Chapter 413 Babysitting duty
He harbored a deep suspicion that the formation was far from simple. If such a powerful array existed without a massive catch, every city would be clamoring to use it. Why would it remain completely unheard of until now?
“There is a catch,” Alar replied, his tone entirely detached. “The beastmen who contribute their power to the array will lose all their strength, and many will even face death. To fully unleash the Sacred Relic’s might, every female’s household must sacrifice one of their strongest males.”
“What?!”
The elders gasped in horror. This isn’t a cure—it’s a life for a life!
“How is that acceptable? Do you have any idea how many males we would have to sacrifice?”
“Exactly! If we lose that many strong males, how will our Serpent City defend against foreign invaders in the future?”
“This method is completely unfeasible! We might as well just give the Sacred Relic to the Lord of Barbarian City!”
“I object to this as well.”
Several elders instantly voiced their disapproval. What kind of a solution was this? It still required mass sacrifices from their clan.
“She is Idir’s female. Do you honestly dare to trust her?” Alar scoffed, his voice laced with mockery. “She defended Idir so fiercely today. Surely none of you have forgotten what you did to him in the past? Do you really think she will let you off the hook once she gets what she wants?”
He leveled a piercing gaze at them. “Did you not see what happened to Bafar today? Do you want to share his fate?”
The elders went pale. None of them wanted to end up like Bafar.
“But the cost of this array is simply too devastating. Is there truly no other way?” one elder asked pleadingly.
“None. If you are unwilling, then let the sickness run rampant. You’ll all end up ruined either way,” Alar stated coldly. “Besides, when compared to female cubs, which do you think are more precious? Think about it carefully.”
“Hmph, it’s easy for you to stand there and talk,” an elder muttered snidely. “The females and cubs in your household are perfectly fine, so of course you don’t care.”
Since the fire hadn’t spread to Alar’s own doorstep, he could naturally afford to be indifferent. But for most of the elders, their females only had them as their sole mate!
The majority of the elders looked deeply conflicted.
“Tell me… could what the Lord of Barbarian City said actually be true? Are our people truly poisoned?”
“I’m inclined to believe her too. She practically proved it to us today.”
“Should we try to negotiate with her? She originally came here with the intention of having a peaceful discussion, didn’t she?”
“Bafar kept provoking her and shutting her down. Could he have had an ulterior motive?”
Suspicion began to brew as they turned their eyes toward Alar.
“I think we should negotiate.”
“I agree.”
A few elders nodded in unison. After all, they weren’t the ones who had a blood feud with Idir. They had no desire to watch their people be sacrificed for nothing.
“I object!” another faction countered sharply. “Do you not know the significance of the Sacred Relic? It dictates the very future of our entire tribe! How can we just hand it over?”
“Exactly! While Alar’s method demands sacrifices, those numbers can easily be replenished in a few years.”
“Furthermore, how can you guarantee that female will keep her word? What if she goes back on her promise the moment she gets the relic?”
The chamber erupted into a chaotic argument as the elders split down the middle.
“And you think you can protect the relic by keeping it?” an elder snapped back. “She is terrifyingly strong; she will come to take it by force sooner or later. Instead of waiting for a slaughter, we might as well hand it over gracefully in exchange for her saving our people.”
“I don’t think the Lord of Barbarian City is the type to break her promises,” Harin chimed in thoughtfully. He genuinely felt that her desire to save the sick beastmen had been sincere.
“A beast’s true nature is hidden behind their skin. How can you be so certain?” Alar countered. He then shifted his gaze to the head of the hall. “City Lord, what is your verdict?”
“City Lord, we absolutely cannot give away the Sacred Relic!”
“City Lord, the cost of the Essence Convergence Array is far too high!”
The elders bickered relentlessly, each refusing to back down.
Milt pinched the bridge of his nose, deep in thought. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “We will use the Essence Convergence Array. The Sacred Relic cannot be surrendered. If we lose it, our tribe will lose countless powerful beastmen in the generations to come.”
“But—” Harin tried to protest.
Milt cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand. “Enough. The decision is made.” He turned to Alar. “How long will it take to set up this array?”
“Roughly three days,” Alar replied.
“Very well. Issue the decree tomorrow. Order every household to contribute one powerful male,” Milt commanded.
