745 New Brothers ① - Hunter's Rite

of the inn's stopover, the next day - the sixth day of the purple moon.

On that day, in the Lou family, a ritual was to be held in which the hunter's clothes were given to Zida.

Needless to say, this is an event deriving from the fact that Zida is welcomed by the family of the Lou family.

There are three other people in Zida who will be welcomed as family members, but there will be no feast when they come. In other words, the learning itself does not exist because until now we have not had the opportunity to welcome people from the outside world as families by the woods.

It is out of the question because I and others have become the family of Fa's house in vain, and even when Shmiral-Lilyn was welcomed to Lilyn's house, no special treatment was given for this.

Therefore, even this time, it was decided that there was no need for a feast, etc., but instead a ritual of giving hunter's clothes was to be held.

"Zida had done so many gibberishes before, but she was only in a position to serve customers, so she did her job in the hunter's clothes used by apprentice humans. But now that you're a family member of the Lew family, you should have your own hunter's clothes... and after all, some kind of celebration is where you want to be."

In the morning, when I stopped at the Lew family on the road to Accommodation Town, Mother Meer Ray said so. Last night, while we were in the lodging room, a place for discussion was created at the Lou house, and it was so decided.

"If we perform the ritual of giving away the hunter's clothes, we will invite the family's parents, so it would be just right to let the other three say hello, wouldn't it? The Balshas have always lived in the settlement of Luu, and we've had many feasts, but yes, that's why I think this kind of separation is important."

That was the best story ever. It would still be more unnatural not to open any gatherings when it comes to welcoming four people from the outside world to their families at all. Not to mention that the Lew family is a chieftaincy muscle, so I couldn't have done it like Fa's house.

So it is a ritual of giving away the hunter's clothes.

Fortunately, me and I-Fa could have been invited to this ritual again. Michelle and Mime were originally guests by the woods through me, and both Barsha and Zida have deep ties to Fa's house. So, as in the case of Schmiral-Lilyn, it took me a long time to get a call for a seat from the Lew family.

And this time, three other family members were allowed to participate in the ritual.

Its facial rashes are Tul-din, Yun-Sudra and Malfira-Naham.

The trigger was Thur-din. In the morning, I was talking to my mother, Meer Ray, and she gave me a name.

"Oh, uh, would you let me stand in that ritual, too? Wow, I'm not that close to the Balshas, like Asta and Ai-Fa... but only Mim... has always been special."

It is an extremely rare story that Tour-Din claims himself in this way. Meer Ray's mother was squinting her eyes as surprised, but soon she was grinning loudly.

"Surely you were with the mimes when they first came to the woods, and then they went out to a town called Doug. Then I'll put it out in Din's house and take care of the acknowledgement from your parents."

"What! Ho, are you sure?

"Oh. If I were you, would I have Asta cook something too? So, in the name of helping, pick two or three women."

So it was Yun-Sudra and Malfira-Naham who were chosen.

When we finished the stall business and went back to Luu's settlement, Mother Meer Ray greeted us with the same smile as she had in the morning.

"I was able to get recognition from the parents of each house. He said he'd be here by sundown."

"Oh, thank you. I'm so sorry to bother you because of my selfish wishes."

"What are you talking about? You smell like water even though it's been a long time."

Meer Ray's mother cheerfully laughed and pounded Tul-din's little head. Thur-din is blushing in embarrassment.

As a result, it was decided to stand at this ritual once in a while.

"Then, as always, Kamadu will work at Shin-Lu's house. Is that going to be enough manpower?

"Yes, I'm fine. See you soon."

We head to the Kamadu cabin at the Sin-Lu family, and the rest of the members return to their respective homes in three luggage vehicles. Afterwards, Ai-Fa should come in Gilr's luggage, so that's enough for my leg back home.

"Wow, wow, I'm on duty today and I was lucky. Oh, oh, I'll be so sorry to hear about Ray-Matua later."

"Yeah. If she was on duty, too, I'd have had her stay with me."

Murphyra-Naham and Ray-Matua are at work for a day because the newcomers have not yet completed their training either. Until today, however, the rotation based on the new attendance schedule was finally activated, beginning the day after tomorrow.

"But tomorrow we'll be together in Castle Town. I wonder if that joy will undo my regrets."

"Ha, yes. So, but I can accompany you there as well... and I still feel a little, sorry for you."

"Hmm. So tomorrow, give it up to someone else?

"Yes, yes, no! Knock, I never said that in that sense..."

And, Malfira-Naham starts swimming his eyes with tremendous momentum.

I made him laugh and apologize.

"I'm not supposed to do that, am I? From today, tomorrow and the day after, thank you."

