22 Heavenly Lightning Tribe Affairs

The Great Hall Raiden mentioned was the biggest tent propped up in the middle of this plain where his tribe is located. He fixed his summoning spot to that place earlier, unlike Yuko who was being summoned to different countries every time.

Looks like they don't prioritize advancing their carpentry to build houses or there just doesn't have enough resources to use. Trees are sparse in this land and the pillars used by these tents were mostly leg bones of huge animals. Is it fine to call them animals or beasts? Ah, well. That's how it is in this world. Farming the land yields too little so the Barbarians' livelihood depends on these beasts roaming their lands.

They either hunt or rear them. For a large tribe like this Heavenly Lightning Tribe, they already have an established system to procure food and leathers along with tributes from their subordinate tribes.

Along the way, Raiden introduced me to his tribe. It started as a very small tribe consisting of 5 people with him as the center.

When he was first summoned he was taken in by a small tribe of 100 people. Thinking he was just a lost child of an annihilated tribe somewhere.

But his growth amazed them and soon he became an elite hunter who often goes out to hunt wild beasts for food.

When he reached Augmented Realm, which according to him is the cultivation realm after Mortal Realm, he created his own Cultivation Technique which he named Heavenly Lightning Manual.

Well, I don't know why he named it like that but I guess he just really likes Heavenly Lightning, is he a fan of that genre? Since I have no idea about the content of his manual, I made a guess about it being needed to reach that realm.

He confirmed my guess. One can reach the Peak of Mortal Realm with Brute Energy alone but without a Cultivation Technique, there's no hope of reaching the Augmented Realm.

I really need to ask for more definite information about that, since I will also embark on this Physique Cultivation of this world.

So, when he reached that realm, the Chieftain of that small tribe started to get uneasy because of how fast his growth is.

Soon he was driven out of the tribe, 4 Barbarians who looked up to him followed. This guy doesn't have any friends in this world, I can guess why just from his personality earlier.

So, Raiden and his followers founded that small tribe. From 5, they quickly grew to the same size as their previous tribe because of how strong the Chieftain is.

Yes. A tribe's prosperity often relies on the Chieftain's strength. Prestige is secondary. Even a bloodthirsty and cruel Chieftain will have a line of followers fawning over him.

Slowly they grow from that until they reach its current size. His tribe's population has grown to 5 digits, that's not counting their subordinate tribes consisting of 10 medium tribes and hundreds of small tribes.

When we arrived at the Great Hall, there's a lone chair or throne on an elevated place at the far end of this tent. The Barbarians already gathered below it but they're disorderly, they just stand where they wanted and when Raiden's face registered in their eyes, a path was split open to let him through.

These Barbarians both men and women are all strong, they're probably at the level of a tribe Chieftain. Most of them fall short compared to the four who dared to kill him earlier though.

These barbarians are his subordinates.

When I passed through while following behind Raiden, someone blocked my path.

"Who's this weak-looking kid? Why is he following behind the Chieftain?"

The one who blocked me is a tall guy whose body is full of scars. He looks scary for normal people but for me, he's not intimidating enough. But yeah, that's because of my Adaptability and after gauging his strength, I know I can escape if he ever attacks me.

I looked at Raiden's back and he just continued walking ahead until he reached his throne and sat at it like a Ruler.

This guy. He will be friendly at times but now, he just left me to my own devices. Is he just being sarcastic when he said he'll let me move on my own? Did he hate it when Yuko and the Principal reminded him?

Ah, well. If that's the case. Let's drag him with me. He's the sole authority here, I'll cling to that if need be.

"Why don't you ask the Chieftain?"

Seeing how fearless I am, the tall guy showed annoyance in his face but in the end, he stepped back and allowed me to pass.

I see. They're afraid and seeing me fearless led them to think I am someone important to their Chieftain. Or he's just afraid to question him?

"That won't fly. See. The Chieftain isn't saying anything. How do you deserve to follow behind him?"

Just after a few steps, another one blocked me, this time, a woman, she's slender enough but yeah, she's also a Physique Cultivator so I wouldn't judge someone from their appearance. Just look at me, I still almost look the same but my current strength is already 6 times that of an average human back on Earth.

This woman is already an adult maybe around 20+ if she was put on Earth standards, she's attractive, yes. But that's it. She's giving off the same pressure as that four earlier. A Saint Realm expert.

"Because I'm his Support? Ah. I came from the same world as him."

When she heard my last sentence, she took a step back, afraid.

I looked around and they also have the same reactions.

What is this?

This isn't the right reaction for a world that is ruled by strength. I'm clearly weak and just trying to ride on his coat-tails but there seems to be a planted fear in their minds for someone who came from another world.

