You want us to do what now, little lady?!
[I want you three to beco my followers,] I answered Caszcurs question.
Followers? Apsala stopped for a mont, thinking about my request. Little oneyou told that you werent a priestess of Aurena, right? And you also know that Im a Kargryxmor follower so isnt asking this a bit redundant?
It seems like there was a misunderstanding when I told them to beco my followersactually, maybe there wasnt one? I an, technically, I am asking them to beco affiliated with Aurena due to the origin of [Fan Overview] and [The Light].
[No, thats not what I ant. I an that you beco my followers, not Aurena or Kargryxmor or any other god,] I responded, making the lizardn even more confused. [Ok, truth be told, I have an ability that grows stronger and stronger, the more followers I have. You dont actually have to do anything besideswell, I also am not really sure what youre supposed to say. The skill is still quite mysterious to , its owner.]
Both Saori and Tasianna beca my followers when they simultaneously got [Hestias Retainer], while Im not sure how Rajah and his family did it. Was there so sorta ritual or a specific phrase that they have to say?
Little one, although Im not quite sure what youre even talking about, you should know that we lizardfolk take our religion seriously. The tribes that we three ca from have a history of being Marsven worshippers, Apsala said in a troubled tone. Yes, so of us worship Kargryxmor but that is because of our culture. The once renowned dragon that was known throughout the world ascended to godhood through his strength alone. This ideal helped us stay strong through our harshest ti, that perseverance and courage would bring us fortuneand it has, in you, Hestia.
Apsala cast her head down, crestfallen as she continued speaking while tucking her tail between her legs, "You want us to beco your 'followers' so it may make you stronger, and nothing would make happier than to be able to help you butI-I can't do that. It feels like I would abandon my faith if I did. My faith has brought both happiness and sadness but without it, I wouldn't have been able to keep my sanity through these trials and tribulation."
I honestly didnt think about that. I knew that these lizardn were religious, but I never had the feeling that they were that faithful about it. I wasnt trying to make them convert or anything, but it seems I underestimated the aning of a follower.
Im not religious myself, neither in this life nor in my past. Despite knowing that gods actually existed in this world, I never wanted to worship them or anything, rely thinking of Kargryxmor as my super old grandfather and Aurena as a benefactor.
However, being stubborn about what you believe in is sothing I can respect, as my dream would have died a long ti ago if I had given up on it the mont it got hard. There is no need to force her to do it if she didn't want to. I wanted [Venerated Saintess] but it wasnt a must.
As my tail is my witness, Im so sorry, little one. Argh, I have insulted the God of Dragons and Oaths by not being able to fulfill my debt to you, Apsala apologized wholeheartedly, completely inconsolable as she fell on the ground and held up her tail. I-I offer my tail up for breaking this oath, and in the na of Kargryxmor I shall cut it off to repent.
WHAT?!
[Miss Apasala, please you do not have to go that far!] Saori shouted, attempting to calm the crazy lizardwoman down.
["HEY! Listen to Saori, Apsala. Who fucking cares about that little favor anyway?! Don't fucking maim yourself just 'cause of ,"] I also shouted, rushing over to her side to take her hand away from her tail.
Little one, let go of , this has to be done. Ive shad my faith by my own selfishness, Apsala pleaded, tears flowing from her eyes as she helplessly tried to remove my hand.
[What do you an youve shad your faith, huh? Heilige scheie, I was rely asking you for a simple favor, not a holy quest,] I said frantically, not understanding whats gotten to her.
["Miss Apsala, please you must calm down. Think about what you are trying to do here. If you were to cut your tail here then you would undoubtedly ignore Lady Hestia's wish once again,"] Saori remarked.
Her words seed to have an effect as Apsala was visibly worried about it, I-I would?
[Yes, yes! She is the one who asked you to not do it, so please stop,] Saori continued. [Isnt that right, Tasianna? Lady Hestia asked her to not cut her tail, right?]
Uh, y-yes. Madam Apsala, nobody would be satisfied if you were to sever your tail, especially if you did it because you couldnt help Lady Hestia. She would feel guilty, Tasianna uttered, albeit hesitant at first.
Looking at Caszcur, Aksmias, and Tasianna and how they were just standing around and not doing anything despite how loud Apsala was shouting that she was about to maim herself, made slightly flabberghasted. Admittedly, it doesn't seem like she had the strength to cut nor was there any sharp objects to help her, but just the thought counted.
