I smiled faintly and pulled the bowstring on the crossbow hard. As soon as the bowstring was fixed, I lightly placed an arrow on it.
First, I plan to demonstrate it directly without explaining it. Just then, the 'brave wolf' brought something to use as a target.
A target made of grass and wood. He gave a nod of appreciation to the 'brave wolf' who had set up the target on the ground.
"Step aside."
"Understood, Chief!"
Most of the adult males in the village, including 'Brave Wolf', watched the entire process of me making the crossbow. Is that why?
The men of the village, as well as the 'brave wolf' who was stepping back, looked at me with expectant eyes. The distance between me and the target was close.
About ten meters. I took a deep breath, placed the crossbow against my right shoulder and aimed. As soon as the tip of the arrow aligned with the target, I pulled the handle without hesitation.
Swish!
The arrow, which flew almost in a straight line, hit the target precisely.
Phew!
At the same time, the villagers who were watching the scene shouted here and there with surprised eyes.
Waaa ...
"Did an arrow just fly?"
"Yeah. When the chief pulls the handle, the arrow flies without fail."
"The more I look at it, the more amazing it is."
"What was the name of that bow?"
"They called it a crossbow."
"catapult?
"okay."
I waited a moment for the townspeople's excitement to die down and reloaded my crossbow once more. The 'Brave Wolf' and the warriors immediately recognized the value of the crossbow and their eyes lit up.
"It's easy for women to learn how to use a crossbow too."
This time, he quickly shot the crossbow at the target.
Swish!
This time, it hit the mark. The accuracy has definitely increased, perhaps because my archery skill proficiency has increased compared to before. Otherwise, they are either superhumans or something else.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Once again, exclamations erupted from the townspeople.
"Fast deer! Bring me the crossbow."
"Understood, Chief!"
With faster movements than ever before, the 'fast-footed deer' ran into the workshop with five warriors in tow. The crossbow wasn't made alone.
A total of ten. Of course, the rest were made by the village men to teach them the skills of making crossbows. Before they knew it, the 'swift deer' and the warriors had brought ten crossbows and placed them on the ground.
"First, the warriors."
The warriors' desire to shoot the crossbow could be felt with their whole body.
"Thank you, Chief!"
"Okay, let me give it a shot."
Before long, ten warriors, including the 'Brave Wolf', had taken up positions with their crossbows in hand. I spoke to the townspeople watching from behind.
"Everyone, one at a time. You'll be shooting the slingshot. Watch carefully."
"we?"
"That slingshot?"
"Do women have to do it too?"
Boom boom!
I turned around and looked at the warriors and shouted loudly.
"load!"
The warriors followed my words and answered powerfully.
"load!"
There is one target.
"firing!"
"firing!"
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Maybe it was because I shot a lot of arrows in my daily life, but not a single arrow missed.
"load!"
"firing!"
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
All the warriors who tested the crossbow gave it a thumbs up.
"Chief! It's so easy to shoot a bow."
"I think women can shoot too."
"Hehehe! Shooting a stone-bow is fun! Chief!"
Even the 'Humble Bear', who was not very good at archery, was very interested in the crossbow. I was satisfied with the performance of the crossbow and called the village women.
"Next, the ladies."
The women came out looking embarrassed and picked up the crossbows.
"firing!"
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
After a while, he sat down the villagers who had shot the crossbow once each and gave them a short and concise explanation.
"If warriors from other tribes invade, the old men and women also carry crossbows and provide support from the rear."
"······."
"If you practice with the crossbow enough, you can become a sharpshooter just like any warrior. So starting tomorrow, I will practice with the crossbow every day."
Boom boom!
There was only a small uproar, but no villagers opposed my decision. Rather, the elderly and women who could not provide any help when the invaders came were taking a more active stance.
"Chief! I will learn properly."
"Hohoho! If the chief gives an order, you have to do it unconditionally."
"I'm old, but I'll help you out a little."
I said, looking at the townspeople with grateful eyes.
"For the village. For the tribe. I hope you study hard."
"Yes, Chief!"
At that moment, a welcome notification sounded in my head.
[Tiring]
[A new weapon, the crossbow, has been introduced.]
[Tiring!]
[You have leveled up.]
[You are given +1 ability and +2 ability points randomly.]
[Your agility stat increases by 1 based on the random ability increase.]
* * *
Town hall. We received word from the village of the 'Big Turtle' that they would soon be trading with another tribe. Fortunately, we had already completed preparations to leave by building basic buildings and weapons.
'If we just use the crossbow well, we can block the enemy's invasion well.'
And just in case, basic military tactics were also passed on to the 'Brave Wolf'. However, before leaving the village, we had a long meeting to hand over some things.
Before starting the meeting, I invested seven unused points into leadership.
[Tiring!]
[Points +7 invested in leadership.」
[Control changed to 20.]
The elders attending the meeting glanced at me from their conversation among themselves. It was the same with other warriors.
"It seems like the chief's mood has suddenly changed."
"I know."
I asked with a calm expression.
"What has changed?"
"I don't know for sure, but is he a chieftain with dignity?"
"Yes. Don't you feel the authority of the chief, as if he were a chieftain who cannot be treated lightly?"
Everyone nodded as if they agreed with that opinion.
'Leadership is definitely related to charisma.'
After a while, the meeting progressed quickly.
