But awkwardly, George was stronger than he was.
And his body was tense, clearly intentionally not allowing him to lift him up.
Helpless, Bruce let go, his face full of confusion.
"Leader George, what are you doing…"
George took a deep breath, remained kneeling without moving, and looked up at Bruce, speaking sincerely, "Brother Bruce, having lost my father and wife and children, I neither have the will nor the strength to manage Rogel Camp anymore.
Currently, I only have my little son Logan left. The environment at Redwood Ridge is harsh, and I lack strength.
Therefore, I want to take my son to a larger, safer camp, but I can't stop worrying about the remaining over a hundred people in the camp.
Today, I've come to ask Brother Bruce to take in the remaining over a hundred people from Rogel Camp and lead them to continue surviving!"
After saying this in one breath, George paused for a moment and continued to add:
"Of course, I know it's difficult, so I'm willing to hand over everything from Rogel Camp. In the valley south of the base, there's a not yet fully mined iron mine, and in the Redwood Ridge territory, there's a coal mine ready for direct extraction. Brother Bruce, if you agree, all these will belong to Harper in the future."
After George finished speaking, silence fell by the furnace.
Charlie, Tony, Clark, and some ordinary people had already gathered when George knelt down, and upon hearing what he said, everyone became silent, gazing at Bruce with complex expressions.
No wonder, no wonder…
Bruce suddenly realized why George had previously given him so much coal and iron ore, why he talked so much with Charlie, and even discussed the meat distribution with him.
Apparently, the previous disaster caused by the Wood Puppet Monster had devastated Rogel Camp severely; coupled with the loss of his father, wife, and eldest son, George was truly disheartened, unwilling to keep his focus on the camp, only wanting to protect his only young son.
He's leaving with his young son for a larger, safer camp.
Given the preceding events, Bruce wasn't surprised at George's decision to escape.
Instead, he admired that George didn't just leave without a word but chose to come to him, humbly and sincerely seeking a way out for the camp's over a hundred people.
At the very least, this showed that even though George chose to escape, he still held a sense of responsibility.
"Since you know the locations of other camps, why not take the people with you there?"
Tony's question immediately drew strange looks from the crowd.
Mainly because the question was too blunt.
Moving a camp is exceedingly challenging for any community.
And the larger the group, the greater the risk.
Moreover, since Redwood Ridge is isolated from the outside world, if George decided to leave, he might have a hidden safe route, and such a route wouldn't allow taking too many people.
George didn't mind, explaining, "Don't worry, Brother Bruce. I am only taking twelve people with me this time. Among the 173 remaining in the camp, there are still seventeen in the Axeheart Realm, who can assist Brother Bruce in due time!"
Seventeen, in the Axeheart Realm!
Upon hearing this, Charlie, Tony, and the others' eyes immediately lit up, turning to Bruce with a look of wanting to persuade him.
Bruce remained silent, just frowning in deep thought.
Seeing him not speak, everyone else also stayed silent, merely watching him quietly.
Meanwhile, George remained kneeling without rising, as if he wouldn't get up unless Bruce agreed.
The entire cave sunk into silence.
Seventeen Axeheart Realms.
A unique valley with an excellent location, highly concealed and naturally blessed.
Two coal mines and iron mines that can be directly exploited.
Not to mention, once the Rogel Camp is accepted, Harper will naturally become the strongest camp in the vicinity.
In the future, the outer area on the east side of Redwood Ridge will basically be under Harper's control.
This seems to be an offer that doesn't require much thought, just accept it.
But things can't be thought of too simply.
If it were really this good, George wouldn't be kneeling here begging him to take over Rogel Camp.
First of all, integrating over 100 people isn't simple, not to mention there are seventeen Axeheart Realms among them.
Currently, Harper only has nine Axeheart Realms.
Will merging the two groups produce conflicts?
If conflicts arise, Bruce can suppress them with strength, but doing so will only make integration more difficult.
The hundred-plus people William brought were different.
Taylor Camp was completely destroyed, and all the Axeheart Realms were wiped out.
Without Harper's refuge, they simply couldn't survive.
Out of gratitude, they trust Bruce unconditionally and actively strive to integrate because they know they are newcomers.
But the more than one hundred people from Rogel Camp are different.
According to George, handing over the valley base would mean that Bruce has to lead all three hundred plus people over there.
Naturally, people will resist internally.
Moreover, Rogel Camp has nearly twice as many Axeheart Realms as Harper, so the two groups might have conflicts by then.
After a moment of contemplation, Bruce asked:
"Leader George, forgive my bluntness, but since there are seventeen Axeheart Realms left, why not choose one from among them to lead and continue surviving?"
Upon hearing this, George instantly showed a hint of appreciation on his face, confirming in his heart that he hadn't misjudged, and his resolve grew stronger.
"Brother Bruce, a couple of days ago, I indeed had this idea, but among the remaining seventeen people at the camp, I couldn't find anyone more suitable than you.
Firstly, none of them are as powerful as you, and secondly, they truly don't have the qualities to be a leader.
It's only been two days since the disaster, and many of them are still immersed in the sorrow of losing their loved ones. When I proposed leaving with people, they became disheartened.
