“...so you are a descendant of those clans that stayed behind long ago,” said an elderly man whose gray hair was all over the place.

“Yes grand elder Guold, I represent the four clans that have formed the growing trade town known as Kodria,” said Akira respectful. Grand elder Guold was nearly 100 years and still had a muscular body that denied his age.

“What clans did you say they were? And what clan do you belong to,” asked a younger Grand elder Yond who was around 60.

“I am the chief of the Darkmoon clan, the other two clans are the Longtail and Madmane.”

“You Have quite an impressive name. If you weren't the descendant of the original hero as well as the current chief of his clan I would have questioned your parents naming you after such a great hero,” said Grand elder Audun as he continued to inspect Akira.

“So Grand elders, what do you think about his request to form a closer tie to fight and support one another?” asked Chief Max who stood near the entrance to the room.

“We accept,” said Grand elder Guold plainly.

Ding!

Relationship with the southern Earth tribe clans has turned to friendly allies.

“What so quickly?” asked Akira, expecting push back like everyone else he had dealt with so far.

“What? Did you expect that we would turn our backs on a fellow clan of the Earth tribe? If someone did that I would question their loyalty to the Earth tribe,” said Grand elder Guold.

“You are a strong leader and a strong warrior to be able to conquer a pack of Gargs and travel through the dangerous south lands and reach us all in one piece. We respect the strong because we are always fighting with the numerous nearby monsters. Since you are the descendant of such a great hero that also gives you a few bonus points,” said Grand elder Audun.

“Although we agree to help we will need to formulate the full details of the agreement later. For now, I will have chief Max show you to you around if you would like or he can take you to your room so you can rest and negotiate later with a clear head” said Grand elder Guold,

“I would enjoy a tour,” said Akira as she stood up from his stone chair.

“Then let's begin,” said chief Max, as he grabbed onto Akira's shoulder and pulled him out of the room.

“Yap!” said Fluffball, as he chased after them along with Vilkas and Dolph.

“We don't have much to show since we live in rather bland caves,” said Chief Max.

“With everything happening, It all slipped my mind, but I have been wondering where the sun is,” said Akira.

“You're lucky that you came when you did. Right now there are a few hours of sunlight during the day but the majority of the year it is always twilight or completely outside dark during the longest month of winter,” said Chief Max.

“Complete dark?” asked Akira wondering how they survived so long in such a place like this.

“This is one of the several tens of cafeterias, I suggest you and your companions use this or the one by your rooms. The other cafeterias are the personal cafeterias of the other clans. They are all quite territorial when it comes to food,” said Chief Max as he led Akira into a low ceiling rectangular room that had several hundred carved stone tables with stone benches.

“Just go up to that window and pay for the meal and you will get whatever the day’s special is. You can pay more to get additional sides or toppings,” said Chief Max as he pointed at the stone window where Akira could see several cooks were busy preparing food for the next meal.

“Each cafeteria has different cooks and different menus every day. You can always find a lot of different types of cooked fish and vegetables, and on a good day, some rare meat is hunted from the wild. The benefit of being a chief is I can go to each cafeteria without too much complaint and see who has the best food for the day.”

“Onto the next destination!” said Chief Max, as he exited the cafeteria.

They walked through many hallways and past many rooms before reaching a large bowl-like room that smelled heavily of dirt and manure.

“This is one of the places where we grow most of our vegetables, herbs, and many different mushrooms. This is all made possible due to sun ore crystals,” said Chief Max pointing at the glowing crystals all around the room.

“These plants are...?” asked Akira pointing at a weird withered looking red plant. There were several other odd-looking plants near it as well each having their own row in the dirt and manure mixture.

“Don't worry it may look like it's a dead plant but that is just how it is. It is a really spicy herb used in many of our meals. We call it the ice-fire herb. It makes your mouth cold but soon starts burning hot like a fire. There's also an evil eye turnip, ice potato, purple tomatoes, blue bell peppers along with several tens of different mushrooms,” said Chief Max.

The next place they walked to was a small dark room with the sound of water running inside.

