Chapter 40: The Beginning of the War
Incolsat decided that beating around the bush would do no one any good, and he wanted to gauge the reaction of the young Lizard Kin.
"My condolences to the entire tribe. It is shocking news that Chief Nam has died."
Incolsat spoke with all the respect he could muster in the current situation.
The young Lizard Kin sat down on the ground and gestured for one of the guards to untie the prisoners.
The elder also sat beside the young man. Once everyone was seated, the young chief spoke.
"Spare us condolences you do not truly mean. I hate wasting my time."
The expressions of the men accompanying Incolsat changed for a brief moment. So far, they had been treated with no respect whatsoever. Although they had not expected to be welcomed warmly by an enemy tribe, there was a clear lack of courtesy.
"Very well. Since Nam Azat is dead, I would like to speak with the current chief. Although Azat may distrust us, we are merely messengers, and as proof of our goodwill, we have brought gifts."
Everyone sat facing one another, the two groups positioned opposite each other, yet the situation remained stagnant.
Incolsat already suspected that the young man before him was someone important. He had more or less guessed his identity. Even so, he insisted on speaking with the current chief.
"I understand, Incolsat.
I am Sam Azat. Since I am standing before you, tell me why you have come."
"Oh? Then allow me to greet—"
As Incolsat attempted to formally greet the leader of the Azat Tribe, Sam raised his hand and interrupted him.
"I believe I said that I hate formalities. Get to the point."
Incolsat sighed. Continuing in this direction would get him nowhere. Since he lacked information, he decided to proceed exactly as he had originally planned.
"Some time ago, several suspicious disappearances occurred within our tribe over a very short period. These disappearances concern us greatly, as we have lost five able-bodied members."
As Incolsat explained the situation and the investigations they had conducted, he carefully observed Sam’s expression.
Both Sam’s expression and that of the elder seated behind him gradually darkened as the explanation continued.
When Incolsat felt he had said enough, he stopped.
Silence settled over the room. For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then the elder finally broke the silence.
"And what does Safa think of all this?"
"The current leading hypothesis is interference from another tribe."
"I see," the elder muttered.
The elder had more or less grasped the situation. Safa believed that Azat might be responsible for the disappearance of its members, yet he also understood that Safa had no evidence.
What is he trying to accomplish by sending people here? Is he looking for an excuse to start a war? the elder wondered.
Too late. They arrived too late.
"I understand. But since this has nothing to do with us and Safa has no proof, what exactly is your objective?"
Sam asked the question calmly.
Sam was a rough young Lizard Kin, but he was sharp. He had already pieced together most of the situation. What he sought now were the details that would allow him to determine his position. Moreover, Azat was not currently in a favorable situation.
Incolsat smiled. He was beginning to see Sam in a different light. The young chief was not impulsive.
"This is only my personal conjecture—"
"Will Safa Versat take responsibility for those words?" Sam interrupted.
"No. I alone will bear responsibility."
"You may continue, Incolsat."
"I believe we are dealing with a monster that recently migrated into the area. Since we found no evidence during our investigation, I do not believe the Lizard Kin could carry out such clean disappearances."
"What comes next is a theory I have shared only with Versat, but I believe one of the tribes surrounding the swamp brought this monster here deliberately."
"Think about it. Who would benefit from a conflict between Safa and Azat? Even if Safa has no proof right now, if these incidents continue, we will have no choice but to suspect Azat and eventually launch a preemptive attack."
"Incolsat, I can tell that you are doing everything possible to prevent a war between our tribes. Tell me, what would you do if we truly were responsible for kidnapping and killing Safa tribesmen?"
"..."
"Are you behind this?" Incolsat asked with a blank expression.
"No," Sam replied immediately.
"Since you have traveled all the way here, what do you propose?" Sam asked.
The others present thought these two were more terrifying than monsters. They created such a heavy atmosphere and shifted topics as though nothing had happened.
"An alliance."
Sam smiled.
Incolsat paid no attention to it.
"Do you know why we are in conflict, Incolsat?"
"Is it not because of control over the swamp? But the swamp is vast. Why should we fight one another when we could coexist and gain greater benefits together?"
For as long as Sam could remember, Azat and Safa had always found reasons to clash. The previous Chief Azat alone had caused two major conflicts during his leadership.
"Do you know how the previous Chief Azat died?"
"I do not."
"He was killed."
The expressions of the messengers hardened.
They no longer understood where the conversation was headed. First they learned of Nam Azat’s death, and now they learned that he had been murdered. One shocking revelation followed another.
"Who killed him?"
"We do not know the exact circumstances, but it was a monster. A monster covered in fur. Those who managed to glimpse it described it as a small creature. However, they only saw its back and its silhouette, so we have very little information."
Incolsat no longer understood what was happening.
At first, he had merely felt uneasy about this entire affair.
Now that unease had become certainty.
"And earlier you said you wanted an alliance? That is a request Azat cannot accept."
"What? Why?" Incolsat shouted, finally losing his composure.
"The war has already begun."
His words struck the room like a hammer.
"This is no longer a matter between Azat and Safa alone, Incolsat. The fate of every Lizard Kin in this region will soon be decided."
"What?!"
"What is happening, Sam Azat? What are you hiding? Have you allied yourself with outsiders to threaten your own kind?"
"Calm yourself, Incolsat. We of Azat are merely responding to the enemy’s movements. We are simply preparing ourselves."
"Since you possess no useful information, this conversation ends here. Do not worry, I will not kill you. However, forget the idea of returning home immediately."
"Bind them," Sam ordered.
Incolsat repeatedly shouted Sam’s name as the young chief walked out of the room without looking back.
"Ah... so the Safa are already one step behind. I suppose they were deliberately isolated."
"I still cannot understand the enemy’s intentions. What do they gain by pushing all the Lizard Kin into open war?"
"I do not know, Elder," Sam replied.
"All I know is that we will have to fight."
