Clockwork Bride

Page 121

"Great wolf, majesty, remember majesty."

Chief King Kong, who was standing next to Hayden, whispered a reminder to him.

As a deity, or rather, a ruler, if one does not display the proper authority, others may sometimes become doubtful or hesitant. Since Hayden is now playing the role of the Beast God… or rather, the Divine Beast?…, he naturally must do this well.

Hayden assumed the pose of the White Wolf Beast God again and asked solemnly, "You who ride the winds, what brings you here today?"

Seeing that Hayden played by the rules, the Wind Riders breathed a sigh of relief—that's the purpose of social etiquette—and then one of the elder-like figures immediately stood up and knelt on the ground.

“Great Wolf God, we are envoys from the Wind Riding Tribe. We are deeply grateful for your unexpected presence.

The elder of the Windrider tribe actually kowtowed to Hayden Wolf. Although he had seen similar scenes quite often recently, Hayden still couldn't help but feel speechless.

"Today we come with gifts and to beg for your mercy. We bring you sea fish, pearls and medicines to offer you, ten human sacrifices, and a warning from the devil. We offer these gifts in the hope that you will have great mercy and allow our tribe to send one hundred people to this paradise for refuge."

Yes.

That's the key point.

“I never accept human sacrifices. If you want to seek refuge in this fairyland, you must first abide by our rules that prohibit human sacrifices and blood sacrifices.”

Hayden shook the wolf's head.

"If you are willing to accept this rule, I will allow you to enter this mountain. I will accept the other gifts. Now tell me about the demon—what demon has come?"

In fact, this was what Hayden was most concerned about, and what made him decide immediately to let these demi-humans in.

demon

In some ways, this is more troublesome than the devil.

--------------------------

So, let's start by talking about the Wind-Riding Tribe.

Why is it that, despite everyone being demi-humans, the Wind Chaser tribe seems to be living much better than the Vajra tribe, with significantly better resources and health?

The main reason is that the two sides have very different technical skills and living environments.

The Wind Chaser tribe lives in the southwest of Evergreen Prefecture, in a valley near the Pacific Ocean. Although the modern natural environment has long been controlled by large corporations, living by the sea still has some advantages. With the sea breeze blowing, the pollution level around the Wind Chaser tribe is naturally slightly lower than that inland.

Secondly, the technology inherited by the Windrider Tribe from their ancestors is different from that of the Vajra Tribe. As their name suggests, they have passed down a unique magical technique that allows them to predict weather and pollution storms, ride the wind to fly, and even deflect harmful weather to a certain extent.

Just as Hayden had previously guessed, these were all technologies that the subhumans had developed over generations on the wasteland, specifically for survival there. They were experts in surviving on the wasteland. And among these experts, the Windrider tribe was the most adept at predicting and "controlling" the weather.

While they may not be able to truly control the weather, which is actually manipulated by large corporations, the Wind Chaser tribe is far more capable than other demi-human tribes in dealing with weather pollution and disasters.

In addition, the Wind-Riding Tribe already enjoyed a slightly better living environment, subsisting on fishing and hunting along the Pacific coast, and even raising some mutated cattle and sheep. This resulted in their health and population being much better than other demi-human tribes. In fact, before the Typhoon Sweeper appeared, the Wind-Riding Tribe had a population of nearly five hundred!

Population equals power, so the Windrider Tribe's fighting strength is naturally not weak. Their combat skills might not match those of a tribe particularly skilled in battle like the Vajra Tribe—the Vajra Tribe has a way of capturing Terasque, and their chieftain can even hold his own against Eric, a level-two enhanced human, in a one-on-one fight, placing them among the top fighters in the demi-human category—but the Windrider Tribe has nearly five hundred people, four to five times the number of the Vajra Tribe, are healthier, and have more and better equipment and supplies. In a real fight, the Windrider Tribe would definitely win.

What are the demi-humans of the King Kong tribe wearing? Rags! And what are the weapons they're carrying? Bone knives!

In comparison, the demi-humans of the Wind-Riding Tribe have already evolved somewhat from primitive humans into nomads.

Moreover, the Wind-Riding Tribe is not without its own defensive forces passed down from generation to generation.

Therefore, in terms of overall strength, the Wind-Riding Tribe is already the number one among the demi-human tribes of Changqing Prefecture. They are the most skilled at surviving in the wasteland, and the demi-human tribe with the best survival skills in the wasteland.

...However, the demi-humans that Hayden sees now, this group of filthy, obviously suffering from hunger and threats, who have barely managed to escape here, do not look strong at all.

Instead of straight backs and proud, determined eyes, they were covered in filth and wounds, their eyes filled with unease as they constantly and warily scanned their surroundings. They even timidly and humbly observed Hayden Wolves' reactions.

Because they are refugees.

