A/N - Thank you, Jonas, Nightslxy, and LS, for becoming God of Velmoryn's Patreons!
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Everything tastes so bland without salt and spices, I grumbled, glancing around for something to wipe my greasy fingers on.
Velmoryns didn't use napkins. Instead, they shared one large bowl of water to wash their hands. Just looking at it made me feel dirtier. No way was I sticking my fingers in that cesspool. So I walked all the way to the river again.
If I find anyone in this tribe who can use the water element and has been hiding it, I'll skin them alive.
Walking this far just to wash my hands felt like a punishment. I already had an idea how to fix the problem, but I wasn't about to start building the water system myself.
Still, I was going to change this place. Slowly, step by step, I'd turn this primitive settlement into something better.
I need to gain authority over the Velmoryns and teach them how to live properly.
Not all at once, but gradually. I'd improve the tribe's living standards one small change at a time.
Their bathroom situation was already pushing my limits. They had a designated spot in the forest where the entire tribe relieved themselves, and it reeked. The smell alone was enough to make me reconsider my godhood.
But improving their hygiene was only a small part of the plan. I also needed to expand the village and grow the population. I had already located a few nearby Velmoryn tribes. The problem was, mine was the smallest.
I'll gain Aria's trust and try to raise my influence through her. First, I need to find out who the leader is, how they're chosen, and what kind of relationship exists between the other tribes.
When the number of my believers finally reached three digits, I was satisfied, but only for a moment. Compared to what I had in mind, it was nothing. Just a drop in the ocean. I was never planning to stop with this tiny tribe.
Should I do the same thing in other tribes - create a Crimson Guardian and force my faith over them? No, it's too risky!
Unlike before, when I had nothing and rashly destroyed the Goddess' statue, now I had people. Faith. Vessel. I had so much to lose now, and I needed to be cautious.
Slow and steady. I can't rush this. I won't be like Sauron, watching from a tower while everything falls apart from overconfidence, but I can't be too active either. I need to gather information first and take smaller, careful steps toward my goal.
I brought out some of the ashen powder from my Veilspace and coated my hands in it. The river's cold water felt pleasant now, and washing the grease off felt even better.
As I rinsed my fingers, something floated past - a dead fish.
I caught it just before it slipped by and froze.
There were no cuts. No bite marks. No external damage at all. But one side of its body was completely rotten. Its flesh peeled back in places, as if the rot had started from inside. The color. The smell.
Both were familiar.
Just like that spider mutant.
My expression darkened as I hurled the fish as far from the tribe as I could. I glanced around, making sure no one had seen me.
Should I tell them? If I do, Aria will probably stay behind and I don't want that. I want to see what's inside that dungeon. Is it worth risking the entire tribe's safety though?
I considered it carefully, running through the outcomes as I made my way back toward the Crimson Guardian to meet Aria and the rest of the party.
No. I won't say anything. I don't even know if those spiders are heading this way. And besides… I will still be watching over the tribe. If divine power isn't enough to stop them, then Aria certainly won't be.
My steps grew firmer as I reached a decision.
I would prioritize the dungeon, and I could only hope Aria was planning to enter the one that still carried the goddess's lingering aura.
I saw four figures gathered near the Crimson Guardian, recognizing all of them - Teryo, Ninali, Vaelari, and Aria.
The way they stood made it obvious they were tense about something.
Teryo and Aria were closest, locked in what looked like a heated discussion. Judging by how energetically Teryo swung his arms, it was likely an argument. Aria, in contrast, remained still, her expression unreadable as always.
Vaelari sat alone on a nearby log. Not close enough to join the conversation, but not far enough to be unaware of it. He was carving something from a small piece of wood. The shape was clearly feminine, probably his late wife.
Ninali stood out the most, even though she wasn't doing anything. She held a staff I hadn't seen before, and her eyes were fixed on either Teryo or Aria, or perhaps both, with barely concealed contempt.
They've lived together for over a hundred years. Shouldn't they be past petty squabbles by now? Or at least learned not to let them show…
I considered eavesdropping but decided against it when Teryo noticed me and turned away, shaking his head as he walked off.
"He doesn't appear too pleased about me joining the party," I said to Aria, offering an awkward smile.
"It is not you," she replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear with a graceful motion. "He believes this entire campaign is misguided."
Then she raised her voice slightly. "Come, let us make introductions."
I chuckled under my breath as Teryo, who had just stormed off seconds ago, turned around and made his way back toward us. His expression had softened. Whatever frustration he felt earlier seemed to have cooled with a bit of distance.
"I am Vaelari, the only healer of our tribe," Vaelari said, stepping forward first. His smile was faint but felt genuine, with a trace of sadness behind it. "Thank you for joining us."
"You already know my name. I'm a mage." Aria took over the introductions after it became clear neither Teryo nor Ninali were going to speak. "This is Ninali - she's also a mage. And this is Vael Teryo. He's a scout. His fighting style is similar to Roy's."
We haven't even left the tribe, and they're already uncooperative. Why are we bringing them at all?