"Ha, yes. Nice to meet you."

Tomorrow, at last, we are to step into the castle town with our own feet, but it was within that that that we were to add Malfira-Naham and Ray-Matua.

Of course, Tour-Din and Yun-Sudra do the same. While heading to Kamadu's cabin at the Sin-Lu family, I also made Tour-din laugh.

"Speaking of which, if we hadn't talked about tomorrow, Thur-din would have been heading out to the northern settlement today, too, wouldn't he? In that sense, I wonder if I was lucky."

"Yes, I am very happy to share the joy with the mimes"

And, Tour-Din had made me weep sooner or later.

At the beginning of his encounter with Mim, Tour-Din was to be strongly aware of its existence. It was such a shock to Tour-Din that Mim, the same age as myself, was as big a number as having arms with me or more. I guess it was still the presence of mime that got Thur-din excited more than ever afterwards. That's all it was to Tour-Din, a mime was special.

(Tour-din seemed really happy when the mimes were allowed to be a family by the woods, I guess)

The mime was off the street business today. To prepare for dinner today, of course. By now, along with Michelle and Barsha and the rest of the ladies, they will be making great dishes.

Zida, of course, is in the woods with the rest of the men. Just yesterday, Zida was able to tailor Gibba, so the hunter's clothes are made out of that fur. The clothes of the hunters of the fur of the gauze, which Zida usually wore, will in future be kept at home without touching people's eyes - like my white cooking clothes.

"Well, shall we get to cooking then? Let's do our best to please the Zidas."

That's how we decided to get to work.

◇

As the sunset approached, Ai-Fa first appeared in Kamadu's cabin.

Open the doorboard and let your sharp gaze circle indoors. I wondered about that tough face, and I said, "What's going on?" I asked.

"No... call it another inspection, and I was wondering if he was coming."

"Oh, you mean Fermes. Even that guy wouldn't be that light.... I mean, it was last night that I was decided about the ritual, and yet I'm not talking about the castle town needing a report, so I guess I didn't get a chance to get into that guy's ear."

Apparently, yesterday's stopover and all of a sudden what Fermes did inspired Ey-Fa's vigilance. Ai-Fa breathed "well," then once again saluted Yun-Sudra and the others.

"Thank you all for your hard work. Congratulations on your work from yesterday, among other things, Tour-Din."

"Yes. I am so honored that you have allowed me to participate in so many different events"

Stopped by yesterday, feast today, castle town sights and tea parties tomorrow and it's certainly quite a hard schedule. Moreover, it was all the more so because I work on street work every day except tomorrow on holidays.

But Tour-Din was smiling with a full face. Today is a celebration of the Mimes, and if you think you can face Varcus and Odifia tomorrow, the joy will be worse. At least, I was.

"Easter is approaching, so don't force it. You should be especially careful, because you are in an irreplaceable position, just like Asta."

Though solemnly faced, it is unusual for Ai-Fa to say such words to Tour-Din.

If I had thought of it as something like that, I would have been made to look a lot higher because Tour-Din had twitched and wept.

"Duh, why are you crying? I'm not blaming you for anything, am I?

"Yes, I'm sorry. It's been a little...... special day, so my heart seems to be shaking. I'm so glad to hear what Ey-Fa said..."

Tour-Din wet the tears that came to his eyes, smiling weakly.

Yun-Sudra, who was watching it, has her eyes narrowed with tenderness.

"I know how Tour-Din feels. Ai-fa usually doesn't speak much, and that word is very much on your mind, right?"

"... then I'd rather not open my mouth."

"No, you can't. If so, shouldn't we try to talk more from time to time"

Yun-Sudra laughed with pleasure, and Ai-Fa shook her head at the top of the Buddha.

Such casual interaction warms my heart. It was a great pleasure for me for Ey-Fa to break it down with everyone around her in this way.

"Yo, are you ready to cook? It's time to start the ritual."

And, from outside the window, Rud-Lew called.

This one is all set. When we all split up and brought the food outside, a large crowd was already waiting for us in the twilight square.

They are the people who dwell in the settlement of Lou and the families who were invited as guests. Just like when Schmiral-Lilyn, the men are wrapped in hunter's clothes and the unmarried women are feast costumes. However, since this was a tribal celebration and a sudden invitation, Yun-Sudra and the others were dressed as usual.

Place an iron pan in the designated simplified version of Kamado to point your foot towards the center of the square. The people around them were also gathered in front of a pile of firewood assembled for the ritual fire.

"Oh, I'm Ey-fa to Asta... I'm finally here to see you..."

And, glossy voices are called from across. I didn't have to look back, I knew who I was.

