The Tribal Wars

A week later, Heisen set off for the Cumon tribe’s settlement, accompanied by Kakazu, Yang, and Kosak, a captive of the Cumon tribe.

They traveled through mountains and rivers on horseback, reaching a location deep in the wilderness, well-suited to the mountain tribe’s defense. After about two hours, they arrived at their destination.

"Nas Shirol (kill them!)"

The Cumon warriors shouted and charged as soon as they spotted Heisen's group. However, when they saw Kosak, they halted in shock. Kosak quickly explained the situation and instructed them to lead the group to the chieftain.

“They’re glaring at us pretty intensely,” Yang said, her nervousness evident as she looked around. For her, the Cumon tribe were trade partners, and their hostile reaction was puzzling.

"Well, the Empire and the Cumon tribe have been at war for a long time. Many have lost family members; their hostility is understandable."

“Can we really negotiate a ceasefire with such people?”

"That’s up to the chieftain. At least they’re guiding us to her, which means they’re willing to talk.”

They entered a large tent in the center of the settlement. Inside, more than ten sturdy men with battle scars and signs of magic use were present.

At the back stood a strikingly beautiful young woman wearing a lavishly decorated blue crown. Heisen kneeled before her, extending his arm horizontally.

“I’m surprised. An Imperial soldier knows Cumon customs.”

“I am Ensign Heisen of the Imperial Army.”

“… You also speak our language. I’m Basia, the chieftain. I understand you’re here to negotiate a ceasefire.”

“Yes.”

Basia was a prominent figure, uniting weaker neighboring tribes, and was known among the tribes as the "Blue Queen," despite being a Cumon chieftain.

“You came here with a plan, but you’re out of luck. You will be killed here.”

At her signal, the Cumon warriors drew their swords and surrounded Heisen and Kakazu.

However, the black-haired sorcerer smirked, and the Cumon queen returned his smirk with a wry smile.

“What a sudden greeting! I’m impressed.”

“Which would you prefer? Impalement, beheading, or drawing and quartering?”

As the two exchanged sharp looks, Yang scanned the area, seemingly searching for an escape route. One warrior, noticing her, pointed his blade at Yang. Basia’s expression changed dramatically, and she stood up.

“… Hey? You’re pointing a sword at a child?”

“But this Imperial child was—”

Before he could finish, Basia swung her blade, beheading him.

“Pointing a sword at a child? Have some shame.”

Basia spat at the headless corpse, intensifying the already hostile atmosphere. Yet Heisen spoke without changing his expression.

“You may point your swords if you wish.”

“I mind very much!” Yang screamed, glaring at Heisen in shock, but he ignored her. Basia’s expression turned to one of disgust.

“You’re despicable. Whether you mind or not is irrelevant. We will do as we please.”

“And that’s why the Cumon tribe has declined.”

“…What?”

“If you wished for your tribe’s prosperity, you should have eradicated the enemy’s children. The Cumon tribe cannot assimilate with other nations. If you don’t eliminate them, the enemy’s children will grow up, resent the Cumon tribe, and seek revenge. They will slaughter Cumon children without hesitation.”

“….”

“Not killing the children of other nations is a noble code. But it’s too noble, and you lost territory to the Empire and other nations that will do anything.”

“…So? Do you think your grand speech will stop the blade at your throat?”

The sword’s point was pressed so close to Heisen’s skin that a slight push would pierce it. Yet the black-haired youth did not flinch; his gaze was locked on the young queen in the blue crown.

“You’ll regret it. That choice will lead to your downfall.”

“This is a poor attempt at begging for your life. Fine. You’re as good as dead anyway. Speak.”

“The Empire’s population is thirty million. The Cumon tribe is a small group of tens of thousands, according to my research. If a full-scale conflict were to break out, the outcome is clear.”

“Then the same applies here. It’s three hundred to two.”

“Yes. This situation, with two of us against three hundred Cumon warriors, mirrors the Empire and the Cumon tribe. This overwhelming difference in strength is disheartening.”

…

The only reason the Cumon tribe hasn’t perished is that the Empire currently views this mountainous region as having little value.

At that moment, the Cumon warriors roared in anger, their voices echoing through the tent.

“Silence.”

When Basia whispered, the noise stopped instantly. Her charisma and control over her men were evident.

“At the moment?”

“There’s something in these mountains that the Empire desperately desires. That right?”

“What is it?”

“Orbs.”

Heisen answered with a smile.

In response to Heisen's words, Basia fell silent. The orbs were crucial materials for making magic wands. The unique natural conditions that formed these mysterious stones meant that if such a vein existed, neighboring countries would vie for it, and the Cumon tribe would be in grave danger.

The young queen fixed her sharp eyes on the black-haired youth and eventually spoke.

“Why do you think so?”

