CHAPTER 1170: CHAPTER 731: THE SECOND KINGDOM EXPEDITION, SNAILS AND OMENS

The colorful ribbon snails, with their vividly spiraled shells, clung to the wooden walls inside the chieftain’s hut, resembling moving gemstones. These stunning snails are unique land mollusks of Cuba Snake Island and are beloved by the Taino Tribe as beautiful little creatures.

In ancient legends, the appearance of the ribbon snails was credited to a young Taíno Chief who, for his beloved, overcame numerous obstacles to beseech the Heavenly Divine for the world’s most beautiful colors, which he then imbued into the snails’ shells to create these wondrous beings! Thus, the Taino people adore these snails; they are not only gifts exchanged between young lovers as tokens of affection but also sacrifices offered to the Heavenly Divine.

In later times, they came to be known as "Cuban Candy Snails," moving "candies," the most beautiful snails in the world!

"The Taíno’s ribbon snails are peaceful and beautiful, just like their souls! ... They are the type of followers the Chief Divine would love..."

Priest Tomate’s gaze lingered, watching these otherworldly colorful creatures, a smile touching his lips. Water Chief also smiled gently, his face a picture of simplicity and joy. The two sipped cassava juice before continuing the seemingly ordinary but immensely important discussion.

After addressing the crucial matter of strategic locations, Priest Tomate relaxed visibly. He then proceeded, one point at a time, following the fleet meeting’s plans, to propose ideas to Water Chief.

The first proposal was for the Kingdom Fleet to offer protection to the Mayali Tribe in exchange for food and labor. However, Water Chief’s response differed from Priest Tomate’s expectations.

"Mm, the Ziguayu people keep raiding our coasts, stealing towns’ food and fish, even injuring villagers... they are dangerous raiders! Priest Tomate, indeed, we should unite and jointly guard against the Ziguayu people..."

"Oh! Your tribe is newly established and indeed needs help. The village can first supply you with a few months of food, give you some plant cuttings, and teach you to plant cassava until your cassava field ripens. As for building thatched huts, once the rainy season is over, I’ll bring some villagers to help!"

"Mm... Water Chief, thank you for your help!..."

Hearing this response, Tomate politely replied and then fell into prolonged contemplation.

He began to realize that for the Taino people, who saw little violence and almost no combat, even the chieftain of a great tribe lacked a clear understanding of the Kingdom’s Warriors’ formidable power. From their conversation, it seemed Water Chief didn’t fully grasp, he might even simply believe, that the Kingdom Fleet’s guards were not necessarily a match for the "ferocious" Ziguayu raiders!

"Combat, with the Ziguayu people... only a real fight and bloodshed can show the Taino people the Kingdom’s mighty forces!"

Quickly, Priest Tomate sorted his thoughts and decided on the next steps. He paused slightly, suppressing the "protection" proposal, switching to a new "training" plan.

"Water Chief, our fleet’s warriors have traveled vast distances. Many of them are highly skilled in archery, adept with the javelin, and seasoned hunters good at close combat!..."

To the Taino people presently, a seasoned hunter was considered the pinnacle of might. Hence, Priest Tomate described the fierce Kingdom’s Warriors in this manner.

"During the idle moments of this rainy season, I can have them train the village’s young militia, teaching some combat skills! Mm, as a token of friendship from the Mayali Tribe!"

"Ah? To have seasoned tribal huntsmen train the tribe’s young militia..."

Hearing this proposal, Water Chief’s face broke into a genuine smile. He indeed acknowledged the prowess of the Kingdom’s hunters, the giant crocodile captured inside being the best proof.

"Agreed! Thank all Gods and the Ancestor! Then you have my gratitude!"

"Chief Divine’s blessing! It is what we should do."

At this moment, to Priest Tomate, although no formal alliance was signed, the Mayali Tribe was already effectively an ally of the Kingdom and a potential vassal. Thus, through militia training, not only could the Kingdom’s military strength be showcased peacefully, but its influence over local tribes could also be enhanced, and the allies’ combat power slightly improved. This was a relatively suitable entry point and could be extended to more tribes.

