665 The Enemies Stealthy Pursuit
Besides the Village Chief, Stronghold Leader Zogar frowned deeply as he listened and observed the scene before him.
"Patriarch Rylan, you and the other Patriarchs before you have always traded with our Village and done so fairly. We have always anticipated your next return. So, even if nothing is owed, let it not be known that in your desperate hour, you ran over here with everything you could gather to ask for help, and we turned you down," the Village Chief shouted.
Although the settlement of the four-eared race would be best left for Orion to decide upon, as he was in charge of Orion's cities, the Village Chief was sure that Orion would have made the same decision, especially since he had been extremely curious lately about the Caravans and their origins.
Stronghold Leader Zogar nodded in response, supporting the Village Chief's judgment.
After hearing the Village Chief's words, Patriarch Rylan's eyes widened in surprise as his body trembled. Honestly, although he had hoped that the Village Chief would take pity on them and allow them to settle in the Village, he also understood that the chances of the Village Chief rejecting them were vastly higher than his accepting. And even if the Village Chief had refused to offer them his help, he wouldn't take it to heart.
After all, even as a leader of his race, he understood that, before anything, the survival of your own race should be considered first.
So, he was somewhat surprised by the Village Chief's words before a wave of happiness suddenly surged through his heart.
"Thank you," Patriarch Rylan said, slightly bowing toward the direction of the Village Chief and Stronghold Leader Zogar, who was beside him.
Witnessing the Patriarch's behaviour, everyone stunned by the Village Chief's response immediately did the same, bowing their heads in the Village Chief's direction.
"Thank you," they all said in unison.
"Hohoho!! Don't thank me yet. Although I might have been enough to grant you entry into the city, there is still someone else who needs to approve before you can comfortably settle within the city," the Village Chief said with a smile, "Don't worry about it, though, he has been expecting your visit for a while now, so I am sure that he will eagerly agree to it."
Patriarch Rylan's brows shot up when he heard the Village Chief's words.
City? He couldn't help but look at the towering wooden walls, wondering if a city was within it as the Village Chief had hinted.
"Village Chief Brane, is he perhaps someone whom I've already met previously?" Patriarch Rylan asked curiously.
If this person could genuinely make their life much more comfortable, he was curious to know who this person was so that he could be prepared to meet him or her and better ensure that his race could further secure the agreement to comfortably settle down within the city.
"Hmm, you might have seen him on your previous visit. However, it's difficult to say if you have met him," the Village Chief responded.
Patriarch Rylan heard the Village Chief's words and sighed deeply, "Okay, if he is as you've said, then I can't wait to meet him," he responded, understanding that he wouldn't be able to get an idea of who this person was from the Village Chief.
The Village Chief nodded before shifting his attention towards the towering walls.
He suddenly took in a deep breath, "RAISE THE GATES!!" He shouted, ordering the warriors at the top of the towering wooden walls.
Within minutes, the water below them rippled with slight waves appearing on the river's surface as they watched a path suddenly emerge. The towering wooden walls pulled open like two doors, gently sliding towards each side.
"What are you waiting for? Steer the ship forward," Patriarch Rylan immediately said, seeing a path had been opened for them to move forward.
Leif nodded in response and dashed towards the boat's steering, guiding it forward. The rest of the boats behind them followed suit.
….
Orion observed as the boats entered the city one by one. Without being told anything yet, he could sense that something had happened to the four-eared race's home, forcing them to take such a risk and venture towards the Village in large numbers.
Fortunately, he had already expanded the Village and had several spaces for them to settle.
However, if it were before, he knew their presence wouldn't be accepted, as there was no way the Village could accommodate so many people while also caring for its own.
"Huh, what's that?" Orion said to himself as he spotted several dots in the distance.
He narrowed his eyes to get a closer look at the dots, which appeared to be approaching quickly within the river and only seemed to increase as seconds passed.
A feeling of foreboding suddenly surged from within Orion's heart.
Suddenly, Orion noticed a shining bright dot leaving one of the ships, soaring into the air and quickly approaching them from afar.
"Shit!" Orion cursed out loud.
It was obvious that the four-eared race had not arrive alone.
Orion immediately snapped his head towards the other warriors.
"SEND THE ALARM!! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!!" Orion shouted, pointing a finger towards the incoming projectile.
The warriors heard Orion's words and immediately noticed the approaching dots from afar, alongside the incoming projectile, briskly hurtling through the air towards them.
As the warriors, including those still in their shape-shifting form above the towering wall, prepared to intercept the incoming projectile before it reached the city—
BOOOM!!
The towering wooden walls of the city vibrated.
A familiar, resounding voice suddenly echoed through the air. "Don't worry, I'll handle it."
As the voice subsided, a massive wave formed on the river's surface, instantly advancing. The wave spared the boats, avoiding harm or capsizing them until it reached the edge, where it rose high, forming a colossal wall of water that took shape.
It assumed the form of a transparent, watery image of a man they all recognized.
It was none other than Stronghold Leader Zogar!
