Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Chapter 948: Chapter 32: The Hunt (Part 3)

Wilderness

The vast expanse of heaven and earth, Winters rode along the hillside for a while, feeling utterly exhilarated.

Far below the hill, a large group of antelopes was foraging.

“There, Batu,” Koshach pointed at the antelopes from afar: “Prey.”

…

For this hunting expedition, the entire assets of the tribe were deployed. Each family sent at least one able-bodied person, totaling over a hundred.

Besides manpower, the hunters involved in the expedition also had to provide their own horses, weapons, and food.

It is no exaggeration to say that if something unfortunate happened to Koshach’s hunters on the road, the tribe would fall apart.

Although the tribe seemed to place great importance on the hunt organized by the Red River Tribe, it was difficult to connect their actual performance with the words “hunting” and “importance.”

Because the tribe’s hunters neither “surrounded” nor “hunted.”

Their daily activity merely consisted of following a group of antelopes at a moderate distance, moving steadily in one direction. They patiently herded, guided, and protected the prey, as if they were tending a flock of sheep.

It would be more accurate to say that the tribe was escorting the migration of the antelope herd rather than hunting.

However, if someone were to look down from a great height at this moment, they would see: on the vast land, hundreds of hunting teams were doing the same thing as the tribe’s hunters—[unwaveringly driving the wild beasts towards the ultimate hunting ground].

In the Herder Tribes, hunting is second only in importance to warfare.

Whenever a major hunt occurred, the leader organizing the hunt would define the hunting area in advance, command the tribes to prepare manpower, supplies, and equipment, and send elite cavalry to ascertain the location and number of the prey.

As soon as everything was ready, the hunters would set out.

The hunters operated as teams, independent yet coordinating seamlessly with each other.

They spread out across the vast hunting grounds, like a loose but impenetrable net, driving the prey from all sides to a predetermined end point.

According to Little Lion’s description, the process of driving the prey could even take up to three months.

During this period, the hunters subsisted only on the food they carried, suffering hunger without causing the slightest harm to the prey.

Sleeping outdoors was not the toughest part; the most tormenting aspect for the hunters was the fear of the unknown.

A hunt required precise coordination on a massive scale, and any negligence by any hunting team could lead to severe consequences.

Other hunting teams’ timely encirclement was uncertain, and all the hunters could do was to focus on the prey ahead and proceed steadily and solitarily.

…

“Leading a solitary force to a battlefield where the outcome is uncertain,” Winters envisioned the magnificent scene of tens of thousands of hunters working together, and exclaimed, “Such a scale of military exercise, I doubt even the Alliance and the Empire have ever undertaken.”

“‘Military exercise,’ what is that?” Koshach asked bewilderedly.

Winters smiled lightly and responded, “It’s a practice for war.”

In the meantime, four hunters from the tribe came rushing from the direction of the antelopes, saluted Winters and Koshach, and then tiredly ran towards the camp.

In the process of driving the prey, the hunters could neither let the prey tire to death nor stray from the course, nor allow predators to prey upon them.

Hence, the tribe’s hunting team was divided into six shifts, watching over the prey round the clock.

“It’s not ‘an uncertain outcome,’ Batu.” Koshach gestured earnestly, “The Red River Tribe deployed many, many, many hunters. Even if some prey escapes, there will still be plenty left.”

Winters understood Koshach’s point: “In my view, hunting is a rehearsal for war, but what you really care about is how much prey can be captured.”

Koshach grinned, pondered for a moment, and said, “A hunt involving so many hunters hasn’t happened in a long time. Since I’ve been able to draw a bow, this is the first time.”

“Haidong Tribe, Terdon Tribe… Were there fewer hunters in the three major tribes’ hunts than in this one?”

Koshach shook his head: “I’ve never been a hunter in the three major tribes. But I guess, probably not as many.”

“Why?” Winters raised an eyebrow. “The Red River Tribe has not been strong for many years. Do the hunters of the three major tribes not outnumber those of the Red River Tribe?”

Koshach struggled to organize his words: “White Lion, uses many hunters from other tribes; the three major tribes, only their own hunters.”

“Isn’t hunting better with more hunters?”

“The more the merrier,” Koshach said seriously, “but in hunting, obedience is key.”

According to Koshach, it was only after suffering defeat at the Battle of the Styx Encampment that he began learning the language of the bipeds.

In such a short time, to have learned a language to his present level is truly no small feat—however, it is still not adequate for more complex conversations.

Therefore, when Koshach speaks, he always spits out words one by one, and Winters often has to guess Koshach’s intended meaning through his body language.

Winters pondered and asked, “Are you saying that participating in the Red River Tribe’s hunt means submitting to them?”

Koshach nodded emphatically.

To this, Winters was not surprised: “I fear it’s not just about submission. Big fish eat little fish; it’s only a matter of time. I’m just curious, knowing that the Red River Tribe plans to absorb the vile lands, why do you still participate in their hunt?”

“It is natural,” Koshach stated, “the vile lands are weak, the Red River Tribe is strong, we must participate.”

“Is the Red River Tribe forcing you to submit?”

“No, being eaten earlier by a big fish is better than being eaten later.”

“I am not asking ‘why submit to the White Lion’.” Winters looked intently into Koshach’s eyes, “I’m asking—are you truly willing to submit to the White Lion?”

It was a dangerous question, but Koshach still answered it honestly:

“Unwilling.”

…

Koshach wanted to learn about the world beyond the steppes; Winters also wanted to know what was happening in the wilderness.

Before this, Winters primarily relied on Little Lion for inside information about the Herder tribes.

Little Lion had provided Winters with many valuable pieces of information, even including the critical warning that “the Terdon people are coming.”

However, relying on Little Lion for information meant that Winters could only ever know what the White Lion wanted him to know.

Therefore, Winters urgently needed to develop new sources of intelligence.

But easier said than done.

Not to mention the physical separation and the deep hostility between the Herders and the Paratu People, just finding a Herder who could speak the common tongue was as difficult as panning for gold in sand.

Thus, Winters tolerated Koshach observing his men like a spy, answering Koshach’s various questions as best as he could.

In exchange, Koshach also had to answer Winters’ questions; an unspoken agreement between them.

…

“How about the leaders of the other tribes?” Winters continued to inquire, “Are they willing to submit?”

“No one is willing,” Koshach answered truthfully, “but the White Lion divides the spoils fairly and has prestige.”

Winters listened quietly.

Koshach extended his left hand: “Eaten by the three great tribes.”

Koshach then extended his right hand: “Eaten by the Red River Tribe.”

Finally, he clenched the hand symbolizing the Red River Tribe: “This way is better.”

Winters nodded slightly, noncommittally.

“Or.” Koshach dismounted, pulling an iron arrow from his quiver and offering it with both hands to the Paratu champion: “Submit to Batu.”

Winters’ eyebrows slightly raised: “The vile lands? Or you?”

Koshach bowed respectfully: “Me.”

Winters did not accept the iron arrow; he replied frankly, “You are more valuable to me in the wilderness.”