Chapter 31

    Celebration

    “Thank you…”

    A clear, melodious voice drifted through the wind. Only little Kit knew whose voice it was, while the villagers and priests in the vicinity shuddered, having never before heard the exalted voice of a god.

    This place… was undoubtedly sacred ground. Stories, rumors, and word-of-mouth accounts from the villagers would surely spread far and wide. In the future, Redwood Village would become a significant destination for pilgrims.

    Moments later, golden patterns bloomed across the wooden altar and the vessels that had held the divine offerings. These intricate designs, identical to those recorded in the scriptures of Ambarc, the God of Craftsmanship, appeared as if by miracle. Hundreds of stunned eyes watched, unblinking.

    The images upon them depicted a gathering of the eight gods, who had been invited to feast upon the first offerings given by a small human and his villagers… The master craftsmen from the three villages stood trembling, tears welling in their eyes. They had just received a blessing from their patron deity.

    Everyone who attended the ceremony experienced something extraordinary. Their inner strength surged, lingering ailments and minor health issues vanished instantly. The priests could sense the residual mana saturating the air, thick and abundant, especially concentrated around the spot where the offerings had been placed… Nearby, another striking figure stood out—Kit, his tousled golden-brown hair even messier than usual. His emerald eyes were drowsy, as though he had just woken from a trance.

    Kit had just returned from a conversation with the eight gods, who had summoned him to show their gratitude… No, to be precise, they had summoned him to take their next meal orders. In the future, he would need to include more savory dishes in the offerings—and triple the amount of alcohol—so that the mighty Lord Maithias would not fight with Lord Landbruh over the wine.

    Moreover, Kit had encountered other deities who had come to witness the event… What an exhilarating experience.

    Lord White Wings was an elderly man with snow-white hair and robes, even brighter than the main character of a detergent commercial from Kit’s previous world. Lady Nida was adorned in splendid garments befitting the Goddess of Weaving. Lord Handel, the God of Commerce, was draped in so much gold that the child felt weighed down just looking at him. As for Lord Ambarc… he appeared the most humble, dressed simply like an ordinary man, yet exuding the same noble presence as the other gods.

    During their conversation, Kit voiced a lingering curiosity…

    “Lady Foris, do the other elemental gods not like offerings?” He glanced at the three untouched meal sets with confusion. The gods of fire, water, and wind had not appeared like the others. Did he need to adjust his offerings in the future?

    “Ah… that…” The kind goddess pondered for a moment before wearing a slightly troubled expression. “You’ll understand when you’re older… It’s not the right time yet. But for now, just keep preparing offerings for them.”

    “Don’t worry. I will personally deliver what you worked so hard to make,” Lord White Wings assured him. The young boy could only nod and keep his curiosity to himself.

    The gods were particularly pleased that Kit had remembered the deities who had not explicitly requested offerings like the three initiative deities. This gesture of thoughtfulness earned him a great deal of affection. As the delicious food and drinks disappeared, every god took a moment to gently ruffle the boy’s golden-brown hair, changing its shape repeatedly. Kit was also delighted to see that, before departing, the sorrowful Gaiel had a faint smile at the corner of his lips—a stark contrast to his usual grim and emotionless expression.

    The realm of the gods and the world outside were truly different…

    A heavy silence hung over the area. No one spoke, still overwhelmed by what they had witnessed. But as the noon sun pierced through the sky, its brightness stinging Kit’s eyes, the boy quickly snapped back to reality. He let out an awkward chuckle before gathering the ornate goblets and plates into a large wicker basket and sprinting off to clean them, grinning all the way.

    Before everyone could fully regain their senses… That little rascal had already left the chaos behind and disappeared!

    Afterward, people quickly spread the news about the divine food-offering ceremony.

    It took only half a day for the entire population of Redwood and its neighboring villages to hear about it. Those who had been occupied and missed the event could only regret the opportunity they had failed to seize. From then on, it became an unspoken but strictly followed rule… whenever the Redwood Church issued an invitation to any ceremony, everyone had to attend.

    Before dinner, an announcement was made inviting everyone to a celebration at Redwood. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with neighbors from all around confirming their attendance. People from Sunwood and Blackwood abandoned their homes for the night to join this grand event.

    The celebration was held in honor of the gods, who had descended to bless the land. An abundance of delicious food was prepared and distributed so that everyone could eat to their heart’s content.

    When the savory dishes and mead liquor had been thoroughly enjoyed, excitement rippled through the crowd as small dessert plates and tiny wooden cups filled with liquid were brought out.

    Dozens of large pumpkins had been transformed into honey-roasted pumpkin, slightly less sweet than the version offered to the gods due to limited ingredients. Additionally, the liquor that Lord Landbruh had personally named ‘Summer Delight’ was now being shared for all to taste.

