Restful, peaceful hours passed, and the light of dawn started shining on the cliff behind the village.
It didn’t take long for those rays of sunshine to reach the village, and even less for the birds living in the forest surrounding it to welcome them with chirps and singing.
"Time to wake up," Jason whispered. "Come on, they’re gathering outside already." He said while pushing on Camelia’s cheek with his index finger.
"Fine, fine..." She answered. "Just five... Five more minutes..."
"Alright," The Chief chuckled. "I’ll get ready in the meantime."
"Yes, yes..." The Catgirl hadn’t even opened her eyes.
"I need you to let go of my arm," Jason muttered. "So I can get up and get ready."
"Yes... Okay..."
Her arms, just like her eyelids, remained unmoving.
The sleeping Camelia even fought back as Jason tried to free his arm from her embrace.
’I’m still unaware of all the details of her time here,’ He thought once he managed to free himself and leave the bed. ’This might be the first time she’s able to sleep comfortably on a bed.’
The Chief watched her for a couple of seconds before deciding to let her rest for a bit longer.
He put his pants on, which he had grown quite fond of.
The tribespeople wore primitive clothing, so the pants made him stand out.
He was bare-chested, just like the rest of the males, but the pants made him feel more different, more Chief, than the necklace around his neck.
’I still have no idea where Lagos got these pants,’ Jason shrugged. ’For now, let’s focus on today.’
Gaining and bringing under him the Ogre Tribe was a given. Some luck had been involved, but it was a natural transition, since he was an Ogre.
Bringing Orcs, individuals from a different Species, might end up more complicated.
’Whether it’ll go peacefully and end up in a slaughter...’ The Chief fastened the belt around his waist. ’It’ll depend on the Orcs.’
Jason couldn’t help but smile as he tapped the axe attached to the belt.
He wasn’t used to fighting with an axe, but it had already gotten its first skill.
Additionally, he thought that keeping it for himself, the weapon previously used by the female Ogre attempting to murder him, was a good reminder.
’It’ll make anyone getting out of line think twice.’ Jason thought with a nod. ’The weapon used in an attempt to kill me... Was taken by me, and used to kill them.’
Voices could be heard through the thick pieces of fabric that made up the tent, and the Chief decided it was time to meet them.
’I wonder if we’ll find some things to fight before getting to the Orcs,’ Jason asked himself as he walked out of the bedroom. ’I’d like to test out the Skills I gained before...’
The different Monster Cores had been kept by Vel to get the Tribe out of a pinch if trading with Humans was necessary to get food or other supplies.
They had been promptly used by Jason, and earned him six new Skills he couldn’t wait to experiment with.
"Morning," Vel muttered with a tone that lacked any respect or appreciation. "Or whatever."
Jason could almost read a ’Hmph!’ as she looked away.
The female Ogre was seated at the long table in the tent’s main space, which separated the bedroom from her new room, the slave’s room, for lack of a better term.
"Did you sleep well?" The Chief asked.
Vel didn’t answer.
She had had a terrible night, despite not being forced to sleep while bound to the pole. Her mind was trying its best to come to terms with what had happened in the night, but it was a struggle. Additionally, the talk the two had had after Camelia had fallen asleep had taken a lot from Vel. Talking to him while acting unbothered, as if nothing at all had happened, had been extremely tiring.
"..." Vel stared at him for a moment before looking away again. As if those weren’t enough, her sleep had been plagued with dreams so confusing and different from what she was used to that they could be considered nightmares. "Taking Ena’s axe was a good idea. It’ll keep everyone in check."
"Yeah?" Jason walked past her and towards the tent’s exit. "I thought so too." He arrived at the exit and then turned around with a frown. "Are you waiting for me to call on you?"
"Y-You want me to go out like this?"
"The way you’re asking... It’s almost like you’re naked."
"I can’t go out with this!" Vel pointed at the choker around her neck, determined not to let the conversation veer towards the subject of her nakedness. "Take it off, then I can-"
"Come on." Jason sighed and turned towards the exit. "We’re leaving soon."
The female Ogre let out an annoyed sigh before standing up and following him outside.
"You didn’t really think I would take it off, did you?" Jason asked as he held the curtain for her to pass through.
"They... Don’t know what it is anyway." Vel admitted as she walked out of the tent and into the light.
"You hid Camelia from them carefully," Jason muttered as he brought a hand to his face, gazing at the group of Ogres two dozen steps away. "Why?"
"Could still fetch a good price, despite being female." The female Ogre shrugged. "I was scared someone would take her and go."
"The way you did, huh?" The Chief chuckled.
"I guess, yes." Vel answered, visibly annoyed.
It didn’t take long for the Ogres of the Tribe to turn towards the approaching two.
Whispers and murmurs ran through the crowd.
"What’s that about?" Jason asked with a raised eyebrow.
"What the hell do you think?" Vel whispered, arms crossed and gaze far away. "The Chief and the previous Chief are walking out of the same tent."
"Oh... Right." His lips curled upwards. "Are you blushing?"
"I am not!"