My Kingdom Building Done Right!

After bumping into Yuni, Leone went to look for Kael and Brann.

He informed them that he would require their presence later since he had a dinner meeting with Hagen, the Chieftain of the Grimhowl Tribe.

Kael readily agreed. How could he allow his great chieftain to have a private conversation with Hagen alone?

As for Brann, he was there to be Leone’s protector.

He was now a changed man. In the past, he had been like the other chieftains that wished for their tribe to rise in rank. But now, with his newfound strength, his only goal was to protect Leone from anyone who wished to harm him.

Once he was sure he had covered all bases, the young man then went to his room to take a nap. He believed he would need all the rest he could get in preparation for that important talk.

The moment he drifted to sleep, Daedalus asked Hassan to step out of Leone’s shadow.

"I’m sure you already know, but the chieftains have brought a few powerful warriors with them to the Aslan Tribe," Daedalus said. "Some of them are as strong as you."

"Yes." Hassan nodded. "Hagen and Malik have two of them by their side at all times. As for the rest, they look like normal warriors, but they are probably doing their best to gather information about the Aslan Tribe."

"You’re right," Daedalus replied. "The squirrel network has been following their movements. They have visited the Orc camp in secret, making sure not to be detected by the Orcs."

"I’m sure that they will attempt to enter the fortress if an opportunity ever arises," Hassan stated. "The only reason why they might be holding back is due to Brann’s presence."

After that powerful display of strength, the Elite Warriors of the high-ranking tribes grew more wary of the Aslan Tribe.

They didn’t even put Ulric, Kael, Jason, or Otto within their line of sight because they were confident that they could overpower any of them.

However, Brann was different.

They could instinctively feel that if they made one wrong move, they would die a dog’s death.

Brann might look mild-mannered on the surface, but he was actually a very decisive person.

Once he resolved himself to do something, then he would act on it without fail. In fact, it was this same trait that saved the Stormhorn Tribe from a fate that might have reduced them to the underlings of another tribe.

Aside from that, Brann had his fair share of violence. This was why the role of being the Aslan Tribe’s dark side was perfect for him.

"Still, I’m sure they will try ‌it at least once." Daedalus chuckled. "The Aslan Tribe has many secrets, and Leone hasn’t allowed any of them to enter deep within the mountain to see any of them.

"I’m sure Hagen is itching to know these secrets, but he can’t act impulsively with Malik around. He will probably ask Leone to give him a tour of the mountain’s interior during their private talk later."

Hassan sneered. This was one of the many typical moves nobles used whenever they wanted to observe their rival’s domain.

"I called you out because we need to plan something during emergencies," Daedalus explained. "Although the possibility is low, there might be an attempt to capture Leone during this critical period."

At this, Hassan’s expression turned serious. If three or more Elite Warriors of the Grimhowl Tribe were to target Leone when Brann wasn’t present, the chances of them capturing him were high.

"Do you have a plan in mind?" Hassan asked. "Should we ask Brann to accompany Leone all the time?"

"No," Daedalus replied. "On the contrary, we must make Leone look defenseless."

"Huh?" Hassan frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If ever there’s a slight chance that some people try to capture Leone, don’t do anything," Daedalus stated. "That is the reason why I asked to talk to you."

"Don’t do anything?" The frown on Hassan’s face deepened. "Are you telling me to let him get captured?"

"Yes," Daedalus answered. "Of course, this is just meddling on my part. The possibility of this happening is very small. However, we must not forget that we are dealing with the chieftain who holds the Number 2 position in the Borderlands. To be honest, I don’t trust Hagen."

"Same here." Hassan smirked. "He feels like a slippery snake."

"Right." Daedalus nodded. "Still, he won’t do anything excessive because he is still worried about Gundar’s wrath. At the very least, he won’t hurt Leone. At most, he might just pressure him to share some of his secrets with him."

"So, the reason why you don’t want me to protect Leone is that you want to keep my existence a secret?" Hassan asked.

"Exactly," Daedalus replied. "You will also play an important role against the Darkmane Tribe, so we can’t allow anyone to know about you right now."

"But what if they plan on hurting Leone?" Hassan asked. "Or worse, eliminate him?"

