Ritter: "…"
He could feel his blood pressure rising.
People really do laugh when they're speechless, damn it.
The Elder Chief kept talking to himself, while Ritter kept signaling him with his eyes.
"Don't worry! The clan will fully cooperate with you! You want to be the 'glorious homecoming Lord Ritter'? We'll play along! You want to be the 'just tired and came back for a break Ritter'? We'll play along with that too! We absolutely won't expose you! No problem at all! No problem at all! You want a roasted pork leg?"
Ritter thought this nonsense would finally end here.
But then the Elder Chief suddenly turned around and shouted to all the tribesmen:
"Did you all hear that! Our Ritter has returned after doing big things out there! He even brought new neighbors back for us! Everyone, show some enthusiasm! Don't just stand there! Help the new friends move their things! Bring out the hunting supplies for a proper welcome, and make sure everything is fresh! Move it, move it!"
Ritter watched as the Elder Chief slid forward in a strange step and appeared right in front of the clan members.
What the hell? Did he just use Soru?
Ritter could only conclude this belonged to a manga world.
The tribesmen immediately erupted into even louder cheers, looking at Ritter with expressions that clearly said, "We understand, we'll make sure you look good in front of everyone."
Ritter screamed internally like a groundhog.
What is wrong with all of you!
Ritter looked at this completely impossible-to-communicate situation, then glanced at Joyboy and Bufeng, who were both trying hard not to laugh.
Finally, he covered his face in despair.
It's over. This is totally beyond saving now.
Bufeng slipped over, looking amused.
"Big Brother, your tribe is really welcoming. Especially the village elder, he's very enthusiastic. I saw him bring out a huge hind leg just now."
Ritter replied flatly, "That's not the elder. That's your big sister."
Bufeng froze in place.
Ritter felt slightly better.
At that moment, the girl beside him gently tugged at his sleeve. She looked up at his utterly defeated expression, her ice-blue eyes flashing with what seemed like the faintest hint of amusement.
Ritter looked down at her and asked weakly, "Kid… do you believe me?"
The girl glanced at the bustling tribesmen, then at the kindly smiling Elder Chief, and finally at Ritter.
She nodded very slightly, but firmly.
Ritter immediately felt a bit of relief.
At least my own vice-captain is on my side. Even if it doesn't help much.
He really did not expect this return trip to be so humiliating.
Ritter looked at the completely uncontrollable situation and sighed again. Then he decided to try one last time.
He pulled the Elder Chief over, and signaled the Blue Blue Island Village Chief to come as well, preparing a proper "three-party meeting" to clear everything up.
"Elder Chief, Village Chief, listen to me…" Ritter began.
But before he could finish, the Elder Chief waved his hand.
"Don't worry, brother! Since you're here, you're family! Don't be shy. With Ritter's mist protecting this place, Blue Blue Island is very safe!"
The Kacha Island Village Chief, who had been slightly nervous and restrained, immediately felt warmth in his heart upon hearing this.
He quickly grabbed the Elder Chief's hand.
"Brother! You're absolutely right! Our island has suffered disaster, and thanks to Lord Ritter and this child Bufeng, we finally have a place to go! From now on, we are one family! We may not have much, but we know farming, hunting, and taming beasts. We will not be a burden!"
"Ha! No trouble at all!" The Elder Chief laughed heartily, gripping his hand tightly, almost teary-eyed.
Ritter: "…"
Bufeng: "…"
The two of them stood there, completely stunned.
What they imagined would be a complicated adjustment process had turned into instant brotherhood in just a few sentences.
The two old men were now laughing like long-lost siblings.
"Brother, your beasts are very intelligent. We can raise them together!"
"My brother, this child Bufeng has rare talent for communicating with animals!"
"With your leadership, our future will be bright!"
Ritter rubbed his temples.
Alright. All his worries were unnecessary.
No negotiation needed. No conflict. No awkward transition.
Just instant alliance.
He turned to Bufeng.
Bufeng also looked blank.
"…Big Brother Ritter," Bufeng said slowly, "do we even have anything to do anymore?"
Ritter nodded deeply.
"Welcome to adulthood. Sometimes, things we think are complicated get solved in a few sentences by old men drinking tea."
He patted Bufeng's shoulder.
"Let them handle it. We go work."
Just then, the Elder Chief shouted again:
"Ritter! Stop standing around! Take your friends and show them the land! Help arrange their new homes! And bring more food and tools!"
The Village Chief added kindly, "Bufeng, help your Big Brother Ritter!"
Ritter sighed.
"See? Work still comes back to us."
Bufeng smiled helplessly.
Ritter and Bufeng exchanged a glance.
Then both sighed at the same time.
Well. Since the "big brothers" had already bonded this well, the younger ones might as well get to work.
The integration of the two tribes was going far smoother than anyone expected.
And this mist-covered paradise was about to begin a brand new life.
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