"That's true, Lord Kent," Inhu nodded in agreement, replying, "The Forest Alliance doesn't fear water, but we're not adept at dealing with it either. The river would help block ambushes and interceptions from the Tiger Clan defectors, which is why we hope the trade route can be established along the Red River."
"But once we leave the Red River, how can the route's safety be ensured?" Kent asked.
"If it's in the Cold Spine Mountains, we can ensure safety," Inhu replied without reservation. "There's a secluded waterway not far from our tribal camp. However, in the Bison Meadow... we have no guarantee, Lord Kent. This area is too close to the Blackwood Forest, and Tiger Clan defectors could appear at any time."
"That does sound troublesome," Kent frowned, pretending to be deep in thought. "How large of an armed escort can you assemble?"
"At most, 200 people," Inhu answered with a troubled look. "Although there are over a dozen tribes following the Red Tiger family to the Cold Spine Mountains and we could recruit more forces, it's better for both parties to handle this trade with our own people."
"I have another question I need you to answer."
"Please ask, Lord Kent."
"Those Tigers… the defectors you mentioned—why have they become so different from you? For instance… their eyes are completely black."
"They were once my kin, Lord Kent," Inhu didn't shy away from the question but wore a pained expression as his voice grew agitated. "They've lost themselves!"
Kent said nothing, merely gazing at him silently.
"My apologies, Lord Kent. I became emotional," Inhu said, realizing his outburst. He sighed before continuing, "We don't know why Roaring Thunder became like this, but some speculate that his mind has been corrupted by darkness—perhaps in the rifts of time and space, he was controlled by some evil will."
"Rifts of time and space?" Kent asked with curiosity, glancing at Water Stream and the escort squad. Everyone seemed equally perplexed, as if hearing the term for the first time.
"This is a secret of the Forest Alliance, Lord Kent. Please forgive me for not being able to divulge too much," Inhu said respectfully. "At least, not until we become steadfast allies."
"Very well, continue," Kent nodded. Inhu's caution was understandable, especially when it concerned alliance secrets.
"Roaring Thunder has promised every tribe to unite them, to discard ancient traditions and territorial contracts, and to build a powerful united tribe. They no longer worship the God of Nature but gods of slaughter and evil. It's said that those who change their faith can see farther in the dark and hunt more easily. However, as a price, their eyes gradually take on the color of the night until they themselves… merge completely into the darkness."
"But how exactly is this achieved?"
"No one knows for sure how it happens. But we've seen the outcome: the forest's traditions have been distorted. The customs of nature and balance have all been abandoned. Darkness has taken control of our kin."
"What do you plan to do? Just retreat? Isn't anyone resisting?"
"Resisting?" Inhu laughed bitterly. "In fact, Roaring Thunder sees us as traitors to the Forest Alliance. Many tribes have been blinded. Who wouldn't wish to grow stronger? But what defines strength? Is it a deeper understanding of the forest, learning from nature and all living things? Or is it leaving the forest to claim more lands?"
The elder's voice turned desolate. "What we must do now is ensure our tribesmen survive and then unite the scattered tribes and kin. Only a herd of beasts protecting one another can withstand powerful predators."
"That's why you wish to trade with us."
"Of course, Lord Kent. We seek self-preservation and potential allies. The alliance war years ago was foolish. We claimed to learn balance from the forest's creatures but failed to practice it ourselves."
"Realizing this now isn't too late."
"No, it's not," Inhu smiled. "Suffering has been our greatest teacher and has made us reflect constantly."
"I must admit that after today's conversation, my impression of you has changed significantly."
"I feel the same, Lord Kent."
"In that case, let's move on to the main topic. Now it's time to establish cooperation and trust between us," Kent nodded. "Let's discuss the concrete plans…"
According to Kent's plan, in the Bison Meadow, he would establish a fortress base composed of a castle, barracks, docks, and warehouses. The riverside beach before them was undoubtedly the ideal choice.
The flat terrain of the riverside could be leveled to construct walled buildings. Then, several pathways extending into the river could be built, creating docks at the deeper sections for the mooring of rafts. The current boats or other vessel types didn't have deep draughts, so dock construction wouldn't require high standards. Existing techniques could complete the work quickly.
Moving inward from the riverbank, a one-kilometer radius of forest would be completely cleared. The felled timber could be used for construction or burned on-site to produce charcoal for industrial use.
Kent's plan wasn't just about establishing the Red Tiger family's trade route. The Red River, running over a thousand kilometers, stretches through the Blackwood Forest to the Cold Spine Mountains and eventually to the sea. Upstream, it connects to the Red Lake and Raven Swamp, and even through tributaries to the highlands, passing numerous tribes and territories.
South of the Bison Meadow, within 20–30 kilometers, lies another major western river of the Crimson Continent—the Rapid River, an equally vital trade waterway. By constructing another armed base there and linking the two trade routes with a well-paved cement road, the two waterways could be quickly connected.
As the core trade product, Kent would gradually provide the Red Tiger family with a total of 1,000 sets of magical armor, priced at 500 gold coins per set, amounting to 500,000 gold coins in total. The Red Tiger family, in turn, would pay partly in cash and partly in goods, including a detailed list of over a dozen items—mostly rare materials with low production in Spear Valley, especially those needed for secondary rune forging.
To ensure the trade route's safety, Kent proposed jointly forming an armed caravan, a suggestion that earned Inhu's approval and gratitude. In Inhu's view, this was purely an additional measure by Kent to ensure the safe exchange of his magical armor and a proactive gesture of trust.
As a gesture of reciprocity, the Red Tiger tribe would bring a group of war slaves and craftsmen as a gift to Kent's territory during the spring trade launch. This group would notably include the Forest Alliance's renowned leatherworking craftsmen, significantly enhancing Spear Valley's leather armor production standards.