Origin Village, Southern Region.
"Young Chuta, with that knowledge were you able to create those shining armors?" asked one of the leaders.
Before the leader could ask, everyone was still focused on the small firework display the assistant light from time to time. However, this was a question everyone wanted to know the answer to, so I concluded the small act by drawing the attention of the people in the room.
"That's right, many of the things we don't know are basic elements in the world of the gods," I replied, looking at the leader. "The armor, for example, is like that worn by warriors in the realm of the gods. The houses and temples are gigantic. There's a wide variety of food… And believe it or not, there are people with different skin tones," I added in a mysterious tone.
"Different skin tones?" asked one of the priests, shocked.
"That's right," I replied, smiling. "This world is bigger than we think, and in every part of the world, the gods have placed people who are different. Some have white skin, slanted eyes, or black skin," I explained calmly.
"Skin as white as cotton?" one of the leaders asked.
"Yes," I affirmed, laughing inwardly at their reactions.
I had always wanted to witness the 'Meeting of Two Worlds,' as I wanted to see the reaction of the natives of the Caribbean islands upon seeing the appearance of these people from the old continent. According to what I learned in history classes in my previous life, explorers from Europe were welcomed by the natives because of their strange clothing and different appearance.
"Back to the main topic," I almost shouted to get the leaders' attention. "I believe the conditions have already been communicated, so if you decide to join, we can begin immediately with the preparations and the aid we can provide for the people in your territories," I announced with a big smile.
"Young Chuta, will I be able to have that armor for my warriors?" one of the leaders asked expectantly.
"Of course," I responded immediately. "However, you will have to wait for certain development stages to be completed first," I added in a serious tone.
"Development stages?" asked another leader, who also seemed interested in the soldiers' armor.
"Yes… First, your villages must improve the construction of their houses and add a temple. Then, they must adopt improvements in agriculture and health. Then, they must build schools. And finally, they will be able to improve the warriors' weapons and armor," I explained in detail.
An hour later.
I had spent the last hour answering minor questions from the leaders and priests. They even asked me several times about the armor and the gods. However, their most important question had to do with the Incas. They wanted to know what kind of relationship we wanted to have with this developing kingdom in the south.
"They, like us, were brought into this world, so our approach will be friendly. However, if they have desires for war, we will respond in kind," I commented in a serious tone. "If this is the scenario in the future, they will realize who has the best warriors," I added with a firm look.
"Well, that's all for today's meeting," I announced, ending the meeting.
"You are invited to the first ceremony we will hold in honor of the gods of the Sun and the Moon. It will take place in a couple of days in the Central Region," I offered as we all stood up to leave.
A few days later.
We spent a couple of days in the home village talking with priests and leaders of the villages that would join the kingdom that year. Although the real purpose was to rest a little and tour the kingdom.
I spent these days monitoring the ongoing construction within the village. I also visited the ports on both rivers and their construction workshops. I also relaxed and visited some places recommended by the locals.
Umza was very happy to interact with people she had never met before. Many of the leaders were surprised by her language skills. She was the only one, besides me, who was able to speak in all the dialects.
Given Umza's playful attitude, many would think she was unremarkable or didn't try hard enough, but in reality, she is constantly journaling about languages and their interactions. She is practically a linguist of the era, combining both natural talent and effort.
In addition to playing with Umza and visiting places, we also held a military demonstration with soldiers from the Scout Division, soldiers from the regiment from the capital of the South-Central Region, and some soldiers sent to me by Fagua.
The leaders were very surprised by the defensive capabilities of the bronze armor and the offensive capabilities of the low-quality iron weapons.
"They seem quite obsessed with having these types of weapons and armor," I thought at that moment as I looked at the leaders' greedy faces.
They always stared at the shining armor of the kingdom's soldiers, and even the clothes Umza and I wore were the target of their desires. Anything they hadn't seen before aroused their tremendous curiosity, including food, which I always believed was one of the main reasons they joined the kingdom.
"Even now that we're traveling, they're still eating," I thought as I watched some leaders and priests eating while looking at the riverbanks.
