Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: The City Where Black Rain Falls (7)
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There was something I needed to do before leaving.
-Roarrrrrr!!!
A fierce fire ignited on the purification wood from the shin-gal oak I'd brought from the Dimensional Garden. As the black flames burrowed between the logs, I sealed the furnace.
"Good work, Legion."
The one who had spewed those unbelievably fierce black flames was none other than Legion. I stroked the little lizard's head and placed him back on my shoulder.
After some time passed, I opened the furnace again. There gleamed perfectly formed shin-gal oak charcoal, glossy and smooth. I carefully extracted the charcoal and transferred it into a pouch made of thin linen. The well-made pieces clinked together with a clear, metallic sound when they touched.
'The quantity is a bit low, but since it's purification wood, this should be enough.'
I added mint-like herbs to the pouch full of charcoal and tied a heavy stone to it.
-Splash!
Then, I dropped it into the well. The pouch slowly sank to the bottom.
'Charcoal isn't just for grilling meat.'
Charcoal had excellent purification properties. The well had no issues right now aside from being "black," but it was wise to prepare in advance for any potential problems later.
"Connie."
"Y-Yes? Yes!"
"Let's pray together."
"M-Me?"
"Yes. You're a priest of Donar, aren't you?"
"But I'm still just..."
"It's fine. Come here."
There was a role for Connie to play. I took the bewildered, clueless Connie's hand and began reciting the prayer together. It was different from the "standard" prayers that priests offered daily.
"Father of the life that makes up seven parts of this humble flesh, please extend Your generosity even to wanderers from foreign lands..."
"P-Please extend... Your generosity..."
Connie squeezed his eyes shut and repeated after me. As a junior priest, he wasn't used to prayers that weren't formal ones.
'But that's exactly why he's useful.'
If he weren't an clueless rookie like Connie, he wouldn't have followed my lead.
This prayer was one that Donar would likely disapprove of.
The savages and beastkin from Altann worshiped Altann's savage god. They didn't serve the Twelve Gods. So, this prayer I was offering surely wouldn't sit well with Donar.
But we had to think long-term.
If Donar showed "generosity" now, it would create a tiny "crack" in their faith, which was filled only with their savage god. And through that crack, faith in other gods could seep in—more than enough possibility for that.
'Snatch away the savage god's followers.'
What could be more thrilling for a god?
I lowered my voice so Connie couldn't hear and whispered toward the well.
"...Great Donar. Doesn't their faith tempt You?"
-The God of Rivers and Seas, Donar, tilts His ear to your prayer.
"I'll offer it to You."
Their faith.
'Bite the bait, Donar.'
-The God of Rivers and Seas, Donar, bestows a minor blessing.
An unfamiliar divine power tingled at my fingertips.
Donar had exercised a "small" portion of His authority through Connie.
But since I wasn't Donar's priest, unlike Connie, the unfamiliar sensation made me dizzy, like motion sickness, and I staggered. I saw Connie startle and reach out to steady me. I quickly raised a hand to stop him and shook my head.
"I'm fine. Keep praying, Connie."
Elle, quick on the uptake, came to support me. Leaning on her, I peered into the well. A faint sparkle caught my eye.
'It's done...!'
I chuckled to myself and beckoned Connie again.
"Connie, that's enough. Draw some water now."
Connie, ears drooping, hurried to the bucket and hauled up water. Soon, an exclamation burst out.
"Th-Theodore! Look at this!"
I didn't need to look. Donar had put in real effort.
'Though it's just one well, at best.'
Even so, this would shake the hearts of the Altann folk. Their harsh savage god of the barren wasteland never granted His followers powers beyond "death."
"...The water's back to normal."
Even the ever-stoic Draven's voice trembled now.
"That's not all."
"..."
"This well water now holds Donar's power and blessing. Use it to bathe the children and quench their thirst. I can't promise complete recovery... but it will help for now, at least."
"...Thank you."
"Don't thank me. This is all Donar's grace."
"..."
"Direct your thanks to Him."
-The God of Rivers and Seas, Donar, is pleased.
-The Savage God Altann resents you.
...Well, you win some, you lose some.
