Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Diplomatic Encounter with the Froglins
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"I am Shunen, son of the great Tribal Chief Aulroy. We have no intention of fighting you, Lizardmen."
"This is Tribal Chief Rakrak. We have no intention of taking up arms either."
As the two began speaking, both wary tribes relaxed into more comfortable stances.
Rakrak examined the Froglin who had introduced himself as Shunen.
He was one of the larger ones in the group, with a flashy cord dyed red draped around his neck.
'If he's the tribal chief's son, that's respectable enough.'
Of course, it would have been better if the tribal chief himself had come, but Rakrak hadn't held out much hope.
"What brings you here?"
"You've encroached on our territory, so we've come to inform you of that."
It was exactly what Rakrak had expected.
There was no need to interpret that statement as a declaration of full-scale war.
Admitting fault first gave them the advantage in steering the conversation.
"Is that so? This entire land isn't your territory, though. There were no markers around here claiming ownership. We didn't know. But we'll apologize for failing to notice."
"Hm."
Shunen fell silent for a moment at Rakrak's straightforward apology.
Rakrak pressed the advantage.
"Regardless of whether it was your territory, we come from very far away. We haven't decided to settle here permanently yet, but for the time being, we have nowhere else to stay."
"Ah, well..."
"Shunen, son of the great Tribal Chief Aulroy, this is my first time seeing a Froglin, but you seem like a resolute warrior. Surely you have the authority to grant us this favor?"
Shunen couldn't find a retort and nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. One day, I will succeed my father and lead the tribe. Deciding to yield our territory to you and your tribe is well within my power."
Rakrak noticed one of the burly warriors next to Shunen glancing at him with displeasure.
'The tribal chief must not fully trust his son and assigned that warrior to watch him. But the Lizardman side is still puzzling. I need to dig deeper.'
Rakrak spoke up.
"Instead of standing here, why not come to our village and receive our hospitality? Both tribes have resolved this without conflict, and it's a good outcome—"
"Ah, in that case..."
As Shunen stepped forward, the burly warrior whispered something in his ear.
Shunen's attitude shifted.
"...That won't be possible. Thank you, but trust between us hasn't been built up enough yet."
"Really? We Lizardmen can't just send away those who've done us a favor. How about we share the food we have right here?"
Shunen glanced at the burly warrior, who nodded.
"That should be fine. We have food too, so let's share. Just to avoid any misunderstandings, we Froglin really like Lizardmen. Isn't that right, Owen?"
"Of course."
The one who answered was the ashen-scaled Lizardman Rakrak had been cautiously observing.
Rakrak decided not to react sensitively.
'To figure out their relationship and intentions, I can't show I'm curious about it. If they catch on, they'll use it against me.'
Rakrak ordered his warriors to light a fire and prepare food, then began casual conversation with Shunen.
"I'll accept that this land around here is your tribe's territory, but I'm curious about your proof."
"Hm, fine. See this feather attached to my decorative cord?"
Shunen proudly pointed to the red ornamental feather hanging from his chest.
Even with just a few, the feathers were huge, covering Shunen's chest broadly.
They looked impressively large to Rakrak.
"This is a feather from a cockatrice living in the forests around here."
"Cockatrice?"
"A massive chicken that runs on two legs. About as tall as... the second branch of that tree."
Roughly over three meters.
It had to be a dangerous creature.
"May I take a closer look at the feather?"
"Of course."
Rakrak inspected the feather closely.
Even if there was some exaggeration, a bird with feathers this size would indeed be that tall.
Moreover, Rakrak knew his warriors had found some large feathers—not quite this size, but similar.
'Then this red feather is probably from the cockatrice's ornamental plumage. At least the info on cockatrices seems reliable.'
Shunen continued.
"Cockatrices aren't just big—they're poisonous too. Dangerous beasts. Even we can't always kill them when we encounter one; often we barely drive them off. They're fast and roam widely, so we patrol out to areas like this."
"Then we owe it to you that we haven't encountered one yet. Thanks. So how do you deal with cockatrices?"
"They're tall, so even long spears are hard to use up close. Throwing spears? They're too quick. Stones? Their feathers protect them. Usually, you need to use a 'bow' and 'arrows' on exposed skin."
"Bow and arrows?"
Rakrak took interest in the new weapon's name.
"Is it that thing, by any chance?"
"First time seeing a bow?"
"Hm, I've seen something similar."
Rakrak was referring to the bow-shaped bellows the blacksmith had.
Even before proper tension-based bows, similar devices existed, but well-made bows were different in utility and appearance.
Lizardmen raised in places scarce on wood types and volume had no choice but to encounter bows for the first time.
