Chapter 249: The Beast God Forsakes Norfell

Elias Moretti stared at the dwindling food reserves in the storage cave, his brow furrowed into deep lines.

The howling blizzard had only just begun, but the Wild Beasts in the mountain forests had already gone into hiding, making hunting incredibly difficult.

What was more worrying was that the tribe had many new young this hunting season, and he didn’t know if their stored food would last until the end of the Cold Season.

Jenna Gable stood at the entrance of the storage cave, her gaze fixed on Elias Moretti’s straight, tall back. She couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

Ever since he became the leader of the Grymdale Tribe, he had shouldered the burden of the entire tribe alone.

From the tribe’s security patrols to dangerous hunting expeditions, from the distribution of food to the well-being of his clansmen, he handled everything perfectly. He had transformed from the ruthless young Beastman who once vied with his younger brother for the leadership position into a steady and resolute one. Forged through countless trials, he had become a leader worthy of the title.

Gable watched his tense back and offered a quiet word of comfort. "Don’t worry too much. Compared to previous years, the food we’ve stored this year is more than enough. You’ve already done a good job."

Though he said that, Gable couldn’t hide the solemn look in his eyes.

Over the past year, strange omens and constant disasters had occurred. It wasn’t just Elias Moretti; even he, the Witch, had sensed an unusually ominous aura. That was why, before the Cold Season’s arrival, the Grymdale Tribe had already done everything in their power, pushing themselves to the absolute limit.

A glint flashed in Elias Moretti’s crimson eyes as he silently shook his head. "It’s not enough."

He stepped out of the storage cave, and the thick, swirling snow immediately whitened his eyelashes.

Amidst the snow dancing across the sky, a thick layer had already accumulated on the ground.

Elias Moretti gazed at the vast, white world before him, his expression grave. In a low voice, he said, "This year’s Cold Season has only just begun, but look at this snow..."

Gable stood silently by Elias Moretti’s side. The bone-chilling cold pierced through his beast skin and seeped into his marrow, leaving him unable to offer any more words of comfort.

The Snake Clan was naturally afraid of the cold. They faced not only a food crisis but also the fact that with every drop in temperature, their clansmen’s movements would become more sluggish. They also had to be vigilant against High-level Wild Beasts that, driven by hunger, might turn cunning and ferocious and sneak into the tribe’s territory.

These creatures were highly intelligent and knew to wait for the right opportunity. They always aimed their claws at lone, patrolling Beastmen. Every year, the Rainy Season and the Cold Season were the most dangerous times for a tribe.

What’s more, the Cold Season had arrived exceptionally early this year, and the heavy snowfall nearly obscured all vision.

All of this was a clear sign that this year’s Cold Season would be a difficult one to endure.

Gable was silent for a moment. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he looked at Elias Moretti, hesitating before speaking in a low voice. "The Blackbear Tribe sent someone again. Are you sure you won’t go? If we keep rejecting the Blackbear Tribe’s invitations, I’m afraid we’ll arouse the dissatisfaction of the other tribes."

The cold wind whipped up pellets of snow. In the dim light of the snow-filled sky, Elias Moretti’s dangerously handsome face appeared exceptionally cold and hard.

The last time, several tribes had joined together to invite the Grymdale Tribe to hunt down the Fallen Beastmen with them.

However, he had flatly refused at the time.

Now, rumors that "The Beast God has abandoned Norfell" were circulating everywhere, and it was no longer possible to pretend not to hear them.

The Grymdale Tribe had once dominated Norfell after conquering The Oasis and Midridge tribes, establishing themselves as the leader of all tribes. But a single Rainy Season had caused them to suffer heavy losses, and their strength had plummeted.

More fatally, the Fallen Beastmen had first been discovered within the Grymdale Tribe.

These events had damaged the Grymdale Tribe’s reputation. Now, their name was seldom mentioned at the major tribes’ bonfire gatherings.

If they didn’t start allying with other tribes again, he feared it was only a matter of time before they were targeted and devoured.

Although the power of Elias Moretti’s Seven-star Pattern was formidable, if several major tribes joined forces, their annexation would only be a matter of time.

As the Witch of the Grymdale Tribe, he understood their current situation better than anyone. The eyes of the tribal envoys they had rejected had all glinted with cunning calculations. ’I have to think of the tribe!’

’I hope Elias Moretti can let go of the past and stop thinking about Evangeline. He needs to refocus, re-establish friendly contact with the other tribes. Fallen Beastmen should never have appeared in Norfell’s territory in the first place.’

Elias Moretti stared at the blizzard outside and sneered. "You think allying with those idiots is a good thing? Evangeline is not someone you can afford to offend. She’s dead set on protecting that Fallen Beastman. No one will succeed."

Gable’s brow furrowed, and he was about to speak again, but Elias Moretti turned and shot him a casual glance.

"Did they succeed in their campaign against Blackwater Swamp this time?"

At those words, Gable fell silent. The veins on the hand gripping his Bone Staff bulged.

The major tribes had joined forces, but not only did they fail to kill the Fallen Beastman, they also suffered disastrous losses.

There are two Nine-Marked Beastmen in Blackwater Swamp. One of them is Caden Albright, who once stayed with our Grymdale Tribe. The major tribes sent all their elite warriors, yet more than half of them were lost. Every time he heard news about it, his hair couldn’t help but stand on end.

Elias Moretti looked at Gable’s grim, shifting expression and let out a contemptuous snort.

’Back then at Blackwater Swamp, I personally witnessed Evangeline descending like a God, wielding thousands of lightning bolts to cut down the entire Swarm. I’ll never forget that sight for as long as I live. How could I even think of making an enemy of someone like that?’

"But..." Gable’s lips moved, but he hesitated to say more.

Elias Moretti cut him off impatiently. "The Grymdale Tribe has always stood on its own in Norfell. We’ve never relied on others. Pay them no mind."

As he finished speaking, he turned to leave, but his crimson Beast Eyes suddenly narrowed.

Through the vast curtain of snow, three figures were steadily trudging toward the tribe through the knee-deep drifts.

In the wind and snow, a familiar figure gradually came into focus.

Elias Moretti’s body stiffened for a moment. The next instant, his brow locked tight, his crimson eyes staring intently at the flowing light of the Eight-Star Pattern on Thorne’s forehead. The once-shattered Star Pattern was now whole again, and it shone even more powerfully than it had at its peak.

At the same time, a warrior patrolling the territory shouted at the top of his lungs, "Leader! Thorne is back—"

Gable’s pupils contracted violently, and the Bone Staff in his palm let out a strained creak, as if under immense pressure.

’How much time has passed?’

’A Beastman with a shattered Star Pattern not only made a full recovery, but he’s even surpassed Elias Moretti to become an Eight-Marked Beastman first?’

’Is this what they call talent?’

He had a premonition that Thorne’s sudden return and explosive increase in power were both inextricably linked to Evangeline. This realization sent shockwaves through his heart. ’Just what kind of terrifying power does that enigmatic witch command?’

Gable pondered this, unable to calm his heart for a long time.

He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Elias Moretti.

The young leader of the Grymdale Tribe was exceptionally calm at that moment, as if the person before him wasn’t the younger brother who had once fiercely competed with him, but a complete stranger. Only Gable, however, could see the dark light swirling within his crimson Beast Eyes.