Chapter 307: Duty and Family.

Chapter 307: Duty and Family.

Woah, so you actually managed to track down the rest of the slavers? I asked, eyes sparkling with interest.

Kri, that we did. It belonged to a person named Hamil, a thug based in Artorias. That group of slavers gave us the slip when we reached Gransromus, the capital of the Lecartiglio Duchy. We followed them into the Atadoro Kingdom, but, due to how they treat beastmen and saurians, it was hard to do so. Eventually, though, we got them and returned the slaves back to their home in Artorias.

After our meeting in the mercenary guild of Elyonda, Master Kushs party led me and my partyaway from the city walls and to the inn they were staying in. Coincidentally, it was at the harbor, in the same neighborhood Adhi pointed us at. What a surprise, right?

And here, in this rather shabby wooden room, I listened to Master Kushs story of how he became a saint of Xohulotel, and by extension, a blessed of the Pantheon of Water and Plesia. I honestly did not expect him to make it this far in a little less than a year after we parted ways.

Name: Kushlekzar Level: 104 Race: Raptorsilian Age: 65 Years

Job:

Main: Primal Summoner

Secondary: Ravager

Unique: Locked

I believe it was the month of SpringBloom. I wanted to hunt this Hamil down, but I suddenly received a Divine Message from Xohulotel. It took me a week to fully decipher what he meant. I learned he wanted me south, along a beach. Ahhh, my companions and I were reluctant, for we had to go through Atadoro once again, but how could we deny our god? Master Kush retelling felt like a grandfather speaking with his grandchildren about old stories.

In any case, Master Kush followed Xohulotels guidance and went south, where he kept on wandering along the shores of the Atadoro Kingdom until he finally met Tehmrayn, the naga Champion meditating on his bed right now. Apparently, Tehmrayn had received a Divine Quest from his patron god, Zennithra, the God of Tridents and Divers to wait there for Master Kush.

He led the saurians into the ocean, where they dived into its depths where a dungeon awaited him. To be specific, it was a temple once dedicated to Plesia but was abandoned through the years after some accident happened. There, Plesia gave Master Kush the option to become Xohulotels Saint by conquering a trial.

The trial also acted as a chance for us to train in an isolated place, filled with monsters and traps. Champion Tehmrayn helped us, but this was a trial for us Depth Serpents, so we had to traverse most of it ourselves, Master Kush explained.

Not to be rude, Priest Kushlekzar, but why were you turned into his blessed? Tasianna asked after we heard his story. Gods do not choose their Saints and Champions lightly. Even the most pious followers can only dream to become one of the blessed, as the ones chosen all displayed qualities the gods would want, no? Especially a Saint.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

I was chosen by Aurena due to my dream of becoming an idol, as she believed music would bring people together. Eshe was chosen as a Saint due to her kindness and benevolence towards children as their guide and teacher. While I understood those choices, I still wasnt absolutely sure why Asaka and Saori were blessed by Ilsaphone and Edna respectively.

Because Saint Kushlekzar is the most prominent saurian priest on the continent of Altrust. I turned around, seeing Tehmrayn having finished his meditation and was the one who answered that question for us. His sea serpent tail slithered from his bed onto the ground, and continued as he moved over to us. God Xohulotel is the second youngest god of the pantheon, only behind Goddess Chihiro. Due to his niche domain as the God of Serpents and Saurians, he also doesnt have many followers in general.

Master nodded. And that is where I come in. The Depth Serpents are a known name in the western part of Altrust, as you could see with the members of the local mercenary guild. My reputation precedes me, even in the more beastmen-hostile nations.

It was true. Unlike the behavior I saw from the people at the market, the mercenary guild was quite cheery, as most of the mercenaries were sharing a drink with the saurians, especially liking Krim-Slaks boisterous attitude. There were a couple who kept to themselves, but I saw more people treating Master and the saurians like equals instead of being haters.

And thanks to my reputation, my god wanted me to spread his name more. He asked Tehmrayns patron god, God Zennithra, for aid to train me. With Goddess Plesia even having accepted my qualifications, I was given a test to prove myself worthy. The dungeon was destroyed after numerous months, and I was reborn as a Saint. Mhmmm Ive only been back on land for a week now, and I cannot tell you how much I missed it.

Hahah! Now thats an adventure. I gave Master a thumbs-up, but then sighed at the implications of his last sentence. And the moment you become a Saint, you receive your second Divine Quest? That is harsh.

You may call it whatever you wish, Champion Hestia, but our duty is to the gods, not the reverse. We gain their blessings, unique skills, and also other rewards in exchange for our service. As such, we must do our best to ensure their power and influence. Tehmrayn sat down on his tail, looking at us with a neutral expression as he said all of that. I couldnt help but think hes a bit too much of a preacher, but I guess this was normal for a blessed.

Maybe Eshe spoiled me a bit too much, but then again, she had her preachy moments, too.

With his first impression settled after our meeting in the mercenary guild, I knew this person was probably as stoic as Grazlahta. Both thought of themselves as warriors who must pursue strength and uphold their duty. They very much contrasted Yorshka, in this case, who was extremely lax for a knight.

