Chapter 67: Chapter 067: Betty’s Ceremony
The settlent of the descendants of Faku deep in the swamp.
This was a large living area, its land area even more expansive than the center of Swamp Town, where the administrative institutions were originally intended to be set up.
But at that ti, it encountered strong opposition from the locals.
Those living here were essentially slaves who had fled from Faku or were traded here.
Uniform black skin and extrely exclusive.
Having been here for over a day, Betty had taken Amanda around the settlent for a rough tour. Even with Betty’s company, the looks Amanda received from those around made her feel sowhat odd.
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Their attitudes were still comparatively friendly and there was no abusive language, yet the scrutiny in their eyes made her uncomfortable.
Moreover, there were many rules here, preserving nurous strange customs, and there were even so areas that strictly forbade outsiders from approaching.
“Are we really going to soak in this place for the entire vacation?”
Amanda said while yawning out of boredom.
At first, she was truly interested in these special customs, but as ti passed, it inevitably felt a bit dull.
“We had agreed to go for sunbathing.”
“And recently, it’s been raining continuously; I feel like I’m starting to mold.”
Betty, however, seed much quieter.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be better after tonight,” she said.
“Tonight, at midnight, according to the ancient customs, I will hold my coming-of-age ceremony. You are my best friend, and I hope you can witness this mont.”
“And…”
“I also want to show you sothing else.”
“So truths about this world.”
When this topic ca up, Amanda imdiately perked up, hopped off the bed, and barefooted, went to Betty’s side.
“Tell , what is it exactly?”
“You really can keep a secret. I’ve been here for over a day and you’ve managed to keep it to yourself?”
Betty laughed.
“Seeing is believing; you’ll naturally believe once you see it,” she replied.
For so reason, although it had only been a fortnight, Amanda felt her once-familiar friend seed a bit strange.
As the sun set and the persistent gloom lingered, it swiftly grew dark in the depths of the swamp.
Just then, soone knocked on the door.
“Betty, the sun has set; you need to start getting ready.”
“We? Do I have to participate as well?” Amanda asked, puzzled.
The person smiled.
“As Betty’s friend, you are naturally our guest. On such an occasion, I hope you can dress accordingly.”
“Co with , soone will help you get ready. Trust , it’s going to be an extraordinary journey.”
The individual extended their only right hand to lead Amanda, walking her out of the room.
“Go ahead, Betty, they are waiting for you,” the individual said.
The one-ard old woman took Amanda to a nearby hut, where inside, several people were already waiting for her.
“We believe in the ancient gods and consider the transition of night into day to be the most sacred mont. At this ti, our people will experience a rebirth.”
“A second birth, different from the original birth!” the one-ard old woman explained to Amanda.
When in Ro, do as the Romans do. Although Amanda didn’t really like the environnt, she respected other people’s beliefs and didn’t want to make her friend uncomfortable at this critical mont.
Soone stepped forward to Amanda’s hair, deftly knotting with her hands, and soon a complex hairstyle erged.
“Put this on.”
A feather crown, made from the feathers of various birds, vivid in color and arranged in a specific combination, was handed to her. Although it was woven from feathers alone, it looked incredibly luxurious.
Soon, Amanda was adorned with ornate silverware and bone ornants around her neck, wrists, and ankles, and donned vine clothing, instantly adding an air of mystery to her.
Having done all this, the people in the room quietly withdrew.
In the dimly lit hut, only a few candles around Amanda flickered, casting dancing shadows on her face.
“Dear guest, please wait patiently.”
In the dim candlelight, the elderly woman’s originally kind face now seed sowhat fierce.
Having said that, she pushed the door open and left the room.
Amanda, on her own, waited bored for a very long ti until she began to grow impatient, that was when the door opened again.
This ti, everyone was dressed in ancient attire, and the elderly woman led Amanda past the residential area and into the depths of the forest.
By this point, the night had fallen completely, and the forest in the darkness appeared terrifying and gloomy. Although she was not alone, Amanda still felt a chill in her heart.
Just as she was contemplating turning back, Betty’s voice ca from not far away.
“Amanda, I’m here.”
Betty’s adornnts were similar to Amanda’s, at first glance the colors complented each other, creating a harmonious look, except her face was painted with many strange patterns which made Amanda montarily unable to recognize her.
“Your family has quite a lot of rules.”
Amanda complained quietly, “Had I known it was like this, I would never have co.”
“I don’t like it either, but tradition is tradition,” Betty also seed a bit helpless.
Amanda took a couple of deep breaths, “What’s that stuff on your face? It slls weird.”
“So berries, twigs, and even the fresh blood of beasts…”
“Good heavens, why would you paint such things?”
“Stay away from …” Amanda joked.
The walk ended up taking almost an hour.
The forest was dense and visibility was low. Amanda had long since lost her sense of direction, wandering aimlessly until she was brought to who knows where.
Only when they had completely passed through the woods did their surroundings suddenly clear.
On the open ground in the distance, there stood several strange statues carved out of various types of wood, and in the center was a tall building piled with stones, surrounded by a crowd of people. No lamps were lit, only dozens of torches crackled in the night wind.
“We’ve arrived.”
Betty’s smile faded, and her expression beca serious.
She stepped forward briskly, raised her hands above her head in a strange gesture, then knelt down, her forehead touching the ground.
“My dear child, are you ready to embrace the Gods?”
The leader was a middle-aged woman with a head full of white hair. Besides her hair, her skin and figure were well preserved, and she bore a resemblance to Betty.
“I am willing to offer everything, my mother!”
Thump!
The middle-aged woman tapped her wooden staff, and the sound, though not loud, echoed throughout the area, “The initiation ceremony begins!”
One after another, the surrounding crowd sprang into action, performing a series of complex rituals that left Amanda dazzled. Ti ticked by, and soon midnight was near.
Only then did the initiation rituals finally conclude.
Just when Amanda thought everything was over, the leading middle-aged woman raised her staff again, and this ti everyone simultaneously knelt to the ground.
“The initiation ceremony is over.”
“The sacrifice ceremony begins!”
A sudden dread surged in Amanda’s heart.
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