Chapter 200: Storm of the Hierarchies

The biting night wind cut through the gaps of the large wooden hut that served as command headquarters. Sprawled across the heavy oak table lay a hide map; displaying only the known territory of the Overlord tribe, Kellar was now drawing new lines across the leather, adding details of the regions he had surveyed atop Green. Torches mounted on the wooden walls crackled, casting dancing shadows over the table. Outside, lying near the entrance beside the giant eagle, Ignis rested, emitting sparks from the runes engraved on his front paws.

Gathered around him were the key members of his inner circle: Helga, Lennis, Mentz, and the other captains of the tribe.

"We have secured the peaks and exterminated the giant eagle plague," Kellar began, breaking the silence with a deep voice that gripped everyone’s attention. "However, tonight’s reconnaissance flight revealed critical information that alters our strategic landscape."

Lennis adjusted his tool belt and leaned over the hide map. "What about the monsters we have defeated, Shaman?" asked Lennis.

"They were merely pieces on a much larger board," Kellar replied, placing a black marker over the river region and another over the eastern range. "Until now, we believed these giant beasts were merely territorial apex predators acting on instinct. We were wrong. A strict hierarchy rules this Wood."

Kellar pointed to the center of the wild lands on the map. "The Great Dragon inhabiting the Ash Valley is not just a roaming monster; he is the Great Guardian of the entire domain. Under his direct authority stand three Territory Guardians: the Leviathan, the Behemoth, and the Great Roc."

A tense murmur rippled through those present. Kellar continued without pausing.

"The creatures we eliminated were vassals," Kellar said. "The giant red ape from the Red Forest belonged to the Leviathan’s faction. The Eagle King we slaughtered was a Major Guardian directly reporting to the Great Roc. Without knowing it, we have shattered key pieces of two separate domains."

Helga tightened her grip on her bow. "If the Leviathan was executed by the Dragon himself and the Eagle King is dead, it means the balance between these factions is broken," said Helga.

"Precisely," Kellar agreed. "The Great Roc will not take long to notice the death of his primary vassal and the fall of the peaks. And with the Leviathan gone, control over the rivers and lowlands is wide open. If either the Behemoth or the Great Roc decide to move in to claim territory or avenge their subordinates, our fortress and the city will lie directly in their path."

Kellar paused, looking into the attentive faces of Mentz and the captains.

"I hope the Great Guardian has clearly defined the boundaries of each zone so these beasts cannot roam across the territory," Kellar said, rubbing his chin. "However, we will not wait around to be cornered."

Kellar drew the summoning scrolls given by the merchants from inside his robes.

"We are going to accelerate our growth," Kellar said. "With Green’s supersonic speed to transport supplies in minutes, we will fortify every single outpost. And starting tomorrow, we will use these scrolls to hunt, subdue, and expand our forces. The hierarchy of this forest is about to shift... and we will be the ones standing at the top."

With the meeting concluded, Kellar stowed the scrolls back into his robes and stepped out of the wooden hut into the crisp night air. The cold breeze washed the fatigue from his face as he walked toward where his two mounts rested.

Ignis raised his massive head as he sensed his master’s footsteps, his claws scraping against the rocks and letting fall small sparks from the glowing runes on his paws. Beside him, Green kept its beak tucked beneath a wing, but opened a golden eye as Kellar approached.

Freyja leaped from Kellar’s shoulder onto the giant bear’s head, settling comfortably between his ears as if it were a fur cushion.

"Master, are you going to test one of the scrolls now?" asked Freyja.

"No, the troops need rest, and early tomorrow we will organize the supply lines to the fortress," said Kellar, stroking Ignis’s warm snout. "But I want the ground prepared. Green, tomorrow at dawn you will make the first run with Lennis and a construction crew."

"Understood, master," said Green, raising its neck with pride. "We will be there in the blink of an eye."

"Good," said Kellar. "That speed is our greatest advantage right now. While the territory guardians try to figure out what happened to their vassals, we will have turned this camp into an impregnable stronghold."

Kellar stared out into the pitch-black forest in the direction of the Ash Valley. He knew time was working against them; the Great Dragon would not remain silent, and the power vacuum left behind by the deaths of the Eagle King and the Red Ape would draw either the Behemoth or the Great Roc.

Kellar walked toward his house, feeling the exhaustion of the day weigh upon his shoulders. Crossing the threshold, he found all his women gathered. Elia and Loria had finally returned from the teachings, but both lay resting in the main bed with damp cloths across their foreheads.

Upon seeing them in that state, Kellar rushed to their side, his heart leaping into his throat. Kneeling beside the bed, he extended his hands and touched their bellies. Activating his [Medical Knowledge] skill, a faint light of mana coursed through both of their bodies to check their internal condition. He breathed a sigh of relief upon confirming that the fetuses were fine; there was no issue beyond the terror and fatigue they had endured.

The sudden attack of the centipedes had caught everyone by surprise in the village, and Kellar felt guilty for not having been there to protect them. However, both women wanted to share a portion of their man’s burden, so they had not uttered a single complaint, enduring the ordeal with courage. Only when they reached the safety of their home did they collapse from exhaustion.

Even though Maya had sent for Kellar amidst the chaos, he had already taken off atop Green, leaving the village behind, making it impossible for messengers to retrieve him in time. Furthermore, Elia had explicitly requested not to worry him; she knew Kellar was busy dealing with external threats and did not want to suffocate him further with their struggles.

Kellar removed their cloths, soaked them again in cool water, and replaced them on their foreheads while holding both of their hands.

"You are so foolish..." whispered Kellar, his voice cracking with affection as he kissed Elia’s forehead, then Loria’s. "My duty is to protect you and our children. Never hide something like this from me again."

Elia slowly opened her eyes, framing a faint smile as she squeezed Kellar’s fingers.

"We knew you would return safely, my lord..." murmured Elia in a soft voice. "We only wanted to be worthy of standing by your side."

Loria sighed softly in her sleep, leaning her face against Kellar’s palm as the warmth of the room and the solace of having him back allowed them to rest in peace.