Exploration of the Lake Kingdom, Shining Goldstone

The drums thudded low, echoing across the open seaside wilds together with the people's joyful songs. Bonfires blazed, casting light over both sides' faces and revealing smiles that looked the same.

Old militiaman Chiwako wore a smile on his aged face as he carefully watched Chief Kalan's expression, then asked aloud.

"Friend, good! Good indeed! That island with all the seabirds—where is it?"

"Ahaha!"

Chief Kalan's smile was warm, but he did not answer directly. He looked toward the Copper Spears of the Purepecha Warriors and asked with keen interest.

"Friend, your long spears seem different from ours. May I have a look?"

Chiwako's expression froze. After several breaths, he smiled and nodded.

"Friend, good!"

With that, he called out a couple of sentences to Puapu. The Grey Earth warrior, wary-faced, kept one hand on the bronze short sword at his waist while handing over a Copper Spear with the other.

Chief Kalan took the Copper Spear and, as if nothing were amiss, glanced at the Grey Earth warrior's bronze short sword. Then he carefully examined the edge of the bronze spearhead for a while, struck it against the stone knife at his waist, and his expression changed at once. Surprise on his face, he spoke urgently.

"Friend, what is this spearhead made of? It is actually both sharp and tough!"

".This is made from a special kind of stone. Friend, tell me the island's location, and this long spear is yours!"

Chiwako stepped closer and tentatively stretched out an arm.

Chief Kalan instinctively started to dodge, but immediately held himself back. He also reached out an arm, bumped it against the old militiaman's, and each pressed the other's shoulder.

"Ahaha! Friend, by the witness of the ancestors' flame, I will tell you everything I know! But I have one