Chapter 326
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 326
Chapter Title: Harder Than Expected?
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Kilimanjaro.
To the tribes nearby, the Lukuma tribe was like the local bully.
Not that they were warlords, but they were far too strong for any single tribe to stand against.
The Lukuma had amassed great wealth by monopolizing the byproducts from dungeons and training elite players. They had the power to back it up.
That was why the other tribes could only watch as the Lukuma pushed to annex them.
They knew they would be next, but they lacked the strength to stop it right now.
Besides, the law of the jungle was the natural order in Africa.
"What?"
"The Maasai conquered the Lukuma?"
"No way that's possible...?"
It was only natural that most tribes openly doubted the rumor.
There were limits to giant-killing.
The Maasai were the weakest tribe around.
Beating the Lukuma would be as absurd as a frog defeating an elephant.
But the details that came with the rumor were convincing enough for the other tribes.
"They hired a high-level player from overseas."
"Then... it's not impossible."
"But with what money? I heard the Maasai are so broke even hyenas wouldn't touch them."
Who knows. Maybe they had some savings from their glory days."
"Anyway, what a shocker. Who'd have thought that simpleton Umbaru had that kind of cunning and connections..."
Once the tribes grasped the situation, they kept a close eye on the Maasai and Lukuma.
No way the Lukuma—with hundreds of thousands of people—would just get swallowed up easily, even after losing the war.
And what would the Maasai do next?
The fate of nearby tribes could shift depending on the outcome.
But that made the actions of the two tribes afterward all the more baffling to everyone.
"Huh? Looking for some bird?"
"They'll pay a reward if you catch it or even just give info?"
They should be gearing up for more war.
Or consolidating their gains.
This was the time to be busiest.
Yet here they were, suddenly obsessed with hunting some random bird. The surrounding chiefs could only mutter in unison.
"...Why on earth?"
Whether it comforted the other chiefs or not, they weren't the only ones confused by this bird hunt out of nowhere.
The most reluctant person was someone else entirely.
"I have no idea why I have to do this..."
"Then tell them no."
"Don't be ridiculous. Didn't you see what happened to Enko?"
"That was Enko being a total idiot. If you're that scared, have Rimon say it for you."
"That'd be even worse."
"Why? Aren't you two pretty chummy lately?"
"A lion's still a lion, even if it doesn't bite. Poke it wrong, and you get more than a few swats."
"Then just do what they say. That way, those guys will leave quicker."
"And then what? The Lukuma won't stay quiet."
"That's for you, the chief, to figure out."
"..."
Umbaru wondered if he could just quit being chief.
He was suddenly questioning his career choice.
"Unexpected."
"What is, sir?"
"I didn't think my sister would help out with my business so eagerly."
"I'm completely neutral."
"Hmm. So it's just a precaution to keep me from clashing with the Red Dragon Princess?"
"Yes."
Rose's actions—subduing Enko and conquering the Lukuma—weren't emotional.
They were cold calculation.
To hide a tree, put it in the forest.
If a small disturbance made covert searching impossible, better to stir up a bigger one and divert attention.
Of course, it was risky.
Gag orders wouldn't hold forever; info would leak eventually.
But the upside was huge.
They could openly gather intel on the Seven-Colored Sparrow.
It was trading safety for high risk, high reward.
Not her first choice, but once dragged into the war between tribes, this was the best neutral play.
"The rumors might spread slower than Hasneti showing up with her army, though."
"Given Africa's mess right now, yeah, possible."
Rimon nodded readily.
The Lukuma chief's sudden bid to annex the Maasai tied into Africa's current turmoil.
Northern Africa was chaos: Egypt launching conquests, warlords fighting back.
Egypt dominated, of course.
Hasneti's full force—Egyptian army, Apophis Company, Red Dragon Clan—was too much for any warlord.
So warlords were allying or annexing tribes to bulk up.
The Lukuma chief rode that wave, aiming to become a warlord himself.
Which meant their search window was razor-thin.
"What then?"
"I'll leave immediately."
Rose stated firmly.
Find the bird or not, preventing war between Rimon and the Red Dragons came first.
