49
Chapter 49
A talent with the highest combat power in the Tribe Alliance and a perfectly balanced set of stats.
Rake is the only believer suited to become the Totem Guardian.
I've already blessed Kanto and Paya, so I should probably do the same for Rake. Not that it's a requirement.
I chose her based on my own logical reasoning.
Boosting stats wouldn't mean much for friends like Muri, Harry, or Luna.
The only blessings I can grant right now are healing or status effect removal, so what's the point of giving those to magic damage dealers?
And it would be a waste to give them to the friends in the Golden Sun or Grey Mist, who are far away.
Rake, who has worked well with Totem No. 3 and will do so even more in the future, is the best candidate to be my guardian.
I told everyone to get some good rest today and decided to make the official announcement tomorrow once the tribe settled down.
Things like this have a bigger impact when announced during a time of leisure.
To be honest, I just wanted to rest. I was exhausted from using so many blessings.
***
The next morning.
"A guardian, you say?"
Rake's eyes widened.
- Rake, my strongest sword. As always, stay by my side and strike down my enemies.
It sounded more like I was appointing a destroyer than a guardian, but what did it matter?
True guardianship means destroying the enemy that causes the harm before they can even threaten your allies.
- You are the only one capable of this. I didn't even consider any other candidates.
I had to say this to make her feel special.
"M-Mallak...!"
Rake's eyes welled up with tears.
Anyone watching would think I was proposing and giving her a ring.
"I will. I will become your guardian and stay by your side, Mallak."
Strictly speaking, she was the guardian of the totem, not mine, but it wasn't a bit that mattered.
The moment Rake knelt, the barbarians erupted in cheers.
"Guardian! Guardian!"
"Rake, Chief of the Brown Rock Tribe, has become Mallak's guardian!"
"The Totem Guardian is born!"
Everyone was so excited. What a bunch of enthusiasts.
I transferred the 'Totem Guardian' blessing to Rake.
"This is the first time I've been cheered on by everyone."
Having received the blessing, Rake smiled softly and slowly stood up.
There was no dramatic transformation like with Paya. Her body just glowed briefly, and that was it.
[The blessing 'Totem Guardian' has been bestowed upon Rake.]
Based on the status window, I definitely gave it to her.
- How do you feel?
"I'm happy. Just as happy as when I first met you, Mallak. I'll cherish this moment for the rest of my life."
No, not that.
- I've given you the blessing; do you feel any change?
"Ah... let me try."
Rake blushed and threw a few punches into the air.
She's kicking now, too. I'm probably just imagining that it looks like she's doing a blanket kick in her sleep, right?
Is she really that embarrassed?
"My body feels lighter. I feel stronger than before."
Rake said, her cheeks flushed red.
- I see.
The 'stat increase near totem' buff is working well.
I wonder about the other option, 'enhanced blessing efficiency'?
I used the Totem of Healing.
"I don't have any injuries, so I'm not sure."
As expected, I'll have to verify this in a different situation.
"The subjugation is over, and we have a guardian now! Alright! Today is a feast!"
Kanto shouted loudly to the warriors.
He's probably planning to drink and brag about his exploits again.
Unfortunately, I'm not finished with my business yet.
- I intend to move the Tribe Alliance headquarters.
This is why I waited a bit before granting the blessing.
Isn't it better to give the medicine before the disease, rather than just the disease?
Wait, is it the other way around?
Regardless, I brought up a topic the barbarians wouldn't particularly enjoy.
"The, the headquarters? Do you mean the Blue Moss Tribe?"
Kanto stammered. The other barbarians seemed flustered as well.
- Yes. I intend to make the city our headquarters.
Though I've finished off the city, I haven't conquered all of Symphonia.
I'll need to subjugate every village in Symphonia, and commuting back and forth from the Blue Moss Tribe is too inefficient and tedious.
The only reason I hadn't moved the base to a village was the risk of being surrounded and attacked.
I also didn't want to tell the barbarians to abandon their hometown, but that was the core reason.
Now that the mid-tier demon ruling the Symphonia region is dead, there's no need to hide on a mountaintop.
I need to seize key strategic points. The city has a castle and great infrastructure.
While the rugged mountain terrain acted as a wall, it's nothing compared to a real castle.
