I secretly wanted to meet them. And we confirmed that they were moving in and out of our territory. Of course, since the concept of territory was ambiguous between tribes, we could not unilaterally claim that it was our territory.
In any case, this time I needed to meet the Iroquois Confederated Tribe people and find out what they were thinking.
If you come out as hostile...
'I guess I'll have to sweep it away.'
After gathering all my thoughts in a moment, I shouted at the three hundred warriors with a cold glare in my eyes.
"Into battle formation!"
Three white generals quickly relayed the order to their warriors.
"To the positions of the spearmen!"
"Archers, to the center!"
"Balloon units on both sides!"
Warriors with spears and shields took up positions in the first and second rows. In the center of the rear row, a unit of archers took up positions, and on the left and right flanks of the rear row, warriors with clubs and shields took up positions, and in an instant, the battle formation was completed.
I also did not stay still, but prepared thoroughly with the map window and the map window open.
"Move while maintaining formation!"
Three hundred warriors began to advance, following me little by little.
* * *
A hundred Iroquois Confederate warriors stood tensely waiting for the 'Rising Fire' command.
"······."
'Rising Flames' sighed in relief as he saw the Lenape warriors standing face to face before his eyes.
'That was a close call.'
If I hadn't received a report in advance from the warriors who returned from reconnaissance, I would have ended up in an unwanted battle.
'Rising Flames' turned his head and gave instructions to the warrior next to him.
"Tell the Lenape people. The Mohawk chief wants to see me."
"Understood, Chief!"
Several Iroquois warriors disarmed and walked toward the Lenape camp.
"We are the Iroquois Confederated Tribes! Do not attack!"
* * *
'You're scared.'
I walked forward with confident steps.
"This is the land that the Lenape tribe has occupied for a long time. I would like to ask why the Iroquois Confederates are on our land."
A few of the Iroquois Confederate warriors approaching our camp looked a little taken aback by my skilled Mohawk horse.
"On behalf of the Iroquois Confederacy, Mohawk Chief Rising Flame wishes to meet with the Lenape Chief."
"······."
He looked up and checked the colors of the Iroquois Confederate warriors displayed on the map window. Still blue.
However, caution was needed as it might turn into a red dot at any time.
"Attack immediately when I stroke the back of your head."
"Understood, Chief!"
As the three white chiefs answered vigorously, I shouted again to the Iroquois confederate camp.
"Tell the Mohawk chief to meet me halfway."
"i get it."
After hearing their answers, I turned my head and spoke to the 'Humble Bear'.
"let's go."
"Yes, Chief!"
After a while, I appeared first, escorted by the 'Honest Bear' between the two camps.
"You're late."
Just then, a man who was said to be the chief of the Mohawk tribe walked toward us, accompanied by two warriors on either side.
I quickly checked their abilities and information with my mind.
[Rising Flames]
[Affiliation: Mohawk Tribe, Chief, Warrior.]
[Alignment: Sinister and good with words. Talented with the bow.]
[Ability]
Stamina: 11
Strength: 9
Agility: 8
Wisdom: 10
Command: 11
Despite being a chieftain of the tribe, his abilities were average. However, looking at his leadership abilities, he could be seen as special in his own way.
[Eagle's Claw]
[Affiliation: Kayuga Tribe, Great Warrior]
[Trait: Brave. Has a natural talent for battle.]
[Ability]
Stamina: 16
Strength: 12
Agility: 10
Wisdom: 8
I left the regular warrior on the right aside and looked closely at the warrior on the left.
'What a desirable talent.'
But now, I couldn't make him my warrior even if I wanted to. At that moment, 'Rising Flames' greeted us first with a bright smile.
"Hello. I am Chief Rising Flame, a Mohawk tribe member of the Iroquois Confederacy."
For a moment, I pondered how to say my name.
'The great Lee Cheon-il, the son of God and warrior'
However, it was somewhat embarrassing and burdensome to be called the Son of God.
"I am the great chief of the Lenape tribe, warrior of God, very big Lee Cheon-il. Nice to meet you."
Surprised by my size and surprised again by my name, 'Rising Flames' spoke with a slightly mocking smile.
"Warrior of God... What a wonderful name."
"······."
When I didn't respond with an indifferent expression, 'Rising Flames' realized his mistake and quickly changed the subject.
"I never expected to meet the great chief of the Lenape tribe here. Where are you going with all these warriors?"
At that moment, I felt a warm gaze. As I turned my head slightly, the 'Honest Bear' instinctively recognized its opponent and was engaging in a fierce battle with the Kayuga Tribe warrior.
Chiriririririt!
'You're doing well.'
In any negotiation, the initial momentum is important. I answered the question of 'Rising Flames' calmly, pretending not to know anything.
"I was exploring our lands when I heard that warriors from other tribes were seen in our tribal village."
"······."
If you have any idea what 'Rising Flames' is, you will get what I mean. The Iroquois Confederated Tribes were asking him why he was on their land without permission.
As expected, the 'rising flames' seemed to have been hurt inside, and he coughed in vain and spoke as if making excuses.
"We didn't even get lost, but we must have gone too far down. I had no idea we were in Lenape territory."
"Then I ask you politely. Our people are very anxious. We would like you to return to the territory of the Iroquois Confederated Tribes as soon as possible."
My prickly words made 'Rising Flames' frown for a moment as if it was displeased.
"···Let's do that."
"And I hope that our people will not be anxious in the future."
