An hour later, everyone had finished eating and began to casually chat with each other.

Vlad was the most boisterous in Leone’s table, sharing all kinds of stories to his idol.

Thinking that the time was right, Gundar finally excused himself and returned to the fortress. Of course, he was a little worried, but he steeled himself to leave.

From there, he would observe everything. No matter the outcome of this negotiation, he would just watch and not interfere.

The departure of the great shaman was the cue. Cue for the upcoming confrontation. Leone finally glanced at Cain, who also looked back at him.

"I believe you have come to pay the ransom for your brother and your warriors," Leone said. "Have you prepared the iron ores?"

"Of course," Cain replied. "Men, bring the ransom."

Some of the warriors stood up from their tables to help push the wagon filled with ores to where Leone could see.

’Now, let’s see how you will handle this, Leone Frontera,’ Wayne thought with a faint smile on his face. ’Will you use the authority of the Grimhowl Tribe to put them in their place because you lack strength, or will you bow your head and accept the Darkmane Tribe’s contempt?’

Vlad also looked a little anxious. However, his brother had already told him that this was not something they could interfere with. He also understood that he had no choice but to obey.

Leone already knew that the Darkmane Tribe only brought a single wagon of iron ores instead of the four wagons he had asked of them.

He was simply going through the motions, so that the negotiations could proceed as planned.

"Is that all?" Leone asked. "I believe I had asked for four wagons of iron ores. Why have you only brought one?"

"Really?" Cain arched an eyebrow. "But the messenger clearly said you asked for only one wagon of iron ore. The Darkmane Tribe has paid its dues, so release my stupid brother and our warriors this instant."

"I see." Leone nodded. "So the messenger said you only need to bring one wagon, right?"

"Right." Cain smirked. "The Darkmane Tribe always pay their dues."

Hugo hid his grin by covering his lips with his hand. After suffering from the hands of the Aslan Tribe, he wanted to see them humiliated.

Deep inside, he wished Cain would humiliate Leone more. He wanted to see the young man beg for forgiveness for offending a high-ranking tribe.

Unfortunately for Hugo, he was too unfamiliar with Leone’s character. And today, he would understand what kind of person the Chieftain of the Aslan Tribe was. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

In fact, it wasn’t only him.

The Bloodtusk Tribe and the Stormhorn Tribe, who were still doubting the young man, waited with bated breath. What would happen next?

Cain looked very smug, enjoying the attention directed at him. He planned to humiliate Leone in front of his tribe members and make them see how helpless he was in the face of the Darkmane Tribe.

However, Leone’s next words made him wonder if he didn’t hear the Aslan Chief’s reply properly.

"Ulric, slap him," Leone ordered.

"Yes, Great Chieftain!" Ulric replied and stood up from his seat.

Everyone was caught by surprise by this unexpected reply from Leone. They were certain that the young man would try to negotiate, yet that wasn’t how things played out.

Vlad, Wayne, Hugo, the Stormhorn, Grimfang, and the Bloodtusk Tribes looked at Leone as if he had gone crazy!

Ulric walked toward Cain with firm steps, a faint smile hanging on his lips. Frankly, he had no idea why their Great Chieftain had given him this kind of order.

But he had no intention of disobeying Leone’s orders. In fact, he was even looking forward to personally slapping the heir of the Chieftain of the Darkmane Tribe!

"Halt!" The warriors of the Darkmane Tribe surrounded their Young Lord and drew their weapons. "Don’t come any closer or we will attack!"

"Attack?" Leone asked in a teasing tone. "You’re going to attack?"

The young man then raised his hand and shouted in a voice that brought everyone to attention.

"Warriors of the Aslan Tribe, prepare for battle!" Leone ordered.

Immediately, the warriors and their mounts came running to the scene, surrounding the Darkmane Tribe with their spears pointed in the enemies’ direction.

High above the fortress, the Mounted Repeating Crossbows and the Ballistas moved, aiming at the pests—errr, guests who thought they could look down on their tribe!

"What’s the meaning of this?!" Cain was no longer smiling and looked at the warriors that had surrounded them. "Are you out of your mind?!"

"I should be the one asking you that question," Leone replied in contempt. "Are you out of your mind? You came here strutting, thinking you can humiliate me in front of my people just because you came from the Darkmane Tribe?"

He then slowly stood up and sneered. Leone had long understood that the only thing the barbarians recognized was strength. Since that was the case, it was time to make them understand who they were dealing with!

"Warriors of the Aslan Tribe, heed my command!" Leone said coldly. "I will count to ten. If anyone from the Darkmane Tribe still has their weapons by then, kill them. The only one you are not allowed to kill is Cain!"

Wayne’s eyes widened in shock and muttered the words "madness!" He had envisioned countless scenarios on how the negotiation would unfold, but he never saw this one coming!

Would the Aslan Tribe actually dare to attack the Darkmane Tribe?!

This was madness!

"Y-You! You dare?!" Cain shouted. "Do you really want war with the Darkmane Tribe?! Are you relying on the Grimhowl Tribe to save you?!"

"Relying on the Grimhowl Tribe?" Leone replied in contempt. "What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t need the Grimhowl Tribe to deal with you and your tribe. Warriors, I will start to count now! Prepare to kill!"

Ulric, Jason, and Kael had summoned their familiars.

Brann also arrived at the scene, mounted on Boris.

As if on cue, all the Raptors, Fury, Boris, and Fenn roared at the same time, unleashing a wave of intimidation at the warriors of the Darkmane Tribe, who felt themselves surrounded by warriors and monsters alike.

High above Grimjaw Mountain, a screech followed suit.

Astravor also made its appearance known as it hovered above the warriors of the Darkmane Tribe, its gaze poised to kill.

At that moment, Leone’s voice reached everyone’s ears.

"One."

His countdown had begun, and the atmosphere around the banquet grounds instantly froze.

No one dared to breathe too loudly.

The warriors of the Darkmane Tribe instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons. But when they looked around, their eyes were met with cold killing intent.

It didn’t matter where they looked. They felt like prey.

From the front, from the sides, from behind, and from above. There was no place to run. There was no place to hide.

"Two."

Cain’s face paled.

For the first time since he arrived at the Aslan Tribe, he realized something horrifying.

Leone wasn’t bluffing.

This madman truly intended to kill them all!