Let's not even mention letting them lead the camp; I worry that once I leave, these people might be the first to fall into despair, making it impossible for the rest of the hundred-plus people to survive. I truly have no way out, so I came to ask for your help, Brother Bruce."
After listening, Bruce felt a bit puzzled at first, but quickly understood when he recalled the tragedy that had befallen Rogel Camp previously.
More than one thousand three hundred people, only a bit over one hundred survived; even Leader George was disheartened, so what more of his subordinates who were Axeheart Realms?
Plus, George proposed leaving with people, and based on his meaning, he plans to take Jaden, Lucas, and Celeb, the three Earthripper Realms, along with their children.
With such a situation, it is genuinely impossible to have them lead the camp.
But no, no; perhaps these people are deliberately acting this way to prevent George from leaving.
If I agree with George, wouldn't it be indirectly facilitating George and others' departure, possibly attracting more resentment?
Bruce's face suddenly turned peculiar.
Coincidentally, George saw this, and he immediately gave a bitter laugh:
"Brother Bruce, you're astute – you immediately saw through it. Indeed, they indeed wish to use this as leverage to prevent me from leaving with people, but now that George only has this one son as his concern, I truly do not wish to stay at Redwood Ridge any longer.
Firstly, I'm afraid seeing it will remind me of people; secondly, I'm worried about encountering dangers again in the future and being unable to protect my younger son. So George leaving is a resolute decision."
At this point, George's tone turned adamant as he stated: "Brother Bruce, rest assured. As long as you agree to accept them and promise to treat them equally, before I leave, I will try my hardest to persuade them.
For those who are still unconvinced, you can deal with them as you see fit, and I won't say a word against it."
After saying this, George gave Bruce another bow.
Though he didn't look at Bruce's expression, George was already eighty percent certain in his heart.
To be exact, before coming, he had a sixty percent certainty that Bruce would agree to take on the over one hundred people at Rogel Camp.
Although he only briefly interacted with Bruce during the confrontation with the Wood Puppet Monster, George, with years of serving as a leader and his age, had some skills in judging people.
Bruce, upon learning that a Wood Puppet Monster had infiltrated Rogel Camp, dared to risk rushing over to report, and was willing to accompany them back to the camp to help deal with the Wood Puppet Monster, proved his decent character.
During the confrontation with the Wood Puppet Monster, Bruce led everyone with a clear strategy, showcasing both courage and wisdom, which George noticed, indicating that he was more than capable.
This is why George valued him and thought he could carry the responsibility of leading over a hundred people at the camp.
Upon hearing about the remaining seventeen Axeheart Realms at the camp, the others immediately beamed with joy, filled with excitement, but only Bruce remained calm and swiftly considered the difficulties of merging the two groups, showcasing his meticulous mindset to the utmost.
Most importantly, George saw that Bruce harbors ambition.
Especially after hearing the meat-sharing rules Bruce set, George became even more certain he hadn't misjudged him.
A leader with ambition won't rigidly cling to the current modest population of Harper without change.
Every ambitious leader knows that resources are important, but population is the biggest foundation.
Without a large population, any ambition is mere talk.
A leader who is decent in character, outstanding in capability, meticulous in detail, and ambitious can't possibly refuse more than one hundred people and the existing resources of Rogel Camp when they are handed over for free, especially considering the humble posture George is currently presenting.
Bruce couldn't reject it, and has no reason to do so.
"Leader George, those one hundred plus people, Harper, will take them!"
Even though he already felt confident, upon hearing Bruce agree, George still released a heavy sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Brother Bruce!"
Bruce smiled and stepped forward, finally helping George up smoothly this time.
Even though he didn't know why George insisted on leaving.
However, with so many good things willingly offered, Bruce had no reason to refuse.
The secluded valley of Rogel Camp, the existing coal mines and iron mines, the expansive territory on the outskirts of Redwood Ridge, and over one hundred people, among whom there are seventeen Axeheart Realms.
Each one of these is a great temptation for Bruce.
Though aware that these benefits come with troubles.
But aren't troubles meant to be solved!
Nurturing five hundred people is merely about getting more Crystal Fruit;
If there are any troublemakers among the seventeen Axeheart Realms, they can be persuaded first; if persuasion fails, then suppression is used;
The supply of Cold Beast Meat has increased greatly all of a sudden, which just means going to Redwood Ridge to hunt a few more Cold Beasts.
Once these troubles are entirely resolved and Harper's strength is enhanced, fully replacing Rogel Camp, the eastern side of Redwood Ridge will be under Harper's say in the future.
Such an alluring future, no matter how troublesome it is, Bruce must accept it.
After discussing the specific details, George left contentedly.
After sending George off, Bruce returned to the cave, seeing everyone excitedly watching him, and couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement himself.
"Pack up. When night falls tomorrow, we start moving!"
"We're moving, hahahaha."
"That valley at Rogel Camp is such a great place."
"Not just the valley, soon their territory will also be ours."
"Hahaha, with over one hundred people joining Harper, our population will exceed five hundred, and wouldn't that make us a medium-sized camp?"
For a time, the camp was bustling, and everyone cheered enthusiastically.