Chapter 72 - 70: The Other Side
"You wouldn’t mind if I ask your retinue a few questions, would you?"
Nifadora then inquired, just as he expected. In theory, she could have asked directly. However, now, as a protégé under David’s wing, it was imperative that she convey her respect to him. The Red Dragon, however, didn’t seem to care much about this yet.
"Of course." David immediately gestured with the tip of his tail to Rosinde, his first retainer. Rosinde was not far off, seemingly doubting life itself, as if muttering to some non-existent person.
"My Lord." Rosinde immediately snapped out of his trance and came before David, kneeling on one knee.
"You may ask," David said, jerking his chin towards Nifadora.
Nifadora inclined her head in acknowledgment and asked the devoted Barbarian, "Regarding the ’Dragon Blood Warrior Ascension Ritual’ taught by the Elves, besides you, who else knows about it?"
Upon hearing the question, Rosinde, who had been somewhat excited, suddenly looked grim. He said with a bitter smile, "Apart from me, currently the only other person who knows the specific steps of the ritual and the required materials is my uncle, the clan chief."
Indeed... David and Nifadora exchanged a silent glance.
"Tell us more," David commanded.
Rosinde opened his mouth and continued his truthful account. "Originally, I intended to make it public, benefiting all Highland Barbarians, and even my wife’s Ogre clan. With this, perhaps in less than fifty years, with the effort of just three generations, we could potentially push our entire Highland Barbarians’ combat strength to a peak. This would completely free us from our subservient position to the High Elves and end the disputes over food and territory. Perhaps one day, the Highland Barbarians could even unite and launch a counterattack on the New Continent..."
David and Nifadora exchanged knowing smiles. They were smiling at the Barbarian’s naivety. It was an almost impossible task, at least not as easy as he envisioned. Human nature, after all, is inherently selfish.
And indeed, Rosinde continued with a resigned laugh, "But when I presented my vision, along with the professional heritage of the Elves, to the clan chief, I received a cold reprimand. He made me swear to secrecy, telling me that if I truly made it public, it would only lead to endless conflicts between the tribes and merciless slaughter from ’the Children of My Father’—no, from the ’Children of Barbarians.’ Under my uncle’s stern warning, I was hesitant all the way to the Dragon Nest. Therefore, up to this point, only the surrounding tribes that my uncle persuaded to move from Katjana are aware of this matter. After the battle in the South Foothills, these tribes, having lost a great deal of their able-bodied members, have gradually shown a trend towards integration under my uncle’s orchestration. According to my uncle’s wishes, only those Barbarians who agree to join our tribe by marrying in or by swearing an oath with their beast spirits are granted the qualifications to become Dragon Blood warriors and the right to study Elf professions and Martial Techniques."