"Ah... I understand."
For once, 'Rising Flames' took a step back, but I had a rough idea of where they were going. Mohawk tribe. Seeing that they came so deep into our territory, it was clear that they were probably trying to make a big detour to attack the Mohawk tribe.
After a while, the Iroquois Confederate warriors, who had no hostility to our tribe, began to retreat rapidly, following the 'rising flames'.
My warriors and I waited for a moment, maintaining our fighting stance, until they had completely withdrawn.
'There was no response even though I provoked it on purpose?'
I was deep in thought, anticipating the future course of action of the Iroquois confederacy.
'We can't turn all the surrounding tribes into enemies.'
Although not an alliance, five tribes have joined together. Another interpretation is that it means that they are weaker than the surrounding tribes.
If the Mohawk tribe were conquered by the Iroquois confederacy, it would likely develop into an alliance rather than a confederation, in order to strengthen their solidarity.
And then, in search of new prey, they will once again reveal their teeth on the weakest neighboring tribes. My mind was spinning quickly and my eyes were cold and shining.
"Then I must make the most of the Iroquois alliance and absorb the surrounding tribes."
At that time, the 'Honest Bear' who had received the report from the white chiefs approached.
"Chief! The Iroquois have left."
"Then, we will move right away."
"All right."
* * *
The village 'under the mountain'. Upon arriving at the northernmost village of the tribe, all the tribesmen, young and old alike, came out and warmly welcomed our warriors.
"Wow! "
"It's Chief Juche!"
"He is the great chief, the son of God and a warrior!"
"Our warriors have arrived!"
At that moment, a familiar chieftain and a shaman came out and greeted me warmly.
"Are you here, Chief?"
"Thank you for your hard work in coming such a long way, Chief!"
I looked around and greeted them. To the left was a mountain that was starting to turn red with autumn leaves, and a small river was flowing beneath it.
"You've settled into a beautiful place."
After a while, a small banquet was held in a large hut. While sharing food, we received a brief report about the village from the chief and elders.
"···People from the Mohawk and Oneida tribes are often seen."
"···We haven't encountered any of our tribesmen yet, but the villagers are very anxious."
As expected, the important topic was the Iroquois Confederacy.
"···I warned you, but I don't think that was enough."
I naturally explained my purpose for being here, mentioning my meeting with the Iroquois Confederacy a few days ago.
"···I plan to build a fortress here where warriors can be stationed."
As expected, the village chief and elders at the foot of the mountain welcomed my decision with open arms.
"Haha! Then our village will be safer."
"Chief! If you need anything, please let me know. I will do my best to help you."
* * *
More than two weeks have passed since I started living in the village 'Under the Mountain'. It took two days to find a place to build the fort, but after that the construction of the fort progressed quickly.
A triple-layered fence, a watchtower with no blind spots, a trapdoor studded with wooden spears, a warehouse to store provisions and weapons, etc.
"This is the barracks we will be staying in, so we must build it sturdy."
"Check and check again to see if there are any problems."
"It's quite cold here, so we need to properly lay down the ondol."
All three hundred warriors I brought were deployed to build the fortress. Of course, the townspeople also helped.
"The fortress will be completed in two days."
* * *
A 'very big' town. After stationing a hundred warriors at the northernmost fortress, he led the remaining two hundred warriors straight back to the 'very large' village.
At the village hall, I received a report from the elders and the chieftains about what had happened while I was away.
"······The villagers are going crazy over the sweet potatoes because they are so delicious."
"······The newly accepted trainee warriors are undergoing training without any major problems. It seems that they will be able to be promoted to junior warriors soon."
"······The road connecting to a very large village is also being built smoothly. It seems likely that carts will be able to pass by next spring."
"······We plan to harvest wild rice in a few days."
"······We have received word that the Wampanoag and Mohegan tribes will be visiting our village to trade our specialties."
After a while, after giving some instructions, the lengthy meeting ended.
"···Thank you all for your hard work. I ask for your continued support."
"Yes, Chief!"
"I will work hard."
At that moment, a warrior with the title of White Chief entered the village hall.
"Chief! The Mohawks have arrived."
"······."
I've been waiting for you to come... I told those who attended the meeting.
"Let's have dinner here. Everyone, let's get ready to welcome our guests."
* * *
The Mohawk chief looked very anxious as negotiations with other tribes were not going well.
"···If our Mohawk tribe is conquered, where do you think the Iroquois Confederacy will target next? I know it will be unpleasant, but it will most certainly be the Lenape tribe. Chief! How about joining hands with our tribe to prepare for the great crisis that lies ahead?"
'Very Big Eyes' was somehow trying to convince me. I was secretly amazed by his far-sighted insight.
'He's pretty smart.'
But I didn't fall for that trick and just listened calmly. At that time, 'Flying in the Sky', who was next to me, stepped forward as if he was frustrated.
"Chief! Please help our Mohawk tribe, if only for the sake of friendship between the two tribes."
"···hmm!"
If negotiations drag on, it can actually be counterproductive. I opened my mouth with difficulty, pretending to be deeply contemplating before throwing out the bait.
"We are not on bad terms with the tribes that belong to the Iroquois Confederacy. I wonder if it is necessary to support the Mohawk tribe and put our Lenape tribe at risk."
"······."
For a moment, the Mohawk tribesmen all shared a look of disappointment.
"···There are some conditions, but would you like to give it a try?"