Ch.49Chapter 49. Birth of the Totem Guardian (1)

Chapter 49. Birth of the Totem Guardian (1)

The most powerful warrior in the tribal alliance with well-rounded abilities.

Lakye is the only believer worthy of becoming a Totem Guardian.

It’s not just because I’ve already blessed Kanto and Paya, so now I should bless Lakye too. Nothing like that.

I selected him based on logical reasoning.

Stat increases wouldn’t mean much for friends like Muri, Harry, or Luna.

The blessings I can bestow right now are limited to healing or status effect removal—what good would that do for magic dealers?

And it seems wasteful to give them to distant friends from Golden Sun or Gray Mist tribes.

Lakye, who has worked closely with Totem #3 and will do so even more in the future, is the most suitable to become my guardian.

I told everyone to rest well today, and decided to make the official announcement tomorrow when the tribe has calmed down.

These things are more effective when announced during peaceful times.

Actually, I just wanted to rest. I’m exhausted from using too many blessings.

***

The next morning.

“A guardian, you say?”

Lakye’s pupils dilated.

– My most powerful sword, Lakye. As always, stay by my side and defeat my enemies.

It sounded more like a destroyer than a guardian, but what does it matter?

True protection comes from destroying the enemy before they can harm your allies.

– Only you can do this. I never considered any other candidates.

I should say this much to save Lakye’s face.

“M-Malak…!”

Lakye’s eyes grew moist.

Anyone watching might think he just received a marriage proposal with a ring.

“I will do it. I will become Malak’s guardian and stay by your side.”

Strictly speaking, he’s not my guardian but the totem’s guardian, but that’s not an important distinction.

As Lakye knelt, cheers erupted from the barbarians.

“Guardian! Guardian!”

“Lakye, chief of the Brown Rock tribe, has become Malak’s guardian!”

“The birth of a Totem Guardian!”

Everyone’s excited. Such enthusiastic people.

I bestowed the “Totem Guardian” blessing upon Lakye.

“This is the first time I’ve received encouragement from everyone.”

The blessed Lakye smiled gently as he slowly rose.

There wasn’t a dramatic transformation like with Paya. His body just glowed briefly, and that was it.

[You have bestowed the blessing ‘Totem Guardian’ upon Lakye.]

Seeing this message in my status window confirms I definitely gave it to him.

– How do you feel?

“I’m happy. As happy as when I first saw you, Malak. This is a moment I’ll cherish for life.”

No, not that.

– I gave you a blessing. Do you notice any changes?

“Ah… I’ll test it.”

Lakye blushed and threw a few punches into the air.

He’s even kicking now. Was that embarrassed flailing I just saw? Must be my imagination.

Is he that embarrassed?

“My body feels lighter. I feel stronger than before.”

Lakye said with reddened cheeks.

– I see.

The “stat increase near totems” buff is working well.

What about the other option, “blessing efficiency improvement”?

I used the healing totem.

“Since I’m not injured, I can’t really tell.”

I guess we’ll have to check that in a different situation.

“We’ve completed the subjugation and now have a guardian! Come on! Today we feast!”

Kanto shouted loudly to the warriors.

He probably wants to drink and brag about his exploits again.

Unfortunately, I’m not done with my business yet.

– I want to move the tribal alliance headquarters.

This is why I deliberately waited before giving the blessing.

It’s better to give medicine and then disease, rather than just disease.

Or is it the other way around?

Anyway, I brought up a topic the barbarians wouldn’t be too happy about.

“H-headquarters? You mean the Blue Moss tribe?”

Kanto stammered. The other barbarians seemed surprised too.

– Yes. I want to make the city our headquarters.

We may have destroyed the city, but we haven’t conquered all of Symphonia.

We’ll need to subjugate every village in Symphonia, and traveling back and forth between Blue Moss tribe and the villages is too inefficient and cumbersome.

The reason we didn’t move our base to the village was because we could be surrounded and attacked.

I also didn’t want to tell the barbarians to abandon their homeland, but that was the main reason.

Now that the mid-level demon ruling the Symphonia region is dead, there’s no need to hide in the mountains anymore.

We need to secure key strategic points. The city has a castle and robust infrastructure.

While the mountainous terrain served as natural walls, it’s nothing compared to a real castle.