They didn't strike me as powerhouses, and to be honest, I wouldn't have cared if some of them died. Especially Teryo, he felt more like a burden than an asset.
"I am Avenor. I specialize in close combat," I said, offering a slight bow. "I hope we can bring glory to the Velmoryn God with this campaign."
I placed my fist against my chest as I said it. A gesture that felt both ceremonial and committed. This was the persona I had chosen.
Like Roy, Avenor would be a devout believer. Kind and compassionate to those bearing the crimson mark. But ruthless toward anyone who disrespected his god.
Aria and Ninali followed immediately, mirroring the gesture.
"Praise be to the God of Velmoryn."
"Praise be…"
Vaelari and Teryo hesitated. But eventually, they followed suit. Whether it was out of respect for Aria or fear of violating some taboo, I didn't know. The test had worked. I could start building the image I wanted, one step at a time.
"Now, I'll explain everything I know about this dungeon," Aria said, pulling a small scroll from her sleeve.
There's no way that scroll was in her sleeve.Is that her Veilspace?
The scroll didn't look ancient. It wasn't worn or fragile. If anything, it looked recently handled. Aria unfolded it slowly, her fingers deliberately avoiding the strange letters, symbols from a language that felt old, powerful, and magical.
ⴍⴌⴊⴈ ⴔⴀⴈⴅ ⴘⴄⴊ ⴔⴀⴑ
Her fingers lingered on the parchment for a moment, her gaze distant. But the pause didn't last long. She blinked, then looked up.
"It reads: 'Only five shall pass.' I found it written near the dungeon entrance. It's in the language of the elves," she said.
There was a faint glow in her eyes as she spoke. The way she held the scroll, careful, almost reverent, made it clear this wasn't just information to her. It meant something.
Teryo rolled his eyes and grumbled, "So we're walking into a dungeon made by those arrogant elves."
At least Roy tried to hide his resentment.
I studied Teryo's face. The image I'd originally formed - of a man doing what he could for the tribe - was starting to fade. What I saw now was someone bitter, someone who lashed out at anything that didn't fit his worldview. Or maybe I was just looking for reasons to get rid of him later.
"Even if that dungeon carries elven culture, it does not mean we should not take advantage of it," Ninali said flatly, crossing her arms.
"Now, now, there's no need to argue," Vaelari cut in before Teryo could retort. "Aria, please, go on."
Aria nodded, letting out a sigh.
"I want just one thing - a magic scroll," She continued speaking, her voice gaining a hint of excitement. But then she quickly reined it in. "You can divide everything else among yourselves."
Ninali let out a sigh but didn't say anything. She probably didn't like the idea of Aria taking the most valuable item, especially when it was magical, and she was a mage too.
I was growing more pessimistic about this party with every passing moment. I trusted Aria's judgment enough to believe this group could explore the dungeon. She didn't strike me as someone who would risk her life over a mere scroll. But that didn't mean her plans accounted for my survival.
Am I strong enough to handle whatever's inside on my own, without divine power? Even if I do have my overpriced shield now?
I hesitated.
"Vael Teryo, I wish to give the amulet to Avenor," Aria said suddenly. "He's taking on the most risk. We should at least guarantee some protection."
Everyone looked surprised. Even Teryo froze for a moment before finally nodding.
"Fine," he said grumbling, but this time his hostility was more restrained. "If you trust him that much…" Teryo did not finish. He just sighed and shot a piercing look at me.
Aria smiled softly, ignoring his complaint. She removed an amulet from around her neck and held it out to me.
Maybe the doubt had been written all over my face, and this was her way of easing it. Either way, the explanation helped.
"This amulet is charged with magic. It can protect you once a day from one attack and is reusable. If you use it during the raid, I'll recharge it for you afterward," she said, her voice softening further.
When I took the amulet, she nodded - subtle, but clear. I had just confirmed my place in the campaign.
"We have a month before the cold makes travel impossible. We need to leave as soon as we're ready. Gather what you need and meet me near the entrance."
It was Teryo who spoke now. With Aria finishing the explanation, he had taken over. But the problem remained - I still didn't know enough.
I thought she would explain what's inside the dungeon… or at least what we should expect.
I wanted to ask, but I held back. Aria had already promised to teach me everything I wanted to know, so there was no rush.
I'll wait until we've left the tribe.
I didn't have much to prepare. Just my sword and shield, both of which I'd left in my tent. Carrying weapons inside the tribe was forbidden after all.
…
It took me less than half an hour to gather some food and store everything in the Veilspace. Then I grabbed my sword, strapped the shield to my back, and I was ready. When I arrived at the entrance, the others were already waiting.
"Finally," Teryo muttered with clear disapproval as he grabbed a small leather bag off the ground and slung it over his shoulder.
"Let's depart. It'll take us at least a day to reach it."
I tightened the strap on my shield, slung the leather bag Vivien had given me over my right shoulder, and cast one last glance toward the treeline. The forest stretched out before me, ast, and waiting.
No more watching from the side, I'd be experiencing this world with my own eyes.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
Something told me this campaign wasn't going to end with all of us coming back.
**
A/N -
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