"What kind of weapon is it? Not like a slingshot throwing stones, I assume."
At Rakrak's genuine curiosity, Shunen puffed up with pride.
"I suppose I should demonstrate. Let's see... Owen."
"You called?"
"Everyone else is busy, so mind helping? We're practicing archery—could you set up a suitable wooden board over there?"
"Sure."
Rakrak observed the subtle power dynamic between Tribal Chief's son Shunen and Lizardman Owen.
'It sounds like a request... but to me, he seems like an errand boy. Though anyone would look like an errand boy next to a tribal chief's son.'
Rakrak watched silently as Owen worked, then observed Shunen's archery practice.
Shunen's was a wooden bow, not too long given Froglin physiology. But the wood was sturdy enough for tension, and the string—made of unknown material—was tightly strung without slack.
The arrow Shunen nocked whistled out and struck dead center.
"Oh ho. Impressive."
Rakrak admired it while mentally reviewing how to counter it in a fight against Froglin.
'By power, our warriors' throwing spears are stronger. But this bow can carry multiple arrows, seems more accurate than spears, and could fire faster in cover. We need to acquire them.'
Shunen said,
"We learn archery from childhood. I'm one of the best shots in the tribe."
"I see. Mind if I try it?"
"Go ahead. It'll be tough for a beginner."
As Shunen predicted.
It wasn't a matter of strength, but he knew the issues beginners face and had himself and the other warriors stand well back.
Every time Rakrak flicked an arrow sideways or dropped it on the ground, Shunen offered apt advice. After a few shots, Rakrak finally got one to land before the target.
"First times are always hard."
Rakrak snorted and went to retrieve the arrow.
Then Shunen said to Owen,
"What are you doing? Hurry up and fetch the arrow."
As Owen ran over, Rakrak said,
"No, I shot it, so I'll pick it up myself."
Rakrak picked up the arrow from the ground as he spoke.
Shunen shrugged as if to say suit yourself, then turned his gaze to where the meal was being prepared.
Rakrak picked up another arrow and approached Owen.
'Finally, a chance to talk to him alone.'
Rakrak went to the target and said to Owen,
"Your name's Owen, right?"
"Pardon? Ah. Yes."
Owen seemed unsure how to act toward Rakrak and looked flustered.
'Why the fluster? Odd behavior.'
Rakrak probed.
"Why is a Lizardman with Froglin?"
"Because Lizardmen and Froglin live together. We different races coexist."
Rakrak had never considered it possible, so he was puzzled.
Different races meant different habits and inevitable friction.
To Rakrak's thinking, Froglin didn't seem that way, but some races felt instinctive disgust.
Even in friendly relations, communities usually stayed separate.
"Why?"
"Because the two races help each other."
"Help how? Specifically?"
Rakrak asked out of pure curiosity.
Owen replied as if prepared.
"Lizardmen provide for Froglin inconveniences on land, in exchange for protection. Froglin can't stay out of water long. Lizardmen are better at picking fruit or climbing trees. In turn, Lizardmen get fish from the water."
It sounded like mutual aid, but something felt off to Rakrak.
"Sharing food is fine. But Lizardmen don't need protection. We can defend ourselves."
Owen looked startled but shook his head.
"No. You heard about cockatrices? This forest is dangerous. Aulroy's Froglin are a large tribe. Without them, we Lizardmen couldn't survive."
Rakrak wanted to press further, but felt Shunen's gaze.
"Head back. Forget that conversation. I was asking about archery tips."
"Yes...? ...Yes."
"Then tell me any tip."
"...I don't know how to shoot a bow."
Rakrak eyed Owen suspiciously.
"Then you're not a warrior. Why is a non-warrior among the warriors?"
Owen bowed his head and didn't answer.
Instead, Owen offered an archery tip.
"...B-but I've heard this: Hold your breath before releasing the string, and keep your eyes fixed on the target."
"...Got it. Thanks."
To avoid Shunen noticing his probing, Rakrak praised Shunen's archery, grilling him on bows, arrows, and techniques.
Elated Shunen explained the wood types for bows but was eventually stopped by the burly warrior watching him.
"That's enough, Shunen."
"Ah, Oboi. It's fine, isn't it? Knowing how to make bows doesn't mean they can whip one up. Even our bow craftsmen trained long and failed many times to make good ones."
"Still, we've given them plenty."
The warrior called Oboi wore the second-most ornate decorations after Shunen.
Rakrak figured this Froglin warrior Oboi was likely a trusted retainer of the tribal chief called Aulroy.
'The one to watch most carefully.'