At first, Rezen wants to act dumb and not divulge the information about the potato farm. However, on second thought, he decided to use the potato farm as a bargaining chip
The words he uttered to convince the Waterside Tribe not to inform anyone about teaching the farming method to other tribes was to ensure that 'Rezen's' own tribe would always be superior but the bigger reason is that he wish for the destruction of the Metal Sword Tribe in hopes of stealing their treasure
However, as long as Rezen's farm recover, at the very least, food shouldn't be an issue for the tribe. He just thought of a better way to exchange the potato farm information for something more useful
Since the Chief was looking at him as if she was asking what to say, Rezen stepped out and bowed his head towards the eight Junior Mages
Fortunately, there was no need for too much formality nor did the tribal people even have that kind of concept
While Junior Mages are looked up to, since everyone is a family, magic apprentices generally don't have to lower themselves too much in front of them
"Hello, my name is Rezen, I can't fully explain the potato farm but I can divulge some information to those that are willing to have a contrac— an agreement with me" Rezen said to them
At first, he was about to say 'contract' but these people definitely don't have that kind of concept and he could only change the word to 'agreement'
"What kind of agreement?" Weaver asked. As a Junior Mage from a tribe that specializes in nature-type magic, she was the most interested in this matter
"Our Waterside Tribe is willing to send a steady supply of edible food to the other tribes but in exchange, we want a portion of the Resonance Gems that the Junior Mages of your tribe obtained" Rezen answered
With the potato farm and his own farm, Rezen planned on accepting more people to the tribe to boost their power. But merely accepting people wouldn't benefit him or the tribe
To make these people useful, Rezen has to turn them into strong mages and for that to happen, Resonance Gems is a must!
In exchange for something that his people could grow easily, Rezen planned on extorting Resonance Gems from these people!
"Hahahaha! Brat! Do you have no idea how precious Resonance Gems are? While they are useless to us, Junior Mages, it's a different story to others such as yourself!" Flamaz laughed like a madman once more
"Flamaz, he's just a kid, don't speak too harshly but kid, asking for Resonance Gems is really too much" Rockim of the Earth Wrath Tribe chimed in and the mages of the Windy Tribe nodded their heads
"If our Waterside Tribe supplies your tribes with food that could at least feed tens of people for months, I believe it would be different. If we do that, your tribes wouldn't need to send the same of number of people you send now to hunt magic beasts. The fewer people hunt, the fewer casualties you would receive. Wouldn't the price of Resonance Gems be worth it by then?" Rezen spoke confidently that for a moment, the Junior Mages were unable to retort but that didn't last long
"Then wouldn't we only need to force your tribe to cough out the method that would let you supply us with food as you say?" Right Wind says and the eyes of the others lit up
They are tempted to learn what method Rezen would use for him to arrogantly say that his tribe could supply the other tribes with that much food. Just where is this confidence coming from?
"Rezen..." the Chief called out with a warning tone, kind of regretting that she even tried to ask for Rezen's help as he is now putting the tribe in danger
In return, Rezen looked at the Chief and winked before returning his gaze to the Junior Mages
"Indeed you could do that but if you do so, I'll strike a deal— I mean, I will teach our method to the other tribes in exchange for one thing, the annihilation of the tribe that suggests forcing our tribe to hand the method! If that doesn't work then we could seek out the help of the bigger tribes, I believe they would be interested"
"And oh, if you are willing to risk things now and try to destroy our tribe with your numbers then think again. While your numbers are enough to destroy us, who could confidently say that none of our people flee successfully? If even just one of us managed to flee then they can seek out the help of the bigger tribes in exchange for the annihilation of your tribes!"
Heh... using underhanded tactics, Rezen has become a bit of an expert in that area! How could these primitive people that are used to using their firsts be his match?
His words made the Junior Mages flabbergasted especially Right Wind as she was the first one to suggest forcing the Waterside Tribe. If Rezen were to really do what he just said, wouldn't her tribe be annihilated?
"Hahahaha! What an interesting brat! I took a liking to you. I think you are the kind of person that they call as smart. Brat, I just lost my son at the hands of the metal bastards. How about I adopt you? We'll make full use of your brain and ensure that the Fire Force Tribe would flourish!" The madman - Flamaz suggested
Indeed, only a madman would think something like that but unfortunately for him, Rezen still has to retain a loyal image. That's why he always uses the term 'our' when speaking about the Waterside Tribe. His words always give off a sense of belonging, he can't just betray the Waterside Tribe as that would make him lose his credibility
"That wouldn't be possible. Rezen is an important member of our Tribe" the Chief immediately said
She was always on guard against Rezen because of his unknown origin but now, she is obsessively taking ownership of Rezen. The Chief doesn't want the brilliant Rezen to fall into the hands of other Tribes
"That's right, I'm part of the Waterside Tribe. I wouldn't betray my tribe" Rezen agreed and his tribesmen look at him with adoration. As expected of the loyal and sincere healer of the Waterside Tribe!
"Tsk, if you change your mind, just find me. I'll treat you as if you were my now-dead son!"
——
Metal Sword Tribe
Just like the other small tribes, the Metal Sword Tribe was composed of tens of huts that serves as the house of the tribesmen
Inside one of the huts, a pair of twins could be seen. This pair of twins just like most tribal people are very muscular and at the very least, they are 6 feet in height
Currently, the twins were staring at a certain book. Just the existence of the book itself is already a surprise
Forget about the book's materials and the way it was created as none from the small tribes could possibly make it. The more surprising thing is that this pair of twins actually knows how to read!
The people of the Waterside Tribe don't know how to read and write. Rezen even has to teach them to read the label on his medicine cabinet in case they need something
If not for Ivy's help, Rezen wouldn't even be able to converse with his tribesmen as the language they spoke of are different
Tribal people only care about food and safety, they don't have the desire to learn how to write and read. That's also another reason why information was hard to pass down
Without being able to write and read, the tribal people could only pass down knowledge through the word of mouth. In the process, some information would be lost or memorized incorrectly
To see that not just one but two people from the Metal Sword were actually able to read is simply shocking!
"Brother, can you understand anything? This is making my head painful!" One of the twins said while scratching his head
These twins were completely identical to each other in terms of facial appearance. The only way to distinguish them from one another was by looking at their bodies
While both of them are big and muscular, one of them was visibly buffer than the other
"I barely understood anything myself, Collosam but if we want to learn the magic spells included in this book, we have to study it earnestly!"
"Remember, we are the chosen ones! We are blessed with a fortuitous encounter! Not only did that crystal ball help us learn how to write and read, this book even contained treasures that removed the impurities on our bodies while at the same time teaching us how to reach the Junior Rank successfully!"
"Collosam, we can't be lazy! We have to work hard and make our tribe prosper!"
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m