BXBX NOVEL Chapter 78: Exile Organization
The camp of the Mpondo Tribe had been overrun, especially after the death of their leader, Reg. Many chose to flee, but were intercepted by members of the jungle tribe. Only one person managed to slip past unnoticed, carrying a conspicuous large bag through the midst of battling warriors.
To Lester's surprise, the jungle tribe seemed oblivious to this person's presence, allowing them to escape unimpeded.
Lester promptly reported the situation.
"Is this even possible?" Enzo realized something was amiss. "Invisibility?" he muttered to himself.
Then Enzo asked Lester, "Where did this person go?"
Lester quickly pointed out the direction.
Enzo rushed after them.
He was amazed himself. He hadn't expected Lester to see through invisibility.
It seemed Lester's talents were quite exceptional.
Not only was he the first priest of the jungle tribe to achieve the Level.2, but also his abilities had clearly greatly enhanced since then.
Unfortunately, Lester was getting older.
With Lester's guidance, Enzo soon closed in on the invisible escapee.
Sensing their presence, Enzo knew invisibility was not impenetrable. Smells, sounds—these were telltale signs. He controlled vines to burst from the ground, blocking the person's path. Faced with no other option, the invisible person revealed themselves.
To Enzo's surprise, it wasn't Crue, but a young girl wrapped in a gray-black woolen scarf.
Despite being intercepted, she met Enzo's gaze with calm blue eyes, curious."How did you discover me?" she asked, intrigued.
Enzo responded with a question of his own, "Who are you?"
The girl muttered, annoyed, "Why does everyone ask that? Whatever. I won't argue with you. Since you've caught me, you can have these spoils."
She dropped the large bundle from her back onto the ground.
As she dropped it, her form blurred again into invisibility.
With renewed speed, like an arrow released from its bow, she swiftly passed by Enzo and headed towards the exit of the Mpondo Tribe camp.
In the next moment, her face registered surprise.
She felt her arm seized by a powerful grip, preventing her from escaping.
Turning back, Enzo spoke coldly, "You still haven't answered my question."
The girl struggled desperately, realizing she couldn't break free. With a defeated sigh, she said, "My name is Dilly. You can also call me Catcloak, as in a cat that can cloak itself. As for my identity, I'm a reconnaissance operative for the Exile Organization. I'm responsible for gathering intelligence on the Plata Plain area."
Enzo looked puzzled and asked, "What is the Exile Organization?"
Dilly lifted her head and scrutinized Enzo for a moment.
She asked incredulously, "You don't know about the Exile Organization?"
Then she realized something and nodded, saying, "Right, you're from the jungle, information is scarce for you. Not knowing about the Exile Organization is normal."
Enzo tapped Dilly's head and said, "Get to the point!"
Dilly held her head with one hand, tears flowing due to the pain, and complained tearfully, "Okay, okay, why did you hit my head? It hurts so much!"
Under Enzo's threat, Dilly reluctantly began to talk about the Exile Organization.
Exiles, as the name suggests, are refugees who have been cast out or fled. Such exiles are quite common.
Whether due to a sudden beast attack, a violent storm, or wildfires, any tribe can suffer devastating losses, sometimes even losing their priests, which leaves the tribe directionless. Survivors of such tribes become exiles, either dying in the jaws of beasts or joining other tribes as slaves.
Neither fate is acceptable to the exiles.
So, on the suggestion of some exiles, the Exile Organization was formed. Any exile can join to receive assistance. The Exile Organization has abandoned the traditional tribal model. New members initially receive some material aid, but after a certain period, they must fend for themselves and procure their own food.
After hearing Dilly's account, Enzo's expression turned peculiar.
This Exile Organization seemed similar in structure to the Adventurer's Association. However, Enzo oversaw the Adventurer's Association personally, and had discussed its various systems with Priest Amy, Lucy, and other tribal leaders, making the Adventurer's Association more robust and its operations more extensive."
Despite learning about the Exile Organization, Enzo did not release his hold on Dilly.
He wrapped one arm around her slender waist with slight force and picked up a large package with his other hand, heading towards the central tent of the camp.
Regardless of Dilly's struggles and cries, Enzo paid no heed.
