Reincarnated with the Country System

Chapter 63 Rite of the Ancestors

Rachel served the food to the King. She could feel the weight of the King's gaze upon her, assessing her every move.

The King lifted the bowl to his lips, his expression inscrutable. They held their breath, the silence in the chamber stretching like a taut bowstring. The other Taku warriors watched intently, their eyes flickering between the King and the outsiders, as if the outcome of this moment would determine the fate of all.

With deliberate slowness, the King ate the food. Rachel's heart pounded in her chest as she watched his reaction. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The King's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He swallowed, and then he smiled—a slow, deliberate smile that revealed a hint of sharp teeth.

"This is... unexpected," he said, his voice low and rumbling. "You have brought flavors I have never tasted before. It is a bold offering, indeed."

Rachel felt a wave of relief wash over her. "I am honored that you enjoy it, Your Majesty," she replied. "It is a reflection of our culture and a symbol of our desire to learn from one another."

The King set the bowl down, his expression shifting to one of contemplation. "However, how can I trust that your intentions are pure?"

Jammy, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we understand your concerns. We wish to share knowledge, not to impose our ways upon you."

The King regarded Jammy with a piercing gaze, his interest piqued. "And what knowledge do you offer that could benefit the Taku? We have thrived in this jungle long before your kind arrived."

Rachel seized the moment, her mind racing. "We have advancements in agriculture, medicine, and technology that could help your people. Imagine a world where your crops yield more, where illness is lessened, and where your people can further improve their lives."

The King leaned back on his throne, his fingers steepling as he considered her words. "You speak of cooperation. How do I know you will not seek to dominate us?"

Rachel felt the weight of his scrutiny. "We are not here to conquer, Your Majesty. We are here to learn and to build a relationship based on mutual respect. We believe that by sharing our knowledge, we can create a partnership that benefits both our peoples."

The King's expression softened slightly, but the tension in the room remained palpable. "Very well," he said slowly. "But words alone will not suffice. You must prove your intentions through action."

Rachel nodded, her heart racing. "What would you have us do, Your Majesty?"

The King leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a mix of challenge and curiosity. "You will participate in the Rite of the Ancestors. It is a sacred ceremony that tests the resolve and honor of those who wish to forge ties with the Taku. If you succeed, you will earn our trust. If you fail, you will be cast out, or worse."

Jammy exchanged a worried glance with Lewis, who stood at the ready, his hand resting on the hilt of his sidearm.

"We accept your challenge, Your Majesty. We will prove our worth."

The King nodded, a satisfied smile creeping across his face. "Then prepare yourselves. The Rite begins at dawn. You will face trials that will test your strength, your wisdom, and your spirit. Only then will you earn the right to stand among us as allies."

_______________________

As the meeting concluded, Rachel and her companions were escorted from the King's residence.

They followed a Taku warrior who would lead them to their lodgings. As they walked through a tunnel-like space, the full impact of their size difference became more apparent. The tunnel was built to accommodate the Taku's height, making them feel smaller. They exited the tunnel and walked through the forest.

As it was already night, they could not see what was around them. In the darkness, the surrounding environment seemed mysterious and terrifying. They had only some visibility in the moonlight, which helped them see the silhouettes of the surrounding trees and the shadows hidden in the darkness.

They were brought to a hut to stay in. It was a simple but comfortable structure made of woven reeds and thatched with palm fronds. The interior was dimly lit by a single torch, and the air was thick with the scent of smoke and cooking food.

Rachel's stomach growled as she caught sight of the food laid out on a low table in the center of the room. There were steaming bowls of stew made with a variety of meats and vegetables that she didn't recognize. There were also baskets of fruit and nuts, and a large jug of what looked like a sweet, milky liquid.

"I hope you'll find your accommodations comfortable," Takado said, ducking slightly to enter the hut. "We built this hut according to your size."

Rachel smiled gratefully . "Thank you. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated. If I may ask, how do your people view our... smaller stature?"

Takado tilted his head, considering the question. "With curiosity, mostly. Some find it endearing. Others worry you might be fragile. But most of us are simply excited to learn about you."

After Takado left, James and Lewis sat down at the table, and Rachel joined them. "What's this?" she asked, pointing to a dish made with a type of root vegetable.

Jammy, their cultural expert, spoke up. "I think it's called 'kalo'," he said. "It's a type of sweet potato that's native to this region."

Rachel took a bite, and her eyes widened in surprise.

Jammy, who had been watching her reaction, smiled. "Not bad, huh?" he said.

Rachel shook her head, taking another bite. "It's amazing," she said.

Lewis, on the other hand, took out several devices from their bags.

Rachel got up from her seat and went to him.

"Have you prepared the setup?"

Lewis nodded, a confident smile on his face. "Yes, I have everything prepared."

Rachel looked at him and said, "Very good. Arrange to send signals quickly."

Lewis placed the device on the table and began to set it up. "I'm making sure it's working properly. Ready to send signals."

Rachel stood next to him and started helping. Jammy also joined them.

In this communication system, the signal would travel through many mediums. In this process, the signal would first reach the helicopter's radio, where the helicopter's powerful transmitter would receive the signal. The helicopter would then process the signal and connect it to BNS Hope.

Since they didn't want to arouse suspicion among the Taku, they were acting very cautiously.

After a few minutes, a crackling sound was heard from the device.

<Diplomatic Rachel >

They heard James' voice.

"Sir, we have successfully contacted the Taku king. However, he has told us to join a special ceremony. If we are successful, they will befriend us."

<What does this ceremony mean? >

"He said that it is an ancient ceremony; the success of our mission now depends on it."

<Okay. But be careful. If you feel any danger, contact us immediately. Our aircraft are always ready to fly. >

"Understood, we will maintain communication, and if anything happens, we will quickly ask for help."