869 Eleventh Day of the Silver Moon (9) - Blessings of the Great God

"So... what are you trying to tell me, Lazma's eldest brother?

Ruja opened her mouth again as Hamra, Tia's mother, nodded like that.

"If we ask so much, can we predict? In the outside world, if the forests of the north and east are viewed as sanctuaries, we just have to make them our new hunting grounds. If you do, no matter how many Madaramas and Valves increase, you won't be starving?

"But... we saw all the forests on all sides as the outside world. Shouldn't we weigh how we knew more than how humans in the outside world knew?

"So, you want me to dump the hunting ground because of you? The place has been abandoned by people from the outside world, right? I wonder if it would be an indescribable deed against the Great God to forsake grace from the earth"

Hamra looked back at Donda-Lou, frowning harshly.

"The forest at the foot of the mountain should be the land of the people by the forest. If we take it away, won't the people around the woods be in trouble later?

"Hmm. Gemd said that even if the number of people by the woods increased tenfold, it wouldn't cut through the settlement to you, etc."

Donda-Lou looked at Gemd with a strong, glowing blue eye.

"One thing, I want you to let me hear it. How far away from the woodland settlement is that place that's being eliminated?

"Yes, a settlement by the forest is cut open in a slightly curved form from south to north… cutting the same length to the north at the same angle would seem to reach just the border with the sanctuary"

"Well, let's not even argue about it. We are hunting for Gibba to protect the fields of Genos. Until then, there's no reason to spread the settlement further away from Genos."

With that said, Donda-Lou turned to Hamra.

"Besides, if the Lord of Genos defines the land as a sanctuary, it is not acceptable for us to expand the settlement in the first place. I appreciate you showing us where we're going, but we don't need to be distracted like that."

"Right," Hamla said, holding her mouth.

Then this time, Raal raises his voice.

"But before that, is it possible, for example, to make both Madarama and Valve friends? We have long been friends with only one of them. I find it extremely difficult to think of the person I've thought of as a prey as a friend."

"Shouldn't we go the right way, even if it's hard? It is depravity that spares hardship, and depravity will be an unacceptable place for the people of the sanctuary"

Even against Raal, who seems to be the highest status in the Valve hunting clan, Ruja was not reluctant at all.

"Valve and Madarama eat the red people together. The Red People are eating the Valve and the Madarama. This also makes it seem like it's not the right thing to do for Ruja. For example, this Ruja - at an early age, she is eating her brother by Valve. Valve took my precious family. Can we have mercy from our hearts on such a clan of Valve friends - and wonder whether it is right to be merciful"

"But you're saying you want to offer Valve a wedding to his friend, Tia of Namkar, and so on?

"That's why. Ruja hopes to sever the vicious fringe that lies between the clans"

Ruja shook her thin, tight right arm wide off.

"Ruja wants to have mercy on all of the compatriots of the Red People. As the Son of the same Great God, I want to love all my people like a family. Only then do we believe that the right path will be opened and that the Son of the Great God will gain the strength he deserves. To do this, you will have to push and kill the carelessness and grief that took away your brother, and also make Valb your friend. No matter how difficult the path is, you never want to give up!

…………

"Besides, I'm not saying you haven't noticed with the Chiefs. Valve hunting clans and Madarama hunting clans are becoming more and more temperamental with each passing year. If you have Madarama as your friend, your emotions will be dull instead of getting cold and hard will like the stones of Belze. If Valve is my friend, instead of gaining the strength of a blasting fire, I will have a sweet little temper. Such differences in temperament are shaking our bond."

…………

"If we keep this up, we may soon become haters of each other. That would be a great contraindication. But if we can hold hands here - if we can make both Madarama and Valve our friends, we should be able to gain so much power"

"Okay, that's enough. I think I understand how much you thought the Red People were going to die."

Raal raised his hand and shut Ruja up.

That face has a bittersweet look on it.

"But you can't decide that big story on this occasion. See you tomorrow. But we'll have to talk about it at the Chiefs' Conference.... you've brought up a nasty story, Razma's eldest brother."

"Uhm. But just because it's a pain in the ass doesn't mean we can avoid it and move on?

