Chapter 292: Alliance and Duel

So you agree so readily?

Lei En felt delighted, but before he could thank him, Ma Li Wu Si continued: "However, I have two conditions that must be clarified to the Lord."

Indeed…

Lei En thought it wouldn't be that easy, nodded and said, "Chief, please speak."

Ma Li Wu Si still smelled faintly of alcohol, just as the guard Du Lan had said; he had been in the temple all night, clearly after much deliberation.

"The conditions in Astarte are harsh, but this is the homeland that we Maruklag have defended for thousands of years; no matter how many invasions we have suffered, it has never fallen. If the Lord were to recruit the clan's most elite warriors, weakening our defenses…"

Ma Li Wu Si paused, looked up at the statue, and continued, "I do not want to see the day Astarte falls; the consequences that would follow, the Lord could not bear."

He did not specify the consequences, but Lei En understood them clearly.

This temple hides the God of Loyalty, Jilieman; Astarte is essentially His last divine realm, and if it falls into enemy hands, Jilieman may never rise again.

Lei En suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

After a deity falls, it is almost impossible for it to respond to its followers; even the most zealous fanatics see their faith's flame grow dim.

Take Zoltan, whose worship of the Dwarven Forge God has completely waned; the flame of his faith is but a faint sprout, ready to be snuffed out.

The Maruklag's faith is no better.

Yet, in the eye of the soul, Ma Li Wu Si's faith flame burns intensely, far brighter than other Maruklag, and even more conspicuous than yesterday.

Jilieman can communicate directly with his followers!

Ma Li Wu Si spent the whole night in the temple, perhaps negotiating with Him.

Lei En felt his heart race; he was under the gaze of a deity, even a grievously wounded one that cannot move and masquerades as a statue. If he were to anger Him, the deity would crawl up from the throne, even at the cost of its own life, to strike.

He hurriedly shouted, "Yesterday I told the chief that the Maruklag's affairs are my affairs; the Maruklag's enemies are my enemies."

"Today I reiterate!"

"I, Ryan Augustus, will never allow Astarte to fall. Any enemy daring to invade Astarte, unless they step over my corpse, regardless of who they are, I will make them pay."

Lei En's tone was resolute, spoken not only for Ma Li Wu Si but, more importantly, for Jilieman to hear.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the statue and vaguely sensed his pressure lessen.

Lei En pressed on, outlining his plan: "Chief, I intend to build an Augustus family training base on the plateau, equipped with a long‑range teleportation array that leads directly to my castle. If you permit, I can locate the base nearer to Astarte, making it easy for Extreme Warriors to return home and rush to aid Astarte's battles."

"A training base… the Lord's ambition is considerable," Ma Li Wu Si raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully.

"It's not really ambition; the Augustus family simply needs strength to defend its lands," Lei En replied casually.

Ma Li Wu Si smiled, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.

Lei En did not interrupt, thinking he might be communicating covertly with Jilieman.

A moment later, Ma Li Wu Si said, "Good!"

He looked at Lei En, "Astarte is willing to ally with Gela Morgan; the Lord may recruit Extreme Warriors in Astarte, but Maruklag people may only pledge loyalty to the Lord in their own names. Moreover, the Lord must guarantee that Extreme Warriors will not change their faith."

Lei En immediately nodded in agreement; he never interferes with others' faith.

Ma Li Wu Si added, "As an ally, Gela Morgan is obligated to intervene promptly when Astarte is attacked, protecting Astarte's safety."

"That's expected," Lei En replied; he had already intended that.

When enough Extreme Warriors have been recruited, he'll find a chance to sweep the enemies near Astarte, both eliminating rear worries and harvesting souls to boost the Extreme Warriors' strength—a win‑win.

"The number of Maruklag is limited; the Lord cannot recruit too many in a short time," Ma Li Wu Si said, curiosity evident in his eyes.

He is a Legendary Warrior, able to endure the mental interference of five symbionts.

But according to Xikaliusi, Lei En hasn't even ascended to Legendary yet and already has thirty‑one symbionts; it's baffling how.

Lei En smiled, "Chief, rest assured, I currently plan to recruit only twenty‑nine Extreme Warriors, reaching sixty men total, forming five combat squads."

This is his estimated upper limit for tolerating mental interference; any more would be impossible.

Even so, Ma Li Wu Si was greatly shocked: "Sixty symbionts!"

He pondered a few breaths; this number could still be drawn from the whole tribe without strain, and according to Lei En's plan, Extreme Warriors could return easily.

"We will discuss the alliance treaty later in detail and sign it, swearing and witnessing in the name of the deity," Ma Li Wu Si said, "This is the first condition."

Lei En assumed a posture of eager listening.

"Second requirement…" Ma Li Wu Si squinted, reexamining Lei En, "Maruklag do not serve the weak; even though the Lord has already won over many clan members, this rule cannot be broken. I, on behalf of the clan, issue a Mackgola Challenge to the Lord."

"Mackgola!"

Lei En's face turned astonished; of course he knew what the Mackgola tradition was.

In the duel, neither side may use spells, may not ambush, nor wield overly powerful weapons; they fight solely with pure technique until one falls or concedes.