"To Vina Ruu-Lilin, Schmiral-Lillin. You two were the parents today."

"Yeah, yeah... if it were normal, I'd almost give you an unmarried person, but all Lilyn's people give you a wedding, hey..."

Instead of Vina Luu-Lilin, Schmiral-Lillin also smiles calmly. A few days before that, I had just turned up in a puppet play, and the two of them were supposed to accompany me to Castle Town tomorrow, but of course it was no different to my pleasure.

(I've really had more chances to show my face since I gave you my wedding)

And that may be a testament to the fact that Schmiral-Lilyn is practicing his former proclamation. Before we rendezvous with the Silver Pot and leave Genos, I want to deepen our bond with me more - that's how Schmiral-Lilyn declared it.

"Vina Luu-Lilin spent the rest of her life at the Luu family, bonding with Barsha and the others, and Schmiral-Lillin brought Asta and Michelle together. I guess you deserve to be here."

When Ai-Fa commented that way, Schmiral-Lilyn nodded yes.

"No way, Michelle, it's going to be a family by the woods, I didn't think about it. It's a forest guide, a fate, a wonder."

"You really are. Speaking of which..."

And I swallowed words there.

Forestside people gain more power by meeting Michelle - Schmiral's compatriots were prophesying such a fate with their star reading moves.

But these days, Ai-Fa hates star reading moves thanks to Fermes. Unless you need so much, I guess you shouldn't talk about it.

"... now Schmiral-Lilyn is going to be the blood of both Michelle and Luu, right? Truly, fate is strange."

Schmiral-Lilyn smiled softly and nodded "Yes".

There, Donda-Lou's voice sounds.

"From now on, then, I would like to give Zida the hunter's clothes, which have become Luu's family. … but before doing so, we should mention a few things about the four new family members"

We went around from side to side and set up somewhere where we could see Donda-Lou.

Donda-Lou stands in front of a pile of firewood that has not yet been lit by fire, and instead is lined with Zida pompous. Only Zida hadn't wrapped her hunter's clothes around her, so she looked so luxurious.

"It's Barsha, Michelle and Mime, who will be the new family of the Lou family. Step in here and line up next to Zida."

Three shadows advance according to Donda-Lou's words.

With that look in my eyes, I was caught in a small surprise.

They were all dressed in woodland attire.

Barsha has always worn a cloth outfit by the woods. However, it was a slightly different pattern outfit than the whirlpool pattern preferred by the forest people.

That is revealed in the same whirlpool pattern outfit as everyone else, with three fangs and horn ornaments lowered around the neck. I'm sure it's the necklace Gida gave me.

Michelle was dressed just like me. It originally used to weave a whirlpool patterned vest over the cloth torso, and the foot is revealed on a relaxed waist roll from a jacquard style leg coat. The shoes remain the same as they were before me.

And it was mime.

What Mim wore was a whirlpool patterned piece.

It's only a piece, slightly different from the cloth outfit that married women wear. Originally Mim wore a piece, so that was just what changed into a swirl pattern.

Normally, if you are over ten years old by the woods, the women will wear chest and waist outfits. Until then, both men and women will be able to wear one-shoulder outfits like the one Rimi-Lou is wearing, and when they turn ten, men and women will be able to separate their outfits.

However, there are no human beings beside this forest who are wearing outfits out of their masterpieces. Whoever it was, it was Zwei-Rutim, thirteen years old, who was still wearing a whirlpool patterned piece similar to Mim's.

(Speaking of which, if that was a disobedient outfit to the Forestside lesson, you'd be forced to change at the time you became Rutim's family. Never heard of it before, but was that a recognized outfit by the woods too)

All in all, I was supposed to be impressed by the three of them wearing outfits.

The fact that they are really going to be a family by the woods is twofold. Speaking of which, Schmiral-Lilyn originally wore similar outfits to the people by the woods, so no minor changes were made.

If you look closely, Zida also had a whirlpool patterned vest woven, with lots of fangs and horns hanging around her neck. I'm sure it's the horns and fangs of Giva I've hunted so far.

Besides, Michelle and Mime are also drooling three necklaces at a time. Is that also a gift from Zida?

Whatever it was, they wore woodland outfits.

That is a testament to becoming a family by the woods.

I also became the residence of Fa's house, and after a few days had passed, I was given a costume that was the shape of Ai-Fa's father. By wrapping it around, the people of the nearby clan were to be relieved of some vigilance, and were to be heard from Rimi-Lou.

"Whether you need to make an introduction or not, this is the four people who will be the family of the Lew family from today on. These four people have always lived in the same house… let them continue to live in the same house, and let them stipulate that it is a new branch of Lew"

It was Rau-Ray who took Yamil-Ray from the banquet costume who raised his voice "ho".

