章 14: Development of the Tribe

The Crimson Star Tribe, by the campfire.

Clara, who had come closer, talked extensively, almost stripping away all the secrets of the Chagga Tribe, especially when it came to discussing Chagga Tribe's priest, Crue. She mentioned something rather peculiar—Crue would leave the tribe once every month and forbid others from following.

After listening, Enzo asked, "So you plan to strike when he's away?"

Clara admitted to this and requested, "I need your help. Crue has rich combat experience and formidable priest power. I'm no match for him alone."

"Alright." Enzo agreed.

He was also curious about why Crue left the tribe.

After discussing these matters, Clara didn't linger by the campfire but returned alone to the confined cave. In her mind, she couldn't help but think: perhaps staying in the Crimson Star Tribe wouldn't be a bad idea.

There were many magical creations here, a young priest with totemic powers.

And accepting gazes.

As Clara wandered through the camp, she could feel the gaze of the others, but it was more curiosity than hostility. After all, the reputation of the Chagga Tribe wasn't particularly good among other tribes.

In their eyes, there was something akin to hope.

...

Shortly after Clara left, Sovita approached again, reporting some news.

"Lord Enzo, isn't it time for the hunting party to go hunting? The wild boar meat harvested from the boars' territory last time has all been made into jerky, which is our tribe's food reserve. We still need to hunt for daily sustenance."

Food was always a major concern.

Enzo didn't hurry to answer; instead, he asked, "Sovita, how long can the tribe's current food reserves sustain us?"

"Ten days." Sovita replied.

Ten days was shorter than Enzo's estimation.

But that was normal; many tribes didn't have food reserves. After all, once you stored food, it wasn't just fierce beasts you attracted when word got out—it was other greedy tribes.

Unless you had the power to sweep everything aside.

After some thought, Enzo said, "Let's send out the hunting party tomorrow to explore the surroundings. If they encounter any animal cubs, don't kill them, capture them alive."

Sovita nodded, thinking to himself that Ward would be even busier now.

Rearing animal cubs wasn't an easy task. Just with the dozen or so boar cubs, especially the Boar King's offspring, their temperaments were extremely volatile. Without proper supervision, they would have already killed the other cubs.

After discussing the food reserve issue, Sovita reported on the selection of the combat team members.

There weren't many people in the Crimson Star Tribe with sustained combat capabilities.

During the previous migration, many had died.

Now, for the tribe to develop, there needed to be people to work as well. So, thirty people were selected to form the combat team, in addition to the hunting and vanguard teams, leaving the rest of the tribe members to work almost at full capacity.

Sovita mentioned a few words.

Not to complain but to state the facts.

If it weren't for Enzo's arrival, the Crimson Star Tribe would probably have vanished already.

Now, although the tribe still existed, it was still on the edge of danger. Any minor mishap could lead to the tribe's demise.

Ultimately, it was a matter of lacking manpower.

Enzo patted Sovita's shoulder and ordered, "Tomorrow at noon, gather all the tribe members at the ritual square. I will further allocate corresponding tasks. Also, the camp needs further planning. Its current scope is too small."

Upon hearing this, Sovita was stunned.

Too small?

When they initially set up the camp, he had thought it was too large, not conducive to defense.

Obviously, the current Sovita couldn't keep up with Enzo's thinking. But he was indeed a qualified steward. He didn't question but nodded in agreement.

As the flames of the campfire gradually died down, the tribe members each returned to their caves.

...

The next day, at noon.

At the ritual square, Sovita gathered all the people still in the camp as per Enzo's instructions.

When everyone was assembled, Enzo stepped forward and announced, "Members of the combat team, step forward!"

After that, Tia led thirty robust tribe members out, eighteen men and twelve women. Then, she reported to Enzo, "Lord Priest, all members of the combat team are present!"

Enzo nodded and declared loudly, "Alright, the first thing is to unleash your potentials!"

Through the use of Amy and the treatment of Clara, Enzo gained a deeper understanding of the divine arts "Stimulate All Things."

The ability to unleash one's potential wouldn't harm the individual. On the contrary, it could comprehensively improve one's physical qualities. However, the extent of improvement wasn't something Enzo could decide.

It depended on the individual.

But generally, the stronger one's power, the greater the enhancement.

The tribe members didn't understand what Enzo meant by unleashing potentials, but as they saw the members of the combat team, one by one, going up and receiving the blessing of the green light from Enzo's palm, their diseases disappeared, and their strength became even more powerful. Many felt regretful.

This was clearly becoming a hero of the tribe!

Beside him, Sovita was incredibly excited. Though he knew these members of the combat team still couldn't match the tribe's heroes, they were now on par with the most elite warriors of other tribes.

With such strength, it seemed that dealing with the Chagga Tribe wasn't impossible after all!

Unleashing the potentials of thirty members of the combat team in a row was quite taxing for Enzo, but he could still endure. He continued, "From now on, the combat team is responsible for the security around the camp. They will scout for enemies, repel fierce beasts. The thirty members will be divided into three teams, taking turns on duty. Even at night, there must be patrols!"

"Yes!" The combat team responded in unison, their voices thunderous.

"Furthermore, during non-duty hours, the combat team doesn't need to participate in ordinary labor, but they must undergo appropriate combat training. As for how to train—" Enzo hesitated. He wasn't particularly skilled in combat training.

At this moment, Clara stepped forward from the crowd.

Smiling at Enzo, she said, "Lord Priest, if you trust me, I can train the combat team for you. I have enough experience and confidence to turn this team into the most powerful force, capable of overcoming any obstacle!"

Clara's step forward caused quite a stir in the tribe.

Could the people of the Chagga Tribe trust her?

Many eyes became wary, fearing this might be a conspiracy.

But at this moment, Clara made a move that surprised everyone.

She took out a stone knife she carried with her, and her expression remained unchanged. She cut her palm and blood flowed out of it.

She then smeared the blood onto the stone brazier and declared loudly, "I beseech the great deity to witness: Clara is willing to follow Lord Enzo for life and become his most loyal follower! If I break this oath, I shall perish in the jaws of beasts!"

After the oath was spoken, the flames in the stone brazier flickered.

Enzo's eyes flashed with surprise. Such an oath was recorded in the inheritance he had obtained—it was called a blood oath.

It was an extremely strict oath with formidable consequences.

Those who broke it would suffer excruciating deaths, as if bound by some supernatural rule.

Apart from this, Enzo felt the Totem of the Leaves grow stronger again, replenishing the considerable power he had just expended.

Clara's contribution to the power boost was even greater than Amy's.

'If only a few more could come...'

Enzo thought to himself.Without making Clara wait too long, Enzo solemnly declared, "Very well! From today onwards, you are the instructor of the Crimson Star combat team, responsible for training the other members of the combat team!"

"Yes!" Clara responded loudly, a smile playing on her lips as she stood with the combat team.

She had a feeling that following Enzo would be the best decision of her life.

After arranging the combat team, Enzo had someone bring out a hastily made clay sand table, which was based on the campsite. Despite its simplicity, it would suffice.

Enzo picked up a stick and began delineating areas on the sand table:

Living area, livestock area, agricultural area, industrial area, toilet...

During the delineation, apart from the toilet area, he appointed managers for each area and assigned corresponding members, completely abandoning the chaotic tribal management model.

After all these arrangements, it was already afternoon.

After more than a day, the pottery in those large furnaces was finally ready to be taken out.