By now, the battle was nearing its end, the smell of blood permeating the air.
Surrendered members of the Mpondo Tribe were gathered together, while those who continued to resist were mercilessly killed. Tia and Clara, strong individuals, chose not to clean up the ordinary members of the Mpondo Tribe but instead assigned personnel to count casualties and tally spoils.
"Lord Enzo!"
Seeing Enzo's arrival, the two greeted him.
Enzo nodded and called Clara and Tia into the tent.
Before long, the surprise attack ended. Gene and others arrived at the central tent with Enzo's permission, excitedly reporting, "Lord Enzo, we've eliminated the Mpondo Tribe!"
Enzo remained calm.
The others did so. Such events were not particularly surprising for the members of the Crimson Star Tribe.
Neville, who had entered with them, was filled with deep emotions. He hadn't expected that one decision would lead to such significant changes for himself.
No! The now-merged Crimson Star Tribe, formerly the Red Coral Tribe.
With all key members present, Enzo inquired about the details of the recent battle.
Clara was the first to report, "Forty members of the Crimson Star Battle squad participated. There were no fatalities, only four members sustained minor injuries that will heal in a couple of days."
Gene continued, "Twenty members from the Giant Bear Tribe participated. One member was seriously injured, but there were no fatalities..."
Other tribal priests also reported on their respective contributions.
When it was Lester's turn, he appeared somewhat embarrassed. The Flower Cat Tribe had only sent him, but no one mocked him aloud. Lester was crucial in this battle.
He was important for his ability to see at a distance, spotting the Mpondo Tribe sentinels from afar.
Despite some sentinels managing to escape and alert their tribe, it was already too late as Enzo and his group had already entered the Mpondo Tribe's camp.
After the casualty reports were finished, they moved on to the spoils of war.
The battle had been quite fruitful.
They captured over a hundred members of the Mpondo Tribe, individuals who had been captured themselves by the Mpondo Tribe in the past. Their loyalty to their former captors was minimal, and many of the captives were not sad but rather relieved to have survived the battle.
In addition to the captives, there were the Giant Bone Wolves.
Once these wolves were tamed as mounts, they were incredibly loyal and rarely betrayed their masters.
Therefore, Clara, Tia, and the others chose to kill all thirty-six Giant Bone Wolves captured, instantly increasing the tribe's meat reserves.
But what surprised Enzo the most was the capture of twenty wolf pups.
Giant Bone Wolves were prolific breeders, but nurturing them to maturity required substantial food resources. The Mpondo Tribe typically kept only the strongest pups born to the Giant Bone Wolves, ensuring that when they grew up, they would be stronger than their parents.
However, food was not a major issue for the Crimson Star Tribe.
Before long, we might actually be able to form the Giant Bone Wolf Riders and the Boar Riders.
However, after discussing these matters, Enzo's smile faded as he asked, "During your operations, did anyone see the Chagga Tribe priest Crue?"
Many present knew Crue.
But upon hearing Enzo mention him, they shook their heads, indicating they hadn't seen him escape.
Clearly, Crue had fled.
Enzo wasn't dismayed by Crue's escape but instead turned to the crowd again, asking, "Among you, who knows about the Exile Organization?"
At these words, Dilly, who had been standing quietly like a quail, stirred.
Unable to resist, she stepped forward to advocate for the Exile Organization, but someone else spoke up first, "Lord Enzo, I know a bit. There have been exchanges between the Red Coral Tribe and the Exile Organization before."
It was Neville who spoke.
Having been in Plata Plain, he was well-informed about local affairs.
However, he frowned and hesitated as he continued, "That organization is peculiar. "
"The Exile Organization wasn't created, as they claim, to aid other exiles. On the contrary, they exploit exiles. I've witnessed exiles, under their management, executing numerous ordinary exiles in what seems like some bizarre ritual."
"Previously, one of their managers visited the Red Coral Tribe, seeking witchcraft potions."
"But I refused."
"The name of that Exile Organization manager was Logan."
As Neville finished speaking, Dilly suddenly looked up and shouted, "You're lying! Lord Logan is definitely not that kind of person! It's because of Lord Logan's protection that people in the Exile Organization can have a stable life!"