Luja softened her eyes and laughed furiously.

"Then let me just tell you one more thing.... No, this is enough for Namkal's chief Hamra and his guests to hear. The other Chiefs want you to enjoy your meal."

"Hamra and the guests? Now what are you gonna tell me?

"Of course it's about the treatment of Tia."

With the same look on his face, Ruja sat back on the rug.

The rest of us are enthusiastically beginning to rig with their close opponents, who will now be to indulge in the words spoken to Ruja. But of course, Tia and her two sisters watched Luja behave with a candle face.

"What are you talking about with this Hamra? Aren't you going to steam back again about your wedding with Tia?

Ruja shrugged her shoulder a little as Hamra questioned her with a tough face.

"It would also be a story involving a wedding with Tia, but what I want to weigh more than that is about Tia's future treatment"

"That is discussed in the Namkar clan. I don't have the muscles to talk to Razma's family."

"But Ruja brought up stories that rocked the Red People's mastery. I want you to take responsibility for that."

Ruja took up the numo shell that was placed on the rug and sipped a sip of Cheryl's liquor.

"If, at tomorrow's Chiefs' Conference, Ruja's words are found to be correct, we will be forbidden to hunt Madarama and Valve. Ahead, if you're allowed to hunt for Lyonne, Nacha, Payfay, and the woods to the north and east, you're going to hunt for Gibba and Mundt."

"What is it?

"Tia suffered an unhealing wound to her right shoulder. But if you don't need to deal with Madarama, isn't it possible to work as a hunter again?

In this word, Tia and her two sisters were to have a surprising look.

And of course, the same goes for me and Ai-Fa. Ai-Fa had a tighter face than ever, listening to Ruja's words.

In the meantime, Tia called on Ruja with a puzzled look.

"What are you talking about, Ruja? Tia's already thirteen. The period of working as a hunter is over"

"But it will not be until after the age of fifteen that an approximate number of women conceive their children. If you work as a hunter for another year or so and then become a chief, it's not too late."

With a firm face, Ruja said so.

"You sure didn't seem to have your right arm up your shoulder, but now it seemed like you could climb a tree without any difficulty. I wouldn't have a problem handling a bow, and I'm left with my left arm to wield a sword. If they're not even Madaramas, there's nothing wrong with them."

"... but finishing the hunter's job at thirteen is a lesson than it used to be. There's no point in letting Tia work as a hunter until you twist it."

To Hamra's words, Ruja shook her head "No".

"For me, it's a lot. Tia needs to be the chief of Namkar. And if Tia is to become a chief, she needs to show her power as a hunter. If she's taken half a year off, she can show her power by working another extra year."

"Why do you want Tia to be the chief?

"That, of course, is to tie the edge of blood with Namkar and Razma and show our compatriots the right way"

In a tone that was neither serious nor joking, Ruja overlapped words as such.

"Even though it's not as good as Chautarta, Razma also leaves behind old blood and power as a family of Valve hunters. If it joins the blood rim with Namkar, who can also be the representative of the Madarama hunt, it will set an example of the previous vicious rim.... but I don't feel like a human son-in-law other than Tia."

…………

"As far as I can tell, Tia has a right heart, a strong will, and a bright head more than anyone else. It seems like no other human being deserves a chief more than Tia when the Red People go their new way. And that's why I want Tia to leave the way to become the chief of Namkar."

Tia's sisters tried to open their mouths wide.

Hamra quickly controls it by hand.

"It is the Namkar clan that decides that. We'll be discussing what happens to Tia tomorrow. … I want you to stick with me for any more talk."

"Hmm. I wonder if Ruja's words could be weighed more or less"

"... at least this hamla won't take your word lightly"

After answering that way, Hamra smiled all the time.

He has a very attractive smile, like a young prank kid floating around.

"Whatever fate we show Tia, however, it will be Tia who decides who to marry. Let me tell you that I still doubt whether Tia will choose you as her partner."

"Hmm. That's all this Luja has to do."

Spilling her whiter teeth, Ruja stood up.

"So do you suppose to give up this place to other humans? Out of the way, guests."

"Oh, wait, Luja. Why would you want us, the guests, to talk about it?

