Chapter Thirteen: Hidden Currents

The successive allegiance of over a dozen mountain tribes across the entire Caucasus region still caused a tremendous stir. Although Komer deliberately kept a low profile, it was obvious that such events could not fail to have an impact on the surrounding areas, especially the Cordillera Wasteland and the Homer region.

The reaction from Homer had little effect on Komer, who never intended to ease the pressure on Homer. However, it posed a test for the Sanjia tribe, which had always maintained a cooperative relationship with the Caucasus. As interactions between the two sides grew more frequent, even people like Difanchi realized that the Sanjia tribe was gradually being tightly bound to the Caucasus. Extensive trade in goods and supplies made the Sanjia tribe increasingly dependent on this supply route from the Caucasus, and they even unintentionally served as a transit point for delivering goods to other tribes deep in the Cordillera Wasteland.

The appeal of the Caucasus to the small mountain tribes was self-evident, and Komer’s tolerant attitude toward them also filled the leaders of the Sanjia tribe with unease. After approving the membership of seven small mountain tribes in the Caucasus’ rights pact in one go, Komer further agreed to six more tribes’ requests to settle in the Caucasus during negotiations with the Sanjia tribe. This filled the Sanjia tribe leaders with rage and a growing sense of being marginalized.

The joint visit by the Sanjia tribe leaders was not a surprise to Komer; it would have been surprising if they hadn’t come. Komer had long been waiting for this confrontation. Now that they had arrived, he planned to have a thorough discussion with them about the current situation.

Difanchi, Belemon, and Sik arrived in Ugru with anxious feelings. The crowded scene at Bahomon’s checkpoint shocked them greatly. Seeing their fellow tribesmen, carrying families, willing to wait in the wilderness for two or three days just to cross the border, gradually eroded their remaining composure and pride. This was bound to be an unequal negotiation, as they subconsciously saw themselves as the weaker side.

Although the prosperity of Ugru was within their expectations, its dramatic changes still left them stunned. Ugru, which changed almost entirely every year, no longer had the atmosphere of a remote border town. The town streets, centered around the lord’s mansion, had extended several kilometers outward. The bustling market areas were filled with merchants from all over the continent, and mountain tribesmen could be seen in every corner of the streets.

What struck them the most was the sight of heavily armored mountain soldiers patrolling the streets of Ugru. These mountainers wore distinctive Caucasus Self-Defense Force armor, yet it differed markedly from the attire of the half-orc soldiers. Purple-red was the favorite color for the mountainers, and it seemed the Caucasus Self-Defense Force had catered to their preference by lining their armor entirely with purple-red linen, allowing them to be easily distinguished from the half-orc army even when their hoods were pulled down.

Routine patrols had become the most exciting activity for the mountain soldiers after their tedious and arduous training. Clad in fine armor, holding their well-maintained double-bladed axes, they strode with pride, each step raising clouds of dust. Seeing the awe in the eyes of the surrounding people, that sense of pride was undoubtedly the most effective way to foster a soldier’s sense of honor and belonging. This was also a training program specifically designed by Fran according to Komer’s requests for these newly assimilated mountainers—aiming to strengthen their basic combat skills while quickly integrating them into the land of the Caucasus and cultivating in them a sense of honor as members of the Caucasus army.

“Leader Belemon, do you think our trip here was appropriate?” Di Fanchi, walking along the streets of Ugru, felt as if a heavy stone weighed on his heart, unable to express his discomfort. The prosperity of the Caucasus only highlighted the difficult situation of the mountainers in the Cordillera Desert. Although the Sanjia tribe’s situation had improved over the years, it was only relative to those poorest small tribes living in the depths of the Cordillera Desert. Looking at the prosperity of Bahomon and Ugru, was it really this man’s skill or were mortals inherently smarter than mountainers?

“Leader Di Fanchi, what if we hadn’t come? Were we to just stand by helplessly while our compatriots flocked to the Caucasus? Some in our Jialong tribe are already eager to follow suit, subtly suggesting that our tribe could also become vassals of mortals. Hmph! As long as I, Belemon, remain leader, I will never approve of such short-sighted actions!” Belemon seemed much older, yet his gaze remained sharp.

“Do you think this trip will yield any results?” Di Fanchi didn’t respond to his question but spoke indifferently.

With a soft sigh, Belemont seemed to find it difficult to answer this question as well. The cunning and deceitfulness of that man had already been experienced by all three of them—impeccable on the surface yet hiding sharp tactics. Dealing with that man was no easy task, and if the Three Jia tribes failed to unify their opinions, things would become even more difficult. Meanwhile, the leader of the Jia Peng tribe clearly did not share the same pace as him and Di Fanqi.

Sik did not join in their conversation. Of course, he could understand the implications in Di Fanqi and Belemont’s words—they wanted to work together to counter the pressure from the Caucasus. The idea of coming to Ugru to negotiate with Komer was also Belemont’s suggestion. He agreed with some of Di Fanqi and Belemont’s views, but he was not willing to adopt the toughest stance to threaten the Caucasus.

Sik was well aware of the strength of his own tribe and also understood the subtle changes that had taken place in the Jia Peng tribe over the past two years. It had grown from the weakest tribe among the thirteen allied tribes. Outsiders might not be aware of this, but Sik knew very well that the Jia Peng tribe was now no less powerful than the Jia Rong and Jia Long tribes. However, he did not want to draw too much attention and preferred to remain low-key, as advised by Komer. The Jia Peng tribe’s ability to grow quietly among the Three Jia tribes was, of course, thanks to secret deals with the Caucasus.

