The October autumn night carried a chill, and the wind of the northlands had turned damp as well. The rainy season had not quite arrived, yet the flocks of geese had already migrated. The vault of heaven was vast, the cape's waves thundered on, night fell earlier, and the river of stars was all the clearer.
Deep in the night, the two fleet leaders sat cross-legged before the firepit, silently watching the wavering bonfire, as if hoping to read some omen of fate in it.
Old hunter Jinghai smiled, drained a cup of herbal tea, and went to the village's meat-smoking grounds. Before resting, he had to carefully check the handling and storage of the whale meat, and arrange the hunters who would stand watch through the night. After all, this was enough food for the entire tribal village for a full month or two!
"Miki, what do you think?"
Exploration Captain Zuwaro took a sip of tea and watched the old hunter walk away before asking softly.
"Was what he said true?"
"The Main God bears witness! Zuwaro, he has no reason to deceive us. And as a whaling hunter who spends years at sea, these things he has seen and heard from afar should be his own experiences, not tales caught secondhand on the wind..."
Scholar Miki stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and made his judgment.
"So the great bay in His Majesty's prophecy is probably not a suitable place for the present fleet to settle!..."
"Mm. We're thinking the same thing."
Exploration Captain Zuwaro nodded, his face showing little change. His eyes flickered for a while before he spoke in a low voice.
"Miki, don't you think this whaling tribe would make very suitable Sailors for the fleet?..."
"Uh... ah? Zuwaro, what are you trying