Chapter 3: Forging the Alliance
With the alliance secured, Yuuto returns to Hi no Kuni alongside Garan and his warriors. The journey back is tense but uneventful, with both sides gradually learning about each other. Garan marvels at the organized village and its budding infrastructure. His warriors, used to a harsher existence, admire the fertile land and the disciplined people of Hi no Kuni.
As a gesture of goodwill, Garan offers a gift: a supply of rare iron ore from his mountains, vital for crafting stronger weapons and tools. Yuuto, in turn, shares the knowledge of advanced forging techniques, using his divine fire to demonstrate. The blacksmiths of both tribes eagerly collaborate, forging an unspoken bond through their craft.
Yuuto calls for a celebratory feast to welcome the new allies. The villagers and warriors dine together, sharing stories and laughter. Garan, despite his gruff exterior, opens up to Yuuto. He reveals his desire to protect his people from the growing threat of the Zerynthians, admitting that he sees Yuuto as a beacon of hope.
Meanwhile, Yuuto continues to empower his people. He introduces the concept of defensive formations and begins training more villagers in basic combat, knowing that a war is inevitable. He also secretly prepares a plan to arm his soldiers with fire-hardened weapons, combining his divine power with human ingenuity.
As the night of the feast progresses, Kael and a group of scouts return with urgent news: Zerynthian forces are already on the move, and their vanguard will reach Hi no Kuni within a week. The feast ends abruptly as Yuuto addresses the gathered crowd, rallying them with a fiery speech. He declares that this land will not fall and that they will fight for their freedom.
The chapter closes with the villagers and Garan's warriors uniting under Yuuto's leadership, preparing for the battle to come. Torches burn brightly as the people of Hi no Kuni begin fortifying their village and crafting new weapons, their determination matching the fire of their leader.
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End of Chapter 3