Important friends…
Oakley’s smile never wavered. It remained mild and distant.
Gu Mengmeng felt a sudden sense of helplessness. Perhaps this was one aspect where Cole was better than her. She never learned how to grasp someone’s heart. No matter how much she wished to save this friendship, she would still lose this friend.
“There were 16 tribe leaders standing with me today to welcome the Great Messenger. In return for access to the water source, their tribes have to come under Sauder and become tributaries to the Great Messenger. Every year after the monsoon season, they must present us with 20 premium beast skins. And before the winter season, they must contribute 20 large hunted game.” Oakley clarified the situation in a calm manner.
Gu Mengmeng chuckled. Was this a colonial rule? Weaker tribes paying tribute to more powerful ones in return for protection…
“Oakley, you are enjoying your role as a leader very much. You are quickly becoming a local tyrant now.”
Oakley gave a light laugh and humbly lowered his head. He then straightened himself. “Sauder would not have become what it is today without the protection of the Great Messenger. But it was still mostly due to my planning and operations. I asked myself if I can be the leader of this tribe and concluded that I am worthy. Not even the heavens or you, the Great Messenger, can deny that.”
Gu Mengmeng was shocked. She never expected Oakley to speak so directly.
She thought he would at least hope to maintain a harmonious front.
But Oakley continued without hesitation. “Anyway, the Great Messenger has no intention to unite the Beast World. So why are you refusing to support me? I guarantee you an unsurpassed level of governance, and will help you resolve all problems. I just want a position that you don’t even deign to hold. Why can’t you give it to me?”
The Beast World had its own laws of survival.
The various tribes had their own unique laws, which might even be in opposition to one another. Each race also had their own habits, not to mention the differences between one’s position along the food chain.
Unite?
That was an impossible undertaking.
Moreover, Gu Mengmeng liked how the Beast World was now. A life centered around one’s own tribe, living a carefree life amongst a close-knitted community.
She didn’t know how other tribes lived, but apart from that detestable Nina, everything else in Saint Nazaire was perfect.
Gu Mengmeng was unwilling to shatter this wonderful way of life. She hoped to protect the Beast World and preserve it as it was now.
But Oakley…
After looking at Oakley for a long while, Gu Mengmeng spoke in a mild tone. “Oakley, can we never go back to as before?”
Oakley chuckled and tilted his head in question. “The Great Messenger was the one who deserted me. Where does she want me to go back to?”
“I didn’t…” Gu Mengmeng blurted out in an attempt to justify herself.
Oakley continued. “The Great Messenger led the Saint Nazaire tribesmen away, leaving only Barete and I behind. Weren’t you deserting us then? Or is it that in your eyes, that kind of action… is still not counted as a desertion?”
“I…” Gu Mengmeng was speechless.
In the grand scheme of things, her decision then was the right one. But it was still a wrong committed against Oakley and Barete.
Oakley’s tone was not harsh, but actually very calm. “There’s no need for the Great Messenger to fret. I have never held a grudge against you. Your decision was the right one and the best one for the tribe. I don’t blame you. I just want to reaffirm my own position.”
And this position was not that of a friend…