Even so, he had to wait for Crusch to personally respond. He probably wanted to discern whether Crusch who was in command of the tribe’s lizardmen, had the qualifications to become an alliance partner.
All that was left was whether she wanted to voice out her decision.
Except, after declaring that decision, there would definitely be many individuals who would lose their lives. However—
“Let me first make one thing clear. We are not going to war for the sake of sacrificing lives, but to obtain victory. I have perhaps said many things which have made you feel unsettled. However, we want to be the ones with the standing and laughing victoriously. Please do not be mistaken on this point.”
Crusch nodded to express her understanding.
This male lizardman really was kind. With such thoughts, Crusch voiced out her own decision.
“… We, the Red Eye tribe shall cooperate with you, because I do not wish to see tribe chief’s smile become meaningless, and also because it will grant Red Eye tribesmen a chance at survival.”
Crusch lowered her head in a deep bow; her tail was straight and elevated.
“—I am extremely grateful.”
Zaryusu nodded slightly. That elevated tail expressed a complex thoughts, more intensely than his words.
Early morning.
Zaryusu stood in front of Rororo, looking towards the main entrance of the Red Eye tribe.
He could not resist opening his mouth wide and yawning. Last night he was a guest spectator at a Red Eye conference until late at night, therefore he was currently a little fatigued. However there was not much time left, and it was necessary to visit another tribe within today.
Zaryusu desperately fought against his drowsiness, but momentarily subsided to it and gave another yawn, but the one this time was even larger than the previous one.
Although sitting on Rororo was not comfortable enough for sleeping, he felt like he was able to do so.
After taking a glimpse of the yellow sun which had just risen, Zaryusu turned his gaze back at the main entrance, and then felt some confusion. This was because a curious object had just run out of the main gate.
It was a bundle of grass.
There were weeds grown on top of a clothing which was sewn together from many long strips of cloth and threads clothes. If one were to lay on the wetlands and observe it from a distance, it would look like a bundle of weeds.
Ah, I believe I have seen a similar monster somewhere before—
Zaryusu was just recalling a sight he had seen during his travels as a traveler when Rororo behind him let out a warning low growl.
Of course Zaryusu understood who that bundle of grass actually was, and it was impossible to be incorrect because her white tail was slightly visible.
As he was staring blankly at that excitedly swaying tail whilst at the same time reassuring Rororo, that bundle of weeds had already arrived beside Zaryusu.
“— Good morning.”
“Un, good morning… looks like you unified the entire tribe without a hitch.”
He turned his gaze towards the Red Eye tribe’s residence. Since early in the morning, the gathering area had already been palpitating with murderous intent. Many lizardmen were frantically running around. Crusch also stood on one side facing the same direction and replied:
“Yes, no problems have arisen. Today we should be able to arrive at Razor Tail tribe settlement, and those who wish to flee have also already packed up.”
The druids inside the village used magic to pass on a situation update. Razor Tail tribe was told that they would be the first tribe to be exterminated. The first tribe which would be wiped out was not the Dragon Tusk tribe, therefore this was more advantageous in terms of timing.
“Then Crusch, why would you want to come to our side?”
“The answer is very simple, Zaryusu, but before I give my reply, first tell me one thing. What are your plans?”
After yesterday’s meeting which took place from evening to early morning, the two individuals felt no reservation even when calling out each other’s names. The reason was because they had become familiar enough that even their manner of speaking to each other had changed.
“Coming up next, I plan to visit another tribe… the Dragon Tusk tribe.”
“They are the tribe where strength means everything right? I heard that their fighting force was the strongest out of all the tribes.”
“Erm, you are right. Seeing as the other side is a tribe of which we have never exchanged with before, we have to prepare ourselves mentally.”
All information on the other side was cast with a veil of mystery. Therefore just heading towards the other side’s base was an extremely perilous matter. Furthermore, they had absorbed the survivors of the two exterminated tribes of the past war. This fact merely elevated the upcoming danger.
To the defeated from the two tribes, Zaryusu, who played an active role in the previous war was an absolutely hated enemy, detested to their very bones.
Even so, they were the most needed helping hand out of all the tribes for this war.
“If that is so… then, it is still better for me to go with you.”
“— What?”
“Is it so strange?”
The weed pile made a small movement, and let out a faint whispering noise. Because he could not see her face, he could not know what her intent was.
“I don’t mean to say that it is strange… but it would be very dangerous.”
“Is there still a place that is safe now?”
Zaryusu stayed silent. He was calmly thinking, bringing Crusch with him would be beneficial in many ways. However as a male lizardman, he still had reservations against bringing a female lizardman, whom he had feelings for, to a knowingly dangerous place.
“—I really am not calm enough.”
Although Crusch was hidden inside the grass, and her expression could not be seen, she almost seemed to smile slightly.
“… Then, let me ask you another question. What is with your appearance?”
“Does it not look nice?”
The question of whether it looked nice or not was a strange one. However, wouldn’t it be better to give a little compliment? Zaryusu did not know how to respond, and after a moment of deep thought, sized up the other’s unseen expression and replied:
“…I should say that it looks good… right?”
“How can that be possible.”
Crusch steadfastly rejected this. Zaryusu felt his strength drain from him, that couldn’t be helped.
“It is solely because I am weak against sunlight, therefore when I head outside, I almost always dress like this.”
“So that’s why…”
“Ah, you haven’t given me your answer. Will you let me travel with you?”
Any further discussion on this would probably not sway her mind. From the point of view of forming an alliance, bringing her along should be advantageous for obtaining this objective. She also thought along the same lines, which is why she probably made this suggestion. With that being said, there was no reason to refuse her company.
“…I understand, then please lend me a helping hand, Crusch.”
Crusch was delighted from the bottom of her heart as she replied:
“— Understood, Zaryusu. Leave it to me.”
“Are you already prepared for departure?”
“Of course. My backpack is already filled with all the various necessary items.”
After hearing this, Zaryusu subtly assessed her back region and discovered that there was a slight lump on the surface of the grass. A fresh grass smell wafted from that area, as well as some concentrated fragrance. Since she was a forest druid, therefore there should be some herbal related skills, that was why the contents inside should be filled with related goods.