'Turtle Shell' realized the seriousness of the situation and turned around with a heavy expression and a forceful answer.
The upper guard warriors who received his orders began to move quickly.
"Into battle formation!"
"Let's each move to our seats as we trained!"
The escort warriors, armed with spears, shields, and thick armor, began to form a wide formation to protect the people of the upper 'land'.
Inside, warrior guards armed with swords and bows took up positions, ready to rush out at any moment if melee broke out.
"Everyone, load your arrows!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The people on the upper level of 'the land' did not stay still either. They gathered the loads on their shoulders neatly in the center of the formation, prepared to fire support fire from close range at the rear with their crossbows raised.
"Stand by until the captain of the guard orders."
"All right."
Crossbows, unlike in the past, have also advanced several steps thanks to the efforts of blacksmiths. The destructive power has been doubled compared to before, and the range has been increased by about three times.
And above all, the skill of the people at the top in handling the crossbow was almost on par with that of a mid-level warrior.
As the battle formation was formed, the 'Singing Water' looked forward with a satisfied expression.
"I wonder how the Cherokee tribe will turn out."
Although they have maintained good relations with the Cherokee tribe through recent trade, they could become hostile at any time depending on the political direction of their superiors.
'Singing Water' was deep in thought, thinking about what was to come.
* * *
"They are the Toutelo tribe."
'Singing Water' nodded at the report of the captain of the upper guard.
"They seem confused when they see us. I think it would be better to reassure them and bring them here so that there is no misunderstanding."
"All right."
The captain of the guard rode forward, accompanied by a chieftain to interpret the language of the Tutello tribe and five warriors skilled in close combat.
"Don't be surprised."
"We are not Cherokee people, we are the Sun in the Sky people."
A moment later, fifteen Tutello tribesmen, including three children, came running in panting and looking very tired.
"Are you really the 'Sun of Heaven' people?"
When one of the Tutello tribesmen asked with a suspicious look, 'Singing Water' nodded slightly and reassured them once again.
"Yes. Do you see that flag? It's the sun flag, which symbolizes the 'sun in the sky.'"
Boom boom!
"I think that's right."
"These people are the upper class of the 'Sun of the Sky' who were trying to visit our village."
Only then did the Toutelo tribe breathe a sigh of relief here and there, as if they had found life. And then, one after another, the Tutelo tribe began to cry and complain to the 'singing waters'.
"Cherokee warriors raided our village."
"Cherokee warriors are mercilessly hunting down villagers."
"Please save our villagers."
'Singing Water' nodded to 'Turtle Shell' in response to their earnest request. 'Turtle Shell' nodded slightly and began to skillfully control the Toutello tribesmen who were trembling with fear and terror.
"Everyone, calm down."
"Let's talk about that later."
"First, come this way."
A few escort warriors helped 'Turtle Shell' lead the Tutello tribesmen to the center of the formation. Meanwhile, 'Singing Water' calculated in his head how far he could extend his goodwill to the Tutello tribe with a cold look in his eyes.
'Good intentions end here.'
It seemed impossible to rescue all the Tutelo tribe members captured by Cherokee warriors. Of course, there would be some sacrifices on the part of the escort warriors, but if we had put our minds to it, we could have easily saved them.
However, crossing the line beyond that could later lead to diplomatic problems with the Cherokee tribe. 'Singing Water' once again looked at the current situation with a calm and thoughtful expression.
* * *
Boom! Kookookook! Kookook!
As time went by, the sound of the buffalo's hooves became louder. 'Singing Water' and 'Turtle Shell' looked at each other's faces at the same time.
This time, the 'turtle shell' opened its mouth first.
"I think the Cherokee tribe also used the buffalo they traded with us for this slave hunt."
'Singing Water' nodded and asked.
"Doesn't it look like one?"
"Yes. I don't think there are two."
A total of three buffalo were sold to the Cherokee tribe. One of the buffalo appeared to have been brought by Cherokee warriors during their raid on the Tutello village.
'Singing Water's' expression became serious at the unexpected turn of events.
"If there is a fight with Cherokee warriors, the first thing we do is kill the buffalo warriors."
"yes."
As if agreeing with the opinion of the 'Singing Water', 'Turtle Shell' turned around without saying a word and quickly relayed the order to the captain of the guard.
The captain of the guard urgently summoned his escort warriors who were skilled in archery. As soon as all preparations were complete, Cherokee warriors emerged from the thick forest.
"We are the people of the 'Sun of the Sky'!"
"Cherokee warriors! Do not attack!"
The Cherokee warrior leading the thirty warriors in the front seemed very flustered and pulled the reins of the buffalo he was riding tightly.
"Everyone stop!"
"stop!"
At that urgent command, the Cherokee warriors wielding clubs all stopped in their tracks. Cherokee warrior Black Eyebrow looked ahead with eyes full of questioning.
'Is there a war going on? Why are there so many warriors?'
Nearly five hundred people were watching them with an eerie air. First of all, I thought I should check if it was the person from 'Sun in the Sky' side.
'Black Eyebrows' looked a little nervous and warned the warriors again.
"Do not act rashly until I give you my order."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Although they didn't show it on the outside, the Cherokee warriors were also very nervous. 'Black Eyebrows' dismounted from the buffalo and walked forward, leading two warriors.