He had expected Ma Li Wu Si to demand an annual supply shipment to Astarte, but instead came the Mackgola.

Lei En hesitated.

He wasn't afraid of Ma Li Wu Si; he simply found it meaningless, an unnecessary extra step.

If Ma Li Wu Si wins, he can still recruit Extreme Warriors; with such favorable terms, few Maruklag could refuse, and it would not affect the reputation of the Extreme Warriors.

If he wins himself, Ma Li Wu Si's chief's prestige would instead be damaged.

Lei En looked at Ma Li Wu Si and asked, "Chief, is this really necessary?"

"Yes."

Ma Li Wu Si replied coolly, "To the Lord it may be optional, but to me it is crucial. Only by defeating me, or drawing even, will you earn the right to take my people from Astarte; otherwise, a mere paper agreement cannot be reported to my master."

The Legendary Barbarian's expression was resolute.

The hue within his soul was a bright white, showing his resolve was unwavering.

Lei En roughly understood; this was a Legendary's honor and a warrior's dignity. Jilieman once held a glorious divine office; Ma Li Wu Si still follows it, perhaps hoping someday to reclaim that honored position.

After thinking it through, he solemnly replied, "I accept your Mackgola challenge."

Ma Li Wu Si's face showed approval.

If Lei En refused the challenge out of fear, then the previously discussed agreement would be void, and he would do everything possible to block Lei En's recruitment.

"When?" Lei En asked bluntly, "The sooner the better."

He wants a quick, decisive battle to settle the matter.

Ma Liwu Si was rather surprised, but nodded gladly: "As you wish, then—today, I'll send someone to arrange it."

Usually a Mackogora can be fought anywhere at random.

But this time is different; the leaders of the two factions will hold a Mackogora, affecting future cooperation, so it cannot be handled rashly and must follow the formal traditional procedure.

Half an hour later, the news that Lei En and Ma Liwu Si were to hold a Mackogora spread throughout Astat, instantly causing a huge sensation.

The duel site was chosen on an open field outside Astat City.

The clan chief's guards used beast blood to draw a large circle of two hundred paces in diameter on the ground; stepping outside the circle counts as defeat.

Twenty massive beast‑skin drums were placed outside the circle, beaten by strong barbarians one by one.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

At noon, war drums thundered, and the passionate, surging rhythm rang to the heavens.

All the MakuRaga people poured out of their homes, climbing the city walls, watchtowers, or their own rooftops, standing aloft to overlook the duel site outside Astat City.

The drumming shook the sky, making the atmosphere extremely solemn.

People couldn't help whispering, full of anticipation for this Mackogora.

The overwhelming majority of MakuRaga thought the clan chief would win.

Ma Liwu Si is a rare, powerful warrior in tribal history; just past sixty, he is about to be promoted to Legendary Mid-stage. MakuRaga live up to one hundred fifty years; the chief is still young and will surely become a Legendary High-rank Warrior in the future.

In their eyes, the chief is the symbol of invincibility.

Beyond his personal strength, Ma Liwu Si excels at commanding battles.

In recent years, the enemy's attacks on Astat have grown fiercer each time, and their numbers have swelled; under Ma Liwu Si's leadership, though arduous, each time they repelled the foes at minimal cost.

Looking through the ages of clan chiefs, none surpass Ma Liwu Si; many MakuRaga believe he will lead the tribe to revival and rise.

Even some Extreme Warriors are not optimistic about Lei En.

They know Lei En is strong, stronger than ordinary legends, but spells are forbidden in a Mackogora, so the boss likely isn't a match for the chief.

Only the thirteen Extreme Warriors who fought alongside Lei En in the Weizelan battle have enough confidence in him.

When the sun reached its zenith, Ma Liwu Si stepped out of his dwelling on the fourth level.

His face was stern, black short hair stood up like needles, a leather battle skirt was wrapped around his waist, his feet were bare, his torso exposed; the massive, solid muscles seemed ready to burst, his arms as thick as a man's thigh, and his whole body was as strong and majestic as a wall.

Ma Liwu Si brandished a two‑handed greatsword, sprinted a few strides to gain speed, and with a roar leapt into the air.

Bang!

Amid the war drums, Ma Liwu Si vaulted straight from Astat's fourth level into the sky, then crashed down heavily, gouging a large pit outside the duel circle.

"Ma Liwu Si!"

"Ma Liwu Si!"

"Ma Liwu Si…"

The barbarians shouted excitedly, cheering for their chief, their cries matching the rousing drums, creating a blood‑pumping aura.

Then, under the eyes of all, a portal opened on the open field outside the city.

Lei En stepped out of the portal, appearing in the sight of the MakuRaga.

This entrance, in terms of presence, was undoubtedly far less impressive than Ma Liwu Si's, at least not as flashy, and didn't meet the MakuRaga's expectations, instantly drawing a chorus of boos, even some jeers.

Ma Liwu Si glanced at Lei En, noticing he had made no preparations and was dressed the same as in the temple before.

He was about to remind Lei En of the Mackogora rules, but Lei En began stripping his gear himself.

(End of Chapter)