42-33

Chapter 33: Keep Your Enemies Close 

“You’ve grown up! My son.” 

Honkale, looking relieved as if a heavy burden had been lifted, patted Milk’s shoulder with joy. 

“I’m counting on you.” 

“Leave it to me.” 

Father and son embraced. Milk felt something hot flow from his father’s back but pretended not to notice. He patted his father’s trembling back, remaining by his side as a son for a while. 

Some time later, on Sun Day  

Holstaurus women gathered in front of the chief’s house, summoned by an order for all except the warriors to assemble for an important announcement. Honkale appeared in the center, with Milk following behind, and addressed the women: 

“As the center of the tribe and the one who has led everything, I’ve endured many hardships as chief, but thanks to your help, I was able to govern this great village. I hope our tribe continues to prosper and flourish for generations to come.” 

Mooo!!! 

Maaang!!! 

The Holstaurus women began to howl, lifting their heads and letting out cries like cattle. This howling was a show of respect and gratitude to the chief who had led them. When the howling ended, Honkale continued: 

“But a chief cannot last forever. I am now over 200 years old, having lived more than half my life. I’m sorry to say this to all who have followed me, but I too am growing weary. So I will step down and hand over the chief’s position to my successor, Milk.” 

A solemn mood filled the gathering. Some froze in shock, some stood calmly as if they’d expected it, some wept, and others stared in disbelief. Chiraya, for her part, closed her eyes and cried, as if she’d known this day would come. 

“You’ve all seen Milk’s abilities. While I made your lives prosperous, I could do little to protect you from outside threats. Now, we need a strong leader to keep you safe from danger. That person is my son, Milk.” 

With these words, Honkale moved to stand beside Milk as an equal and handed him the chief’s staff. 

“From this moment, I entrust the future of our tribe to our new chief, Milk. From now on, follow his orders, not mine, and help guide our tribe to a glorious future.” 

Honkale then knelt before Milk, who now held the staff, and greeted him: 

“Greetings to the new chief, Milk.” 

All the women of the tribe followed suit, kneeling. Even Chiraya, eyes closed, could not go against tradition and joined in. 

“Greetings to the new chief, Milk.” 

Milk, blessed by all, was then approached by a new figure the tribe’s shaman, Anmel. With strange markings on her face and pale skin (to make the markings stand out), but lively lips, she came forward and sprinkled a mysterious powder over Milk’s shoulders. This powder was collected from the remains of deceased Holstaurus men, left on the altar after rituals, and symbolized the blessing of ancestors. 

The last part of the ceremony was Millie, dressed up and nervously taking Milk’s hand as she stood beside him. The chief’s wife foremost among them stood with him to receive the tribe’s blessing. 

As she took her place, the Holstaurus women howled again. Their howls were echoed by the distant warrior women, who, hearing the sound, realized what was happening and joined in to bless the new chief. 

After the ceremony, Milk sat in a new, unfamiliar space with Millie, Buren, Mary, Bel, and Linda standing by his side. 

Buren spoke first in the quiet: 

“Our little Milk is already chief time really flies, doesn’t it?” 

“Buren! That’s no way to address the chief!” Millie scolded her. Both were now his wives, so proper titles mattered. 

“Oops! Sorry, sis but it’s just, from now on, I can’t call you ‘little mom’ anymore, and that makes me a bit sad.” 

“Still, you can’t. If the other Holstaurus copy us, what would that do to the chief’s dignity?” 

“Okay, okay... Sorry, Chief.” 

“It’s fine... Actually, I’m a bit sad too. I can’t call you or Millie ‘mom’ anymore.” 

Millie smiled warmly and squeezed his hand. 

“You’ll get used to it. And so what if you can’t call me ‘mom’? I’m so proud of you, Chief.” 

“Millie...” 

She felt as if she had the whole world now that her son had grown up to become chief. And to also be his first wife was more than she could express. 

After the ceremony, Honkale entered a large house at the village entrance with ten women. Leading them was Ella, his first wife and the tribe’s leathercraft expert. Milk regretted losing her skills, but for his father’s happiness, he let her go. 