Admittedly, it was hard to accept that those small tribes in the wilderness had submitted to the Caucasus’ influence. But Sik knew he couldn’t stop it, not even if the Three Jia tribes united or even the entire Mountain People Alliance came together. It was like a large prison that had been closed for too long, and suddenly a door was opened. Could you expect prisoners who now enjoy a good life to go back to the miserable and dull existence of the past? Sik believed Di Fanqi and Belemont should understand this as well, but they always wanted to use the combined strength of the Three Jia tribes to force concessions from the other side. On this point, Sik did not want to go along with them, as the Jia Peng tribe still hoped to gain more from it.

“Difanqi, perhaps we can’t completely prevent this phenomenon from happening, but we must make an effort. Otherwise, the chain reaction will destroy the ancestral traditions and customs that our mountain people have upheld for thousands of years. We might even be swallowed up among those mortals, becoming second-class citizens in their world.” Belemon stopped in his tracks. “Look at how strong their assimilation ability is. Our poor traditions can’t stand a chance under the erosion of their so-called civilized customs. If this trend continues, it might take less than a hundred years before our race turns into a inferior hybrid race like half-orcs, hybrids who don’t even know where their origins lie!”

“Leader Belemon, speak softer. This isn’t our territory. If the half-orcs hear these words, it could bring endless trouble,” Difanqi reminded him unhappily. Why was this old fox so impulsive today? Had he really been driven mad by what had happened to Bahomon and Uguru?

Glancing at him, Difanqi saw that his eyes were clear as water, showing no signs of agitation. Instead, his gaze drifted inadvertently toward Sik, who had remained silent the whole time. Only then did Difanqi realize he was trying to warn that weak-willed person.

Sik still said nothing, as if he hadn’t heard Belemon’s words. This was within Difanqi’s expectations. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a traitor. Did he really think his little schemes with Komer could deceive him? But Difanqi was powerless to do anything.

This guy was short-sighted. He seemed to act for the benefit of the Japong tribe but ignored the interests of all mountain people in the long run. He kept sending Earth Dragons and Thunder Eagles to the Caucasus, going all out to help them train Earth Dragon warriors and Thunder Eagle knights. Meanwhile, a large amount of supplies from the Caucasus secretly bypassed his tribe’s controlled routes and reached the Japong tribe. He had long known about this, but he had remained silent, unwilling to expose the conflicts among the Three Jia tribes. Once the Japong tribe openly sided with the Caucasus, the Three Jia tribes would no longer be able to speak with one voice. For the Caucasus, it would mean they could exert influence over the Cordillera Wasteland without restraint. Looking at what Flanders was doing in the south, one could see just how ambitious Komer was—and this was what worried Difanqi the most.

“Guys, the tavern ahead is said to be quite good. How about we go in and have a drink?” Sik, who had remained calm all along, suddenly made the invitation, surprising Di Fanchi and Belemont.
“A drink?” Di Fanchi was taken aback.
“Well, Di Fanchi, since we still have time before meeting Komer, why not experience the life of ordinary people here in Ugru?” Sik asked, tilting his head.
Di Fanchi’s expression became complex. The other man had changed a lot. To be honest, Di Fanchi had always thought this guy had probably gotten the position of Jiapon tribe leader by luck, and there weren’t many talented people in the Jiapon tribe either. But it seemed his observation and judgment might have been wrong—this guy didn’t seem as simple-minded as he had imagined.
“Which one?” Belemont also seemed to sense something odd and asked in a deep voice.
“It’s right ahead, the Lucky Horn Tavern.”
As soon as they entered the tavern, the three of them felt the rich aroma filling the air, a scent that made them feel slightly intoxicated. Half-orcs, barbarians, and dwarves were always considered by ordinary people to be the three most fond of alcohol races on the continent. Various wines brewed by ordinary people always found enthusiasts among these three races, and Red Straw Liquor of various brands undoubtedly became the preferred drink among them. However, this liquor made from grains had always been a luxury in the Caucasus in the past. With food shortages, enjoying such liquor required paying taxes several times higher than the price of the liquor itself.
The three men’s imposing figures only drew brief attention from the ordinary people in the tavern. Clearly, although barbarians were not common here, they weren’t something to cause a big fuss for the guests. Those who could sit in a tavern and enjoy themselves at this time were certainly not those who struggled to make a living through physical labor.
“It seems business in this tavern is rather mediocre,” Belemont said, glancing around the tavern before looking back.
“Leader Belemont, now isn’t the time for business. Most of those drinking here are wealthy merchants from the Caucasus—these people control the economic lifeline of the Caucasus,” Sik said with a slight smile.
“Sik, you seem quite familiar with this place?” Belemont felt a slight shock. Hearing such words from him gave Belemont an uneasy feeling.
“Mm, I’ve been here a few times. The Golden Cauldron Red Straw Liquor here tastes great,” Sik replied, no longer avoiding his gaze.

“Oh?” Belemont and Di Fanchi both trembled as their gazes fell on Sik’s face. “I didn’t expect to not know who Chief Sik likes to come here with.”
“Lord Komer,” Sik replied casually.
“Oh?!” A blazing light flashed in Di Fanchi and Belemont’s eyes, burning onto Sik’s face. “I never thought Chief Sik and Lord Komer had such a close relationship. Why didn’t you think to bring me and Chief Belemont along?”
“It’s not too late to invite you now, both chiefs. There’s no need to look at me like that. Since I’ve already said it, I won’t hide anything, right?” A sly expression appeared on Sik’s fleshy face, looking incredibly eerie. “I actually wanted to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with you two chiefs, and today is just the right day.”
After exchanging glances, Di Fanchi and Belemont’s expressions calmed down. “Sik, is this your idea or Lord Komer’s scheme?”