To the east of the mountains, where the sun shone brightly, and the sea breeze was slightly warm, the comfortable southern seaside was unforgettable, providing a rare respite in the midst of a long journey.
The three thousand Guajili Legion halted at Trout Fish Village for three days. Along both banks of the Tarsas River, the Canine Warriors rampaged, pillaging as if they owned the land, and the red-haired Scouts ventured dozens of miles into the east of the river, skirmishing with the scouts dispatched from Sea Woman City and capturing two prisoners.
After interrogating the two prisoners, Black Wolf was deeply disappointed.
In southeast Tekos, all Tribes were in a state of prepared readiness. Smaller tribes had moved into the jungles of the Guamare mountain range to hide, where the high mountains and long distances made them extremely hard to locate. Larger tribes gathered in Sea Woman City, harboring tens of thousands of tribal people, with at least six to seven thousand capable of defending the city.
Three thousand Canine Warriors against six to seven thousand Tekos able-bodied fighters—if it were an open field battle, Black Wolf was confident of victory with minimal casualties. However, assaulting a fortress built into the mountains was a more challenging task, and even if victory was achievable, the losses would be substantial.
"...Besides, the Guajili Legion has been marching for a long time and is quite exhausted. After plundering riches, the warriors’ morale is not as high as before."
Black Wolf stood at the Rivermouth of the Tarsas River, watching the surging river. Hundreds of canoes swayed by the riverbank, packed with thousands of exuberant Canine Warriors stuffing recently plundered large items into them.
The canoe was a tool for transporting food for the Legion, and also for carrying spoils of war. Black Wolf watched as a young warrior piled up several baskets of corn and two bags of black beans in a small boat. Another middle-aged warrior tied up a turkey and threw it onto the boat. At first, the turkey squawked desperately, struggling for its life and sending feathers flying everywhere. The Canine Warriors, busy and bustling, paid it no mind. After struggling and shouting for a while, the turkey suddenly went quiet, its head slowly stretching forward.
Black Wolf narrowed his eyes for a better look and then noticed that the turkey had pecked a hole in a bag of black beans and was stealthily pecking away at the beans.
"...Stealing army rations, I’ll roast you tonight."
Black Wolf licked his lips, feeling somewhat hungry. He continued shifting his gaze towards another boat, frowning unintentionally.
A red-haired Hunter dumped a big bundle of straw onto the boat. Following him, several ordinary Canine Descendants came over cautiously. In their arms, surprisingly, were large clay pots for cooking! The group arranged the pots on the straw, then placed two rolls of cotton cloth on top. Finally, after some thought, the red-haired Hunter stuffed a string of salted fish and a few clay bowls into the pots.
Seeing this, Black Wolf felt both annoyed and amused but said nothing. It was understandable for the warriors to take away spoils after harsh attacks. However, when the Canine Descendants resorted to looting even clay pots and bowls, it revealed how deeply impoverished they were.
"Hmm, the Legion, burdened with packages both big and small, will be lackluster in battle... it’s time to return!"
Black Wolf made up his mind. He communicated the decision to return to the entire army, and the Canine Legion erupted in joyous roars. Trusted aide Mavik, carrying the Divine Stone, went to bid a "friendly" farewell to village Chieftain Maho. Huitu Puap entrusted the sailors and small boats they brought to Black Wolf for his use.
Two days later, the three thousand-strong Guajili Legion finally ended their campaign, accompanied by over a thousand enlisted civilian sailors, they returned north along the Tarsas River. The Canine Warriors marched along the riverbank, while the fleet moved upstream alongside them, and the Scouts moved ahead toward Kulamo City to report.
The waters were vast and placid as thousands of boats sailed northwards. Before the departure, Black Wolf looked westward for the last time, confident and proud, filled with emotions. He had started from Apachigan, penetrated deep into the southwest mountains, reached the seaside, then circled around the sea route and returned north from the mouth of the Tarsas River. Throughout the journey of a thousand miles, the casualties were only a few hundred, while the enemies defeated numbered in the tens of thousands!
"The tribes in the southwest are about to fall into famine. At this moment, what is the tribal Alliance in Kimari doing?"
To the west of the mountains, seven hundred miles away. The great fire of Hand Snake City had long been extinguished, and most of its buildings reduced to ashes. The once thriving city was left with only a low circle of stone walls, blackened and smoked by fire. These remaining marks, like a final lament, silently narrated the fate of destruction.
Chieftain Kimari of the Shield ascended the city walls, silently looking at the whitened remains of Hand Snake City, speechless. This city was built by him and his tribespeople, bearing so many of their past ambitions! Soon, memories of the past month flooded his mind like an inescapable nightmare, bringing constant pain and despair.
Two months ago, twelve thousand troops of the tribal Alliance emerged from the mountains to aid the Palm Family of the Alliance and met the enemy on the Apa Plain. The two forces entangled for half a month without a major battle erupting, yet suddenly, unbelievable news came from the rear: the supply lines were cut, and the enemy had stealthily attacked their rear! The army immediately fell into crisis, and morale plummeted.
Faced with this dire situation, Kimari first led the tribal Alliance to plunder several villages on the Apa Plain for a few days’ food. Then, while mustering their remaining courage to tangle with thousands of barbarians from the north, they painfully and arduously retreated toward the southwest mountain paths.
Retreating in front of the enemy was the most difficult, especially when facing the swift and fierce red-haired barbarians. The Allied Forces abandoned their cumbersome plundered goods, delaying the barbarians for two days. Then, after the barbarians took their loot, they resumed their harassment, attacking repeatedly. Each day, the forces could only retreat about twenty miles, and soon, discord spread throughout the army.
Fortunately, after passing Trout Fish Village, the mountain path home was just in sight; however, the Alliance suddenly split on the spot. Two thousand tribes from the southeast decided to retreat through a mountain path toward the deep forests of the southeast. Having originally emerged from those forests for the purpose of plundering, they naturally wouldn’t head toward Hand Snake City in the southwest.