I needed Donar's help in Dehid. So for now, there was no choice but to curry His favor.
'I'll deal with the savage god later...'
In any case, for these people who couldn't go to a temple or call a priest, the well would be a great help for the time being.
'Lucky break.'
On top of that, Lloyd had looked around and pointed out repair spots and guard posts to Draven. This should fend off raids targeting these people based on the nonsense rumor about Altann hearts being miracle cures, at least for a while.
But above all, the priority was crushing the source of that rumor and uncovering the truth behind the plague.
After bidding Draven farewell, we headed to the home of the "caretaker couple" he'd told us about.
Their house sat at a crossroads leading to the central district, away from the caretaker zone. It resembled an ordinary farmhouse, except for the large warehouse attached to the side.
'A place to store food...'
-Knock knock.
When Connie knocked, a middle-aged woman with a prickly expression opened the door after a long delay.
"Hello, ma'am. I'm Connie from the Donar Temple."
Before Connie could finish, a shout came from inside: "Who is it?"
The middle-aged woman, without fully closing the door, yelled back toward the interior.
"It's the Donar Temple's dog!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Not a priest, not a beastkin—just "dog." And yelling it without any attempt to hide it. We were all left speechless, falling into a brief silence.
'I can see exactly how this couple has been treating the Altann folk.'
A short, rat-faced middle-aged man shuffled out belatedly. Unlike his wife, he shoved her aside, stood at the door, and eyed us up and down.
"You don't look like priests."
"Because I'm not."
He flinched at my smirking reply, then scanned me again.
"Then...?"
With types like this, it's best to come on strong from the start.
Embarrassing as it was, this was when titles, achievements, and exaggerated rumors came in handy.
"Elle."
At my signal, Elle put on an utmost haughty expression and announced loudly.
"The Saint of Purification and Adversary of Evil. The great Druid Theodore, who raised high the name of Linshaka in the cursed lands and repelled Ravata's demons!"
...Wow, it's embarrassing every time. But it's not a lie! Keeping a poker face, I looked down at the man. As he gaped at me, Elle barked again.
"He has come here in person to drive out Dehid's calamity! What utter lack of manners!"
Connie's ears perked up in surprise at this stark contrast to her kindness in the slums, watching us.
"Ah, th-that! I-I didn't recognize you! Sorry! Please, come in!"
Strong against the weak, weak against the strong.
The timeless trait of such scum.
Weaklings endlessly strong, strong ones endlessly weak—the vile sort.
"Tch."
Elle kicked open the door roughly and strode inside. Wait, I never taught her that far— isn't she too good at this?! Anyway, I entered with an arrogant swagger too.
"Uh, so why are you here..."
"Tsk!"
Before the man could speak, Elle glared. Wow, she's really nailing it. Better than me, even?!
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat, leaned back in a chair, and haughtily eyed the man.
"You're the caretaker?"
"Y-Yes...! I'm the caretaker here..."
"Hmm."
"Thanks to my good management, the plague hasn't spread here. I'll keep managing well, so Saint, no need to worry..."
Watching his brazen lie made me want to puke. Grimacing, I glared at him. He made a weird gulping sound and shut his mouth.
"You think I came all this way to hear that crap?"
"..."
"You really have no idea why I'm here?"
He shook his head vigorously, face pale with fear.
The mood was set. I slammed my fist on the table and whispered coldly to the man stifling hiccups.
"Altann heart."
"...Guh!"
"You lot spread that rumor, didn't you?"
"Th-That..., guh! It was!"
"Shh."
"..."
"The lie about Altann hearts being miracle cures isn't something idiots like you could dream up. So let's be honest. Who told you to spread that nonsense?"
"..."
Sweat poured off him like rain, his body trembling like a leaf. Disgusting. I narrowed my eyes, smiled at him. Heh, really.
"I can hear your brain scrambling from here. Want some advice? Whoever you're trying to stay loyal to right now, they're as screwed as you are."
"..."
"How do I know?"
"..."
"Because I'll make them that way."
I drew the Hydra's fang from my belt and stabbed it right next to the man's hand on the table. Sizzle—the leather mat covering the table began to corrode.
"Now, shall we have a serious talk?"