The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe-Chapter 276: You know I wouldn’t hurt you

We finally arrived at Oakhaven, looking down from the hill.

With our far sight, we didn’t need to be too near to see what was going on.

The hyenas and a few other beastmen mixed in had rounded up the sheep they caught, like they were livestock, looking over them to make sure they didn’t escape.

They threatened them with their elongated claws, clubs, and spears, giving the weak and innocent sheep no confidence to try to escape.

I could see the poor things shaking from all the way up the hill. Poor things, huddled together and waiting to be slaughtered.

Never fear. Arinya will save you.

"So," I hurdled everyone together. "What’s the plan?"

"Let’s use Elian as bait." Damar immediately said and the poor sheep froze up.

"Tsk, Damar. We aren’t sacrificing the poor sheep." I said and Elian nodded frantically, holding his breath as the thought of becoming the hair scared him to death, but then I actually gave it a thought.

It could... Actually work.

I’m not talking about sacrificing the poor sheep, but what if we use him to lure most of the traitors away from there? Then we’d deal with the remaining ones.

Having them split was a better way to take care of them.

"Elian," I called and the sheep gulped.

"Yes?"

I placed a hand on his soft shoulder.

"You know I wouldn’t hurt you, right?" I said, smiling but my smile looked no different than the devil’s at the time. "So, just trust me and listen to the plan."

The plan would go like this.

Elian would show himself and once they see him, some would chase after him.

Of course, a sheep can’t outrun a hyena or wolf so as soon as he disappears into the bush, Damar would yank him out of there and drop him on top of a tree.

The pursuers don’t know this, so they’ll keep running until they reach the place Fenric is, waiting to teach them a lesson.

Because this set of pursuers is taking a while, a few more of the traitors will go and see what’s going on, and then the same thing will happen.

There would be few left at that point, so that’s where I come in, walking right into the enemy’s territory and distracting them while Damar knocked them all from behind.

And with that, the infiltration was a success.

Easy.

I looked at the few left alive. We tied them together but I twisted my lips, wondering if there was a reason to keep them alive.

They would just go and tattle to Garrow about what we had done.

We’d like him to believe his silly plan was working.

"There’s no one else around," Fenric announced as he came back from scouting the area and I clicked my tongue.

That old beastman is definitely lucky. If he had been here, I’d have squeezed his face together. The old should retire and worry about tea leaves and knitting, not try to start a coup.

I could already imagine him being a badger. Those creatures always give me some sort of bad feeling.

Behind me, Elian was freeing the prisoners and they rejoiced, but they were still a little alarmed, seeing we were predators as well. Elian had to tell them our identities for them to be at ease.

"That’s the Silver Wolf, the King," he said, referring to Noah, who was helping to free them as well. "The hyenas told us he was gone but it was a lie. He’s back and he’s going to help us."

"How sure are you?" A cynical old sheep lady asked. "The king is also a predator. Who’s to say he doesn’t also plan to use us as emergency food and exploit our wool?"

She was right to have her doubts, but I don’t think I can tolerate anyone talking badly about my man.

"Now listen here, old lady," I called out. "If he was going to use you as livestock or exploit you for your wool, would he have taken the time to come save you? Jeez, I know you’re old but dementia won’t stop you from having common reasoning. Think before you speak, okay? Or I just might decide not be nice to you."

The old sheep was shocked, her sunken jaws aching and she looked at Elian, demanding an explanation with her eyes.

"Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m the queen, the king’s mate. So I have every right to defend him from every misunderstanding you might have. So, if you have any complaints spit it out now. And it better be good, so think carefully before you open your mouth."

I was sure they had a lot of complaints and fears but after my words, they swallowed it all.

"You didn’t have to be so hard on them," Noah said.

I folded my arms, throwing my face away.

"Hmph, they’re the ones looking for trouble. We saved them and yet they’re complaining. Not even a thank you. How ungrateful."

The flock of sheep began to feel bad about their attitude. We went out of our way to save them and the first thing that came out of their mouth was to doubt if we weren’t going to treat them badly.

I wanted to be a hero and help them solve their issues, but if they were going to have this attitude, I don’t mind leaving them locked up until we take down Garrow.

A male and female sheep came up to me, bowing their heads.

"We apologize for the elder’s behavior just now." They said.

"And you are,"

"I am the chief of this tribe, Robin." He said. "And this is my mate, Dica."

"Hm, nice to meet you," I said and snapped my fingers. "I like your attitude. I think I can communicate with you. So tell me, is it true you haven’t heard a word from the mer folks for a while now? Is that why those guys were bold enough to try and capture you?"