“Then the competition is pointless. Did I cause unnecessary trouble?”

“No. I think there’s merit in what you said about God’s will being involved. You never know with competitions.”

Rud had just guaranteed that Murat would win easily, then changed his words. It seemed he just intended to put Riena at ease.

When Murat entered and faced his competition opponent, she couldn’t even cheer. It would be troublesome to show favoritism.

This was because she planned to use him to block other men’s approaches after Murat became the final winner. With Riena’s normal s*xual sensibilities, an intimate bed was better than an orgy. She expected that Murat, who didn’t hide his possessiveness, would definitely help her.

“Fourth match, Murat and Pip! Well…… This should be exciting.”

The competition ended in an instant, making the fuss seem pointless. The two players crossed at the start signal, and Murat’s single blow cleanly landed on his opponent’s jaw. The way he slid backward and fainted was similar to Neizan who had fallen earlier.

“Murat wins.”

The semifinals with four competitors was the same. Rud provided additional explanation, saying Murat hadn’t fought people since he was ten years old. Of course, he didn’t participate in competitions during festivals either.

Without competing with comrades, he became commander. Due to the leadership he showed in hunting and combat, everyone acknowledged Murat as commander.

During the break before the finals, other tribe members had conversations to boost excitement.

“Murat participating is actually cheating.”

“Seeing no upset occur, God’s will is ultimately Murat.”

“Still, isn’t it fun? We wanted to see Murat use his body refreshingly.”

People believed that if an upset occurred, it was God’s will at work. They paid attention to whose hand God would raise in the final match between Saya and Murat.

“It’s already the final match. Lady Riena, would you like to watch up close?”

She also rose from her seat and watched with her hands clasped together.

Saya was also a man with outstanding skills. He had won two previous matches without serious injury and stood before Murat.

The men’s bare torsos were dyed red by the bonfire lit in the distance. Her hands, clasped in front of her chest while taking in that scene, trembled faintly. An irresistible feeling wished for Murat’s victory.

With the situation flowing this way, calculatingly speaking, it wouldn’t be a loss whoever won. If Saya won, she would have to sleep with a stranger, but it would be quite a useful night for extracting information about sorcery.

But her emotions didn’t flow that way.

Had Murat’s passionate confession that he didn’t want to share her with anyone shaken her heart? Or was she also unconsciously leaning toward him without realizing it?

Imagining spreading her legs for a man other than him made her feel unpleasant. She somehow hated it.

“May God’s will be embedded……”

It was said for others to hear. Riena only savored Murat’s name inwardly, which she couldn’t bring herself to shout.

The preparation time was much longer than the actual match. Here and there, people encouraged and cheered for Murat and Saya. Saying to circle the perimeter and look for openings, or that competitions are about one big hit after all. Everyone chattered as if they were the players’ coaches. The scene of tribe people, who had been busy restoring the village day by day, shouting excitedly was unfamiliar.

When the start signal dropped, the two people who took fighting stances approached.

Riena’s heart also pounded. She had tried to make a simple plan with good odds, but once she started the affair, it became a complete mess.

Am I doing this right? Can I see even a little of the way home?

She didn’t know. She just hoped Murat would win for now.

Regardless of her unsettled heart, the competition began in a heated atmosphere.

Murat swung his fists several times, then hooked Saya’s shoulder and knocked him down. It was a technique similar to wrestling. He immediately mounted on top and indiscriminately hammered down punches. Saya tried to escape while covering his face. But resistance was meaningless.

“Stop the match!”

It ended so quickly it was anticlimactic. Her heart, which had stuck together like dry sand, was instantly released as if blown by wind.

She found it hard to understand why she had been so restless.

Even to Riena’s eyes, who didn’t know much about men’s fighting, Murat was an overwhelming powerhouse. The rest of the tribe members had mediocre skills. Saya was also good, but seemed to shine only when facing people other than Murat.

Saya, who finished the match, was in terrible facial condition. His nosebleed was severe, and his eyelids were so swollen they had to stop the bleeding first. Others weren’t hurt much.

Murat came and stood before her as if this was naturally his place.

“Riena, I’m back.”

Today’s winner.

And the partner to spend the second night with.

When he spread both arms asking her to come into his embrace, her ears suddenly burned. Usually, even if she moved just a short distance, Murat would carry her on his back or in his arms. It should be natural and not awkward, but it was awkward.

She hesitated and took half a step toward him. Comfortable arms very naturally wrapped around her back.

“Congratulations.”

Murat smiled, his golden eyes shining.

“You really are God’s gift. Thanks to you, the village has found vitality.”

It was an unexpected story. She had no such intention at all. She had purely used a trick because she couldn’t resist Saya’s pressure.

Though unplanned, she seemed to have accidentally helped people. Even after the competition ended, watching those who raised their voices noisily, she could feel the atmosphere had definitely improved from before.

“Did I boost everyone’s spirits? That’s fortunate.”

“Lighting bonfires and sharing food together also happens at harvest festivals. Strength competitions too. Riena, did you know and do this?”

She placed her finger in the middle of her lips. She quietly shook her head and secretly shared her feelings.

There was no need to loudly proclaim it was coincidence. She honestly revealed it only to Murat, who seemed likely to take her side. When she smiled secretly, folding the corners of her eyes, he nodded with a slightly relaxed face.

Riena cleared her throat, then turned her head toward the surroundings.

“Um…… There’s one more thing I want. From now on, I want to spend nights with only the one person I choose.”

The excited commotion subsided. Saya, who had blocked his nose, popped out from among the people.

“That won’t do. We need to bind God’s gift to this place. We must perform rituals so you can’t return to the sky again.”

Now it was Riena’s turn for the decisive battle. She had pondered much about wanting to change the form of the ritual. It was a fight she didn’t want to lose. She had to defeat Saya using the words she had kept in her heart as weapons.

“You don’t know well either.”

“But we should try our best to do what we can.”

“Then can you tell me how often I should sleep with someone?”

“That’s…… Anyway, frequently……”

“That’s ridiculous. It’s too vague. Then explain why multiple people need to be together.”

While raising her head high and pressing Saya, she inwardly worried about what to do if he answered properly. Judging from previous conversations, he probably wouldn’t know. But it was just a vague guess. There was also the possibility that Saya would make something up arbitrarily.

Perhaps because he was surrounded by all tribe members and received urgent questions, Saya hesitated. It was an attitude he wouldn’t show if he knew for certain. Fortunately, a major crisis passed because no explanation came from him even after giving him some time.

“From my memory, the dead chief said this. Plant as many traces as possible in the body. Nowhere in that statement are there numbers of people or frequency. So I won’t accept it.”

“Riena, we can’t follow your will on this matter alone. I’m already worried just that you chose Murat again, who served you last time.”

“Why is that worrying?”

“I think it would be better to pour multiple men’s seed into you.”

The surrounding tribe members watched their argument with interest. When people began adding supporting remarks as if Saya’s words made sense, Riena’s face gradually darkened.