Chapter 506

The Ryuujin and the Human Sacrifices
“It’s an old story, but back when people still lived on Ryuujin Peak, there was a custom of offering human sacrifices to avoid angering the Ryuujin.”

“Was that… really necessary?”

(No. However, once someone had been offered as a sacrifice, I couldn’t very well send them back. So I took them in. I had them build a village on the far side of the island and let them live there. Fortunately, there was never a shortage of people.)

“Yes. Every year, the villagers would offer someone in their prime as a sacrifice. After I arrived in the hidden village, I was shocked by the customs at first, but once I got used to them, it was a very comfortable place to live.”

So they built a village out of the people who were sent as sacrifices.
That means Lady Kikuri is from that village too.

“Is that where the medicine was developed?”

“We made all sorts of things. We processed scales, claws, and hides that had shed from the Ryuujin into various items. I only make medicine, but I imagine the knowledge of how to craft other things is still being passed down in secret even now.”

Apparently, they used the Ryuujin’s claws and hides to craft weapons and armor.
All of them were high-quality and highly valued.

“That kind of peaceful time went on for a while, but then… the islanders broke a taboo.”

“A taboo…?”

“Yeah. They picked a fight with the Ryuujin. To the Ryuujin, dealing with a human isn’t even worth a yawn. But if someone actively targets Him, He can’t overlook it. So He severely wounded the villagers who attacked Him and cast them out of the island. Since then, the island has been officially considered uninhabited.”

“I see… Wait, what about the people in the hidden village?”

“That’s the important part. The hidden village still exists in secret. Young folks go off to other islands to work, then return with their partners and present themselves to the Ryuujin to pledge their obedience. Only then are they allowed to live in the village. In this way, the hidden village has been passed down through generations. The ‘Earth Seat’ is a position held by the head of the hidden village. In short, it’s a liaison role with the Ryuujin.”

S-So that’s how it is.
I’d heard that the members of the Eight Seats each had a special role, but Lady Kikuri’s true duty was to negotiate with the Ryuujin.
No wonder it’s a job only someone from the hidden village could handle.

(But Kikuri, isn’t it about time for you to step down from the Earth Seat?)

“Yes, I suppose so. I’ve held the position for over 500 years now. I’d really like to pass it on to someone else soon. However…”

(Is something the matter?)

“I’m concerned that there’s no apothecary as skilled as I am.”

(It’s hardly surprising. A healer with over 700 years of training isn’t easily replaced. You must focus on nurturing your successor.)

“You’re right. I’m getting old, after all. I’ll do just that.”

Wow… Lady Kikuri is even more of an ancient granny than I imagined.
Still, it’s fascinating that the representative of the hidden village becomes the “Earth Seat.”
There’s a deep history behind it all.

What do you think about this chapter?