    The quantity of desserts and special liquor was kept small so that everyone could have a fair share. The exquisite dessert—once thought to be a luxury only nobles could afford—was made simply from pumpkin and honey. The tiny sprig of mint on top emitted a refreshing aroma, revitalizing everyone.

    The beverage, officially declared by the church to bear the name given by the great God of Agriculture, had a far higher alcohol content than any liquor the villagers had ever consumed. It was a bitter, fiery drink that burned as it went down, with the smell of sweet potato followed by the crisp, floral notes of wild herbs and grass. Afterward, a lingering hint of mild sweetness clung to the tongue, tempting them to take another sip.

    It was a drink… that perfectly embodied the current state of their lives.

    Its rich aroma symbolized the warnings and preparations for the bountiful harvests they needed to secure before the impending disaster. The scorching bitterness of summer mirrored the harsh season that left their throats dry and burning. Yet, despite the hardship… there remained hope that came with the fragrance of sweet potato—the sweetness of survival, found in their unity.

    The young men and elderly alike became enchanted by this new liquor, singing its praises as they indulged. The women of each household also voiced their approval. Only the children pouted, unable to partake, settling for sneaking tiny tastes from their parents' cups.

    Meanwhile, the leaders of the three villages discussed their future plans. For some time now, they had hoped to encourage their people to build homes together and merge into a unified community. The land just beyond Redwood was spacious and ideal for expanding into a large settlement. However, such a plan required careful thought and gradual execution. Perhaps… the red pine fence of Redwood would need to be extended to ensure the important place like the church remained easily accessible to all.

    David—better known to the villagers as Kit—remained the center of attention throughout the evening. Today was another occasion where the children from all three churches gathered, allowing them to chat and joke around while enjoying their meal together. Several six- and seven-year-old children clung to their beloved older brother. Lynn had claimed his lap, Ethan had taken up residence on his shoulders, and every other available spot had already been occupied by the little ones. Fortunately, James helped by taking a few off his hands. Otherwise, Kit would have been utterly overrun by an army of tiny humans…

    Ethan, however, kept tugging at his brother’s hair and using his chubby fingers to point at Jason—who had been chatting quite frequently with their sister, Anna. Kit had already noticed, but he chose to observe the situation from a distance. If the chance arose, perhaps he could even play matchmaker for the two. The only lingering concern was Mr. Gray, who still kept to himself and rarely ventured out. Every time Kit ran into him by chance, the unmistakable scent of liquor drifted in the air, accompanied by frequent glares filled with resentment.

    Kit could only think to himself… I hope the opportunity Mr. Gray’s been given will help him change for the better.

    From now on…the culture and way of life in this place would likely undergo significant changes. The church would continue to hold monthly offerings as Kit had promised the goddess, but large-scale ceremonies would be limited to twice a year. This way, the villagers wouldn’t have to make long journeys that would interfere with their daily livelihoods. The priests proposed an appropriate plan—to hold grand celebrations during spring and late autumn—to boost morale and encourage a fulfilling life for everyone.

    Kit’s thoughts drifted to the upcoming roasted sweet potato event in a few months. This time, he intended to make it even grander…

    .....

    The cheerful atmosphere of the evening, filled with lively conversations, was suddenly interrupted when young Ethan shouted loudly for his brother.

    His small hand pointed toward the direction where Sunwood Village should have been, a three-hour walk away. At first, everyone chuckled at the child's words about smoke, but moments later, it became a grim reality. Kit had to separate himself from the younger children who were crowding around him and hoist Ethan onto his shoulders. Then, he sprinted toward the eastern village fence, with James following urgently behind him.

    The stationed soldiers, sensing something was amiss, quickly mobilized. The priests and nuns ushered the children back to the main church in Redwood, while the leaders of the three villages worked to maintain order. Despite their best efforts, the people from Sunwood were clearly in distress.

    Under the cover of night, a cool breeze swept through the village. The dim glow of torches flickered sparsely along the Redwood fences, barely illuminating the surroundings. Kit, with Ethan still on his shoulders, steadied his focus and swiftly channeled the power of the earth and forest. The ambient mana in the air gathered around him, enveloping his body in a soft blue glow. The energy extended to Ethan, sitting on his shoulders, as well.

    Ethan’s bright blue eyes sparkled as if he instinctively understood what his older brother needed. Despite his young age, he concentrated his limited focus toward the farthest edge of the forest. The wind carried with it the putrid scent of strangers and the smoke from fires they had ignited. Through his connection with the land, Kit saw the ruins of Sunwood Village… engulfed in roaring flames.

    He couldn’t help but wonder…if they had come to steal supplies, why burn down such valuable homes?

    Were these people idiots or just plain insane?