To my words, Ruja rounded her eyes properly.

"Weren't you mourning Tia's loss of power as a hunter, guest Asta? If you weren't, you'd think Ruja was in the wrong mood."

"Oh yeah, of course I thought so...... so, for that matter?

"Other than that, is there a reason? I thought you'd be happy to know that Tia might be able to work as a hunter again."

That said, Ruja narrowed her eyes, which were rounded, and laughed.

It was the first time he showed us a red folk-like innocent smile.

"I'm sure Tia didn't have to despair in the outside world because of you and your guest, Ai-Fa. Ruja is deeply grateful for that.... Bye. Tomorrow morning, Luja will be dropped off."

And when Rujah tried to return the blemishes, Tia called out, "Wait."

That face has a troubled look on it.

"I still can't imagine Tia, such as giving you and your wedding... but I want you to let me convey my gratitude to Tia for her fate and for her compassion for the feelings of Asta and the others"

"Huh. Being thankful to you is more comforting than I imagined."

"But really, I'm not in the mood for a wedding with you!

"Even so, it's early and a year from now to choose your path. First, I pray that you can work as a hunter."

Ruja walked away, jerking off her black fur coat.

Both Megri and Kasha are putting their hands together and dropping off their backs. Those eyes, wet in tears until just now, seemed to be lit with a new light of hope.

"... it seems about time we ran out of meals. I want my guests to rest until tomorrow morning."

In a quiet voice, Hamra said so.

"However, can't you hope for a bit of hard work for Guest Asta and Guest Ai-Fa before guiding them to the bunk?

"Hmm? What is it for us?

To Ey-Fa's question, Hamra lowered her mouth.

"Tia asks her to purify herself in holy water rather than this. I want you both to see it."

◇

Then some time later, when all the food had run out, the end of the supper was announced.

The distant chiefs of the house apparently reveal the night in "Payfay's Laughing Mouth," and the guests are guided there. With that in my ass, I and I-Fa were to be led to a ceremonial place.

During the journey, he is again worn a 'sealed mask'. Ai-Fa grabbed Tia's hand, I grabbed Ai-Fa's hand, and was taken around the deep bush for about a quarter of an hour.

"... Okay, I want you to remove the 'sealed mask'"

Removing the mask according to Hamra's words, the blinding light was waiting. There was a great deal of burning in the place.

A roof overlaid with branches is created over the cauldron, and furthermore, white smoke spilled from the sides is scattered with branches in the hands of humans. Even this deepening of the night, they did not fail to take care not to be enlightened about the position of the smoke rising.

"Oh, it's Tia. I believed you'd be safe back there."

One of the red folk standing in line on the spot calls to Tia in an extremely touching manner. Everyone else and Tia herself had the same look. It was all Namkar's family who were here.

The number of people would be over a hundred. I heard that there are fifteen people living in the same house as Tia, but there are also a lot of people around the woods like branches and families.

And after a gleeful reunion with Tia, he was going to be able to turn a curious eye to me and I-Fa.

"Chief Hamra, would those be more guests than the outside world? Why did you invite your guests to Namkar's house?

"Guest Ai-Fa and Guest Asta lived with Tia in the outside world and bonded like family. Of course, it's unacceptable to be human and family, but I wanted Tia to see her purify herself."

Saying in a voice full of majesty, Hamra looked around at the people of the blood clan.

"Anyone who disagrees with the idea of chief Hamra will be named. Chief Hamra will never take his family lightly."

"We believe Hamra is the right chief"

"Let us believe in the judgment of the chief Hamra."

Hamra nodded, "Uhm," when the family members, who were old, answered as such.

"Then I shall begin the ritual of cleansing. Guests want you to see the ritual there."

This was a rocky place similar to a supper place. People were surrounding the burning fires in the center, and we were allowed to join that circle.

A space of about five meters in diameter can be cleared around a large firefight. It's just Tia and Hamra.

After a while, Megri and Kasha each advance their numo shells into their hands. In its heavenly neighborhood, shaped like palm fruit, the thin branches grew a little.

It looks the same as what Reita had in her hand when we stepped into the sanctuary.

