Bodamochi pondered for a mont before saying solemnly, "Our Iron Core Tribe has lived here for over a hundred years. Though the Great River Plain to the south is fertile, it has never sparked any greed in our hearts.
Like other Noric Tribes, we enjoy living close to the mountains, listening to the pleasant sounds of hamring iron, and watching the fiery red iron blocks transform into exquisite iron tools under the strike of a hamr...
Over the past century, we have witnessed the Skodisqi people conquer the Pannonians, only for the Pannonians to later enslave the Skodisqi people... Throughout this process, our Iron Core Tribe has never interfered with any side. Regardless of who our neighbors are, as long as they harbor goodwill, we are always willing to sell our iron tools."
Alakosia imdiately took over the conversation, saying tactfully, "Precisely because of such goodwill your tribe has always shown, we Nix have sent here, hoping to establish a friendly relationship with the Iron Core Tribe. In the future, the Nix Tribe would like to regularly purchase iron ingots made by your tribe. The only question is—will you accept gold and silver coins, or do you prefer exchanging other resources?"
"Grain! Of course, we prefer grain!" interjected Leader Sphili, who was sitting in the hall.
Bodamochi glanced at Sphili. Since the topic was already on the table, he spoke candidly, "Our Noriki Territory is rich in iron ore of exceptional quality, and we have a large number of tribesn skilled in iron slting and forging tools, allowing us to fully satisfy other tribes’ needs for iron products.
But this region is mountainous, with little farmland. Fishing and hunting alone are not enough to fill the bellies of our tribesn. In the past, we often traded our iron tools for grain with the Skodisqi people and later with the Pannonians. However, starting from the second half of last year, the Segestica Tribe has greatly reduced the grain they trade with us. We later learned it was because you had occupied their core territory. This year, the Segestica people, in order to defend against the invading Yapode people, have completely ceased grain trading with us—"
Bodamochi paused, then smiled slightly. "Of course, this is not a disaster for our Iron Core Tribe. The Noric Tribes, though scattered, are highly united. Every year, the Romans buy large quantities of iron tools from us Noric people while providing us with substantial amounts of grain in return. This trade is the most important economic activity for the entire Noric race.
Since it’s difficult to acquire grain from the southern regions, we can turn to our fellow tribes near Roman territories to the west, taking iron tool orders from Roman rchants in exchange for grain. This is more effort due to the longer distance, but it is feasible. After all, given our tribe’s location, trading with the south is far more convenient, wouldn’t you agree?"
"Indeed," Alakosia responded. "The situation of our Nix Tribe is sowhat similar to yours. When we settled along the Kupa River, we established our own iron workshops, sourcing iron ore from our allies, the Alde Tribe. The farming tools our tribesn use and the weapons used by our warriors are all produced in our own workshops. After we defeated the Segestica Tribe, our territory expanded rapidly, and so did our population, leading to a significantly increased demand for iron...
As you just ntioned, for our newly acquired Sava River territory, your Iron Core Tribe is geographically closer, making it more convenient for us to purchase iron ingots from you. My visit this ti is firstly to convey our Nix Tribe’s goodwill to the Iron Core Tribe and secondly to negotiate the purchase of iron ingots.
However, since we’ve just erged from war, food supplies in our tribe are currently tight. The initial transactions may not be substantial, but after the harvest season in September, the grain available for trade will increase significantly! Our Nix Tribe has abundant farmland, plenty of tribesn, and, most importantly, excellent agricultural techniques. In the future, we will have a surplus of grain sufficient to et your needs!"
"Excellent! War only brings destruction, but trade leads to prosperity!" Bodamochi said with a smile.
Bodamochi felt he had grasped the Nix people’s intentions, and a weight lifted off his heart. Feeling joyful, he said, "Our Iron Core Tribe is willing to accept the goodwill of the Nix Tribe. From now on, let our two tribes coexist in harmony and strengthen our bond through trade."
"Thank you, Sage Bodamochi!" Alakosia, pleased with the preliminary success of his diplomatic mission, turned to the wooden chest he had brought and the composed Sphili, seated in a subordinate position near Bodamochi. His eyes lit up, and he declared loudly, "This is a carefully chosen gift from Leader Maximus to the Iron Core Tribe! We hope this gift will fortify the budding friendship between our two tribes!"
Bodamochi looked at the chest with interest and said, "May I open it now to have a look?"
"Of course." Alakosia signaled to two of his subordinates, who promptly carried the chest in front of Bodamochi.
