Metztil's Choice (Part-3)
Chapter 1253
That drought from two decades ago might have been a tragedy for the natives as a whole, but for the Helvati and Metztil, it was nothing but an absolute boon.
They were able to use that time to grow strong in number, while almost every other tribe lost people, weakening them. The loss ranged anywhere from 5 percent to a staggering 20 percent for the smaller, weaker tribes.
Then, under Atzi's advice, Metztil quickly capitalized on this hunger too, using the same tactic he used with the elites.
By offering to sell grain, he brought the loyalty of a few surrounding suffering tribes while any tribe that did not support Metztil or had a previous conflict with him was attacked and looted of their stocks, resulting in mass famine.
In this way, the Helvati cut down its competitors while at the same time strengthening itself.