Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Hungry Slayer 63
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Dane had received power from the God of Butchery, 'Kaipatu.'
Ever since then, he'd been curious about what gods the various races in this world believed in and what religions they followed, but up until now, there hadn't really been a chance to find out.
Liyaya definitely gave off the vibe of being beholden to religion.
"Then the priests must be the strongest around."
Dane naturally recalled knowledge from his past life. How primal faiths like totemism and shamanism operated. And how closed-off those worlds tended to be.
That line of thinking brought on a vague sense of foreboding that leaving this place peacefully might not be so easy.
He might end up in the same boat as those travelers who never returned. Unexpected hospitality and excessive kindness without strings attached were best approached with caution.
"Honestly, we came to ask if we could hunt around here nearby."
He spoke frankly to gauge their reaction.
"Ah... I see."
Gurbanan looked at him with a surprised expression.
Dane continued.
"We can't just hunt freely in Liyaya territory."
"If you did that, the god would surely be angry."
"We're grateful for the welcome, but we can't stay long. Our merchant ship is waiting."
"The time our god has granted us is only three days. The flowers will wilt after that. It would be nice if you could join us for the festival while the flowers are in bloom."
"Then after that, would it be okay if we hunted nearby?"
Gurbanan smiled without answering. Dane smiled back on the surface but didn't let his guard down.
In the middle of the guided grassland stood a tall, wide platform.
Gurbanan gave Dane's group a light bow and ascended the platform.
Dane's group mingled among the people freely lined up facing the platform.
"Welcome to Liyaya."
Gurbanan opened with a polite greeting.
"Under the blessings of Avaris, I am overjoyed to hold the Nimbelle Festival with you all. I sincerely hope that the human man and woman who have come to us, the lizardman, the elf, and even the beast enjoy this honorable time."
Everyone turned toward Dane's group and clapped.
The inexplicable declaration and welcome felt strange, but swept up in the atmosphere, they bowed their heads in response.
* * *
"Nimbelle!!"
"Nimbelle!!"
Amid joyful music and cheers, the Liyayans danced across the grassland, their tails forming a long chain as they leaped about.
The butchery squad sat a ways off on the ground, sipping the offered alcohol and drinks while taking in the festival.
Both the booze and drinks seemed made from Nepeta flowers, filling their bodies with a refreshing energy.
One by one, Liyayans approached the butchery squad, extending their hands.
Starting with the excited Bankers, even River and Priscilla had no choice but to stand and join the dance.
Dane alone steadfastly refused. The young women who tried to grab his hand and pull him up couldn't match his strength and gave up. They sat by his side instead, clapping and cheering him on.
One woman in particular sat especially close to Dane.
"Your companions look like they're having a blast."
It was the woman who had placed the flower crown on his head. She was strikingly beautiful, so Dane remembered her.
"It's rare for us to have a chance to let loose like this."
Dane cracked a slight smile thanks to Bankers' ridiculous dancing.
The woman stared intently at Dane's face before speaking.
"I'm Prawan. I'm a virgin."
The sudden confession made Dane spit his drink right in her face.
"Ah... sorry...."
Flustered, Dane pulled up his cloak to wipe Prawan's face, and she simply let him, smiling brightly.
"And you?"
Dane flustered again.
"Dane...."
"Are you married? To that woman over there? The elf? Or... both?"
"Ah... no."
"Then the lizardman?"
"I'm single too."
Dane found his own blurted response ridiculous. Prawan's face, on the other hand, brightened even more.
She grabbed Dane's hand firmly.
"Good thing. This is perfect."
Dane couldn't shake her off and just stood there awkwardly in the half-hearted position.
Just then, Bankers' voice rang out.
"Dane! What're you doing? Get out here!!"
This time, Dane didn't ignore the invitation. Better to join in than sit there awkwardly, he figured.
He slyly pulled his hand free and stood. Prawan followed behind him. She whispered softly from the back.
"You... I'd like that...."
He didn't bother asking what was so perfect or good about it.
He could already guess the answer.
River and Priscilla eyed the approaching Dane with displeasure.
They hadn't liked seeing him whispering with the Liyaya woman for a while now.
"Nimbelle!"
"Nimbelle!!"
Dane danced for the first time in this life. It was clumsy—just hopping along and clapping—but mortifying all the same.
"Dane! Use your hips, your hips!"
Bankers' tail swung wildly as he demonstrated.
River and Priscilla unwittingly smiled a little at the sight, but glared again when Prawan stuck close to Dane and danced beside him.
Fortunately, the dance, which had built to a frenzy, began to slow with the fading song.
One by one, people drifted away to the surroundings, but the butchery squad stayed put as instructed.
Those remaining in the center numbered about ten, excluding the squad. The music settled into a solemn melody.
The faces of those who had been laughing and enjoying themselves grew grave. They lined up as if heading somewhere, all gazing at one spot with hands raised high.
Dane followed their gazes.
From a distant wooden building, a palanquin lavishly decorated with Nepeta flowers was being carried toward them by the crowd.