“We analyzed the magic wand that the captive Kosak used. Its construction was crude and primitive, and his abilities as a mage were not particularly impressive. However, the quality of the orb was extraordinarily high.”

“…Harsh.”

“It’s the truth.”

Heisen had classified the orb as grade seven, which was expensive enough for a major in the Empire. For it to be in the hands of a mid-level tribal officer (equivalent to a lieutenant in the Empire) was clearly unusual. From this, it was natural to deduce that there must be a source for these orbs.

“At present, I’m the only one aware of this. For now, it’s possible to negotiate a ceasefire without revealing this fact.”

“Even if there’s a source of orbs, why wouldn’t you report it to the Empire and have them attack us if it’s in their interest?”

“The answer is simple. I want to monopolize those orbs myself.”

“What?!”

Basia’s jaw dropped. Her reaction was one of pure astonishment, not hostility.

“You’re a baffling man. Do you think we would just hand them over to you?”

“Orbs are useless pebbles unless made into magic wands. If left as a source, the Empire or other countries will eventually find and crush you. The existence of the orbs is a liability for the Cumon tribe.”

Resources are always under attack and can be a deadly poison for those without the power to defend them.

“….”

“Of course, I don’t mean to say you should sell them for next to nothing. To keep it secret, I’ll ensure an exclusive route and buy them at a price higher than the market rate in the Empire.”

“… I don’t understand. What exactly are you trying to achieve? If you buy them at a price above the market rate, you’ll naturally incur a loss. What’s in it for you?”

Basia’s pure curiosity revealed her to be a noble chieftain, Heisen thought. There was no malice or hatred in her question; it was only a desperate search for the future of her tribe.

“I want to be both a buyer and a seller for you.”

“What do you intend to sell to us?”

“Magic wands. You must desire high-quality wands made by skilled wandmakers.”

Heisen tossed his own wand, Fang Shadow, to Basia. She examined it from various angles.

“… Indeed, it’s a fine wand. Just looking at it, I can tell. Did you make this?”

“It’s the first wand I made a year ago.”

“In the Empire, wandmaking is supposed to be exclusive to licensed contractors. How can a soldier like you make one?”

The Wandmakers' Guild controlled the exclusive contractor system, which stipulated that only they could handle wandmaking. This guaranteed their exclusive supply of orbs. Therefore, it was unusual for a soldier to be a wandmaker.

“I learned the skills illicitly. Through trial and error, I developed my own techniques. I’m confident that my current skills are on par with master craftsmen.”

During his academy days, Heisen had taken courses in wandmaking. Although the core process required a contract with the Wandmakers' Guild, he never made one, which was, of course, illegal.

Basia listened to his explanation with surprise, then fell silent for a moment before speaking again.

“So, you intend to make wands and sell the finished products to us?”

Heisen nodded with a smile, indicating that she understood his intention.

“In short, it’s fine as long as it’s not in its raw form. You receive quality wands, and I pay the processing fee. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“… I still don’t understand. What you’re suggesting provides clear benefits for us but seems less advantageous for you.”

“No, it’s sufficient. Securing a ceasefire with the Cumon tribe would be a significant achievement for an Imperial soldier. What I need now is results above all else.”

“What if we find an exceptional orb? Would you process it and give us the wand?”

Exceptional orbs, found only once or twice a year, were extremely rare and valued at the price of a small country. She probably suspected Heisen was interested in these. However, Heisen nodded without hesitation.

“I will. I don’t need such a high-quality wand right now, given my rank as a lieutenant.”

“…Right now?”

“It has no deep meaning. What I need is experience in wandmaking. I want the opportunity to create the ultimate wand rather than one made from an exceptional orb.”

“….”

For Heisen, honing his skills as a wandmaker was essential. However, the Wandmakers' Guild usually supplied high-quality orbs, making them inaccessible. As a result, he would have to buy them at exorbitant prices on the black market.

It was prohibitively expensive to buy high-quality orbs and make wands by yourself.

“I see. You’re an intriguing man. Your standards and values clearly deviate from those of a typical Imperial soldier. Who are you?”

“I’m just an Imperial soldier doing what’s necessary to reach the top.”

“Is what you’re doing beneficial to the Empire?”

“I couldn’t care less about the Empire’s interests. I’m merely using the Empire for my own benefit.”

Heisen’s goal was always to maximize his own benefits by leveraging the Empire. He had no intention of selflessly serving it.

“Understood.”

“Does that mean you agree?”

“No. We are a warrior tribe. We do not trust the weak.”

“I see. So?”

“A duel. We will determine whether you are a true hero or a reckless fool.”

“Understood. Who is the strongest here, excluding the queen?”

“You, an Imperial lieutenant, wish to fight our second-strongest?”

“I’m being considerate. I didn’t want to face you with just a grade ten orb.”

Heisen smirked confidently.