But that wasn't why Rimon asked.
"Not me—the tribe. You gonna just abandon it after conquering?"
"No plans for excessive interference."
"Feels like you've interfered plenty already."
"It was necessary."
Rimon eyed Rose's unflinching response for a moment, then chuckled.
"If you believe that, fine by me. But it's gonna be harder than you think."
"...?"
As Rose shot him a puzzled look at the cryptic words—
A man entered with a discreet cough.
"Ahem. There you are."
"Something wrong?"
"Just checking if you're comfortable."
"The chief has been most hospitable. We're fine."
"We Lukuma always treat guests with utmost kindness and effort. It's our tradition."
"True, we got the royal treatment when we first arrived."
"Ha... haha."
The Lukuma chief sweated, recalling how he'd welcomed Rimon and Rose with bullets—and what came after.
He glanced nervously between them before speaking.
"Ahem. To make up for my earlier neglect in hosting you both..."
"Bribery?"
"Heavens, no! I just brought attendants to serve you more diligently."
"Appreciated, but..."
"Haha, no refusals. As I said, lavish hospitality is our tribe's tradition."
Clap clap!
Before Rose could object, the chief clapped, summoning his prepared group.
With his tribe conquered, he desperately needed to stay in their good graces.
Rose had given a wry smile, knowing his motives—but her face hardened at the arrivals.
"...Chief, what is this?"
"I told you: attendants for you two."
"Not what I meant."
"Eh? Don't like them? I can swap."
"Why are there still slaves in this tribe?"
Delicate faces with fearful expressions.
Revealing outfits.
Crucially, collars and bracelets with chains.
Boys, girls, women, men—two pairs of slaves. Rose's voice sank.
"You mean you haven't freed all the slaves yet?"
It was natural for her face to stiffen.
First order after conquering: release slaves captured from other tribes.
Slaves remaining meant the chief defied her.
But the chief answered confidently, not panicked.
"Of course not. All slaves from other tribes were freed, as ordered."
"Then these aren't slaves?"
"No worries. These weren't captured—they were legally bought with my money. Haha!"
"..."
He laughed heartily, as if no issue.
But seeing Rose's rigid face, his chuckle faded.
"Uh, is something... wrong?"
"You pretending not to know?"
"Pardon?"
He looked baffled, then wronged. As Rose's eyes iced over—
Rimon chuckled.
"Hey, Chief. You bought these kids from the local labor market, right?"
"Yes."
"Then guide us there. My sister'll accept once she sees."
"Uh... sure."
"And Sis, vent later—come see first."
"...Fine."
Rose hesitated but followed Rimon. There had to be a reason.
Soon after, at the labor market outside the village via the chief's car, Rose was speechless.
If there were dejected slaves chained and sleazy slave traders hawking them...
...she wouldn't have been shocked.
She'd suspected as much since hearing he bought from here: labor market in name only, slave market in truth.
The problem? The scene shattered her expectations.
"Cheap, cheap! All-purpose slave for cleaning, cooking, chores—only 4 bucks! Discount for Egyptian pounds!"
"Seven siblings here. Great for concubines—guaranteed breeders."
"I can shoot. Got a gun too. Don't lowball me."
Parents haggling their kids' prices.
Woman fawning over an elder.
Teen soldier with battered rifle slung over shoulder, glaring threats.
Slaves desperately trying to sell themselves high.
And kids too low-status to compete, clutching crude handmade price signs. Rose groaned.
Rimon grinned mischievously.
"See, Sis? Not what you pictured, huh?"
"...What is this?"
"Common sight."
"Common? Your own tribe selling each other into slavery?"
Rose couldn't believe it.
All here were from the nearest village—Lukuma tribesfolk.
Sellers and buyers alike.
Even occasional other-tribe slaves hustled harder to self-sell, stunning her more.
"That's why I said."
The blond-tanned boy didn't flinch at the sight.
No reason to be fazed by this much.
His smile was nonchalant, almost thuggish—subtly cynical.
"What seems like the obvious right thing to you? In this Africa, it's harder than you think."