Ha ha ha, Master Kush suddenly began laughing. Forgive him, my apprentice. Champion Tehmrayn is, as he said, a depths adjudicator. They are the elite warriors amongst the Depths Guard, which you could probably compare to a knight, but more prestigious. He has been serving as a Champion for 28 years now, so he can be a bit thorny when he communicates.

Service for that long? Mother looked slightly impressed at the naga. I heard Champions of the Water Pantheon are notoriously known for dying during their service. Plesias subordinates are monstrosities from the depths, after all. The strongest Origin Goddess, ruling over a cabinet of leviathans. Wars and duels between Champions are quite common between these ill-mooded divines. You seem to have fared well.

Wait, what does that mean? I looked at Mother with a confused head tilt. Do you mean to say that they kill each other? Like a lot? Instead of, you know, working with each other?

Our gods are all former monsters. Rivalries do not end once you become gods, they intensify since everybody is immortal. Tehmrayn cast [Create Water] into a cup and drank from it to refresh his throat, telling me how casual this was for those blessed who serve Plesias pantheon. If the Depth Goddess requires something, we blessed listen to her before our patron god. But outside of that, the sea is massive, and Caedhul is only one part of it. There are many smaller tribes and communities underwater, spread around the many oceans. Unlike the softer Light Pantheon, we fight each other to not only expand our gods influence but also to empower ourselves.

Did he just take a jab at Aurena? Uhm, hello? I might not be that super committed to being a Champion, but that didnt mean he could say that while I was around.

The mood was worsening, mostly between Tehmrayn and myself. He was ignoring my glare, but I knew he understood exactly what he meant with his words. I didnt care how strong and old he was, this was still annoying to hear.

N-Now, now, everybody. Lady Hestia, Champion Tehmrayn, we are all allies in this manner. Werent we brought together here for a similar Divine Quest? Tasianna tried to calm everything down, but it was to no avail.

Wrong. Saint Kushlekzar and I were sent here to protect the shrine currently imprisoning Karhalantheel, he answered bluntly. As we would be coming here either way, Goddess Plesia asked us to aid you in your mission to defend the festival of Yeostar. However, I couldnt care less who gets chosen as Yeostars champion. I am only here to make sure that you do your duty correctly, Champion Hestia. That no lowlife or such gets their hand on the blood. Otherwise, you would do well to learn how to perform your tasks by yourself.

That I wanted to say something against him, but even now, he wouldnt give me a single chance as he finished his drink and stood up.

Saint, I shall await you at the port. Bring Goddess Aurenas Champion with you. We might as well show her Yeostar's greatest feat for her own education. And with that, he left the room.

What a douche! I shouted after the door closed quietly, breaking the shock of his sudden departure by shooting up my chair. What the hell is that guys problem?!

Now, now, Hestia, Master looked conflicted as he grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back down. I meant it when I said he can be quite rough when he speaks. Do not take his manner of speech too personally.

Didnt you see how much he ignored me? As if I wasnt even here! I get you two have a different objective, but does he really have to be like that?

Oh, my sweet child, that was tame compared to what you would have experienced if you had spoken with a jealous dragon. Each word is like a challenge to a duel, Mother rebuked my irritation with something out of left field, something the twins agreed very much with.

[I have gotten into an argument against another wyvern once over a hunting ground. I had won the fight, but he managed to escape with his tail tucked behind his legs. The next day, he brought his egg siblings with him and almost killed me,] Shay retold a story of his past in the Avitor Peaks.

Beth nodded, even adding more to the story with her involvement in it. [Brother came back in a similar fashion as his rival. When he called for my help, we managed to kill two of them the next day, but were still forced to retreat, since a group of griffons came in to interrupt our fight. We have been enemies with both groups ever since.]

Jeez, getting third-maned in real life! That really has to suck.

But that still doesnt really excuse his behavior. Even if he was holding back, it felt weird to have to listen to all of that. Haaaaaaaaa, whatever. I slumped on the table, prompting Mother to stroke my back in encouragement. Did you arrive today, Master?

He shook his head. Yesterday. We arrived in the evening and rented out rooms. Afterward, Champion Tehmrayn and I booked a boat to the shrine for today. We went into the city this morning to see if we could find some information on potential threats.

Who exactly are you looking for?

Well, you should know them, the demonkins, of course.

I tensed up. I had already given Master Kush a quick summary of what happened after we parted, especially my Divine Quest with Aurena after we reached the inn. Only the details, like Eshe and so on, werent mentioned.

Did Goddess Plesia or God Xohulotel mention them? Considering the situation, I needed to make sure I understood the whole situation.

However, Master just shook his head. Not entirely, but the signs Xohulotel sent me were pointing deep south! To the lands of the demonkins, I am sure. I understood little else, but being wary is common sense, no? Wars spread far, not only through violence, but also through subterfuge, my apprentice.

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Thursday, June 9, 2022 5:55:35 PM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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