As a helpless man, I had no choice but to look at the chief's daughter one more time.
'That's not my style at all.'
Certainly not. Moreover, Native Americans in this day and age had a completely different biological rhythm than the modern people I lived with.
Grow faster, age faster, and die faster. If a Native American was 15 years old, by my modern standards he would have been in his mid-twenties.
Mid-forties is almost seventy by modern standards.
"hmm!"
I didn't say anything and just pretended to be deep in thought. According to the tradition of the Illinois Confederated Tribes, a man of ability may have multiple wives.
Moreover, I am the emperor who leads the 'Sun of the Sky'. There could be no better groom for the Kaokia tribe chieftain.
However, it runs counter to my conservative values.
"Please accept my daughter on the condition that she will follow the sun in the sky obediently."
First, I had come up with a plan for dealing with this problem in order to smoothly subdue the Illinois Confederated Tribes, so I sent her in as the chief suggested.
"I'm tired. Let's talk about this later."
"All right."
The Kaokia tribe chieftain took my actions as a sign of approval, a small smile forming on his lips.
"It's not because she's my daughter, but she's not lacking in anything compared to any other woman. Please take good care of her."
Finally, the Kaokia tribe chief came out. The Kaokia tribe woman, who was left alone with me in the mud house, stood there looking a little nervous.
'You let your hair down.'
She, with her long black hair reaching down to her waist, stared at me intently. I walked nonchalantly to a corner and spread out my fur to make a bed.
"Sleep here."
"yes?"
The Kaokia tribe woman blinked in confusion and asked again. Before I knew it, I was on the cot, lying down comfortably and closing my eyes again.
"good night."
"...."
* * *
The next day. As the day dawned, sunlight streamed in through the door of the mud house. I woke up from a deep sleep after a long time.
The Kaokia tribeswoman was staring at me, still from the fur pelt I had laid out for her, as if she had stayed up all night.
"We're leaving town soon. If you have anything to take with you, you'd better pack it in advance."
"...."
She looked very curious as to why I wasn't sleeping with her. But, I didn't want to bother explaining the reasons in detail.
I left the mud house feeling refreshed. The guardsmen were already up and moving busily, preparing to leave the village. The Kaokia tribesmen also gathered supplies to take to the stronghold village under the control of the royal guard warriors.
"Don't carry anything too heavy."
"Only pack what you absolutely must."
After a while, I was ready to leave the town. All the Kaoki tribesmen were carrying large baskets on their shoulders. There were various miscellaneous items in the basket.
Occasionally, some women were carrying portable cradles instead of baskets. Inside the portable cradle, the newborn was securely tied down to prevent it from falling out when moved.
The dogs in the village also prepared to leave. Several dogs were tied with ropes to a sled made of two long poles. As I mounted the buffalo, the Kaokia tribesmen roared and looked at me with awe.
The buffalo is a sacred animal that provides eternal meat to the Illinois Confederated Tribes. Taming and riding the buffalo must have been a very novel and wonderful experience for the Kaokia tribesmen.
Phew!
I laughed for a moment and a good idea popped into my head.
'If the prairie tribes hold the buffalo sacred…'
It seemed that if we could convince the grassland tribes by organizing all of the pioneer units we would create into buffalo cavalry, we could easily subjugate them.
'It seems okay.'
I shouted loudly to the guardsmen with a much happier expression.
"We're going back to the base village. Let's go!"
"depart!"
* * *
North of the lower reaches of the Merrimack River, Abnaki Federation encampment. For several days, the fence was burned or collapsed in many places by the constant fire attacks of the 'Sun of the Sky' warriors riding buffalo.
Moreover, the outside of the double fence has already lost its defensive function. At the only remaining fence, the Abnaki League warriors stood guard again today with tense eyes.
"How do you fight an opponent riding a buffalo?"
"Also, be prepared to put out the fire at any time, because they might suddenly appear and attack with fire."
"This is driving me crazy. If the southern region has fallen into the hands of the 'Sun of the Sky'… it's only a matter of time before the northern region falls into the hands of the 'Sun of the Sky' as well."
The morale of the Abnaki League warriors dropped with time. Meanwhile, meetings were held every day in the temporary huts where the chiefs resided.
However, the chieftains were unable to come up with a proper solution, seemingly discouraged by the number of warriors of the 'Sun of the Sky'.
"I don't think we need to hold meetings all night. Our choice is set. We will either fight the warriors of the 'Sun of the Sky' or negotiate."
The Abnaki Confederation chieftain who made that suggestion talked around it in terms of negotiations, but in reality it was tantamount to surrender.
"I think negotiation is better. I heard that if we join the 'Sun of the Sky', they will give us autonomy for our tribe. So if we talk well with the 'Sun of the Sky' side, I think we will be able to return home safely and maintain our position as chief."
"Let's just negotiate. Our food reserves are almost depleted. I don't think it's necessary to fight and sacrifice our soldiers."
"I think the same. How long do you plan on holding out in the garrison? And as the chief of 'The Sand That Washes Away' said last time, if we just resolve the misunderstanding with the 'Sun in the Sky' side, I think things will be resolved well."
All the chiefs were of the same opinion. However, there is a slight difference behind it. Surrender and negotiation. At that time, 'The Sand That Washes Away', who was secretly anxious because of the Penacuk tribe, made a decision.
