Chapter 1074: Please Do Not Resist
"The one and only," Leon casually admitted.
"Alliance Leader, just give us the order! I don't know what possessed him to come to the Western Region with so few companions, but this is our chance! If he is truly who he claims to be, we can quickly unite the southern tribes by defeating him!" Chief Sar-Rakshi said excitedly.
However, the opinions within the western alliance were divided. Besides excitement, there were also doubts and concerns.
"Why would the alliance leader of the southern tribes come to the Western Region without an army? Does he think he can make us all submit to him with his strength alone?"
"There were rumors that Leonhardt was a Battle God and that he was responsible for the disappearance of the two palace lords from the Battle God Palace."
"So what if it's true? Don't we have Lord Tailchaser with us? Lord Tailchaser's strength is equivalent to a Battle God!"
"Yes, that is also true. However, Leonhardt has two Golden Suannis by his side! And they don't look any weaker than Lord Tailchaser!"
"I think we are missing a critical point here. How didn't Leonhardt's group get past our defense? Why is he here? And why does he have two possible Paragon-level Golden Suannis with him? He clearly came from the western jungle!"
"But to enter the western jungle, his group would have to get past our tribe first."
"How did he slip past the guards' watches? What the hell had they been doing? People had slipped through our territory without our knowledge until now!"
As the chiefs of the western alliance bickered among themselves, Alliance Leader Sur-Khan carefully observed Leon's calm expression with a deep frown.
Because of Leon's strange group of companions, Alliance Leader Sur-Khan did not dare to make a rash decision.
Only a fool would challenge the western alliance without possessing adequate strength.
'If Alliance Leader Leonhardt isn't a fool, then he must be completely confident of his group's strength. I need to test him,' Alliance Leader Sur-Khan thought.
"You said you came to unite us under your banner peacefully, Alliance Leader Leonhardt? Do you believe you have what it takes to convince all of us to submit to you without the use of force?"
Alliance Leader Sur-Khan narrowed his eyes and continued to ask, "Even if you do, why do you bother to go through the trouble? It is much more simple and efficient to settle with your fists, no?"
"There has been too much bloodshed in the Infertile Plains. This situation has to end before further lives are lost, and I am the only one who can end this," Leon calmly said.
"Don't be ridiculous. Do you think you are the messiah or something? The battle for hegemony in the Infertile Plains isn't something a single person can stop," Chief Sar-Rakshi refuted Leon's claim with a nasty look.
Chief Sar-Rakshi did not like hearing Leon's arrogant claim.
However, after Alliance Leader Sur-Khan directed a glare at Chief Sar-Rakshi, the person immediately stopped talking.
At the same time, Leon gave the rude person a nonchalant glance before returning his attention to Alliance Leader Sur-Khan.
"Do you also think so?" Leon asked.
"I haven't heard what you can do nor learn the source of your confidence. Thus, I am not in a hurry to refute or believe anything," Alliance Leader Sur-Khan stated.
"It seems the western alliance has a wise leader," Leon nodded with approval.
But although Leon praised Alliance Leader Sur-Khan, his words were also an indirect jab at Chief Sar-Rakshi.
"You…"
"Quit it, Chief Sar-Rakshi."
Alliance Leader Sur-Khan silenced Chief Sar-Rakshi before the person could continue to interrupt their talk.
Shortly after, Alliance Leader Sur-Khan glanced at Lord Tailchaser to guess his thoughts. Alas, he couldn't tell what Lord Tailchaser was thinking.
He could only see that Lord Tailchaser was staring closely at one of the two Golden Suannis on Alliance Leader Leonhardt's side.
A few moments later, Alliance Leader Sur-Khan returned his attention to Leon.
"So why do you think you are the only one who can end the bloodshed, Alliance Leader Leonhardt? What is the source of your confidence? And what makes you worthy of our allegiance?"
"You want to know about my confidence and qualification? Well, I was going to tell you anyway. I have what it means to resolve the Infertile Plains' water crisis and even make it a fertile land. Furthermore, I have the whole Golden Suanni Clan's allegiance."
"So tell me, Alliance Leader Sur-Khan. Do you think my qualifications are good enough?"
"Even if you say that, Alliance Leader Leonhardt… Your words mean nothing unless you can also prove what you claimed—"
"—Ah, I remember who you are now! You've changed a lot in the time I haven't seen you, Cindertail. Why haven't you paid your respects to this Lord?" Lord Tailchaser suddenly exclaimed after he finally recognized Cindertail.
At the same time, Lord Tailchaser expressed his displeasure while exerting pressure with his Paragon-level aura on Cindertail, whom he still believed to be Peak Rank 2 Transcendent.
Alas, such a measly pressure was nothing to the current Cindertail.
Cindertail: "…"
Goldenstride: "…"
Rainshine: "…"
Nightingale: "…"
"Hm?"
Lord Tailchaser frowned at Cindertail's nonchalance before he tried exerting more pressure with his Paragon-level aura.
Even so, Cindertail remained indifferent to it before turning his head to Leon for instruction.
At the same time, Alliance Leader Sur-Khan and the other chiefs were surprised by Lord Tailchaser's outburst as they turned to him with shock.
"L-Lord Tailchaser? W-what is going on? Why did you suddenly start exerting your pressure on them?" Alliance Leader Sur-Khan politely inquired with confusion.
"In the Golden Suanni Clan, it is proper etiquette for a male Golden Suanni to pay his respect to a stronger male Golden Suanni when they meet. Although I don't recognize the other one, Cindertail over there is only a Peak Rank 2 Transcendent."
"Furthermore, the main clan is full of Peak Paragons. I doubt this man has the whole clan's allegiance when he only has someone at this level accompanying him."
"What?"
Alliance Leader Sur-Khan and the others glanced at Cindertail before they started to question Leon's credibility. Their gazes were quickly filled with distrust and unfriendliness.
"Did he try to fool us?" Chief Sul-Dahki wondered gloomily with his sword ready to attack.
"My Lord, shall I?" Goldenstride asked.
Leon softly sighed and nodded.
Swish!
Goldenstride's Divine Beast-level aura immediately erupted from his body and overwhelmed everyone in an instant.
"I've come to grant you all salvation. Please do not resist," Leon stated indifferently.
"..."