Chapter 273: Holy Statue (2/2)

“By the way, brother, the humans are hoping to build a holy statue of their God of Games in the village.” Rangka suddenly remembered a request when he met the youth whom the Players called liege (Angora).

Even if the nonhumans didn’t maintain a feudal system, Rangka was aware from his dealings with Western Continent nobles that lieges were respectable amongst humans, and so held the request in importance.

“Holy statue? That’s not easily decided…” The Long Ears chief frowned in return.

Although most nonhumans worshipped their ancestors, having a statue of another god placed in the village was still inappropriate.

Rangka saw the chief’s reaction too, and softly coaxed. “Actually, I think agreeing wouldn’t

hurt.”

“What, are you planning to swear fealty to the humans?” The Long Ears chief couldn’t help teasing.

“Of course not! But everything that had happened to the Hyena-men and the Mountain Tigers after them wouldn’t be kept secret for the other tribes-we’ll definitely be labeled as traitors serving humans.” Rangka was neither embarrassed nor irritated when his past blemish was mentioned, but actually more enthusiastic. “There’s now no going back for the Long Ears, so why shouldn’t we side with the humans now that things have come to this?!

“…” The Long Ears chief leaned into his seat, holding his chin with both hands thoughtfully but didn’t immediately react.

And from what Rangka knew of his brother, he was seriously thinking about defecting to the humans since he didn’t immediately refuse, and therefore decided to strike the iron when it’s hot.

“Think about it, brother. Those humans had been adrift at sea before they reached these unfamiliar lands, and therefore must be feeling uncomfortable and fearful. Therefore, they are weak and helpless, which is why they want to build their holy statue here for spiritual countenance. Aren’t we heartless if we can’t agree with such a small request?’”

“… If they are weak and helpless, what are we before they arrived?” The Long Ears’ chief put on a miserable look.

To pummel the Hyena-men directly, wipe out the Mountain Tigers and—according to what the tribesmen who returned had claimedthey had also slain a self-proclaimed Nightstalker as well, which could well have been an ancient demon or a devil…

“Moreover, it doesn’t affect us even if we let the humans build their holy statue.” Rangka continued, acting as if he didn’t hear his brother’s retort. “They are not forcing us to convert to their religion, and are only building a statue for their own worship. As such, our tribesmen could continue worshipping our forebears at the ancestral hall like before,yes?”

Even if Rangka’s face had ‘I’m defecting to the Players’ written all over it and was therefore trying so hard to have the chief to allow the Players build their statue, the chief himself decided that Rangka was right after thinking about it for a while.

It was nothing but a holy statue. While its appearance would indicate a change in awareness amongst the tribe, it doesn’t actually affect them.

One might even put it this way: if the group of tribesmen led by Rangka would convert to the Church of Games or whatnot and successfully become a part of those humans, the Long Ears tribe would benefit greatly.

Others aside, even daily supplies and support would grant the Long Ears new life and rapid growth, and a boom in their next generation could be expected as long as no serious calamity occurred.

After all, the prosperity of a nonhuman tribe was determined by their population.

“Alright.”

At that very thought, the Long Ears’ chief sighed, unable to resist the charm of a Long Ears revival. “You may tell those humans that I’ve given my permission.”