Chapter 228

Gervas's plan was simple!

First, send someone immediately to the tribe where Lada was held, and capture all the Dak fish-people prisoners.

This was something Gervas had long wanted to complain about.

After the Buwa defeated their enemies—even after capturing Chief Lada—they still didn't send a single person to subdue the Dak.

Isn't that like killing the boss but leaving the loot behind?

So, the first step is to make them retrieve this "loot."

Of course, this small amount of meat isn't enough for Buwa to dominate this region.

Thus, all tribes involved in this attack will be the targets.

Gervas ordered Buwa to send envoys to threaten the tribal leaders into coming to Buwa before tomorrow.

Of course, to ease their fears for safety, they could be assured their lives would be protected.

"Elder Gervas, even if we promise to guarantee their safety, they still won't come," Toka said. He thought the leaders weren't fools—they wouldn't risk coming on just a promise.

Even if it were himself, he wouldn't come.

Gervas merely smiled. "Won't come? Then take my barbarian warriors there! Tell them that if anyone fails to show up tomorrow, next time I'll bring all our human warriors—with weapons and ladders—to invite them right into their camps!"

Toka looked at the terrifying, tower-like warriors nearby and finally felt confident.

"Elder Gervas, once they arrive, what do we make them do?"

"Make them submit and become vassals of Buwa…"

…

The next day, outside the Buwa tribe's gate, heads crowded together… well, fish heads.

All Buwa tribespeople had gathered there.

"They're here! They're here!"

At that moment, the crowd suddenly stirred.

A fish-people contingent was slowly approaching the Buwa tribe's gate.

As they drew closer, the Buwa immediately recognized their identities.

"It's the Keri tribe! That's their chief—I saw him on the wall yesterday!"

"Hah! These greedy bastards finally realized their fear and were forced to come to us!"

"Yes, we owe it all to Elder Gervas the human! Otherwise, these bastards would've destroyed us yesterday!"

"What human Gervas? He's now our Buwa tribe's supreme elder! Gali, don't say it wrong again—or you'll be punished by tribal law!"

"Sorry, I just forgot—I'll remember from now on…"

The Buwa had heard that yesterday's fleeing tribal leaders would arrive today.

They'd gathered to witness this most glorious, honorable moment for Buwa.

"Chief Keri, welcome to Buwa. How different does today feel from yesterday?" Toka stood at the front of the crowd, his face dripping with smugness and mockery.

Yesterday, Buwa had been the one besieged and struggling to survive.

Today, the roles had reversed—he could now look down on Keri and his kind with arrogance.

Of course, Gervas the Elder's plan truly worked wonders.

Yesterday, when he sent envoys with invitations, the tribal leaders refused outright and sneered that if he dared, he should come to their camps himself to invite them.

The messenger said nothing—just waved his hand toward the nearby woods. Twenty towering, terrifying barbarian warriors appeared. The chief instantly fell silent.

After the messenger delivered the threat, Keri immediately promised he'd come today.

And sure enough, Keri was the first to arrive at Buwa!

Keri's face was pale, but he dared not object to Toka's mockery.

He bowed low. "Toka, everything we did was under Lada's influence. Please don't hold a grudge."

"To make amends, these sea shells and dried fish are gifts to Buwa for your losses!"

Toka grinned wider, his heart exulting in sweet satisfaction.

Yet his face remained indifferent. "Keri, save the gifts for later—our supreme elder is already waiting inside."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you—Elder Gervas the human is now our Buwa tribe's supreme elder!"

Keri's face darkened. He thought of how this human would forever protect Buwa—how could any nearby tribe ever have peace again?

…

"Gentlemen, since everyone has arrived, I'll cut to the chase!"

"You all know how I became Buwa's supreme elder."

"Your attacks on Buwa angered me deeply—but because Toka pleaded for you, I didn't lead warriors to crush your tribes."

"Yet according to human law, death may be spared, but suffering cannot be avoided. I give you two choices!"

"First: submit to Buwa. You remain chiefs of your own tribes, but you must obey Buwa's commands."

"."

"Additionally, your tribes must pay half your annual taxes to Buwa. Even your succession of chiefs requires Buwa's approval!"

Gasps erupted.

"This… this is impossible! Human, this is too extreme!"

"Yes! Human, you might as well kill us! These demands are outrageous!"

"Exactly! We will never agree!"

Inside the Buwa council hall, Gervas and Toka sat together on the raised dais.

Six tribal chiefs sat below, on either side.

After Waga translated, the fish-people chiefs turned ashen. Several of the more volatile ones immediately protested.

They adopted the posture of "better to die than be humiliated."

But Gervas made no immediate response.

A sudden hum filled the room—a flash of aura light surged, accompanied by the crushing pressure unique to a Silver Knight.

Without needing words, this was Marshal Lei Meng's intimidation.

And that wasn't enough.

With a crash, the door burst open. A line of fully armed knights and their squires stormed in, surrounding the fish-people chiefs.

Outside, another row of barbarian warriors stood—too many to fit inside, forced to wait in the courtyard.

"You… you…"

The chiefs trembled violently. Even the fiercest among them turned pale, frozen in place.

"You're Bomi, aren't you? The chief of the tribe farthest from Buwa? You just said something. Say it again." Gervas's expression was calm, his smile still on his face.

But Bomi didn't dare see this human as gentle. "I… I… Supreme Elder of Buwa, your terms… they're too harsh!"

Though still dissatisfied with the conditions, his tone had shrunk to the faintest whisper.

After all, few in this world fear death—not even fish.