I know a little about the Miami Tribe through the Office of the Inspector General. The Miami Tribe, a relative of the Illinois Confederacy, lives on the west side of Lake Michigan and makes a living primarily by trading buffalo hides with neighboring tribes.
I asked 'Black Tooth' with a questioning look in my eyes.
"How did you know I was coming here?"
"I have long wished to see Your Majesty the Emperor since I heard of the war between the Illinois Confederacy and our 'Sun in the Sky'. When I received word that Your Majesty the Emperor was visiting our village, I informed the Miami Chief of this fact."
"hmm!"
'Black Tooth' noticed and immediately apologized, thinking that it was a mistake to make a decision unilaterally without my permission.
"I apologize. Unlike the Illinois Confederated Tribes, we usually trade with the Miami Tribe, and our relationship with the Shawnee Tribe is not bad… It was my mistake. I will send back the Miami Tribe Chief."
"No. That's fine. I wonder what the Miami Chieftain will say. Let's meet."
"All right."
Only then did the hardened expression on 'Black Teeth' loosen up. At that moment, the warriors of the 'Sun of the Sky' who were standing guard on the five-meter high wall saluted loudly.
"With all due respect to His Majesty the Emperor! Loyalty!"
"insect!"
As we passed through the wide open gates and entered the outer castle, a completely different world than the Illinois Confederated Tribal Village we had seen so far unfolded before us.
There were well-maintained roads and sidewalks made of bricks, residential areas divided into sections centered on the roads, houses built like country houses with large yards, and lots of land for future house construction.
The water and sewerage systems were well maintained, carts pulled by humans occasionally passed by on the roads, and the people of 'the sun in the sky' walking on the sidewalk were smiling and chatting.
"It's improved a lot compared to before."
"It's all thanks to His Majesty the Emperor."
I didn't feel bad because it was true. And now I understand a little bit why 'Black Tooth' became the chieftain of the Black Clan.
"What is the population of this town?"
"There are a little over four thousand. These days, children are being born every day… I will investigate separately and report back later."
I nodded and continued walking towards the downtown area where the market was. The atmosphere was even more lively because the market had many shops and stores.
"Your Majesty the Emperor!"
"Welcome, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
People stood far away and looked at me with respect and awe, greeting me. I waved back at them in return. The sentiments of the Shawnee people toward me were almost loyal.
'It's okay.'
However, the only flaw was that the people of 'Sun of the Sky' were still wearing a lot of leather clothes.
'I have to get some cotton somehow.'
Desert cotton did not meet my standards as a clothing material when considering the growing environment and productivity.
Fortunately, I did receive reports that there was a tribe in the south that grew something similar to cotton.
'I have to keep looking.'
Leaving my regrets behind, I passed through the downtown area and entered the inner city. 'Black Teeth' described the buildings built in the castle one by one.
A vigilante building where vigilantes perform various tasks, a school where children can study and run around a large playground, a temple that also serves as a treatment center, a small library, etc.
"… we also laid bricks in the square in front of the town hall."
* * *
I washed up, rested, and received a report from 'Heavy Snowstorm' at the village hall provided by 'Black Tooth'.
"The SS warriors were given time to rest and regroup. The buffalo were separated from the wild buffalo and allowed to graze freely in the pastures."
"You worked hard. You should rest now too."
"No. I will stay with you until His Majesty the Emperor rests in peace."
'The Blizzard' also knew I was meeting the Miami Tribe Chief.
"It's okay. There's a loyal bear right next to me, so what could happen?"
The 'stubborn bear', standing beside me with his large body, reassured me with simple, sharp words while watching the 'heavy snowstorm'.
"It's okay. Rest. Even if I die, His Majesty the Emperor is a son of God and a warrior, so he will never die."
"...."
After hesitating for a moment, he looked back and forth between 'Heavy Snowstorm' and 'Honest Bear' before reluctantly nodding.
"Understood, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
The 'heavy snowstorm' went away, and only me and the 'honest bear' were left in the room.
"I've kept you waiting too long. Let's go. Thunder roar!"
"Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
After a while, we entered the meeting room set up in the town hall under the guidance of 'Black Tooth'. The first thing that greeted me was the smell of freshly-made flowers.
'The ceiling is high, and the floor and walls are made of marble.'
The space was also quite spacious. At that moment, the Miami chieftain and the two great warriors who were sitting side by side on the right side of the table in the center suddenly stood up from their seats.
"Hello. I am the great Yi Cheon-il, the son of God and warrior."
I greeted a Miami tribesman who looked quite old without thinking, saying his long name for the first time in a long time.
The man looked slightly embarrassed as he glanced at the young man next to him.
"Nice to meet you, Your Majesty! I am Chieftain of the Maiimae Tribe, 'Bison Leather.'"
I quickly turned on my mind's eye and checked the status window to make sure it was the Miami Tribe Chief.
'That's right.'
[Bison Leather]
[Affiliation: Miami Tribe, Chief]
[Alignment: Smart, wise, excellent young leader.]
[Ability]
Stamina: 4
Strength: 3
Agility: 5
Wisdom: 17
Attractiveness: 21
Judging from his overall low physical abilities, he was a dud as a warrior. However, the words 'Outstanding Young Leader' particularly caught my eye and I became curious about the charm ability I saw for the first time.
