The Seneca chieftain, 'Heavy Breath', whose expression suddenly darkened, cleared the noisy hut as a representative of the Iroquois Confederacy.
"Okay, everyone calm down. Nothing has been confirmed yet. Let's find out exactly what the situation is."
After a while, the Iroquois chiefs, having recovered from the shock they had just experienced, began to urgently devise countermeasures.
"It seems certain that approximately two thousand Heavenly Sun Warriors have invaded our territory."
"I think the Sun Warriors of the Sky must have traveled the Mohawk River by canoe."
'Rough Breath' nodded as if agreeing with the opinion.
"That is most likely the case."
The chieftains began to murmur again, and the hut became noisy.
"Our village is under attack, and we can't just stay here like this."
"We must return with the warriors immediately."
"I'm sorry, but we are going to rescue our Oneida people without the permission of the Great Chief."
The Iroquois confederacy, which had stood firm against the 'Sun in the Sky', began to crack little by little as small disputes arose.
'Heavy Breath' let out a long sigh inside.
'Is this what the sun in the sky is after?'
If that's true, then the terrifying strategy of the 'Sun in the Sky' is chilling. 'Harsh Breath' thought that somehow the Federation had to be prevented from collapsing.
"I agree with the chieftains here. However, we cannot break our promises to the Illinois Confederacy and the Abnaki Confederacy and return to our confederacy alone."
At that moment, the Mohawk chieftain, Rising Flame, who had been silent on one side, quickly added to the opinion of Rough Breath.
"That's right. In times like these, we must unite and fight against the sun in the sky. If each tribe acts independently here, it will only lead to the sun in the sky being pulled in the direction it wants."
"If the Sun Warriors of the Sky were to land on the Mohawk River, which tribe would be most at risk?"
"..."
For a moment the inside of the hut became quiet.
"We are the Mohawk people. Perhaps by now our Mohawk lands may have fallen into the hands of the Sun in the Sky. However, we, the Mohawk people, will stand with the Confederacy to the end."
As the 'Rising Flames' spoke passionately and emphasized the importance of the alliance, the chieftains of the other tribes nodded repeatedly as if they had realized something.
"I understand what you mean. Our Kayuka tribe will also join the alliance."
"Even the Onondaga tribe will not move on their own."
"As the chief of the Oneida tribe, I will fight to the end against the sun in the sky."
First of all, the disintegration of the urgent fire alliance was prevented. 'Heavy Breath', with a relieved expression, nodded to 'Rising Flames' who helped him with his opinion and spoke calmly.
"First of all, the garrison is burning down here and there due to the surprise attack by the Sky Sun Warriors, so I think it's urgent to resolve that first. Let's discuss this issue again later."
"great."
* * *
"Check again to make sure the fire is completely out."
"Gather all the burned skins and items in one place."
At the orders of the great warriors, the Iroquois warriors were running around busily. Meanwhile, 'Rising Flames' was looking around at the traces of fire all over the garrison, as if a storm had passed through.
"Unlit arrows and wild buffaloes… ."
At that moment, a Mohawk warrior approached the 'Rising Flames'.
"Chief! These are arrows shot by the Sun Warriors of the Sky."
"Thank you for your hard work."
'Rising Flames' looked around at the arrows handed to him by the warrior. There was a black, burnt mark on the tip of the arrow.
It looked like reed cotton, but at first glance it also looked like furry leather. The 'Rising Flame', which had been tilting its head, put its nose to the arrowhead this time.
"Is it deer fat?"
With an expression that was still unknowable, 'Rising Flames' stood there for a moment, lost in thought.
It's a fire arrow… . If used well, it seemed like it would be a great help in battle. For a moment, the 'rising flames' filled my head with anxiety.
'I definitely have evidence.'
Otherwise, the 'Sun of the Sky' side would not have been able to attack from all directions. In any case, he found his own way to survive and even dragged the two alliances into winning this war.
But, if we lose the war… . He himself was as good as dead. And if the war became unfavorable, the tribes of the alliance could betray them and hand them over to the 'Sun in the Sky'.
'Hmm! I guess I'll have to run away at the right time depending on the mood.'
At that moment, a warrior approached the 'Rising Flame'.
"Chief! I hear the meeting will start soon."
"I get it."
* * *
We continued to keep a close eye on the surrounding area centered around the garrison, but there were no more surprise attacks by the 'Sun of the Sky' warriors.
As the sun rose into the sky and the camp was somewhat cleared, the chiefs of the Iroquois confederacy gathered again to hold a council.
"Is the Abnaki League still standing still?"
"Yes. They keep telling us to wait a little while, as soon as more warriors are gathered, they will march to Wampanoag territory."
The Iroquois chiefs inside the hut were furious at the mention of 'heavy breathing'.
"You're really good at lying."
"They are really incompatible people."
"If only the Abnaki League had acted as promised, the situation wouldn't have been so unfavorable."
The strategy put forward by the Iroquois Confederacy was simple. Divide the battlefield into three large areas, disperse the warriors of 'Sun of the Sky', and lead this war to victory through individual defeats.
However, things started to go wrong from the start as the Abnaki Confederacy did not advance into the Wampanoag tribal territory.
And there was still no news about the Illinois Confederacy, which had marched against the Shawnee tribe.
"I can't just trust the two alliances and wait here."
"I think protecting our homeland is a top priority."
"Let us return to our land quickly and drive out the Sun Warriors of the Sky."
