A New Life In The Beast World-Chapter 94: Asdea
She knew there were several festivals throughout the year for different events such as a coming-of-age ceremony, fertility ritual in the rainy season in hopes more beastwomen would get pregnant and even a harvest festival during the beginning of the harvest season for a bountiful harvest.
However, she’d never heard of this festival. And it seemed neither had the original owner according to her memories. She only knew the same ones Serena had read about in the book.
"It’s a festival for the goddess Asdea." Merinda explained. "We give her offerings on the first day of the cold season asking for blessings to guide us through it. Perhaps your former tribe didn’t celebrate it."
"They didn’t." Serena confirmed, wondering since when did this world have another god.
She recalled the book only mentioning the Beast God, creator of all life. Priests all worshiped him and there were several of his temples within the cities where beastmen could give offerings or seek guidance.
There was never any mention of other gods, so hearing that there was a whole festival for another god was a little shocking. Especially when even the original owner knew absolutely nothing about this either.
Merinda pursed her lips. "Well, that isn’t surprising. Most do only worship the Beast God. Few worship the other gods of this world... Oh you should come to the festival then and see it for yourself. It will be in two weeks when the green moon finally becomes whole once more. Just be sure to bring a plate of offerings."
"I’ll be sure to come." Serena stated, curious about the whole thing even if it was a social event. "Is there anything specific I need to prepare for the offerings?"
After all, it would be good to understand important dates of the village and how it would impact the city’s development. She might need to have temples built, even if she didn’t believe in these things herself.
Plus the idea of other gods being in this world suddenly broadened who could’ve brought her to this world. At the moment her money was on the Beast God. But this information changed everything now.
She absolutely needed more intel on the other gods. Perhaps it could give her a clue into who was responsible for bringing her here.
"Just a plate of the best vegetables you’ve harvested." Merinda answered. "It doesn’t have to be a lot. Just a couple will be good."
"Alright." Serena nodded her head in understanding. "By the way, why isn’t Asdea well known? Or any of the other gods for that matter."
"Well, the temple of the Beast God has the biggest control over worship being in almost every city." Merinda explained. "Few priests belong to the other gods, so few know how to worship them or even who they are. Besides, some fear association to the other gods. Especially Asdea. After all, she, along with her two mates, were punished by the Beast God some centuries ago."
Serena had to admit she was quite interested in all this. She didn’t believe in gods, although she probably should considering all that had happened, but it didn’t mean she was less interested in the mythology itself.
Still, there was an important question lingering on her mind, so she asked, "Why do you know all this?"
Serena had to admit it was kind of strange that a small village like the Rabbit Village knew about this when cities didn’t know anything about it. Then again, the priests there could be controlling the information.
"Well, Asdea still has a few priestesses that worship her." Merinda said with a gleam in her eye. "And weaker villages tend to worship her more because she protects all those that are weak. It’s why we ask for her blessings for the cold season."
It didn’t take a genius to realize that Merinda was probably one of the priestesses that she was talking about. Serena was surprised by it though. Priests were typically beastmen since they were the only ones able to carry divine power.
But to think it was possible for beastwomen to perhaps have divine power... Well, to say her mind was blown was an understatement. However, she wasn’t able to ask more because one of Merinda’s other mates came by.
"Merinda, Martha’s looking for you." The elderly rabbit beastman with black rabbit ears said, barely glancing over at Serena.
"Oh, she must want to ask about the flowers." Merinda exclaimed before turning to Serena. "I hate to end this, but I need to get going."
"That’s fine." Serena said. "I need to get going anyway. We can continue this some other time."
Because she definitely wanted to know more about this. She hadn’t even asked why Asdea was punished or who the other gods were. How did Merinda’s divine power work? Did she have any if she was even a priestess?
"Of course." Merinda smiled. She then snapped her fingers and turned to her mate. "Oh right. Serena was looking for the cotton plants. Do you know where they are, Harris?"
"Should be west from here. There’s a patch of them going in a clearing some distance away." Harris answered, glancing over to Serena. "I can take you there if you’d like."
"That would be much appreciated." Serena said. "Of course, I hope I’m not going to get in the way."
"You won’t." Harris shook his head. "I’m heading that way anyway and it’s easy to get lost there. Best to show you the way."
Serena nodded her head in understanding and after saying goodbye to Merinda, the two silently headed to the cotton plants. It was a bit of a walk and Harris was right in saying it was easy to get lost.
Thankfully, he showed her the markers made on the trees so she could easily get back to the village before he went on his way, leaving Serena by a huge patch of cotton plants.
She immediately set to work picking the white balls, surprised by their softness. Some still had seeds on them as she picked them, but she left them on, planning to remove them later.
Right now, she wanted to harvest as much as possible and perhaps get some answers out of the suspiciously quiet Liz hanging on her arm.