Saori words seed to have hit Apsala, as the hand she was using to tear mine away slowly lost strength and went limp. As the two of us tried to comfort her, I couldn't help but question what even happened just now.
Apsala tried to cut her tail, her two companions didnt even try to stop her, and Tasianna was even hesitating to even help before Saori called her out. It feltI feel like there was so kinda disconnection between us two and them.
Noticing that the other lizardn were slowly becoming louder, I decided to ask Tasianna or Caszcur about the issue later on, [Enough, forget about what I just said, alright? Lets just go, were holding everybody up.]
With that, our trip with the lizardn began. Ive already noticed it during the rescue mission but the lizardn really were adept with moving through a swamp, barely being affected by the water that went up to their knees.
To not be slowed down, Saori and I had to be creative about it and move along the trees if the water was too deep. The lizardn were taller than us so if the water went up to their knees, then it would go up to Saoris hips. I was even shorter than her so my belly area would get subrged if I werent on a tree.
As we wandered at a relatively good pace, Saori and I talked with Tasianna about what just happened this morning, wanting to know her PoV, first.
Tasianna firstly apologized to us before telling us that she wasnt sure what she was supposed to do there. Although she did find it a bit extre she thought she had to respect it, as she ntioned that she was doing it for her god.
After questioning her a bit further, she told us that so of the gods are pretty strict about certain tenets. Plesia, the Water Goddess, was not only the chief goddess but she was also known to govern over order, honor, and tradition.
Despite being an extrely generous goddess to her followers, she was known to show disastrous consequences if they were to dissatisfy her extrely.
She thought this was the case with Kargryxmor. As a god who presided over dragonkins and oaths, she thought what Apsala was trying to do was just normal. She thought that it was sothing a follower from Kargryxmor would do to atone.
As she knew that I had no idea about the gods and that I wasn't interested in them until yesterday, she never thought it was important to ntion it. She explained that the god a person chooses to follow usually was a good indicator of that person's personality.
Races that have a patron god usually worship theirs regardless of their disposition, however, whoever they chose to worship next was usually considered their primary god. Tasianna was a fairy so growing up as a Zephira believer was normal. By becoming also Plesia's, she made it clear that she valued her tenets.
[I equally pray to Zephira and Plesia every night, but I consider myself more a water mage than a wind one,] Tasianna admitted, telling us that she felt much closer to other Plesia worshippers than Zephiras. [Our ideology and values coincide, I believe.]
In a way, this explained why she was so distraught about not being punished for her mistake, blaming herself for being the real reason why her last mistress died. Not only was it her honor and pride as a maid, but also her religious belief that made it hard for her to understand why nobody was willing to condemn her for her mistake.
Having that explained to helped understand the situation a bit better, knowing that my feeling of disconnect wasn't wrong. People in this world were religious, knowing that an actual god was overseeing them above the blue skies, so I guess people would be more careful to follow certain religious rules.
I an, Earths history has shown ti and ti again that religion could be extrely manipulative, being able to cause hate and war. Just looking at the many crusades was enough to convince you about that.
It shouldnt be surprising that sothing like that might also be applicable to this world.
Sigh, guess this whole follower stuff is harder to do than I thought. I should rethink all of this before attempting it again
Eventually, the sun went down, and it was nightti. Even in our rush, it wasn't a smart choice to travel while it's dark. Everybody needed sleep and it was better to rest now, so we can continue moving without any problems tomorrow.
After unpacking everything, the lizardn imdiately went into work mode, showing a surprising amount of energy despite having to walk for the whole day with only a few breaks. I also thought 'cause lizardn were cold-blooded, like normal reptiles, that they would feel less energetic when winter was right over the corner, but it seems I wasnt completely correct.
No idea what you an with cold-blooded and warm-blooded but if you want to know why, then I guess our bodies got used to it, Caszcur answered, who was teaching about proper woodworking. Sure, it is cold with these rags but we gotta live with it. It doesnt get as cold where we co from, but cold winter visited us every year like most other places. Shouldnt you be more worried? Youre shivering in that simple dress.
Activating [Body Temperature Control] I regulated my body heat back to normal to avoid shivering, making a seeee? face, afterward. While it might be effective, this was still only a temporary solution to my freezing problem.
