The Bride Of The Sacred Forest God
Chapter 5. First Formal Meeting

In his room, Aragaki stopped writing and was silent for some time. His face was starting to look so scary.

“I will never change my judgment of man. Even if you try, I will never accept a human presence in this place.”

From Aragaki's visual, he could see everything. He saw and heard the whole conversation Ryuunosuke had with the girl in the old hut in the forest.

From engawa, a few Aragaki servants came to see him.

“Aragaki-sama, we come facing.”

Aragaki saw the two black-winged demons saluting. It was Tengu.

“Hakuren, Kuroto. Did I call you here?”

“We heard you yell at someone so we came to make sure everything was okay.” said one of the tengu with silvery colored hair named Hakuren

“Is everything okay, Aragaki-sama?” tanya a black-haired tengu named Kuroto

“I'm fine. There's just a little misunderstanding. Back to your positions. Later in the day, please collect the others. We will welcome ‘those who are from the land of sinners’ again.”

The two tengu fell silent and asked for permission to leave.

In the outer engawa as they were about to return to their respective posts, the two talked to each other.

“Listen to that said by Aragaki-sama, Hakuren?”

“I heard very clearly. Candidate ‘bride’ from the village has come apparently.”

“Honestly, I already can't remember how many village girls were sent to this place to become another stealth food.” Kuroto said in a surprised tone

Hakuren nodded and replied, “I am also a little tired of such a futile welcome, Kuroto”

“Can't they stop such a futile effort? It was like pouring oil into a fire. The more they send girls to this place, the greater the hatred Aragaki-sama has for them. What a very sad thing.” The face full of dislike from the tengu figure named Kuroto was clearly visible.

Hakuren who heard it could only sigh and say, “We'll see if this time will go as usual or not. I heard there was a commotion also in the kitchen because Nagi.”

“The change is acting again?”

“Say he forbids Ryuunosuke to cook food to be given to the candidate ‘bride’ it.” said Hakuren

Kuroto responded to the story.

“Isn't that the right action? I don't understand why only Ryuunosuke still wishes Aragaki-sama back to like humans? What good is it to have to do with them?”

“Kuroto, don't talk like that.”

“But it's true. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Clearly, they would be the food of the demon Nue! I go patrol first.” Kuroto leaves Hakuren alone and flies off.

The single-handed Hakuren seemed quite curious about the new ‘bride’ candidate Aragaki, but he did not intend to violate the employer's orders. Eventually he also flew back to the guard post.

**

Inside the hut in the forest, Ryuunosuke who had just finished crying stood up while hugging his fox tail which was full of hair.

“Hiyaaa, shame. I cried like that until I hugged her! I'm so embarrassed.”

Apparently, there was a dilemma in Ryuunosuke's heart. However, Reda did not think about it at all.

“Ryuunosuke, is everything okay?”

“Ah! I'm already okay. Um, now we talk about manners when meeting with Aragaki-sama later yes.”

“Good.”

Ryuunosuke told me everything Reda needed to know. Starting from the clothes to wear, how to pay respect to introduce some strong servants belonging to Aragaki-sama.

The little fox also told me what Aragaki-sama likes. Starting from the clothes he wears, the food he likes and hates to hobbies that are always carried out by Aragaki and places favored by Aragaki.

All of those explanations were explained and practiced in great detail until the time of the meeting with Aragaki was almost here.

“It's noon. I'll bring you lunch for Reda-sama. The clothes are there. It can be worn later when we go to the same Aragaki place. I'll be back again.”

“Thank you for explaining everything to me, Ryuunosuke.” Reda gave the little fox a soft elucidation on her head. It seemed, the little fox was really pleased with the elusan.

“Is there any question from Reda-sama about that one?”

“Nothing. I've remembered everything. Thank you very much, Ryuunosuke.”

“I'll be back with food yes. Reda-sama wait here.”

The little fox ran in a hurry.

“ Anyway I have to get rice for Reda-sama eat!” he murmured in the heart

In the hut, Reda saw the clothes Ryuunosuke had brought this morning. The soft clothes were even softer than the ones he was wearing now. He took the initiative to take a shower and wash the clothes he was wearing and then dried so that it could be used again later that night.

“At least I have to smell so that Aragaki-sama does not get mad at me later.”

Reda washed her body and hair, cleaning herself with the thick liquid from the herbal plant while washing her clothes.

After she finished, she put on the clothes Ryuunosuke had brought and dried the clothes he washed while bathing. Not long after that Ryuunosuke's voice sounded.

Reda greeted him with pleasure.

“Welcome, Ryuunosuke. What is rice?”

