Chapter 295
The aftermath of the apelings’ brutal strike was like a shockwave, reverberating through the human settlements. The sun rose on a town changed forever. The once-bustling streets were now filled with hushed whispers, pale faces, and the weight of a grim realization. Loved ones had vanished overnight, their places in homes left cold and empty. Those who knew the secret allegiances of their fallen family members—Björn’s followers—turned pale with fear, rushing to the outskirts of the town.
What awaited them was beyond their worst imaginings. Bodies, or what was left of them, lay scattered, their brutalized forms barely recognizable. Blood still soaked the earth, and the scent of death hung heavy in the air. Mothers wept uncontrollably, fathers stared blankly in horror, and the townspeople, once emboldened by the promises of Björn’s power, were reduced to broken shells. Panic spread like wildfire. The followers of Björn, once confident in their growing power, now felt the icy grip of fear.
Rumors of the apelings’ swift retribution spread far and wide. No longer were they seen as the peaceful children of the gods, easy to manipulate or take advantage of. The image of their passive nature, exploited by humans who sought to use their divine bloodline, was shattered in a few nights of violent justice. The humans, and their leaders, quickly realized their mistake. It was as though cold water had been poured over their reckless ambitions.
In the Omadi kingdom, Nwadiebube received the reports of the carnage with a mixture of disbelief and fear. The sheer ruthlessness of the apelings took him by surprise. He had always assumed that their peaceful demeanor comes from them disliking war and bloodshed. But now, the truth was clear—they were capable of terrifying retribution when provoked. For a brief moment, panic gripped him. Had he gone too far in allowing the religion of Björn to spread unchecked? Had his ambition blinded him to the danger that lurked just beyond his borders?
As more information reached him, Nwadiebube began to understand the true meaning behind the apelings’ actions. They were not looking for war. They did not want to involve themselves in the petty conflicts of humans. But they would not tolerate being hunted, manipulated, or used as tools for power. The message was clear: as long as the humans left them alone, they would remain indifferent. But should the humans dare to cross that line again, there would be no mercy.
Armed with this knowledge, Nwadiebube took decisive action. He summoned the priest of Björn, his expression cold and unyielding. The room filled with tension as the priest, still confident in his growing influence, tried to argue his position.
"This is a sign from Björn," the priest insisted. "The apelings are nothing compared to the divine power we are—"
"Silence!" Nwadiebube’s voice cut through the room, sharp as a blade. The priests fell silent, taken aback by the sudden shift in his demeanor.
"Do you not understand?" Nwadiebube growled, his eyes burning with intensity. "The apelings will not hesitate to destroy us if we continue down this path. I will not risk the safety of my kingdom for your misguided ambitions. From this moment forward, no one—no one—is to lay a hand on the children of the gods."
The priest, used to wielding influence through fear and promises of power, began to protest, but Nwadiebube would not hear it. "If you defy me, if you or your followers continue to pursue this madness, I will end our cooperation. And I will see to it that the full force of my kingdom crushes your order before you can even blink."
The priest, hearing that, turned silent. If he was to lose the safety of the Omadi and his kingdom, the success rate of his mission would fall and he fears the repercussions of the higher ups. Nwadiebube’s reputation as a strategic and ruthless leader has been well known to him after spending some time with him. He realized that he was not bluffing. Reluctantly, he agreed, vowing to relay the message to the rest of Björn’s followers.