"Very well. I will try to negotiate somehow to restore friendly relations between the Sun of the Sky and our Avnaki Federation."
* * *
'Brave Wolf' unit camp. Four thousand warriors stood guard at their posts according to the mission of each unit. And now the 'Roaring Thunder' and the Buffalo Light Cavalry were preparing to move out to harass the Abnaki League garrison with fire.
At that moment, the fence gate of the Abnaki League garrison opened and several warriors came out, urgently proposing negotiations.
"Do not attack!"
"Our chieftains wish to meet your leader!"
'Roaring Thunder', who was riding on a buffalo, seemed annoyed.
"Damn it! If you're going to hold out, hold out until the end. These guys are playing really weak. They looked like they were going to fight at one point. They were feeling good, but then they completely got caught."
Meanwhile, the news reached the barracks where the 'brave wolf' was staying.
"The Abnaki League has proposed that we meet with the leader."
'The Brave Wolf' had already anticipated that the Avnaki Federation would invite him to meet with them. The question was when.
"It's late. Alright. Let's hear what they have to say."
"Okay, I'll make room for you right away."
"okay."
* * *
A negotiation table was set up in a temporary barracks between the Abnaki Alliance garrison and the Brave Wolf unit camp.
"We, the Abnaki Federation, wish to remain on friendly terms with the 'Sun in the Sky' as we used to. However, upon hearing the news of the war between the 'Sun in the Sky' and the Iroquois Federation, we have led our warriors here to ensure the safety of our Abnaki Federation people."
The 'brave wolf' just laughed in disbelief at the blatant lie that 'the sand being washed away' told without even blinking an eye.
However, the 'Washing Sand' and the Abnaki League chieftains continued to make excuses, saying it was a misunderstanding.
"… … So, how about we clear up the misunderstanding between the two alliances and end the fight at this point?"
"We, the Abnaki Confederation tribes, never intended to fight the 'Sun of the Sky' from the beginning. Let's make a peace treaty like before, so that we can both smile at each other, and let's go down the path of prosperity together."
The Abnaki confederation chieftains acted so shamelessly that even prostrating themselves and begging was not enough.
At that moment, 'Roaring Thunder', who had been occupying one of the negotiating tables, jumped up from his seat and became furious.
"Poohahahahahaha! What? Let's go down the road to prosperity? Are you guys joking? You want to come in first and clear up the misunderstanding? I feel like I want to smash your heads with this axe!"
The Abnaki League warriors also quickly raised their clubs at the sight of 'Roaring Thunder' standing in a threatening pose, holding an axe.
"Why are you sticking with me? Fine. If you want to get beaten, come outside."
No one could stand up to the terrifying murderous intent that came from the 'roaring thunder' that seemed like it would really kill them.
At that moment, the 'brave wolf', who was still sitting in his seat with his composure, stepped forward.
"Sit down. I'll tell you something nice."
"...."
'Roaring Thunder' must have felt sorry for him because he realized his mistake and immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry. I was rude in front of you, sir."
Looking at the 'Roaring Thunder' who had returned to his seat, the 'Brave Wolf' spoke quietly as if it was nothing.
"What do you have to be sorry about? You could be angry enough. I'm also holding back and being patient."
'Roaring Thunder', who had been fearful of having to report his wrongdoings to His Majesty the Emperor, let out a sigh of relief and glared at the Abnaki League chieftains across from him as if they were going to die.
"...."
In the awkward silence, the 'brave wolf' spoke first.
"Are we done talking?"
"yes."
"Then, we will talk too. Before that, let's call some people here."
The 'brave wolf' turned his head and winked at the white general.
"Understood, sir!"
As the White Chieftain left the negotiating table, the 'Washing Sand' and the Abnaki League chieftains exchanged anxious glances.
At that moment, the curtain on the negotiating table opened and the 'Unbroken Mountain' appeared.
"I heard you talking as I came in, but you are very good at lying, unlike the chiefs who lead the tribes. Have you completely forgotten that you recently invaded our territory and fought in the fortress?"
"That… that is…"
'A grain of sand being washed away' seemed embarrassed and made an excuse in a hurry.
"Didn't you come to our camp and fight us?"
"I see? Then what about the traps set around the citadel, and what about the bodies that fell into the traps and the Abnaki League warriors that we captured?"
"That… that is…"
"Very well. Let us immediately call the Abnaki Federation warriors who are being held captive by us and ask them directly what is happening here."
"...."
The Abnaki confederation chieftains were speechless and just sweated profusely. And then again the curtain opened and someone entered the negotiating room.
"You…?"
"Why is the Rocquois Confederacy Chief here?"
The Abnaki confederation chieftains opened their eyes wide in surprise.
Phew!
The Seneca chieftain, 'Heavy Breath', snickered at the Abnaki confederacy chieftains and spoke to 'Brave Wolf' as if he was telling a lie.
"The Iroquois and the Abnaki made a pact and promised to strike the 'sun in the sky.' This is the proof."
"...."
The Abnaki confederation chieftains' faces gradually turned pale as if they wanted to hide in a hole when their lies were exposed without fail.
"Okay. So we've reached a conclusion."
The 'brave wolf' straightened his posture and continued speaking calmly.
"I will give you half a day. If you do not surrender by then, no living being in the Abnaki Alliance garrison will be able to return alive."