Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer
Chapter 69: Unexpected Helpers

Chapter 69: Unexpected Helpers

The entire tribe stood there stunned as the Shaman acquitted the Outsider of his crimes and took him away. But when they gathered their bearing, everyone turned towards A’Mila for answers as she was the only one who could stop the Shaman.

However, A’Mila stared back at them blankly. She knew everyone was thinking why she didn’t intervene, even though they knew very well why she didn’t.

While the chieftain was the tribe’s leader and led the tribe through daily activities, the Shaman was someone who existed to control the chieftain from going rampant and getting drunk on power.

The Shaman rarely ever intervened in the proceedings of the tribe, but when they did, it was considered to be on behalf of the gods.

While at first glance, it might seem that the Shaman could veto anything they didn’t like, the power to overthrow a Chieftain’s decision was limited to thrice yearly.

After all, it wouldn’t do the tribe any good if either the chieftain or the Shaman got high on power. Hence, both roles existed to keep the other in check.

"To think she would use her authority like this after not using it for years," Akila shook his head, enraged by his mother’s decision to save Adrian from punishment.

"But she wouldn’t appear after more than a year to do something like this," one of the tribals spoke. "Maybe the gods wanted her to intervene?"

"Bullshit! Why would-"

"It makes sense; it’s not like anyone could inform her about what’s happening on such short notice," yet another chimed in. "It has to be the gods’ decision to spare the Outsider."

Within moments, the tribe had divided into two groups. The first group wanted to follow the Shaman as she had saved them from tragedy before, despite living hundreds of kilometres away from the settlement and wanted to trust her judgement this time as well.

But the other group, led primarily by Akila, wanted Adrian to pay the price for what he had done. As the yelling and arguing continued, the two groups turned against each other, and a fight was about to break out... until A’Mila stepped up to stop the drama.

"ENOUGH!" she roared, and everyone got silent, their eyes on her. "It doesn’t matter what we want. The Shaman has made her decision, and we must obey.

However, I assure you, the Outsider wouldn’t go unpunished. I swear it in the names of my ancestors to punish him."

A’Mila’s word was a diplomatic one. While her mother had saved Adrian’s life, she wouldn’t be able to object to a punishment as long as it didn’t involve any lasting bodily harm to Adrian. Thankfully, the tribe had many ways to punish someone without harming them.

As for the section of the crowd calling for Adrian’s punishment, A’Mila’s words were enough to quell their anger. As long as she punished the Outsider accordingly, they won’t have any problem keeping their not-so-peaceful thoughts to themselves.

After everyone agreed on the resolution, they began to disperse when someone called A’Mila, asking about Rina’s trial. A’Mila, indifferent to Rina’s fate, shrugged. Rina’s trial was never a priority for her, and she wasn’t particularly concerned about how he would be handled.

However, to maintain fairness, considering Adrian’s lenient outcome, A’Mila chose to lessen Rina’s punishment as well.

"Have him work the field for a week along with the slaves," she said dismissively. "He is to be treated as a slave throughout the week, and that’s the end of it."

Saying so, A’Mila and Akila left to question their mother about her sudden return and the deal with the Outsider.

A look of relief washed over Rina’s family upon hearing the judgement. Usually, the rest of the tribe would have made a fuss about such light punishment, but most were too upset about Adrian to pay attention to Rina.

That said, Rina knew what he did to Leno was inexcusable. While the tribe might have forgiven him, he would never forgive himself for doing what he did to Leno.

Knowing Leno’s family might never forgive him, Rina chose to dedicate his life to them and harboured no resentment towards Adrian.

Despite their initial ill intentions, Adrian faced the monster and avenged Leno and Shika, albeit unintentionally. Rina felt genuine gratitude towards him, although he couldn’t express it openly.

However, not everyone thought the same as him, especially Silka. In her eyes, Adrian was still the one who killed her boy and was saved because of the Shaman.

The thought of the Outsider getting away with murder made her blood boil. However, she wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Everyone close to the ones Adrian killed during his rampage wanted revenge, and it wouldn’t take long for them to unite under one goal.

’That bastard needs to pay!’

***

Meanwhile, inside A’Mila’s tent...

Adrian couldn’t help but stare at the woman from before. She called herself A’Mila’s mother, but she looked more like her sister. She was young, fit and had a physique that put Adrian to shame.

’For a shaman, she looks way too barbaric-’

"Never judge a book by its cover," the lady replied without turning towards Adrian.

"...you can read minds?"

"Of course not. But your face tells me everything. It’s clear what you’re thinking when you stare at me like that.

Since they were now talking, Adrian didn’t waste time asking what he had been itching to do. Having experienced the harsh realities of life, he had come to understand that ulterior motives often accompanied acts of kindness.

He used to be one of those individuals, driven by care for others and not the rewards that he got, but that approach had cost him his life. Now, Adrian doubted anyone would be as foolish as he once was, especially someone in the position of the Shaman.

There had to be a reason why she saved him, and he wanted to know why.

"Why did you save me?" he asked her.

"Haha, I couldn’t bear to see someone with such an adorable face meet their end, could I?" she laughed before facing Adrian, who knew she was lying.

"You didn’t buy it, did you? Well, lying was never my forte. So, I’ll tell you the truth," she admitted. "I saved you because I was asked to."

Adrian was confused. After seeing how she saved him from the trial, he realised that the Shaman was at the top of the hierarchy, and that’s why no one objected to her.

But it seemed someone even higher in the order wanted to save him, which was strange considering he didn’t know anyone who would protect him there.

"Either way, thank you-"

"If you want to thank someone for saving you, you can thank them," the Shaman said, pointing to the entrance.

Adrian hastily turned around to see A’Mila and Akila standing there.

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