Atop the palanquin sat an old man alone. The Liyayans walking alongside held baskets filled with Nepeta flowers and leaves.
The palanquin took position at the front of the line, naturally ushering in a new phase of the festival.
"We will now hold the first rite for Nimbelle, the Falling Ritual."
At Gurbanan's words, people began to move.
Led by the Liyayans, Dane's butchery squad joined the procession in the middle.
* * *
They arrived at a sheer cliff rising high at the edge of the grassland. The temple Dane had glimpsed from afar sat atop it.
Up close, the meat alarm ticked up a notch, but it was still faint.
Bankers spoke.
"That... down there on the ground, isn't that bloodstains?"
At the end of his gaze, a broad, flat rock lay low against the base of the cliff.
It was covered in red marks. Bankers was probably right.
Those carrying the palanquin vanished behind the cliff with the old man still aboard.
The Liyayans sprinkled water on the ground and meticulously cleaned the rock.
Once they finished and rejoined the group, all eyes naturally turned upward to the cliff top.
The cliff's edge jutted out awkwardly, like an unfinished bridge.
"That's dizzying."
River said, craning her neck.
No telling what they were about to do, but it didn't look like it'd be a pretty sight. Dane felt it in his gut.
'Not sure if it's the uneasy vibe... or the meat alarm....'
He stared at the cliff edge, feeling a faint thrum.
Moments later, the old man from the palanquin appeared atop the cliff.
Even from afar, his expression looked gravely serious.
The Liyayans began muttering in unison, like chanting a spell.
"Nimbelle, Nimbelle, Nimbelle...."
Their individual voices merged into a massive roar that echoed off the cliff.
After the majestic prelude created by the echoes came a desperate roar from above.
"q̶̧͡k̵̨҇f̴̡̕!!!"
A beast's cry. A familiar one at that.
"Ballurator?"
At Dane's short exclamation, the old man on the cliff hurled himself downward.
"Whoa!"
"Eek!"
Gasps burst from Bankers and River.
The old man plummeted toward the ground.
And chasing right after him— a Ballurator leaping down!
-BOOM!
But it was only the Ballurator that smashed headfirst. The old man, who had jumped first, had a rope tied to his feet, leaving him dangling in midair like a bungee jumper.
As Dane's group struggled to process the scene, a burly Liyayan man dashed forward.
He swung a massive iron hammer down on the Ballurator's head once more.
"Nimbelle!!!!"
People surged forward in unison.
Some swiftly slashed into the Ballurator's body with knives. Others circled it, scattering flowers and leaves over the beast.
Dane's butchery squad was once again baffled by the sudden butchering.
Moments later, Gurbanan approached Dane holding a glistening red lump.
The Ballurator's raw liver.
As Dane eyed the liver and swallowed hard, Gurbanan simply stood there, hand extended before him.
The meaning of the gesture wasn't hard to guess, but he had to ask.
"What's this?"
"Life has meaning in all things. Beasts are no different from us, so eat this liver and join in Avaris's will."
"It's a festival, but this feels a bit out of left field."
"Nature is an inevitable cycle. Nimbelle reminds us of that value and celebrates it. Your coming here is all by Avaris's guidance, so you must accept."
"Feels like we'd be in big trouble if we don't."
Gurbanan smiled wordlessly.
The Liyayans lined up behind him wore the same smile as they watched Dane's group.
It contrasted sharply with their blood-splattered faces, red-stained clothes, and knives in hand.
Dane examined the raw liver. Fresh, with no particular issues.
Even so, for an ordinary visitor, this would be a horrific ordeal. Monster meat was a long-standing taboo in this world. Forcing it wasn't simple.
But what about Dane's butchery squad?
No clue why they were doing this, but he couldn't ignore fresh raw liver. No, he was grateful.
"Bankers."
At just the name, Bankers stepped forward, took Dane's medium cleaver, and placed the liver on its broad side.
River quickly pulled essentials from her emergency seasoning belt.
She lined a small portable dish with salt, added a dash of sesame oil, and mixed it swiftly with her pinky.
Finally, Priscilla took a meat saw and rapidly cubed the liver. Quick, precise hands.
Dane held Gurbanan's gaze without flinching while the liver was neatly portioned.
"Let's eat."
The four squad members each took a piece of raw liver, dipped it in the oil, and popped it in their mouths.
"Sweet and tender—delicious."
"Different from the cold-climate Ballurators."
"Yeah. Even the fur and hide texture differ. Must be influenced by diet and climate."
"Fresh and tangy."
"Huh?"
They each gave their critiques, reaching for more nonstop.
Dane ate the most. Fresh raw liver was one of his favorite offals.
Gurbanan and the Liyayans gawked at the four munching away, eyes wide.
Clearly unexpected. Of course it was.
No hesitation whatsoever. None of them recoiled in disgust. They were enjoying it. And one was an elf!
The hefty chunk vanished in a flash, and Dane spoke.
"Excellent appetizer."
Gurbanan was at a loss for words.