Capítulo 276: Chapter 219 Part 1: Unseen Weight of One's Choices(1)
A white tent.
Hofir could see white from all around him. He was laying on a sleeping bag next to the conference table that was in the middle of the tent.
Hofir recalled the dreams of his past. The past he spent as a soldier obeying a tradition he did not want to, obeying elders he did not respect…
He could vividly recall the first time he ripped apart a human's flesh back when his tribe chief, Lord Stripe, wanted to expand his territory to make it rival the Demihuman Kingdom, Therionia.
Hofir had to kill innocent people (most of whom were human) who just wanted a nice village to live out their days in the countryside away from the laws of their own kind.
Hofir had tried to warn them to leave their villages but none complied. They were stubborn, yes, but those were homes that they built on their own. Humans have no power in the Lands of Leudun Country, which was across the Great Ridge where no human authority could reach these lands.
While this was true, Demihumans still saw the human nations and the Dwarven Kingdom as their allies for many reasons including:
1. Trade agreements which are often part of alliances, providing mutual economic benefits. Allies could secure better trade terms, access to resources, and open markets for their goods, boosting their economies. Wild monsters with hides that were beloved by the adventurer population for its high defense, were found only in Leudun so the demand for them from guilds were a lot.
2. Interest in each other's cultures and tribes.
3. Common enemies. This one was only relevant during the Demon-Human War but is still in effect today.
The Demihuman Kingdom was once a small nation so they relied on the military powers in the past for both security and defense but now they were one of those military powers, possessing armies of powerful demihuman armies and most of the tribes allying themselves with the nation.
Another nation was probably going to be born in the future if Stripe manages to expand his territories and recruit more tribes to his cause. It was due to his ambitions that Hofir had to slaughter innocent humans. Showing a little bit of hesitation back then was enough to warrant punishment. It was closer to defying your orders and disrespecting your superiors than anything else.
Hofir could still remember the feeling of having his back slashed apart by the barb-wired whip that they used to punish those who disobey orders. He used to let many of the victims escape with their lives due to his guilt as a child soldier but had been caught doing so several times. Despite this, he was never exiled, merely given stern warnings and beatings.
The reason was his then chief, Lord Stripe, a Dragonsteel Fang. That powerful man saw something in him and wanted Hofir to go through many challenges.
Thinking about the chief suddenly made him remember what had happened earlier.
When faced with Arnold's overwhelming power back then, Hofir heard Arnold say "Where's the High Blood tribe candidate who wants to kill his uncle and avenge his father". How did he know that Hofir was related to Lord Stripe? Hofir had never told anyone that before. Besides Shirley and Fecius should know his situation. The two weren't that close to Hofir despite being raised in the same castle back home.
Speaking of Shirley, despite her knowing this much about his life, the two had never been that close before. They've hardly spoken despite being adopted children of the same father and living in the same castle for several years.
Even if a sort of sibling bond is too much to ask for, Hofir still wants to become friends with the princess but he knew that she would give him the cold shoulder. He felt a little more confident now but never found an opportunity to approach her. However, recent events had made him realize that time was of the essence. He needed allies, and the princess was a powerful one.
"Hey, are you awake?"
Speak of the devil. Hofir slowly looked to his left. His neck and parts of his face were still sore from taking Arnold's aggressive punches and slaps so every movement was painful.
The silver-haired wolf princess was sitting on her heels and had been reading a book till now but quickly closed it when Hofir looked at her.
Hofir suddenly caught a strong, pheromone-like odor drifting from Shirley's tail when it stood tall behind her after straightening her back. It was that time again, and the scent was still so intoxicating to him. Despite how it might sound, Hofir believed Shirley had the most alluring scent during her cycle among all the women he knew. To him, this indicated that she was an ideal candidate for bearing strong children. Her scent was irresistible, drawing other demihuman males towards her as well.
Shirley has a habit of sleeping with her tail between her legs so it sticks to her tail like glue, leaving a trail behind whenever she walks. Of course, no one but demihumans could smell this. Shirley was just dispersing that scent into the air by wagging her tail around.
"Don't look at me like that." Shirley glared at him.
