Chapter 1076: News from the Scout
Inside the Golden Suanni Tribe's main tent, the main seat, which originally belonged to Sur-Khan, was offered to Leon.
After Leon took his seat, everyone else took their seat around the low-standing table without the exception of one person standing, Sur-Khan.
A detailed three-dimensional map of the Infertile Plains and parts of the western jungle and northern Iceland could be found on top of the table.
Leon studied the map, but he couldn't grasp any useful information from it besides the western alliance's strategic plans for the Northern Region.
"What's the current situation in the Infertile Plains?" Leon inquired.
"According to what we know, the Howling Falcon Tribe has received the backing of some foreign forces from the far north. We've been having a lot of difficulties conquering the northern tribes due to them. Furthermore, we don't know whether these foreign forces have also backed the other northern tribes," Sur-Khan reported.
"That being said, if the Howling Falcon Tribe and other northern tribes learned of the Divine Beast on our side, I am certain that they would quickly submit without a fight. Of course, this is under the assumption that they are smart enough."
"Everyone participated in the battle for hegemony because they believed they still had a chance. But once they learn that chance didn't exist, to begin with, they will quickly give up and submit," Sur-Khan added.
"Right," Chief Siwu-Tahk agreed with Sur-Khan's statement.
"The situation in the Central Region is especially fierce because the major tribes' strengths are all roughly the same. Once they learn of the Divine Beast's existence, they will all submit to you, Alliance Leader."
"Enough about that. What's the situation in the other regions?" Leon calmly inquired.
He didn't care if Sur-Khan and the rest of the chiefs believed he relied on Goldenstride to exert his dominance over everyone.
They will come to learn that his own strength was to be feared as well.
Nevertheless, Leon eventually learned everything that happened in the past few weeks from Sur-Khan.
The southern tribes were the least active but also the most peaceful.
No one thought of attacking the Darkmoon Tribe after the two palace lords from the Battle God Palace mysteriously disappeared on their trip there.
Furthermore, they didn't know if they had to inherit the southern tribes' burden and responsibility of defending against the demons.
On the other hand, the Central Region had been the most active. It was anything but peaceful, with the exception of the Divine Tortoise Tribe.
"Mighty Whitewolf Tribe had also started their conquest on the northern tribes. However, they haven't been successful. I assume it is also due to the foreign powers from the far north interfering," Sur-Khan mentioned.
"Besides that, we've learned from our scouts that the Battle God Palace led a campaign on the eastern tribe. However, that place is a bit too far for us. The news is always several days behind."
"Speaking of which, I'm not sure if Alliance Leader was aware, but something shook the entire Infertile Plains just the other day. Seemingly something big fell from the heavens. However, we won't know the details until our scouts return," Chief Sul-Dahki mentioned.
"Something big fell from the heavens the other day?" Leon frowned. He wondered if it had anything to do with the raging sun.
While Leon was in thought, the scouts that Sur-Khan and the other chiefs expected to return from the Central Region finally arrived.
"Dan-Subi of the scout team is here with important news from Central Region, Milords!" the scout reported his arrival outside the main tent's entrance.
"You may come in," Sur-Khan permitted. After the scout entered, he instructed, "You may begin the report."
"Yes, Alliance Leader!" Dan-Subi answered.
Sur-Khan's expression turned awkward, and the other chiefs wore a strange look on their faces. However, Dan-Subi did not notice it, though he did find it strange that someone else was sitting in Sur-Khan's seat.
"After our team was dispatched to investigate the source of the earthquake one day ago, we've located a hole, which we believed to be the epicenter of the earthquake. Unfortunately, we could not get close for a deeper investigation," Dan-Subi reported.
Warriors from other tribes had surrounded the location.
If the scout team was exposed, they ran the risk of being captured and interrogated by other tribes for intelligence.
Nevertheless, after Sur-Khan and the other chiefs listened to the report, they calmly nodded. Just as they expected, something had indeed fallen from the heavens.
"How big was the hole? The surrounding area wasn't affected by the impact? For something that shook the Infertile Plains fiercely, the impact should have devastated vast amounts of land," Chief Siwu-Tahk asked with a frown.
"Actually, it didn't, Milord," Dan-Subi replied, surprising Chief Siwu-Tahk.
"Although we couldn't get close to investigate the depth of the hole, we were at least able to confirm its width. The hole size is equivalent to three King-rank tribes combined, and it's located where the Mid-rank Tribe, Valiant Steelhorn Tribe, used to be."
"Where the Valiant Steelhorn Tribe used to be, you say?" Chief Sar-Rakshi raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, Milord," Dan-Subi confirmed.
"The Valiant Steelhorn Tribe has been wiped off the face of the earth. Fortunately, the ground in that region was vastly hollow to absorb the impact. Otherwise, I cannot imagine the level of destruction that would have followed."
"Right now, the Mighty Whitewolf Tribe, Holy Sunfire Tribe, and the Battle God Palace have all dispatched warriors to investigate the abyss-like hole, Milords," Dan-Subi added.
"The Divine Tortoise Tribe has also deployed many warriors to the east. They must have gone to secure the hole. For whatever reason it might have been, this could be our chance."
Sur-Khan turned to Leon and asked, "What do you think about heading to the Divine Tortoise Tribe next, Alliance Leader?"
"Alliance Leader?" Dan-Subi glanced at Leon with shock. Since when was the alliance leader switched out for another?
"That's right," Chief Sur-Khan nodded and introduced Leon, "This is Lord Leonhardt, the alliance leader of the southern tribes as well as the new alliance leader of our western tribes."
Dan-Subi stared at Leon with shock.
Nevertheless, Leon ignored the person and calmly instructed, "Prepare to set out. A few of you will accompany me to the Divine Tortoise Tribe."
"Yes, Alliance Leader!" Sur-Khan and the others answered.