The witch clad in red said, "Her condition is poor. I fear she might not withstand the full ceremony. I'll need a few days to strengthen her with herbal remedies before we can begin."

"Very well, make the arrangements," the chief agreed.

After a brief pause, the chief added, "Why did you bring an outsider here? Have you forgotten our rule against leaking information about our valley?"

The witch clad in red dropped to her knees with a thud. “Chief, the Watts family tasked me with bringing him here for recovery. They require his safety until the end of next month. However, the parasites are affecting him rapidly, so I acted on my own to bring him here for treatment. I accept any punishment."

The chief was silent for a moment and then sighed. "Never mind. You acted for the valley's benefit. Since we took on this responsibility, ensure it's completed. Let him stay."

“Thank you for your mercy," the witch clad in red said, bowing deeply.

After the chief departed, the witch clad in red approached Nicole, grasped her chin, forced a pill into her mouth, and then pressed on her stomach to ensure she swallowed it.

Nicole felt the pill travel down her throat, spreading a gentle warmth in her stomach.

Despite the slight relief, Nicole kept her eyes firmly closed, continuing to feign unconsciousness, worried that the witch might detect any sign of her awareness.

Luckily, after giving the pill, the witch clad in red exited without further delay.

Once Nicole was confident she was alone, she cautiously opened her eyes and looked around. To her astonishment, it appeared that the witch clad in red had not assigned anyone to watch her, presenting her with a chance to escape.

The room was a hut, damp and smelling of mildew. Nicole attempted to move, searching for anything that might help her sever the ropes that bound her.

Suddenly, she heard a soft hissing sound. Turning her head, her eyes widened with fear, and her heart pounded as terror took hold.

Nicole's eyes widened in terror as she spotted a long, slender serpent of crimson hue. Its piercing stare, almost human in its intensity, bore down on Nicole with a sinister intelligence. Poised to strike, the serpent displayed its venomous fangs in a menacing gesture.

With swift reflexes, Nicole scrambled backward to her starting position.

To her relief, the serpent then relaxed, lowering its head and shedding its aggressive stance.

It soon became clear that this remarkable serpent was more than just an animal. It acted as a guardian for its unseen master. This realization explained why the witch clad in red had confidently left Nicole alone, knowing her sentinel was vigilantly on guard.

Lying motionless, Nicole focused on conserving her energy while her mind raced to devise a plan.

The mysterious pill given to Nicole by the witch had surprisingly invigorated her, especially in her abdomen.

Having had significant surgery on her stomach, Nicole was usually sensitive to any sensations of cold or heat. Yet, this pill emanated a comforting warmth that soothed her internally.