My Kingdom Building Done Right!-Chapter 60: Return To Grimjaw Mountain

After many days on the road, Ulric and his men finally saw the forests of the Grimjaw Mountain.

Thinking it was finally safe to free their hostages, Ulric simply left them without bothering to undo the ropes that bound their hands behind their back.

Gromm and Ragan were now able to breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, their hardship was over. Once they were back to their own camps, they could just put this incident behind them.

But now that they were there, a part of them didn’t want to leave right away. They were curious about what lay inside the mountain. That said, Gromm asked Ulric if they could stay to rest in their camp for a day.

Ulric agreed on the condition that only Gromm and Ragan could follow them.

Their curiosity got the better of them, so they both agreed to go on their own. They hadn’t been there when their warriors accompanied Arlo in the Grimjaw Mountain, for they thought coming would be a waste of time.

Now, they were very curious about how Ulric had fended them off and wanted to see it with their own eyes.

After traveling in the forest, they finally arrived at the barracks.

There, Jason was already waiting for his people, and he looked healthier than the last time they saw him.

After unlocking the Medicine Work Bench, Leone had crafted a few medicines to cure the poison plaguing the young man’s body. He also brewed him some stamina potions to help with his recovery.

"Thank you for bringing them here safely, Uncle," Jason said with utmost sincerity. "I owe you a debt of gratitude."

The young man then shifted his gaze to Gromm and Ragan, who were gawking at the defenses and the facilities inside the barracks.

Jason couldn’t help but understand what they were thinking. After all, he had acted the same way the first time he arrived.

However, after Lynceus told him about what happened back in their old camp, Jason’s expression turned solemn.

The Head Hunter made sure Jason understood that if they returned just an hour late, the only thing left would’ve been the remains of a bloody massacre.

A moment later, Arion descended from the mountain to personally pick up Ulric, saving him the effort of climbing the mountain.

Seeing the pegasus, Ulric grinned and bid his farewell to Jason and the others.

When he arrived at the top of the cliff, Leone, Yuni, and Kael were already waiting for him.

Early on, Daedalus had snuck back to its Master, then started reporting everything that happened during their trip to the Black Wolf Tribe.

Kael happened to be present and heard everything. But since he was now part of Leone’s inner circle, he was now allowed to know some of their secrets.

Kael’s ceremony of vassalship had been put on hold since they wanted to make it a grand event. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

That way, the Black Wolf Tribe would also know that Leone was the real leader calling the shots in the Grimjaw Mountain, further enhancing Leone’s prestige.

Blitz was on the side, eating the bowl of berries Yuni had prepared for it as a reward.

Leone had praised it for protecting everyone quite well, so the squirrel was in a very good mood.

After Ulric finished reporting, he mentioned something he had forgotten to tell Leone. Too many things had happened recently, so he only remembered it now.

"Leone, I forgot to tell you. In two months, the messengers of the middle-ranked tribes will come and ask for tribute," Ulric said in a serious tone. "The tribute depends on the size of a tribe and the number of their people.

"The Head Hunter of the Ashclaw Tribe, Ragan, had tried to probe me if we would pay the tribute. I didn’t give him an answer since this is something for you to decide.

"However, I’m very certain that as soon as he returns to his tribe, he will use his connections to tell the middle-ranked tribes that we will refuse to pay tribute."

Kael’s expression also turned solemn. It might still be too early for them to fight against the middle-ranked tribes.

Even with the addition of the Black Wolf Tribe, they still didn’t have enough warriors to contend with them. Also, the middle-ranked tribes might gang up on them, making an example out of them for everyone to see.

A similar incident had already happened in the past, and he believed they would do it again to ensure no one would try to stand against the tribes who looked down on them from above.

"Don’t worry," Leone said with a smile. "We still have two months! Many things can still happen then!"

The ever-optimistic young man was a bundle of positivity. His reaction made Ulric and Kael feel like their worries were out of place.

"Leone is right," Daedalus commented. "But right now, we need time to develop our forces. Anyway, when two months comes and we’re still not ready, then we can just prepare a tribute to buy us more time."

The Grimoire’s words put the two men at ease.

Daedalus was right. They only needed time. As long as they had enough time, they could grow their wings to soar high in the sky.

"Anyway, please pay attention to Ragan and Gromm," Kael said in a serious tone. "Always assign men to watch over them."

"I already did," Ulric replied. "I don’t trust them, especially that snake, Ragan. While they’re here, don’t leave the cave, Leone. If you have to, always have Blitz or Max with you."

"Understood." Leone nodded. "Once again, good work, Ulric. Thanks to you, the requirements of my seventh mission are almost met. I’m only waiting for Jason to tell his tribe our conditions. Once they agree, the mission will finally be completed!"

But as if on cue, the young man heard something familiar in his mind, and the grimoire opened its pages to show the rewards he gained from completing his mission.

—————

[Seventh Mission - Increase Your Population - COMPLETE!]

Description: Building a kingdom from scratch is not an easy task. A thriving territory requires not only warriors, but also civilians who can sustain its growth and future.

[Mission Objectives]

— Increase your population to 350.

— Current population [350/350]

[Rewards]

+3000 BP

+10 to All Stat Parameters of the people that currently reside in your territory.

+10 to All Stat Parameters of your Vassals

+10 to All Stat Parameters of Leone Frontera

One Rare Blueprint

[Bonus Rewards]

+50 Uncommon Mount Ticket

– The maximum number of Vassals have now increased to seven.

– Number of Vassals [4/7]

—————

Suddenly, everyone within the territory of the Grimjaw Mountain, except for Gromm and Ragan, shuddered as they received the blessings of Leone’s rewards.

Even the members of the Black Wolf Tribe suddenly felt themselves feel better and healthier than before.

They had no idea their stats had increased, for they had been automatically recognized as Leone’s subjects when they agreed to the condition he had imposed upon Jason the moment they sought asylum to his territory.

"This is... truly miraculous," Kael muttered. "It’s like I’ve become ten years younger."

The middle-aged man was awed by the newfound strength that coursed through his body. This made him look at Leone as if he was some kind of deity.

Ulric chuckled before patting Kael’s shoulder.

"You won’t regret following Leone," Ulric said with confidence. "He will take us to new heights we haven’t been before."

"I have a feeling that you’re right." Kael smiled.

The chieftain of the Riverfang Tribe could already tell that everyone that had received this blessing would become addicted to it.

In return, they would become loyal to Leone, never betraying the young man, who was now looking at the rewards he gained with a big smile on his face.