“Understood,” Alar complied. “I will begin the preparations immediately.”
He turned and walked out of the grand hall, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. Behind him, a few elders looked triumphant, while the rest were consumed by dark foreboding.
Milt dismissed the room with a weary wave. “All of you may leave.”
The elders departed one by one, leaving only Harin behind, who stayed to converse with Milt late into the night.
***
Meanwhile, outside the city walls, Nina and her group had set up camp, waiting for the reinforcements sent by her mates and fathers to arrive.
As night fell, Nina, Odian, and Keil took the cubs down to the water for a bath. It was a rare treat for the grandfathers and great-grandfathers to pamper the little ones, and they washed the cubs with meticulous, joyful care.
Outside the main tent, the rest of her mates were gathered around, drawing lots.
“Odian already secured his spot, so it’s our turn now,” Sal announced.
“How does he always have such ridiculous luck? He wins every single time,” Finch grumbled, a hint of jealousy in his voice. He rubbed his hands together fervently, determined to win a slot tonight.
“Alright, cut the chatter. There are only five slots left, so draw quickly,” Aviel urged, silently praying to the heavens that he would pull a winning lot.
“Why couldn’t there be more slots?” Lex muttered, genuinely anxious that he would miss out.
“Someone has to stay behind to handle patrol duty and watch over the cubs,” Kith pointed out. His heart hammered against his ribs—only five slots. Surely he’d get one, right?
Idir remained silent, his eyes locked onto the bundle of sticks. He debated intensely over which one to pick.
Dian’s eyes darted around mischievously. Knowing his older brother usually had atrocious luck, he decided to let him pick first to narrow down the pool.
Mino closed his eyes and blindly yanked a stick from the pile. Please let it be a win.
After a moment of agonizing hesitation, Yanai drew the stick right next to Mino’s.
Setan asked meekly from the edge of the circle, “Um… can I join too?”
The mates simultaneously shot him a glaring look. “Not a chance.” They didn’t even have enough slots to divide among themselves; what business did a guardian beast have competing for a turn?
Setan brooded silently. He resolved to officially secure his place as a mate as soon as possible, otherwise, he would be forced to watch from the sidelines forever.
Phar, watching from a short distance away, blinked in pure curiosity. What on earth are those males doing?
Within moments, the mates had all taken their respective lots.
Sal unfurled his paper, took a glance, and raised his eyebrows with a smug, triumphant smirk. Mino took a deep breath, opened his, and his eyes instantly lit up with pure joy. Kith looked down at his lot, a soft smile gracing his lips.
Finch opened his lot with a fluttering heart, only for his handsome face to instantly crumple into a miserable scowl. Ugh! Missed again!
Aviel unrolled his paper and let out a thoroughly depressed sigh.
Idir checked his lot, silently tucking it away as a look of sheer, unadulterated bliss washed over his features. Yanai opened his, pouting gloomily.
Dian scanned the expressions around him, immediately deducing who had won and who had lost. It looked like there was exactly one winning slot left. Could it be his? He opened his lot with bated breath, his eyes widening slightly. He quickly hid the paper, a quiet, ecstatic grin spreading across his face.
Sensing that things were taking a turn for the worse, Lex opened his own lot, a heavy wave of disappointment washing through him. He looked at the lucky winners, green with envy.
Sal’s lips curled into a lazy smile. “Alright, the drawing is done. Those who didn’t win, sort out your duties amongst yourselves.” With that, he practically bolted toward the bathhouse area. Mino and the other winners wasted no time in hot pursuit.
“I’ll take the first patrol shift. The cubs are all yours,” Aviel muttered, walking away to nurse his disappointment.
“I’m on patrol too,” Yanai echoed, running off right behind him.
Finch and Lex exchanged a defeated look.
“I guess we’re on babysitting duty tonight,” Lex sighed.
Finch turned his gaze to Setan. “Hey, you dumb lion, you’re helping us watch the cubs tonight.”
Setan nodded instantly. “Deal.” Since he didn’t get a turn either, he might as well use the time to practice his parenting skills.
And so, the moment Nina finished bathing the cubs, she was promptly swept up into Sal’s arms and carried away.
In front of a massive, steaming bath tub, Nina found herself completely surrounded by her victorious mates.