She had once believed that with her cunning and prestige, she could stabilize those ambitious, self-serving tribes, barely maintaining a facade of a "united front" as a bargaining chip with other forces.
But reality, like a cold blade, repeatedly tore apart the illusions she barely maintained.
White Throat Ridge brazenly murdered her messenger;
Stone Crevice Valley secretly had frequent contact with a certain Wind Serpent Loa, eager to become the next "Frost Howl" to be supported;
What chilled her most was the Vizoro tribe, who even privately contacted Ital'ruk, eagerly wanting to "switch allegiance to a better master."
Toka could almost hear Ms. Zukora's silent roar behind the letter: No, I, Zukora, haven't even surrendered yet, how could you surrender?!
This was, of course, not Ms. Zukora's exact words, but Toka clearly felt this sense of betrayed anger and absurdity from the suppressed resentment and cold sarcasm between the lines.
After discussing the past and the current state of disarray in her letter, her tone suddenly shifted, finally beginning to discuss the future—her personal future and the future of the Lukare tribe.
"One's fate, of course, depends on one's own efforts—but I cannot resist the march of time," she wrote in the letter.
She had already made up her mind to abandon this tattered and defunct alliance banner.
Toka gently exhaled a breath that condensed into white mist in the cold wind, his tightly furrowed brows relaxing considerably instead.
In this letter, there were no humble requests, nor any groveling.
She, as a tribal leader, was solemnly extending a hand to him, Ital'ruk's messenger and Skala's representative—this was an intention for unification!
This was, of course, not an official document, but her preliminary probe issued in her personal capacity.
She frankly admitted that she had not yet deeply discussed this matter with the elders within the Lukare tribe.
At this moment, as a follower of the Dragon God and out of personal friendship, she requested Toka to go ahead and sound out Skala and the high-level Ital'ruk officials' attitudes on this matter.
No longer a loose "alliance," nor merely "religious cooperation" limited to the spiritual level.
But in a true sense, to integrate the entire Lukare tribe, along with the territories and populations it controlled, into the Ital'ruk system, becoming a directly ruled part under the Emberglow Dragon.
Of course, she also had reservations.
Toka saw at a glance: she didn't consider herself to be "surrendering," but rather coming to negotiate with leverage and dignity.
What permeated between the lines of the letter was a search for a dignified and secure way of integration.
His gaze shifted from the scroll to Fusar, who still stood like a statue on the other side of the gate.
She didn't urge him, nor did she try to interpret Toka's reaction, simply faithfully performing her duties as a messenger and guard.
"She realized it," Toka said softly, his voice devoid of a victor's glee, but rather with a hint of emotion for the changing times.
Fusar was expressionless, making it difficult to discern her own thoughts, merely nodding slightly, acknowledging Toka's words.
Toka slowly rolled up the scroll, thought for a moment, and then continued, his voice steady.
"Arrange for her and her team to stay," Toka turned back and instructed the two priests behind him, "I won't be attending tonight's sermon; I need some time to think."
Then he returned his gaze to Fusar.
"The specific matters are very important; I need to discuss them with Captain Skala and the others before I can respond."
Fusar nodded, still silent, and led her team members, following the two priests towards the interior of the Pioneer Territory.
Toka watched their figures disappear into the pioneers' living area before turning and patrolling alone along the wooden wall of the Pioneer Territory.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"