"First of all, most of the Illinois Confederated Tribes are nomadic, moving their settlements every few years, so…"
After a while, the explanation of the 'Ferocious Wolf' ended. I said with a satisfied expression.
"Okay. It seems pretty good."
Only then did the 'fierce wolf' and 'sharp antlers', who had been tense since earlier, loosen their stiff faces.
"However, I would like to add a few more things here. Divide the Illinois Confederacy territory into four large regions and check if any of the towns we conquer are suitable for use as supply and military bases."
"It's a supply and military base…."
The 'Ferocious Wolf' checked again with a cautious expression.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! Are four villages enough?"
"I think that's just right for now. Or we can increase it depending on the situation."
"Okay, I'll look into some good towns."
Honestly, I don't know the Illinois Federation area very well. The Shawnee tribe, a neighboring tribe, knows little about the Illinois Confederate territory.
Of course, there were also inaccurate maps made by the Intelligence and Surveillance Department, like the Abnaki Federation map from last time.
At that moment, as if it was his turn to step forward, 'Sharp Deer Antlers' straightened his shoulders and stepped forward.
"Hahahahaha! Your Majesty the Emperor! I know the Illinois Confederate Territory quite well."
"…okay?"
For some reason, I hated it. 'Sharp Antlers' confidently pointed to the maps on the table one by one with his hand.
"Here, here, and here. I guess I'll have to find out about the last area when I get there."
I just smiled and nodded as if I understood and said to the 'Ferocious Wolf'.
"Consult with Sharp Antler and report back to me."
"Understood, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
The meeting is finally over. Although I wasn't physically tired, I was a little mentally exhausted from the long commute, as I am also human.
I got up from my seat to take a break.
"See you tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
"Rest in peace."
* * *
Two days have passed since I took a break in the village of 'Claws'. The 'Ferocious Wolf' and 'Sharp Antlers' had already finished dealing with the prisoners before I and the guard warriors arrived, and they had prepared ample provisions and supplies.
The supplies for the guard warriors were also finished, and the buffaloes had had a well-deserved rest, grazing on the grass that spread across the plains.
Moreover, the report revised and supplemented by 'Ferocious Wolf' and 'Sharp Antlers' on how to attack the Illinois Confederacy was almost perfect.
'If there are no particularly big variables, it should be easy to conquer.'
At that moment, a 'heavy snowstorm' knocked on the door of the place I was staying.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! We are ready to go."
"Okay. Let's go."
Fully armed, I left my quarters under the escort of the 'Heavy Snowstorm'. A while later, warriors were waiting for me at the main gate of the 'Claw' village.
The unit is divided into two major units. The vanguard force comprised of three thousand bodyguards, primarily responsible for combat, and eighteen buffalo cavalry units for reconnaissance and scouting.
And two thousand warriors, consisting of infantry and archers, will be assigned to rear support missions. I lightly mounted the buffalo and shouted loudly at the warriors.
"depart!"
* * *
North of the lower reaches of the Merrimack River, Abnaki Federation encampment. After the failed assault on the 'Sun of the Sky' garrison across the river, the Avnaki League's garrison was placed under greater security than before.
"Check your surroundings and check again, because you never know when the Sun Warriors of the Sky will invade for revenge!"
The double-layered fence was guarded by warriors of the Abnaki League with fierce eyes.
"Don't just ignore even the smallest noise; report it immediately!"
The great warriors did not stay still either, but continued to warn the Abnaki League warriors who were standing guard while walking around.
Meanwhile, in the hut at the center of the garrison, the Abnaki League chieftains were still arguing with the warriors of the 'Sun of the Sky', unable to make a decision.
"How long do I have to wait? I don't see any sign of the 'Sun of the Sky' warriors leaving their camp."
"Last time, our soldiers suffered heavy casualties because of the trap… but other than that, there didn't seem to be any particular danger. How about just making a surprise attack at night?"
"You call that a strategy? How are we going to deal with the bows of the 'Sun of the Sky' warriors? They have a longer range than our bows, and their destructive power is also terrifying."
"Oh my! This won't do, that won't do. Then, why don't you just tell me how you're going to fight?"
The hut was once again filled with the voices of the chieftains. The 'grain of sand being washed away' sitting at the top frowned and sighed deeply, as if this wasn't the first or second time this had happened.
Phew!
Lost just one battle
That was quite a blow.
In the last battle, most of the nearly five hundred warriors were killed or taken prisoner. In addition, there were a hundred wounded men incapacitated for combat within the garrison.
The atmosphere at the meeting was tense, and there was even some internal strife breaking out between the tribes. 'The Sand That Washes Away' quickly started cleaning up the room before the meeting atmosphere got any worse.
"Okay! Everyone, calm down. I don't think we need to fight amongst ourselves. I have a good idea. What do you think about this?"
"...."
The Abnaki chieftains all looked at the 'grains of sand being washed away'.
"Do we really need to worry about that garrison and attack it? They are the ones who are in a hurry anyway. The Iroquois Confederate warriors are advancing toward Lenape territory, and the 'Sun of the Sky' warriors can't just stay in the garrison. So, how about we just leave that garrison alone and attack other areas?"
