Chapter 212: Taking Up On Leadership

The moment everyone heard that the Chieftain had collapsed and might have contracted the plague toxin, fear returned to the tribe like a cold shadow.

Only a few days ago, they had watched Dan, Alex, and their families die one after another.

Then they learned that the once-powerful Red Fox Tribe had been completely wiped out.

Now it was their own Chieftain.

The word plague alone was enough to make everyone’s faces turn pale.

Parents instinctively pulled their little cubs behind them. Elderly beastmen whispered prayers to the Heavenly God. Young warriors gripped their weapons nervously, as though a spear could somehow fight an invisible disease.

The atmosphere was suffocating.

But then...

Everyone watched Sora stand calmly before Martin’s sealed Wooden Hut.

They watched emerald-green vines grow from her palm.

They watched those vines slip beneath the wooden door and disappear inside.

Most importantly...

They watched Martin’s painful breathing gradually calm.

When Sora finally withdrew the vines, the crowd collectively released the breath they had been holding.

"She really healed the Chieftain..."

"So Kaelira truly awakened a Wood Element Ability."

"I thought she only had Water Element Ability."

"Dual supernatural abilities..."

"Isn’t that something only gifted Witch Doctors possess?"

The whispers grew louder.

Admiration slowly replaced panic.

The tribe had already witnessed Sora discover the plague, teach them how to prevent it, find food during the crisis, and organize the entire tribe.

Now she could even heal people.

In their eyes, Sora had become someone extraordinary.

A young wolf-eared beastman stepped forward hesitantly.

"Kaelira... what do we do now?"

His voice trembled.

"Will more people in the tribe get infected?"

The question represented everyone’s fear.

Dozens of eyes landed on Sora.

Without Martin, the Wolf Tribe had unconsciously begun treating her as the person in charge.

Sora immediately understood something important.

If she showed panic now...

The entire tribe would collapse.

She took a slow breath before speaking in a calm, steady voice.

"Everyone, don’t panic."

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it reached every corner of the plaza.

"My father’s condition isn’t the same as Dan’s or Alex’s."

Everyone became quiet.

"He came into contact with contaminated ashes. The toxin entered his body differently."

She continued explaining patiently.

"His face became red because of a high fever. It did not turn black, and he hasn’t coughed blood."

The difference immediately reassured many people.

"So... the Chieftain isn’t dying?"

Sora shook her head firmly.

"No."

"As long as he cooperates with my treatment, he has a very good chance of recovering."

The frightened expressions softened considerably.

Sora deliberately chose those words.

She couldn’t promise absolute certainty.

But the tribe desperately needed hope.

Seeing everyone’s emotions stabilize, she continued issuing instructions.

"For everyone’s safety, everyone will stay inside their own Wooden Huts for the next three days."

A few people exchanged looks.

Again?

Another lockdown?

Fortunately, nobody protested.

The previous lockdown had protected the tribe.

Everyone remembered that clearly.

Colorful Sunset was the first to nod.

"We’ll listen to Kaelira."

Another female immediately agreed.

"If Kaelira hadn’t discovered the plague last time, our tribe would’ve ended up like the Red Fox Tribe."

"That’s right."

"We’ll listen."

"We trust Kaelira."

Soon voices echoed across the plaza.

"We trust Kaelira."

"We’ll do whatever Kaelira says."

Sora felt both relieved and pressured.

Trust was comforting.

It was also a heavy responsibility.

Then another beastman raised his hand awkwardly.

"Kaelira..."

"What about food?"

That was the biggest problem.

If everyone stayed indoors, nobody could gather food or cook together.

Sora thought briefly before asking another question.

"Do you all remember the recipes I taught you?"

Everyone nodded enthusiastically.

"We remember!"

"I can make sour fish soup."

"I learned fried crayfish."

"I know steamed potatoes."

"I know sweet potato cakes."

Sunset even proudly added, "Zainabu and I taught everyone."

Sora smiled.

"Good."

"Then we’ll divide the potatoes, sweet potatoes, and firewood."

She pointed toward the storage area.

"My Beast Husbands will place supplies outside every family’s Wooden Hut."

"You’ll collect them after they leave."

"No gathering."

"No visiting neighbors."

"No sharing meals."

"Everyone cooks for their own family."

The arrangement was simple.

Efficient.

Safe.

The beastmen immediately nodded.

"That’s a good idea."

"Kaelira thought of everything."

