Once Aron's companions understood the situation, their expressions mirrored a mixture of surprise and awe. Claudia, always curious and perceptive, voiced the collective sentiment. "They're of the same race as you?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in realization. "It makes sense, considering how they stand at staggering heights."
Aron nodded, his gaze shifting between his companions and the towering figures around them. "Yes, they are," he confirmed, his voice filled with a hint of egotism.
Claudia, ever the practical one, inquired about their next steps. "What happens now then?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity and concern.
Aron turned his attention to Claudia and the rest of the group, his voice calm and determined. "First, I have some questions for my father," he revealed, his eyes glancing towards the crowd. Just as he spoke, Skar appeared from behind, catching his attention.
"Aron, your father calls for you," Skar informed him, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "Your companions will be given a hut where they can settle in and rest."
Aron's gaze shifted towards Rose, his voice lowering to a whisper in the Pesian language. "Stay alert, Rose, and use this time to recuperate," he advised, ensuring that Skar wouldn't understand their conversation.
Rose nodded subtly, understanding the importance of remaining vigilant. She glanced at Aron, her eyes conveying warning and sharpness.
With a nod, Aron followed Skar, leaving his companions behind to settle in. Skar led him towards the largest structure in the settlement, a colossal but primitive home built atop the thickest and tallest tree present. The scale of the structure was a testament to the strength and ingenuity of the people who called it their home.
Entering the structure, Aron found himself in an open area where his father, Harald, stood facing a plain-faced young Koliean beast monger. Behind Harald were a group of females and strong-looking males, while behind the young Koliean stood a group of females. The young Koliean appeared older than Aron, despite Aron looking far more grown.
As Aron arrived, he caught snippets of the young man pleading with Harald to help him avenge his father and retake his land. The desperation in his voice echoed through the room, attracting the attention of everyone present.
Harald, unmoved by the young man's plea, dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "You're welcome to join our settlement," he declared, his voice firm. "But you must put in work like everyone else. As for your personal matter, I won't help you seek revenge."
The young man's face fell, his reluctance evident. He seemed torn between accepting Harald's offer and pursuing his vendetta. Aron approached, taking a position near the young man, who frowned and sized him up, clearly unsettled by Aron's presence. The onlookers also observed this interaction with a mix of curiosity and intrigue.
Before any questions could be asked, Harald's commanding voice boomed through the room. "Gather around the central hut!" he announced, causing confusion and murmurs among the people present.
Whispers spread through the crowd, speculating that another challenger had arrived, hoping to make Harald's first daughter theirs. Aron's ears caught wind of these murmurs, and a frown creased his brow as he realized the possibility of possessing siblings within the settlement.
Harald, sensing the need for clarification, raised his voice once more, capturing everyone's attention. "Listen, all of you!" he declared loudly. "The young warrior before you is my long-lost first son, Aron!"
The news of Aron's true identity rippled through the settlement, provoking a chorus of murmurs and surprised whispers. Among the voices, the loudest came from a strong-looking female standing by Harald's side. She had fiery red hair, braided intricately, and her piercing blue eyes held a mix of astonishment and skepticism. Addressing Harald as "father," she blurted out, "Are you joking? This boy?"
Aron's eyes narrowed, taking in the woman's appearance and the familiarity with which she referred to Harald. His gaze shifted toward the females standing behind his father. Upon closer examination, he noticed the older-looking females bore a striking resemblance to Harald, sharing similar mana signatures. It became clear that they were his partners, and the younger-looking females... his daughters.
As Aron continued to scan the crowd, his attention focused on the absence of any males among his father's companions. Harald raised his hand, calling for calm. "Yes, it is true," he declared firmly, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Aron is my long-lost son, born long before I established this settlement. By birthright, he is a member of our tribe." Harald's gaze swept across the crowd, his authority unwavering. He added, "Furthermore, the beings that were captured within our territory are his property. No one is to lay a finger on them."