"Allow ." Sphili stepped forward, standing before Bodamochi. Once the two subordinates stepped back, he opened the chest lid.
Inside the chest were four pieces of pottery and a long wooden box.
Sphili casually picked up one piece of pottery, stroking its surface before giving it a firm tap, which produced a heavy sound. "This pot is well-made, much better than what our tribe produces. Look, it even has designs on it—"
Sphili’s words abruptly stopped as his gaze locked onto the pot. On its black and shiny surface was a beautifully detailed painting: a herd of deer drinking by the riverside, with a panther crouching in the nearby grass...
Aside from the light blue of the river and the faint green of the grass, most of the colors used were red. Black pottery with red artwork was typical, but unlike the simple line-drawn figures popular on the market, the painting on this pot was entirely different. The deer and panther were vividly lifelike, each with distinct expressions—the deer’s elegance and alertness perfectly contrasted with the panther’s cunning and ferocity. Sphili was completely captivated, even feeling an involuntary sense of unease at the imagined bloodshed that the scene seed to foretell.
"This artwork... is extraordinary!" Sphili exclaid in awe.
"Let see," Bodamochi extended his hand.
Sphili handed the pot to him and then retrieved a large basin from the chest. "I’ve never seen pottery shaped like this before. What’s it used for?"
"It can be used for holding water for washing your face or body, or for serving soup and porridge—much more convenient than eating directly from a pot. This was crafted by our tribe’s potters under Leader Maximus’ instructions. It took significant effort to perfect this design.
Look at how large it is, yet it maintains a flawless round shape. Even the sides aren’t straight but curved—a feat requiring exceptional skill!"
Alakosia introduced the item with pride. He recalled how the craftsman who made the basin had earned comndation from Leader Maximus and was recorded in rit by the Civil Affairs Departnt.
Sphili, however, wasn’t particularly interested in pottery techniques. His attention once again settled on the artwork covering the basin. The red designs filled the entire surface, this ti depicting not animals but a group of people chasing and competing for a ball. The lifelike scene radiated tension and energy. Sphili, engrossed, clenched his fists and furrowed his brow, fully imrsed in the depicted frenzy.
Finally, he couldn’t help but ask, "Is the activity shown on this basin artwork the ball ga your tribesn often play near the village to the south of the mountains?"
"Indeed, it is that very ga," Alakosia replied casually. "Has Leader Sphili been there to watch?"
"Of course not, how could I have?" Sphili hurriedly denied. "It’s just that so of our tribesn, while hunting, chased prey to the southern side of the mountains and saw your tribesn playing this ga. It seed quite entertaining, so they ntioned it when they returned."
"Oh," Alakosia responded smoothly. "This ball ga is called olive ball. It was invented by Leader Maximus and is truly enjoyable! Nearly everyone in our tribe loves participating in it, and we even hold tribe-wide olive ball tournants!
Leader Sphili, if your tribe finds olive ball interesting, I can have soone teach you how to play. In the future, our two tribes could even compete against each other in olive ball matches!"
"I think that’s a splendid idea," Sphili’s eyes lit up as he turned to Bodamochi and asked, "Sage, what do you think?"
Bodamochi did not imdiately respond. He stepped forward, took the basin from Sphili, and closely examined its artwork. He then said, "If the envoy doesn’t consider it too much trouble, we would indeed like to learn this olive ball ga. Competing against the Nix Tribe in such matches could further foster friendship between our two tribes!"
"Not at all; we would be delighted to do so!" Alakosia replied enthusiastically.
Bodamochi added, "From your earlier words, I sense that your tribe’s leader is a person of great talent. Not only can he lead you to victory in battle, but he can also instruct you on crafting pottery and even invent such a ball ga."
"That is because our Leader Maximus is blessed by the Danu Goddess!" Alakosia declared loudly, recalling the earlier advice from Chief Priest Emrich to avoid shocking their hosts sensationally by claiming "Leader Maximus is the offspring of the Danu Goddess."
"The Danu Goddess?!" Bodamochi was taken aback. "Your Nix Tribe is an Illyrian Tribe, and your leader should also be an Illyrian! How could this be?!—"
"The Pannonians are also a branch of the Illyrians, which does not prevent them from worshipping the Holy Stone and the Holy Forest," Alakosia calmly explained. "Our Nix Tribe has a significant group of Druids, originating from both the Skodisqi and Pannonians. They unanimously agree that Leader Maximus is blessed by the Danu Goddess! Oh, and here is the most compelling evidence!"
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