"You do not know what you are talking about, Alfred," Vir calmly denounced while placing the three white balls back into the basket. "Although they seem harmless, these animals are wild and will kill everything that can be eaten. Do not be deceived by their appearance."
"Even though I do not want to turn down your opinion, what Vir said was true." Chief Viren regretfully supported his son. "It is understandable that you do not fully comprehend how dangerous monsters are, but remember what happened last time you encountered one in the forest."
Alfred glanced at his wooden leg and smiled wryly.
How can he forget that terrifying night? In fact, he was afraid that the nightmare would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Nevertheless, he couldn't back down. He must admit he had not thought of his suggestion deeply, so he was unsure of the risk. Still, it didn't mean he had no idea what the consequences were. However, that was also the reason he knew the benefit of it.
He stared at Chief Viren's eyes with determination and spoke. "I understand what you meant. How can I forget how I lost one of my limbs? Still, if I may, I want to explain why adopting those monsters is beneficial to the tribe and why we should do it despite the risk."
"Why not let the lad explain himself?" Shaman Catori uttered, her eyes filled with curiosity. "We let him stay here so he could give us a different perspective, did we not. I do not see any harm in hearing what he has to say."
Elder Ahote crossed his arms and nodded. "I, too, think it is fair to at least listen to the kid. Who knows, we might find his words helpful."
"I guess that is indeed true." The old Chieftain caressed his white beard. "Go on, young Alfred. Convince us why this idea of yours is beneficial."
Alfred's face bloomed with excitement, as the bubbling in his heart was on the brink of explosion.
"I can see three choices we can take for those cubs. First, we let them go, and the tribe gains nothing from this—not a great deal if we consider our circumstances. Second, we turn these small creatures into resources, and we all know how little we can gain from them. For me, this is the worst choice of the three. Not only will we be rewarded by a small amount, but there could be a backlash, like what Chief Viren stated.
Finally, the last option. We adopt those monsters and hope for the best. I'm not going to lie. There are risks involved in this choice, as unforeseen accidents might occur. Nonetheless, I ask the Elders and the head of the hunters to consider. The benefit of its success will revolutionize the way of life of your people. Our people."
The old Shaman squinted, unconvinced by Alfred's words. "How so? I do not see where you are going with this."
Alfred's smile widened. "Can't you imagine if we succeed in taming these animals? Hunter and monster fighting side by side! But that isn't the main point of my proposal. If we succeed, not only will it strengthen the tribe's fighting prowess, but it will also open a new path for us to take.
"In my stay here, I couldn't help but notice that the only food source of the tribe is hunting, which is, no offense, unreliable. However, if we manage to tame those monsters, it means it is possible to tame others too. Therefore, we can search for monsters that can lay eggs, produce milk, or be docile ones.
"We can breed them and grow their number within our control and harvest their meat once they are ready. Why rely solely on hunting for food if we can produce it ourselves?"
Excitement consumed his awareness; he failed to notice the gaping mouths of the people around him. Even the strict Head Hunter was speechless by his unending words.
"Did I say something I shouldn't?" Alfred asked hesitantly.
"I... know you are smart, but not this smart," Shaman Catori muttered slowly as if she were finding her words before speaking them. "How can you think so far into the future? If everything you said is true, then taming those monsters is indeed worth trying despite the risk it brings."
Alfred had mixed emotions.
'Of course, the idea is from my world, so it's arrogant to claim it myself. But still, that knowledge is part of me, and gaining something from it is justified. It's not like someone will complain even if I did.'
"A future where we can produce our own food… That is indeed a future difficult to imagine," Chief Viren uttered in bewilderment.
"New ideas flow in my mind by just thinking of the possibility of such a goal." Elder Ahote's eyes ignited.
"Even I can see the benefit of that if that future is truly possible," Vir said in a wishful tone. "Still, I am uncertain of monsters living beside us. We do not even know if we are talking about risk, not certainty. I have been fighting monsters all my life, and I do not believe they can be tamed. Do you even have proof that it is possible?"
Alfred turned his head to the towering muscle next to him. The man still terrified him, but he couldn't back down, not now that he was too close to achieving his goal.
"No, there is a possibility. You have already provided us with the proof yourself. The White Lion, which dies protecting its offspring, isn't that proof enough? I believe those animals, like us humans, can feel pain, sadness, fear, love, care, and all kinds of emotions. It is just the wilderness that forces them to adapt, to fight for their survival.
"What if a monster grows in a loving and caring environment where they do not have to fight everything just to survive? I think they will protect that home and those who live around them like family."
Vir crossed his arms and countered. "That is just your assumption, and I do not want to put my people's lives in something uncertain."
'This stubborn musclehead! I don't want to do this, but if you cannot be reasoned with, then I will use your logic to my advantage.'
"If you are not convinced after all those facts, then how about the time Chief Viren was saved by the White Lion? Maybe it is the Spirit's will for the beast to save him, knowing that this very day will arrive." Alfred looked at the Chieftain with desperation and spoke. "Perhaps this is a way to pay your debt by raising these monsters ourselves."
The room became silent for a few seconds before a burst of laughter broke out.
"HAHAHAHA! I did not know you had it in you, lad." Shaman Catori amusingly said, "Using Chief Viren's words for your gain, I am impressed. For that amusing display, I will approve of taming those cubs. Do not disappoint me."
Alfred's heart skipped a beat upon hearing one of the Elders support his idea. He was close, so close to succeeding that his heart worked double time.
"My dream is pushing the tribe to a better life," Elder Ahote stated. "That is why I began crafting things, hoping one day I can create something that can help our people and the next generations. Alfred's suggestion might sound high-falutin' and far-fetched, but how can we see the horizon if we do not look up? I also agree."
Clenching his fist, Alfred couldn't contain his excitement any longer, so his body rose into a kneeling position and was on the brink of standing.
"The food problem of our tribe is dire, and if we do nothing, our tribe will suffer, or worse, fall." The skinny Chieftain closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them once again. "…If this kind of risk will save us, then we face it all together. I agree, we will adopt the cubs and raise them ourselves!"
"Hell yeah!"