Chapter 22 – Flock of Tribes. The mentality of a Female Wizard.
Due to the flying ship being the superior vessel belonging to a 2nd-order Wizard, the journey back to Ewan's Mortal Kingdom, the Suvia Kingdom, took only three days.
However, they didn't stop at the Kingdom. Instead, they went through Blackmere Pass and into Barbarian Territory.
"So this is the Barbarian Lands..." Ewan muttered as he looked outside with Fladrinne and Efora beside him.
It was a harsh and mountainous land unsuitable for growing as many crops as the fertile land of the Suvia Kingdom. There were many scattered tribes, many relying on hunting ferocious beasts and herding goats. It was little wonder why they wanted to invade the Suvia Kingdom.
Ewan then turned to look at Fladrinne, "You said the Barbarians have a Wizard Force behind them. Where and what is it?"
"The force is called the Flock of Tribes. It is a different type of force, as it follows different laws and rules than the more orderly Wizard Forces and Alliances. It combines avian-type Shaman, Warlocks, and Monstrous Clans under a loose alliance and is considered chaotic. Its power is several times stronger than the Gaxarths Academy, but due to its shambled nature, they rarely cooperate outside of protecting their land or having a common interest." Fladrinne explained.
"Then we are attaching ourselves to one of the Clans?" Ewan asked.
"Yes. Since it is a decentralized alliance, we can only attach ourselves to one of the Clans. However, outside Ezith's Clan, the Storm Raven Clan, a branch of the Great Raven Clan, I don't have any connections. It is also the closest and is a Shamanic Clan, so it is also the safest." Fladrinne said.
"What is a Shamanic Clan? How does it differ from orthodox Wizards?" Ewan asked.
This time, Efora answered this while fixing her glasses.
"Shamans are a type of Wizard that, instead of controlling magic through forming mental images of Magic Algorithms in the form of Magic Circles, Shamans convince the magic to follow their whims through ritualistic Charisma. It is more of an ideological divergence, where Wizards command the elements while Shamans are friends with the elements. It makes Shamans a tad weaker than Wizards in combat, but they have an edge in ritualism." Efora explained.
"Are the Meditation Methods and advancement methods also different?" Ewan asked.
Wizards needed to form 24 Lesser Runes, combining them into three Greater Runes and then into one Grand Rune, the platform for the Core Spell of a Wizard. However, from the sound of it, Shamans likely had a different approach.
"It is pretty similar. The meditation method is to create 24 Lesser Spirits, combining them into three Greater Spirits and then into one Grand Spirit. And instead of selecting the Core Spell, they hold a shamanic ritual that gives them their Core Spell depending on the Spirit they envision. The visible difference is that their focus is mostly on Charisma, followed by Intelligence and Spirit. For example, a Raven Clan would envision a Raven and a Bear Clan would envision a Bear. History proves that Shamans were the first Wizards and that Wizards diverged at some point." Efora explained.
"Would they accept orthodox Wizards, then?" Ewan asked.
"Although they wouldn't allow their young to learn the Orthodox Ways, they would begrudgingly accept a Wizard into their Clan if he shows allegiance. After all, a Wizard is a Wizard. We also have a complete Wizard Heritage up to the 2nd-order Wizard, so we don't have to worry about knowledge." Fladrinne said.
"Can you be both a Wizard and Shaman?" Ewan curiously asked.
"It is as possible as making another Wizard Core... Which is impossible. Think of it as changing to a different Knight Breathing Technique, just harsher." Efora said.
"I see..." Ewan muttered. "What about the Warlock and Monstrous forces? What are they?" Ewan asked.
