To form an alliance with those two tribes, forming a five tribe alliance.
If that were possible then it might be possible to win. As everyone held this faint hope, Shasuryu suddenly spoke out:
“Who shall be the representative?”
“I will go.”
Shasuryu was not surprised by Zaryusu’s immediate answer. The surrounding lizardmen reckoned that it was because he understood his younger brother’s character and had anticipated this response. Letting out sounds of empathy, they also thought that there was no candidate more suitable to be selected. However there was one who was of an opposing opinion.
“— Sending a traveler?”
It was Shasuryu. His ice-like gaze pierced directly through Zaryusu.
“That is true, Clan Head. However we are at trying times. If the other side is unwilling to listen to my words merely because I am a traveler, then they have no worth as an ally.”
Zaryusu easily repelled the cold stare. After the two glared at one another for a brief moment, Shasuryu let out a lonely smile. It was either because he gave up, or because of his helplessness in stopping his brother, or perhaps internally ridiculing himself for agreeing. It was a smile without gloom.
“Bring along the seal of the Clan Head.”
That had the meaning of being the Clan Head’s representative. Several elders which wished to express the view that ‘this is not something a traveler should possess’ were silenced under Shasuryu’s powerful glare.
“My extreme gratitude.”
Zaryusu bowed. Accepting his gratitude, Shasuryu continued speaking:
“…I shall select the representatives who will head to the other tribes. First is…”
Cold wind blew at night. Because it was the wetlands, high humidity and the summery heat combined together to give people excruciating pain, however at night this heat mellowed and the gusts of wind would even be considered freezing. Of course for the lizardmen with sturdy skin, this hardly registered as a significant change.
Zaryusu stamped along the wetlands, his target being his pet Rororo’s hut.
Although there was still some time, it could not be said for certain that nothing unexpected would suddenly happen, and more so it was not known if the enemy would abide by their declared schedule, or perhaps hinder Zaryusu’s movements. With all these considerations, riding through the wetlands on Rororo was still the most appropriate.
The stamping footsteps slowed down and stopped. The bag on his back which was filled with various items also shook. The reason for stopping was because the moonlight illuminated the sight of a familiar lizardman leaving Rororo’s hut.
Both individuals staggered at the sight of each other, and the confused Zaryusu crooked his neck in a bow. The black scaled lizardman drew himself closer and closed the distance.
“… I reckon that you are the one more suitable to take the mantle of Clan Head.”
Those were the only words of Shasuryu who had approached to within two meters.
“…What are you saying older brother.”
“Still remember the previous large war?”
“Of course.”
Since Zaryusu had raised this question during the meeting, there was no way he would not remember. Of course this was not the main point of Shasuryu’s question.
“…After the war you became a traveler. At that time when you had the insignia burned upon your chest, you have no idea how much I regretted it. Even if I had to use my fists, I should have stopped you.”
Zaryusu fiercely shook his head. His brother’s expression at that time still remained a thorn in his heart.
“…It is all thanks to older brother’s permission that I was able to learn the ability to raise fish.”
“If it were you, even if you remained in the village you would be able to come up with that method. Such an intelligent man as you should be able to be the supporting pillar of this village.”
“Older brother.”
The past was the past, therefore any hypothetical discussions starting with ‘what if…’ were pointless. The past was already set in stone, but to ponder over such events were these two men’s weakness.
No, not exactly that either.
“…Not as Clan Head, but as your older brother, I cannot tell you that things will go smoothly if you go alone. Come back safely, don’t try to be brave.”
In response to this remark, Zaryusu replied with a haughty smile:
“Of course I will complete this mission with perfection for you to see. This task is nothing to me.”
“Huh.” Shasuryu’s face broke out into a wry smile.
“Then if your mission were to be a failure, the fattest fish that you have raised shall be mine.”
“Older brother, that kind of thing is nothing amazing, and not something you ought to be saying at this moment.”
“…Muu.”
Both men silently laughed.
And then exchanged serious looks.
“So is your objective really just that?”
“…What are you saying? What do you mean?”
For a brief moment Zaryusu narrowed his eyes… and then thought to himself “Darn!”. With knowledge of his older brother’s insight, his reaction just now was a mistake.
“… Your speech in the hut was as if to incite everybody’s opinion, yet the way you said it was obviously withholding something.”
Zaryusu fell silent and Shasuryu continued:
“…The cause of the previous war was not solely due to the dispute between tribes. A substantial increase in the population of lizardmen was also one of the reasons.”
“Older brother… Let’s not talk about this any further.”
Zaryusu’s grim tone seemingly confirmed Shasuryu’s statement.
“So… it was that.”
“…It can only be that, in order to prevent a recurrence of the previous war.”
These words that Zaryusu spat out implicitly contained his own detestable thoughts and plans. It was simply too foul, and if possible he did not wish for his older brother to know about them.
“So then if the other tribes refuse to form an alliance, what then? Because those who are only willing to provide support and those who wish to flee from the outset would surely refuse.”
“In that case then… The only option is to exterminate them.”
“Starting with wiping out your own tribe?”
“Older brother…”
Hearing the tone of persuasion in Zaryusu’s voice, Shasuryu smiled almost inappropriately.
“I understand that your concern is correct, and I also agree. As the guiding figure for the tribe, since it concerns the survival of our tribe, of course I would have to consider this. That is why you need not be reserved, younger brother.”
“I appreciate those words. Then shall they be brought to this village?”
“No. According to that person this village was the second one, so the main battle should take place at the first village. Ordinarily it would be the best strategy to gather at the final village or the one with the highest defence, but if it were to be destroyed then it would have serious impact on the subsequent battles, therefore let us establish our defensive position at the first village. To exchange intelligence reports with you, let us communicate through the elder druids’ magic so that you can directly transmit from over there.”
“Understood.”
The magic which older brother described was a delicate one which was unable to transmit too much content or if the distance was too far away, but Zaryusu judged that it would be fine for this instance.
“Then I assume that there will be no problem if we draw out rations for the soldiers from your farm?”
“Of course, but spare the juveniles. It was not easy to get them where they are now, and even if we were to abandon the village it would eventually come in handy.”