Way of Overlord
Chapter 81: Crazy Men

Chapter 81: Crazy Men

The meal continued however in this kind of tension and then The meal is finished and it is clear that Aeryon is about to get up and leave the tent.

After the meal, Aeryon said, "Ah, I’ve been too much trouble for my father-in-law. I wanted to reach my tent before the night. I excused myself."

As he said this, Garron suddenly said

’Son-in-law, please wait" Hearing this, Waqu quickly uses his hand to gesture to the guards inside and outside to distance themselves from the tent. Aeryon look around and his eyes narrowed

"This must be something important" he thought to himself

"What is it that you want to talk about?"

"Before I speak, do you agree with the marriage alliance?’ Garron asked. Aeryon smiles and nodded.

He already made up his mind before he came. If Garron tries to kill him, then of course, today would be Garron death day.

Fighting Utgard tribe under that reason would not be that hard since Utgard tribe would be in the wrong.

However, if Garron did not do anything and still wanted to continue the marriage, then Aeryon would accept it.

They both know that this marriage is a political marriage. And Aeryon still needed time. There was silence for a moment in the tent and the Garron begins by saying

"I believe that your ambition is bigger than your father" Aeryon did not say anything to this but he did not deny it either

"I take the East; you take the West. Let us not impede each other and focus on each other goals" Aeryon hearing this was shocked for a moment before he smiles and then he laughed like he had heard a joke.

Aeryon had also learned the tribe son the west, the tribes on the east, the tribes on the north and he knew Utgard situation

But Aeryon also understood something from Garron request

"Then what about the fate of the Korrun"

"let them go" Garron said.

The Korrun tribe sits in between the area of Utgard and the area of Brolgadhr.

Korrun is a small tribe.

the area is large and they are once the subordinate of the Xewa tribe. They bordered Sordkazan on the East, Rudya to the West, Brolgadhr on the South and Utgard on the North.

They are also the only tribes that separate the tribe of Brolgadhr and the Utgard.

Aeryon look at Garron as he narrowed his eyes

"You expected me to attack Korrun?"

Garron then said

"They are an easy target. If we united together, we could easily take it. I expected that if you want to go to the East or north, you would take them first"

"Not to mention that their tribe used to pay allegiance to the Xewa tribe. Taking them would be even easier for you as they probably would just bow down their heads and offer you their sheep and men even if you came with only five hundred horse riders"

"And also, because their tribe is surrounded by us"

Aeryon did not say anything.

So, Garron continues

"They have no allies" Another silence and for a moment Aeryon seems to be contemplating the matter and then he asks

"How about the Rudya tribe? Just because we do not move does not mean that Rudya would not move?" Aeryon question made Garron even more confident that Aeryon is as smart as him.

The fact that he asks this kind of question shows to Garron that he is a really capable and also have the smarts to run his tribe.

Garron does not like being deceived but he could accept it now.

After all, what could he do? Aeryon right now has all the advantage. He has the people; he has the terrain.

What Garron means is that right now, Aeryon tribe is stronger than him, he is at his territory and it is clear that all the advantage is on Aeryon hand.

One of Garron’s greatest strengths lay in his ability to compose himself swiftly.

While he acknowledged being deceived, he didn’t let it consume him.

Many others in his position might have reacted with anger or aggression, but Garron maintained his composure.

He continued to engage with Aeryon, laughing, drinking, and putting the deception behind him for the sake of the bigger picture.

It was this adaptability and resilience that impressed Aeryon, leading him to hold Garron in high regard.

A leader who could seamlessly navigate different situations and maintain a calm demeanour was a rare find.

Aeryon understood the value of such a person as an ally or even a rival.

Of course, he would be happier if he could kill Garron. But right now, it is probably more beneficial for him to keep him alive as an ally, than dead as an enemy

As for his question, Aeryon also has his own consideration for asking the question.

Aeryon asked the question because while he knew the territory of the tribes, he did not know in details about the politics of the tribes of the Southern Steppe.

Aeryon question regarding the Rudya tribe stemmed from his limited knowledge of the intricate political landscape of the Southern Steppe.

While Aeryon had a grasp of the geographical territories of the tribes, he lacked detailed insights into the intricate politics and relationships among them.

His sources of information, such as Mayeux, were not comprehensive enough to provide a complete understanding of the tribes’ dynamics.

Rudya itself bordered Xewa and Ghar tribe before and did not border with Brolgadhr so there is a lack of contact there.

And while Mayeux has many information, he is not the almanac of the Great Steppe.

As for the Elders, they also did not know much since Brolgadhr before Aeryon was on the decline.

How could they know the internal struggle or outside threat of other tribes when even managing their own tribe is a chore?

So, he wanted Garron to tell him why he is so sure that Rudya would not attack Korrun if they leave that tribe alone?