"Warlocks are a divergent and unorthodox sect of Wizards, a nasty bunch that uses Magic Beast Bloodline as their base instead of orthodox cultivation. Their strength depends on the strength of the Bloodline, Bloodline Concentration, and Awakening Degree. It makes Wizard Potential an obsolete concept for them, instead seeking to purify and awaken their bloodline to reach their peak potential. However, while they can be initially stronger than Orthodox Wizards, it is considered an inferior route due to having too many drawbacks. The bloodline becomes diluted with every generation, weakening them in the process. And its presence hampers the ability of descendants to become anything else without purifying their tainted blood to mainstream humans. It also makes them xenophobic and prone to incest, sometimes mutates their bodies, and changes their personality. And to overcome their bloodline limit, they change to a superior bloodline." Fladrinne pursed her lips.
"So, being a Warlock is bad?" Ewan asked.
"Not necessarily. It is merely a path to power. For ancient humans, perhaps this was tempting, but in this era, it is inferior. However, they don't think so, and they consider orthodox Wizards as inferior instead, often treating us like slaves." Efora shook her head.
"And what about the Monstrous Forces?" Ewan asked.
"They are humanoids that copy the human form the more they advance. Wizards of monstrous forces already gained the shape and form of humans. You may think about them as a different kind of Warlock." Fladrinne said.
"How is their relationship with humans?" Ewan asked.
"It's complicated. Monstrous Wizards view other Wizard-level creatures as food, including humans or other monstrous races. However, they view human Wizards, especially purebloods, as prime mating partners. Some races, such as the Harpies and Lamia, have a skewed birth ratio, birthing one male in a hundred, and the resultant children from these males are often inferior. It makes the females search for better male stock, and human Wizards can help conceive talented offspring." Efora said.
"In short, if you want to join a Monstrous Clan, they will either munch on you or, more likely than not, turn you into a communal husband." Fladrinne gave a strange smile.
"And would eat you once you are no longer useful or die- Which is how they treat everyone, including their own," Efora added with a similar expression.
"Shamans it is." Ewan decided without hesitation, not wanting to be a slave or get munched on.
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The ship kept sailing for several days, passing through another ocean until they arrived at their destination, the Storm Raven Clan, comparable to the Leminaing Clan, having a Great Shaman as their ruler.
It was near the foot of a mountain, with many avian creatures flying overhead.
They stopped at the borders before lifting their invisibility and raising a white flag, signaling parley.
Soon, several Shamans and dozens of warriors arrived, having a wary look.
"You arrived at the Storm Raven Clan's sacred land. Speak your piece, Wizards, or turn back!" One of the Shamans spoke with an unfriendly tone, using the language Ewan was familiar with.
They knew they were Wizards, so they were naturally vigilant. Wizards didn't necessarily have a good reputation, with many doing some horrendous deeds that made the Monstrous Wizards look cute in comparison, which is why Shamans preferred working with Warlocks and Monstrous Wizards instead of Orthodox or Evil Wizards.
"Tell Ezith that Fladrinne requests an audience," Fladrinne said.
Hearing this, the Shamans slightly relaxed. "Wait here. We will call Princess Ezith over."
After he said that, he conjured a crow that flew toward the tribe.
"Princess?" Ewan curiously asked.
"Anyone who becomes a Shaman and is the direct descendant of the current Clan Leader is called a Prince or Princess. Technically, Efora and I are also princesses." Fladrinne said.
"Oh." Ewan nodded. It was essentially an empty title.
Several minutes later, a beautiful woman riding a crow arrived. The moment she did, her eyes immediately noticed Ewan standing beside Fladrinne. Her expression subtly changed as she somewhat understood what happened without being told.
"Fladrinne, what happened to the Gaxarths Alliance?" Ezith asked.
"Destroyed. We wish to align ourselves with the Great Raven Clan, and I need your Storm Raven Clan's help." Fladrinne replied.
"What caused its destruction? I don't remember you having such powerful enemies." Ezith didn't immediately reply, not daring to promise anything.
"We don't know, but I believe it was a migrating force," Fladrinne replied.
Ezith slightly relaxed. A migrating force destroying another territory was typical.
"So you want to join our Clan and, by extension, the Great Raven Clan?" Ezith asked to confirm.
