The night comes

Despite the earlier attack, the village has fully prepared for the feast, with the villagers pitching in to help in the preparation. Amidst the village fully lit with lanterns, you can see a cow and two boars at the roasting pits with other food being spread out on tables all around it.

"With this, let the feast begin," Kouji pronounce after you take your seat. Immediately, there's some music as someone plays a flute.

Meanwhile, Kanae approaches from your right side, to pour some tea. Then, she take her seat beside you. "Tonight is the celebration of life," she says.

"Okay."

"Even though we described it with pretty words, it is actually an attempt to bolster the village population after a disaster."

"You must be joking."

"I'm not." Kanae discretely gestures towards two couples that seem already drunk. "The two women there aren't really drunk. Instead, they're waiting for you or anyone else to take advantage of them, while the husbands would watch for the side."

You widen your eyes in disbelief. "Can you repeat that?"

"During the celebration, it is allowed."

The statement shock you a bit but your training quickly take over as you maintain your normal expression. "This village is all right with such a thing?" you ask.

"As long as the consenting parties involved remain discreet and undiscovered, it's permissible. If you're discovered, then you have to pay fine to your spouse's partner. Any pregnancy as result of a tryst would be treated as the husband and wife's."

"Why?"

"Because we need more children to be born. Sometimes, there are people visiting the village, and we would mate with them to reduce the chance of inbreeding."

"Like me, huh?"

"Yes, but what I said this afternoon is the truth. You are a handsome man and a hero, with a good heart. If I'm your age, I probably would have thrown myself to be your wife. But I'm not, and I was someone's wife."

"About that... Couldn't you remarry?"

Kaanae smiles. "Not if the husband or wife dies. You see, we worship our dead ancestors and family members. It would be awkward if I pray to my dead husband in front of my current one, right?"

She makes sense. "But what would you tell your husband when you get pregnant with my child?"

Even in the dimly lit place, you can see she is blushing. "I've never wanted something this much in my life. When I saw you save us, I feel something that I've never felt before. I want you to claim my body and my mind, even for a moment."