King Eldric was addressing everyone in the tribe, explaining the situation and discussing what had happened. But before he could finish speaking, he suddenly noticed someone approaching and fell silent. Noticing the King's reaction, everyone turned to look in the same direction. The moment they spotted Zyric, they were left incredibly shocked.
"What? This boy survived?" everyone exclaimed in astonishment.
"Oh, you actually made it out alive!"
Suddenly, a strange girl's voice reached Zyric's ears.
Everyone standing in front of him began clapping for Zyric as he walked through them, but he couldn't figure out where the voice had come from.
Zyric immediately peeked into his Fuzan Vault, where he saw the same light floating in front of him as always. However, this time, the white light was taking the shape of a girl. Zyric was stunned by the sight.
Just then, someone called out to him, pulling his attention away from his Fuzan Vault.
"Very well done, boy! I'm impressed. You are truly remarkable!" King Eldric said as he looked at Zyric.
"No, Your Majesty, it's nothing like that. I just used a bit of brainpower, that's all," Zyric replied with a smile.
"We saw your brains, boy, as well as your strength. You took down that Wolf Tribe prince without even generating your Fuzan Vault. Anyway, some soldiers from the Wolf Tribe have already fled from here. Obviously, they'll return to their tribe and spread the word to everyone. Child, may I know your name? I heard it just yesterday, but I can't seem to recall it," the King said to Zyric.
"Yes, my name is Zyric," Zyric replied with a smile.
"So, Zyric, I've never noticed you in this tribe before. I wouldn't have missed a child like you, which means you aren't from this tribe at all, are you?" King Eldric asked.
"No, I am not from this tribe," Zyric replied with slight hesitation.
"Oh, I see. No problem. So, which tribe are you from?" King Eldric asked again.
"I don't come from any tribe. I am an orphan, and I just... I just lived with my sister. My sister sent me out so that I could become strong," Zyric replied, making up an answer based on whatever came to his mind at that moment.
"Is that so? It seems your sister truly wants you to become powerful. And look, what she wants is actually happening. You've become so strong without even generating a Fuzan Vault!" the King said.
"Anyway, as far as I know, I haven't heard your name around here. That means you definitely don't come from any nearby tribes. You've come from quite far away, haven't you?" King Eldric asked.
"Yes, I came from a far-off tribe, and now I've completely lost my way back home. I was trying to return, but I got stuck here. So, basically, I've completely lost my way back to my tribe," Zyric explained to King Eldric.
"Alright, fine. In return for what you did for us today, we're ready to give you whatever you ask for."
After saying this, the King motioned for Elysia to step forward. He thought Zyric would ask for Elysia's hand in marriage, and everyone else in the tribe thought the same. After all, a boy like him, who was already so strong at such a young age, seemed perfect for Princess Elysia.
"Um... can I stay here for free, without having to prove anything to anyone, and just live normally? Is that possible here?" Zyric asked hesitantly, as though he were asking for something enormous.
"Oh, so... you don't want anything else? You just want to stay here?" the King asked.
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Zyric had asked for something completely different.
"Yes," Zyric replied simply.
"I was wrong about this boy. He truly is a good kid," the King thought to himself as he looked at Zyric with a smile.
"Fine, boy. From now on, you won't face any trouble in this tribe. This boy should not face any problems here!" King Eldric declared as he looked at everyone. Hearing his words, they all began welcoming Zyric as though he had only just arrived in the tribe.
"But, boy, there's one more problem."
As King Eldric said this, Zyric's ears perked up, and he turned to look at the King again.
"The Prince of the Wolf Tribe is dead, and his father is even more of a scoundrel. Even though they'll find out that the Driller Stones killed their son and soldiers, they'll still blame us. His father won't attack us for a while because he's away taming a powerful beast. The news won't reach him until he returns. If he succeeds in taming it, he might even succeed in raising his tribe's rank," King Eldric explained to Zyric.
"It's nothing to worry about. When he comes, we'll know, and we'll prepare. But we need to think about how we'll defeat him," the King said as he looked at everyone.
"For now, Zyric, you can rest easy. You won't have any trouble," King Eldric assured Zyric, patting him on the shoulder.
After that, everyone began to leave. King Eldric, Edward, Edgar, and Elysia all departed together.
Elysia, who was walking ahead, was about to turn into an alley when she glanced back at Zyric. Their eyes met for a moment before they both turned and headed in their own directions.
However, Zyric still couldn't get the mysterious girl out of his mind. After all, the light inside his Fuzan Vault had never taken such a form before...