[This is an emergency!] Zach read a message from Aria.
"What happened? She didn't send any context," he muttered. He turned to Ninia and said, "Sorry, but I need to leave for now. Something must be up outside."
Ninia nodded and said with a gentle smile on her face, "I will wait for you."
Zach immediately dashed out of the church and jumped in the air. He flew for five seconds before landing and jumped again.
"I am still going faster than I would have by walking or running. But I wonder what happened. They are in the restaurant so I don't think there should be any trouble. Maybe some players caused a ruckus?
But Aria won't call me for something so trivial, and she would definitely won't brand it as an emergency. Maybe a pandit or the players from another religion? That could be the reason, but again, Aria can handle them alone with ease."
Zach landed in front of the restaurant and walked to the door. He thought he would hear loud noises or see people running out or around the restaurant, but much to his surprise, it was calm as the sea.
'Okay, this does feel like an emergency. What is this, a calm before calamity?'
Even the door of the restaurant was closed while it used to be open most of the time unless it was Housefull with the players.
Zach opened the door and walked inside, only to see Aria, Elina, and Noah sitting at the table while being surrounded by the gang of NPCs.
"What's going on here?" he asked calmly.
The NPCs turned to Zach and said, "You are finally here."
"That's not the answer to the question I just asked." He turned to Aria and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes." She nodded and said, "They asked me to call you and refused to tell me the reason."
Zach furrowed his brows at the NPCs in annoyance and asked, "What's this nonsense?"
"We wanted to talk to you about something," the restaurant owner said.
"I understand that. But was there a reason to keep Aria and the others here?" he asked with an annoyed face.
"Let's go outside in the garden and talk. The others are waiting for you there."
"...."
Zach grabbed Aria's hand and left the restaurant while Noah and Elina followed him.
"You two should go back to the church. I will handle everything," he said to them.
He then glanced at Aria and said, "I want to say the same thing to you, but I know you won't leave me."
"You bet I won't."
After reaching the garden, Zach stood in between while being surrounded by the NPCs of the kingdom.
"So? Will anyone tell me what's going on? And if you truly needed anything, one of you should have just dropped by the church. Was it necessary to do all this and make it so dramatic?"
Zach was annoyed by the fact that he was called out when he was having a crucial moment with Ninia. He wanted to spend some more time with her, but he had to stop because of the NPCs.
Now, depending on why they called Zach out, his annoyance would either turn into fury, or it would vanish pletely.
The NPCs glanced at each other as though they were contemplating on who would speak.
"Speak up. I don't have all day, you know?"
"We have a plaint."
"A plaint?" Zach raised his brow in confusion and asked, "What type of plaint?"
"During the summit, you promised so many things to the players for joining your religion. But we weren't promised any of that. We are displeased by your action, and we feel like we are being neglected.
Is this because we are NPCs and not one of your own? Why do you care more about the players?"
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down." Zach clapped his hands to get everyone's attention and said, "What made you think that I care more about the players?"
"So far, we aren't given any benefit of joining your religion. Why is that?" one of them asked.
"I did. There is a church, although it already existed. But you all have the privilege to worship me. I am giving you free protection, aren't I?" Zach said calmly.
"What about the rewards you promised to the players?"
"You also promised us that you will make us players," someone asserted from the crowd.
"I did. I remember that, and I will find a way. Just have some patience."
"It's hard to believe you when you have done nothing for us."
Zach took a deep breath and let out a big sigh. "If that's what you think, then so be it. Even if I try to convince you, I am sure you won't believe me."
He glanced at Aria, who was lost in thoughts and knew exactly what she was thinking about. Aria had a similar experience when she was still a worshiped Goddess.
"How long do we have to wait?"
"I don't know. I am still—"
"That means we shouldn't have any hope, right?"
"I didn't say that. Would you please stop jumping to conclusions?" Zach groaned.
"We feel betrayed. Now that you have your own kind worshiping you, you no longer need us!"
"..."
Zach didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure if he was in the wrong or if the NPCs were being selfish. It was true that Zach gave more benefit to the players than he promised to the NPCs, but that was simply an incentive.
If Zach found a way to turn the NPCs into players, he was going to give them the same benefits as the players. He had no reason to not treat them equally.
All he wanted from them was faith and loyalty, but that seemed to be wavering before his eyes. That was a downside to being a god.
"All of you! How dare you speak against our Lord?!" a feminine voice yelled loudly.
Of course, Zach recognized the voice instantly.
It belonged to none other than Ninia.
===
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