"Do we not treat them as families of some branch, but let them create new branches alone? So, who's the parent?

"What I found out. By the woods, it is ordained that hunters hold parents. … although a few decades ago, some people broke that lesson and named their parents among the women."

Needless to say, that is about Grandma Ziva. I'm sure that's a measure taken on the basis of a complicated history. The old lady Jiba smiled very calmly as she leaned against Tito Min.

"The head of the new branch shall be Zida. However, since there are no other hunter-like men in this house, when Zida loses her power as a hunter, she is asked to become a family member of another branch. Not if Zida's child grows up as a hunter by then."

Zida had a tighter face than usual and heard Donda-Lou.

Mim looks up at Zida a lot worried, and Michelle has a hard look. Not breaking the usual relaxed attitude was about Barsha's.

"Now, from the time Zida was given the hunter's clothes, the other three will also be officially welcomed into Luu's family.... Three, stay back"

Leaving only Zida on the spot, the mimes returned to the hedge.

In exchange, the ladies of the division with the grass cage go out across the firewood mountain.

"Give me the ritual fire!

One of the ladies lit the ritual fire, according to the decree of Donda-Lou.

A square surrounded by light darkness is lit by an orange flame.

And as the women threw the contents of the grass cage into the fire, the distinctive aroma of that, sweet, sour vanilla simmered.

The men, who had refrained from the hedgehog, start pounding Giva's femur.

The other day, the ritual we were supposed to see at Lilyn's house unfolded again on the spot.

As Donda-Lou turned to Zida, he took every sheath of knife that was lowered to his waist.

"Zida, admit you as a hunter by the woods and give me this sword"

Zida knelt down in front of Donda-Lou, with her pressing face.

A knife roasted in white smoke presses perfectly against Zida's right shoulder.

Eventually Donda-Lou pulled the knife and when Zida stood up, the two figures moved forward. It's Mama Meer Ray with her brand new hunter's clothes, and it's Maim.

The hunter's clothes are also smoked and then fluttered on Zida's shoulder.

Mim was circling to the front and strapped to the neck.

Mim was the expression of seriousness itself, and Zida looking down at it - felt like she had a much softer eye.

When Maim and Meer Ray's mother leave after work, Donda-Lou sticks an earlier sword to Zida.

"Until you return your soul to the woods, this sword and the hunter's clothes will be yours alone. As a hunter of the Lew family, let the name work shamelessly."

Zida responded with a low voice saying she "understood" before receiving the knife.

When I lowered it to my waist and then turned back towards the hedge, this time Gazran-Rutim advanced.

"Rutim's Parent Gazran-Rutim congratulates Zida"

From the hands of Gazran-Rutim, Gibba's fangs are given. This was also the sight we saw in Lilyn's settlement.

When Rau-Ray, Minn's parents, Maam's parents, Mufa's parents, Gillan-Lilyn and his family's parents give one blessing after another, now the man and woman of your offering follow it. Then it was our turn.

I hold the fangs I received from Ai-Fa, and the Tour-dins walk to Zida with the fangs removed from their necklaces.

Like when you are Schmiral-Lilyn, you will not be irritated with tear glands.

But of course, I was shaking my emotions.

Not only Zida, but Mime and Michelle and Barsha will now be welcomed as compatriots by the woods. It seemed as if the joy would creep deep into his chest as if he were not.

"Asta, the family of Fa's house, will bless Zida.... Congratulations, Zida"

"Oh," Zida nodded, regaining her usual blurring, while still having a softening glance.

I'm sure Zida is biting off the joy of being a family by the woods, too.

Besides Zida and Barsha, I don't know a Masala hunter.

Yet Barsha, once abandoned his hometown when he was young, doesn't seem to have that much of a hunter-like atmosphere. In one way or another, there was a strong feeling of being a swordsman in a familiar town that resembled Zashma.

But from the beginning, Zida had exuded an unbeatable wild taste for the hunters by the woods.

Burning in his father's vengeance, he was powerful at the hands of the beast.

Besides, Zida was watching our stalls without being distracted by the hunters by the woods or beating Sin-Lu from the front. It had been shown from the beginning of his encounter that he also had unbeatable power over the hunters by the woods.

That's how Cycleus and Silhouel, who were his father's enemies, were cut off, while reviving their original oligarchy and unblinking temperament, spending time as guests by the woods. That kind of standing behavior was also commonly seen by hunters by the woods, and I and others secretly knew it.

If you are Zida, you will be able to live without any shortage, as a hunter by the woods.

I was supposed to bite away at that thought.