My Eldritch Horror Wife Followed Me To Another World
Chapter 72: Assertive

Chapter 72: Assertive

Yamanas felt conflicted. He understood and agreed with why his tribe distanced themselves from the other tribes. They were powerful, and with that power, they held a lot of responsibility, both to themselves and to the others.

But when did fulfilling that responsibility turn to neglect?

Did they not also have a responsibility to use their power for good, for the safety of the defenseless?

However, he knew it wasn’t that easy. Right now, it was taking the appropriate measures to ensure that Nuir’s tribe wouldn’t harm him again.

Tomorrow, it might be him leading the punitive force to eradicate a tribe because someone from that tribe threw a rock at someone from another tribe.

"I want to help," Yamanas eventually said.

If he was going to help, he would have said that. The words he used and the tone he said them with, made it clear that he would not be participating.

"But I think you guys have it handled. However, I will talk with my tribe members about this. With what’s happened the past few days, the Outsider’s presence, and now this... My gut is telling me that we will no longer be able to stay on the sidelines with clear consciousness." Yamanas placed a warm, caring hand on Nuir’s forehead before standing up and looking at the others. His gaze soon settled on Nick.

"I thank you for letting me take part in today’s party. I will return the favor someday," He said before turning around. Utri also got up and joined up with Yamanas, letting him jump onto its back.

The others watched him leave in silence. Most of them let out a sigh of relief they didn’t know they had been holding onto.

Although they had gotten accustomed to Yamanas and his wolf, most of them hadn’t been able to truly relax in his presence. It wasn’t their fault. Yamanas just wasn’t used to hanging out with people as weak and sensitive to the strength of others as them.

He was just too powerful.

"That’s a shame. He would have been a lot of help," Malak commented once Yamanas was almost certainly too far to hear them. He turned back to the others.

"I take it then that we’ll go with option two?" He asked. No one had spoken up about it, and it hadn’t seemed like they thought highly of the first option.

"Our tribe doesn’t have much contact with others, but we’ll see what we can do," Muhso said, speaking for Kai, Lora, and Kavam, who nodded in agreement. They would have preferred Monkey’s suggestion, but they knew that it didn’t have a good ending. So, this would work.

Mijko and Tilo looked at Monkey, who scratched his cheek.

A non-violent war. It was an interesting idea. He wouldn’t have thought of it himself. He would have used ambushes and sneak attacks to whittle down the Lowat tribe and prevent any of them from ever stepping foot outside their territory.

This would eventually lead to a similar outcome, but without casualties. Monkey wanted to see how it would play out. He nodded.

"I will need to ask you for guidance, young schemer." Monkey wasn’t experienced in this regard. He felt no shame in asking Malak for advice on how to proceed. It was only natural to seek knowledge from those who possessed it.

Naturally, since Monkey agreed, Mijko and Tilo didn’t have to say anything.

"I have a reputation for not lying," Issa said.

Her words could be taken two ways. She either wasn’t going to lie about the Lowat tribe when spreading rumors. Or, she would be believed when she did lie.

She meant the second way.

She wasn’t sure how far her lies would spread or how much influence she had, but she was going to do what she could. Her family was also pretty involved with the Lowat tribe’s side of the forest. If she begged her parents not to deal with the Lowat tribe anymore, they would probably listen to her.

Since many tribes received a lot from the Seg tribe, it would be a blow to the Lowat tribe. Issa just had to remember not to be too hasty. Patience was key.

Sosora’s expression was resolute, and she thumped her fist against her palm.

"I will—!"

"...Sit by my side and let me handle it," Malak said, grabbing Sosora’s hands. He was more assertive than he had ever been. But it was an important matter.

Sosora was smart and powerful. But she was also rash and sometimes a little overly excited.

Malak didn’t see any of it as flaws. Sosora was perfect in his eyes. But right now, that perfection was best used when it wasn’t used. It would be better if she trained and became stronger.

Yamanas’ gut feeling was an arbitrary lead, but Malak decided to trust it. They would need Sosora’s strength in the future. But right now, they didn’t need violence.

Malak didn’t want to outright say that Sosora getting involved increased the odds of failure. But that was reality. This plan didn’t suit Sosora’s temperament.

If it had been the Sosora of yesterday, she would have protested fiercely, demonstrating exactly why.

But right now, she sat silently and looked at Malak’s big hands clasping her slender, calloused ones. Her cheeks were a little rosy.

"Alright..." She said in a low voice.

Mijko and Lora turned to Nick. Nick smiled smugly.

That was definitely progress. It wasn’t much, but Malak, who had been wrapped around Sosora’s finger until now, had suddenly turned assertive. He trusted in their relationship and in both his and Sosora’s feelings. It wasn’t a big step, but it was a step in the right direction.

A few hours ago, he wouldn’t have been sure enough to do something like that.

Nick had won the bet. Mijko clenched her jaws and gritted her teeth. She wanted to protest. But she had to honor the bet.

With that out of the way, the only things left were the details and one simple question.

Slowly, everyone’s gazes turned toward the same spot.

What were they going to do with Nuir now?