I too, did not avoid his gaze and glared at him.
"······Don't get sick or hurt. The 'Brave Wolf' will help you a lot."
"······."
Next to me, 'The Moon Rises' kept chattering.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Yeah. I'm listening."
As I stopped paying attention to her story, 'The Moon Rises' also turned its head to follow my gaze. When 'Red Face' saw 'Moon Rises' looking at him, he quickly looked away, perhaps feeling that he looked pathetic.
"How can your face change like that? It's so pitiful."
"······."
'Red Face's' face was disfigured after a battle with the Pequot tribe. Although the wounds had healed, it seemed that he would never be able to return to his original face.
"By the way, I guess 'Aju Big Icheonil' is a great warrior. How could he not have a single scar despite fighting so fiercely against the Pequot tribe? In fact, his skin looks better than when I first saw him."
"······."
For a moment, I was speechless and didn't know how to respond. It's not like he didn't get any scars while fighting the Pequot tribe.
However, it was restored to its original state through leveling up. He just answered with a smile, without saying anything.
At that moment, the 'Forest Hunters' and the elders approached and we exchanged brief greetings and saw each other off.
"Take care and have a safe trip."
"Don't get hurt."
The 'Forest Hunter' frowned as he looked towards the 'Yellow Tree' warriors, wondering if they had something to say.
"I have a bad feeling about this. I want to stop you, but you insist on going. Don't trust them. Just doubt them again and again."
"······."
Why would you say that to me on the way to the 'Yellow Tree' village? Although I had my doubts, I figured there must be a reason for it and decided to take his advice to heart.
Don't trust it.
'I have to be careful.'
When he was finished speaking, the 'Forest Hunter' turned his head and exchanged a silent glance with the 'Brave Wolf', nodding.
After a while, the fence gate opened and the warriors of the 'Yellow Tree' stepped forward first. The warriors of the 'Yellow Tree', which had been eleven in number, had been reduced to six.
After that I and the 'Big Turtle' warriors followed. The 'Humble Bear', carrying a fairly large basket, hummed with great excitement.
"I'm going to play! I'm going to get a wife! Even the 'honest bear' can get married!"
The 'fast-footed deer' grumbled as if it was noisy.
"Humble bear! I'm not going out to play. So be quiet."
"I don't want to do it quietly. You can't get married like me!"
"This kid suddenly starts cursing and stuff. It's so annoying."
'Brave Wolf' and the other warriors shook their heads with pitiful eyes and began to move, each taking their own positions.
I also opened the map window and moved with the warriors.
* * *
riverside. There were five canoes that had already been anchored. We divided into groups, got into canoes, and began to row vigorously across the river.
'I'm so anxious.'
Sitting in the middle seat, I glanced down at the bottom of the canoe as I rowed. Although it had a wooden frame, the entire canoe was covered with birch bark, so I was worried that water would leak in.
Last time I was canoeing, I was chased by Pequot warriors and I was out of my mind. However, checking the condition of the canoe and crossing the river was as nerve-wracking as riding a roller coaster.
After a while, we crossed the river safely. The warriors hid their canoes in the bushes near the river in preparation for their return.
"I will guide you from now on."
"Yes, Chief!"
The 'Very Strong Soul Warrior', the chief of the 'Yellow Tree', stepped forward and walked into the thick forest.
* * *
Five days have passed since we moved through the endless forest. The day was gradually getting darker. The 'very strong soul warrior' quickly gave instructions to his warriors as soon as he found a suitable place to spend the night.
"I'm spending the night here."
"Yes, Chief!"
The warriors began to build a mobile hut with skillful movements. We found several logs of appropriate thickness from around the area and built a frame.
When viewed from a distance, it looks exactly like a triangular horn. I too did not remain still, but with skillful movements I brought in leafy branches from around me and covered the log frame tightly.
After a while, four portable huts were built around a campfire. The warriors quickly butchered the prey they caught while moving and began to roast the meat over a campfire.
