Chapter 873: Volume 27: Sudden Gust - 12: Difficult Choices
Dvanch and Bellamong walked gloomily through the streets of Ugru. They had anticipated Komer’s flippant refusal to allow the soldiers to return, but they did not expect him to openly reveal his intentions of annexing the Sanjia Tribe so blatantly, which was difficult for both of them to accept. But just as Bellamong had said, they no longer had the option to "get off the ride." The Mountain People Alliance had subtly begun to exclude the Sanjia Tribe, and more and more tribes, increasing in number and size, had begun to mimic the actions of the Sanjia Tribe. This incited extreme hatred from a few stubborn tribes within the Thirteen Alliance Tribes towards the Sanjia Tribe. It was this very opening created by the Sanjia Tribe that had brewed such an uncontrollable aftermath. Now, looking to return to the past was an impossibility.
The bustling scenery of Ugru had become almost numbing to the pair. It was undeniable that Komer was a man of remarkable capability; his transforming Caucasus into what it was now in just a few years was not something ordinary people could achieve. However, this did not mean that he could likewise lead the entire Mountain people out of hardship. The question remained: would the Mountain people’s independent ethnic existence and the preservation of their folk culture gradually be infiltrated and eventually vanish with the invasion of Mortal civilization that leveraged economic might?
Many questions forced the pair to think further ahead. Komer’s statement that what they gained was prosperity and what they lost was merely a false halo had deeply hurt them both. Upon reflection, Dvanch and Bellamong considered themselves selfless, having devoted much thought and heartache to the development of their respective tribes. Yet the improvement of the Mountain people’s harsh living conditions seemed to require such a hefty price, invariably leading to indecision on their part.
"Independence and prosperity – can they truly not coexist?" Dvanch pondered painfully. It was not that they could not coexist, but in a world where Mortals held absolute dominance, it seemed like an impossibility for the Mountain people. Especially with Komer by their side, that possibility appeared even more distant. Komer had always been one to gradually push people to a point of no return, leaving the Mountain people with no choice but to make agonizing decisions.
Bellamong was also in pain. Instability within the Galong Tribe was showing, and Komer was definitely not as noble as he appeared. With the Gapeng Tribe fanning the flames from the sidelines, the risks only multiplied. Bellamong did not crave power, but he refused to flee in the face of such ugly tactics. All of this compelled him to make this journey, no matter what the outcome, a choice had to be made.
"Dvanch, what do you think?"
"What are you suggesting?" Dvanch countered.
"Komer is strong, not just in his Power, but in his wisdom and his ability to lead. He can successfully fuse many different people into a new, cohesive, and vibrant entity. That’s his skill, and we can’t deny it," Bellamong spoke while gathering his thoughts, "The Sanjia Tribe is both unfortunate and fortunate. Unfortunate to have such a powerful neighbor, as the outcome is either conquest or annexation. Fortunate to become part of it, for our Citizen can enjoy a better life, yet they may also lose their identity."