Bright campfires burn in the wilderness, reflecting the metallic glow into people’s eyes. In the shining gold and silver light, the gray and black firestone appears insignificant, carrying an ordinary silence.
Old Militia Chiwaco looked attentively for a moment, inexplicably finding the firestone somewhat familiar. He hesitantly asked.
"Symbol of the ancestors’ firestone? The stone that can burn?"
"Exactly! This is the gift from our ancestors, brought by the brave and decisive Divine Frog from the ancient Divine Mountain! The fire seeds spread in the land by the Thorned Rat, making the stones capable of burning. And the souls of the ancestors watch us in the flames!..."
Chieftain Kalan swayed his head, looking ethereal, as if communicating with the ancient ancestors.
"The firestones in the mountains are gifts from the ancestors and blessings from the ancestors! We, the Mayo people, use firestones to ignite fires, cook meals, drive away wild beasts, resist the northern cold wave, and even refine these glowing stones. Firestones are easy to dig up, have great firepower, and are much easier to get than chopping down trees. With them, the tribe no longer needs to spend too much effort and manpower to chop wood and burn firewood!..."
"Easy to excavate, strong firepower, capable of refining gold bronze...
Puap always listened attentively, suddenly remembering his experiences at the Black Rock Mountain mine, and came to a realization.
"Chief Divine bless! Isn’t this firestone just coal, as His Highness mentioned?! Black Rock Mountain mine uses these black things to burn the difficult iron ore. Each time, coal is transported from the Qinganbate mining area, and I have to lead people to receive it, which costs many manpower! Yes, His Highness seems particularly interested in these various stones, like coal and iron...
Puap’s mind raced, his eyes flashing, thoughts surfacing in his mind.
Necali is in charge of the Mining and Metallurgy Bureau, with a growing number of subordinates over the years, almost equal to the rank of each Legion Commander. And Black Wolf’s Personal Guard Mavik, who got the position at Black Rock Mountain, is also doing great, considered at least a Camp Commander with a thousand men. Even I myself, relying on the achievement of discovering Iron Mine Mountain, could resume my position. Now this tribe has gold and copper, and firestone... This is a huge merit!
Thinking of this, he stepped forward two steps, leaned toward the old militia’s ear, and whispered a sentence.
"Old Chi, these firestones, His Highness can put them to great use! You should ask properly, where can we find them, are there many?"
Upon hearing this, Chiwaco nodded. He looked at Chieftain Kalan, and asked solemnly.
"Friend, we, under the Great Chief’s orders, are searching for the Holy Land of the seabirds and divine things... Are there many firestones? Can we trade for them?"
Hearing the envoy of the Lake Kingdom’s inquiry, Chieftain Kalan’s expression paused, showing slight embarrassment.
"Friend, of course, there are firestones near our tribe! But the tribe has used them for many years, and there aren’t many left on the ground, and digging underground ones is too troublesome..."
"So... where are there many firestones?"
"Haha, friend! Firestones are scattered by the fire seeds of the Divine Mountain, naturally, there are the most in the Divine Mountain!
Chieftain Kalan laughed heartily, answering without hesitation. This question indeed seemed a bit foolish. Without the Divine Power of the Divine Mountain, how could stones burn?
"...Containing fire seeds, the Divine Mountain is in the remote north of our Yaolem tribe, northeast of the brother tribe Yoeme Tribe! Once, the tribal Priest went to worship at the Divine Mountain and told us: The Divine Mountain is the origin of the fire seeds, containing the deepest divine power. The land there is dry, without any grass, birds, or beasts. Everywhere are scattered firestones and towering piles of firestone mountains!..."
"The dispersion of firestones is also centered around the Divine Mountain, distributed throughout the northern regions. Not far north of the Yoeme Tribe, there are two large firestone fields, with firestones that can be used for generations!..."
Saying this, Chieftain Kalan’s eyes showed longing and a hidden trace of greed. Then, his expression changed, first proudly declaring, then solemnly asking.
"In the vast wilderness and mountains, whether heading east or south, there are no firestones. Only in the north, only in the lands of our Mayo and Yaji people, are these gifts from the ancestors found! This land is the fertile soil inherited from our ancestors! The despicable Siri people dare to occupy our land, so they are destined to die under the curse of the ancestors!... Friend, ancestors witness! Will you help us, continually bringing new weapons and supplies to fight the northern Siri people?"
"Certainly. Ancestors witness! Friend, we will return, as friends!"
Chiwaco solemnly swore by the name of the ancestors. Both nodded, touching each other’s antlers, then clinking the gourds in their hands, producing a sacred "dingling".
After the ceremony, Chieftain Kalan waved his hand. A grand feast began in the open air, under the magnificent and brilliant star river, accompanied by the waves of the sea.
The warriors of both sides laid down their weapons, greeted each other, and exchanged carried foods according to tribal rituals. The Kingdom’s side provided corn cakes, salted fish, and tequila, while the Mayo people brought black bean paste and pumpkin, along with a uniquely flavored bean tea.
Everyone feasted, enjoying themselves with great enthusiasm. Then, the Kingdom’s warriors began dancing to the drumbeats with distinct rhythms; the tribal warriors shook wooden bells, singing short and high-pitched tunes!
"Ah haha! Friends come from afar, the cedar trees rustle. Let us light the flames and dance around the fire circle. Ah haha! Ancestors’ gaze is upon us as we dance by the fire!... Ah hahahahah!"