A figure of grand height stepped forward, his stature only slightly less imposing than Harald's. His voice resonated with a touch of arrogance as he challenged Harald's words, specifically referring to Jagu, Claudia, and Scarlett. "Just because he is a member by birthright doesn't mean he can keep property," the man stated, his tone dripping with skepticism. "Only those strong enough can claim and maintain possession."
Harald's frown deepened, but he did not disagree. Instead, he turned his gaze to Aron and asked, "Are you willing to prove your strength?"
Aron met his father's gaze with unwavering determination. "I am more than willing," he responded, his voice filled with conviction. "But know this, Father, I only fight with the intent to kill." As the words left his lips, Aron unleashed his mana fluctuations, allowing them to go wild.
The density and intensity of his mana fluctuations overwhelmed the surrounding area, causing many to struggle to remain standing. Harald, with a concerned expression, gestured for his son to calm down. Then, he turned to the challenging man and asked, "Are you still willing to test his strength?"
The man hesitated, his confidence waning as he witnessed the raw power emanating from Aron. He shook his head, refusing the challenge. It was clear that Aron's display had rattled him.
Aron seized the moment to mock the man openly, his voice echoing through the gathering. "It seems you have no spine," he taunted, a hint of contempt in his words. "All you know is how to use your words, but when faced with true power, you cower." He emphasized each word, his tone laced with disdain. "Anyone who dares to touch what is mine will witness me destroy everything they care for before ending their miserable lives."
Once Aron's powerful display had subsided, Harald nodded in approval, a hint of pride gleaming in his eyes. He raised his hand, silencing the remaining crowd. "Everyone, except those belonging to my family, may leave," he commanded with authority.
As the larger crowd dispersed, Aron stood tall, his presence commanding attention. Though he hadn't grown up among his kind, he knew their nature well and understood the words to use to establish a respected role. His gaze shifted towards the young Koliean who had been standing next to him, and he noticed that the initial frown had transformed into an expression of respect. The young man and his group departed, acknowledging Aron's newfound position within the settlement.
While the remaining female beast mongers began to leave, a subtle but primal aura filled the air. They walked past Aron with deliberate grace, allowing snippets of their mana fluctuations to dance in the atmosphere. It was a gesture of attraction among beast mongers, a subtle display of their prowess and desirability.
Aron's eyes followed the alluring forms that passed by him, their magnetic presence temporarily captivating his attention. However, his mind remained focused on matters of importance, and he refrained from approaching or engaging in idle conversation.
With the crowd now gone, Aron turned his attention back to his father and the females who stood behind him. There were three older females, each possessing a unique aura and presence. Harald stepped forward, his voice steady and filled with paternal pride. "Allow me to introduce my partners," he began.
The first female, tall and elegant, exuded a sense of wisdom and calm. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her gentle smile conveyed a nurturing spirit. "This is Freya," Harald introduced her, his voice tinged with warmth.
Next stood a woman with fiery red hair, her eyes filled with determination and passion. She radiated a fiery energy, her presence commanding attention. "And this is Astrid," Harald continued, his tone acknowledging her fierce spirit.
Lastly, there was a female with deep green eyes, her features exuding grace and elegance. She possessed an air of mystery, her aura captivating those around her. "And this is Sigrid," Harald concluded, his voice holding a touch of reverence.
As the introductions continued, Harald turned his attention to the younger females who stood beside the partners. There were four of them, each at different stages of life. Two toddlers, identical in appearance, clung to their mother's hand with innocent curiosity. A child on the brink of adolescence had a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, her youthful energy palpable. And finally, the fiery-haired young adult, standing tall with a confident demeanor, resembled Aron in Koliean physiology, though her unique qualities were apparent.
"These are my daughters," Harald announced proudly. "The twins, Ingrid and Freja, the spirited Runa, and our fiery-haired flame, Eira."
Aron took a moment to absorb the sight before him—the females who shared his father's life and the young siblings he never knew existed. His mind swirled with a mix of emotions, but he maintained his composure, his focus still on the questions he had for his father.
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