"Then nobody has to starve."

"Perfect."

The crowd gradually dispersed.

One family after another returned home.

Soon the once-crowded plaza became much quieter.

Sora finally released a long breath.

Her shoulders suddenly felt incredibly heavy.

She hadn’t even realized how tense she’d been.

Then she turned around.

Lyra was sitting on a stone nearby, looking completely lost.

Her hair was messy.

Her eyes were swollen from crying.

Beside her stood Mark, who also looked exhausted.

Sora rubbed her temples.

There was still work to do.

"You two."

She gestured.

"Come here."

Mark obediently walked over.

Lyra hesitated before following.

Sora looked at both of them.

"I need to check whether either of you has been infected."

Mark instinctively wanted to refuse.

"I’m fine."

Sora raised an eyebrow.

"And how do you know?"

"I..."

"You’ve been in close contact with Father."

Mark immediately fell silent.

Lyra looked nervous.

"Kaelira...Your Father will be alright, right?"

The fearful tone surprised Sora.

She had expected arrogance.

Not fear.

For the first time, Lyra looked less like the proud wife of the Chieftain and more like an ordinary woman terrified of losing her husband.

Sora suppressed the complicated emotions in her heart.

No matter what Lyra had done before...

This wasn’t the time.

Green light bloomed from Sora’s palm.

Two slender vines emerged and gently wrapped around Mark’s wrist and Lyra’s wrist.

Everyone watching held their breath.

The vines slowly pulsed.

Sora closed her eyes.

Wood Element Ability flowed quietly through their bodies.

She examined their heartbeat.

Breathing.

Body temperature.

The condition of their internal organs.

Everything appeared normal.

Then she activated Water Element Ability.

A stream of cool purification energy flowed through the vines before she withdrew them.

She opened her eyes.

"You’re both fine."

The moment those words left her mouth, Lyra nearly collapsed with relief.

"Thank the Heavenly God..."

She pressed both hands against her chest.

Then she hurriedly nodded.

"I’ll stay inside."

"I promise."

"I won’t come out."

Her eagerness almost made Sora laugh.

This was completely different from the stubborn Lyra who had ignored quarantine before.

Fear truly changed people.

Mark scratched his head awkwardly.

"What about Father?"

"I’ll continue treating him every day."

Mark nodded seriously.

"Then I’ll help however I can."

Sora looked at him for several seconds before speaking.

"Good."

"But don’t enter Father’s room."

"Nobody enters."

Mark didn’t argue.

He had finally realized this wasn’t ordinary illness.

Suddenly he frowned.

"Where will Mother and I stay if not inside Father’s Wooden Hut."

Lyra slapped the back of his head. ℯℯ𝘭.

"Use your brain!"

Mark rubbed his head.

"Ow! Mother!"

"Isn’t there a dungeon?"

Mark froze.

"The dungeon?"

"You’re making me sleep there?"

Lyra rolled her eyes.

"You’ve got a place to sleep. Stop complaining."

Mark looked horrified.

The tribe’s dungeon was dark, damp, cold, and filled with insects.

Nobody wanted to spend a night there.

Sora couldn’t stop the corner of her mouth from twitching.

She had personally visited that dungeon when Serena had been imprisoned.

It smelled terrible.

She never imagined Lyra would volunteer to stay there.

Mark looked utterly devastated.

"Mother..."

"It’s disgusting."

"Then sleep outside."

Mark immediately shut his mouth.

Watching mother and son bicker actually lightened everyone’s mood.

The heavy atmosphere became less oppressive.

Standing among the crowd was Nick Wilde.

Throughout everything that had happened, he hadn’t spoken.

Instead...

He watched Sora.

His golden eyes followed her every movement.

From questioning Lyra.

To calming the tribe.

To healing Martin.

To checking Mark and Lyra.

She hadn’t panicked once.

She hadn’t cried once.

She had solved every problem one after another.

Nick Wilde’s heart grew increasingly complicated.

She knows medicine.

She can cook.

She discovered potatoes.

She makes pottery.

She awakened two supernatural abilities.

She protects the entire tribe.

How had he only noticed her face before?

He had been unbelievably blind.

The more he looked...

The more perfect Sora seemed.

It wasn’t beauty that attracted him anymore.

It was everything else.

His fists slowly tightened.

He had to become stronger.

Only then would he deserve standing beside someone like her.

Sora suddenly sensed someone staring at her.

She looked over.

