"The battle in the clan? I hope there's a good explanation for that."

  One of the Adamantita warriors who had remained silent until now says alarmed. Astu ponders.

  "That might be an option," Astu says after a few seconds. "We'll have a significant advantage fighting on our territory. We could evacuate the non-warriors to the chambers nearby. But how do you intend to bring Lord Eru here?"

  "I'll convince Lord Eru to come to the clan with the promise that I and you will join him. As for why he'll believe me... you'll have to take my word for it, for some circumstances. People in there already think I’m against Alefir"

  Astu furrows her brow and remains pensive for a moment.

  I can't mention to her that Lord Eru originally sent me or, worse yet, that I'm under Altum's oath. I hope this is enough to convince her. Otherwise, if we attack the Dorado clan, Lord Eru could kill Lilu or Enthin, or even Rie, who might have been held captive as well.

  She glances at Amator, and he nods with a reaffirming nod.

  "Then it will be a surprise assault..." Astu smiles. "Very well. However, I suggest the Lobos be stationed in the west gorge. The Dorados hounds will be able to sniff out your wolves if they're too close and alert Lord Eru. With you and the Adamantite warriors, we should be enough to hold."

  "Agreed. I'll get going."

  I look towards Amator, who crosses his arms proudly and nods.

  "Ragnar and I will return to inform Aleifr and start gathering the Lobos Rojos and the Lengua Venenosa clan. Don’t worry I'll take care of leading the army to the west gorge," Amator says, laughing and placing his hands on his hips.

  "Are you leaving already? At least stay for a little while," Astu throws herself at Amator, hugging him and pouting like a little child.

  I can't help but laugh. After being so tense, it quickly made me drop my guard. Astu notices and also comes towards me and squeezes me, hugging me.

  "But how cute you are! Would you be interested in marrying me?"

  "W-What?" I say, blushing.

  "We could reform the great fire clan and bring the Adamantita clan back to its former glory!"

  "Don't joke about such things, mother!"

  On my way to the forest, I come across Ragnar and his family meeting. His sister cries as she hugs him. Ragnar notices my presence and greets me from afar. I smile and wave my hand as I walk.

  When I enter the rabbit forest, I’m welcomed by Dorado's hounds waiting for me and they guide me back to the Dorado Clan.

  When we reach the clan, I encounter the growing bustle and the sound of blows. We pass through them, but then I notice that the person on the ground is Rie.

  My brow furrows as I see a woman with a white tunic hitting her. I immediately go towards her to stop what is happening.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  I don't hesitate to step forward and try to stop the blow. But despite being behind her, she notices and avoids me. The Dorado guards surrounding her shudder and point their weapons at me.

  "If it isn't our new pet," she says, sharpening her smile. "Would you like to join in the fun?"

  I clench my fists. Anger floods me, and I feel the marks on my arms start to burn and increase in power.

  "What the hell is going on here?" a third voice interrupts.

  It is the tamer who participated in the capture of the rabbit clan. She comes with her own set of hound guards.

  "Kata, I suggest you step aside." the Tamer says.

  "Don't be like that, I was just having a little fun."

  "Then, if you're done, I suggest you continue on your way."

  The Tamer says, stepping in front of Kata. They both stare at each other for a while, and for a moment, I think a fight is about to break out, but then Kata laughs and leaves. Her guards follow her.

  I see Rie's unconscious body and immediately head in her direction, but suddenly someone grabs my shoulder. It's Enlil.

  "I'll take care of Rie. Don't worry," he says with a smile. "Thank you for defending her. I will explain later"

  I’m confused, but I nod trusting on Enlil. With that settled, I continue on my way until I reach Lord Eru's throne again. He receives me with a smug smile. I try to locate Lilu, but she is nowhere to be found.

  "Well, what news have you brought from the Adamantita clan, little bunny?"

  "I've managed to get the Adamantita clan to open up for dialogue; they're willing to establish an alliance."

  "And how did you manage that?"

  "I convinced the Great Shield that I'm Emru and Aleifr's son. With that, they allowed me to participate in the Dunnunu race, and after winning they decided to support me"

  "Ha! Truth be told, even I thought you had some relation to Aleifr. Very well, I suppose Astu wants me to visit her to confirm the alliance, isn't that right?"

  "Yes, that's correct," I say, looking at him seriously.

  "Oh, come on, don't look like that. Your friend is safe and sound. I just had to send her on an errand. And as long as you fulfill your part, that will continue to be the case," he says, letting out a slight laugh and tensing the muscles of his face.

  I grit my teeth, keeping my anger in check.

  "Let Etaku know to keep an eye on the great ravine more cautiously while I'm not there," says Lord Eru to one of the Dorados warriors.

  After a few hours, Lord Eru's forces organize to head to the Adamantita clan. Among them, he also brings Aurora and the girl named Kata.

  We arrive at the Adamantita clan. The guardians of the east gorge let us pass, glancing sideways at Lord Eru. He only responds to them with a smile. This repeats with the other warriors scattered through the now empty paths until we reach the Adamantita throne where Astu and the Adamantita warriors are.

  "How nice to see my dear old friends face to face again. However, I'm surprised to see the lack of people and kids playing around. Is this the result of some kind of party? Or is it that you still don't trust me?"

  Astu sharpens her gaze and responds with a smile.

  "The same reason you have brought so many of your warriors to a peace agreement"

  "You got me there," Lord Eru says, letting out a small laugh.

  "Let's get on with the agreements," says Astu looking at me for a moment.

  I take it as a signal to stand behind Lord Eru. My abdomen tenses, and I can't help but break out in a cold sweat. I only have one solid chance of taking him down.

  "If you don't mind, I'd like to start," Lord Eru says.

  A sound like an explosion resounds in the environment. I look in Astu's direction. She touches her abdomen, from where a river of blood flows.

  "My first condition is the complete annihilation of the Adamantita clan," Lord Eru says, painting a huge smile that casts shadows on his face as he holds his smoking gun.