Chapter 234: Chapter 230: Entering the Camp
"Who are you?" Although the White Bear Knight did not lay down his weapon like the native in front of him, he did not draw the sword from its sheath either. He only held the hilt with one hand in a relatively amicable defensive posture.
Seeing this, Lili’s father felt slightly relieved and introduced himself with a dagger in his hand: "I am Hutton, son of Erekum of the Wild Mane Tribe, and I come with goodwill!"
Noticing the standard dagger of the White Bear Knight in the other’s hand, the White Bear Knight withdrew his guard but still kept his hand on the hilt, asking the other party: "Hello Hutton from the Wild Mane Tribe, I am John of the White Bear Knight Order. What brings you here? Where did you get that dagger?"
John did not think the other party obtained the dagger by doing anything to his Knight Order colleagues because the order has not suffered any losses so far.
As for this type of standard dagger, though it may be a rare item to the natives, it is merely military material that the White Bear Knights can requisition anytime, albeit with somewhat cumbersome procedures.
"My daughter encountered your warriors in the woods yesterday. She helped him, and he gave her this dagger," Hutton briefly explained the dagger’s origin. He then further approached John and stopped at a distance where neither could ambush the other, continuing: "I heard about this matter, so I came with my tribe members to see if there’s anything we can assist with. Also, our tribe hopes to engage in trade with you."
Hutton spoke the agreed-upon excuses while trying to maintain eye contact, seriously discerning the other’s expressions.
He believed he could determine whether the other party would show malice, or if there might be disdain or arrogance in their gaze.
Unexpectedly, the White Bear Knight did not show malice or look down on the native with superiority but revealed a relatively friendly expression, explaining: "I understand, but I cannot make the decision on such matters. I need to report to our Lord, who will decide."
Though the other party remained friendly, undoubtedly, Hutton felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
He had learned the language of the white people, understanding what the term ’Lord’ mentioned by the White Bear Knight meant.
It meant the owner and ruler of the land, indicating the white people already considered this land their property.
This undoubtedly made Hutton feel angry, but he had to suppress his emotions, endure inner resentment, and await further interaction and expression from the other party rather than think about his ancestors’ and tribe’s land being occupied by them.
Considering the ancestral land of the Wild Mane Tribe is not here, and the tribe is more akin to a nomadic group that values land less.
However, to understand more about the white people, Hutton still asked: "Who is the ’Lord’ you mentioned? Is she your Chieftain?"
Hutton was asking knowingly, hoping to gain more detailed information from this White Bear Knight.
John didn’t guard against this, merely smiled and explained: "Our Lord is the ruler of the entire Northern Territory, a Count of the Empire. It might be difficult for you to comprehend, but you can consider her as our Chieftain.
However, she manages the tribal territory encompassing the entire Northern Territory, and above her, there is a Great Chieftain who oversees her and the entire southern lands.
Interactions with you are not something I can decide on; such matters need to be reported to the Lord for her to decide."
After hearing John’s explanation, Hutton indeed got the information he wanted but also felt his heart sinking, overwhelmed by a chilling fear.
The white people have already claimed the entire Northern Territory as their domain, appointing a Lord to govern it, which is terrible news for native tribes.
Though from the attitude of the White Bear Knight in front of him, Hutton thought he might show friendly intentions, but it is based on the premise that they already consider this land their possession.
If the Wild Mane Tribe remains friendly, or even submits to this white Lord, perhaps everything would be fine. But if they resist or claim not to be the Lord’s belongings...
Hutton dared not continue thinking, as such a grim scenario would be the most desperate outcome for the Wild Mane Tribe.
However, while Hutton was contemplating this, the White Bear Knight who went to report had returned. After saying a few words to John, John nodded in understanding, then said to Hutton: "The Lord wants to see you all. Gather your companions and come with us inside."
Upon hearing this, Hutton knew the crucial moment had arrived.
He called out twice, beckoning the other companions remaining in place to come over.
However, the others clearly exercised caution, not all coming over foolishly, instead leaving behind a few young Ancestor Warriors and one adult Ancestor Warrior, leaving their weapons outside while using the excuse of guarding them.
Though at first glance, disarming might seem foolish, considering the Wild Mane Tribe’s weapons were still at the level of stone axes and inferior iron axes, it was understandable why they did so.
Rather than entering with weapons, inciting suspicion, they would disarm to show goodwill, in case something happened, the weapons they carried might be better off directly snatching from the other party.
In the minds of Hutton and his group, even if the other side also had Ancestor Warriors, most should be ordinary people; taking weapons from ordinary people would be easy for Ancestor Warriors.
Moreover, Hutton felt conflict might not occur.
So, the group entered the camp at Eagle’s Beak Cliff without weapons.
Soon, however, Hutton and the others realized something was wrong because they noticed the houses in the camp lacked doors and were built very low, not looking livable at all.
Hutton and others conversed in native language, cautiously speculating that this might be some strange habit of the white people without asking the guide, John.
But as John led them through a passage underground, revealing the subterranean corridor and buildings, the natives realized the houses were buried underground.
Amidst the natives’ half-disbelieving and half-inquisitive discussion, they were led to Perfikot’s laboratory.