Their eyes met.

Nick Wilde froze.

Sora frowned.

"Why are you still here?"

Her voice instantly shattered his thoughts.

"I told everyone to return to their own Wooden Huts."

Nick Wilde recovered.

"Oh."

He nodded immediately.

"I’m going back."

He turned around.

After taking several steps...

He looked back.

Sora was already discussing supplies with Xavier.

She hadn’t looked at him again.

A strange feeling spread through his chest.

Disappointment.

And unwillingness.

He silently walked away.

Sora watched him leave, completely confused.

What’s wrong with him?

Why does he keep looking back?

She quickly stopped thinking about it.

There were too many important things to worry about.

By the time every household received instructions, it was already well past midnight.

Sora yawned for what felt like the tenth time.

Her eyes were so sleepy they could barely stay open.

Xavier quietly walked over.

Without saying anything, his snake tail wrapped gently around her waist.

This time...

It wasn’t tight.

It simply supported her exhausted body.

Sora leaned against him unconsciously.

"I’m so tired..."

Xavier’s expression softened immediately.

"You’ve been awake almost the entire night."

He lifted her effortlessly.

"I’ll take you home."

The cold night wind brushed against Sora’s face as Xavier carried her back.

For once...

Neither of them spoke.

When they reached the Wooden Hut, Xavier carefully placed her on the bed.

Sora was already half asleep.

She expected Xavier to tease her like usual.

Instead, he simply covered her with a soft animal-hide blanket.

"Sleep."

His voice was unusually gentle.

"I won’t bother you tonight."

Sora blinked drowsily.

She stared at him in surprise.

This was the same domineering snake who had almost lost control yesterday?

Xavier chuckled quietly after seeing her expression.

"What?"

"You think I’m incapable of restraint?"

Sora murmured sleepily.

"A little..."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"You’ve done enough today."

"My turn is to protect you."

The words were so quiet she almost thought she’d imagined them.

Sora smiled faintly.

Within seconds, she was asleep.

Xavier remained sitting beside the bed.

He watched her peaceful sleeping face for a long time.

Only after confirming she was deeply asleep did he quietly leave the room.

Outside, dawn was beginning to color the horizon.

The next morning, sunlight poured into the Wolf Tribe.

Sora woke feeling much better.

The first thing she did wasn’t eat breakfast.

Instead, she called all six Beast Husbands together.

Lucas arrived first, carrying a basket of sweet potatoes.

Ace leaned lazily against a wooden pillar.

Xavier yawned.

Lukan stood quietly.

Ryan arrived carrying bundles of herbs.

Damien crossed his arms and waited.

Sora looked at the six men.

"I need everyone’s help."

All six immediately became serious.

She pointed toward the food storage.

"We’ll divide today’s work."

"Lucas, Ace, and Xavier."

"You three chop firewood and deliver it to every Wooden Hut."

Lucas nodded immediately.

"No problem."

Ace stretched.

"I’ll finish my share first."

Xavier smiled.

"As long as nobody ruins my good mood today."

Sora ignored that comment.

She looked toward the other three.

"Lukan, Ryan, and Damien."

"You’ll distribute potatoes, taro, sweet potatoes, flour, and drinking water."

Lukan nodded gently.

"I’ll make a list so every family receives the same amount."

Ryan added calmly.

"I’ll also check whether anyone develops a fever while delivering food."

Damien shrugged.

"I’ll carry the heavy baskets."

Sora smiled with satisfaction.

This arrangement was exactly what she wanted.

Lucas, Ace, and Xavier all had impatient personalities.

If they worked together, they’d finish chopping firewood quickly.

Lukan’s calmness balanced Ryan’s carefulness, while Damien’s strength made transporting supplies easy.

It was the most efficient combination.

Ace looked at her and laughed.

"You’ve even figured out our personalities."

Sora folded her arms confidently.

"Of course."

"I’ve been living with you long enough."

The six men exchanged glances.

None of them noticed it before.

Without realizing it...

Sora had memorized everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.

She always assigned the right person to the right job.

Even Xavier couldn’t find fault with today’s arrangement.

Lukan looked at Sora quietly.

A gentle smile appeared in his eyes.

Their Little Female had truly become someone the entire tribe relied on.

And although Sora didn’t notice it herself...

In the eyes of everyone in the Wolf Tribe, she was slowly becoming something even greater than the Chieftain’s daughter.

She had become the heart of the tribe.