My Kingdom Building Done Right!

Chapter 204: Where The Wind Is Blowing

When they arrived at the fortress, Leone took them up the stairs leading to the upper side of the mountain.

After walking for a few minutes, they arrived at their first stop.

"This area is meant for special guests who visit our domain," Leone said with a smile. "Zen, you and your assistants may pick any of the rooms here. I will station some guards here so they can help you if you have any needs."

"Thank you, Great Chieftain!" Zen said. "This place is wonderful!"

The portly merchant was very satisfied with the place’s aesthetics.

There were twelve doors leading to different villas that lined up in this area.

The gathering place was a very nice touch because it allowed the guests who stayed in the different villas the opportunity to talk and mingle with each other.

"Since we are already here, please follow me," Leone said. "I’ll teach you how to use the amenities in each villa."

With that, the young man led them to the Model Unit and taught them how to use the water systems for both the bath and toilet.

When Leone showed them the soap and shampoo, Zen immediately went into business mode, asking him how much it would cost him to buy them in bulk!

"I’m sorry," Leone replied. "For now, we don’t plan on trading soap and shampoo since we don’t have enough stock. We are also busy with our war preparations, so why don’t you come back after the war is over instead? By then, we can talk business."

"Hah... I understand." Zen looked truly disappointed because for them, soap and shampoo were a luxury.

He had seen soap before, but shampoo was a first even for him.

Also, unlike the soaps he knew and used in the past, the ones Leone showed them were very fragrant.

This made him believe that it would become an instant hit among his customers, which meant a very high return on investment.

Natalia also seemed very pleased with the soap and shampoo because she was a very hygienic person.

"Um, I know that this might be me asking for too much, but may we have two of these wonderful villas during our stay here?" Zen asked. "Conrad and Natalia will take one of them, while I take the other. Will that be fine?"

Leone was about to say no, but Daedalus sent him a message through telepathy.

"Agree to his request," Daedalus said. "I’ll explain why later."

The grimoire’s timing was impeccable, so the young man was able to change his reply on time.

"Of course, you may," Leone replied with a smile. "Since the three of you are our first special guests, then I’ll make an exception just this once."

"Thank you very much, chieftain!" Zen bowed repeatedly.

The young man then led the others to the next floor, which was the place where the chieftains of the middle-ranked tribes stayed last night.

"This floor is reserved for the chieftains of the middle-ranked tribes," Leone explained. "And according to them, their stay has been comfortable enough."

"Indeed." Garen nodded.

"I had the best sleep in years here," Duncan stated.

"It’s also very spacious," Oswald commented.

If they could give a review, then they would definitely give this place a five-star rating.

Although they were curious to see what was on the next floor, the three chieftains decided to stay on their floor because they planned to hold a meeting among the three of them.

When they reached the third floor, the remaining guests saw five villas with the flags of their respective tribes fluttering in the breeze.

Each villa on this floor was three times bigger than the ones meant for the middle-ranked tribes.

Since there was a flag already placed in each residence, it was very obvious where they would be staying for the night.

Each villa had three guards stationed in it. Leone also said that if the high-ranking tribes wished to bring their own warriors to guard them, they may do so without problems.

They were truly receiving the VIP treatment, which significantly improved their impression of the young man.

After saying a few more words, Leone finally left, allowing the others to inspect their own rooms.

"This couch is so soft..." Hagen said the moment he sat on the couch. "I want to take one of these back home."

Marcus and Elias also gave it a try, and even they were quite satisfied with how comfortable the couch felt.

"Father, there are at least six bedrooms in this place, as well as two bathrooms," Wayne reported after exploring the villa. "There is also a kitchen and a dining room that can seat twelve people."

"Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting to find any comfort from this place," Marcus commented. "I guess I’ve underestimated the Aslan Tribe’s hospitality too much."

Hagen nodded before walking toward the balcony and looking at the scenic view of the surrounding forest.

Standing in a very high place made him feel like he was looking from the top of the world, a wondrous feeling he hadn’t felt before.

Thinking that this place would belong to the Darkmane Tribe if the Aslan Tribe lost in the war made Hagen frown.

’Maybe it’s still not too late to mediate between the Darkmane Tribe and the Aslan Tribe,’ Hagen thought.

Unfortunately, he remembered what Gundar had told him after the great shaman returned to the Grimhowl Tribe.

—————

"I planned to help Leone if the Darkmane Tribe declared war on him," Gundar said. "But do you know what he told me? He said that I shouldn’t interfere in this war. He said that this is a war that should happen. He wants this war to prove once and for all that the Aslan Tribe isn’t a lowly tribe that anyone could bully or step on."

—————

Remembering the scolding they received from their great shaman that time, Hagen could only smile wryly. What was done was already done.

While he was deep in thought, Marcus and Elias soon stood by his side and looked at the territory of the Aslan Tribe.

"I can’t believe he built all of this from scratch." Elias sighed. "I guess Great Uncle is right. I should have come here to learn a thing or two from the Aslan Tribe’s Chieftain."

"Isn’t that why we’re all here?" Hagen scoffed. "Do not dwell on the past. What is important is the present. During our stay here, until the Darkmane Tribe arrives, we will try to unearth the secrets of the Aslan Tribe.

"I want to know everything about Leone, including his relationship with his followers. And last but not least, I want to know how he built a fortress in such a short period of time. If we can grasp that secret, then maybe the Grimhowl Tribe will enter a new golden era under my rule."

Marcus and Elias nodded in agreement.

If they really could discover the secret of the Aslan Tribe during their stay, then their long journey would be more than worth it.

————

In the villa of the Sandreaver Tribe...

"Excuse me, but can you pass a message to your chieftain for me?" Malik asked one of the guards who was standing right outside the door of his villa.

"Yes, My Lord," one of the warriors said. "What can I do for you?"

"Can you tell Leone that I wish to speak to him in private later?" Malik smiled. "Is that possible?"

"Understood." The warrior nodded. "We’ve all been instructed to report as soon as possible if any of the Great Chieftains were to ask for a private talk. I shall inform our Chieftain right away."

’Oh?’ Malik arched an eyebrow. ’So he’s already anticipated my move?’

The more he thought about Leone, the more interested Malik became. His tribe preferred to stay within their desert domain and stay away from politics.

However, the Guardian of his tribe approached him.

"Something is stirring in the west, but we will not be affected by it," the Guardian of the Sandreaver Tribe said. "However, there is a new wind blowing in the east. Go there and investigate where that wind is coming from.

"Should I eliminate it if it becomes a threat to us?" Malik inquired.

"Malik, listen, and listen well," the Guardian replied. "I don’t know what kind of wind is blowing in the east, but one thing is certain. It is a wind that will breathe new life here in the Borderlands. Do not make an enemy out of it. Instead, befriend it. A great storm is coming, and if we play our cards right... then we may be able to achieve your ancestor’s greatest wish."

Malik’s expression turned solemn after hearing the Guardian’s words.

This was why he didn’t hesitate to head to Grimjaw Mountain, bringing only a hundred warriors with him.

It was a gesture of trust and sincerity from their tribe. Plus, he truly hoped that the wind that was blowing in the east would blow their way as well.