'Singing Water' stood still with a slightly bewildered expression.
"······"
"I will be honest with you. Our Iri tribe warriors are currently too weak to lead a fight against the Iroquois confederacy. I know that your alliance, the Sun in the Sky, has many warriors and other weapons made by the gods in addition to the arrows they traded with us."
"······"
"If your confederacy helps us, we can easily defeat the Iroquois confederacy. I heard that your tribe helped the Mohawks too. Please help our tribe too."
'Singing Water' made a troubled expression as she looked at 'Red Fruit' who was complaining while still being reminded of everything.
"···As a member of the Shawnee tribe, I would like to help the neighboring Iri tribe. However, I don't think this is my place to decide."
As the Irie tribe was located north of the Shawnee tribal territory, the two tribes often traded and maintained friendly relations.
'Red Fruit' made another earnest request while looking at 'Singing Water', which the Shawnee tribe had known before they joined the 'Sun of the Sky' alliance.
"I know it is a difficult request. But could you at least make a suggestion to the Lenape Chief? I am ready to marry the Lenape Chief."
"······"
'Singing Water' swallowed as if it was a little stuffy.
'I think you're seriously mistaken.'
As far as he knew, His Majesty the Emperor had no interest in her whatsoever. Besides, His Majesty the Emperor loves his wife and children terribly.
However, 'Singing Water' did not necessarily say that.
'Sometimes ignorance is bliss.'
Rather, I intended to make the most of this situation.
"···I understand. I will tell His Majesty the Emperor about the chief's proposal."
"···thank you."
* * *
After the deal with the Iri tribe was concluded, the 'Singing Water' and 'Water' groups hurriedly left the village.
"Minister of Commerce and Industry! Seeing the chief of this tribe throw away his pride to ask a favor, it seems like the situation on the battlefield is not very good."
'Singing Water' quietly nodded its head at the words of the person in charge of 'Water'.
"···You must have met the Iroquois Confederation tribesmen when you traded last time, but the Iroquois Confederation has many excellent warriors. On the other hand, the Iri tribe only has two warriors who can be called warriors. In fact, if you look at it, the outcome of a battle depends more on the ability and judgment of the warriors than on the number of warriors. Furthermore, since the number of warriors is smaller than that of the Iroquois Confederation tribes, it is only natural that the Iri tribe will be pushed back."
"Chief, your words are bound to be lacking in the end?"
"···I guess that's how I see it."
"I see. By the way, will Your Majesty the Emperor accept the proposal of the Iri chief? After all, we have made a peace treaty with the Iroquois Confederacy."
'Singing Water' did not easily answer that question.
"Well, I'm not sure about marriage. I'm also interested in a peace treaty… Perhaps His Majesty the Emperor, who doesn't want the Iroquois Confederacy to expand, will do whatever it takes to help the Iri tribe?"
"···hmm!"
The person in charge of the 'water' top frowned as if his head was slightly sore. At that moment, as if he had forgotten, 'Singing Water' hurriedly gave instructions to the person in charge of 'Water'.
"···I think I should send an urgent report to His Majesty the Emperor about the situation between the Irie Tribe and the Iroquois Confederated Tribe."
"All right."
There were also warriors belonging to the Information and Surveillance Department at the top of the 'water'. Meanwhile, the elders of the Iri tribe who were seeing off the 'Singing Water' and the 'Water' top looked at the 'Red Fruit' with worried expressions.
"Chief! Is it really necessary to marry the chief of the Lenape tribe?"
"Isn't that the only way to resolve this crisis? Do you elders have any other solutions?"
"······"
The elders of the Iri tribe stood as if they were dumb. 'Red Fruit' had no intention of blaming them.
"···I am truly grateful that the Lenape chief is interested in me."
* * *
'Big Foot' Village (now Philadelphia, USA) The spiritual homeland of the Lenape tribe, the village of 'Big Foot' was developing rapidly.
As tribesmen from surrounding villages joined in, the settlement expanded and the development of large farmlands became a daily routine.
Meanwhile, at the second training camp of the 'Sun of the Sky', trainee warriors from each tribe were training hard and sweating from the morning.
"Today is physical training again!"
"You need physical strength as your foundation to be able to fight in war or battle!"
"From now on, I will run twenty laps around the training ground!"
"Okay! Get in line!"
The tribes that entered the 'Big Foot' training camp were the Susquehannock, Lenape, and Shawnee tribes. Every time they trained, a secret rivalry developed between the tribes among the trainee warriors.
Drill instructors exploited that competitive spirit and used it viciously to push the training harder and harder.
"The last ten to arrive will have hell to experience in the afternoon training!"
"The Shawnee tribe should look at the Susquehannock tribe and do their best!"
The trainees ran through the training grounds at full speed, their mouths smelling of sweat. A while later, the trainee warriors who had finished breakfast were standing in line in the training grounds.
"···From today, we will begin basic weapons training. The trainees must be able to handle all weapons before being assigned to their respective units. Now! Hold the spears over there and gather back here. Implement!"
"practice!"
As soon as the drill instructor gave the order, the trainee warriors ran and returned to their positions, each holding a spear placed on one side.
"The spear is the most basic weapon."
"It is important that everyone adapts well to the weight of the iron bars."
"Now! Take a stance against the imaginary enemy in front of you."
While the trainees were training in spearmanship, instructors would come around from time to time to offer advice.
"I need to put more strength into my legs."
"When you stab, think of your left hand as simply holding the spear."
* * *
A 'very big' town. 'Splendid Sunset', whom I appointed as my chief of staff, neatly carried out all the tasks I instructed.
"···This is an evaluation of the trainee warriors training in the village of 'Big Foot.' I personally divided them into branches according to each trainee warrior's abilities."
I quickly glanced over the report that 'Splendid Sunset' had handed me.
