Chapter 268 Doluo Civil War (Part 1)
The battle with Nuoba was an outcome that Ye Ci had expected, but how it happened was something that even she could not foresee.
She knew that Nuoba had all the warrios of the Doluo tribe on his side, but she did not expect him to attempt his coup so soon.
Dalufar showed no fear as he stood before Nuobaâs warriors. Ye Ci stared at the lvl 240 BOSS-tier NPC, and the godly artifact that he held. He remained calm and rational, and it was as if nothing in this world could faze the NPC.
âWhy have you gathered so many of your men in front of my tent, Nuoba?â Dalufarâs gaze swept across the warriors gathered before him before finally resting on Nuoba. There was no unease nor arrogance in his voice. He was just like an old man who was conversing with an unruly youngster.
Greed and hatred were present in Nuobas eyes as he stared at Dalufar and Ye Ci could sense the defiance from the man as he bowed at his chieftain.
Nuoba then smiled at Dalufar, âHonorable Lord Dalufar, Iâm here to pay you the highest of respect.â
âOh really? Then I shall receive it with thanks. You can leave with your men now.â Dalufar remained unfazed by Nuobaâs words.
âI would gladly do so, Lord Dalufar, but it is not the will of my men.â Nuoba gestured at the Doluo warriors surrounding the tent.
âIs that so? Why do they refuse to leave?â Dalufarâs face remained a mask of serenity even as he gazed upon Nuobaâs men.
Ye Ci could tell that they were the elites of the Doluo tribe. The tribe itself had a population of 6,000, and the vast majority of the tribe members were women, children, the elderly, and those who were injured in battle. Men who were fit to fight were all in the tribeâs military, and were under Nuobaâs command. At this point, Nuobaâs intention was very clear.
Thereâs no way Dalufar is unaware of this. Thought Ye Ci to herself. Why has he done nothing? Thereâs no way he has overlooked something like this. Ye Ci had no access to Fateâs systems. She could not tell what was going on in Dalufarâs head. The only thing she could do was to stand by Dalufar, and wait for the inevitable quest that would be given to her.
Players experience the stories of NPCs in the game in their own way, and there were times when how they felt or what they thought could change the outcome of a quest or even an entire battle. There were also times, however, when the system merely required the presence of players as an observer and a listener to a story that was about to unfold.
And this is one such situation.
âBecause theyâve been treated unfairly!â a cold sneer appeared on Nuobaâs face as he pointed at Alaunar. âLord Dalufar, Iâve never doubted your wisdom. In fact, Iâve thought that youâre perhaps the wisest person in this world even when I was a child. That is, of course, until the appearance of this mongrel!â
âAlaunar? What about him?â Dalufarâs expression remained unchanged. His calm expression was a sharp contrast to the mask of rage on Nuobaâs face.
Ye Ci cast Detection on Nuoba, and found that he was a lvl180 NPC. Even if he was a BOSS, the disparity in strength between Nuoba and Dalufar was very immense. The outcome of a battle between the two NPCs was apparent, butâŠ
Nuobaâs men that numbered at least a thousand were still a fighting force that could not be ignored. If a fight broke out between Nuoba and Dalufar, the chieftain with his divine artifact might still be overwhelmed by the sheer number of Nuobaâs men. After all, even ants could kill an elephant if they had the numbers.
She knew that the standoff would result in a battle, and her success of bringing Aluanar away with her depended on the course of action she chose to take.
So what should I do when the battle starts? Ye Ci began surveying her surroundings, and remembered the two remaining bombs in her inventory, should I use theseâŠ
Ye Ci stole a glance at Dalufar and sighed. Will I offend him by using these? Those are his people⊠She looked up into the sky, Ah, whatever, weâll see how it goesâŠ
âYou assigned the mongrel to my militia, and that is something that I am willing to overlook. But Lord Dalufar, why are you teaching him the way of the Shaman in secret? Donât you know that he does not have the birthright to do so?â Nuobaâs eyes were filled with jealousy. It was apparent that he knew about the boyâs secret.
âNo, itâs not Lord Dalufarâs faultâŠâ Alaunar immediately jumped to Dalufarâs defence. The old Shaman was a noble and holy figure in the boyâs eyes. He was a figure that Alaunar would not allow to be questioned and even vilified.
Dalufar immediately blocked Alaunarâs path with his staff, âBack down, Alaunar.â
âButâŠâ Alaunar stared at Dalufar.
âI told you to back downâ Dalufarâs gaze was still fixed on Nuoba as Alaunar retreated silently behind the Shaman.
âBirthright? What is that?â a smile appeared on Dalufarâs face, âMy brother Khuâtak and I were also from a family of low-borns. Weâre not nobles, and yet weâve learned the way of the Shaman and become Shamanâs ourselves.â
Disdain immediately appeared on Nuobaâs face, âAnd this is why our tribe has been declining after you became chieftain! How can the offspring of low-born scums be equals with the children of nobles? Youâve robbed us nobles of our power! Are you looking down on our tribeâs tradition?â
Dalufar was unfazed, âWhatâs so bad about it?â
âThereâs nothing good about it!â Nuoba was enraged by the indifference displayed by Dalufar.