Not to mention the foundry, warehouses, residences, armor, various weapons, and other resources.

There’s probably even a secret passage to escape if surrounded by enemies. The demons didn’t seem to use it though.

There’s absolutely no reason not to choose the city as our headquarters.

– After we end the war with the demons, you can return to the Blue Moss tribe. I just want to use the city as headquarters until then.

I’m being careful with my words because to them, this might sound like I’m asking them to abandon their homeland.

“…”

Everyone’s just rolling their eyes. Is this such a difficult decision even with a divine command?

I realized again how significant the concept of “tribe” is to these people.

“Why has everyone gone mute? Did you not hear Malak’s words?”

It was Lakye who stepped forward with sharp eyes.

I’m glad I bestowed the Totem Guardian blessing before speaking. Though I think Lakye would have taken my side even without it.

“Are you willing to give up our chance of victory because you’re attached to your homeland? Did you think you could win a war with such half-hearted resolve?”

“W-well, no, but we need time to prepare mentally…”

Kanto scratched his head.

“I abandoned my tribe. I left behind my homeland, memories, and my mother’s grave. All for Malak, for the victory of the tribal alliance. Do you maggots lack even that determination?”

Everyone wilted under Lakye’s harsh words. They hung their heads in shame.

“Pathetic human filth.”

Lakye snorted.

Sudden human hatred. He really does have a strong sense of racial superiority.

No wonder he eats alone.

“Let’s do as Malak says. It’s the land our ancestors and parents protected, where we were born and raised, but now is the time to move.”

Paya, who had been watching the barbarians’ reactions, stepped forward.

“We’re not abandoning it. Didn’t Malak say so? We can return.”

Muri added another word.

“This is Malak’s command! Anyone who doesn’t follow is no different from a heretic! Let’s plant our flag in the city of the civilized!”

Kanto, who had regained his senses, shouted lastly, and determination filled the barbarians’ eyes.

“Yes! Let’s move the headquarters!”

“It’s just getting another home!”

“Abandon cowardly thoughts!”

“For victory!”

Being a warrior tribe, they’re quite passionate. Their consensus forms remarkably quickly.

I thought they’d need more time to accept it.

“Everyone, prepare to move to the city!”

“Let’s go!”

“Get the carts ready!”

Wait, this is too fast.

“Hmm, such hasty fellows.”

Even as he said this, Harry pulled out his golem controller.

A typical tsundere grandfather.

Well, they say strike while the iron is hot. This works out well.

I watched the tribal alliance prepare to move, then used the binding totem.

They can handle the move without me.

I teleported to Totem #2 in the Golden Sun tribe.

“Malak!”

The masked old priest, Bojak, greeted me.

“The totem is being made well! I’ll let you know as soon as it’s complete!”

– How are the civilized ones adapting? I’d like to see them.

“Of course!”

I let Bojak guide me.

Knight William was drinking with barbarian warriors, and other civilized people were mingling well with the barbarians.

Sister Grace, who concerned me most… was reading something to children, both civilized and barbarian alike.

I hope it’s not the goddess church’s scripture. That would be grounds for exile.

Looking closer, it was a fairy tale book with cute illustrations.

Phew. I’m glad they seem to be adapting well.

I confirmed during the war that even civilized people can earn points if they serve me.

As long as they don’t cause division, they’re valuable assets.

“Ah, Malak!”

“You’ve come.”

After briefly speaking with Tur and Nix, I deactivated the binding totem.

[MorningTentSetupKnight: Went down the mountain and killed three infected!]

[MorningTentSetupKnight: Got praised by the muscle lady chief haha]

[MorningTentSetupKnight: I wanted to die when I had to eat bugs, but I’m so happy these days]

[MorningTentSetupKnight: No lie, I pray to Malak three times a day. Don’t know what kind of god you are, but I’m grateful]

This friend is doing well too.

But three infected creatures, huh.

Today the tribal alliance and Golden Sun tribe took a break from subjugation.

[Did you go hunting alone?]

[MorningTentSetupKnight: Another warrior offered to come along, but I said I’d go alone]

[MorningTentSetupKnight: Anyway, I earned all of today’s food]

I didn’t receive any points today.

One thing has become clear.

Paladins can’t earn me points even if they serve me.