Chapter 956 Monarch Blizzardpaw's Surprising Answer
After Leon raised the question, everyone became interested in the topic. Furthermore, Aria and Darlene's curiosity was more evident than the other two.
They wondered if the sea monster tide in the Radiant Heaven Realmship had anything to do with the Winter Cat Tribe's food crisis. However, they thought it was unlikely.
After all, the Radiant Heaven Realmship was somewhere west of the Dark Abyss Continent while they were in the northern right corner of the Desolate Beast Continent.
Even if they didn't know how big the Dark Abyss Continent was, they shouldn't be anywhere close to the source of the sea monster tide.
"Plenty of sea monsters in the sea, huh?" Monarch Blizzardpaw uttered before nodding, "There are indeed many sea monsters in the sea, too many to count even. However, there is a recurring period when the sea monsters all disappear from the sea."
"The sea monsters all disappear from the sea?" Leon uttered with furrowed brows in doubts.
"Yes," Monarch Blizzardpaw reconfirmed.
"How is that even possible?" Aria also found it strange.
"We've been to the edge of the frozen sea. The mountain range in the sea is like a net or cage. Unless there's a big hole in the mountain below sea level, there's no way for the sea monsters to leave this sea region," Aria mentioned.
For a small tribe like Winter Cat Tribe, the sea monsters within the enclosed sea region should be more than enough to last them many lifetimes.
After all, sea monsters weren't just numerous; they also had superior reproduction to all land creatures.
Thus, the Winter Cat Tribe would never be able to eat out all the sea monsters in that sea region on their own.
Even if the entire empire's population suddenly switched to seafood, they still wouldn't be able to eat out all the sea monsters in that sea region in a short time.
Thus, the sea monsters running out of sea monsters due to excessive fishing was not the problem.
There was another reason for the sea monsters' disappearance from the sea region.
"Other than an underwater hole in the sea mountains that sea monsters would take to leave the region periodically, I can't think of any other reasons for the sea monsters' disappearance," Aria added.
"That seems to be the only reason for the sea monsters' disappearance. However, Monarch Blizzardpaw's tribe most likely hasn't found this underwater gap that the sea monsters take to leave," Leon said.
After all, the Winter Cats didn't want to go anywhere near the Ice Phoenix Tribe to be their prey.
"Furthermore, how the sea monsters leave isn't important. What's important is why they leave periodically," Leon stated shortly after.
"Do you think it has anything to do with the sea monster tide, Leon?" Aria mentioned.
Leon contemplated for a moment.
"Logically speaking, it would be abnormal for the sea monster tide in that place to reach all the way here. However, on the topic of sea monster tides, there might be another place attracting all the sea monsters from this region periodically," Leon speculated.
If there were another amazing place of inheritance like the Radiant Heaven Realmship, he would definitely like to pay it a visit.
"I suppose Monarch Blizzardpaw wouldn't know anything about something like that, right?" Elizabeth shifted the attention back to the Paragon-level Winter Cat.
"I'm afraid not, unfortunately," Monarch Blizzardpaw shook his scar-ridden head and said, "Anything beyond the forbidden forest and phoenix mountains had always been unknown to us."
"I thought as much," Elizabeth nodded.
"Nevertheless, even if there is a place attracting all the sea monsters, it won't solve the Winter Cat Tribe's food shortage now that the sea monsters are all gone. How long do the sea monsters usually disappear each time?"
"Two weeks on good days and up to a month of bad days," Monarch Blizzardpaw answered with a sigh.
Most Winter Cats would be too weak to hunt on those bad days, while many young ones would die even if they all sleep to preserve their strength and energy.
"That bad, huh?" Elizabeth uttered.
"Nevertheless, fret not, Monarch Blizzardpaw. Your tribe doesn't have to suffer through these bad times again. We can supply food to your tribe during these difficult times from now on. However, there are a few conditions I would like to put down for this service."
"You see, I am the queen of a large country in the south of Extreme Misty Forest, which you call the forbidden forest. Thus, I also have to think about the wellbeing of my people as well. We can't keep offering without expecting returns," Elizabeth stated.
"The Winter Cats never expect to receive anything for free, but this is certainly a surprise. Pardon me for being inhospitable," Monarch Blizzardpaw expressed mild surprise before flashing Leon a glance.
Afterward, Monarch Blizzardpaw returned his attention to Elizabeth.
"Since we are going to negotiate for the interests of our people, allow me to show you around our tribe. We don't have much to offer, but I do hope you'll find a few items of interest so we can trade for your food," Monarch Blizzardpaw said.
However, Leon interjected, "You don't have to worry about that, Monarch Blizzardpaw. We'll still take you up on your offer to show us around the tribe. However, we already know what we are interested in; the land and access to the sea."
"Furthermore, we are also interested in your tribe. However, I suppose it would be too much to ask your tribe to fall under our rule—"
"It's not too much," Monarch Blizzardpaw quickly said, catching everyone off guard immediately.
"Uh… Pardon?" Leon thought he might have misheard.
"It's not too much for humans to rule over our tribe and lands as long as you treat us well. Even as pets or tamed beasts, it's fine," Monarch Blizzardpaw stated.
Even though the Winter Cat Tribe had grown accustomed to living in the cold north, it didn't mean they didn't desire a better life.
"I just want the children to be well-fed, you know?" Monarch Blizzard said.
"I'm not sure if you understand my situation. However, this Monarch is tired of being powerless in the face of food shortage and watching children starve to death each year."