Monster Stampedes would usually come from the west of the Borderlands.

With that said, the high-ranking tribes and the middle-ranked tribes weren’t really affected by them since the locations of their camps were far away from the route those monsters took.

Whenever a stampede took place, the low-ranking tribes would migrate to the south and seek protection from the high-ranking tribes.

These monster outbreaks would happen once or twice every five years, and was also one of the reasons why the Kingdom of Britannia couldn’t expand to the Borderlands.

It wasn’t only the Barbarians whom they had to deal with. They also had to deal with the constant monster stampedes that would occur in the area, destroying everything they tried to build.

When the talks shifted to the monster stampede, Kael mentioned that the last one happened five years ago.

"A stampede will highly likely happen soon," Kael commented. "Even with the defenses of our fortress, we shouldn’t take it lightly."

"I’ve only heard about them." Leone rubbed his chin. "But... wouldn’t that be the perfect opportunity to capture monsters?"

A moment of silence descended inside the meeting room as all of Leone’s vassals looked at him as if he had just said something crazy.

"What?" Leone blinked. "Did I say something wrong?"

"As expected of our Great Chieftain!" Kael said with a smile. "You could see opportunities in anything, even if it’s a calamity!"

Leone flipped his hair. "Naturally. I mean, a monster stampede is also a means to capture monster species that we haven’t seen before. If we put our hearts into it, we might even be able to catch a dragon or two!"

"I have never seen a dragon in my life." Ulric smiled wryly. "But based on the stories I’ve heard, if you were to accidentally stumble upon one, you should pray that it leaves you alone. Otherwise..."

Ulric made a cutting motion with his hand over his neck, implying that meeting a dragon was equivalent to a violent death.

"Have you seen a dragon, Sir Leone?" Jason asked.

Leone shook his head. "Never. But I’d really like to see one if we have the chance. If anything, the closest thing to a dragon that I have met is Maximus."

"Gau..." Maximus scratched the back of its neck in embarrassment, feeling a little flattered to be called a dragon.

Kobolds were often referred to as descendants of dragons, whose blood had been diluted over time.

That was why, whenever a Kobold showed any dragon-like qualities, like growing dragon wings, the entire clan would worship them as the reincarnation of an Ancient Dragon.

Of course, Leone had no idea if those stories were true or not. He simply read them in the books that his father had collected over the years.

"Capturing monsters in a monster stampede is a good way to bolster our ranks," Daedalus commented. "I hope they head to our location. We can set up traps to capture as many of them as possible!"

"As expected of Sir Daedalus!" Kael said with admiration. "You really are the most powerful grimoire in existence."

"Naturally." Daedalus flipped its pages, enjoying Kael’s bootlicking just like its Master.

The other vassals were already used to the shaman’s antics, so they simply focused on the discussion at hand.

Since Leone could use Tongue of Beasts and communicate with monsters, the young man might just be able to convince some of them to become part of their forces.

Of course, if the monster stampede was greater than they expected, they would just hide deep inside Grimjaw Mountain and wait for the calamity to pass.

This was what the underground tunnels were for, allowing them a path of escape even during emergencies.

"Well then. Is there anything else we should talk about?" Leone asked.

"I have something to say, Great Chieftain," Kael replied.

"Speak." Leone nodded in Kael’s direction.

Kael used a stick to draw a small circle and a big circle on the ground before him.

"Right now, we are the strongest tribe in the east of the Borderlands," Kael stated. "Aside from the Darkmane Tribe, our relationship with the middle-ranked tribes will be strained for a while.

"But that’s fine. At most, they will think of us as a rival in the same league as them. However, we still have one problem. Our low headcount. Compared to a middle-ranked tribe, our population numbers less than five hundred.

"This is why I propose that if ever Brann of the Stormhorn Tribe comes to seek asylum, we should welcome him with open arms. I’ve known him for many years, so I’m sure he will choose to join us no matter what."

"How can you be so sure?" Ulric asked. "Why choose us instead of the other tribes?"

"It’s because Brann shares our ideals, Ulric," Kael answered. "What is the dream of all the low-ranking tribes in the Borderlands?"

Ulric and Jason glanced at each other after that because for them, this was an easy question.

"To someday grow strong enough to be hailed as a middle-ranked tribe," Ulric answered without hesitation.

"Exactly." Kael nodded. "Brann is ambitious and prideful. He will not join the middle-ranked tribes nor the high-ranking tribes unless he is forced to do so. That only leaves one option. Us.

"Right now, Brann’s impression of Leone is a banner that has united all the low-ranking tribes. He will certainly move to join us. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is because he shares our ideals.

"The second is because he doesn’t want to be devoured by the middle-ranked tribes, who will now see the Ashclaw Tribe and the Stornhorn Tribe as easy pickings."

Everyone’s gazes landed on Leone, for he had the final say on everything. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Can he be trusted?" Leone asked.

"The short answer is yes," Kael replied. "If your goal is to rise up here in the Borderlands, he will be a strong ally. However, just like me, he will have ulterior motives. I won’t be surprised if he starts sending you the prettiest ladies of his tribe to become your bed warmers."

Kael smiled mischievously. He still had no luck in that department. Of course, he still hadn’t given up and was busy finding ways to make it happen!

"Like I told you, Brann is ambitious," Kael added. "He will definitely want to be useful to you, so he will do his best to handle our shortcomings, which is a very good thing. As long as he’s in a position of power, he will work hard to raise the Aslan Tribe’s reputation and prestige."

Leone nodded. "Very well. If he really comes here as you said he would, then I will welcome him with open arms."

"Thank you, Great Chieftain." Kael bowed respectfully. "However, you should also consider accepting the warriors of the other tribes... especially some of those from the Bloodtusk Tribe."

At Kael’s mention of the Bloodtusk Tribe, the other vassals frowned.

They could still accept the Stormhorn Tribe joining them since Brann and Leone didn’t have any deep grudges with each other.

However, the Bloodtusk Tribe was different.

The majority of their warriors had been killed in the previous battle. Aside from that, many of the survivors hated Leone and the Aslan Tribe with a scorching passion.

Naturally, when the rest of their tribe members heard the news of their defeat at Grimjaw Mountain, that hate would multiply, making the Bloodtusk Tribe a threat they couldn’t readily accept within their ranks.