Chapter 890 The Natives [II]
While the captive princess just realized what kind of people her captors are, the tribesmen who escaped after their princess was taken hostage rushed back to their tribe, carrying the news of the captive princess as well as the message that the princess wanted to relay to her father.
One of the higher-ranking soldiers in the tribe went to the chieftain's house, to immediately relay the news.
"Chief! Bad news!"
The chieftain who was currently wiping his armor raised his head, revealing his bushy beard, rough-looking face filled with scars that seems to come from fighting monsters, and a stern-looking face that intimidates anyone who looks at him.
"Bad news? Aren't you one of the people who my daughter brought with her to repel the invaders? What is going on?"
"We underestimated the invaders, chief. When we tried to lure the invader, he easily defeated the ambushers and when the princess decided to attack him, the ambusher ends up taking the princess and taking her as hostage. Right now, the princess calls for help as she sends a few of us back here to relay the message."
Hearing the news, the chieftain rises up on his seat, filled with anger as he pulls out the axe he was using out of the wall.
"I see. Where are they now?"
"We have a few scouts who followed them on where they came from. They should be waiting for you. We will escort you to where the princess was held but I doubt we will have a peaceful meeting with the invaders."
The chieftain dons his armor and put his axes on his back. "Of course, there will be no peaceful meeting. Until they give back my daughter, I will make sure to let them taste the wrath of the strongest chieftain."
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"So, did she say anything?" I asked the two girls who are still chewing the pie that they got from Mother. Can't believe they are really relishing the pie as slowly as possible. Wouldn't the taste get bad if it gets colder?
"Nah, she just keeps on saying her father will come and rescue her. She even tried to recruit us to join the tribe or something," Riko sighed as she chomped another piece of the slice of pie.
"If what she was saying is true, then her father will surely come. What are we going to do, Manato? I doubt that guy would make a peaceful negotiation especially with her daughter being hostage with us," Rika is a bit worried.
"I will face him, sure but I will ensure that he will understand that we are just passing by. Since the girl keeps on saying we are some sort of invaders, we will have to ensure that we are not and we are just going to move in this forest without taking over this forest."
Just then, Zena joined in our conversation.
"Oh, if you want to talk to them, you needed to defeat them in a one-on-one fight. They prefer to discuss things using their fists and weapons. Unless you defeat them, they will not listen to a thing that you will say."
"Zena? You know their tribe?"
"Yes. I passed by their tribe. They allowed me on their tribe if I defeated any of them in a battle. That's how I knew them," Zena explained.
"Huh. So that's how it is? I didn't expect to learn that, but that will also allow us to take advantage of what they do. So how strong are they?" I asked.
"They are quite strong but they mostly rely on their strength more than using strategies on dealing with their enemy. Although I have not fought against the chieftain of the tribe, I heard that he was the strongest person in their tribe and only those who are deemed to be strong have the right to challenge him to battle."
"Deemed to be strong?"
"It means defeating those elites of the elite members of the tribe. I am not a battle maniac and I am fine fighting one of them to gain the opportunity to stay in their tribe for a bit. After hearing that kind of rules for them, I can say that they are total battle maniacs to set up a rule like that."
"Is that so? That's good to know. Since they will try to reclaim this girl off on our hands, that must mean they will be coming here in full force."
"Are you going to fight them, Manato? If you don't want to, I can go ahead and beat them up!" Riko is excited.
"Oy, I know you would like to do that, but I want to keep them alive, Riko. Do not burn them to a crisp. If I let you do so, I don't think we will be able to talk to them properly. It's best if we can still keep them alive."
Riko pouted but she didn't argue with me as she knows that she will exactly do what I just said.
"I am not in the mood to fight enemies right now. I had enough of dealing with the monsters on the sea to deal with them right now," Rika scratches her head.
"Eh? I thought you like to fight as well, Rika-chan."
"Hey, I also have my limit on being a battle maniac alright? I may like fighting enemies but I don't have the endless appetite for battle like you do."
The two continued to argue when Almira appeared rushing.
"Hey, Manato! There are multiple human hostiles coming near, what is happening?"
Riko's eyes lit up hearing Almira's words. "Oh, it seems they are here, Manato."
"Huh? Care to explain?" Almira frowned.
"I should explain them to Almira, Manato. Go with Riko on welcoming those "guests" of ours then," Rika smiled.
I nodded and headed to the edge of the ground to look below. The girl that I held hostage is still keeping on trying to break free from the metal rope to no avail.
"Hey, it seems your rescue has already arrived. Care to join in and see them?"
Hearing me say those words, the girl started to get wild while being tied up. It was like she was trying her best to remove the bindings on her hands and yet failing to do so.
"Why are you acting like some sort of a villain, Manato? You don't suit it at all."
"Aw, come on, it's just a few instances that I like to be a villain, just let me feel it once in a while, alright?" I grinned.
As I peek below, I saw those guys that ran away after getting the girl my captive gathered with someone who has a big body and is quite muscular. He looks like some sort of biking soldier but with less armor and more like a Tribe Warrior. He must be the chieftain and I must say, he does look like one.
"What do you say we welcome them?" I looked at Riko.
"Should I carry the girl as well?"
"Can you protect her from getting caught by them though?"
"Who do you think you are talking to, huh? It's me, ya know?"
"Yeah, yeah. I know you are good at it. Go ahead. I will welcome them first."
After that, I jumped off and landed on the ground with a superhero landing. I always wanted to do that in front of many spectators and I managed to do so.
As soon as I landed, a big fist came down, immediately trying to punch me. Of course, I immediately stopped it by pulling out the Versatile Weapon, changing it to a gauntlet, and blocking it completely.
"Hey, hey, Old man. Be careful with your punches alright? You can injure innocent people like that if you just throw it willy-nally."
"There are no innocent people nearby. Just a scum who dares to kidnap and keep my daughter hostage."
"Just so you know, I wouldn't even keep her hostage if she just didn't attack me without warning alright? I am a reasonable person and for someone who suddenly attacks without listening to the words of the other party, that is just quite annoying, you know?"
He increased the pressure on his fist but I also increased my force as well to counter his. He is really angry, but I didn't mind.
"WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?"
"You will see her soon, oh, speak of the devil, there she is."
Riko slowly went down with the girl by using a skill [Levitation] to slowly descend.
"Mako!"
"Father! Help!"
"Don't worry, my daughter! I will come and save you from them! Men, grab her away from that woman!"
Riko grinned and snap her fingers, creating a ring of fire around her.
"Heh, try me and get burned then."
As the soldiers tried to get near, the flames fired off to every men trying to attack, causing them to scream in pain as the flames burn them.
"Give it up, old man. If you want to get back your daughter, be sure to defeat me in battle. Isn't that how it works in your tribe? Then, let's do just that and perhaps you will be able to win back your daughter from us."
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