Chapter 163: The Whereabouts of the Totem Stone

"Lord Roy, the tasks you assigned us are nearly complete!"

When Roy emerged from the Portable Small Alchemy Laboratory, he found that it was already broad daylight outside.

Ottoli, Greet, and others had been waiting at the door for a long time and eagerly came forward to report.

"The inventory of supplies and materials, as well as the interrogation of the tribespeople..."

Roy listened for a while and nodded.

Then, he heard Ottoli mention the issue he was most concerned about.

"But the Totem Stone of the Bloodhoof Tribe...

We haven't found it!"

"Has it really been lost?"

Ottoli said, "It doesn't seem like it was taken by any other Wizard. I suspect it was taken by one of Kairon's sons."

"Oh?

Can you infer who might have it?"

Although Roy was slightly disappointed, he wasn't entirely surprised by this outcome.

Amidst the chaos, loyal subordinates would seize the opportunity to take the Totem Stone, which was inevitable.

Last time, he had been lucky, but that didn't mean he would always be so fortunate.

Ottoli had clearly done some investigation and replied fluently, "It could be the tenth son, Akatong, or perhaps the twentieth son, Aias, or the thirtieth son, Castor...

These are among Kairon's more accomplished children, with strength reaching the advanced level or higher."

Roy nodded.

"They regard such things as sacred relics. If it truly fell into the hands of the centaurs of the Bloodhoof Tribe, it would undoubtedly end up with a qualified heir."

"Analyzing the whereabouts of this item is essentially analyzing the succession of the Bloodhoof Tribe's royal power and predicting the future location of the Royal Tent."

"Those who are too weak, or are deemed to have improper conduct, cowardice, or vileness, and thus lose their eligibility for succession, can be directly ruled out.

Many advanced Knights have already died in battle, leaving only the few Ottoli mentioned, which is indeed a possibility."

Everyone analyzed and discussed the matter.

Roy nodded, largely agreeing.

But soon, he remembered something else and added, "You've overlooked one thing. These more primitive tribes often have a system similar to 'Youngest Son Keeps the Hearth,' where the youngest son inherits.

The major clans and smaller tribes have branched off from the larger tribe, each taking their own title or clan name.

The adult children first establish their own households, while the youngest son inherits the remaining property of the father, including any childless concubines!"

Before arriving here, and even after, he had sought out books that recorded local customs and traditions.

Otherwise, faced with such chaotic situations, he would indeed be completely in the dark, with no way to proceed.

Hearing Roy's words, Ottoli was stunned, then slapped his thigh.

"How could I have forgotten that!

I'll go ask right away!"

With that, he hurried off.

...

Another half hour passed.

Ottoli returned, his face full of excitement.

"Lord Roy, it's clear now!

Besides those adult sons, there is indeed another youngest son, Janis!

I finally understand now that Chief Kairon had over thirty wives and concubines and more than a hundred children!

This Janis, though young, is still ranked because he is the youngest son!"

"That guy, he really could produce offspring!"

"Truly worthy of being a great chief!"

At this time, Andov, Damo, and others also arrived at Roy's side to discuss other matters.

Upon hearing Ottoli's report, Roy couldn't help but marvel.

Roy nodded and said, "These barbarians practice polygamy, and only the strongest and most outstanding individuals have the right to reproduce.

Kairon probably has many siblings, but quite a few have died or been maimed in tribal conflicts and the struggle for the throne. Relying on his natural talent and courage, he gradually stood out and inherited the royal banner.

By the time of Marcel and Kassad's generation, each of them ruled their own tribes.

These siblings would also wage wars against each other, vying for power in endless chaos.

However, Kairon seems to have the ambition to change this custom. He has decided to unify the southern frontier, conquer the great grasslands, and then deal with the Wizards."

After speaking, Roy looked around at everyone.

"I want to obtain that Totem Stone, but I'm stretched too thin. So, the task of pursuit and investigation will be entrusted to you.

Each of you take a Wandering Soul Messenger. Once you find it or encounter mortal danger, inform me immediately!

I will then rush to your location.

This is an apprentice-level task, and I'll set the difficulty as hard, with a base reward of 1500 Magic Stones."

The danger level of such a task is actually far higher than exterminating those Fishmen in our homeland.

But Roy later dispersed the elite guards under Atedia's command and assigned them to the group, significantly reducing the difficulty.

Soon after, everyone set out.

Yanila, upon learning of this, was somewhat displeased.

"Why not let me help? My Blood Mane Tribe could take this opportunity to plunder them and reclaim our ancestors' territory!"

Hearing this, Roy was momentarily speechless.

You, a native chieftain, are thinking along the same lines as the Wizards!

However, the Blood Mane Tribe and the Bloodhoof Tribe had also been in conflict centuries ago.

The ancestors they each worshipped were descendants of Emperor Ulun, and they once lived together on the same land for generations.

But due to harsh natural conditions, they were often in a state of competition.

This is evident from the fact that the Bloodhoof Tribe could muster over a hundred thousand troops and rule over a million people.

Yanila directly commanded only a small tribe of a few hundred people.

Now that she is a Grand Knight and has allied with the Wizards, her chance for a comeback has arrived!

Perhaps it was because of this investigation that her teacher had designated her as a crucial piece in using barbarians to control barbarians.

With the motivation to strengthen her own tribe, she would spare no effort in suppressing the Bloodhoof Tribe, without needing much urging.

After some thought, Roy said to her, "Your tribe should remain stationed here at the Royal Tent and take over Kairon's direct territory.

I plan to request our teacher to grant this land to you."

"Really?" Yanila immediately turned her anger into joy.

"Of course, but you'll also need to help me. I plan to send Celine riding with you to pursue one of the remnants, most likely the younger son Janis's tribe.

Other Wizards might also send their own subordinates to compete, so we must act quickly and strike first!"

"I'll make sure to speed things up!"

With a kick of her hooves, Yanila grabbed Celine and ran off, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Roy returned to the Alchemy Room to continue taking stock of his previous gains and pondering the issues of mounts and mobility.

However, he didn't work in isolation. Instead, he used the Communication Crystal to contact his teacher.

"Do you have any flying mounts or similar ma

gical creatures on hand?

If not, Alchemy Automata or similar crafting blueprints would also work.

I want to use the gains from this harvest to enhance my mobility, making it easier to travel around."