Chapter 404: Liza (2/2)

Liza was a bit taken aback by that question. Had Gravis never been part of a Tribe? That question just seemed stupid in her mind. Yet, she decided to answer anyway. ”Because I can't just kill someone in that position. If I did that, the whole Tribe would kill me. My revenge is important to me, but not more important than my life.”

Gravis had a skeptical look on his face. Then, he looked at Orthar. ”Is that true? Are other Tribes like that?” he asked.

Orthar had talked a lot with Morn, and Morn had way more experience in these sorts of things. ”Yes. Normally, it's not allowed for Tribesmen to fight each other. That's because it would reduce the power of the Tribe and bring unrest to the members.”

Gravis was a bit surprised by that answer. ”But that's so stupid!” he said.

”Yes, I know,” Orthar answered evenly.

Liza was surprised by their exchange. Did that mean that the River Tribe was different? Then, how did it work? Seeing Liza's confused expression, Gravis let Orthar explain the rules and mindset of the River Tribe. It wasn't that Gravis felt that it was beneath him to explain that, but that Orthar had much more experience in explaining the Tribe's rules. After all, he had explained them to nearly all new sea recruits.

Liza had a shocked look on her face. ”Wait. That means that I can just directly challenge another Lord in the Tribe, and you would let me kill them?”

Gravis shrugged. ”Sure. It would suck to find a new Commander, Elder, or Oracle, but nothing speaks against it.”

Then, Liza looked at Orthar. ”So, I could directly challenge and kill him, and you would do nothing?”

Gravis felt his insides ache when he heard that. Orthar was his closest friend in this world. Yet, Gravis sighed. ”Orthar is my closest friend, but no one will stop or go against you if you decide to do that. Yet, you would need to fight him in an equally advantageous terrain to both of you. Water doesn't make much difference at your levels, but, at least, his chances of victory are a bit higher.”

”Don't feel bad, Gravis. These are the rules, and I have accepted them. If I die by them, I won't regret it,” Orthar said.

Gravis sighed again. He really didn't like this, but he had created these rules, and he couldn't play favorites. If Orthar died to them, there would be nothing wrong with that.

Instead, Liza was taken aback a little. Gravis would even allow someone from his own Tribe to kill his closest companion. She had never seen a Lord that was this neutral and fair.

Then, Liza laughed a bit. ”Don't worry,” she said. ”Why would I kill someone from my Tribe when there are a lot of Lords in the neighboring territories? Also,” she said with a smirk as she looked at Orthar. ”A whole Tribe would probably be a bigger challenge than him.”

Nearly every other beast would become angry when faced with such disregard. Yet, Orthar had himself entirely under control. He knew that she could kill him without much trouble. So, what was the problem with her showing disregard towards him? Orthar only needed to become more powerful than her. Power was the only truth.

Gravis released a sigh of relief. ”Thank you,” he said. ”I might allow it, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't hurt when my closest companion dies.”

Liza smiled back at him. ”You don't need to thank me. After all, we're part of the same Tribe now,” she said and then turned around. ”Anyway…”

Gravis looked with surprise at her. ”Where are you going?” he asked.

Liza released a heartfelt smile. ”I only need one more Lord to become a level two Lord. Since I see the death of my enemy approaching on the claws of the River Tribe, there's no reason for me to stay complacent.”

The River Tribe was to the west of the hyena's territory, but she looked towards the east. ”I'll go deal with the neighboring Tribe, east from here. I'll eat the Lord and send the interested members to the River Tribe as Prey. Most of them will be ecstatic when they hear that they only need to win one fight to join your Tribe.”

Then, she looked back at Gravis. ”I'll be back in a day or so, and then, I'll be a level two Lord. Meanwhile, think of a position that I should assume. I will take up that position as soon as I return.”

Gravis nodded with a smile. ”No problem. I'll inform the Tribe about you and our future recruits. Have fun!”

Liza only smiled sweetly. ”Thanks. See you later,” she said, and then, she was off.

Gravis rubbed the back of his head a bit. ”She sounded way more casual at the end.”

”She has probably missed talking to equal beasts,” Orthar said.

”Could be,” Gravis said. ”Anyway, let's inform the Tribe.”

Orthar agreed, and then, they flew back to their Tribe.

Today, their Tribe became much more powerful.