My Kingdom Building Done Right!

Following one big event after another, night came, and Leone slept peacefully in bed.

There was no longer any division among the tribes. Moving forward, they were now part of the Aslan Tribe.

The ceremony of all the tribes joining under one banner had evoked a sense of unity in everyone. Leone believed that as long as everyone worked hard together, the kingdom he had envisioned would eventually become a reality.

While their Great Chieftain slept, Daedalus, Ulric, Kael, and Jason handled preparation for the Bloodtusk Tribe’s departure in the morning.

They were preparing supplies, like food and bedrolls, which they would need on their journey home.

Food wasn’t that much of a problem since Daedalus had made sure to take everything from the invaders after the war ended.

Their food supplies, weapons, ammunition, and other miscellaneous items were properly stored inside its pages, ready to be summoned anytime Leone wished for them.

As for their mounts, Arion had traveled to look for the horses that had escaped during the battle.

It rounded them up and encouraged them to head back to Grimjaw Mountain.

Although it only managed to convince three hundred of them to go back, that number was more than enough to allow the survivors of the Bloodtusk Tribe to each have a mount on their return journey. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Leone had gone all out to make their journey as smooth as possible, earning him the acknowledgement of the warriors whom he had defeated.

Soon, the high-ranking tribes would also return to their respective camps.

Bertram and three more warriors from the Darkmane Tribe had been allowed to return to their camp. They were to inform their chieftain about the ransom that must be paid for his son and the warriors who accompanied him to battle.

Four wagons filled with iron ore. That was the price Leone had set for their release.

Bertram already knew that his chieftain wouldn’t be pleased to hear the news of their defeat at Grimjaw Mountain.

However, since the representatives of the high-ranking tribes had been around when Leone discussed the ransom, this news would also spread to their rivals.

They would definitely wait to see how the Chieftain of the Darkmane Tribe, Troy, would react to Leone’s demands.

Bertram could even imagine how this would turn out. The high-ranking tribes would have a field day with their plight, spreading the news that a low-ranking tribe had asked a high-ranking tribe to pay tribute to them instead of the other way around.

Troy might even personally march his army toward Grimjaw Mountain and declare war on the ignorant fool who thought he could get away with insulting their reputation!

Silas and Theron, from the Ironhide and Grimfang Tribe respectively, would also be returning to their camps to tell their chieftains about the bad news.

Unlike the Bloodtusk Tribe, which was exempt from paying any compensation, the two representatives didn’t get such mercy.

Leone had asked them to pay ransom to have their warriors returned, which he planned to temporarily use as slaves—errr... volunteers to help with Max’s digging project.

While everyone was preparing to go, there was someone who refused to do so.

"I’m staying here," Vlad said with his arms crossed over his chest.

Zed looked at his Young Lord with a frown. He had asked his warriors to prepare for their return trip to the Warclaw Tribe, but the teenage boy wouldn’t budge.

"Young Lord, please don’t make things difficult for us." Zed sighed. "Your father will be mad at me if I return without you."

"Then stay with me so he can’t yell at you," Vlad replied, as if it were a very obvious answer.

Zed pinched the bridge of his nose. He was doing his best to control his strong urge to order his subordinates to tie the teenage boy up with ropes. After all, by doing so, they could drag him back to their camp, whether by hook or by crook.

"Then tell me. Why do you want to stay here?" Zed asked in annoyance.

"I want to learn how to become a good chieftain while observing Sir Leone," Vlad replied.

"Can’t you just observe your father?" Zed asked. "He is a better role model and a true Great Chieftain."

"I do agree that father is a good leader, but he is not the best role model," Vlad stated. "The one I need to observe is Sir Leone. After all, he is just taking his first steps into becoming a Great Chieftain.

"Wouldn’t it be better if I watch how someone does it from scratch rather than analyze the finished product? By observing how to become a Great Chieftain, I can do the same in the future!"

Zed couldn’t find any fault with his Young Lord’s words. Originally, he looked down on Leone. But after learning more about him, he had to admit that the young man was unlike what he had thought.

In his eyes, Leone wasn’t really a dependable leader. He was not a warrior who could protect himself in battle, nor was he a magician who could decimate his enemies with magic.

He wasn’t like the other chieftains of the other high-ranking tribes, whose mere presence commanded admiration and respect from whoever saw them.

Leone had something different. Something the chieftains of the high-ranking tribes didn’t possess.

And that was humility.

The young man acknowledged his own shortcomings, weaknesses, and ignorance with the intention of learning from them.

He respected others regardless of status.

He didn’t require constant validation or praise.

Though Zed had to admit that it might be all thanks to Kael’s constant bootlicking at every opportunity that presented itself.

Leone never took all the credit for their victory over the other tribes. Instead, he said that they won because everyone did their part well.

On top of that, Leone had charisma.

His words, his actions, and even the way he presented himself to others left a lasting impression.

His unhesitant agreement to Ross’ request to spare his people and the way he had given them a warrior’s burial were enough to tell Zed that Leone didn’t do this just to make himself look good in front of them.

He did this because he truly felt that it was the right thing to do.

For a brief moment, he thought that maybe, just maybe, leaving Vlad at Grimjaw Mountain for a month or two would truly help him grow as an individual.

But in the end, Zed tossed this idea aside.

If he really returned without his Young Lord, heads would start to roll on the ground. And his head would definitely be the first.

At that moment, Leone finally appeared, which made Vlad run in his direction.

"Sir Leone! I want to stay here for a while." Vlad pressed his hands together, as if pleading for the young man to accept his request. "Can I please stay here?"

Leone stared at the teenage boy before glancing at the exasperated Zed, who had his arms crossed over his chest.

"I would love to have you stay," Leone replied with a smile. "Unfortunately, we are currently in a political conflict with the middle-ranked tribes and the Darkmane Tribe.

"If I keep you here, your father would get mad, and I would have another high-ranking chieftain breathing down my neck."

"How about we compromise? Come back home first, then ask for permission. As long as your father agrees, you can stay here for as long as you like."

Zed sighed in relief and gave Leone a thumbs-up in his heart. He thought the young man would make things difficult for him. Yet, he didn’t do that.

Leone wasn’t aware that because of his actions, Zed would give a positive report about his character back to his chieftain.

He would even say that the Chieftain of the Aslan Tribe was a young man of character and that being friends with him would not be a bad thing.

Vlad pouted in response, but he understood that his request was rather selfish. It was true that this might not be a good time to stay in Grimjaw Mountain due to the current conflicts between the Darkmane Tribe, the middle-ranked tribes, and the Aslan Tribe.

If his father was added to the list of Leone’s enemies, Vlad would definitely regret his selfishness.

"I understand," Vlad said in a defeated tone. "But if my father gives me permission, I can stay here, right?"

"Of course!" Leone nodded. "In fact, I even prepared a gift for you. Please wait here, okay?"

Leone went back inside the fortress, while Vlad waited patiently for the gift that Leone was about to give him.

He felt giddy about receiving a personal gift from his idol, which put him in a good mood.

Five minutes later, Leone reappeared. Though this time, he wasn’t alone.

Instead, a Raptor was by his side. In fact, it was the same type of Raptor exclusive to the vassals serving under him.