Armipotent

The meeting reached a stalemate, and Chief Moon had to continue the meeting the next day. In the meantime, Chief Moon also deployed his force to investigate the Dark Tribe and The Green Sky Serpent's whereabouts.

"Do you think The Green Sky Serpent is dead?" Chief Moon asked her daughter before taking a sip of his hot tea. Thanks to her daughter, the meeting, at least, progressed further even though they had not come up with a decision.

"I know it's hard to believe, but The Kirin followed the humans. It's also hard to believe, right? Since so, we have to think the worst for the tribe. However, I dare to think like that because of the clues I have found, Father. The trace of battle around The Kirin's lair is not just a small scale battle, but a big scale battle." Sylvia shared her discoveries, including the pit that was the same size as the Green Sky Serpent's body.

"I have sent messengers three times to the Dark Tribe, yet none of them returned. So I assume the Dark Tribe is under the Tang Empire's control too." She added as her shoulders slumped.

Chief Moon nodded his head. "What do you think if war breaks out between the Tang Empire and us? Do you think we can win?"

Sylvia shook her head. "I don't think we can win against them. Since their purpose is to unite the forest under one ruler, I believe Alton and The Beast Coven have surrendered. Don't you remember what Uncle Alton said to us in the past? Why did he come to the forest?"

While the Beast Coven and the Moonlight Tribe were not that close on the surface, Chief Moon and Alton often met secretly. They had gotten closer by years, and he knew why Alton came to the forest. He knew why Alton created The Beast Coven, and it was to take over the Lionax Kingdom.

"What if the Tang Empire has the same goal as Alton?" Sylvia asked her father with an exhausted smile. It was an exhausting day for her to face The Elders. She had to word her words carefully because internal fighting was the last thing they wanted in their situation.

"He will surrender, and the Beast Coven will follow him." Chief Moon nodded his head. Yes, why did the Tang Empire gather the force of Gigante Forest? The Empire might have the same goal, and it was to take over the human kingdoms.

"Not just that, we have to include the group of knights that recently joined the Beast Coven as well. Despite the reinforcement, the Beast Coven still lost. This Tang Empire is scarier than we think, Father." Moonlight Maiden Sylvia let out a sigh and looked to the side. Her little brother was sleeping peacefully, not aware of the crisis their tribe had to face.

It was supposed to be like this, and she did not want her little brother to be involved in the war. He was too young for this, and she wanted to protect him. The only treasure her mother left behind.

Chief Moon let out a sigh and rubbed his temple. "I forgot about that reinforcement. I heard they are the Warmir Kingdom's border force that has been protecting The Warmir Kingdom from The Lionax Kingdom for years. So, what should we do then?"

"We don't have any choice but to surrender, don't we?" Sylvia shook her head in regret as this happened in her father's era. "I mean, it is not that bad considering The Kirin is part of The Tang Empire too."

"However, we have to make sure that The Empire does not throw us away after they make use of us. We can't let them throw us away after they conquered the Ortis Continent. This might sound crazy, but I think The Tang Empire wants the continent for itself. So we need something to bind us with The Empire. We can't just give ourselves away or limit the bound with just a contract. We need a more solid bond between the two forces." Sylvia had thought about it, and she might have a way to avoid the war against The Tang Empire and secure the Moonlight Tribe's future.

"You seem to have a plan. Do you want to share it with your father?" Chief Moon smiled proudly. Even though her daughter was a little timid, she was actually quite smart. She thought differently than the others and was undoubtedly more cautious even though no one managed to shake the Moonlight Tribe's foundation for hundreds of years.

Sylvia smiled and shared what was in her mind with her father. Chief Moon's smile slowly disappeared as he looked at her daughter in shock as she told her plan. The father took a deep breath and opened his mouth. "You don't have to do this, Sylvia. We can think of another way to solve the crisis."

Moonlight Maiden Sylvia shook her head. She could not think of another way to guarantee the tribe's future aside from this. She stayed longer before leaving the room with a smile.

After Sylvia left the room, Chief Moon walked out and stood at the porch, looking at the big round moon in the sky. Not long after that, two silhouettes came over and stood next to him. Those two silhouettes were Grand Elder Olming and Grand Elder Auron, the only two Grand Elders of the Moonlight Tribe.

"I am sorry to have you two to work this late, Uncle." Chief Moon turned around and made an apologetic smile.

"There's no need for you to be sorry. We are doing this for the tribe." Grand Elder Auron shook his head.

"So, did you find something? Did what Lusha tell us is the truth, or was she under hypnotic skill?" Chief Moon asked.

"I have checked Lusha, and she was not under any skill. She's sober, and she is telling the truth." Grand Elder Olming replied.

"I have visited The Beast Coven's territory, and they indeed lost to The Tang Empire. The bad news is, Alton and his knights have surrendered to the Empire." Grand Elder Auron reported his discovery.