Lightning Is the Only Way

The Tribe remained silent for several seconds. Had the Sea Commander died just like that?

"YEEEAAAHH!" and then, the whole Tribe cheered, including the Sea Camp. Everyone hated Shira. She was dangerous to the Land Camp and just as dangerous to the Sea Camp.

If it had been two months ago, the Sea Camp would have felt devastated. After all, back then, they had believed that the Land Camp wanted to eradicate the Sea Camp. Yet, in these two months, with Shira's absence, they had come more into contact with the Land Beasts.

Over these two months, the Sea Camp realized that they weren't the Land Camp's enemy. The real enemy of the Land Camp was Shira. With Shira's death, the Land Camp and Sea Camp would no longer be enemies.

During this time, the Sea Camp and Land Camp got to know each other better. By now, they had acknowledged the other side's power, and with power came respect. With Shira's death, the enmity between the Camps would also die.

While all of this was going on, Gravis started growing. He had absorbed Shira's full power, and, finally, he had enough to reach the Early Unity Realm. His body shook, and in just one minute, he grew to be around six meters tall.

When Gravis' breakthrough was over, he only sighed. 'The internal pressure of the Tribe has lessened with Shira's death. Also, I need to forge new weapons for my new size. Well, I have enough ore for that, at least,' Gravis thought.

Gravis had a humongous amount and variety of ores inside his Spirit Space. After all, he and the fungus had regularly searched for ores. By now, he had also developed a feeling regarding the different kinds of ores. He only needed to smelt a new ore twice to immediately know how it worked.

"So, Shira's dead," Silva commented from the side.

Gravis nodded. "I wanted to keep her alive for you, but she decided to attack me. Sorry about that," Gravis said.

"Don't mention it," Silva said with a sigh. "It just feels kind of… empty to me. She had been my goal, and suddenly, my goal is just gone."

Gravis only lightly hit Silva's side. "She was just a temporary goal anyway. Isn't becoming stronger and protecting your companions the purest goal? Just strive for that instead," Gravis said with a smirk.

Silva sighed again. "I guess I could do that, but it feels different."

"That's because there is not as much pressure anymore. You've grown used to the benefits that constant pressure gives you. Now, the survival of the Land Camp is secure, even without you. Wasn't Shira's threat the only reason why you even decided to stay inside the River Tribe?" Gravis asked.

Silva thought back to the day when he had decided to join the River Tribe. Gravis was right. Silva had only joined the River Tribe because he couldn't watch as all his companions would die to her. He had been completely against the philosophy of the River Tribe back then.

"So, you can leave if you want," Gravis said with a smirk.

silently said. "You know exactly that I can't return to my previous

you have to do the

looked with interest at Gravis. "Which

to do. With a greedy and sneaky snake constantly at your back, you

know that something like

thought she had enough power to kill me, but there was also the chance that she would genuinely change." Then, Gravis shrugged. "Sadly, she wasn't able to

right now. I don't even know how I can put myself

smirked and laughed a little. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that. I have that aspect covered,"

looked with surprise at

killing other Tribes. We have probably already decimated several Tribes associated with powerful Tribes

fight those intruders. You haven't realized it yet, but Shira's

we're arriving at the

deep breath. Like this, all the

threat to me anymore. So, if two level three Lords attack, you have to deal

would just watch as the entire River Tribe was killed?" This was utterly new to

should have told you our goal in creating this Tribe. The whole Tribe is there to create pressure for us. I have never put any kind of rule on any beast that forbade them from leaving. If you want, you can tell

released a shaky breath. Then, his body shook in frustration. "You know exactly that most beasts won't leave with me after seeing

course. Either the Tribe is powerful enough to rule the world, or it will die trying. I don't know if the Tribe has that capability unless I let it take its course. Either you follow me on this path, or you abandon

"Of course, I will consider you a friend either way," he

but some of his anger had vanished as he listened to Gravis' words. Gravis gave the beasts every freedom. The members of the River Tribe were powerful

beasts wanted to create their own Tribes, no one would stop them. They could become the hegemons of their own Tribe and rise to power.

of the Tribe so much

the most important thing to me, and if I don't grant others that freedom, I don't deserve it myself. Suppressing others

Gravis and sighed again. Yet, this time, he didn't sigh out of helplessness but because he had made a decision. "Then I will use that freedom to convince as many beasts to leave the River Tribe. At the rate we're going,

decide to stay, I will let them stay. After all, they are their own beasts with

"Don't be. If I were angry about the beasts using their freedom, then it couldn't be considered true freedom. Go ahead and do whatever you want. If you believe your path is

when he heard Gravis' words. He already felt guilty that he was basically going against Gravis with this decision, and he would have preferred an angry Gravis. Yet, Gravis' kind words only made him feel even

said. Then, he left the

Orthar asked as he came closer