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Harvest Festival
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2024-10-29 19:42:56There is not child in the village that is not fascinated by the story of The Hero and the Demon King. Even some of the grown-ups are still fantasizing about the tale – men still think about defeating a Demon King and being a hero while women think about marrying a Hero who has defeated the Demon King. Among the villagers, there was one who was the most fascinated about the tale not because she wants to be the Hero or meet one, she just loves the twists and turns in the story itself. This person is none other than the village chief’s only child: Amanda.
Ever since she could remember, she had repeatedly heard about the story from the Village Elders and different adults. Even her mother would read the children’s version of the tale before bedtime. She was amazed at how the Hero returned and gained friends to defeat the Demon King. How the gods supported the Hero, and the fact that her ancestors directly came from the Mage who created their village. Having a close historical tie to the Hero is enough for her.
When she turned seven, Amanda was a boyish girl. She would prefer to play with the boys and run around playing Hero. Of course, she would take the role of the Mage. That is not to say that Amanda was not good, though. She was great in all her lessons – arithmetic, history, the sciences, languages, history, and even good conduct. She loves to read and learn, especially about magic. She was kind of sad that after the defeat of the Demon King, the gods took away all unnecessary magic from the world. And so she ran wild with her fantasy along with the other children in the village.
As Amanda grew up and finally turned 13, the boys started to stay away from her. It was not because Amanda grew strong or ruthless, it was because Amanda grew so beautiful and charming that the boys would not know what to do whenever she is close. She invokes a certain type of emotion in them that they still don’t know how to deal with. In their minds, she has become a mage and has learned to cast a spell on them. Because of this, Amanda had more and more female friends. They talk about sweets, fashion, boys, and cute things. Amanda has learned to live in the best of both worlds.
“So, it seems like someone sent you flowers again, Amanda,” Jessica said as Amanda joined their group by the riverbank.
“Seriously, how many times do you receive flowers every day?” commented Irene, “I am starting to lose in my own confidence as a woman.”
“It’s not like I have been asking those guys for these, you know!” Amanda replied in exasperation. She might not like getting flowers but she still likes flowers anyway.
“See? It’s that attitude that makes me more jealous!” Irene replied, “she does not like all the attention but she gets the, anyway.”
“Well, as what you would expect with the mage who casted a spell on the boys,” Jessica replied, picking one flower from the bunch and taking a sniff on it. “Although, Lilies are still the best of all the flowers.”
“Purity, isn’t it?” Amanda said, looking at the flowers with discernment, “do you also know that they mean the restoration of one’s innocence upon death? That is why this flower also means rebirth.”
“There you go with your lectures again!” Irene retorted, “Gah! If the boys only knew that you are more like the village Grandma than a pretty girl.”
“If you only read more books, you could have learned that too, Ai,” Jessica jokingly reprimanded.”
“Shut up! All I need to know is how to cook and serve my future husband. I just need a rich merchant or a noble and I’ll be set for life!”
“And that is why you never get any flowers,” answered another girl from behind.
“Grace! You are late again!” Irene exclaimed as she turned around, “and you don’t get to say that just because you are the second most popular girl here!”
“Not my fault that people keep asking me out!” Grace said, “I am giving my all just to fend them off every day. I ran late today because another one of those confessions! I just wish they settle with giving flowers like they do for Amada.”
“What is up with these boys anyway?” Amanda said, “Ever since Jane left last year they have been more aggressive with their approach.”
“Well, a girl keeps going out of the village every year, right? They are either married off to rich merchants or hired by nobles as maids. So the guys are afraid that all the girls may disappear from this village and they don’t get to marry anyone.” Jessica explained.
“Guys are so stupid. I don’t have any plans of leaving the village any time soon. Unless a noble comes looking for me,” Irene responded, kicking the soil with the tip of her shoe.
“It’s kind of mysterious though, isn’t it?” Amanda said, contemplating.
“What do you mean?” Jessica asked, trying to figure out what her friend is talking about. The other two went silent.
“I mean, there is always one girl who leaves the village every year, right? And it is always after the harvest festival. It’s kind of becoming a pattern.” Amanda replied, looking at her friends.
“Well, maybe because nobles and merchants come to our village during the festival and they meet the girls from there.” Jessica said, offering her thoughts.
“Well, you have a point. But still. . .” Amanda replied, her voice trailing off.
“Ah! God! I was thinking what the matter was and it was still another one of your sleuth thing!” Irene said, frustrated by where the topic has actually led to.
“Fufufu . . . Irene really can’t stand conversations like this,” Grace replied, “let’s talk about something else. Have you heard about the new crepe shop that opened in town?”
“Right! I heard of it! There a lot of delicious food in there! They have meat too!” Irene exclaimed, gaining traction on the conversation of her choice.
“See? It’s all food about you. Why would any guy want a girl like that?” Jessica replied.
“Shut up! You don’t get to say something because you already have a lover! You traitor!” Irene said. They all laughed.
“I bet you lover is looking for you right now. Won’t you go see him?” Grace said, still smelling the Lily stalk that she took from the bunch. She is the most feminine of them.
“Well, I already saw him this morning. I want to spend this afternoon with you girls,” Jessica replied.
“Awwwwe! Bitch, I love you,” Irene said and hugging Jessica tightly, “You are still a traitor though,”
“What?” Jessica said and they laughed again.
This has become a daily event in the lives of these four women. They have always been together since they turned 13 and they are almost 19 now. Life has been great and they each have their own things that they love doing but they still get together like this from time to time. It seems like they will be living like this for a long time. What they did not know is that they will lose one of them this year, and by the time they reach 21, only 2 of them will remain.
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“Are you fine with this, Village Chief?” asked one of the council members.
“With what?” the Village Chief asked. The smoke from the incense filling up the chamber where they have gathered.
“Your daughter will be the next sacrifice. She is the Lily of this Village, you know!” said another council member. He is the youngest of the group.
“Too bad. She is a year away from being safe though.” Said the elder who drew the lots.
“Gentlemen. You seem to have your priorities reversed,” The Village Chief, Felipe, bellowed, “It is true that my daughter is precious not just to me but to the rest of the villagers as well. I have watched her growth and I know that she is intelligent and beautiful. She also loves the village with all her heart. This sacrifice will be her way of serving that village that she loves the most. It is regrettable, I admit. But this is for the sake of the rest of the village and out bountiful harvest! For the sake of our village, this is but a small price to pay.” Felipe addressed the whole council, “Beside, you have your daughter’ names there as well. I believe that this year’s sacrifice is your daughter isn’t it?” He continued, addressing the council member who questioned the decision first.
“Amanda will surely keep on asking me about your daughter to no end and this might also free us from her inquisitiveness.” Felipe continued, “Please understand that we are not doing this for our enjoyment. All of this is for the sake of the village!”
“For the sake of the village!” the council repeated in chorus. It has been a long time since the village has been offering sacrifices. At this point, they have become almost like a cult that worships the Demon King. The only person who has an access to the road towards the sacrificial alter is Felipe, the chief. The village may be safe from the grasp of the Demon King, but its flower is on her way to a very bleak future.
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