"I-I'm sorry…"
Hearing his apology made her loosen her eyebrows, "…Well, I suppose I'm used to it now even if the gaze is still so intense. Just be mindful of how you look at others, especially human women. They might see the intent behind your gaze as malicious and not a natural instinct that our kind can't control."
He was not expecting that kind of reply. She had never confronted him over looking at her like a predator in heat so he was expecting some scolding, which never came.
Hofir winched when he felt a sharp pain in his head.
Shirley spoke again after looking at him for a few seconds as he clutched his head.
"It seems like Sabrina wasn't able to get rid of all your injuries. Well, who could blame her. It's not like she doesn't need rest. Sabrina spent the past four hours healing you. She collapsed due to overexertion so she can't come check up on your condition right now. Just move slowly and don't provoke Arnold again, understand?"
"…Yes." Hofir slowly lifted his upper body after nodding.
"As your princess, it is my responsibility to ensure you do not disgrace the clans and tribes affiliated with the royal family but I was powerless to do so. For that…" Shirley bent forward, put her hands on the ground and bowed, "I ask your forgiveness. I did not intervene because I… I was scared. I have only ever seen such ferocious power from my father. It is not just the power of a monster or beast but something much worse."
Seeing her like that made Hofir's eyes go wide.
"S-Still P-Princess Shirley, there is no need for you—"
"I suggest you accept her apology, Hofir." Fecius suddenly entered the tent, "You are expected to eliminate Lord Stripe and take his tribe not only through using your strength but charisma too. If the demihumans back home hear that you dueled someone solely because your mate was interested in another, then you would lose what little respect they have for you. If you had beaten Arnold then things would've been different."
"We've already asked everyone to keep silent about what happened," Shirley stood up, "There are many in the clan who want to possess the Stripe tribe. My father promised to give his full cooperation to take down Lord Stripe if a worthy candidate succeeds him.
All of this was to bring Stripe's tribe under the kingdom's banner. Stripe's tribe was arguably the most powerful tribe in all of Leudun. It makes sense to want that clan in one's army but only if you trust the leader.
The Lion King was hoping that Hofir succeeds Stripe. To succeed him, however, Hofir would need to become strong enough to fight Stripe. There are no second chances, though. If Hofir loses even once then he'll lose his head.
Hofir will be backed by the entire kingdom once he's ready to fight Stripe but the Lion King told him he will not support Hofir as he is now—weak, inexperienced, unsuited to lead others.
The only thing preventing Hofir from not getting murdered by the other clan heads, which will allow them to steal the title of heir to the Stripe Tribe, was the fact that he's the adopted son of the Lion King.
Though she acted distant, Shirley was one of the few who backed Hofir—or rather his ascension to tribe chief of a powerful tribe—in the shadows which is why she thinks she's responsible for how the other clan heads view the future leader of the Stripe Tribe.
Maybe the name will be changed to Hofir tribe? No, he did not want his own name as his tribe's name. Well, he was far from ready so this wasn't something he needed to dwell on right now.
"I… I accept your apology and will think more deeply about my actions next time." Hofir bowed as well.
Though he said that, he wasn't sure if he could back up his words.
Shirley nodded, "You're not in fighting shape so I think it's best if you remain here."
"W-What!? I can still fight!"
"Look at you. You're trembling."
Hearing her words, he looked down at his hands. Indeed, they were trembling. This was a natural response to danger for demihumans. It keeps them alert and tells them that their adversaries are nearby. This is a blessing all demihumans are born with. It is something that had kept them alive for centuries.
Hofir would not be able to stop the trembling without gaining distance from his "adversary" or by letting bygones be bygones. The latter was never going to happen unless he frees Madilith from Arnold's charm magic.
"Hofir," hearing his name, he looked up, "If you're confident you're not going to be a liability then I want you ready in the next few hours. More healers will come check up on you and take over from Sabrina's work. Speaking of her, Sabrina used nearly all of her divine power to heal most of your injuries so you have a duty to protect her once we go into the dungeon."
"I know…. I'll do anything to repay her kindness."
"Kindness had nothing to do with it. it was her being worried about her friend. That's what she told us."
Hofir looked down. If his face wasn't hurting as much as it did then he would've cracked a smile.
"We should get going. Rest up until Fecius comes to call you when it's time to depart." Shirley and Fecius then left the tent after Hofir gave an affirmative nod.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder