"You're Hal from the Eleventh Hearth?" asked a huge man wearing a crown made of huge feathers to me.

I have only seen the chief once when I was a child, and he certainly wasn't this huge in the past.

Perhaps he trained his body hard so he could protect our tribe from the invaders?

"Yes, I'm Hal, son of Dalo from the eleventh hearth."

The brows of the chief rose at my response, but before he could speak again, the older, head shaman stepped forth, eyes narrowed like a doubtful hawk.

"You, I remember you…"

I courageously met his gaze, not cowering one bit. I did nothing wrong except enter the temple.

Furthermore, I used my newfound powers to protect the tribe.

Surely…

Unfortunately, as it turned out, I was wrong.

"Yesterday, you couldn't even shoot a simple flaming ball. How could you be so adept at sorcery now?"

I was about to explain, but I wasn't even given a chance by the old shaman, who directly accused me.

"Chief, I'm certain of it. This young man has been corrupted by the evil god! We cannot allow him to live!"

What the hell is this old coot saying?!

Does he really think I'm after his position as the head shaman?!

I wanted to obliterate his irritating face right then and there, but I feared that if I did, it would only serve as proof that I had indeed fallen to the temptations of the evil god.

I could only deny the baseless claim.

"I haven't been corrupted by the evil god! My power is granted by the holy one in the ancient temple! Chief, you must believe me! I even used my powers to protect the tribesmen!"

Fortunately, the chief, although an entire generation younger, didn't instantly fall for the old weasel's idiotic words, though he didn't side with me, either.

"Hal, son of Dalo. First, allow me to thank you for protecting the tribe. However, the old shaman's concerns are also valid. We are under attack by the Sea Dragon Clan, and they will probably return soon. I hope you understand that for now, I must detain you."

I paled at the unjust verdict.

The tribesmen from the tenth, ninth, and eighth hearths tried to help me, but unfortunately, their words would never be enough against true authority.

My heart burned in fury at the sight of the grinning old bastard, and for a moment, I had the urge to rampage.

But Eha and Acca's faces flashed in my mind, and also Lionna's…

I could only allow the chieftain's warriors to detain me with a special type of cuff that prevented me from using sorcery.

I was completely at the chieftain's mercy.

I prayed to the holy one in the ancient temple to guide our leader to a wiser decision, but I understand that miracles aren't instant.

I could only wait.

While I was being taken away, a tribesman a few years younger than me suddenly arrived, screaming at the horizon:

"The first hearth is under attack! The first hearth is under attack by many, many enemies!!"

My heart sank at the grim news, and I instantly regretted not fighting for my freedom.

Eha, Acca, Lionna…

"Release me! I must protect my family!" I squirmed desperately.

I successfully managed to get the chieftain's attention, but that was it.

"Imprison this tribesman from the eleventh for now. Don't worry, young man. I shall protect your family for you."

Like so, the warriors that left the first hearth to aid the lower hearths left, furious and eager to slaughter the damned invaders.

Panic was evident in the faces of some, likely the fathers.

Howling their warcries, they soon disappeared—off to protect their beloved, while I…

I could only scream my grievances inside a wooden cage guarded by two warriors in the eighth hearth.

"Curse you! Curse you, old shaman!! If something happens to my family!!!"

I thrashed about, desperate to be let out.

But it soon became clear that my destiny is simply to wait while my mother and little sister's fates remain unknown.

If this isn't torture, then what is?

Only after a hundred breaths did I sit, saving my energy. This is the wiser choice…

Although it would be better not to, as it would mean the threat of the sea bandit clan has been resolved, I might get a chance to fight later.

I must reserve my strength…

The two warriors also seemed to be relieved that I've calmed down.

More breaths passed.

A hundred, two, five…but the situation remained the same.

Utter unease and fear of loss inevitably crept into my heart. I want to see what's happening in the first hearth!

Unfortunately, not a single bit of news about the ongoing battle made it to the eighth, and the mothers and youngsters could only wait like me.

That is, until a thousand breaths later…

A young boy appeared, huffing and puffing in exhaustion. His lungs were probably burning.

Yet, the kid didn't stop, running as fast as he could, and strangely, towards me.

More and more people noticed.

Anxious, some wives even dashed towards the young boy, but they were all ignored as the kid screamed in fury.

"Let go, I have an important mission from the chief!! Do not delay me!!"

His little outburst somehow got the job done, and he was able to continue sprinting towards me.

But as he got closer, his face also got clearer.

The admirable boy was barely holding back his tears.

My heart skipped a bit, and I once again began thrashing in desperation and helplessness.

But as it turned out, I didn't need to.

The boy soon arrived, raising his arms and waving the huge feather he was carrying, causing the eyes of the two warriors guarding me to widen in bewilderment.

Everyone in our tribe knew what the feather meant…

It meant that the boy was indeed carrying orders from the chieftain himself, as he wouldn't be able to obtain one of the feathers from the chief's crown, otherwise.

"Big brother warriors, quick! Release Dalo's son! The tribe needs him!"