Moreover, they had already lost, suffered a crushing defeat, and were a defeated army driven from their homes with nowhere to retreat when the storm swept through the land. If the White Wolf God drove them out, these refugees from the Windrider tribe would have nowhere to hide and would only die miserably on the storm-ravaged wasteland.

Where else can they escape to?

Where in this wasteland is there any place that isn't a poison circle?

Other demi-human tribes were in even worse shape than them. It was unlikely they could survive in the Storm Sweeper to begin with, and even if they could, they wouldn't have the capacity to take in so many refugees—everyone needs to eat, and with the storm raging, their food supplies were dwindling.

Either escape Evergreen State—frankly, that's extremely difficult. The borders between states are monitored by federal government and even security forces from other large corporations.

They could either flee to other recognized places in Changqing Prefecture. But why should normal towns and villages accept hundreds of inexplicable demi-humans who aren't even human and can't adapt to modern civilized society?

As for public facilities like highways that typhoon sweepers won't clean up, those aren't places where the subhumans can run up to survive.

Sadly.

The Wind-Riding Tribe were originally the most outstanding demi-human tribe in the desolate lands of Changqing Prefecture, the most skilled survival experts. Even when everyone else was suffering setbacks, even when the Storm Sweeper of the large corporation tormented all the demi-humans, they, skilled in wind-riding techniques, should have been the best and most advantageous among the demi-humans.

They shouldn't be like this.

But they still... ended up like this.

why?

Because they encountered something far too terrifying, so terrifying that even the strongest demi-human tribe could not defeat it.

"Our arrival may cause you trouble, but we are willing to do whatever it takes. We just hope there is a corner in this paradise where we can stay."

To escape the demons, their elders would even kowtow and kneel before Hayden the Wolf. They were so terrified of losing their homeland.

"Do not worry."

Hayden had no interest in having others kowtow to him, and immediately waved his wolf paws to signal Elder Yu Feng to rise.

“If you tell me everything I want to know, I swear I will do everything I can to help you.”

Despite Hayden's appearance, he was, after all, a fellow traveler of the compassionate Miss Karen. How could he face Karen in New Jersey if he stood by and watched the poor and destitute suffer? Of course, it was impossible to save everyone. But their chance encounter was a matter of fate. Since they had come to him for help, he couldn't simply turn them away.

"What I want to know right now is about the demon who drove you out of your homeland."

demon

……demon?

What is a demon?

Some people might be wondering at this point. Aren't demons and devils the same?

Actually, it's quite different.

Hayden once said that the word "devil," like the word "divinity," originates from the ancient Indo-European word "deva." The gods of the past are not necessarily the devils of today, but the devils of today were once gods of the past.

All "demons" were once part of the ruling class, belonging to the old gods, and worshipped by mortals. All demons have their own order, hierarchy, and social etiquette.

However, the word "demon" has absolutely nothing to do with the ancient ruling class or the old gods worshipped by mortals!

The devil was once worshipped as a god by ancient royalty and nobility.

Demons, however, are something entirely different.

"It's a demon... our tribe was destroyed by a demon..."

"Many people died."

"That demon, it burst through the storm and suddenly led a group of people to attack the village..."

Under the questioning of the beast god Hayden Wolf, the demi-humans of the Windrider tribe, with red eyes, recounted their tragic experiences.

“There was originally a wind barrier in the valley that we had passed down through generations. However, that lion-headed demon with four wings tore the barrier apart with a mere wave of his hand.”

Wow, these demi-humans are so rich? They even have their own protective barriers?

Hayden was taken aback when he heard this.

Based on their words, it seems that although the Wind-Riding Tribe was caught off guard, they still fought bravely at the first moment—only to be easily defeated. Most of their people were killed or captured, several houses were burned down, and the hundred or so who managed to escape had nowhere to go.

Among the refugees were many women, children, and the wounded, who had no shelter or food to eat in the company's dark storm and could only wait to die.

In the end, the survivors of the Windrider Tribe used their most proficient weather divination skills, only to discover to their surprise—wait, why is there no storm on the King Kong Tribe's side?

Since they were doomed anyway, they decided to try anything. They quickly flew over here, only to discover that a city barrier had appeared on the mountain.

"So, it was a demon with a lion's head, four wings, who could easily tear apart wind barriers, who attacked your tribe with a group of other subordinates?"

Hayden frowned and rubbed his chin with his wolf paw.

Do you know what that demon's name is?

The refugee elder of the Windrider tribe nodded. But at the same time, he shuddered, shook his head, and said, "Great Wolf God, we cannot reveal the name of that demon."

……ah?

"That demon...that demon has a name that brings calamity! Several surrounding tribes actually know about it. But even just uttering its name brings disaster and curse!"

Elder Yu Feng wailed.

"That's a demon whose name can't even be spoken!"

Even the Vajra Chieftain standing nearby nodded hurriedly upon hearing this. It seemed he actually knew something about the demon, which explained his earlier fear.

Names have power. To know a name, to use a name, is to exert its power.

