My Kingdom Building Done Right!

Chapter 223: Alliance Of The Middle-Ranked Tribes [Part 1]

After making a strategic retreat, Leone headed downstairs, where the three chieftains were hanging out.

To make his time productive, he asked them a few questions about the high-ranking tribes, especially the Grimhowl and Darkmane Tribes.

"Frankly, I think the most dangerous chieftain among the high-ranking tribes is not Godwin. It’s Hagen," Oswald said in a serious tone. "You already know that my tribe, the Grimfang Tribe, used to be part of the Grimhowl Tribe, right?"

"Yes." Leone nodded. "But I don’t really know the main reason the Grimfang Tribe decided to part ways with them."

"Do you want to know?" Oswald asked in a teasing tone.

"Frankly, I’m not sure," Leone answered. "I am curious, yes. However, I fear this may not be a comfortable topic for you, Oswald."

Since the three chieftains had explicitly told Leone that he could treat them as his equals, the young man tried his best not to feel guilty about calling someone older than him casually.

Usually, he would have to refer to Oswald as Sir Oswald or Lord Oswald. However, if he did that, then he would be forced to call Hagen Lord Hagen.

If that were to happen, Gundar might just give him a spanking in his next visit to the Aslan Tribe.

"Well, it’s not really that big of a secret. Nearly all the tribes in the Borderlands have heard of the story," Oswald said. "Then again, they’ve only heard variations of the true story. Now, allow me to tell you the unfiltered truth as to why the Grimfang Tribe had parted ways with the Grimhowl Tribe."

Oswald paused a bit to organize his thoughts. This was the first time he was telling this story outside of his family, so he wanted to make sure that Leone knew only the truth and nothing but the truth.

"The split between the two tribes happened thirty years ago," Oswald said. "You see, the previous chieftain of the Grimhowl Tribe had two sons. One was his biological son, while the other was adopted.

"My father was the biological son of the Grimhowl Tribe’s Chieftain. As for Hagen, he was the adopted son."

Leone was quite surprised by this revelation. He hadn’t seen that coming. While he could infer that there had been conflict regarding the succession, this was a different matter altogether.

"My grandfather wished for the Grimhowl Tribe to become the strongest tribe in the Borderlands," Oswald stated. "Unfortunately, my father is a very sickly person. For this reason, many deemed him unfit to succeed the position of chieftain, especially since the Grimhowl Tribe back then had been in a cold war with the other high-ranking tribes.

"In short, no one wanted a physically weak chieftain to take over my grandfather’s position. They feared he would spell the collapse of the Grimhowl Tribe. On the contrary, Hagen had always been exceptional since he was young. He was strong, smart, and very charismatic.

"He had everything my father didn’t have. Even my father believed there was no one better suited to inherit the position of chieftain than Hagen. However, those loyal to my father disagreed."

Oswald paused for a bit as if he were reliving the memories of the past.

Duncan and Garen listened in silence. They had already heard this story, but what they knew might not be the whole truth. With that in mind, they listened to Oswald’s story with serious expressions on their faces.

"Perhaps knowing that a civil war might happen within the tribe, my father decided to take matters into his own hands," Oswald added. "He asked Hagen for a private duel. A duel that would be overseen by the great shaman, Gundar, to ensure fairness.

"But, this was just a ruse that my Father, and Hagen had made so that the other high-ranking tribes could no longer meddle with the affairs of the Grimhowl Tribe. Instead of a duel, the two of them had a proper talk. It was a proper negotiation between the two sons that were not bound by blood, but bound by their father’s will."

This was a story that only a handful of people knew. But now, three more became aware of this secret as Oswald continued his tale.

"The next morning, Gundar announced that my father had lost the duel, an outcome that surprised no one." Oswald smiled wryly. "But, knowing that the faction that supported him will not sit still, my father made the decision to bring all of his supporters with him and make a new tribe. This was also part of his agreement with Hagen.

"To him, that was the only way to prevent bloodshed... or at least that is what he told me before he passed away. A civil war would’ve greatly weakened the tribe and made us prey to the other high-ranking tribes.

"In fact, there were already signs of the other high-ranking tribes fanning the flames in the background. They must’ve been hoping for one of their rivals to be destroyed from within."

No one spoke for a while because every tribe had its own internal problems.

Succession battles were very common among brothers. Usually, these disputes were settled with a duel to the death, allowing the stronger warrior to lead their respective tribes.

"Do you still think your father should have been the chieftain of the Grimhowl Tribe?" Duncan asked.

Oswald shook his head. "There are no what-ifs. My father wasn’t born to lead the Grimhowl Tribe. But I’m certain he was born to lead the Grimfang Tribe until he drew his last breath. And now, that position has fallen onto my shoulders.

"The only thing on my mind is how I can bring glory to the Grimfang Tribe and raise our status to that of a high-ranking tribe. I’m sure everyone in this room thinks the same way."

Leone wanted to interject and tell them that he didn’t really plan on making the Aslan Tribe a high-ranking tribe.

Though knowing that the three older men might spit at him if he said such a thing, he decided to keep his lips sealed for the time being.

"Leone, I’m sure I already warned you before, but never underestimate Hagen," Oswald said in a serious tone. "He is the most dangerous among the high-ranking chieftains. The only one keeping him in check is the great shaman, Gundar."

"I understand." Leone nodded. "I’ll take your words to heart."

A few minutes later, Jason arrived with the other warriors of the Aslan Tribe, bringing with them the food they had prepared for their Leone, as well as the other three chieftains.

The atmosphere grew lively as they ate. Yet, before Leone knew it, the discussion shifted to the young man’s type of woman.

"Leone, I may not have any daughters, but I have many beautiful nieces," Garen said with a smile. "You should come and visit my tribe. I’ll let you take your pick!"

"That’s actually a good idea!" Oswald chuckled. "It just so happens that you will have to pass through ’my’ tribe’s location before you get to the Ironhide Tribe’s territory. While you’re there, I’d also like to introduce my nieces to you..."

Duncan eyed the two chieftains in disdain. Among the three of them, he was the only one who had a daughter.

However, she was only eleven years old.

Although he felt like Leone was a good match for her, as a doting father, he had no plans to marry her off until she became of age!