Several Abnaki League chieftains nodded slightly, perhaps thinking that the opinion of 'The Sand Being Washed Away' had some merit.
However, it was immediately met with strong opposition from other chieftains.
"That is absolutely unacceptable. Advancing with the enemy at your rear is like going to your death."
"That's right. Do you think the warriors in that garrison will let us go like this? They'll probably harass our warriors from the rear with an ambush or surprise attack."
"I also don't think it's necessary to take such great risks like the chiefs here. We must somehow conquer the 'Sun of the Sky' garrison across the river."
It seemed like the meeting was a waste of time and we returned to the beginning again. 'A Grain of Sand Being Washed Away' let out another long sigh and bit his lips tightly.
"Well! Well, if you have any other opinions, please let me know."
At that time, one of the chieftains of a minority tribe spoke cautiously.
"Then, how about joining the Iroquois Confederacy and fighting the 'Sun in the Sky'?"
'The Sand That Washes Away' didn't seem like such a bad idea, but there was a problem.
"Where on earth were you when we negotiated with the Iroquois? What the Iroquois want is to form a three-front war with the Illinois Confederacy, and to divide and conquer the warriors of the Sun in the Sky. But how will they view us if we leave the battlefield and join the Iroquois Confederacy?"
"..."
"Of course they'll look at us with pity. And the share that comes back to our federation will also be reduced."
When his hard-earned opinion was ignored, the chief of a minority tribe looked offended and grumbled.
"I understand what you mean. From now on, I will remain quiet."
The meeting continued after that, but no conclusion was reached. 'A Grain of Sand Washed Away' hurriedly finished the meeting, perhaps because it was mentally exhausting.
"We will meet again tomorrow to discuss how to attack the 'Sun of the Sky' garrison across the river."
* * *
South of the lower reaches of the Merrimack River, the 'Sun in the Sky' citadel. From the guard tower above the gate, the Unbreakable Mountain and its white generals looked out across the river to the Abnaki League garrison in the distance.
"Your Majesty! It seems that the warriors of the Abnaki Federation will remain quiet today as well."
The 'Unbroken Mountain' nodded at the words of the white general and laughed at the Abnaki's prolongation.
"Because of our defeat in the last battle, we won't be able to invade recklessly."
"It seems that the false information leaked to the Intelligence and Inspection Department has been effective. And in this battle, we have learned for the first time that controlling information alone can be a deterrent to the enemy."
"The Intelligence Service certainly played a big role. I, like you, have learned a lot from this battle."
The other white generals nodded their heads repeatedly as if agreeing with the words of the 'unbroken mountain'.
"By the way, what happened to the trap?"
"As instructed by the sergeant, I disposed of the corpses for now."
A trap used once against an enemy could not be used again. However, this does not mean that the trap's effect is over.
The wooden spear inside the trap is still stuck in the ground. Even if the Abnaki League warriors invade again, they will not be able to easily approach the citadel because of the traps.
'During the brief moment that you are stranded avoiding the trap, you will be the target of arrows fired by our warriors.'
The 'Unbroken Mountain' spoke again with cold eyes.
"But we can't just wait like this. Since the Abnaki Federation warriors are in a difficult situation and can go somewhere else, we'll scratch their itchy spots ourselves. Prepare your warriors!"
"Yes, Mr. Cheon In-jang!"
As one of the white generals ran towards the steps of the castle wall, he recalled once again the telegram sent by the Unbroken Mountain Intelligence and Surveillance Department.
-You must somehow keep the Abnaki League warriors there until the brave wolf unit arrives.
A moment later, the gates opened and a hundred 'Sun of the Sky' warriors formed a formation and began to move towards the river from the citadel.
"Pick up the speed!"
"Yes, Mr. White!"
Before they knew it, the hundred 'Sun of the Sky' warriors had arrived at the riverside and were shouting at the signal of the white general.
"The world's bravest 'Sun of the Sky' warriors have arrived!"
"Where are the Abnaki guys??
"Are you sure you're scared already after just one battle?"
The warriors of the 'Sun of the Sky' continued to provoke the Abnaki League garrison with provocative words, as if they had been in agreement.
"Even if a thousand warriors come, I can kill them all!"
"Don't stay stuck in the garrison, come out!"
However, there was still no movement from the Ibnaki Federation garrison. As time passed and the sky began to get darker, the White General shouted loudly to the 'Sun of the Sky' warriors so that everyone could hear.
"The Abnaki League warriors won't take the bait right away. They'll come back tomorrow. You all worked hard today. Let's go back to the citadel right now."
"Yes, Mr. White!"
* * *
Southwest of the Illinois Confederacy, in the territory of the Kaokia tribe. The river of the 'Big Canoe' (Missouri River) joined the large stream of the 'Great River' (Mississippi River), making it a wider and deeper river.
I was constantly amazed by the magnificent sight as I led my guard warriors towards the next conquered village of the Kaokia tribe.
At that time, I couldn't help but be amazed at the enormous building visible in the distance.
'Why is that there?'