Realm Wars

Chapter 145: Althord 2

Althord coughed between his fists as he regained his bearing. "I am second in command in this camp, in case you haven't know. So if anything troubles you, just come to me. I have plenty of food, and my group is usually in charge of hunting beasts outside of the protective barrier." 

Surely, Seraphina had gotten the idea by now that it was best to cling to him since the only people who were strong in this group as he and Marcus. But Marcus was out of the picture since he was already engaged to Jane, and he loved that woman very much that looking at another didn't even cross his mind.

Seraphina nodded. "I'll take that in mind." She then didn't offer ongoing conversation, which made Althord's face turn from red to green.

What's wrong with this woman? Althord thought. Maybe because she was still new in this Islet, that was why she thought she could be haughty and arrogant still. If she knew the horrors outside the protective zone and knew that he was the one who dictated whether they eat or not, then. . .

Althord smirked. Maybe I should just teach her a lesson.

"Althord," Marcus called and said, "I see that you have gotten acquainted with Seraphina and Ryu."

Althord gave one last run on Seraphina's body before he faced Marcus. "Yeah. We are in luck that a water mage showed up just in time to solve our water problems." 

Now, only the food problem was left, and Althord was confident that he'd have his way sooner or later. He'd just needed to starve Seraphina and deny her meat from days. She would surely run in his arms by then.

Marcus nodded and said with a serious voice and face, "Have you brought the meat?"

Althord secretly smiled. This was an area that he could exert his dominance since he knew that Marcus wouldn't do anything about him. Marcus wouldn't kick him out, knowing he was one of the pillars in the camp. If he left, Marcus would be the only Rank-A merc left, so everything he did, Marcus would tolerate.

Althord gave a lazy half-shrug. "Nah. Beasts are scarce nowadays. Not to mention that the Right Oasis is hugging all the spots."

Marcus gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He was painfully aware of Althord's insubordination and eating and storing most of the meat they hunt outside. He wanted to lead the scavenging hunt himself, but who would be left to defend the camp if the Right Oasis raided again. Besides that, he had to ready the hunter's team to search for the exit. 

With so many problems in his mind and with Theodore's death, Marcus felt defeated, and he released a frustrated breath. "You know that it's important we store meat so the next hunters' team would have supplies. Or else we'll be stuck in here forever."

Althord preferred to be stuck in here. At least, in here, he dominated everyone. He wasn't worried since he could just go over the Right Oasis after he had his fun if he really wanted to find the exit. "We'll do next time." Rather why would he share his hunt with the other useless halfbreed and slaves?

"Anyway, since the newcomers are here, there should be food for tonight," said Althord.

.. .

.. .

Althord's grin widened. "Wait. Don't tell me that you didn't tell them about that rule?"

"What rule?" Ryu asked.

"Rules that all newcomers must perform a Seal of Promise to give all their rations in the storage," replied Althord.

Marcus glared at Althord. "Seraphina is a water mage. I think that's already enough contribution."

Althord huffed a laugh. "Hey, don't look at me." He then increased his voice, "It's you who made that rule, and everyone here obeyed. I don't care if they don't give their rations, but what about the others here? It's unfair that she'd be given special treatment just because she's a water mage."

.. .

.. .

Beads of sweat coated Marcus's face as he looked at everyone's faces. Some looked away while most urged him with their stares for food.

A growl rumbled in Ryu's throat, but Seraphina stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. 

"It's fine," Seraphina said and beamed. "We don't mind." Rather. Who needed food when she was a living food storage?

Marcus scratched the back of his head and apologized. "I'm sorry about this."

"It's okay," said Seraphina. "It is the rule in here."

Althord secretly smiled in triumph. As long as he stripped Seraphina of the chance to consume food, sooner or later, she'd submit to him like the others did.

Marcus was an idiot. He was too focused on finding the exit that he lost grip of his dwindling authority. But he wasn't the same. Althord already got the support of almost half of the inhabitants in the Left Oasis, and most of them knew how to fight and were a member of his scavenger team.

Avoiding discord in the group, Ryu and Seraphina performed the Seal of Promise and gave their rations. The many fish meat they accumulated in the first Islet was used as ingredients to cook their dinner, while the remaining were stored in the food storage for future days to come.

In the campfire, everyone was forming their own groups. The halfbreeds were usually huddled in one place while Althord was seated next to his scavenging team, which was mainly made up of halfbreeds that knew how to fight. While Ryu and Seraphina were on Marcus's side of the bonfire with Claire and Echbert.

Though most of the halfbreeds and slaves didn't need food and water because of their race, it was already a week since they ate more than two spoonfuls of meat. They've grown weak and weary, and some were already wasting away.

After the introduction, everyone enjoyed a hearty meal thanks to Ryu and Seraphina. Most of them get to eat meat again.

"I don't believe this. It's been two weeks since that bastard Althord didn't bring in the meat. He just horde it all with his team, bargaining the others for power with food. How pathetic," Clair spat and shot a quick glare in Althord's direction. 

Althord was laughing without a care with the others. Face shiny and fattier than the rest. This made Claire even madder, and she slammed her bottle of water on the ground.

"Marcus, aren't you going to do something about it? If this keeps up, everyone will starve!"