Garron could understand what Aeryon is worried about and so he said

"Rudya is also looking at them but they would not attack Korrun and risk being attacked by me. As for Sordkazan tribe.... Sordkazan could not leave their area"

Aeryon then remember something and he spoke

"Because of the Kazan conflict" Garron nodded. Aeryon pondered for a moment before asking

"Since, it is easy to take, why wont we take it?’ Aeryon asked

Aeryon has his own thoughts of why Garron suggested such thing. But he wanted to hear it from Garron own mouth

Garron chuckles bitterly and decided to lay all down

"Because then we would be neighbours" Aeryon chuckles and spoke

"isn’t that a good thing"

Garron could tell that Aeryon was joking. Even though they are father-in-law and son in law, they did not act like a normal father and son in law.

Garron sighed

"From that moment on, we could no longer believe each other. It doesn’t matter whether it is you that take Korrun or it is me that takes Korrun. If you take it, I could never ride toward the north or East ever again, always worrying that you would attack. And if I take Korrun, could you leave your back to us?"

Then he added

"Do you trust me?"

There is silence in the tent again and Aeryon laughed.

’So, we just leave them?"

Garron nodded.

"Korrun tribe is like an isolated island. They have no allies and they have no friends. Their backer has been destroyed and they live only because of our mercy. They would not attack you and they would not attack me. Because they know once they attack, there is no going back. They have to fight and they have to fight in two directions. That is a lot to ask for a small tribe"

Aeryon was calm and there is a smile on the corner of his mouth as he said

"They could still attack Rudya" Aeryon said.

"If that is what they do, that is good for me. And also good for you. But that is unlikely. Korrun would have done it a long time ago if they wanted it. They never did because Rudya is still very powerful even after being split into small tribe"

Aeryon hearing this close his eyes for a moment visualizing the map that Mayeux had shown him before. Another silence descended in the room and he nodded slowly.

Then he sighed as he opens his eyes.

"What you are suggesting is that we develop independently from each other"

Garron nodded

"You don’t trust me" Aeryon said a matter of fatly

Garron snicked and then he repeated the question he said before

"Do you trust me?"

Aeryon laughed.

"So, we split the Southern Steppe. You go to the East; I go to the West?"

Garron nodded. There was a pause for a second before a laughter erupted inside the tent

"Hahaha!" Aeryon laughed loudly. People thought he was crazy.

But Garron think he could conquer all of the Eastern part of the Southern Steppe?

"You are crazy" hearing this Waqu also nodded in agreement.

Waqu did not think that this is the plan of his sworn brother. But even when Aeryon said that garron is crazy, Garron doesn’t seem to be demotivated

Aeryon could feel the conviction in Garron words and he could not help but laughed again

And then he said

"But I am also crazy. Hahahaha!"

Garron smile. He did not see it wrong. His son in law, is really similar to him.

"You agree?" Aeryon nodded.

"I agree"

Then he got up. Aeryon already got everything he wanted and an assurance from Garron. So, he felt everything has been settled.

"Are you leaving now?" Garron stood up.

Aeryon smiles and nodded

Garron then said

"I am reluctant to see you go, but I cannot hold you either."

Aeryon went out of the Garron tent and there he feels the cool breeze against his face and observing the dusky sky, couldn’t help but smirk with a hint of satisfaction.

Despite consuming a considerable amount of Ayrag, a fermented beverage, he remained remarkably composed and sober.

His endurance allowed him to indulge in the drink without losing his sharpness of mind.

Leaving Garron’s tent behind, Aeryon made his way towards his waiting men.

With effortless grace, he mounted his horse and kicked its sides, urging it into a swift gallop.

His followers, a thousand strong, fell in line behind him as they headed southward towards their tribe.

As Aeryon procession passed by, the warriors of Garron’s tribe couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and perhaps even envy.

Compared to the regal display of Aeryon retinue, they appeared shabby and lacking in grandeur.

Garron, stepping out of his tent, witnessed the majestic scene before him and couldn’t help but shake his head, a mixture of amusement and resignation on his face.

"Ah, there’s no point in living any longer. Someday, my sons will beg for mercy before that fool!"

Garron lamented to his loyal companion and sworn brother, Waqu. Beside him, Waqu nodded in understanding.

However, despite the potential danger posed by Aeryon, Garron found himself unable to harbour true animosity towards the young chief.

In his words, there was a trace of admiration that stemmed from the depths of his heart.

Garron re-entered his tent, pondering the complex mix of emotions he felt towards Aeryon.

While recognizing the young chief’s dangerous nature, he also held a certain level of respect and admiration for his abilities.

The next morning, as the sun rose, the people of the Utgard tribe began their journey back to their homeland, having finalized the marriage alliance.

Ayera, Garron’s daughter, would soon be united with Aeryon, the Chief of Brolgadhr and son of Rakarys.

The alliance forged through this union would have far-reaching implications for both tribes, their future endeavours, and the delicate balance of power in the vast expanse of the Steppe.

As the night unfolded and the stars adorned the sky, those with the ability to decipher celestial messages sensed a profound shift in the heavens.

The constellations seemed to rearrange themselves, forming new patterns and configurations.

It was as if the cosmos itself acknowledged the significance of the events that had transpired.

Simultaneously, the wind began to stir, carrying with it a sense of anticipation and change.

Whispers of transformation among the Ashana resonated through the air, as if a gust heralding a new era for the Great Steppe was about to breeze through the vast expanse.

>>