“Really! Rice! It's rice cockerels filled with pickled plums and cucumbers! I made it secretly. I brought a lot for dinner Reda-sama too!”

His tail was swaying with pleasure, making Reda smile looking at him. He accepted the rice and ate it. Of course, the little fox was also invited with him.

After eating, Ryuunosuke finally invites Reda to go meet with Aragaki at the main residence. There is a sense of worry about Reda, but considering the handsome face of the figure of the guard of his village makes Reda's heart become impatient to meet with Aragaki.

“I hope I don't make him mad. I hope I didn't make him angry. I want to see Aragaki-sama once again.” Reda prayed in her heart

After entering from the back door, Ryuunosuke stopped.

“Reda-sama do not be afraid. Ryuunosuke will take care of Reda-sama!”

“I'm not afraid, Ryuunosuke. I ready. I even took a shower so that my fishy body scent yesterday did not bother him.”

“Reda-sama is not fishy! This morning, Reda-sama was very fragrant. Ryuunosuke guarantees Reda-sama's body scent won't bother Aragaki-sama!” The little fox seemed so excited as it gave its support to Reda.

Reda simply nodded and walked following Ryuunosuke.

Entering the main residence, they arrive in a room with shoji (sliding doors in a Japanese traditional house) closed.

Ryuunosuke and Reda instantly calmed down.

“Reda-sama, wait yes. Ryuunosuke will say hello first.” whispered the fox

“Good.”

Ryuunosuke gave his greetings from outside.

“Aragaki-sama, Ryuunosuke came with your ‘bride’ candidate.”

There was no answer for some time, until then a short voice sounded, “Masuk” from behind the door.

Ryuunosuke stood up and held Reda's hand.

“Reda-sama, let's go in.”

“Iya, we're in yes.”

As soon as it was opened, Right in front with a considerable distance away, the gaze of Aragaki's sitting eyes met directly with Reda's eyes. How cold those eyes looked at the poor girl.

However, in contrast to the cold Aragaki, Reda actually blushed because of the handsome face of the God protector of her village.

Almost forgetting what Ryuunosuke taught, Reda immediately knelt down without first entering the room.

The innocent girl even said the greeting that should have been given to Aragaki when she herself was still outside the door.

“Se–happy afternoon, Aragaki-sama. Thank you for allowing me to set foot in this sacred place.”

In the room was not only Aragaki, but there were 4 others - Nagi, Ginko, Hakuren and Kuroto - who were the strongest guards and the closest to Aragaki.

The first thing the four of them thought about was just one.

“This human really salutes you in the right way!”

Ryuunosuke panicked because he had already said that Reda should have said that when it was already inside. But, it seemed Reda was more afraid of losing focus from over-admiring Aragaki, so she gave him a panicked greeting.

Ryuunosuke ran over in a panic to apologize to his master.

“Aragaki-sama, Ryuunosuke apologize! Reda-sama did not do it intentionally! Please don't kill him first. Hiks..i beg you!”

The little servant cried for mercy for Reda. Seeing that, Aragaki says that he did nothing wrong and allows Reda to go inside.

How happy the little fox is. He immediately ran over and pulled Reda's hand to go inside. Eagerly, he asked Reda to sit in the middle so that he could introduce her.

“Aragaki-sama, this is called Reda-sama from Kamakura Village. This Reda-sama is the same age as the girls before. Besides, Reda-sama is very beautiful. I'm sure, Aragaki-sama will love it!”

It is so full of confidence.

But, it cannot be denied. Even Nagi and Ginko were astonished to see her.

“That's that fishy smelly shabby girl that Ginko and I brought last night? Seriously? I think he's a demon in disguise”

“Who would have thought that the banished village girl turned out to have such a physical and beautiful face. Unlike the previous one who came to this place full of tricks and ways to hurt Nushi-sama, this girl named Reda-sama actually displayed a calm aura.”

“Wow, the candidate of ‘bride’ this year? If it's that beautiful, demon Nue might also think twice about eating it.” said Kuroto

“I understand why Ryuunosuke likes him so much. The human scent of his body looked different. I think he has good thinking and good manners. Though I had heard she was just a dumped country girl.” Hakuren also had the same thoughts as the others

Beautiful and calm, it was that aura emanated from Reda that made the four Aragaki servants seem to accept her for now. But apparently it had no effect on the ruler.

“Ryuunosuke, don't be too high when praising ‘sampah’. In addition, the greetings you should give it is not a candidate’penytin’ but ‘those who come from the land of sin’. Should never expect too big on a girl whose life is only 3 months in this place.”

A very hurtful word. As if amazed at the wrong person, Reda must hear the hurtful words of the person she greatly admires.

****