The temperature was sinking and so was my bodys. It might not be a lot, but I was feeling chilly nonetheless and without reheating my body, my senses were getting duller the longer I stayed like this. I guess a fire dragon would feel less comfortable the colder it got, huh?
Understanding that it would be inefficient to continue using my skills to warm up, I took out the pelt of a [Rock-Skin Horned Grizzly] that I killed a month after I t Saori. While I would be around its size as a dragon, as a dragonewt it was so huge that I could completely cocoon myself with it.
Deactivating [Body Temperature Control], I wrapped myself with the pelt and dropped my seeee? face to change it to an exhausted one, [Ok, yeah, Im not doing too well with the cold, brrrr!]
Yeah, winter truly is a test for every young scale. Im sure youll have no problems but be careful, alright? Many never survive theirs to reach adulthood, Caszcur said, showing concern for my health.
[If sothing crazy doesnt happen then everything will be alright. Stillthanks. I appreciate it,] I said with a small smile, accepting his concerns with gratitude. [How about the other kids? You guys have it harder than , so shouldnt you be more concerned about them?]
Ahahaha, bursting out in laughter, the tall lizardn gently patted my head while responding. They might be young, but I think this experience has hardened them. They still are a bunch of hot-headed krill eaters, but I think we wont lose anybody this winter. Right, little lady?
Understand what he ant with that smirk, I swiped his hand off my head with a chuckle, [Shut it, youre gonna jinx us if you continue thinking that its an absolute. Its still a long way, you know? Anyways, enough of that, you told you would teach how to properly do these bowls so co on, lets do it already.]
"Ha, you got it, little lady! Leave it to this old scale to repay you back with these free lessons," Caszcur slamd his chest with his fist before taking out one of his woodworking knives and a log.
As the whole beco my follower thing failed, the lizardn trio were visibly worried that they might have ruined any chances to repay the debt. Crazy pessimistic, right?
Anyways, as I didnt want to get back to that question before knowing how to handle it, I instead asked Caszcur to show how to properly woodwork. Considering that he did criticize my bowls and utensils, I thought I should use this chance to learn how to do it properly. Our partys eating comfort relied on my creation and if I can make better ones to make our dinners better, then so be it.
Saori went with the lizardwon to cook our dinner for tonight, wanting to learn so lizardn cuisine. She said sothing like, "Learning about another culture's cuisine is one of the joys of traveling. I'll not let this chance go by!".
Apparently, the lizardn had a trick where they could soften hard, sun-dried fish for dinner. From what little that I heard, you put any dried fish into a mixture of forest herbs and muddy water and boiled it over a fla. The herb oils would mix with the fish while the muddy water would slow down the cooking process of the fish.
As her plan was to learn about these herbs, Saori went with them. While it might not be very useful for us as we can just put them into mine or Saoris storage, knowledge was nothing to scoff about. Also growing more herbs in my future garden would be fun.
As Tasianna wanted to join her, I was left without a translator. While it was hard to understand everything, I learned from my previous mistake and had my parallel minds rember nurous amounts of words that Tasianna translated for .
While it took a while to respond, I was able to do it, slowly learning Common tongue. Still, regardless of how many words Ive been able to learn, I still havent mastered it yet.
You see how my knife is hiertunlut? Cut the bowl like this while keeping your hands still and precise. Control your strength and just let your claw slide around, Caszcur explained.
Hiertunlut? I asked aloud, unsure what that word ant.
You didnt understand it? I nodded to his question, prompting him to think about it. Hmm, dammit. Words arent my specialty; I just know which to use. Hmm, sorry, I can't figure a definition, little lady. Just follow my movents, and you'll get an idea of what 'hirtunlut' ans. That's how I learned the word, and you're smart enough to figure it out, I figure."
With that said, he began cutting the bowl into shape, finely rounded any edges while keeping cutting to a minimum. While I observed his movents, he also patiently continued repeating the word hiertunlut to help interpret it, which was a success after I finally understood that it ant angled.
While I was celebrating my success, I quickly learned that it was only a minor victory when the lizardn were finished setting the camp up. Aksmias and a few lizardn artisans and builders joined our little woodworking session as they also wanted to help get better with my craft.
