally come here. She could have let anyone from her tribe come and inform them that.
But, considering the need to discuss a business deal with them, she came personally. On the surface, it was the reason. But her decision come was purely by instinct. She decided to come to the stone head tribe spontaneously. The reason eluded even her.
"Of course, we are always happy to receive our customers." With a bright smile, Alex began to talk. He was planning to expand the farm even more. So, he was happy to receive a customer who can buy them all.
"What are the grains that you need?"
"Corn, rice, wheat. A thousand tons of each. If possible, we want you to provide a stable supply of vegetables. I have also contacted Taka to talk about this. He said that you would be able to provide vegetables even in the winter. Would that be possible?"
"Certainly it is." 'I have to increase the cultivatable land to 600 hectares. A monumental task. But if they can pay, I am happy to do it.' Alex thought.
'I still have meat that I could sell. Cows, goats, chickens, ducks, fish. They will make me a hefty profit. I should buy more land in the city and renovate the restaurant. This is a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity. I should build a shop right in front of the large merchant shop that chased me away for looking at some garlic. He.he… I am a petty person. I don't mind taking petty revenge.' Alex decided.
After that, the conversion went on in a positive direction. They conclude the deal happily.
In a moment of happiness, Alex invited Kalina to eat a barbecue with him. He was going to prepare the barbecue for the kids anyway.
Contrary to what he accepted, Kalina accepted his proposal. He thought she would hate him for talking behind her back. But it seems like Kalina had matured. The hot blood inside her seems to have cooled.
So, they walked to Alex's house together.
On the way, Kalina informed Alex of the general situation of the champion's tournament. The top hundred would be given hundred of gold coins and tier 3 magical herb. The top ten would be selected as hero candidates. Each will have hefty rewards like magical herbs and thousands of gold coins. And the best prize for the final winner was an egg from tier 5 flood dragon. If hatched and trained properly, it could become a tier 5 mount.
The reward captivated Alex. He was planning to not compete in the tournament. But even the reward for becoming in the top 100 was mesmerising. Should he participate? A thought sprouted in his mind. The glory of participating in a competition that will be witnessed by the entire continent will be completely different. It slightly ignited the passion inside Alex.
"Are you participating in the tournament?" Alex asked.
"Yes, tier 3 and above warriors who are less than 30 years old can participate in the tournament. So, of course, I am participating. This is my decade to shine." Kalina said with a simple smile. Just imagining the battle was making her drool.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om