Chapter 458: I. AM. KING! [Part 1]

"Indeed, I met with Commander Evander from the Aurelion Empire," Hagen replied calmly.

His reply made his sons, Marcus and Elias, look at him in disbelief. Several Elders were also shocked by this revelation. However, Hagen wasn’t done speaking yet.

"He invited me to join the Aurelion Empire’s side and betray our people," Hagen added. "Evander promised me a high position once the Aurelion Empire conquers the Borderlands."

"And your answer?" Leone asked.

"I said I’ll think about it," Hagen replied. "Truth be told, I never thought of accepting his proposal when he tried to make me switch sides during our talk."

Hagen didn’t lie. He truly had no intention of joining the side of the Aurelion Empire. He voluntarily shared this piece of information so Leone and the other chieftains wouldn’t interrogate him that much.

And it worked. His sons, as well as the Elders of the Grimhowl Tribe, breathed a sigh of relief after hearing his statement. Gundar also smiled faintly, assured that Hagen was telling the truth.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Hagen breathed a sigh of relief internally. However, someone spoke up and asked a question.

"I understand that Evander tried to ask you to join their side," Troy stated. "But how did the two of you meet? Who initiated the talks first?"

Hagen didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gave Troy a long and hard stare. The Chieftain of the Darkmane Tribe had a mischievous smirk plastered on his face.

Among the chieftains of the Borderlands, Troy was the least likely to lose to Hagen when it came to cunning.

"I did," Hagen answered after a few minutes had passed.

"And why did you want to meet him?" Troy pressed on, the smile on his face growing more sinister.

Once again, Hagen didn’t answer right away. The main reason he had gone to meet Evander was to offer a proposal.

And that proposal?

It was to give the Aurelion Empire Commander a chance to eliminate Leone, leaving the title of Barbarian King ?up for grabs once more.

"Oh dear, you can’t answer?" Troy chuckled. "Then let me make it easier for you. Just answer yes or no. Does the purpose of your meeting with Evander have anything to do with the demise of the Aslan Tribe’s chieftain?"

Hagen’s lips remained shut. They said that silence meant yes, and the more Hagen didn’t want to speak, the more everyone leaned toward Troy’s statement.

It would be easy to lie.

It would be easy to deny the truth and fabricate a story that would make everyone think that he was innocent.

However, Hagen didn’t do that.

Why? Because the Earth Mother was a real Goddess.

There had been more than one occasion where it was proven that the Goddess didn’t like someone using her name with impunity.

While her punishment didn’t descend right away, it would definitely come. It might take months, perhaps even years.

But when it did, no one would be saved.

Not the one who broke the vow.

Not his family.

Not even the ones who shared his vision.

The Earth Mother was a benevolent Goddess. However, her benevolence extended only to those who upheld her laws.

The moment any of those laws was broken... the earth would rise up to punish the oath breaker.

And the funny thing about this oath?

You couldn’t escape from it even in death.

For her believers would always return to her embrace after their lives had ended in the mortal realm.

No one, not even Hagen, would wish for eternal suffering after his death.

Minutes passed as Hagen remained silent. He looked incredibly calm despite the suspicious gazes that were locked onto his body.

"I see." Kael crossed his arms over his chest. "From the very start, you had no intention of acknowledging our Great Chieftain as the Barbarian King of the Borderlands. Still, I must commend you for not breaking your vow to the Earth Mother. You might not be afraid of the laws of our people, but you still know that making the divine your enemy is a foolish endeavor."

Hagen looked back at Kael with contempt.

Ulric and Jason inched closer to their Great Chieftain, fearing the Chieftain of the Grimhowl Tribe would suddenly lunge at the young man and take him hostage.

It was then that Leone finally spoke.

"I understand you think I’m unqualified to become the Barbarian King," Leone said. "Since you remained silent, your purpose for meeting that Evander fellow from the Aurelion Empire must be to offer me to them on a silver platter.

