"Hey, people on the other side, listen up. You're surrounded! This is your last chance to drop your weapons and surrender. Otherwise, we won't be so polite!"
I spoke fluently in the native dialect, shouting towards the Du'an tribe people hiding behind the big trees.
In truth, I knew this was probably futile. After all, those sent out by the Du'an tribe were the elite warriors of their clan, their loyalty to the tribe unquestionable.
However, first and foremost, my priority was to stall for time, until our people completed the encirclement. Then, the Du'an warriors before us would be trapped like fish in a barrel.
On the other hand, if there happened to be a traitor among them who saw the tide turning and decided to switch sides, it was still a possibility. People could do anything when pushed to desperation.
"Pah! By the Shepherd God! There are no cowards among the Du'an warriors! Come over if you dare! Let's see if Birrus can chop off your head!"
As soon as I finished speaking, a rough male voice boomed from the other side.
I wasn't disappointed by their reaction. If they surrendered so easily, they wouldn't have deserved to be called warriors.
However, I was now very curious about the Shepherd God mentioned by the man. During my previous fight with Bru, he had also uttered this word.
Shepherd God?
I knew the Kasa tribe worshipped a sea god. I had initially assumed that all the wild tribes on this island worshipped the same deity. But now, it seemed the Du'an tribe worshipped this entity called the Shepherd God.
Shepherd God and Sea God. Did one govern the oceans and the other the land?
Perhaps there was also a god who governed the sky?
I became quite interested in how many gods there were on the island, but this was not the time to ponder such matters. So, I filed the question away in my mind, intending to ask Keya about it later.
We had been in a standoff for half the day, and the Du'an tribesmen were showing signs of restlessness.
I inwardly cursed my bad luck!
Even with our blow darts capable of long-range attacks on the Du'an people, we were only five. If they were willing to sacrifice themselves, we wouldn't be able to stop them.
Just as I was growing impatient, familiar bird calls echoed from all directions!
My spirits soared. Our people had finally arrived!
"Birrus, I admire you as a true warrior. You have no retreat now, and my patience is wearing thin!"
"I'll give you one minute. If you don't lay down your weapons and surrender, death awaits you!"
Compared to my conciliatory tone, the young warrior beside me was much more direct.
"Birrus, I'll curse your ancestors! Give us a straight answer, surrender or not!"
Even with the trees providing cover, I could sense a stir among their ranks. They must have heard the bird calls from all around. Anyone with a brain would know that our reinforcements had arrived.
I waited patiently for a minute. This time, Birrus didn't respond with words, but with silent stoicism.
In that case, they would all stay here!
With our people in position, I casually made a gesture to the young warrior beside me. He skillfully took out his whistle.
"Hoo—!"
A clear bird call rang out, the pre-arranged signal for attack.
Following the bird call, blow darts flew from the surrounding bushes towards the center.
"Ah—!"
Even with their tortoise-like formation, it was impossible to cover all 360 degrees. Du'an warriors were hit one after another.
Though it was just a small wound, the deadly poison on the blow dart's tip was enough to send them to the afterlife!
Humanity, after all, was flesh and blood. Birrus's formation began to crumble.
Warriors, like headless flies, tried to escape into the nearby bushes, only to be ruthlessly shot down by the incoming darts.
In just a minute, only Birrus remained standing beneath the trees.
This wasn't because I had ordered everyone to hold back. Birrus had picked up two animal skin shields from the ground and stood his ground tightly against the tree.
He was like a stubborn turtle, and the blow darts couldn't hit him.
Seeing that the situation was settled, I calmly emerged from the bushes with my men.
"Birrus, I truly admire your courage. Failure is not your fault. Join us."
*Bang!*
The two animal skin shields were thrown to the ground by Birrus. He looked at the fallen Du'an warriors, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
"By the Shepherd God, I will not surrender to you scum! As I suspected, none of you outsiders are good people!"
Hearing my words, Birrus became like an enraged beast, his gaze towards me filled only with hatred and a will to die.
I sighed and then keenly caught the information hidden in Birrus's words.
You outsiders?