“This is one of the many washrooms. I advise that you only take a quick bath in it,” said Chief Max.

“Why? Is it really cold?” asked Akira.

“No, the bath's underground river is connected to a volcano. You will be boiled if you fall asleep.”

Akira was shown around a few other places before being brought outside where the sun was still missing.

“The last thing I have to show is that,” said Chief Max as he pointed to the sky above the mountains.

Akira looked up into the sky and found a long curtain of colorful lights shimmering in the sky with the sparkling stars surrounding it.

“What is it?” asked Akira in wonder as he stared at it.

“The southern lights. It is very colorful, isn't it? It's the main source of light for most of the year.”

“I am amazed that so many large clans are able to live down here in such a desolate place. Is there a reason you aren't in contact with the two other northern clans?” asked Akira.

“Heh... they are just weak small frys compared to our clans. They came over long after we were settled here and when we offered to help them they ignored us.”

“So this is where you were Max, you damn pervert! I have been looking everywhere for you!” said a loud female voice coming from the entrance of one of the nearby caves.

“Bell don't call me a pervert! I'm on official duty so I couldn't meet back up with you for dinner,” said a flustered Max.

“Don't be going and corrupting the young pups with your perverted ideas. I'm sorry if my weapon loving pervert husband said anything weird to you,” said Bell.

“No, he has been professional the whole time,” said Akira who had no clue what was going on.

“Yap!” said Fluffball.

“I'm not a weapons pervert! I just like taking care of my weapons to make sure nothing happens to them,” said Chief Max.

“You need to stop treating your weapons like pets,” said Bell.

“...well I'm going to my room,” said Akira quietly. Both the arguing wife and husband were too busy to hear or notice Akira and his guards leave.

***

When Akira woke up he found Fluffball sleeping on top of him with his butt near Akira's face.

“Fluffball you really need to stop with your bad sleeping habits,” said Akira as he pushed the small and heavy Fluffball away from him.

As he did, Akira received a kick in the jaw from one of Fluffball’s rear paws.

“Yap,” complained Fluffball as he lifted up his sleepy head and looked at Akira before closing his eyes and going back to sleep.

“Fine you can stay here while I go to all of today's meetings,” said Akira as he threw off the covers and started to change into his best clothes he had which included his fur cape with the Kodria crest.

When he opened the door Fluffball jumped out into the hall first, wide awake with his tail wagging and impatiently waiting for Akira to close the door.

“Don't be giving me that look...” said Akira.

Ding!

Kodria has reached the requirements to upgrade to a 3rd tier city! Do you want to accept the upgrade?

Akira immediately accepted.

Ding!

Kodria is now a 3rd tier city.

A list of new blueprints for buildings and upgrades can be found in the proper areas.

Requirements for reaching the 2nd tier city have been updated.

“There you are Akira. I thought you had been swallowed by the bath or toilet since you didn't show up for breakfast with the others,” said Burkin.

“I already ate some rations while I was getting dressed since I overslept. Are you ready for today's meetings?” asked Akira.

“You can count on me to negotiate the trade deals for both of us,” said Burkin as he used his thumb to point at himself.

“With your help, we can hammer it out quickly and get to the more important matters of the demigods,” said Akira.

“These guys are really different than you and the other clans. A bunch of meatheads who just talk about fighting. Quite barbaric,” said Burkin.

“Well, at least we know that they are good at fighting, so that's nice.”

“Wait! I also want to come with you!” shouted Fleur.

“Fleur stop running away from me! Big brother Akira is busy so why don't you play with your big sister,” said Mileena as she chased after the young Fleur.

“Don't want to!” said Fleur heartlessly escaping Mileena's reaching arms and latching onto Akira.

***

“Are you a draconian from one of the nearby tribes?” asked one of the 13 clan chiefs interrupting the trade talk while he looked to Fleur.

Everyone's attention turned to the young girl who had followed Akira into the meeting room and had been watching them the entire time without saying anything.

“Hmph! Don't compare me to those mindless idiots!” said Fleur dismissively.