While my heart felt fuzzy and my tail couldnt stop waggling due to their hospitality, I also was overwheld when the lizardn started speaking among themselves, analyzing my every move and giving feedback to them. While most would find this unnerving, I thought that it was sweet of them to put this much effort into it.
However, what actually made anxious was that I couldnt understand most of the words they said. Sotis I couldnt differentiate between a lizardman idiom or a Common tongue word, while other tis I questioned if certain accent-heavy words were just growling or not. It was so nice of thembut it doesnt help if 50% of the comnts sounded more like bestial howls.
Acquisition requirent fulfilled. [Handicraft Lv. 1] acquired
Proficiency requirent fulfilled. [Woodworking Lv. 2] evolved into [Woodworking Lv. 3]
Oooh, youre showing so fantastic talent there, lass, a lizardman artisan said, praising for the bowl that I made under their supervision.
Mhmm! This is better than most of the stuff the young scales at the tribes can make. Quality-wise its still ok but this is enough for to allow an apprentice to sell it, another said, inspecting the cut marks.
It certainly looks better than your old ones, little lady, Caszcur laughed, slapping my back in congratulations.
[Oof, jeez, dont slap my back that hard. Im still a girl, you forgot?] I chided Caszcur, giving him a stink eye in the process.
A female? Ahhh, stop yanking my tail with that krill eater act. Youre the sturdiest scale-kin among us artisans, and whether youre a female or male, it doesnt matter. A lass that cant take that sort of slap wouldnt be able to survive the swamps of our tribes, Caszcur waved my girlish act away, unimpressed of it.
Urgh, getting criticized for acting like a normal girl
He was right that acting like that wasn't needed at all. It was an unnecessary way to attract attention that I shouldn't use anyway. Still, while it was redundant, acting like that does make feel better as it would show that I still had so sense of a normal girl inside , despite how much Ive changed.
Getting no reciprocation for my act did make feel a bit insecure about myself, but maybe its just a racial thing? Maybe lizardn valued strength and valor more in their won? Showing false vulnerability that didnt reflect the amount of power I had could also be interpreted wrongly by them, for all I knew.
Well, whatever.
[So, whats your opinion on the bowl?] I asked Caszcur, ignoring what just happened.
"Hmmm," Caszcur laid a hand on his chin, scratching it as he carefully inspected every single angle. "You still put a bit too much force into your swipes which makes everything a bit inaccurate. Here, look. You can clearly see where you began your cuts and how a small dent is left behind. Im pretty sure you would do better with a knife, but youve gotten so used to using your claws to cut that it would be bad to change now.
Digesting the criticism everybody gave , our little group of artisans continued creating small wooden creations. While most of it was giving tips on what wood would make good dishware, what technique I should use, and what other objects I should make to improve my skills; there were also so monts where the lizardn had a quarrel about conflicting ideas.
You skink, were here to repay our debt to her and youre trying to teach her so outdated technique? Ill cut your tail before that happens!
"Krrrrashu! This is sothing my workshop mastered, and we've been selling our wares in the grand clan village for multiple years now! I'm trying to teach the young scale sothing that I would never show an untalented krill eater like you!
Mastered? You try to fool our tails, huh? The last ti I saw you there, Im pretty sure you were begging people to buy your stuff, ha ha ha!
Hearing all that makes kinda wish I could visit that place one daybut depending on how large this continent was, that might be a bit too hard and ti intensive.
Despite the rowdy noises, I still much enjoyed and benefited quite a lot from their lessons, feeling like I could breakthrough to [Woodworking Lv. 4] without needing to spend SP.
After everybody started leaving for dinner, I quickly collected any finished bowls so I could join them.
However, before I was about to go, Caszcur stopped , Hey, little lady, can I speak with you for a mont?
Turning around, I answered yes to the tall lizardn, prompting him to continue, You rember what happened this morning? About that whole follower stuff?
[Huh, that? Caszcur, I already told you that it was fine. No need to bring that topic back up,] I said, in response to his sudden questions.
Nah, seeIm alright with becoming oneone of you followers, I an, he said, scratching his head nervously.
Caught off-guard by this, I made a bewildered huh? before speaking, [Wait, wait, why would you want to do that, huh? Werent you against it when I asked about it this morning? You just stood still like a statue, as if you were petrified by the very idea of becoming one!]