The second point was about organizing trade. Priest Tomate proposed establishing a large marketplace for inter-tribal trade at the soon-to-be-founded Iron Bay Town, offering exclusive Kingdom merchandise, including some sturdy bronze weapons.

Water Chief welcomed this proposal warmly. He promised that once the Longboat Tribe’s marketplace was established, he would invite neighboring tribes to a large gathering to exchange goods.

"Good! Establish assemblies, show your goods, trade with various tribes... This benefits all tribes and is an excellent method to attract small mountain tribes and grow your newly established tribe rapidly!"

Praising with a smile, Water Chief shared some concerns, scratching his head.

"However, the fierce Ziguayu people are raiding the nearby coast. The tribes along the eastern coast might worry and not send too many people. And a large marketplace, gathering many goods, could indeed attract the Ziguayu raiders!..."

Dismissively confident, Priest Tomate smiled at Water Chief’s worries. Their important conversation ended there. Subsequent third and fourth points, a tribal arbitrator and Chief Divine’s missionary, required the Kingdom to have more prestige and the foundation of strong military display!

The sky gradually darkened, clouds brewing new rain. In the wooden house, the two smiled and lit divine smoke, chatting leisurely.

Water Chief spoke about nearby tribal situations and shared stories of interesting jungle prey. Priest Tomate described some voyage observations and talked about common knowledge among priests, such as composting concentrated waste to increase production and filtering mud in water to reduce disease... The long, joyful talk lasted until dusk, formally concluding.

"Thank the All Gods and the Ancestor! Priest Tomate, your stories and insights are far more fascinating than tales shared by tribe bonfire storytellers!"

Divine smoke soothed souls, bringing relaxation. Water Chief beamed with joy, and Priest Tomate appeared serene, nodding with praise, gripping the chieftain’s arm firmly.

"Praise the Chief Divine! Water Chief, your friendship draws the attention of Divine Spirits! Trust me, we will be good friends, basking in the Chief Divine’s glory together!..."

The two reluctantly agreed to meet again and said their farewells. As total darkness enveloped the village, small torches lit in larger huts. It being the peak of the rainy season, with damp earth, open-air bonfire banquets were not held. The village quietened, leaving only the calls of forest birds and cicadas.

"Whew! That’s a huge crocodile! Tomorrow, I need to gather a few skilled lads to help skin and tan it..."

In the dim firelight, Water Chief smiled, stretching out his calloused hand, rubbing and inspecting the giant crocodile within. He sought the skinning starting point by checking for its wounds. As he continued, his expression turned serious, and his eyes widened.

"This giant crocodile... it hasn’t bled, and its belly still breathes?!"

Water Chief murmured incredulously. As a skilled hunter, he knew capturing such a massive crocodile was challenging and required creating numerous wounds for blood loss. Yet, the current "living dead crocodile" scenario seemed to suggest one improbable possibility...

"Only one arrow..."

Water Chief pursed his lips, quietly standing before the crocodile’s head, eyes full of disbelief as he stared at the arrow lodged in its head. But indeed, this was the sole explanation, a feat that Taíno huntsmen had never achieved. For the Taino lacked such strong bows and sharp arrows.

"Only one arrow, piercing the bone plate on the head, hitting the thumb-sized brain... just one arrow!..."

"Longboat Tribe... seasoned hunter..."

Torchlight flickered, casting wavering shadows. Bewildered, Water Chief stood silently before the crocodile’s head, holding a slender bronze arrow he had painstakingly extracted. He stared at it for a long time, an unexplainable fear rising in his heart before he sighed softly.

"They... are they really the Chief Divine’s... protectors?... Are they?... They are..."

The murmuring question lingered in the air, mingling with the gentle divine smoke and flickering light, within the small wooden hut. Nearby, a ribbon snail extended, responding with its delicate beauty, a dark golden glow gliding over its shell, like an answer or an omen of the unknown.