"Things might have been different if we were in another location. However, we are in the Aslan Tribe. Our territory. I have a few means to ensure Leone’s safety until help arrives."

"Understood." Hassan crossed his arms over his chest. "I will trust you with this once."

"Thank you." Daedalus then told Hassan a few more things before the assassin returned to Leone’s shadow.

—————

Meanwhile, in Hagen’s quarters...

"We have already checked the Orc nest in the north," one of the warriors reported, kneeling before Hagen. "Just as we expected, there are hundreds of them there. I didn’t dare to enter their nest because I spotted Orc shamans during my observation."

"I see." Hagen lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. "There’s no need to continue observing the Orcs. Pull back and see if you can find a way to enter the fortress."

"Understood!" The warrior then left to carry out Hagen’s orders.

When only Hagen and his two sons remained inside the room, Elias finally spoke what was on his mind.

"Father, I think it’s very risky to try and infiltrate the fortress at this time." Elias cautioned.

"Of course. My warriors already know that," Hagen replied. "If they don’t find an opportunity, then they will not risk it. However, I believe that the trump card that makes Leone confident to face off against the Darkmane Tribe is buried deep inside this mountain."

Marcus listened with his arms crossed over his chest. Truth be told, he wasn’t happy with Leone treating his father like an equal.

However, since the young man kept using their great shaman as a shield, he couldn’t really say anything about it.

It was very obvious how much Gundar cared for Leone. If not, he wouldn’t have given them a sermon after the shaman returned to the Grimhowl Tribe.

"So, we’ve been here for a day," Hagen said with a smile. "What are your impressions of Leone?"

"I have to admit that he has surpassed my expectations," Elias replied. "No wonder Great Uncle only has praises for him."

The way he stood his ground against Ivan and his men had made it clear. He was serious when he said that he planned on fighting the Darkmane Tribe.

"How about you, Marcus?" Hagen inquired. "It seems that you have a lot on your mind."

"I do, Father," Marcus replied. "But after thinking about it, I realized something."

"And that is?" Hagen arched an eyebrow.

"The gazes of all the warriors following him were filled with admiration and respect," Marcus replied. "He is an exile from Britannia and should not have been on good terms with us. And yet, he managed to win not only their trust, but also their loyalty.

"Just like Great Uncle said, he has built all of this from scratch. Had I been put in the same situation as him, I don’t know if I could even accomplish half of what he has done during the short time he was here in the Borderlands."

Hagen smiled faintly because his hot-headed son had actually managed to think this deeply.

Unlike Elias, Marcus was a true warrior. But if even someone like him could reluctantly recognize Leone’s greatness, this meant that the Chieftain of the Aslan Tribe had impressed him that much.

’He’s grown a bit,’ Hagen thought. ’Bringing him here is worth it.’

Right now, Hagen felt that he was in an awkward position with the Aslan Tribe.

Not only that, but his reputation had taken a beating after Gundar told him not to interfere in the war between Leone and Troy.

In the future, the other tribes would not think that allying with the Grimhowl Tribe was worth it.

If they simply watched on as another tribe attacked their ally, then this meant that something similar would happen in the future.

’Hah... Gundar and Leone truly made me look bad.’ Hagen sighed internally. ’However, this is also an opportunity.’

Even if the Darkmane Tribe won against the Aslan Tribe, they would definitely suffer losses in the war. That would greatly diminish their fighting strength, which the Grimhowl Tribe could use to their advantage and try to absorb them.

Then again, even if they fail to absorb that tribe, Hagen was confident that he could at least make the Darkmane Tribe his vassal.

So, this war should indeed happen.

While he may not be saying or doing anything, Hagen was certain that Gundar would not sit around and watch Leone get killed.

Before the war even started, Hagen would give the Darkmane Tribe an ultimatum.

"You can capture Leone, but you are not allowed to cripple or kill him. Otherwise, the Grimhowl Tribe will declare war against the Darkmane Tribe."

Not only would this move pacify Gundar, but it would also make Leone indebted to him.

As for the secrets of the Aslan Tribe, he wasn’t in a hurry to find them.

After all, whatever trump cards Leone possessed would appear in his war against the Darkmane Tribe.

By then, this would allow Hagen, as well as the other tribes, to finally understand the source of Leone’s confidence.

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