My Kingdom Building Done Right!-Chapter 31: Clash At Grimjaw Mountain [Part 1]
A few hours later...
"Ulric! Why are you so stubborn?" Arlo asked. "I’ve reached out to you myself countless times. If you accept my proposal, you will be part of the greatest tribe that will soon lord the Borderlands! Don’t you want to share this glory?"
"I refuse to be a pawn of your ambition, Arlo," Ulric shouted from the top of the cliff. "You want to play King? Fine. But go find someone else to join your cause!"
"I’ve always thought of you as a great warrior, Ulric." Arlo sneered. "When did the mighty Chieftain of the Alborin Tribe become timid? Don’t think I don’t know your father’s plot to unite the tribes under the banner of the Alborin Tribe.
"If not for the serious injury he sustained from facing the Monster Stampede a decade ago, things might have ended differently in the Borderlands.
"I’m simply following his footsteps.
"If you still refuse to join my cause, then let me ask you—are you so cold-hearted that your pride matters more than your tribe’s safety? You won’t yield until they suffer, will you?"
Ulric narrowed his eyes. Indeed, his father had the ambition to unite all the Barbarian Tribes. But those what-ifs didn’t matter since he was now dead.
"Go back, Arlo. Leave me and my tribe alone!" Ulric shouted.
"You and I know it’s not going to happen, Ulric," Arlo replied. "You have until sunset to decide. Refuse again, and I’ll make you regret your decision."
With no words left to say, Arlo retreated and returned to his camp.
He had to show his people that he at least gave Ulric a chance to join their cause, so they wouldn’t accuse him of bullying weaker tribes.
Ulric watched him go. Arlo might still attack them before sunset, so he warned his people to be on high alert.
The next few hours slowly passed by. The lower the sun set, the greater pressure the defenders felt.
Amidst of it all, Leone casually grilled some meat. Looking at him, everyone wondered if he had nerves of steel.
Truth be told, the young man felt more nervous than anyone else. At least everyone else could fight. What about him? He was still weaker than a squirrel.
However, his father had taught him that a true leader, even when scared, must do their best to remain calm.
As long as the leader didn’t look anxious, their subordinates would feel a little calmer. Regardless of the truth, it would at least look like they had everything under control.
Even Ulric looked at the young man with satisfaction. He felt a little regretful about refusing Leone’s offer to make him a vassal, which would’ve granted him powers that might change the outcome of the war.
’It’s too late now,’ Ulric sighed. ’I shouldn’t have been too prideful.’
They said people regret not taking action when it mattered most, and Ulric could feel that truth deep in his chest.
Pride, stubbornness, responsibilities, and promises made long ago had all weighed on him like invisible chains. Now, as the sun began its slow descent to the horizon, he realized his hesitation might cost more than upholding his oath and honor.
It could cost him everything, including his daughter, Yuni.
"What’s the point of regretting?" Daedalus said as he flew close to Ulric, making sure its owner couldn’t hear its words. "You’re a good man, Ulric. And good men historically die early. I just hope this decision will not haunt you for the rest of your life."
Daedalus felt disappointed with the Chieftain of the Alborin Tribe. Leone could’ve completed his quest, further increasing their chances of winning, if Ulric had swallowed his pride and accepted the young man as his Liege.
Thanks to his refusal, Leone was forced to gamble.
Reflecting on his words, Daedalus thought that his new Master was also a good person. He neither blackmailed nor guilt-tripped Ulric into bending his knee and pledging vassalship to him.
’Hah... I must also ensure that my new Master won’t die young,’ Daedalus thought. ’No matter what happens, I won’t let him die here.’
The grimoire then gave Ulric a side-long glance before flying back to its Master’s side. It gazed at the young man currently staring at the purplish, orange-tinged sky.
"It’s time," Daedalus said softly.
"Yes," Leone nodded before equipping the quiver of arrows on his back. He then held a bow in his hand and looked down at the approaching barbarians. They had arrived at the clearing the Alborin Tribe had made after chopping the trees at the base of the mountain.
"So, have you come to a decision, Ulric?" Arlo asked, mounted on his Alpha Wolf.
"Yes!" Ulric replied. "I’ve decided to kill you, Arlo!"
"Fool." Arlo sneered before jumping off his wolf’s back.
He then transformed into a werewolf, standing a little over two meters tall, then howled at the full moon in the sky.
"Kill!" Arlo ordered, signaling the Barbarians to charge up the mountains.
"Kill!" Ulric shouted in return.
The archers and the ones operating the mounted repeating crossbows waited until the enemy had reached their strike range before unleashing a volley of arrows in their direction. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
The warriors had come prepared, and raised their shields to block the incoming attack, deflecting the arrows from above.
But not all the arrows and bolts could be blocked, especially the longer and heavier ammunition of the repeating crossbows.
The leading warriors of the Black Wolf Tribe finally came across the first set of barricades, which Leone had built to block their advance.
The warriors sneered and ordered their wolves to leap over it. They even thought Ulric was childish for thinking that a simple barricade could stop them from raiding their new camp.
But a second later, the warriors in the lead cried out in surprise as the ground under their mount’s feet suddenly shattered.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" One of the barbarian warriors and his wolf fell down Leone’s pitfall trap, specifically the one filled with sharpened stakes meant to kill.
He was the first casualty of the battle between the Alborin Tribe and the Black Wolf Tribe Alliance.
High on top of the mountain, a squirrel narrowed its eyes.
Blitz was on standby, and every time it deemed that their enemies were about to approach its position, it would cut off the rope holding the logs up the mountain, prompting them to roll on the path leading to the cliff.
Several warriors were hit by this deadly attack, causing confusion within their formation.
The archers and the people manning the repeating crossbows didn’t miss this opportunity and unleashed their deadly barrage once more.
Of course, some broke past the traps Leone had created. But they weren’t prepared for what was about to happen next.
"Construction Mode is ready, Leone," Daedalus said.
Leone pointed his finger toward the Barbarian Warrior mounted on a black wolf, leading the raiding party.
"Stone Parapet!"
As soon as Leone finished saying those words, a waist-high stone parapet materialized out of thin air, tripping the wolf and making it topple over, sending its rider crashing to the ground.
Those behind him suffered the same fate, making them scream as they toppled over each other.
Arlo could only watch in shock and anger as his allies fell one after the other, while being under the complete mercy of the arrows and bolts raining down on them from above.