"Frankly, I never wished to become the Barbarian King. I was perfectly fine staying in Grimjaw Mountain and ensuring the Aslan Tribe would grow and live peaceful lives. I’m sorry to say this, but to me, Grimjaw Mountain is more important than Eden."

Everyone listened to the young man’s declaration without any intervention. All of them had a feeling that if they asked ?Leone to leave, he would really leave.

If they asked him to give up his title of the Barbarian King, he would just laugh and say that he didn’t need that title to become a King.

The reason he joined the tournament in the first place wasn’t to become the Barbarian King.

No.

To begin with, he only participated so that Jason could rightfully earn Tianna’s hand in marriage.

That was the only reason.

As for the rest?

Did it even really matter?

Eden was now his territory.

He couldn’t care less about who ruled it.

After all, he could take it back anytime he wanted!

"Tell me, Hagen," Leone said in a serious tone. "If you became the Barbarian King, are you confident you could defend Eden from the Aurelion Empire?"

He then paused for a moment to let that question sink in.

"Yes, I can defend Eden against the Aurelion Empire," Hagen replied firmly.

"Really?" Leone arched an eyebrow. "Do you really want to become King out of a desire to protect the tribes in the Borderlands? Or do you simply want the authority that lets you rule over everyone?"

Jason, who had remained silent until now, decided to voice his opinion.

"Who would want to follow a Barbarian King who can’t even honor his oath?" Jason sneered. "I don’t know about the Grimhowl Tribe, but I won’t follow an Oathbreaker."

"The Aslan Tribe had won the tournament, yet our Great Chieftain still accepted your proposal to delay his coronation until he defends Eden against the Aurelion Empire," Kael scoffed. "Yet all this time, you only suggested that to buy you time and use the enemy as a borrowed knife to eliminate Leone.

"I’m truly disappointed in you, Hagen. To think I looked up to you in the past. Only now do I really see what kind of snake you are."

Hagen didn’t speak. He simply sat calmly, ignoring everything—the words, the gazes, the contempt, as well as the judgmental stares directed at him at that moment.

"Who else shares Hagen’s belief that I shouldn’t become the next Barbarian King?" Leone asked loudly. "Worry not. Speaking out won’t get you punished. It is actually your last chance to voice ?your true feelings."

"Me!" Elias shouted. "I believe you’re not suited to become the Barbarian King!"

"I also believe that you are not qualified!" Marcus replied.

Soon, more voices spoke out.

It wasn’t only from the Grimhowl Tribe, though. Some of the opposition also came from the Warclaw Tribe.

Especially the young warriors who weren’t happy with their Oracle being married off to Jason!

"Very well," Leone said calmly as he read the rows of text that had appeared in front of him.

He had just received a new territory mission, so he decided to make the Barbarians understand just how wrong they really were.

"I will leave Eden," Leone replied. "The Aslan Tribe will pull out of this war. Those who wish to follow me can come with me. We leave in three hours. Kael, do it."

"Yes, Great Chieftain!" Kael clapped his hands thrice.

The towering walls of Eden disappeared and returned to their original size.

Godwin, Malik, Gundar, Oswald, Duncan, and Garen were all shocked by these changes.

Only Troy remained silent.

In fact, he looked very amused by this development.

Just as Leone was about to stand up, Godwin stood up as well.

"Leone, are you sure about this?" Godwin said in a serious tone. "If you leave now, the barbarian tribes will no longer recognize you as King."

"You see, you got something really wrong," Leone replied calmly. "I don’t need anyone’s recognition nor validation to become King. I. AM. KING."

The young man turned around and walked out of the meeting.

His vassals and warriors then followed behind their chieftain without hesitation.

A moment later, Troy also stood out and followed behind Leone.

Oswald, Duncan, and Garen glanced at each other before they, too, hurried to follow behind the young man who declared to everyone that...he was King.