"This is Black Eyebrow, the Cherokee warrior."
* * *
Tensions were high between the Cherokee warriors and the upper camp of the 'Land' of the 'Sun in the Sky'. No, the Cherokee warriors, who were far outnumbered by the warriors, were being pushed back in a fight of momentum.
Between the two camps, 'Singing Water' and 'Black Eyebrows' were having a light conversation.
"It was a route for trading with other tribes."
"yes."
'Black Eyebrows' said, glancing towards the top of the 'ground'.
"There are quite a lot of people."
"As you can see, there are quite a few items to trade, and there are quite a few tribes that trade with us, so there are quite a lot of people."
"So, are we, the Cherokee tribe, coming this time?"
'Singing Water' made an embarrassed expression at 'Black Eyebrows' words.
"I understand that the Cherokee have recently made a very big deal with our 'Sun in the Sky' so unfortunately they are not on our itinerary."
"It would have been nice if our tribe had stopped by too, but it's too bad."
"I feel sorry too."
The atmosphere of the conversation was very good. However, 'Black Eyebrows' has not yet brought up the main topic.
'Black Eyebrows' cautiously began to speak, keeping an eye on 'Singing Water'.
"Have you seen any Tutello tribe people this way?"
'Singing Water' answered the question without hesitation.
"I haven't seen it."
At the same time, 'Black Eyebrows' met the eyes of the warriors escorting him with eyes full of suspicion.
"…hmm!"
Traces don't lie. There were many things he wanted to ask 'Singing Water', but 'Black Eyebrows' held back. And my head was in a state of confusion.
'What should I do?'
Fifty warriors in the village of the Tutello tribe. Even if they took them to fight the 'Sun of the Sky' and the warriors, they could not guarantee victory.
No, rather, they could have been annihilated.
'There definitely seem to be some Tutello tribe people in there…'
'I can't help it.'
'Black Eyebrows' deliberately erased the doubts in his mind and said goodbye to 'Singing Water' with a hearty laugh.
"I see. Hahaha! Unfortunately, we have some urgent business to attend to, so we will have to part ways here. Next time, please visit our Cherokee tribe as well."
"Yes. Next time, I will definitely try to visit the Cherokee tribe."
'Black Eyebrows' bowed his head slightly to 'Singing Water' and then turned around with the warriors escorting him.
"let's go."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
'Singing Water' looked at the 'Black Eyebrow' turning away, one corner of his mouth twitching.
"I will live long. If you know when to step forward and when to step back."
'Singing Water' knew that 'Black Eyebrows' had caught on to her lies. If 'Black Eyebrows' had pushed ahead with the search and inspection...
Perhaps the Cherokee warriors present here, including him, would have been cold corpses. Of course, there are Cherokee warriors who remain in the Tutelo tribal village.
In any case, his decision saved the lives of Cherokee warriors. And this incident gave me a rough idea of what the Cherokee tribe thinks of our 'sun in the sky.'
"Five hundred… It's okay to have a lot of people."
Although the movement speed is a bit slow due to the large number of people traveling upward, it has many advantages in terms of safety and other aspects.
Phew!
Before we knew it, the 'singing water' also walked with light steps to the top of the 'land'. Just then, the 'turtle shell' approached.
"Chief! What happened?"
"The Cherokee tribe seems to have noticed, but they just pretend not to notice."
"…hmm!"
'Turtle Shell' glanced at the Cherokee warriors who were hastily leaving the area.
"Don't worry. There's nothing you're worried about. The Cherokee are going to attack our top and it's going to be war."
'Turtle Shell' also nodded quietly, perhaps thinking that the size and number of people at the top were reassuring.
"Well, I guess so. But I'll keep my guard up just in case."
"Of course it should be like that."
"By the way, what about the Tutello tribe people over there?"
'Singing Water' said with a meaningful smile.
"If you're going to make a fuss, you should make it right. And if you stop by another village for no reason, you might get into trouble again, so I think it would be best to go straight to the village where the chief of Tutello is."
"Understood, sir!"
'Turtle Shell' turned away without asking or inquiring as to the reason.
"Disengage your battle formation and move into formation!"
* * *
The capital of 'the sun in the sky', 'very big' A peaceful day, I took a break from my busy work for the first time in a long while.
But it wasn't the break I wanted. 'The Moon Rises' was unintentionally dragged outside by the family's request to go on an outing.
"Dad! Let's go over there."
"okay."
Holding the 'Rain of Heaven' in one hand and the 'Star of Heaven' in the other, he walked towards the vast farmland that was now an empty field with nothing left.
After a while, I followed the 'Star in the Sky' who was playing tag with me. I could have caught up with her a long time ago, but I had to keep up with her running pace.
"Dad! Over here! Over here!"
"Why are you so slow? Dad!"
"Karrrrr!"
The laughter never ceased from the lips of 'Star in the Sky'. It made me happy to see my daughter smiling happily.
"Dad is going to catch him."
At that moment, the urgent voice of 'The Moon Rises', who was playing with 'Rain from the Sky' from behind, was heard.
"Two thousand days! Hurry up!"
"...."
Stop!
I quickly turned around as an ominous feeling ran through my body.