Chapter 45: Conversation 

“The chief?”

The two Lizardmen exchanged glances.

The one who had just stopped the humans from advancing turned to his companion and said,

“That man is probably an envoy sent by the human leader. Go back and inform the tribe—tell the new chieftain to come here.”

“Got it.”

The companion nodded, lowered his spear, and turned back toward the forest.

Just before disappearing into the trees, he looked back cautiously, then hurried off into the woods.

The Lizardman who remained also lowered his weapon but continued to watch the humans warily, issuing a warning:

“I’ve already sent for the chieftain. You’d better not try anything funny—there are plenty of my companions hidden in the forest, and their arrows are already aimed at your heads.”

He said this sternly, but he knew perfectly well it was a bluff.

There were only a handful of Lizardmen hidden in the forest, and none of them had bows.

The tribe was still looking for a stable new home. Most of their warriors were currently stationed around the tribe, ensuring everyone’s safety.

This advance scouting team had merely come forward to check out the area and monitor human activity.

“Please don’t worry. We won’t do anything strange. We’ll simply wait here patiently,”

Owen responded calmly.

Not long after, there was movement from the forest. Four Lizardmen emerged, including the one who had gone back to deliver the message.

Leading the group was a particularly large and powerful-looking Lizardman, covered in battle scars, his scales a darker green, and carrying a massive axe on his back. His presence screamed “chief.”

[Whoa, this guy could totally be a mid-level boss in a game—perfect for giving early players a tough time,]

Winston suddenly commented.

[This isn’t a game! I’m about to talk to their chieftain, so don’t distract me.]

Owen snapped back in his mind.

[Relax, I get it.]

Winston replied.

The Lizardman chieftain stepped forward, scanning the human delegation, and finally fixed his gaze on Owen.

“You’re the envoy sent by the humans?”

“Sent by… Hmm…”

Owen paused for a moment, then chose to be straightforward:

“Strictly speaking, no. I’m the lord of Bianshu Town—Marquis Owen Eisen.”

“A lord?”

The Lizardman chieftain wasn’t entirely sure what a marquis was, but he understood that a ‘lord’ meant someone who governed human territory—likely the highest-ranking figure there.

“And a human lord dares to come here in person? Aren’t you afraid we might attack?”

There was no hostility in his tone—just genuine surprise that a human leader would dare to come negotiate face-to-face.

However, this comment made the guards around Owen tense up immediately, their hands tightening on their weapons.

Mapel, especially, looked like she was ready to leap forward at any moment.

If Owen hadn’t explicitly ordered no action without his command, she would’ve already made a move.

Fanny, nervous, swallowed hard—her hands trembling slightly. At Owen’s signal, she was ready to unleash a wall of fire to shield him.

“I’m not worried. The fact that you returned the injured hunter shows you don’t want conflict.
As the lord, I came here in person to show you my utmost goodwill—and to talk things through peacefully.”

Owen had made his intentions clear. Now it was just a matter of whether the other side would believe him.

The Lizardman chief was silent for a moment—then turned his head toward the forest and shouted:

“You can come out now.”

Responding to the order, there was movement in the forest again.
From the shadows, three tall, lean Lizardmen emerged—they had been hiding as a defensive measure, acting as agile Lizardmen assassins.

By withdrawing his hidden forces, the Lizardmen chief was showing goodwill toward the humans.

In response, Owen also instructed his guards to lower their weapons. Otherwise, the tension in the air felt like a fight could break out at any moment.

With the atmosphere easing, the Lizardmen chieftain introduced himself:

“I am Lusha, the new chief of the Sinking Sand Tribe from the Mysterious Forest.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Chief Lusha. You can call me Lord Eisen.” 

Owen replied.

After the introductions, Owen got straight to the point:

“From what I understand, you’re traveling with children and the wounded. I assume your tribe was driven from its homeland by force, and you’ve had no choice but to migrate.”

“Oh? I didn’t expect humans to already know that much,”

Lusha’s expression suddenly turned cold.

When it came to the safety of his people, he found it hard to stay calm.

If the humans were plotting anything underhanded, he wouldn’t hesitate to attack and seize this human lord himself.

“Please be assured, Chief Lusha.” 

Owen said evenly.

“I have no intention of attacking your tribe. If I wanted to wipe you out, I wouldn’t have come here to talk to you personally.”

That made sense.
Lusha gradually calmed down.

Since the human already knew about the tribe’s migration, there was no need to hide it any longer.

“Lord Eisen, you’re right. We lost our homeland in a tribal conflict. I’ve already sent scouts to look for a new place to settle. Until then, we’ll remain here temporarily.”

Lusha didn’t ask for permission to stay.
From his point of view, the Mysterious Forest belonged to no one. Informing the humans of their presence was already a courtesy.

“I see.” 

Owen replied without concern. Then he asked:

“Whether you’ll find a new home, or when—that’s not what I’m here to ask. What I do want to know is: Chief Lusha, how do you plan to survive this winter?”

“Why are you asking that?”

To Lusha, winter survival was strictly an internal tribal matter, and he didn’t understand why Owen was bringing it up.

Could it be that the humans wanted to help?
That would be strange—there was no such thing as help without strings attached.
What could the humans possibly want from them?

Owen explained:

“Your tribe lost its home recently. Whether or not you find a new one, you’ve already lost your winter stores. And winter is coming fast. When the cold hits, many in your tribe may go hungry or freeze. Meanwhile, we humans have plenty of food. It’s not unlikely that someone from your tribe may get desperate and try to steal from us.”

“I’ll make sure my people restrain themselves.” 

Lusha replied grimly.

Winter was indeed a troubling issue.
Lusha had already mentally prepared for the possibility that some members of the tribe might starve or freeze to death.

Of course, that didn’t mean he planned to sit idle—he would lead his best warriors in hunting monsters to help stock up on food before the cold set in.

“We humans are capable of anything when we’re hungry.” 

Owen continued.

“I’m sure your people are no different.”

“Then what do you want us to do?” 

Lusha asked coldly.

“Why not strike a deal with us?”

Owen offered.

“I’ll provide your people with the food they need for winter—and possibly even warm shelter.”

By offering such generous terms, Owen had clearly shown his sincerity.

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