chsdbacks Chapter 60: Red Feather
Chapter 60: Red Feather
Chapter 61: Red Feather
At the top of the giant vines, the lingering echo of the bell's sound still reverberated among the sea of clouds, lingering for a long time.
The Shandian warriors performed a solemn gesture of respect, placing their hands on their chests, towards the golden bell and the stele.
Tolek turned around, forcefully wiping away his tears, and looked at Oro with gratitude in his eyes.
"Lord Oro—"
His voice was still a little hoarse: "Thank you for lighting up Shandora once again."
"I would like to invite you to our village, as my people need to know who the great fire starter was."
Oro nodded in acceptance of the invitation, and the Golden Ark started up again. After returning to the vines and leaving a token, it headed towards an area with natural cloud cover, guided by Tolek.
Oro wasn't in a hurry to move the Golden Bell down from the top of the giant vine, and the Poneglyphs were even less important to him.
Aside from some historical information, the Poneglyph on Skypiea only contains information about the ancient weapon Poseidon, who wasn't even born yet.
The Poneglyph about Hades in Alabasta was also useless to Oro. He knew where Hades was. If Hades could defeat Im, Oro would have run to Wano Country long ago, but unfortunately, he probably couldn't.
Throughout the journey, Auro ate Gails's energy biscuits while piloting the Ark. At least on the surface, he seemed quite relaxed, and even took the time to explain the future political framework of the Sky Island to Tolek.
After flying for about an hour, as they passed through another thick wall of clouds, the view suddenly opened up before them.
A village built on several interconnected island clouds appeared before us; this was the Hidden Cloud Village of the Shandians.
Compared to the brightly colored and uniquely designed buildings on Angel Island, the conical tents built by the Shandians using wood and animal hides appear quite rudimentary.
The village's facilities were very basic, with well-worn weapons and tools scattered everywhere.
Some Sandian women were preparing small amounts of food, while children, dressed in patched clothes, were running and playing on the cloud-covered ground.
When the children saw the giant golden ark land, they all gathered around it with curiosity, their eyes clear, yet also carrying a hint of precociousness and vigilance from being in a state of war for a long time.
Four hundred years of war and resource scarcity made life very difficult for the Shandians.
With Tolek's introduction, Oro and Gails immediately attracted the attention of the entire village.
Soon, an elderly man with white hair and a face full of wrinkles and scars came forward, surrounded by a group of strong soldiers.
"Chief."
Tolek stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and then quickly recounted everything that had just happened in an excited voice.
The text emphasizes how Auro rang the Golden Bell and his agreement with the descendants of Montblanc Noland.
He also told Oro what had happened on Angel Island and Oro's political ideas.
The old chief listened quietly, his gaze fixed on Oro.
When he heard about Angel Island, his withered hands trembled slightly.
After Tolek finished speaking, Oro stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the simple surroundings and the mixture of curiosity and wariness on the faces of the Shandians. He didn't launch into a long speech, but instead nodded to Gails.
Gails understood, and she walked to the side and lightly traced a line on the ground with her hand—
A chocolate river flows slowly out of the clouds, with banks made of candy and cake on both sides.
Behind the dim sum riverbank are three mountains of meat, each taller than eight or nine people, piled high with all kinds of meat.
Oro stretched out his right hand, pointing to the large pile of food: "These are gifts for our friends in Shandia."
Tangible benefits are far more convincing than empty promises.
A suppressed gasp and whispers arose among the surrounding Shandians, and their wariness towards Oro lessened considerably.
The old chieftain's eyes flickered, but he still asked cautiously, "Your Excellency Orikum Oro, you and your companions have demonstrated the power and—generosity—that Your Excellency possesses."
"Tolek also conveyed your vision to me, but please tell us, what are your specific plans for settling us Shandians?"
"How can we resolve the four-hundred-year-old blood feud between us and the Angels?"
"The sound of the bell is very important, and it is indeed of great significance to us, but four hundred years is far too long. Please understand."
Oro met the old chief's gaze, his voice steady and powerful: "First of all, Shandora, this land of Apayado, will always be the indisputable holy land of you Shandians."
"This will be guaranteed to the highest degree under the rules I set."
"You are free to live here and freely worship your ancestors. No one can drive you away anymore."
"Secondly, regarding the conflict with the Angel race."
"War only breeds more hatred. In the name of Orikum Oro, and as the future supreme leader of the Sky Island, I promise that I will intervene and arbitrate all disputes between you and the Angels."
"Past grudges need time to fade, but from now on, meaningless fighting must end."
"Resources, land, and rights will all be allocated under a fair set of rules."
"Those who disobey are Gaya's enemies."
Oro surveyed all the Shandians who were holding their breath, and then offered an even more enticing prospect: "Finally, it's about you, the future of the valiant Shandian warriors."
"The blue sea below has solid land and abundant marine resources. Gaya Island will be our front line and resource transfer warehouse."
"And the Sky Islands, including Angel Island and Apayado, will become our future watchtowers and aerial fortresses, capable of both offense and defense, and holding absolute air superiority."
Oro raised his voice and made the gold dust scattered in the air resonate, giving his voice a strange magic: "Warriors of Shandia! You are familiar with the environment of the Sky Island and possess superior combat skills and aerial adaptability that ground people do not have."
"My envisioned aerospace legion" needs warriors like you as its backbone!
"You will no longer be tribal warriors struggling to fight for a piece of land to survive, but an elite legion guarding the entire sky and expanding the territory!"
"Your bravery will earn you a wider stage and true glory!"
Many of the young and spirited Shandian warriors were already breathing heavily, their eyes burning with intense passion.
Even some of the older soldiers were seriously considering the possibility of these words.
The old chief remained silent for a long time.
His cloudy eyes gazed intently at Oro, weighing the weight of every word he spoke.
The old chief could feel Oro's sincerity in fulfilling his promise, and he understood the respect and important position given to the Shandians in that grand blueprint.
Most importantly, it's Oro's strength.
It can manipulate gold and use it to carry people to the top of the giant vine.
The fact that they could make that cunning little devil from the Angel race bow his head and admit defeat, shifting the blame to the Shandians, speaks volumes about their strength.
The opportunity to break the four-hundred-year deadlock may be just around the corner.
No.
The stalemate between the Shandians and the Angels was broken the moment that little rascal bowed his head.
Gan Fall was too young; the little rascal was ultimately just a bit clever.
Faced with these Blue Ocean people, if either the Angels or the Shandians were to yield, the other would lose all choice.
The trials of God are the steps for the angels, and the tolling of the bells are the steps for the Shandians.
If you don't step down from this platform, you'll die on it.
Will we perish with hatred, or will we seize this outstretched hand and embrace a new future filled with both risks and hope?
The latter, at least, still has a future.
The old chief slowly raised his hand and plucked a red feather from his head.
The red feathered crown on his head represents the supreme will and leadership of the Shandians.
The old chieftain, holding the red feather in both hands, walked to Oro with the help of the warriors beside him.
"Orikum Oro".
The old chief's aged voice was very loud: "You rang the bell of Shandora, proving and fulfilling the ancient covenant, and the Shandians are willing to repay your trust."
"If you can keep your promise, then the Shandians will never betray you."
He raised the headband high, then bowed deeply and presented it to Oro.
As the old chief bowed his head, all the Shandians present, regardless of age or gender, spontaneously placed their hands on their chests and bowed.
Oro straightened up, first solemnly helping the old chief to his feet, and then reaching out to take the red feather.
Hidden Cloud Village:
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