LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 6: Gavia Village
After the rain, the air outside was pleasantly humid and cool, filled with the smell of fresh grass and leaves. They were just a few steps outside of the village gates, but the atmosphere was all peaceful and quiet, with only the murmur of the river and the rustling of the trees being heard.
It used to be the place where the wives from the village came to do laundry, centuries ago. Until Zayne showed up all of a sudden, and performed his first so-called miracle.
It all happened on his very first day in Erithen, and his last chance to show himself in front of anyone free of charge, to gain his first believer. As he desperately searched the world for a suitable target, he stumbled upon a young mother, crying over her child, who had fallen into the river and drowned…
Zayne had no points to perform miracles. What he had, though, was a general idea of how to perform CPR.
…Thinking back, perhaps he shouldn't have saved the kid. If he failed back then, he wouldn't have ended up stuck in nothingness working as a god.
He would just be gone.
"Sir Prophet?"
Zayne turned his eyes back to Priska. There was no point thinking about the past now. It was way too late for regrets. "Yes, I'm coming."
"So, I was saying, if that's alright with you, I can give you my father's clothes? I think there should still be some left in the house… They might not be the best quality, and I'm not sure if they'll fit well, but… If Sir Prophet prefers, I can ask the neighbors if they can give you something better?"
"I can see what you have first. I can't pay you for anything though."
Of course, Zayne could easily get money. All it would take was some points…
But he was going through all this trouble precisely because he didn't want to spend any points on simple things.
"But of course!" Priska exclaimed loudly. "How could I possibly ask for any money from the prophet of god? It's my honor to help you out!"
Zayne nodded his head, the corners of his lips lifted in a smile. Yes, that was a good response.
As they passed through the gate, entering the village, Zayne continued to look around, taking in his surroundings. They were all familiar in a way - after all those centuries watching from above, Zayne knew every single place in this world - and yet, seeing them through the eyes of a human seemed different.
Less detailed, for sure. From his current perspective, the wooden wall surrounding the village appeared solid and strong, capable enough to keep the monsters away… Zayne, however, already knew that it was rotting from within. Not to mention the gate, which was just a step away from falling apart.
It was weird, being unable to see past the surface. He must have seen the world in such a manner every day, back when he was human on Earth… Now, though, it felt unnatural, almost as if he was blind.
"Ey, Priska! What's up with this beggar ya brought?" A young man stood right in the middle of the narrow street, right in their way. "Not taking him to the tavern, are ya?"
"He is no beggar! This, uh…" Priska paused for a moment, glancing at Zayne. She had only now realized that she didn't even ask for his name. It wasn't the best moment for that though, so she just said, "He's a prophet! Chosen by god Zayne!"
"Haaah?" The man tilted his head, his face twisted in something between confusion and bemused disbelief. "He's what now?"
He looked Zayne up and down, scrutinizing his whole appearance. His smirk, however, quickly disappeared, as he noticed the sword in Zayne's hand.
"What's that?"
Zayne glanced at the man coldly. He didn't like his attitude at all. Still, he answered curtly, "The magic sword I received from god Zayne."
"Or stolen from someone?"
"Sydell!" Priska called out, her face flushing red. "I'm so sorry, Sir Prophet. Please don't listen to him. He's just an idiot." She bowed to Zayne several times.
"Ey! Yer the idiot! Who knows where this beggar snatched this sword-"
"No! Yer the idiot! Moron! Stuuuuupid!" Priska stomped her feet, smashing Sydell's head with her wicker basket. "I've seen it myself! The sword is a gift from god!"
"Haaaah? Yer sure about that? It's some trick, I tell ya!"
"No! Yer just too dumb to understand!"
Zayne clicked his tongue, covering his ears. What a racket. And a waste of time.
"Miss Priska. I appreciate your willingness to defend me, and god Zayne is also moved by the depth of your faith. However, if that's alright, could we move on now? I would really like to see your tavern." He stepped forward, stretching his mouth in a smile.
Priska paused, breathing heavily, her cheeks rosy from the little scuffle. They turned even redder upon the realization of how she had just behaved, right in front of the prophet, and she quickly started tidying herself up, nervously fixing her hair.
"Ah, yes, of course. I'm so sorry you had to witness that." She hit Sydell one last time, pushing him out of the way, before smiling at Zayne. "Let us go, it's right this way."
Sydell stared at her in disbelief. "Ey! Priska! Are ya listening?"
"Shuddup! Go away!"
As he passed the young man by, Zayne briefly met his eyes. Sydell was staring at him darkly, as if he stole his candy… Or stole his wife?
Ah.
Now that Zayne thought about it, he could somewhat recall Sydell's name. He came by it several times when going through his believers' prayers. It was in the love and relationship category, which Zayne always ignored, so he didn't realize it at first…
But Sydell had prayed for Priska to return his feelings. Many times.
Well, not that he would ever have his wish fulfilled. Because after how he treated Zayne right now, Zayne would make sure to dispose of him somehow before leaving the village.
For example… Turning him into monster food sounded about right. There were plenty of monsters in the surrounding forests, after all, so it shouldn't be all that difficult to accomplish without wasting points.