'That's amazing.'
There really wasn't anything that was a problem. As expected, the report was almost perfect. However, the only thing left to do was to meet the trainee warriors in person and evaluate them with my own eyes.
"···great job."
'Splendid Sunset' smiled brightly, pleased with my compliments, and handed me another report.
"I have received a call from the cold tree sage who went on an expedition to conquer the barbarian tribes."
The report's contents were simple. It was about successfully conquering barbarian tribes and how to rule them.
And the reactions of the surrounding tribes, and the fact that the 'Wounded Arrow' was captured and transported safely.
"···Now that we've conquered the barbarian tribes, there's no need for the Shawnee chiefs to be there. It would be better for the ferocious wolves and sharp-antlered deer to return to the Shawnee tribe and protect their territory."
"Understood. Then, I will relay His Majesty the Emperor's instructions to them as they are."
After all the reports were finished, it was already lunchtime. 'Splendid Sunset', who was organizing her report, saw me getting up from my seat and spoke to me urgently.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! Are you going to eat now?"
Even though he was very busy with state affairs, he always had meals with his family.
"okay."
"I'm tired of eating alone. Can I have dinner at His Majesty the Emperor's house?"
Being from the Nanticoke tribe, it took some time for her family to arrive and settle in this village. Of course, I heard that her family had left.
However, 'Splendid Sunset', who had been eating alone without knowing anyone until now, seemed pitiful, so I readily gave my permission.
"I'll tell my daughter first. Come back soon."
'Splendid Sunset' bowed her head deeply and answered powerfully, as if she was very happy.
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
* * *
'The Moon Rises' did not complain about the sudden guest invitation, but rather welcomed the 'Splendid Sunset' happily.
"Welcome. I heard that you help your husband in many ways."
"Thank you for inviting me."
'Splendid Sunset' politely greeted 'The Moon Rises'.
"Come on. Don't do that. Sit down here. You'll have to wait a little longer to eat."
'The Moon Rises' was trying to hurry to the kitchen when 'Splendid Sunset' got up from her seat and quickly followed after her.
"I'll help you too."
"Customer, stay still. I'll do it."
"Okay, I'll look after the kids."
"If you do that, I'll be happy."
It felt strange, like I was looking at sisters who were very close. At that moment, 'Splendid Sunset' reached out her hand as if she was dying of cuteness as she looked at 'Rain from the Sky' that I was holding.
"···The baby is so cute, perhaps because he resembles His Majesty the Emperor. Can I hold him?"
"okay."
'Splendid Sunset' hugged 'Rain from the Sky' and played with her son with a funny expression.
Gyarrrrrrr!
As my son responded to the expression of 'Splendid Sunset' with a bright smile, 'Star in the Sky', who happened to come out of the room, approached me and asked with a curious look.
"Dad! Who is that sister?"
"Huh? He's someone who helped my dad a lot."
Before I knew it, the 'splendid sunset' had come and greeted my daughter happily.
"Hello! You are the star in the sky."
The 'Star in the Sky' blinked and made a curious expression.
"Sister? Do you know me?"
"Then, you are the prettiest and smartest kid in town."
Feeling good about the compliment, the 'Star in the Sky' smiled brightly and naturally spread both arms toward the 'Brilliant Sunset'.
"Sister! Hug me too."
"okay."
'Splendid Sunset' hugged 'Stars in the Sky' with one arm, with a refreshing smile.
'What is this? This uneasy feeling?'
It's nice to see that 'Splendid Sunset' is getting along well with her family, but... I felt uneasy because I felt like my family was easily taken by her.
After a while, the meal ended in a pleasant atmosphere. 'Splendid Sunset' left the house after finishing washing the dishes in the kitchen with 'The Moon Rises'.
"What a beautiful sunset! How about coming over to my house for dinner until the family arrives?"
In response to the words 'The moon rises', 'Splendid sunset' spoke cautiously, glancing at me.
"···Is that okay?"
"Okay. Feel free to come to my house anytime. Come play with the kids sometimes."
"Thank you, Sister! I'll be in your care for a while."
She was being friendly to my wife and calling her "sister" whenever she saw me. What's even funnier is that 'The Moon Rises' also had a pleasant expression on its face at that title.
Even in that brief moment, the 'stars in the sky' seemed to have taken a liking to the 'splendid sunset' and acted spoiled with eyes full of regret.
"Sister! You'll come over later tonight, right? Promise me you'll come."
"Yeah, okay. I promise."
'Splendid Sunset', who had even gotten her daughter to promise her dinner, asked for my understanding first before leaving the house.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! I will go first because I have plans for the afternoon."
"···okay."
As the 'splendid sunset' disappeared, 'The moon rises' spoke to me.
"The child is so bright and kind. The man who marries her will be so happy."
I found myself coughing without realizing it.
"···I know."
* * *
A few days passed quickly. In the office of the Chairman of the Assembly, reports were being received from each administrative organization as usual today.
"······Your Majesty the Emperor! As I reported last time, it seems that the war is turning against the Iri tribe as time goes by."
The head of the Intelligence and Inspection Bureau, the 'Fast Deer', gave a serious report on the war between the Irie and Iroquois Confederate tribes.
"···And this is an urgent report from the top of 'Water'."
After reading the report handed over by the 'fast-footed deer', I couldn't help but look dumbfounded. If I help this tribe, you'll marry me?
Is this woman crazy? I briefly recalled the 'red berries' and then quietly gathered my thoughts at her request for help.
'Yeah, you can make up an excuse.'
I turned my head and looked at the 'Honest Bear' with meaningful eyes.
"Honest bear!"
"Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
"You said you wanted to marry Red Berries?"
The 'Honest Bear' answered more forcefully than ever.
"I really want to get married."