What the hell is that sorta imagination!Caszcur shouted, scolding for what I just said. I didnt answer because that question ca out of nowhere! Do you really think sobody could think properly and give you an answer after you said, Beco my followers., huh!?
After letting ourselves cool down a bit, Caszcur once again brought up the topic, "I gave everything a thought and I made up my mind that it wouldn't be that bad. You said to only beco a follower so your skill can evolve, right? Well, who am I to disagree with my lifesaver about fulfilling a favor?"
[But what about your belief? Shouldnt Apsalas reasoning also work with you?] I asked, still rembering what Tasianna and Apsala told .
My tribe are Marsven followers, so I had to beco one, too. I never had a choice on that matter, Caszcur remarked. "I never really was religious, to begin with. It's just too much of a bother when it doesn't help better my craft, after all. But I still did it because it was part of being a tribe, a family."
Casczur let out a sigh in exasperation, clearly annoyed at what he was about to say, I asked Apsala about it and she made a big fuzz, explaining that it wouldnt be right to do it due to my duty to Marsven. Eventually, she did relent telling that I technically didnt have a second god yet and that she also wasn't part of my tribe, so she had no authority to stop if I really wanted to.
[Do you really?] I asked.
"Well, I heard that the Earth Goddess, Crustacia, was also a Goddess of Craftsmanship so I actually planned to have her as my second god, but there also wasn't a rule that I couldn't have three gods that I could pray to," Caszcur responded. Well, you arent a goddess but I guess this follower thing might be bit similar.
Rembering what I heard from Tasianna, any person may pray to as many gods as they wanted to. The gods see no problem in a person praying to all gods as in the end results, the gods are receiving that persons prayer anyways.
Tasianna told that the elven culture, more specifically speaking, the high elven culture promoted polytheism. So elves chose to stick with one while others could choose how many they wanted to. It was all allowed.
If the gods see no fault in it, then technically we mortals shouldnt also.
[Still, what made you so willing about it? Just cause I said that nothing big will happen doesnt an you should believe on it. Im not the greatest liar but I also dont hesitate to do it when I have to,] I admitted, rembering that I have made excuses to keep my two friends unaware about a few of my personal issues.
"Sure, you want to count them up for you?" once I nodded, he continued. "You saved the lives of my scale-kins without any paynt. You agreed to co with on that rescue mission. You rescued and our lost scale-kins from those terrors, and you also re-attached my arm. We didnt start out well, especially concerning those virigresses, so everything youve done for and my scale-kins wasnt sothing we deserve. Despite also knowing how we treated them and that we were the ones that chased them away, you still were willing to stick around.
Hearing everything Ive done for them really puts stuff into perspective. I really was a bit too nice to the people who chased away Rajahs family! I better confront them about this later!
We havent told you anything about how lizardn tribes worked, but a chief is usually chosen due to their strength. Not only are you the strongest among us but youve also shown the leadership needed for one, Caszcur said before bowing, placing one hand on the ground and the other on the chest. There really is no reason for not to accept, right?
[Sigh, ok, lets do it,] I said, throwing my arms in the air in defeat. [Lets not make much of a deal out of it, but I really have no idea how this will work out so how do youhuh?]
[Krokus Lizardman, Caszcur] has beco your follower
Total follower count updated. Total follower of [Young Spark Inferno Dragon, Hestia Atsuko]: 7
Hmm? What is it? Caszcur asked, oblivious of the fact that he just beca my follower.
What just happened?!
[Well, congratz Caszcur, you just beca my followersohow,] I stated with slight confusion.
That happened? Weird, it feels nothing changed for butI guess thats fine, he expressed with a shrug. At the end of the day, if it benefits you then whatever. Never expected anything to change anyways.
[Yeahbut I still have no idea how that happened, though? There has to be a reason for why the System gave the ssage now, right?]
As I mulled for a reason, Caszcur placed his hand on my head and patted it, Co on, little lady. I think youre thinking too hard about it now. There is a dinner waiting for us, so leave the thinking for later, ha ha ha!
With that said, he slowly walked towards the center of the camp where our dinner would be held. Noticing that my stomach was growling, I gave my parallel minds the duty to think over it while I refueled our body with food.
The night is cold and eating so good food will warm back up again.
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