Eckleya’s started his usual recruitment talk— which would never succeed, but was interrupted by a strange scream.
“Hyaaaaa~~”
Both men’s stares were directed at Shalltear who was covering her head and ceaselessly professing her loyalty.
“…What happened? Her tone is different from normal too.”
In response to the astounded Eckleya, Piki shook his head and shrugged.
“Who knows?”
Chapter 2
Gathering, Lizard man
Part 1
It had already been a half day journey riding on Rororo through the wetlands. The sun was already high in the sky, yet Zaryusu had not encountered any enemies he was concerned about, and arrived safely at his destination.
In the wetlands, there were several residences with houses constructed in the same fashion as those of the Green Claw tribe, surrounded by sharpened spikes facing outwards on all sides. Although there were wide gaps between the spikes, it was sufficiently effective in obstructing large creatures such as Rororo from invading. Although number of houses was less than that of the Green Claw tribe, individually, each one was larger.
Therefore it was not clear which side had a larger population.
Every residence had a flag attached to it billowing in the wind. The flags all bore the Red Eye lizardman mark.
Correct, this was Zaryusu’s first intended destination— the settlement of the Red Eye tribe.
After surveying his surroundings, Zaryusu sighed in relief.
This was because, fortunately for Zaryusu, their place of habitat was in the same patch of wetlands, consistent with previously obtained knowledge. He originally reckoned that they could have moved away as a result of the last war, in which case he would have to begin searching for their tribe.
Zaryusu looked back in the direction which he came from, and although he couldn't clearly see it, just narrowly outside of his line of sight was his own village. Right now, his village should be vigorously making various preparations. Although he left with anxiety, he could be fairly certain that the village would be safe from attack for the moment.
The fact that Zaryusu was able to arrive here safely was proof.
He was unable to determine whether this was a flaw in the Great One’s plan, or whether his own actions were also within its calculations, but in any case the opponent did not currently intend to go back on its word, and did not attempt to intervene in the battle preparations.
Of course, even if the so called Great One moved his hand to interfere, Zaryusu could only act to implement his beliefs.
Zaryusu leaped down from Rororo and stretched his body. Although riding Rororo over long distances made his muscles stiff, stretching his back made the fatigue seem rather pleasant.
Following this, Zaryusu instructed Rororo to remain at this position to wait for him, then took out some dried fish from his backpack for Rororo, to serve as its breakfast and lunch.
Honestly, he wanted it to forage its own meal from around here, but refrained from giving the order due to the possibility of disturbing the Red Eye tribe’s hunting grounds.
After petting each of Rororo’s heads several times, Zaryusu set off by himself and proceeded forwards.
If he brought Rororo with him, the other side could feel apprehensive of the hydra and be unwilling to come out. Zaryusu was here to form an alliance, and did not wish to appear high-handed.
He advanced whilst making splashing water noises.
At the corner of his vision, Zaryusu could see several Red Eye tribe warriors walking in a single file around the inner edge of the spike perimeter. Their equipment was exactly the same as those of the Green Claw tribe, not wearing armour and holding wooden spears made from sharpened bone attached to the tip of a wooden staff. There were also people holding ropes used for rock slings, but since these were not loaded with rocks, it should indicate that they had no intention of immediately attacking.
Zaryusu tried as much as possible to avoid stimulating the other side, so he slowly drew closer until both sides arrived before the main entrance. He directed his gaze to the watchful lizardmen and raised his voice.
“I am Zaryusu Shasha of the Green Claw tribe. There is a matter I wish to discuss with your tribe chief!”
After a while, a venerated lizardman holding a walking cane appeared, with five burly lizardmen following behind him. The old lizardman’s entire body from top to bottom had markings painted on with white body paint.
Is this the Elder Druid?
Zaryusu maintained his authoritative posture.
This person before him was an equal in terms of position, therefore he could not put on an appearance of weakness. Even as the elder druid observed the mark on his chest, Zaryusu did not falter.
“Zaryusu Shasha, of the Green Claw tribe. I have come with a matter to discuss.”
“…Although I cannot say that you are welcomed, the leader of our tribe is willing to meet you. Please come with me.”
This strange rhetoric confused Zaryusu.
What made him perplexed was why the other individual was not called tribe chief, and also why they did not require him to display an item to prove his identity. However saying anything at that moment could upset the other party, and that would spell trouble. Although he felt that something was off, Zaryusu silently followed behind the line of lizardmen.
He was brought to a beautiful small hut.
It was even larger than Zaryusu’s older brother’s. The walls were dyed with a rare pattern, proving that the owner of the house was of nobility.
What concerned him was that it had no windows, only a gap for ventilation. Lizardmen could see objects clearly in the dark, but this did not mean that they enjoyed darkness.
Then why would anyone want to live inside such a dark hut?
Zaryusu had many doubts but couldn’t turn to anyone for answers.
Looking behind him, the druid and warriors who led the way earlier were all gone.
When those who led the way had told him that they were leaving, he felt that they were being too careless. He almost let his doubt slip.
But when Zaryusu heard that this was the wish of the leader, of the tribe acting chief, His opinion of the person waiting inside the hut rose.
Although he had promised his brother that he would return safely, Zaryusu was already prepared for the possibility that he would be unable to fulfill that promise. As such, surrounding him with armed guards to pressure him would prove ineffective. In fact, it would only make him feel disappointed by the fact that this was all they could muster.
However, if the other party already knew his thoughts and still displayed generosity…
Possibly a skilled negotiator, a troublesome opponent…
Ignoring the peeping eyes from the distance, Zaryusu went straight to the door and announced in a loud voice:
“I am Zaryusu Shasha of the Green Claw tribe, and I have come here to meet with the leader of the tribe.”
A small voice from within responded in kind, the voice of a female. It granted him permission to enter.
Zaryusu opened the door without hesitation.
The interior was as dark as he had imagined.
Because of the difference in brightness, even if he had night vision capabilities, Zaryusu could not help but to blink a few times.
The air inside smelled something akin to medicine, mixed with the scent of herbs that stabbed the nose. Zaryusu visualised an elderly female lizardman, but this was negated by reality.