"C-Chieftain, what’s that?!" one of the Elders of the Stormhorn Tribe asked in disbelief when they saw Brann return to their village, mounted on the giant Raptor he won from the Wheel of Fortune.

On the other hand, the warriors of the Bloodtusk Tribe looked at Brann in shock and admiration at his awe-inspiring form as he rode on the back of the Scorch-Fang Raptor.

Noticing everyone’s attention on him, Brann couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. It wasn’t only these people who were looking at him with such reverence, after all. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Even the warriors of the Aslan Tribe were doing so!

How could he possibly not feel smug about it?!

"This is a gift given to me by the Chieftain of the Aslan Tribe!" Brann declared. "And I have come to pass on the announcement regarding a special event he will hold this afternoon. In this event, you have a chance to win a prize. The prize is none other than a Raptor of your own!"

Raptors had become a status symbol in the Aslan Tribe. Only warriors whom Leone had acknowledged, as well as those lucky enough to win them from the previous event he held, managed to get them.

Actually, Leone had given Brann three Uncommon Mount Tickets earlier which he could use to reward his people.

Of course, he planned to give one of them to his son, Gromm.

As for the other two, he would keep them for the time being.

Though, in order to not ruin the fun, he decided to wait until after the event Leone was planning to host. The tickets wouldn’t disappear anyway.

Of course, he planned to give his son a Blood-Crest Raptor, which could be ridden by those who were part of Leone’s inner circle.

The people within the village became excited after hearing the news.

Since anyone, including the elderly, women, and children, could participate in the event, they felt included in the community. After all, wonder opportunities like these tend to be exclusive to warriors.

A few hours later...

Everyone gathered at the base of the mountain. Leone’s vassals already knew what to do after experiencing the first Wheel of Fortune event held for the masses.

Five spinning wheels were erected in the previous location of the barracks. Once they were set up, everyone was told to line up and pick one spinning wheel to try their luck.

Leone didn’t personally participate. Instead, he simply watched the festivities from the ramparts of the fortress with Gundar and Yuni standing by his side.

"Leone, I still don’t know how you could create miracles like these," Gundar said calmly. "However, it will be in your best interest to keep this as a secret within your people."

The potion that he received which extended his lifespan for two years was quite miraculous.

No.

It was priceless!

If such an elixir were to be auctioned, it would reach astronomical prices. Kings, Emperors, and any ruler who wished to live longer would pay any price to get the potion Gundar had won from the Wheel of Fortune.

"I understand, Great Uncle." Leone nodded. "That is why I only show my abilities to people that I can trust. The Aslan Tribe are my people."

"But I’m not part of the Aslan Tribe, though?" Gundar arched an eyebrow.

He was indirectly telling Leone that he wasn’t one of his people... at least not yet.

"You’re right, Great Uncle," Leone replied. "But you’re one of the people I trust with my life."

"You really have a way with words."

"Do you feel like becoming one of my vassals yet, Great Uncle?"

"...If my chieftain can only hear you now." Gundar shook his head helplessly. This wasn’t the first, nor the last time the young man would say this to him. "He will hack you into many pieces if you say that to his face."

Leone chuckled, while Yuni smiled faintly. The two youngsters then exchanged a glance.

’Don’t give up, Leone. Do your best to poach Great Uncle!’

’Kukuku! Leave it to me. I’ll make sure that he won’t escape my grasp!’

The two couldn’t literally communicate telepathically since Yuni wasn’t one of Leone’s vassals. However, a glance was enough for them to understand each other’s thoughts.

"Speaking of which, are you sure the envoys of the Warclaw Tribe and the Darkmane Tribe will arrive tomorrow at noon?" Gundar inquired.

"Yes, Great Uncle," Leone answered. "If nothing major happens on their way here, they should be arriving at around that time."

Yuni had already sent her Red-Tail Hawk, Rio, to scout ahead and check the envoy from the sky. According to her and Daedalus’ estimate, their guests would arrive around noon.

Leone had already made arrangements to welcome the Warclaw Tribe and the two other pests—errr, guests, which were the Darkmane Tribe and the Grimfang Tribe.

The Grimfang Tribe consisted of former members of the Grimhowl Tribe who had left because they didn’t like how Hagen did things.

However, to keep their origin intact, they decided to call themselves the Grimfang Tribe to assert their independence.

Although there was a difference in opinion, the two tribes still remained cordial with each other.

"The Grimfang Tribe has suffered a lot lately," Gundar stated. "Not only did their warriors die and become prisoners of war, but their attempt to absorb the Stormhorn Tribe was also thwarted by you. They will surely have a grudge against you."

"They don’t pose a threat to us, Great Uncle," Leone replied. "Then again, I do admit they are a cause of concern. However, as long as they let bygones be bygones, I wouldn’t mind forming a good relationship with them."

Gundar sighed. "If only it were that easy."

Leone nodded in agreement. Ever since his exile to the Borderlands, his life had been filled with ups and downs.

How happy would he have been if none of the barbarian tribes poked their noses in his business?

"Great Uncle, can you tell me more about Eden?" Leone asked. "I know the venue for the tribal gathering that will be held in a few months is there. I also know it’s called a dungeon city. But that’s all I’ve heard about it."

"Let me tell you more about it, then," Gundar replied.

Eden was the main stronghold of the barbarians against the Aurelion Empire of the South.

Tens of thousands of warriors from the high-ranking tribes were stationed in this dungeon city, ready to thwart any invasion coming at them from the south.

Although it had been very peaceful as of late, they had never let their guard down just in case the current Emperor decided to launch a full-scale invasion of Eden.

Gundar told Leone about many things, including the tournament that would be held to decide who the next Regent of Eden would be.

When Leone asked if the Aslan Tribe could participate, Gundar didn’t reply right away.

After a few minutes later, the great shaman finally spoke his thoughts out loud.

"If you plan to join the tournament, then you should join with the readiness to die," Gundar stated. "I have a feeling that this upcoming tournament will be different from the past because the Warclaw Tribe seems to be preparing for something. Something... big."

The chieftains of the high-ranking tribes were all ambitious. All of them wished to become the King of the Borderlands and unite all the barbarians under one banner.

Of course, this was easier said than done.

After all, they needed to find a method to do this without significantly affecting the military might of the high-ranking tribes.

And according to their spies in the Warclaw Tribe, their Great Chieftain, Godwin, planned to use the tournament to finally put this plan to unify all the tribes once and for all into action.

Gundar could feel that the wind of the Borderlands were starting to blow in a different direction.

This meant that a new era was about to come.

Some people were afraid of change, while some people embraced it.

The great shaman of the Borderlands was too old to bother finding out which side would win. But if he was given the choice, he wanted to see the next generation change the status quo.

Even if that change had to be paid for by the lives of old men like him, who were still clinging to the glories of the past.. that had long served its purpose.

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(A/N: Will release 3 more Chapters after I wake up tomorrow)