However, Hayden seemed to be deep in thought when he heard this.

He was, after all, quite learned and knowledgeable, like a classical wizard from traditional fantasy novels. Hearing this, Hayden already had a vague idea of ​​what was going on.

A lion's head, four wings, it comes riding the wind, bringing disaster, tearing away the wind's protection—and it cannot even speak its name.

These characteristics are clear enough. Hayden had once heard of an ancient great demon. It was regarded by the people of ancient West Asia as a demon king who brought plagues and droughts. Unlike those "devils" that were somewhat reasonable, it was an extremely terrifying "demon" that devoured life and enslaved its accomplices.

In ancient legends, the mere mention of its name would attract its attention. If its name was called repeatedly, it would appear and devour your soul.

"Damn it, at this crucial moment, we've run into a demon king!"

Hayden cursed under his breath, but then thought again.

Demons, like demi-humans, are beings incapable of adapting to civilized society. Demons, lurking in the corners of the world and opposing the new gods, are at least considered "enemies." Demons and demi-humans, however, are "garbage" that modern society wants to eliminate.

Why did this great demon lead a group to attack the Windrider Tribe?

Is there no food left?

Perhaps it has been a struggling company for a long time, and now it has been further tormented by the typhoon sweeper?

132: Demons and devils are different!

Demons and devils are different, unlike devils!

Although both are evil, even if they are equally evil, bandits and bad nobles are still evil in different ways.

These former gods, these former devils who ruled the feudal era—to put it bluntly, the former royalty and nobility—are now fighting tooth and nail with the new gods of modern capitalism. Frankly speaking, from the perspective of ordinary people, those feudal devils were even worse when they were in power.

Maleficent Abigail used to say things like this: Capitalists may be evil, but they're still better than feudal devils in power. Emperors are emperors because they rise to power by stepping on the heads of commoners. Nobility is never a good word, at least not for ordinary people. They are never something worthy of worship.

The devils are always trying to restore feudal society; to actually collude with them would be a step backward. Modern people like Hayden would disdain such a thing.

However, demons, frankly speaking, are like demi-humans—they have always been outside the ruling social order, the "garbage" that modern society wants to sweep away. Everyone has suffered in the company for too long, and now they're being further tormented by the typhoon sweeper. So Hayden is now wondering—unlike the demons who were once old gods, perhaps this demon could be someone he could try to communicate and cooperate with?

In the span of a year and a half, through these few short events, Hayden grasped a Zen-like truth… though it wasn't an absolute truth. What he realized was that he shouldn't judge things based on stereotypes.

Surface appearances and stereotypes can both be deceiving.

Despite being a dark witch who made a pact with the devil, Abigail is actually quite kind-hearted. She is not only friendly to Hayden (after all, she needs his help), but also shows kindness to ordinary citizens.

As for Karen, she is someone who cannot be interacted with based on appearances and stereotypes. Although she is the daughter of the capitalist god and a pure-blooded modern noblewoman, she harbors ambitions to change the world and wants to betray her original class.

On the contrary, Adam, Hayden's college best friend, who was originally a pure and upright proletarian like Hayden, racked his brains to become a capitalist. He even colluded with the devil to plunder and kill for money. To this day, no one knows what he was planning.

You can't see into someone's heart. Judging someone's character solely by their social status is incredibly foolish. Hayden doesn't intend to make that mistake again.

The only problem is that this great demon who attacked and massacred the Wind-Riding Tribe's demi-humans is clearly a bandit. However, perhaps it was also forced to starve by the Typhoon Sweeper and had no choice but to rob other demi-human tribes to avoid starvation—if that's the case, then there's still room for negotiation.

After all, class contradiction is the primary contradiction.

...That being said, Karen would probably be very unhappy if she knew that Hayden was discussing cooperation with the devil. If he really wanted to cooperate with the devil, he would still have to discuss it with Karen beforehand.

Hayden is no longer the idiot who kept everything from his friends. Honest communication is very important!

“I already know about your experiences and suffering.”

So he spoke first to these demi-humans of the Wind-Riding Tribe.

“As long as you accept the rules of this city, I will accept your refuge and protect you. The chief of the King Kong tribe will arrange your accommodation, food and work.”

After all, Hayden was neither responsible nor good at managing these specific matters, so he could only leave them to the demi-humans to handle. Fortunately, Chief Kongo wouldn't cause trouble under Hayden's nose. Hayden only needed to play the role of a god and put on a majestic appearance.

"Besides that, I am very interested in the wind magic that you have passed down through generations. I hope you can teach it to me."

These words made the elder of the Wind Riding Tribe hesitate for a moment. But in the end, he honestly agreed.

Hayden collected other people's family magic for research. For the Windrider Tribe, handing over this technology meant losing their independence. After losing their unique technological advantage, even if this sweeping storm eventually ended, the Windrider Tribe would no longer be able to break away and operate independently.