When they each pulled out the heavenly branches, their tips were still relaxed like brushes, snugly wet with wine red liquid.

"Originally, I cleanse myself at the end of the year. But Tia, the eldest sister of Hamra, the chief of Namkar, was spending that time in the outside world, so I think I'll have myself cleaned up this evening. If this deed is not worthy of the Red People, I ask the Father, the Great God, to praise them."

Hamra raised her solemn voice.

His eyes stare at the burning flames.

There was no wind on this night, so the flames were just quietly loose and flickering.

"I could not deliver the will of the great gods. I want to begin the ritual of cleansing."

Megri handed her the brush of a tree branch to her mother in such a fashion.

Hamra, who received it, slowly looks back at Tia.

"Then expose your soul to the Great God."

Tia nodded, loosening the band that was wrapped around her hips.

And also take off the outfit like a piercing coat and the lower band woven with soft tree fibers. Originally, the red folk did not have the habit of wearing shoes, so Tia became naked without a thread.

I was a little confused to see Tia naked, but the people around me had a solemn face.

And only people in the rear of the tier are blurring like they could see. Tia's back is left with a deep, indelible scar.

"Don't disturb your mind. Wounds are the praise of the hunter."

Saying in a low voice, Hamra lifted the branches of the tree.

At the same time, people start chanting like spells. It was a strange chant with little discouragement and a unique rhythm.

Listening to that chant, Hamla glances at the tattoo carved on Tia's cheek with a wooden branch brush. Upon completion of all the tattoos on the left and right, Hamla returned the branches of the tree to Megri.

Megri starts dyeing the right hand back of the tier red once she sinks the tree branches into the shell of the numo.

And her youngest sister, Kasha, was running a brush on the back of her left hand.

In the meantime, two new figures advance in front of the tier. Both are women who look about the same age as Hamla.

Handing the women the shell of Noumo and the branches of the tree, Megri and Kasha went down to the hedge.

The two women bend over and run a brush to the back of Tia's leg.

After that, two families, one after the other, were to advance and cleanse themselves of Tia in turn.

Tier's appearance, which was dull brick, is dyed by a little bright wine red.

Tia had a very full look on her face and laid that on her family.

Take your time and when all the families had finished that ritual, Tia's appearance had almost been dyed by wine red.

However, the brush on the tree branch was thin, making it difficult to say that the whole body was dyed without a neighborhood. Especially the blush and long loose hair, etc. had become a lot worse.

Then Megri and Kasha enter again to receive the shell of Noumo from Hamra.

When Hamra offered both hands, the little sisters poured red red red holy water on the flat of their hands.

Holy water spilled from the flat of his hand soils the rocky ground on a rolling basis.

Nonetheless, Hamla began to stroke Tia's hair with that hand.

Tia is closing her eyes.

Hamra's face, staring into its face, was also filled with solemnity as a chief and mercy as a mother.

Repeating the same task, Hamra soaks holy water all over Tia's body.

That's how - Tia's figure is that everything is finally going to be dyed red with holy water.

It has the same vibrant wine red appearance as the surrounding families.

Just staring at me was a thought that would clog my chest.

Now, really, Tia's going back to her hometown.

The joy and the same sense of loss were all over my chest.

But not yet, don't cry.

Our farewell is tomorrow morning.

And I wanted to say goodbye with a smile whenever possible.

In the meantime, the chant, which was trembling at night, stops.

Waiting for the sound to disappear completely, Hamra raised her voice solemnly.

"The ritual of cleansing is complete. Under the blessing of the Great God, Tia lives a new year. Hamra, the chief of Namkar, prays to the Great God the Father that that year is full of hope and joy"

People cheered like they cut a weir.

So much enthusiasm and vitality that you can't even see at a feast by the woods explodes into the mountains at night.

Megri and Kasha began wearing new outfits to Tia with a joyous look.

Tia grins happily and slips her cheeks through her sisters' hair.

And Tia - with the same look on her face, she's looking back at me and Ai-Fa.

On its cheeks, a clear glow flows down.

Tia was in tears, laughing happily on top of this.

But no matter how many tears overflowed, the color of its cheeks never seemed to diminish.