Knock knock!
While the meat was grilling, I kept a close eye on the 'stubborn bear' and the surroundings. Here and there, the cries of unknown animals could be heard.
Now that I was used to sleeping in the middle of the forest, I wasn't as scared or afraid as I used to be. At that moment, the voice of the 'brave wolf' was heard.
"A very big two thousand days! Honest bear! The meat is all cooked."
"Soy sauce! Go... wait. Go... wait!"
When it was time to eat, the 'Humble Bear' quickly turned around and ran, feeling so good.
Phew!
I raised my head and checked the map window again. Fortunately, there were no red dots. I walked to the mobile hut.
A whole roasted piece of meat, gutted and roasted over a campfire, was placed on leaves, and several warriors were cutting the meat into large pieces and distributing them.
I took my place next to the 'big turtle' electronics. I had no appetite after eating only meat for several days, but I chewed and ate my share of the meat that was allotted to me in order to survive.
"······."
I feel the same way today, but the chief and warriors of the 'Yellow Tree' did not speak to me. So I didn't really talk to them.
In particular, 'Red Face' sometimes showed hostility towards me.
Squeak squeak!
I glanced at 'Red Face', who was observing me while roughly chewing the meat in his hand. Once again, 'Red Face' avoided my gaze.
'That kid! I think he's going to have a big accident...'
After a while, when the meal was over, we cleaned up and went into our assigned mobile huts. As I entered the mobile hut with 'Swift Deer', 'Wind and Cloud' happened to be tidying up my sleeping place.
"Oh my, here we go again. Wind and clouds! Don't just make a huge two-thousand-day bed, make one for me too."
'The Wind and the Clouds' mercilessly rejected the 'Fast Deer' who grumbled as if he was jealous of me.
"You don't have hands or feet. You do it."
"Oh my! Then, the very big Icheonil doesn't have hands?"
"······."
'Wind and Cloud' went to bed, ignoring the words of 'Swift Deer'. I also lay in bed and looked at 'Wind and Clouds'. It was comfortable, but not once or twice.
To be honest, I found his behavior burdensome. That wasn't all. What should I say? Should I say that he treats me very carefully?
He was by my side and whenever I needed something, he would move first to get it for me. Although I was comfortable, I couldn't quite understand his behavior.
"Wind and clouds! Forward. I. Will."
'Wind and Cloud' hesitated a little, looking embarrassed, and answered briefly.
"···okay."
For a moment, silence flowed inside the mobile hut. And just like yesterday, my question was answered again with the explanation of the 'fast-footed deer'.
"······How much did I explain? Anyway, our Lenape tribe lives scattered in about two hundred villages centered around the Lenape River (Delaware River). Oh, now I remember. You asked why we live scattered instead of together?"
"huh."
"Why do they live apart? There is no food, so how can so many people, about thirty thousand, live together? Even if we plant corn or beans, it is not enough food. In addition, there are not many animals to hunt, and they are limited. That is why a hundred people is good. If there are more than that, there will be a food shortage to the point where people will starve."
"···I see."
I somewhat understand the explanation of the 'swift deer'. Indeed, in 1400 there were no livestock worthy of being raised in the Americas.
Just the livestock that come to mind are cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, lambs, ducks, etc. However, it is not as if shipbuilding technology was developed enough to import livestock from other continents.
The word "isolated" was just right. Moreover, since the level of agriculture remained almost primitive, securing food was not easy.
"And by the way, the land that has been there for ten years is not very good for crop harvesting. So after about ten years, they move to find a new settlement."
"I see."
When I responded and answered, the 'fast-footed deer' seemed to be excited and explained in as much detail as he could to the best of his knowledge.
"Do you have any other questions?"
"Let's stop for today. I'm tired."
"Yeah, I talk a lot, so I get a little tired. Ask me anytime. I'll teach you everything."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Good night. A very big two thousand days!"
And soon after, the snoring of the 'swift deer' was heard.
'···I missed sleep today too.'
