"Just protect the villagers! I'll handle this!" Leonard nodded and quickly ran towards the town's shelter. Little did he know, the reason why I did this is just to protect him. I don't care about the villagers. I just want him to live. What's wrong with this town? We just arrived in this already attacked town and nobody is even defending themselves.
I slowly raised my hand as I closed my eyes. I can feel them spewing toxic liquids on me, but because of this barrier, not a single drop of liquid landed on me. Spells naturally came out of my mouth as if I was doing it since I was born. With that, the ground slightly shook as it slowly parted and formed a big crack underneath those humanoid-frog creature. They screamed as the ground swallowed all of them. As expected, just a piece of cake. Though they have done a lot of damage in the town's entrance.
With a satisfied smirk, I walked towards the town's shelter where I believe most of the villagers hid. The shelter looks like a big cottage that can shelter 50 or more people.
"H-hey! Why is there a big hole in the entrance of the town!?" a man approached me, "where are the villagers? Oh no! Am I too late? I couldn't save them!" then he proceed to shout hysterically.
"Marcus? Is that you?" a child peeking at the shelter's door asked.
"Thank goodness! You are all safe!" the man called Marcus replied. Wait... Marcus? Why does it sound so familiar? Before I could even ask, the Yladrians, people of the Ylad town, exited the shelter and swarmed around Marcus.
"Thank you for saving us!" they exclaimed. Nah nah nah. I'm not going to let someone steal my spotlight!
"Goddess Natasha! Are you alright?" Leonard asked as he approached me. The townspeople seem to heard what he said as they instantly buzzed about us.
"Goddess? Is she the new goddess?"
"Is she the one who saved us?"
"She doesn't look like a goddess though."
"Yah. The former goddess looks so much better."
"Everyone! This is the heroine who saved out town!" Marcus yelled and walked towards me. He stood beside me and put his arm on my shoulder, making me closer to him, "We should thank her!" then the people nodded and started cheering for me. I grinned and walked closer towards the villagers leaving Leonard behind.
"Why not have a feast for our heroine here?" Marcus asked and the villagers cheered, agreeing with Marcus' suggestion. Then they left one after another until only the three of us are left in the shelter.
"So? Why not join us tonight? It's not like we can celebrate without the reason to celebrate." then he laughed, dimples showing in his cheeks. The same old laugh that made me fall in love and made me cry to the extent that made me kill him.
Right... now I remember who you are... you're the second guy that I murdered... in the parallel universe... the world where I came from or whatever you might call it.
What's with this place? Why are the guys that I killed still alive? What if I met the other ones? Are they going to punish me for killing them? Well... Leonard didn't punish me... so maybe I'm kinda safe in here.
"I apologize, but the goddess needs to have a good rest for the night since she's too tired because someone neglected his responsibility." Leonard sternly said. Then I felt a tension between the two. Do they know each other?
"Uhm... it's fine, Leonard. It's not that hard and it's not bad to enjoy once in a while! We should join them." I saw his fist clenched and he breathed heavily.
"We should talk about this in private." I sighed. Not wanting to have an argument with him. I turned to Marcus who seems to be waiting for my response.
"I apologize for his behavior. I'll try to convince him." I replied, whispering the last sentence which made him chuckle.
"No problem. How about I take you to your cabin? Now that I remember, there is a news about a goddess' arrival today."
"Now that you remember, why not take us there?" Leonard interrupted. I once again sighed because of his behavior. Luckily, Marcus didn't mind it and just laughed it off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
"Woah... is this it?"
"Yes! Do you like it? My cabin is just beside this, so if you need anything, I'll be there."
"Don't worry, we won't bother you." Leonard whispered and walked between us, entering the cabin.
"Are you sure you'll be fine... with him?"
"I'm certain. He's just a little... grumpy."
"Well, if you need anything... or anyone..." then he winked "... I'm just by the next door." I laughed at him before entering the cabin.
"Had fun?" Leonard asked as I entered the cabin.
"Well, I'll have fun later."
"Who said we're coming?"
"I'm coming, whether you're there or not."
"It's dangerous. This town is dangerous."
"You're just jealous." then he huffed.
"Why would I be jealous?" his forehead wrinkled.
"I don't know." then I smiled at him and pinched his cheek before walking towards a room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
"Glad that you can come." Marcus said as I arrived at the town's shelter.
"Who would pass this kind of celebration?"
"Leonardius?" he asked then loudly laughed.
"You know him?"
"Of course, I do. He's the ruler of the Zada town, right?"
"Ruler? But he said that we're just passing by in that town?"
"Really? Maybe there's a reason why he didn't tell you."
I just stared at him just to think. Should I take it as a big deal?
"Well, don't think too much about it."
"Are you the ruler of this town?"
"Uh-huh. Correct! And I presume that you're going to meet other rulers soon. I mean, that's what goddesses do, right? Especially when you're a new born goddess."
"Maybe... It's just that I think I lost my memories." this time, he's the one who stared at me.
"That's unfortunate... now I know the reason why you seem to have forgotten me." He whispered, I pretended not to hear it and asked but he didn't repeat it.
"Our heroine! Hurry up! Prepare the offering!" I titled my head and just looked at them move quickly. My eyes widen as two men approached me holding a chest full of treasure.
"We offer this as a gift to our savior." they said and bowed their head. I looked at Marcus and all he did is to nod at me.
"T-thank you?" then they all cheered and ran in circles, some are even holding cups filled with wine, I guess?
"What's happening?" I asked Marcus then he grinned.
"They do that. all. the. time. You should accept it, you can give it to me if don't like it." he laughed before standing up and walking towards them.
I just sat there, a little dumbfounded. They do that? Like all the time?
The celebration seem to stop as we heard a scream outside the shelter. One scream was followed by another. The people inside the shelter started to panic. Marcus looked at me the same time I looked at him and we both nodded.
Another challenger, I see...