The leader of the Sheep Tribe was pleased—actually, he had been quite happy these past few years.
But the happiest days were these last two.
Yes, every year, there were always these two days that made everyone in the Sheep Tribe very excited.
Because this was the time of their tribe’s annual plentiful harvest.
The Sheep Tribe’s leader and his people had already been stationed here for several days.
So far, they had yet to see the scene of the many sheep rushing together in a stampede. Even so, he and the others in the tribe patiently waited here.
Because they firmly believed that the flocks would come.
This belief was not without reason—over the years, these flocks had passed this way every year without fail.
If they hadn’t waited here ahead of time, this critical and large harvest for the tribe might have been missed.
Not far from them, there were some giant grizzly bears and packs of wolves and other such creatures.
These fierce beasts were gathered here quietly, causing no conflict, as if they were guests patiently waiting for a feast to begin.
The number of people from the Sheep Tribe guarding this place was not very many, even fewer than before.
This was because many tribe members stayed back to tend to the tribe’s sheep.
The tribe’s sheep herds were growing larger and required more caretakers—this was originally a joyous thing, but now, for those about to witness a grand feast, these sheep had become a happy burden.
Driving the tribe’s sheep to this place, and then when the migrating sheep arrived, everyone would join in together—this was something the Sheep Tribe leader had previously tried to have others do.
But it hadn’t worked well; after the migrating sheep passed, the domesticated sheep in the tribe, except those tied to trees with ropes, had all run away with the migrating flock.
Since that experience, the leader refused to do that again.
After all, getting newly captured sheep to behave requires a lot of time and effort.
Moreover, although the Sheep Tribe’s population had increased significantly over the years, most were infants. After the herd reached a specific size, the first batch of offspring was only about four years old.
These children would still need a long time to grow to adulthood and had a long way to go.
These two reasons combined meant that this time, not many people came out hunting from the Sheep Tribe.
Someone from the Sheep Tribe pointed across the river, alerting the group.
This voice interrupted the leader’s thoughts. He looked up with the others and a look of joy spread across his face.
At the same time, the big beasts waiting around also reacted—previously lazy, they now stood up, looking especially alert and aggressive.
But no matter how fierce they were, the sheep that had once fled upon seeing them now charged forward without hesitation, not afraid at all.
To the sheep, this was just a highly ordinary stretch of their journey—no different from before or after.
The predators waiting by the riverbank were neither the first nor the last.
When the first soaked sheep swam across the river and climbed onto this bank, the feast that the predators had long anticipated officially began…
The stampeding sheep gradually moved away, while the satisfied predators, full-bellied and lazy, licked blood from their mouths and picked their teeth as they left.
On the land remained some dark red bloodstains, scattered bones, and some scavenging birds that weren’t excellent hunters, chirping noisily and happily eating the leftovers.
The Sheep Tribe leader, stained with blood, and his people all wore smiles.
After smashing the head of a brazen big bird that tried to snatch their prey with a stick, the leader led the tribe’s people, carrying their slow but steady harvest with tired bodies and extremely excited hearts, as they began their triumphant return.
The captured sheep were pitiful—those with minor injuries were tied with ropes and led forward.
Not only that, but some small dead lambs were tied to their backs.
After returning to the tribe, they would finally be able to feast on a lot of mutton.
After eating, they would sleep soundly—just thinking about it was comforting.
The Sheep Tribe leader had already planned that once they woke up, after a big meal, they would carry some of the leftover sheep they didn’t have time to eat to the nearby wealthy tribe to trade for some salt to store.
Besides the salt, they would also trade for some of the small yellow fruits.
Cooked in clay pots, those little fruits were delicious when eaten with mutton…
Near the Sheep Tribe’s cave, those left behind in the tribe held pointed sticks tied with ropes—used both for hunting fierce beasts and for herding sheep—while tending the tribe’s sheep.
Most of these people were not very strong, and some were still minors.
They stood apart, gathering the sheep together.
The sheep quietly grazed under their watch. If any sheep tried to cross the circle, the herders would whip them with the ropes tied to their sticks.
These grasses had been deliberately left for them, so those left behind could graze sheep near the tribe for a few days without going far.
This solution to the tribe’s and sheep’s safety came after several attempts by the tribe’s strong hunters to capture sheep during this season.
“Shouldn’t the leaders be back soon?”
Someone looked up and gazed into the distance while tending the sheep…
The Sheep Tribe leader, carrying a full harvest and leading the way with dreams of future happiness, suddenly stopped, gazing toward one spot with a look of caution and uncertainty.
Hearing him speak, the tribe’s people stopped as well and looked eastward together.
There, something strange appeared…