Chapter 92

 

 

Third Person POV

 

 

The largest hut in the village — the one which typically served as a meeting place — saw little use under normal circumstances. After all, the chief held absolute authority within the village, so there was hardly any need to hold meetings. Thus, it was a meeting place in name only. However, a bizarre energy filled the hut today.

 

It was currently jam-packed with many Lizardmen, and the originally spacious interior was now very cramped. Apart from the warrior Lizardmen, the priests, hunters, elders, and the traveller Zaryusu were present. They sat cross-legged on the ground, looking towards Shasuryu. As the tribe’s chief, Shasuryu announced the beginning of the meeting, and then the head of the priests was the first to speak.

 

She was an aged Lizardwoman, her body painted with sinister-looking white markings. Apparently they had some sort of significance, but Zaryusu did not know what that significance was.

 

 

Priestess: Does everyone remember the clouds that covered the sky? That was magic. I know of two spells which can control the weather. The first is 「Control Weather」, a spell of the sixth tier. However, that cannot be the case here, because a magic caster who could wield such magic would be a legendary figure. The other is a spell of the fourth tier, 「Control Clouds」. Only a powerful magic caster could work such a spell, and only a fool would oppose such a person.

 

 

The similarly-painted priests nodded in approval from where they were lined up behind the High Priestess. Zaryusu understood how powerful that was, but many others could not understand how powerful the spell was even after being told that it was magic of the fourth tier. The room soon filled with puzzled muttering.

 

 

The High Priestess looked baffled, unsure of how to explain the situation to them. Then, she pointed to one of the Lizardmen. Said Lizardman had a baffled expression on his face as well, and pointed to himself.

 

 

Priestess: Yes, you. Do you think you could beat me in a fight?

 

 

The indicated Lizardman hurriedly shook his head. He might be able to win if the fight was limited to weapons, but if the use of magic was also allowed, then his odds of victory were slim. No — slim did not cover it; a mere warrior like him would have no chance at all.

 

 

Priestess: Even so, someone like me can only use magic of the second tier at best.

 

 

Lizardmen: In other words, that person’s twice as strong as you, High Priestess?

 

The High Priestess did not know who had asked that question, but she sighed and shook her head as she heard it.

 

 

Priestess: It isn’t just being twice as strong. Anyone who can use fourth tier spells could kill our chief easily…Well, it’s not a given, but it’s very likely.

 

 

Now that they knew how powerful fourth tier spells were, the interior of the meeting hall fell silent. Then, Shasuryu spoke again:

 

 

Shasuryu: So what you’re trying to say, High Priestess, is that—

 

 

Priestess: I think we’d be better off fleeing. We stand no chance no matter how hard we fight.

 

 

Head Warrior: What the hell are you saying!?

 

 

An imposing-looking Lizardman leapt to his feet with a bass growl. He was easily the size of Shasuryu, and he was the Head Warrior of the tribe.

 

 

Head Warrior: You’re telling us to run without a fight!? How could we flee from mere threats!?

 

 

Priestess: —Are you retarded? I’m saying that by the time we fight, it’ll be too late for us!

 

 

The High Priestess jumped up as well, her angry eyes locked with those of the Head Warrior. Both of them began growling in low, dangerous tones. Just as the words “powderkeg” flashed through everyone’s minds, a cold voice spoke:

 

 

Shasury u:…Get a grip, both of you.

 

 

The Head Warrior and the High Priestess blinked, like they had been struck by a bolt from the blue. Then, they turned to look at Shasuryu. They apologized, and then sat down.

 

 

Shasuryu: Head Hunter, tell me what you think.

 

 

Hunter:…I understand the opinions of the Head Warrior and the High Priestess, and agree with what they have to say.

 

 

Shasuryu’s question was answered by a skinny Lizardman. That said, calling him skinny was doing him a disservice; his build was more on the wiry than the musclebound side.

 

 

Hunter: Therefore, since there is still some time, should we not carefully observe the changes around us? The opposition says they will send an army, so it makes sense that they will encamp. That requires a lot of preparation work, so why don’t we decide after seeing what the enemy does?

 

There’s no point going back and forth while we don’t know anything — murmurs to that effect could be heard in the background.

 

 

Shasuryu: —Elders.

 

 

Elders: I can’t make a decision here. All the opinion stated have their merits. The rest is up to you, our chief.

 

 

Shasuryu: Muu…

 

 

Shasuryu’s eyes shifted and met Zaryusu’s. His gaze seemed to convey an approving nod. Thus, with a feeling like he had been gently pushed forward from behind — and perhaps into danger — Zaryusu raised his hand to share his opinion.

 

 

Zaryusu: Chief, I would like to say something.

 

 

Chief: State it, brother

 

 

Zaryusu: If I had to choose between fleeing or fighting, I would choose the latter.”

 

 

Chief: Oh… and why is that?

 

 

Zaryusu: Because it is the only real option we have.

 

 

Normally speaking, he would have to explain his reasons for saying so if the chief asked for them, but Zaryusu did not elaborate. His attitude seemed to say, That’s all there is. Shasuryu cupped his chin with his hand, and he looked like he was deep in thought.

 

 

...Don’t tell me you’ve realized it as well… Ani-ja.

 

 

As Zaryusu struggled to keep his thoughts from showing up on his face, the High Priestess spoke up, a discomfited expression on her face.

 

 

Priestess:…Still, can we win?

