Chương 84: Grand Chief and Grand Shaman

After Parker fell, Dagon of the Warriorhearts Tribe stepped forward. Karath naturally suspected that Moldin had predicted the result and sacrificed Dagon in his place.

"KRAAAAH!" Despite knowing he would probably lose, Dagon charged with the courage expected of an orc warrior. His courage did not change the result.

"Dagon and the Warriorhearts Tribe also swear to follow Karath Bloodclaw!" After becoming the second defeated challenger, Dagon followed Parker's example and pledged his loyalty.

"WAAAAAH!"

"Krahahaha!"

"Karath! Karath!" Cheers erupted throughout the settlement. Strangely, the celebration did not come only from Bloodclaw. The members of Doubleaxes, whose chief had just sworn loyalty, were also roaring. Even the Warriorhearts orcs cheered immediately after Dagon's defeat.

"Orga Bearclaw stands as a warrior of the Bearclaw Tribe! On behalf of Bearclaw, Orga challenges Karath Bloodclaw!" With the three largest tribes already gathered beneath Karath, the atmosphere of the contest changed. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. It no longer felt like an opportunity for Karath to prove his strength. Instead, it had become a trial through which the challengers proved they were worthy of entering beneath his command.

"GRAAAH!" Perhaps because he carried responsibility for the few surviving members of Bearclaw, Orga fought with everything he possessed. His technique was lacking, but his determination rivalled Parker's and Dagon's.

"Haa. Haa. Bearclaw also swears loyalty to Karath Bloodclaw!"

"Krahahaha!"

"Orga! Orga!"

"Karath! Karath!" The cheers returned the moment the defeated Orga pledged loyalty. After receiving the oaths of three tribes, Karath faced the representative of Hellsong.

"The Hellsong Tribe also swears loyalty to Karath Bloodclaw!" Once the final warrior fell, Karath suppressed his rough breathing beneath the roar of the surrounding orcs. All four opponents had been weaker than him. Even so, defeating them consecutively without weapons or magic had not been easy. He was genuinely tired. Showing that exhaustion now would damage his dignity as their new leader. Rather than release his unsteady breath, Karath concentrated and manipulated the mana flowing inside his body.

His stamina had fallen during the continuous fights, but he had not consumed any mana. Whoooosh. The mana touched the natural energy surrounding him and created a powerful wind.

"As Grand Chief who will lead five tribes!" A small whirlwind rose around Karath, who had received the loyalty of the other four tribes. The twisting wind began at his feet, wrapped around his body, and climbed toward the sky.

"And as a shaman who follows the prophecy of the ancestors!" Karath raised his right hand and manipulated the mana again. Flames emerged from his palm and mixed with the wind, creating a blazing vortex that soared into the air. The spell pushed beyond the comfortable limits of his mana reserves and control. Blood surged upward from inside his body. Karath clenched his teeth and endured it. A small display like the one used to persuade Moldin would never be visible to the orcs standing at the rear of the crowd.

This moment required a spectacle magnificent enough for all four hundred orcs to witness.

"Karath Bloodclaw swears that he will lead all our people and conquer this forest!" He swallowed the rising blood and roared beneath the flaming whirlwind.

"Karath!"

"Karath!" At the beginning of the contest, only the Bloodclaw Tribe had chanted his name. Now all five tribes praised him with one voice.

"The ancestors are watching over us!"

"Grand Chief!"

"Grand Shaman!" Five tribes had become one beneath Karath. He was now both their Grand Chief and their Grand Shaman. Karath had become the ruler of a primitive society where political and spiritual authority were united.