Because the situation on the battlefield was changing so quickly, all the Iroquois chiefs were of the same opinion. 'Harsh Breath' also agreed with that opinion and quickly decided to retreat.
"Then, let's go back to our land tomorrow."
However, retreating was not easy.
"The soldiers are very tired from the surprise attack by the sun in the sky for several days, so it is a big problem."
"It is shameful, but everyone must deeply reflect. We have not won a single battle against the sun in the sky. That is why the morale of the warriors is at rock bottom."
"And it seems like the sun warriors in the sky to the south won't just let us go like this."
For the Iroquois Confederacy, the battlefield conditions were dire. Everyone seemed to have become mute, and the Iroquois Confederacy chiefs, including 'Heavy Breath', were speechless and had serious expressions on their faces.
At that moment, the Kayuka tribe's great warrior, 'Eagle's Talon', who had been silently attending the meeting from a corner of the hut until then, stood up from his seat with a determined look.
"Chief! Give me two hundred warriors. I will buy time by somehow blocking the pursuit of the Heavenly Sun Warriors from the rear."
"...."
For a moment, a long silence fell over the shack. The chieftains and great warriors attending the meeting slyly avoided the gaze of the 'Eagle's Claw', as if they knew its meaning.
In particular, the chieftain of the Kayuka tribe, 'Sky of Dawn', looked very embarrassed and tried to stop him.
"Are you in your right mind? You could die."
'Eagle's Claw' answered with a calm expression, as if accepting his fate.
"I know. But our sacred lands are being trampled by the enemy, so shouldn't someone step forward?"
That was right. Someone had to step up. Another long silence passed, and no one in the hut did anything to stop the actions of the 'Eagle's Claw'.
The chief of the Kayuka tribe let out a long sigh with a complicated expression on his face.
"I know what you mean. I will take responsibility for your family."
As soon as the permission of the Kayuka tribe's chief was granted, 'Heavy Breath' immediately began to organize.
"Then, please select the best warriors from each tribe."
After a while, the long meeting ended.
"Please get everyone ready to leave tomorrow morning."
"All right."
* * *
'Sun in the Sky', the northernmost stronghold of the Mohawk tribe. Yesterday morning, after successfully completing a surprise attack on the Iroquois Confederate encampment, I gave my warriors another rest.
And the next day, from the morning, a 'heavy snowstorm' came to my residence.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! The Iroquois Confederacy has begun to retreat."
That means the 'Brave Wolf' unit is successfully carrying out the diversionary operation.
"What a pity. I wish the news had reached the Iroquois Confederacy a little later."
"That's right."
'Heavy Snowstorm' also had a regretful expression.
"Okay. It was going to happen anyway. We should prepare to chase after them."
"Understood, Your Majesty! Then, when shall we depart?"
There is no prey as easy as the chase. The morale of the Iroquois warriors was already at rock bottom due to a series of defeats in battles and several surprise attacks, and they could be said to have lost all will to fight.
However, a cornered mouse may bite a cat. I gave instructions to 'Heavy Snowstorm' with a cautious expression.
"It's better not to pursue them too closely. If you push them too hard, the Iroquois warriors might rush at you with the determination to die. It would be better to give them a moderate escape route, but apply pressure at an appropriate level."
"I understand what you mean. Then, I will set out in the afternoon."
"okay."
As soon as my permission was given, 'Heavy Snowstorm' hurriedly walked out the door.
"Is it hunting now?"
* * *
'Sun in the Sky', Shawnee Tribe 'Corn' Village. "Peaceful Night," the Tamaroa chieftain who led a thousand Illinois Confederate warriors, roared.
"attack!"
"Climb the ladder!"
Two attacks have already failed. That's a crushing defeat too. Now only five hundred Illinois Confederate warriors remained, screaming and running toward the walls before them.
Adadadadadadadada! Adadadadadada!
Meanwhile, 'Sharp Deer Horn', who had been stationed in advance at the 'Corn' village with five hundred warriors, laughed heartily and boosted the morale of the warriors stationed throughout the castle walls.
"Poohahahahaha! The Illinois Federation bastards are coming to the death ground again!"
"Shoot arrows and bring death!"
As if waiting for the attack command from the 'Sharp Deer Antlers', the 'Sun of the Sky' warriors began shooting their arrows all at once.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Illinois Confederate warriors, struck by arrows, fell here and there, screaming in pain. This is the 'corn' village surrounded by a wall.
Moreover, the village of 'Corn', where five hundred well-trained 'Sun of the Sky' warriors were stationed, was an impenetrable fortress that no one could penetrate.
In this battle too, the Illinois Confederate warriors were unable to even approach the walls. As expected, the casualties of the Illinois Confederate warriors only increased as time went on.
Before long, the area around the walls was filled with the corpses of Illinois warriors. A flock of vultures, scenting blood, continued to circle the battlefield, waiting for the fighting to end.
At that time, the Illinois Confederates gave the order to retreat.
"retreat!"
"Step back!"
The warriors of 'Sharp Antlers' and 'Sun in the Sky' shouted in triumph as they watched the retreating Illinois Confederate warriors swarming like bees.
Waaa ...
"We won."
After a while, in the evening, good news came to 'Sharp Antlers'.
"Your Majesty! The Illinois Confederate warriors are moving out of their camp."
At the report of the White-Handed Warrior, 'Sharp Deer Horn' jumped up from his seat and his eyes glowed coldly.
"It's finally time to set out. We'll keep the Illinois Confederate warriors from going anywhere."
"Yes, Mr. Cheon In-jang!"