Cain’s mind went blank.

He couldn’t come up with anything that could help him overcome his current situation. While he was trying to cope with the fear and anxiety rising from his chest, one of the warriors of the Darkmane Tribe spoke up.

"He is still considered a messenger of the Darkmane Tribe," the warrior said boldly. "The law guarantees their life in any negotiation or meeting! You have no justification to kill him!"

"Hmm?" Leone arched an eyebrow. "Did you forget that Varus is also a messenger, yet I still killed him? Also, don’t talk to me about laws. We followed the laws at the beginning, but those with power don’t follow the rules.

"Since I have power, why should I follow the rules your chieftains themselves can easily break in a heartbeat?"

Cain’s heart sank. He had forgotten about Leone’s history of killing messengers in the past, making him regret his earlier arrogance.

The warrior who spoke was also unable to refute Leone’s words.

Indeed, the Chieftain of the Aslan Tribe was right. There had been more than one occasion in the past when Troy disregarded the rules while dealing with the middle-ranked and low-ranking tribes.

"So, that’s it?" Leone yawned. "Even though I gave you the chance to save your life, you can’t offer me a reason to do so? Very well, Ulric..."

"Wait!" Cain went on his knees and lowered his head towards Leone. "Please forgive me! Spare me just this once! I promise I will never do it again! Don’t kill me!"

At that moment, the proud and arrogant son of Troy groveled and begged for his life to be spared.

This act not only made the warriors of the Darkmane Tribe feel depressed, but it also made the warriors of the other tribes who witnessed this scene think.

They were wondering why Leone was acting like this.

He earlier said that the Aslan Tribe wouldn’t win against the Darkmane Tribe.

Yet, he also said he wouldn’t lose.

This might just be the bravado of a young man, who was bluffing his way out of things.

But what if he was right?

What if the Darkmane Tribe really suffered major losses against the Aslan Tribe?

Leone had a track record of overcoming great odds since he appeared in the Borderlands. If he could really make the Darkmane Tribe suffer... then this would become an unprecedented achievement no matter how anyone looked at it!

No one dared to speak. Only Cain’s ragged breathing and pleading for forgiveness could be heard.

However, Leone didn’t look impressed. Though, just as he was about to give Ulric the order to kill Cain, Gundar appeared by his side and rested his hand on the young man’s shoulders.

"Spare his life," Gundar said calmly.

He truly sensed that Leone intended to make Cain an example for everyone. But, even though he wouldn’t be the one landing the killing blow, the infamy would still be placed under his name.

Gundar couldn’t bear to see such a thing happening, especially for Leone, who carried the responsibility of an entire tribe on his shoulders. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He understood that Leone was willing to do atrocities in order to protect the Aslan Tribe.

If an example was needed to ensure that everyone knew about it, then he would not hesitate to kill, even if that person was the Chieftain of the Darkmane Tribe.

Gundar was starting to regret his decision of leaving the table earlier. Had he stayed, would things have ended differently?

Leone didn’t even bother to look at the great shaman, whose hand was resting on his shoulder.

He was very thankful for Gundar for providing him a reason to stop bloodshed, but that didn’t mean he planned to simply let Cain go.

"Since Great Uncle has spoken, I will spare your life," Leone stated. "However, you will remain here in Grimjaw Mountain like your brother until the ransom I asked for has been paid.

"Since the Darkmane Tribe has already messed with us not once, but twice, I will give them an ultimatum. The Darkmane Tribe has exactly fourteen days to prepare twenty wagons of iron ores.

"If I don’t see those iron ores after fourteen days, I will personally chop your heads off and give it to your father as a gift. That way, he will remember that when dealing with the Aslan Tribe, he has to take us seriously."

Cain didn’t know if his father would really accept Leone’s ultimatum. However, he was certain that the young man wasn’t joking.

"Pick five people among yourselves," Leone said as he looked at the warriors of the Darkmane Tribe. "They will be the ones to return to your camp and pass my message to your father. The rest will stay here and be treated as prisoners of war. Also, don’t bother telling me that I can’t do it.

"This is my domain, and my word is law. If you want to die, try to resist. I don’t mind. I’m really itching to see blood today."

From the start, Leone’s skill, Master Bluffer, had taken effect. This made his words more convincing and more threatening to those around him.

Even if he didn’t mean it, people would still think he did.

Even his lies sounded like facts, making others reluctantly believe him.

They might doubt him or think that he was saying a bunch of hogwash. However, they would always give him the benefit of the doubt.

That was the true power of Master Bluffer, which could weave lies into truth and make Leone look more intimidating than he appeared.

"Take him away," Leone ordered. "Send him to the same prison as his brother, so they could catch up. I’m sure they will have many things to talk about."

Two warriors dragged Cain away by force. The warriors of the Darkmane Tribe could only look at their Young Lord with helpless looks on their faces.

They feared that if they tried to do something reckless, their fate would end up the same as the man shot dead by an arrow.

"Well then. It’s time for the Grimfang Tribe to present their case." After that was done, Leone shifted his attention to Hugo, making the latter subconsciously take a step back.

The young man’s gaze didn’t look intimidating. But after everything that happened, even a seasoned warrior like Hugo felt like the God of Death was staring at him in the face.

Fortunately, the Grimfang Tribe had prepared for this exchange with the intention of bringing their warriors back.

If not, then Hugo might have experienced a similar fate to Cain, who looked like a defeated dog while he was being dragged away to the fortress in the mountain.

"Y-Yes. We have come to exchange arrows and beast pelts for the freedom of our warriors," Hugo stuttered. "If it is still lacking, please tell us so that we can go back to our camp to prepare the adequate amount you need."

The members of the Grimfang Tribe couldn’t help but feel pressure as Leone’s gaze landed in their direction.

In their eyes, they weren’t looking at a chieftain of a low-ranking tribe, but a chieftain of a high-ranking one!

The warriors also made a mental note in their mind. After they return to the Grimfang Tribe, they must firmly warn their chieftain to never cross words or swords with the Aslan Tribe ever again.

They would make sure that their chieftain understood that Leone Frontera was not only crazy, but also a bloodthirsty person who wouldn’t hesitate to kill even the heirs of the Darkmane Tribe to prove he wasn’t afraid of waging war against a high-ranking tribe!