The rest of the women Honkale led became Milk’s wives. All were good women except for one Chiraya. As soon as Milk became chief, the women who had gathered around Chiraya left her, convinced by the decisive role of Milk’s new weapon in the devilbear hunt and their trust in him as chief. 

Chiraya did not attend the first meeting with the new wives, claiming illness. Milk didn’t mind and simply wished her well. But Millie, in particular, disliked this behavior, seeing it as defiance against the new chief. 

“Chief.” 

“Yes?” 

“It’s about Chiraya.” 

“Ah, I was about to bring that up. Everyone, listen.” 

Milk stopped Millie and gathered his closest confidantes. 

“I made a promise to the previous chief about Chiraya. I’ll deal with her and her son later. For now, leave them be.” 

“Chief...” 

“Millie, you should understand. If Orca hadn’t died, I could have been in Bark’s position. So you should know how Chiraya feels.” 

“That’s... true, but to defy the chief...” 

“She might really be sick. Don’t hold it against her. In fact, why don’t I visit her today?” 

“What?!” 

“Chief!” 

“That’s...” 

Despite protests, Milk’s mind was made up. 

[Well done.] 

‘I said it, but... I wonder if it’ll be okay? I barely know Chiraya, so it’ll be awkward to visit.’ 

[To carry out my plan, you must first raise Chiraya’s favorability so she trusts you completely. Right now, she doesn’t trust you at all.] 

‘Got it. I’ll try... But will sleeping with her really raise her favorability?’ 

[For her son’s safety, she’ll do anything. She knows winning your favor is best, but her heart hasn’t moved yet. If you approach her, she’ll act reluctant but subtly try to seduce you especially now that you, not Honkale, are chief.] 

‘Okay. I’ll focus on raising her favorability. Then, I’ll look for a wandering Holstaurus tribe for her and Bark. If not, I’ll consider creating a new village centered on Bark.’ 

The plan: create a second-generation village centered on Bark and the young girls who would grow up with him, under Milk’s command, with Bark as a “stud chief.” Since Milk and Bark share the same lineage, their children would be kin. 

Conditions: Bark would only be allowed relationships with women in the new village and their daughters. No women or children already involved with Milk would be given to him. If no women joined Bark’s new village, the plan would be abandoned. If the rules were broken, traditional tribal law would apply. 

Chiraya would be the one to restrain Bark. To save her son, she would become Milk’s wife and remain in the main village as a kind of hostage. She would only meet Bark during festivals or official reports, with strict supervision by warrior women. 

[If Chiraya’s favorability reaches 100, she’ll educate Bark herself to be loyal to the chief and fulfill his role. It’s the best way for both to survive.] 

‘Thanks, Ru. That’s a good plan.’ 

[No, I’m sorry I couldn’t find a better one.] 

‘Time to go to Chiraya’s house.’ 

Milk got up and prepared to spend the night at Chiraya’s house. He wanted to check on her health and prevent gossip among the other women. 

Millie and the others were worried but respected his decision. Linda and Bel escorted him to Chiraya’s house. When they arrived, Milk knocked softly. 

“Who is it?” 

Chiraya, surprised to see Milk at her door, stepped back in shock. 

“Chief?!” 

“I heard you were sick. Are you okay?” 

“I-I’m fine. Did you come all the way here for that?” 

“I wanted to check on you. And see Bark. I’ll be staying here tonight.” 

“Ah!” 

Chiraya, flustered, let him in. 

“P-please come in. You must be hungry, I’ll prepare a meal.” 

Linda and Bel said they’d return in the morning and went to a nearby woman’s house. As chief’s guards, they could use any woman’s house for lodging. 

While Chiraya prepared food, Milk watched Bark sleeping in a basket made up as a bed. 

‘Cute.’ 

[Not as cute as you were as a child at least 100 times cuter.] 

‘Don’t say that, it’s embarrassing.’ 

[It’s the truth.] 

‘Sheesh...’ 

Soon, Chiraya called him to the meal she’d set out.