âIâm a noble of the Doluo tribe, but I have to listen to orders from a low-born like you! You put me in charge of the guards while you hold the highest authority for yourself! How is this fair?â
Ye Ci pursed her lips. Nuoba had finally cast away his pretense. His nobility was nothing but a mask to hide his jealousy. A person could not hide the fact that he was rotten to the core no matter how hard he tried.
âWeâre all fighting to protect our tribe. Donât you think that nobles and commoners alike share the same responsibility to keep the tribe safe? Do you think you deserve special privileges when the livelihood of our tribe is at stake?â
âHmph! What does the life and death of the low-born scums have to do with us nobles? Weâre born to rule, and theyâre born to serve! Why must we fight to keep them safe? Thatâs ridiculous!â
âAnd?â despite the lack of change in the Shamanâs expression, Ye Ci could sense his displeasure.
âAnd this is why you should not be allowed to remain in power! Doom awaits our tribe with you on the helm! I shall lead our tribe to glory, and only I alone am capable of such a feat!â madness replaced the jealousy and anger in Nuobaâs eyes. He had coveted the position of Chieftain for far long. His men still follow him despite his madness? As expected of a system generated event.
Anger finally replaced the air of serenity around Dalufar, âWhere are you leading them? Into the depths of hell itself? To be sacrificed to the demons?â and he slammed his staff onto the ground.
Nuobaâs expression changed. He cast a glance at his men, and some of them immediately shook their heads. Those were faces that were familiar to Ye Ci. Arenât they the ones in the cave? Nuoba then sneered at Dalufar, âSo you knew. Donât you know that being in possession of knowledge that youâre not supposed to have is dangerous? It seems that youâre tired of living.â
âOh? If you can do such a thing, surely I am allowed to expose the truth.â Dalufar responded with a sneer of his own.
âHeh, you couldâve lived for longer, but since you wish to court death, I will send you on your wayâŠâ Nuoba waved his hand, and his men immediately raised their weapons, âKill him! Kill him!â
Ye Ci was shocked by the madness displayed by Nuobaâs men. Theyâre the elites of the tribe, but not all of them are nobles. A normal NPC should show some degree of response to Nuobaâs words, but why are they unaffected? And she noticed the eyes of the NPCs. They were red, just like the eyes of Ciss.
Flames began to appear on Ye Ciâs ring, dancing in the dark with the night breeze. Ye Ci immediately put on a pair of gloves to cover the flames. I have no idea how this thing works, might as well cover it up first. Of course, her action went unnoticed due to the tense atmosphere surrounding the tent.
One thing is for sure though, the appearance of these black flames meant that demons are present. Thought Ye Ci to herself, The black flames⊠Red eyes⊠Have these soldiers been demonized?
âLord Dalufar! These men⊠Thereâs something wrong with them. Their eyes are red, theyâre demons!â
Dalufar was shocked by revelation, and his composure was completely shattered. His emotion was not replaced with panic, but with grief, âNuoba! What have you done?â
A smile appeared on Nuobaâs face, âWhat have I done? I gave them power! Unlimited power!â and he shot a venomous look at Ye Ci and Alaunar.
A lvl180 Nuoba was not a cause for concern. As a melee class, he would suffer at the hands of a ranged attacker like Dalufar. But fighting against a demonic Nuoba was an entirely different scenario.
âYouâve sold your soul to the demons!â shouted Dalufar as Nuobaâs eyes began to glow sickly red and his body began to grow. Oh no! Thought Ye Ci as Nuobaâs body continued growing larger and his muscles began to bulge.
âSo what if I did?â Nuobaâs clothing were torn apart as his body became even larger, and a pair of black wings erupted from his back while horns appeared on his head, âYou know too much, Dalufar! You must die!â
âNuoba!â Dalufar was greatly shaken by Nuobaâs transformation. The NPC has not only sold his soul to the demons. He had become on himself! He then cast a glance at Nuobaâs men and shouted at Ye Ci, âI leave the safety of Alaunar and his family in your hands, Elf. Take them away! Bring them to safety!â
Ye Ci knew that it was next to impossible to complete such a task. If things are that simple, then I wonât be trapped in this mess, âIâm afraid that I canât fulfill your request, Lord Dalufar.â Ye Ci shook her head, âIâm a warrior fighting for peace and justice. I flee when my friends are in danger. I shall remain and fight by your side!â
Alaunar, who was worried that Ye Ci would act according to Dalufarâs instruction, was encouraged by her words. âAs will I!â The boy stood beside Dalufar with determination in his eyes.
Dalufar glanced at Ye Ci, then at Alaunar. Calmness had returned to his expression, but Ye Ci could see the gratitude in his eyes. It seems that my decision is correct. I donât know how this will end, but Iâve definitely earned his respect.
âVery well. Leave Nuoba to me, Elf. Iâll leave his men to you and Alaunar!â Dalufar nodded at the duo and spoke in a firm voice.
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