"The butcher shop, the pottery shop, and the leather workshop will all be finished by the time the chief returns."
"Don't worry. I'll keep a close eye on my grandson, Lazy Beaver."
The building issue that was my suggestion went smoothly without any problems. However, the 'lazy beaver' who had taken his seat in a corner of the village hall glanced at me with a disgruntled expression.
As I looked up, the 'lazy beaver', unusually, quickly avoided my gaze.
'Is this also because of leadership?'
As of yet, nothing has been confirmed.
"Lazy beaver! When I come back, I'll be raising turkeys too. Please take good care of the turkey pen too."
'Lazy Beaver' answered in a crawling voice, still avoiding my gaze.
"Yes, Chief!"
"Brave wolf! Take good care of the turkey."
"I'll catch a lot."
The meeting went smoothly for a while. Food problems, crossbow training, etc.
"I hope everyone will faithfully carry out their assigned tasks."
The long, long meeting is finally over.
* * *
The next day. From the morning, welcome guests came to the 'very big' village. In order to trade with other tribes, chiefs and warriors from each Lenape village entered the village entrance carrying the goods they had traded on their shoulders.
"A very big two thousand days!"
"Chief!"
The 'hunter of the forest' whom I hadn't seen in several months gave me a warm hug as soon as he saw me.
"How have you been?"
"Yes. Thanks to you."
After greeting him warmly, he gave in to his wife, who missed the 'hunter of the forest' more than anyone else.
"dad!"
"It seems like the big two thousand days are doing well. Your face is brighter than when you were with me."
'The Moon Rises' responded to 'The Hunter of the Forest's' joke with a tantrum.
"Dad! When did I say that?"
Meanwhile, other Lenape tribesmen looked around the village with wide eyes.
"It's not a shack."
"I saw that watchtower in the 'Big Turtle' village. But it has a roof."
"The fence also seems bigger and stronger."
"What is that in the middle of the village? It doesn't look like a watchtower."
They built it with an expression full of curiosity and wonder, as it was noticeably different from the village they lived in. Finally, the 'Forest Hunter' introduced me to the other chieftains.
"It's a very big two thousand days."
"You are a very big two thousand days old. I have heard a lot about you."
"Please take care of me in the future."
"I heard you are a great warrior with outstanding fighting skills. I will trust you on this path. Haha!"
"I also heard the story about the Yellow Tree Village. The 'Strong Soul Warrior' committed a very great sin. Well done."
I don't know what they said, but the atmosphere was very friendly to me. I secretly activated my mind while exchanging greetings with the chiefs.
'Hmm! There's no one particularly noteworthy.'
However, when I was greeting warriors from other villages, there was a talented person who caught my eye.
[Brave Eagle]
[Affiliation: Lenape Tribe, Warrior]
[Alignment: Brave. Natural fighting ability. High potential to grow into a great warrior.]
[Ability]
Stamina: 12
Strength: 11
Agility: 10
Wisdom: 9
Command: 15
'The ability is almost the same as that of a brave wolf.'
When I saw a useful talent, I became greedy without realizing it. I smiled brightly as I saw the 'brave eagle' greeting me politely.
"Nice to meet you."
"I have heard of your reputation through word of mouth and know you well. I ask for your help in the future."
I wanted to make a strong first impression, but decided to wait for the next opportunity. After a while, we were ready to meet the other tribes.
A total of twelve villages participated in this transaction. From each village, three or four chieftains and warriors were selected.
Of course, there were villages where only warriors came, and the old chieftain could not attend. The total number of people is forty.
In our village, there is me, the 'fast deer', and the 'stubborn bear'. It was decided that these three would participate in this promotion.
The village decided to have the 'Brave Wolf' lead the village together with the elders instead of me.
"Please take good care of the village!"
"Don't worry and have a safe trip, Chief!"
"The Brave Wolf" said with a strong look in his eyes, as if he felt a strong sense of responsibility.
Finally, I also said hello to 'The Moon Rises'.
"Don't get hurt. Take care on your way back."
"okay."
From outside the fence, the 'Forest Hunter' shouted.
"A very big two thousand days! Everyone is waiting."
"Yes, I will go."
As I walked ahead, the 'stubborn bear' and the 'swift deer' followed behind, carrying baskets of candles and soap.
'It's going to be quite a long trip.'
I heard it would take two or three months to get back to the village.
* * *
We crossed the river by canoe and continued moving through the dense forest. At night, they built a portable hut and slept there.
As we moved like that, a few days passed quickly. As soon as the sun rose, we had a light breakfast with the game we had caught the night before and started moving again.
The real leader of this ascent was the 'Hunter of the Forest'. Everyone followed him and seemed to secretly respect him.
But, at important moments, I was the leader. No, the 'Forest Hunter' heeded my warning. As the party moved in a wide formation, I, along with the 'Forest Hunter', stood in the lead and checked the map window from time to time.
At that moment, a blue dot appeared in the map window.
'what?'
If you see that it's not a red dot, then it's not an enemy. However, it was necessary to watch a little longer. Before I knew it, the one blue dot had grown to twelve.
The problem is their direction. We saw them quickly approaching us and called out to the 'Forest Hunters'.
"chief!"
"Why? Do you have something to say?"
As I spoke, I could naturally see dozens of red dots chasing the blue dot as I looked at the map window.
'What are those guys?'