Night Talk

Bonfires flickered through the camp, and the darkness swelled and faded. The Red Frog envoy's face was filled with panic; Xolotl's smile was bright and full. Their eyes met, and the envoy shuddered, then spoke with some fear.

"Ah, wise great chief! I am from the Red Frog Tribe."

At that point, the Red Frog envoy paused and stared wide-eyed at Xolotl. He hesitated for a long while, but in the end, he threw caution to the wind.

"Greetings to you, respected Great Chief Death God! I am the warlike Red Frog Chief, Caca!"

"Oh, Chief Caca!"

Xolotl's expression was calm, and he slowly nodded. He had guessed this answer long ago. The king pondered for a moment, then waved to the personal guards around him.

"Untie him."

The personal guards let go and stepped back. Caca's strength left him at once, and he dropped to his knees on the ground.

"Caca, why did you come in person? Were you not afraid the Alliance would discover you and sacrifice you to the gods on the spot?"

Xolotl asked with a smile. He was quite interested in this Red Frog Chief. The other man had been able to hold the camp under the bombardment of Ceramic Caltrops, withstand Black Wolf's attack, and wound his beloved general. Now he even dared to serve as an envoy in person and come directly to meet him. Whatever else might be said, he truly possessed a beastlike keenness, tenacity, and courage.

At the mention of sacrifice, the Red Frog Chief trembled. He remained kneeling, raised his head, and shouted.

"Great chief, only by coming in person can I show the sincerity of my surrender!"

"Oh? But at first, you did not reveal your identity of your own accord. Hiding your head and showing your tail