I glanced ahead and saw Raiden smiling interestingly.

I see. This is because of him. Looks like he did something to plant that fear. Unlike the four who attacked him or those who attacked him on previous occasions, the people inside this Great Hall knew how fearsome he is. And since I'm the same as him, a being from another world, they're probably afraid that if they offended me and I grew at the same speed as Raiden, it will put them in a bad position.

Too bad. I don't have a cheat like him. Ah well, I do actually. Since Mortal Realm only relies on Brute Energy, I will reach the peak of it soon enough just by exerting my ability to control it freely.

Anyway, this is good for me.

I continued and stood behind him like he asked.

The hall then falls into silence. All eyes were on Raiden. Me being behind him seems trivial enough now. I guess he expected this outcome and he's observing my reactions.

"Report?"

One word and one of those in the front kneeled in front of him.

"During your absence, 10 more small tribes chose to subordinate themselves to us. 1 medium tribe from the north also expressed their willingness but they have a request."

"What is it?"

"They want the Lightning Chieftain to repel the foreign invaders near their land."

Foreign invaders? Not barbarians? So those are the troops from the Invading World?

"How large are the numbers of those invaders?"

"Almost the same size as them. Actually, they've been constantly being attacked by them since a week ago."

A week ago? Then that tribe. They're already destroyed, aren't they?

"Forget about them."

Raiden gave his decision. He's about right at doing that. But yeah, he should at least send some scouts, right? Aren't those invaders the reason why you are here?

This guy…

"That ends my report."

The reporter stood up and went back to his place. Then another one kneeled in front of Raiden.

"During your absence, we recruited 50 Augmented Realm, 1000 Mortal Realm to the army. No additional Saint Realm."

"How's their training? Have they been integrated into our military system?"

Even though he's someone who's looking down from above, looks like he has some knowledge about leading and organizing this large tribe of his. By putting these guys to do the work for him, it simplified the process.

But is he aware of how risky this type of management? I don't know a lot about it but just by thinking with this high clarity of mine, problems can easily be inserted into this type of management. Even if they're totally loyal to him, they will exert their influence on their departments, especially this guy managing the military. Since he's nonchalant about it, maybe he already has a countermeasure for that.

Did he know about the Corrupted Individuals? If someone like this guy got corrupted, his army will be disoriented. I'll remind him later just in case. 

"Yes. Our military now boasts a total of 6000 Mortal Realm, 300 Augmented Realm and 25 Saint Realm. That's only for tribe members dedicated to fighting, all barbarians can be called to fight if the need arises. And the number reported doesn't include the subordinate tribes under us."

"Old Man Reol, is this enough?"

He nodded then looked at the same Old Man which is probably someone he left in charge for the tribe whenever he went back on Earth.

Old Man Reol looked like an elderly already but he's most possibly the strongest among these barbarians here.

I counted and there are only 16 who are giving off the same pressure as those four earlier, including Old Man Reol. They're all Saint Realm. The others here who are not giving off the same pressure are just officials he put for administrative positions.

Coming here with him is really informative. I got to know how strong his tribe is currently and he's still the strongest one, he wouldn't be the Chieftain if he's not the strongest. Well, maybe that Old Man can beat him if he doesn't use his ability. That's a cheat after all.

"Yes. The pressure from that tribe lessened when we disseminate the information about our current military might."

That tribe? So his tribe is currently in conflict with another large tribe? 

This is probably why he immediately dumped the idea of bothering about that medium tribe.

"Then let's end this here for now. You all can go back. You and you, stay."

Hearing him, most of them bowed and left the Great Hall except the two he pointed at and Old Man Reol. Well, I'm here as well.

This guy was also doomed to die here, there's a huge possibility that someone from his own followers and subordinates harbors hatred towards him.

The Principal told me that just my existence already changed that outcome and I can do anything I want. But this System I got only gain experience from Supporting those I listed in it, I need to level it up to add more.

There's also a risk letting this guy continue his attitude of looking down at people. If he grows stronger, he will feel himself more special and in the end, he will look down even to the denizens of Earth. Instead of a Hero, he'll become a Villain. I need to curb that attitude of him. My parents live on Earth so it's not good if they got implicated if I let this guy grow into that menace.

For now, I don't have the means. I guess I also need to lay my foundation here.

And to do that, I need to build a tribe that can grow to rival him. If my strength catches up with him, I'll challenge him and take him down a peg.

That's easier said than done but I have to start somewhere. I'll ask him to hand one small tribe for me to manage. I'll lay my foundation while supporting him using that, killing two birds with one stone.

It will be better if Yuko is here too but that's impossible.

"Daisuke, I'm going to start a war."

Raiden's sudden words wake me up from my thoughts.

This guy...