“Fleur don't be so rude,” said Mileena who sat next to her and swatted her head softly.

Fleur began pouting and mumbling to herself, “But he called me a draconian.”

“Anyways, back to the trade deal, is everyone in agreement?” asked Akira, trying to pull the conversation back on track.

“We have no disagreement with it but...” Chief Max looked around as if trying to find a spy before he continued in a whisper. “...do you have any wine or other alcohol you can trade us? What we have here is too poor to be called a proper drink.”

The other clan chiefs all nodded their heads in agreement.

“Your alcohol is an odd and bland tasting drink but I wouldn't call it all that bad since it has quite the kick to it,” said Burkin, a lover of all types of alcohol.

“Kodria is in the process of creating Winterberry wines, ales, and other drinks,” said Akira.

Every one of the clan chiefs' eyes all lit up with stars as they heard his words.

“It has been many years since we last tasted a sweet drink! What was it? 10-15 years ago when the last merchant came to trade with us?” asked Chief Max.

“At least that,” said another chief.

“Burkin is more knowledgeable and has more connections for stuff dealing with the many different varieties of drinks so you can talk to him about it later,” said Akira, feeling uncomfortable at the odd facial expressions on the group of large muscular barbarian men.

“Right. We will make sure to talk it over privately,” said Chief Max as he wiped the drool from his face.

“We have read all the notes that you gave us on the Demigods as well as the information on Kodria and the northern clans and human settlements. It was quite a read,” said Chief Roc.

“The demigods seem quite an interesting enemy to fight. We have all come to an agreement that we need to wipe out any that come south as they are nothing but trouble. And the two large clans sound as if they haven't changed since they arrived,” said Chief Xend.

“From what I heard your town sounds more like a small city that is growing fast. I think it would be best if we helped you stop them up there before they come down here. Is there anything you would like from us?” asked Chief Nem.

“I recently received news that it has reached the point that it can now be called a city. I would like to have an ambassador or representative from your clans come to my city so that you can see what it is like and meet with the other demon races,” said Akira.

“How about you become my clan's vassal? You won't need to pay that much in taxes,” said Chief Mok.

“...”

“Stop making tasteless jokes Mok. That's an insult to Akira honor and his clan's history,” said Chief Roc.

“I wasn't joking.”

“That makes it all the more insulting. Enough, you know we already agreed on something earlier,” said Chief Xend.

“That's right. Sorry Akira for this knucklehead, he only recently took over for his father. Of the 13 clans that have their own clan city in the mountains three have agreed to go north with you to help fight the Demigods,” said Chief Max.

“The three clans are Whitefang, Braveclaw, and Silverpelt. Each has distant ties to the clans that are living in Kodria so you should be able to get along. They will be bringing over 5000 warriors not counting the youngins and the reserve warriors.”

Akira was flabbergasted, he had only expected them to send representatives and their guards. The thought of sending even one entire clan let alone three never crossed his mind.

Seeing the quiet Akira chief Max spoke, “If you are worried about them not being able to pull their own weight you don't have to worry. They are no weaklings and can handle many different things from domestic problems to fighting.”

“I have no complaints about this decision. I am just surprised that three entire clans have decided so quickly to move. Will your settlement be okay to send away so many warriors?” asked Akira.

“That number is nothing to us and the quick decisions made by the three clans is nothing strange. There is always a constant struggle to make enough food for everyone as our clans grow.

With the three clans moving to Kodria we can lessen the strain and well as solidify a partnership with you and other trade partners.”

Rumble! Rumble!

Dust fell from the ceiling as the ground started to shake violently every few minutes.

“What's going on?” asked Akira.

“It's coming from outside! Everyone let's go! We need to see what's going on out there,” said chief Xend as he transformed and grabbed his weapon before rushing out the room.

“Oh sounds like something fun is happening outside!” said Fleur as she hopped out of her chair and ran after the others with Mileena chasing after her.

Akira waited for the rest of the werewolf chiefs to transform and follow him out before transforming himself not wanting to be ogled at by them.