 

 

Head Warrior: Of course!

 

 

The Head Warrior shouted with an intensity that could evaporate the unease in the air, but the High Priestess merely narrowed her eyes.

 

 

Zaryusu:…No, I think given our present situation, our chances of victory are very low…unless…

 

Zaryusu answered on her behalf, denying the Head Warrior’s words.

 

 

Zaryusus: We must request help. An alliance between all the tribes and…and the empire as well.

 

 

Head Warrior: Impossible! They’ve let us be on the deal that we leave them alone, why would they help us? Not to mention our tribes are in no friendly condition with each other!

 

 

Zaryusu: Head Warrior, the enemy should be fully aware about us — about our fighting strength. Otherwise, they would not sneer so openly at us. That being the case, if we fight them with our current strength, we will not be able to win. We need this alliance, as we had down in the past.

 

 

Due to the lack of fish with the overpopulation of Lizardmen on the lakes, hunters began to move into other territories in search of more fish. Before long, the hunters from each tribe encountered each other at their fishing spots. Since this matter concerned the food supplies of their respective tribes, they could not back down. Soon enough, arguments turned to violence, and that violence claimed lives. After that, the warriors of each tribe began travelling with their hunters to back them up, and thus battles broke out over food.

 

 

The war dragged in five of the seven tribes, with the Green Claw, Little Fang, and Razor Tail tribes on one side against the Yellow Speckle and Sharp Edge tribes. It became a state of total war that did not just involve their warriors, but even the average male and female Lizardmen.

 

 

After repeated all-out battles, the alliance containing the Green Claw was victorious, while the other two tribes were so worn down they could not function as tribes any further and disbanded. However, the tribeless Lizardmen were absorbed by the Dragon Tusk, who had not taken part in the fighting.

 

 

The irony was that the lack of food which had led to the war was solved by the decrease in the Lizardman population in the marsh, because everyone who survived now had enough fish to live on.

 

 

Head Warrior: What does that war have to do with what’s happening now?

 

 

Zaryusu: Think about what our enemy said. He mentioned that this village was ‘the second.’ That implies that they sent messengers to other villages, right?

 

 

Lizardmen: Oh…

 

 

Murmurs of understanding rose from the crowd as they realized what Zaryusu meant.

 

 

“In other words, you want to reform the alliance, then!”

 

“...No way.”

 

“He’s right. We should renew our alliance.”

 

“Like the war from the past…”

 

“Does that mean we could win?”

 

 

The whisperings from the gathered Lizardmen grew louder and louder. Everyone within the hut talked about the plausibility of Zaryusu’s suggestion, but Shasuryu remained silent. He did not seem like he was going to speak. Zaryusu did not dare look his brother — and that gaze of his which seemed to see through his thoughts — in the eye. After enough time had passed for everyone to discuss the matter, Zaryusu spoke again.

 

 

Zaryusu: I hope you don’t get the wrong idea. What I mean is for us to ally with all the tribes.

 

 

Hunter: Say what?

 

 

The Head Hunter — who was the second person present to realize what he was getting at — exclaimed in surprise. Zaryusu stared intently at Shasuryu, and every Lizardman in their way cleared a path for them.

 

 

Zaryusu: I would suggest forming an alliance with the Dragon Tusk and the Red Eye tribes as well, Chief. Along with sending an envoy to the Arcanian Empire. We cannot win without their help.

 

 

That bombshell sent ructions through everyone present. They had not had any prior dealings with the Dragon Tusk and Red Eye tribes, and they had abstained from fighting during the tribal war. In addition, the Dragon Tusk had taken in the survivors of the Yellow Speckle and Sharp Edge tribes, so it made sense to consider them a potentially problematic tribe in future. Still, if they could ally with those two tribes, it would form a five-tribe alliance. If it worked out, they might have a chance to survive. If they didn’t work, it was a must to beg for help from the Empire. They had overwhelming military advantage over anything in this world. Surely they would have enough to spare…? Just as everyone dared hope for that, Shasuryu asked tersely:

 

 

Chief: Who will be our envoy?

 

 

Zaryusu: Let me go…and send someone else for the Empire.

 

 

Zaryusu’s prompt answer did not startle Shasuryu. He knew Zaryusu well, and in all likelihood, he had already anticipated an answer like this. The lizardmen around them murmured about how there was no better candidate for this, but one person expressed his dissatisfaction.

 

 

Chief: —Sending a traveller?

 

 

It was Shasuryu. His icy-cold gaze pierced Zaryusu.

 

 

Zaryusu: That’s right, Chief. This is an emergency, and if the other side won’t hear me out because I’m a traveller, then they’re not worth allying with.

 

 

Zaryusu returned the cold stare. After looking at each other for a while, Shasuryu smiled sadly. Perhaps he had given up on his brother, or on persuading him from his course, or he had already acknowledged that he was the best man for the job, but it was a genuine, unclouded smile.

 

 

Chief: —Take the Chief’s seal with you.

 

 

The seal symbolized that the bearer acted with the chief’s authority, and it was not something a traveller could be allowed to possess. Several members of the elder council made to speak, but they withered under Shasuryu’s keen glare and swallowed their words.

 

 

Zaryusu: Thank you very much.

 

 

Zaryusu bowed deeply in thanks. After that, Shasuryu continued:

 

 

Chief: Now, I think it is safe to assume that the chief must go for the empire, don’t you think?