The infrastructure—blacksmiths, warehouses, homes, armor, and various weapons—is a given.
There's likely a secret passage to escape if we're ever surrounded by enemies. Though it seems the demons didn't make use of it.
There is absolutely no reason not to choose the city as our headquarters.
- Once the war with the demons is over, we can simply return to the Blue Moss Tribe. I only want to use the city as our base until then.
However, this might sound like I'm asking them to abandon their homeland, so I tread carefully.
"..."
Everyone's just glancing around. I guess this is a difficult problem even when it's a god's order.
I realized once again how much the concept of a 'tribe' means to them.
"Why has everyone gone mute? Did you not hear Mallak's words?"
It was Rake who stepped forward, her eyes sharp.
I'm glad I gave her the Totem Guardian blessing before speaking. Though I suspect Rake would have taken my side regardless.
"Would you give up our chance to win just because you're tied to some hometown? Did you really think you could win a war with such half-hearted resolve?"
"I-It's not that, but we just need a moment to prepare..."
Kanto scratched his head.
"I abandoned my tribe. I left behind my home, my memories, and even my mother's grave. It was all for Mallak, for the victory of the Tribe Alliance. Do you maggots not even have that kind of resolve?"
Everyone was speechless at Rake's vitriol. They just bowed their heads in shame.
"Pathetic humans."
Rake scoffed.
Sudden human hatred. She really does have a strong superiority complex.
No wonder she eats alone.
"Let's do as Mallak says. This land was protected by our ancestors and parents, and it's where we were born and raised, but it's time to move."
Paya, who had been gauging the reaction of the barbarians, spoke up.
"We aren't suggesting we leave it behind forever. Didn't Mallak say we can return?"
Muri added her voice to the cause.
"It is Mallak's order! Anyone who refuses is no better than an apostate! Let's plant our flag in the city of the civilized!"
As Kanto regained his composure and shouted, a look of determination filled the barbarians' eyes.
"Yeah! Let's move the headquarters!"
"It's just like getting another house!"
"Throw away those cowardly thoughts!"
"For victory!"
Maybe it's because they're a warrior race, but they're quite passionate. They reached a consensus incredibly fast.
I thought they'd need more time to accept it.
"Everyone, get ready to head to the city!"
"Alright, let's move!"
"Grab the carts!"
No, this is way too fast.
"Hmph, what a hasty bunch."
Even as he spoke, Harry pulled out the golem controller.
He's a typical tsundere grandfather.
Well, they do say to strike while the iron is hot. Better to just go with it.
After watching the Tribe Alliance prepare for the move, I used the Binding Totem.
They can probably handle a move without me.
I teleported to Totem No. 2 in the Golden Sun Tribe.
"Lord Mallak!"
Bojak, the old masked high priest, greeted me.
"The totem is coming along nicely! I'll let you know as soon as it's finished!"
- Have the civilized people adjusted well? I'd like to see them.
"Understood!"
I let Bojak lead the way.
Sir William was drinking with the barbarian warriors, and the other civilized people were mixing and mingling well among the barbarians.
Sister Grace, who I was most worried about... was reading something to a gathered group of children, regardless of whether they were civilized or barbarians.
It's not some scripture from the Church of the Goddess, is it? If so, she's definitely getting exiled.
Looking closer, it was a fairy tale book with cute illustrations.
Phew. I'm glad she seems to be adjusting well.
I confirmed during the war that civilized people can earn points as long as they serve me.
As long as they don't cause division, they are valuable assets.
"Ah, Lord Mallak!"
"You've arrived."
After a brief chat with Tur and Nyx, I deactivated the Binding Totem.
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Went down the mountain and caught three infected!]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Got praised by the muscle-girl chief hehe]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Honestly, I wanted to die when I was eating bugs, but I'm so happy these days]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: No lie, I'm praying to Mallak three times a day. I don't know what kind of god he is, but thanks anyway]
This guy is doing well too.
Anyway, three infected, huh.
Today, the Tribe Alliance and the Golden Sun Tribe took a break from subjugation.
[Did you go hunting alone?]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Another warrior offered to come along, but I told him I'd handle it alone]
[Morning Tent Installation Knight: Anyway, I've secured all the food for today]
I didn't earn any points today.
One thing has become clear.
Holy Knights don't earn me points, even if they serve me.