We spent only one day traveling downriver from the home village. We stopped at the City Divided by Rivers, where the soldiers from the city regiment disembarked, and we replenished some supplies. And finally, we stopped at the port closest to the chapel where this ceremony of worshipping the Sun and the Moon would begin.
This port is in a small, growing town. It was one of the first settlements found across the river during our initial expansion. Now, with the arrival of the people who would be part of this "pilgrimage," the number of merchants has grown considerably, making the town even busier than usual.
"It looks like we'll have a large number of attendees," I commented to Umza, who was very excited about the ceremony.
"Yes!" Umza replied excitedly, skipping along. "Nyia will be there, right?" she inquired.
"Yes, she will," I confirmed as I looked toward the port, the wind caressing my hair.
"I can't wait to see her," Umza affirmed, her eyes sparkling.
After a couple of minutes of sailing, we arrived at the town's port.
"Son of Heaven, you have arrived just in time," exclaimed the Cardinal of Mountain Crossing City, the current capital of the South-Central Region, bowing slightly.
"I didn't expect to find you here, Cardinal… I thought I would see you in the city's cathedral," I replied, imitating his gesture.
"I would like to join the first celebration dedicated to the gods… I know High Priest Simte would have liked to be here as well, but he mentioned that you asked him not to overexert himself," he commented with a playful tone and a kind smile.
"That's right… It's best that you take care of yourself and be able to appreciate the greatness of the kingdom for many years to come. Then, you can tell the gods in person about your achievements," I said in a cheerful voice, noticing the proximity of the two devotees. "Also, I believe he is organizing the final ceremony, and I believe he is training Quye to assist him," I added, remembering Simte's young apprentice.
"That boy admires you greatly, Son of Heaven," he observed with a resigned expression. "He was once deeply upset with me for telling him it wasn't appropriate to build a statue of you several meters high in the Central City. He wanted to speak to the High Priest to have me dismissed because I didn't believe in the gods. In the end, we had to explain that those were his orders, Son of Heaven," the cardinal recounted with melancholy in his voice.
"Hahaha… I didn't know that. I'm sure you must have faced many difficulties with Quye," I commented after laughing. "I'll speak to him when we return to the central city," I added in a tone that feigned annoyance.
"Don't be upset, Son of Heaven, I know he does this out of devotion to you and the gods," he replied casually.
After speaking with the cardinal, I continued greeting other cardinals, bishops, priests, and deacons who had arrived for this first celebration, as well as the governors, chiefs, and leaders who had also come to participate.
"Governor Xiua, I didn't think I'd see you at the ceremony," I said to Nyia's father, who was accompanied by his wife.
"I came because I have a firm faith in the Gods, and I wouldn't miss this first festival for anything," he replied, looking at me kindly.
"Is Nyia here with you?" I asked, noticing that my "fiancée" wasn't at her father's side.
"She ran off with Young Umza," he commented sarcastically.
"I understand… It seems the celebration is filling everyone present with joy," I said, taking in the vibrant harbor.
Many people were singing the new melodies taught by the deacons. They played drums, maracas, flutes made of bone and wood, and some guitar-like string instruments. Everyone was jumping and dancing—children, adults, and the elderly. Some even painted shapes and figures of the sun and moon on their bodies.
"This is the first time so many people from different backgrounds have come together solely to pay homage to the gods," Xiua commented nostalgically.
"I hope this is the first of many festivities," I replied with a broad smile.
.
----
.
[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Chuta will participate in the first ceremony held in the kingdom. This has several objectives, one of which is cultural integration among the ethnic groups that make up the kingdom. It also seeks to boost the economy of some sectors of the kingdom, and above all, to strengthen a unified religion that unites all the other religions that may arise.
As an unnecessary fact of the day, one of the most important celebrations held by the Muisca took place at a sacred lake, which was the origin of life according to local beliefs. However, for complete cultural inclusion, it will only be a minor celebration in history.
-----
Read my other novels.
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
#The Walking Dead: Emily's Metamorphosis from Visions of Future Saga.
You can find them on my profile.]