He turned to the Jaded Lord. "Where are my people?"

Jaded Lord Serion Caelus watched him with narrowed eyes. His plan was to nurture the Stronghide's new chief and make him into a banner that he would then use in the future.

But who would have expected Galthor to appear? And for him to actually be strong? Strong enough to kill his first Commander? In just minutes, the Lord's fighting power had been cut! It wasn't easy to build a power like Oryn! All his resources wasted.

For a moment, he thought about fighting him and killing him, but he quickly cooled his anger and forced a stiff smile. "Well, since you've held up your part of the duel, your people would naturally be released to you.

"In fact, they should be waiting for you outside."

Galthor's teeth gleamed. "Thank you, Jaded Lord! The Winged people could always be counted on to keep their word! If there's nothing else, I will take my leave then."

Jaded Lord Serion Caelus coughed. "As a new banner, you should look forward to the meeting with the others. After all, we still have our objectives here in the Revolutionary base."

Galthor nodded sharply. "The Abyssal Land. I'll be seeing you at a later date then, Jaded Lord."

Serion Caelus watched the new chief depart with the other barbarians, and bitterness entered his eyes. He couldn't believe what had just happened, and all he felt was resentment. He thought about killing Galthor, but he remembered his mission and the reason he was underground in the first place. "Still, I'll have my revenge."

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True to Jaded Lord Serion Caelus's words, they found barbarians waiting for them outside. Around a hundred and something of them, all looking worn and starved.

They huddled together as if seeking warmth.

"Chief, do you want to say anything to them?" Karathra asked as they watched the just-freed prisoners.

Galthor shook his head. "There is no need to say anything. Look at them. They'd rather eat and not have to worry about the cold than listen to anything I have to say."

"What are the orders?" she asked.

Galthor turned to the others—Brakthar, Asclaw, and the two other masters. "We'll take them back. For now, let them stay in my building. We still have some money, right? Buy them some clothes and blankets. Get them fruits and buy vegetables to cook a good meal for them. Get them medicine and see about how they'll get well."

Brakthar hesitated. "Chief, the money we have... if we spend it on all of them at once..."

Galthor looked at the freed prisoners once more. Where everyone saw barbarians, he saw investment. The people would be the foundation he would use for his future plans of gaining power and foothold. "Ashclaw, I want you and the others to form a team that'll hunt in the Abyssal Land from now on until I stop you.

"You won't only provide the meat we'll eat, everyone in town, but also the money we'll spend. At least until everyone's back on their feet."

Ashclaw opened his mouth and closed it before he grunted. "Chief, that's a waste of a master's power!"

Galthor snorted. "Yes, that's why I told you to do it. This will be your punishment until I change my mind."

They grumbled, but what else could they do? Their chief had already spoken. And with that, they led the people back to the banner town and got them into the chief's building.

The hall itself was big enough for everyone to crash at if they were settled with warm blankets and hot food in their bellies.

Galthor personally supervised them. He picked out those who were still hale to accompany Brakthar outside to buy what they needed.

He picked another team to see to the clearing of the hall and settling others in to wait for those who went to buy goods. At the same time, another team went out to look for firewood and to start washing and preparing for the cooking that was to come.

The commotion had brought others from the banner town of the barbarians, and a reunion was currently ongoing as people who thought they had lost their relatives met once more.

Galthor was pleased when he saw this, especially when everyone began to thank him. '...good. Appreciation is a good way to build foundation to other things. Let them keep coming!..'

Later, when Karathra asked him why he didn't just let the people return to their families, Galthor replied, "What if they carried diseases back with them?"

And that was why he wanted to isolate them, although that was already spoiled when the town people reunited with them. But to be honest, there wasn't much difference between those who were just released and those who waited.

To say the least, even outside was now filled with people, and chairs were brought out for those who wanted to sit. And when those who went to buy food returned, they began cooking.

"My lord, are you still going to get the other masters from the other banners today?" Karathra had asked much later when the food was done and everyone was eating.

"I will surely get them, but not today. Let the rumors of what I did in the Winged people's camp spread first. That way, they will weigh their options well and choose what will readily benefit them."

What Galthor meant was that he would let them think about whether they would like to fight him or keep hold of his master essence users. He did not want any issues with the other banners, but he wouldn't be pushed over either.

It was now left to them to choose what they wanted. The Stronghide was now building back its strength, and it would be foolish for them to try to stand in his way. At least, they had to keep an open front in front of others.

Besides, it seemed the act of banners was important to them, and it must have something to do with the Abyssal Land.

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