'Was there such a thing as charm?'
Naturally, I looked at the 'buffalo hide'. Dark skin, sad eyes, eyes that were hard to guess what was in their hearts, and the corners of their mouths went up, making them smile from the moment I first saw them.
And above all, his overall body shape was thin and frail. The 'buffalo skin' also did not stay still, but explored me by rolling its small eyes here and there.
Phew!
A lot happens in that short amount of time and I immediately apologize for my mistake.
"I made a mistake."
"It's okay. People from other tribes often misunderstand."
'Bison Skin' answered again with a kind smile and a smiling eye.
"Please sit down."
"thank you."
As I sat down in the chair of honor, the Miami chiefs and great warriors took their seats one by one, looking around the audience room curiously.
"The sun in the sky is as precious and wonderful as the rumors say, so I don't know where to look. Honestly, everything is so beautiful and good that I want to live in this town for the rest of my life."
From the beginning, the village was praised for its 'bison hide' and the conversation continued for a while on various light topics.
After a while, there was no time to chat leisurely as they were at war with the Avnaki League. I got straight to the point.
"By the way, why have you come to visit our 'Sun of the Sky'?"
'Bison Skin' still congratulated me with an inscrutable smile.
"I heard you have conquered the Illinois Confederacy and the Iroquois Confederacy. Congratulations."
In this place with a low population density despite its vast territory, rumors can only spread very slowly. The few tribes living in the rugged mountains were so ignorant of information and rumors that they built walls between themselves and the world.
'I know one thing for sure.'
Having this level of information means that the Miami Tribe Chief is well-informed of the surrounding situation.
"We are at war with the Abnaki League, and I would not want to waste Your Majesty's precious time. I have come to see You on behalf of our Miami tribe to join the 'Sun of the Sky' League."
Like all the surrounding tribes, the 'Sun in the Sky' was considered to be a confederation of several tribes rather than a single country.
He wasn't much different.
'I also know that the war with the Abnaki League is not over.'
But you join the 'Sun of the Sky' when you don't know what the outcome of the war will be? I spoke to him with interest after a long time, seeing him quickly making judgments and decisions for the future of the Miami Tribe, knowing where the power of the international situation was flowing.
"Just as all tribes are equal before God, the 'Sun of the Sky' welcomes all tribes."
"thank you."
It is only natural that we welcome the Miami Tribe's arrival on foot to join the 'Sun in the Sky'. However, it was clear that the Miami tribe would not come in without a reason, and that they had some intention or demand.
I briefly explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be in charge of the membership procedures and negotiations for the 'Sun of the Sky'.
"okay."
"Do you have any other questions or comments?"
'Bison Skin' hesitated for a moment, then finally revealed the reason he had come to see me.
"I would like to ask the Miami Tribe to allow us to sell weapons and items produced by the Sun of the Sky."
I could immediately see why he was listed as an 'Outstanding Young Leader' in his status window.
'This was it.'
In 'The Sun in the Sky', strategic assets and goods are exclusively produced and sold by the country to prevent technology leaks.
However, the Miami Tribe Chief demands the right to sell strategic assets and goods as a condition for entering the 'Sun in the Sky'.
Of course, I'm not saying it out loud, but rather talking about it indirectly.
'He's smart and says everything he wants to say with a sly smile.'
In any case, it is certain that the Miami Tribal Chief is a person who is perfectly suited to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
However, aside from my high rating, I didn't like the way 'Bison Leather' approached things from the beginning. In times like these, you need to fix it properly at the beginning.
"I refuse. And I don't care whether the Miami Tribe comes into our 'Sun in the Sky' or not."
"yes?"
For the first time, 'Bison Skin' showed a look of bewilderment at my straightforward speech. Honestly, if I had wanted to, I could lead my Royal Guard warriors right now and conquer the Miami tribe, which was practically a minority tribe.
However, the reason they did not do so was because they wanted to subjugate the Native Americans in a peaceful and legal manner, avoiding war if possible.
The population is not that big to begin with. Did you read my mind? Or maybe the Miami tribe has come to terms with the reality of their situation?
Knowing that he shouldn't ruin the good atmosphere he had been having, 'Bison Leather' quickly offered an apology.
"I'm sorry. I think I've asked too much. As I said before, our Miami tribe wants to be with the 'Sun in the Sky'."
"...."
I smiled meaningfully and remained silent for a while before slowly opening my mouth.
"We will be watching to see how the Miami Tribe will carry out the laws and obligations set forth by the 'Sun in the Sky'."
* * *
South of the 'Sun in the Sky', the pioneer fortress. 'Cold Tree' was quickly reading through and organizing the reports on the table in his office.
Two settlements built around the citadel were also almost village-like in form. Besides, the Cherokee tribe has been quiet these days.
"It's good, but it's boring."
He leaned back in his 'cold wood' chair, his eyes looking away from the desk, and yawned deeply. At that moment, a noise was heard from outside and the 'Wounded Arrow' came in.
"Your Majesty! The Tuscarora and Croatan tribes have arrived."
The 'cold tree' got up from its seat, licking its lips.
"I wondered when you would come, but it was worth the patience and waiting. The wounded arrow! Bring the people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the reception room."
"All right."