"That is the plan." Fladrinne nodded.
Ezith didn't mock Fladrinne, instead having a sympathetic feeling in her heart for a fellow Wizard. Fladrinne was her equivalent in a Wizard Force, a proud princess with a bright future. And yet, overnight, her home was wrecked, made to flee to seek refuge with an old enemy. She knew the cruelty and dynamics of the Wizard World and that she could end up in the same situation as her old enemy.
On the other hand, she looked toward Ewan, feeling greedy in her heart. Having already guessed his identity before, she sent a message to Fladrinne.
{This Ewan fellow is an Earth-Blessed Farmer who will become a Wizard soon, right?} Ezith asked.
{So my cover-up was flawed after all.} Fladrinne lightly shook her head.
{Burning everything was a good plan, but you left some half-burnt seeds in the soil.} Ezith revealed.
{Thanks for the warning. So what do you propose?} Fladrinne asked, knowing Ezith wouldn't mention it privately for nothing.
{Are you his owner? Or his partner?} Ezith directly questioned.
{Co-owner and- prospecting partner. Safe with Efora beside me.} Fladrinne replied.
Ezith turned to look at Efora and gave her a curt bow to the young Wizard, "Nice to meet you, Miss Efora."
"Likewise, Miss Ezith." Efora lightly smiled and returned the bow.
{Are you also Ewan's Co-owner and prospecting partner?} Ezith asked to confirm.
{Yes.} Efora replied, unsurprised at the question.
Ezith nodded and turned to look at Fladrinne.
{How long until he becomes a Wizard?} Ezith asked.
{If you support him, Four to five years.} Fladrinne said.
{Does he have any more Wizard-level partners?} Ezith asked Fladrinne.
{No. Only three mortal wives.} Fladrinne said.
{Good. I will help you get the best deal in the following negotiations, but you know what I want in return.} Ezith smiled, squinting her eyes while looking toward Ewan with a hungry look.
{Don't worry. You will get your share.} Fladrinne also smirked, eyeing Ewan.
Efora, who saw their expressions, also strangely looked at Ewan.
Being stared at like this by three top-notch and hungry female Wizards, Ewan suddenly shuddered as if stared by three hungry lionesses. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Oh, nothing. We just thought you looked surprisingly handsome despite your simple looks." Fladrinne teased.
"Hehe, he does look handsome." Efora chuckled.
"I can grow used to his simple looks." Ezith had an amused look.
"LIES!" Ewan mentally retorted.
Of course, he knew they wouldn't reveal what they discussed in secret, so he didn't ask more.
And so, with Ezith's help(And that Ewan is an Earth-Blessed Farmer), they received a surprisingly good deal with the Storm Raven Clan and Great Raven Clan, not even taking a dime from their wealth. Of course, Ewan had to become a full-time Farmer on the Storm Raven Clan's territory with the same deal he had in the Gaxarths alliance.
Of course, there was a catch for everything.
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In a massive hall next to a field of over a thousand acres-
Ewan stood in the entrance hall, welcoming four women to his new home.
"Hello, husband! We are happy to serve you!" Two beautiful and exotic women smiled at Ewan, each a War Chief in strength.
"So this is Ewan, hah? Despite looking simple, he does look cute." A beautiful female Shaman from the Great Raven tribe rubbed her chin with interest.
"Told you, Idugreth," Ezith smirked.
"Seems like you will have a busy life ahead of you, Ewan," Fladrinne smirked.
"Hang in there, Ewan." Efora also smiled.
In the contract, he had to marry one mortal wife from the Storm Raven Clan and Great Raven Clan and one Shaman after he became a Wizard from the Storm Raven Clan and Great Raven Clan and produce heirs. It was after they discovered the abnormality of Ewan's bloodline. In a way, they were even more direct than the Gaxarths Alliance!
"Goddammit..." Ewan felt like crying.
His work as a diligent farmer never ends.