* * *
It's the seventh day since I started my journey from the 'Big Turtle' village.
"for a moment."
When I, who was at the back, spoke, there were two reactions. The 'Big Turtle' warriors stopped and looked at me all at once, while the 'Yellow Tree' warriors ignored my words as if they were not listening and continued to move forward.
The 'fast-footed deer' came running at once with a nervous expression.
"A very big two thousand days! Why? Is there something ahead?"
"There is a dangerous animal ahead."
"Bear? Wolf?"
On the map window, several red dots were cautiously approaching us. A wolf pack, to be exact. However, I couldn't tell the truth because I thought it would be awkward if I was asked how I knew.
"I don't know."
"That's right."
"Honest bear! I… trust the soy sauce. If the soy sauce is dangerous, then it is dangerous."
'Wind and Cloud', who was nearby, made a serious expression and spoke to 'Brave Wolf'.
"Brave wolf! Bring the chief."
"okay."
The 'Brave Wolf' looked at me once and then ran towards the 'Yellow Tree' warriors who were moving ahead in the distance.
"chief!"
The 'Strong Soul Warrior' said with an annoyed expression.
"What path do you have to take? Why don't you follow me?"
"There is a dangerous animal ahead."
The 'Strong Soul Warrior' glanced at me and spoke in a deliberately loud voice.
"I know this forest well, and you say there are dangerous animals there? Are you ignoring my experience as a hero in the war against the Pequot tribe? Stop talking nonsense and just follow me."
"······."
The 'brave wolf' turned around and shrugged his shoulders at us. And as the 'Yellow Tree' warriors walked away, the 'Big Turtle' warriors all looked at me.
"A very big two thousand days! What should we do?"
"···hmm!"
If it weren't for the quest, I wouldn't care if I got chased by a pack of wolves or died. I hesitated for a moment, but then made a decision right away.
'Because there aren't many.'
I gave orders to the 'Big Turtle' warriors as if I were the leader of this group.
"Defense formation. Ready to attack at any time."
"okay."
The 'Brave Wolf' and his warriors formed a defensive formation and slowly followed the chief and warriors of the 'Yellow Tree'.
A moment later, the chief and warriors of the 'Yellow Tree' were swinging their spears and clubs against the pack of wolves.
"You can't back down!"
"Don't show any weaknesses!"
Krrrrrr! Krrrrrr!
And just then, as we approached, the wolf pack, perhaps feeling outnumbered, retreated little by little and quickly disappeared into the forest.
As the dangerous situation was over, the 'fast deer', whose tension had been relieved, looked at me and exclaimed in admiration.
"Hey! Big Twelve Thousand Days! How on earth did you know? Is there a special secret for the great warriors in your tribe? Then, teach me too."
"As expected, the blind man is amazing! I am learning too."
Not only the 'Humble Bear' but also the 'Big Turtle' warriors all looked at me with awe. At that moment, the 'Strong Soul Warrior' broke the mood by coughing in vain with a very embarrassed look on his face.
"Ahem! We would have defeated the wolves without you. Don't gossip like the women do. Ahem! It's late. Let's go."
"······."
The 'Swift Deer' mocked the 'Strong Soul Warrior' as he watched the chieftain and warriors of the 'Yellow Tree' walk away from him again.
"We would have defeated the wolves without you? I like that. If we hadn't come, we would have been in big trouble."
The imitation of the 'swift deer' was so similar that I couldn't help but laugh. The warriors, like me, laughed out loud.
"Just say thank you."
"Yeah. I don't like it."
"I hate that s..."
Finally, the honest bear drove the wedge in without hesitation.
"What are you all doing? Aren't you going to follow me?"
The 'Brave Wolf' answered shortly to the angry voice of the 'Strong Soul Warrior'.
"I'm going."
Disengaging my defensive formation, I took up my position in the rear again and followed the group. And this time, I nodded as I truly realized the usefulness of the map window.
'If there's no map in the forest, it'll be a real problem.'