Chapter 199: The Shocking Lineup!
"So many powerful warriors are gathering this time. Do you think the Silver Mane Tribe can withstand the might of the coalition?" Surshen broke the silence, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
The sheer scale of the forces they faced was staggering. More than 30,000 warriors were on the move, and among them were over a dozen sixth-level fighters and more than forty fifth-level warriors. Chief Lero of the Qatar tribe and Chief Arar of the Adik tribe were both formidable opponents, rumored to be even more powerful than sixth-level warriors.
Surshen's heart raced with a mix of dread and anticipation. "If the Silver Mane Tribe falls, what does that mean for us in the Duskin Tribe?" he wondered, anxiety knotting in his stomach.
Mamuti and Kule exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring Surshen's unease. The realization of just how many strong warriors were mustering for this conflict began to sink in. Nearly ten sixth-level fighters between the Adik and Qatar tribes alone; it was a staggering force.
Kule broke the silence, his voice low. "Can they truly withstand such strength? Two super sixth-level warriors, a dozen sixth-level fighters, and over 30,000 warriors… it's almost overwhelming."
Mamuti nodded, his brow furrowed. "But then there's Logan. We all witnessed his strength that day. If he's indeed an eighth-level warrior, the Silver Mane Tribe might stand a chance."
Surshen inhaled sharply, the implications weighing heavily on him. "No matter what happens, we need to observe carefully. If the coalition shows any weakness, we must be ready to act."
"If the Silver Mane is at a disadvantage... you know what that means," Mamuti added, his tone grave. Though he didn't spell it out, the shared understanding hung in the air. Surshen and Kule exchanged determined looks, silently agreeing to Mamuti's plan.
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A Few Hours Later:
As dawn broke, the sky painted in shades of gold and orange, all the troops of the Silver Mane Tribe had gathered on the cultivated land just a few miles west of their home. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and nervous energy.
"Grandpa, what are you doing here?" Logan asked with a warm smile, spotting Barnett among the warriors.
Barnett, his face creased with determination, shot back, "I'm a proud member of the Silver Mane Tribe too! Why shouldn't I be here?" His words drew chuckles from those nearby, lightening the tension.
Behind the two, a formidable assembly stood ready; Begon, Reynolds, Kro, Lots, and all the hired warriors, including the half-orc Hoyle and the towering elephantine Rey. Astali had even brought along several fifth-level water mages from the snake people.
This wasn't just a skirmish; the entire army was mobilized. For Barnett and Begon, it was a sight they had never witnessed before. Powerful figures stood shoulder to shoulder, their collective strength palpable.
Logan, with an aura of confidence, glanced around. "With you leading us, Grandpa, I feel our chances of victory are assured!" he said, flattery evident in his tone.
Barnett's eyes sparkled with pride. "Let's hope so, my boy. We're all counting on it."
Among the gathered warriors, the strength was impressive. Barnett, a seasoned seventh-level warrior, stood at the forefront. The half-orc Hoyle added his considerable might, while the sixth-level fighters included Begon, Reynolds, Lots, and Kro, alongside hired fighters like Ralph, the black bear man, and the five sixth-level warriors who had joined them with Rey last month, as well as Astali, the chief of the snake people, accompanied by a powerful sixth-level elder.
In total, the Silver Mane Tribe boasted twelve sixth-level warriors, a force to be reckoned with. The fifth-level warriors were even more numerous; nearly fifty hailed from the Silver Mane Tribe alone, with an additional seventy hired warriors bolstering their ranks.
As the sun rose higher, illuminating their determined faces, the gravity of the moment settled in. They were ready. The stakes had never been higher, and the fate of their tribes hung in the balance.
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This version enhances the dialogue, adds details about the characters and their emotions, and provides a clearer picture of the situation, making it more engaging and easier for readers to follow.
Barnett stole a glance at his grandson, Logan, his heart swelling with pride. The strength of the Silver Mane Tribe had grown exponentially, and he couldn't help but marvel at their transformation.
"What could the Adik Tribe and their allies possibly do against us?" he mused, shaking his head in disbelief. Just nine months had passed since Logan had taken on the role of chief, and in that short time, the Silver Mane Tribe had flourished beyond his wildest expectations.
"Could it be that in ten years, Logan will rival Mashar, the wild boar commander of the northern wilderness?" Barnett thought, a smile creeping across his face. The boy had an incredible gift for leadership.
As he watched Logan, Barnett felt a mix of emotions; pride, worry, and a touch of nostalgia. How could he possibly put into words how remarkable his grandson had become?
"Wait a moment! What are those young ones doing here?" Barnett's brow furrowed as he noticed the Young Army Guards milling about. The entire army was preparing for battle, and he wondered why they had been allowed to join.
Kevin, the leader of the Young Army Guards, spotted his grandfather and immediately stood at attention, saluting Logan with a respectful nod. "You're here, sir! Where's Relk?" Barnett asked, noticing Kevin was clad in full armor, exuding the authority of a general.
"They're up ahead!" Kevin replied, his tone steady and proud.
Barnett squinted into the distance, but the sheer number of orc warriors made it hard to spot anyone specific in the chaotic formation. Turning to Logan, he couldn't help but grumble, "These kids aren't even adults yet! Why let them come along?"
"Relax, Grandpa!" Logan chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "They're not here to fight. They're here to observe!"
Barnett felt a swell of relief. Logan had no intention of sending the tribe's future leaders into the fray prematurely. The purpose of the Young Guards was to witness battle firsthand and build their courage, preparing them for their eventual roles.
"Good, good!" Barnett nodded, appreciating the wisdom in Logan' decision. "They are indeed the future of our tribe."
Logan echoed the sentiment, his expression thoughtful.
"I can hardly believe how many warriors we have amassed!" Barnett exclaimed, his eyes scanning the front lines, filled with orc warriors ready for battle. His awe was palpable, prompting sighs of amazement from Lot and the others behind him.
Logan wore a faint smile. This time, they had assembled over 16,000 orc warriors; 12,000 of whom were infantry and cavalry. Under Alan's guidance, they had recently acquired more than 200 wolf mounts, bringing their cavalry numbers to over 1,500, with more than 900 of those being boar cavalry. If they had a larger supply of boar mounts, Alan would have surely organized even more.
Logan felt confident about their numbers. Boars were hardy creatures, easy to maintain, and he would support any expansion as long as the tribe could afford it. After all, they were far more cost-effective than wolves.
Unfortunately, strong wild boar men were in short supply. And then there were the crossbow troops; over 130 crossbows in total, all deployed to the defense line. More than seventy of them had been mounted on kodo beasts, creating a mobile turret-like effect that added another layer of strength to their forces.
As he contemplated the upcoming coalition, Logan found himself eager for the tribal leaders to arrive. He wanted them to witness firsthand the power of the Silver Mane Tribe. It was time they understood just how formidable they had become.