Leaving the church with a few answers to some pressing questions was good, and I walked through the streets undisturbed as I mulled things over.
I had 'children' with Mariana somehow, but they certainly weren't mine; they couldn't be, since I never let my seed plant itself in her garden properly, what with me making it incapable of growing each time we made love...
Useful skill, that.
Anyways, I had children that used my name - Aurelius - and they ruled over this city - which was still named Valor Damascium - for the last two and a half centuries.
Since my death two and a half centuries ago.
With that firmly in my mind, I could begin to create my own timeline of events should I happen upon more history from the locals.
Additionally, I leaden that 'Hades' was a despised villain, believed to be a sympathizer or perhaps some kind of Demon in disguise?
There was no other explanation for why the churches would be the most against hearing my title, unless I was actually a Demon, or maybe even the Demon King?
They seemed worried - and focused - on the fact that I was 'showing signs similar to the Demon King', so maybe that was it.
That was what I learned at the church, besides the most useful fact for the moment; whoever was baking those loaves of bread was ABSOLUTELY a baker of the highest esteem...
So fluffy, buttery, and soft, yet not too buttery nor too weak to fall apart in your hands.
Just right in all categories...
Whoever they were, I do hope the Gods and Goddesses bless them with a good life.
Anyways, I returned to the bridge and checked on my spot, nodding to myself when I noticed it was still empty.
Kneeling at the waters edge, I washed my hands before splashing some of the cool water onto my face, cleaning away the sweat from earlier and enjoying the refreshing feeling of the liquid, only to tilt my head to the side as a rock zipped past.
I turned my gaze up towards the other side of the river, where I saw the black haired brat from earlier standing with various stones resting in their arms.
Glaring at me, they rasped "My bridge." before slinging another stone towards me, making me sigh as I dodged yet again, listening to the rock shatter against the bricks behind me.
"Really? This again? Aren't you hungry? Bored? Why not put that energy-"
Stepping to the side again, I frowned at the rudeness to throw a rock during the middle of me speaking, only to jump back as a rock thudded against the grass I had been standing on.
"Into something more productive, like work? There are plenty of churches or shops that would hire some cheap labor!"
The brat only glared at me harder, their arm swishing forwards as they hurled yet another stone at me.
"Come on! Use your words, not violence! It gets you further!"
Well... sometimes.
Sometimes it gets you further into the ground as someone just... uses more violence to push your words aside.
Like those nine pricks did.
What?
I'm not angry, just... annoyed.
Just like I was annoyed as I watched the brat hurl another rock at me, before I frowned as I saw the two goonish thugs approaching them from behind, a wooden club in both of their hands.
Seeing that, I shouted "Behind you!", but the brat just glared at me, not believe me.
Clicking my tongue, I watched as one of the thugs glared at me, his crooked nose and warted face just made to be punched as he raised the club, about to swing it down at the brat.
Now, I could just watch this happen in broad day, but... I mean man, come on!
Who thinks this is a good idea?!
I mean, a pedestrian is already running towards the corner, where a guard is stationed at all times for emergencies like this!
Who are these guys?!
"Hehe... Stupid BRAT!"
The warted man began to swing his club down towards the brat's head, who blanched as they noticed shadows on the grass in front of them.
Finding a rock, I cracked my wrist forwards and sent it hurtling towards the club, knocking it away from the downwards path of the black haired kids head and making it just graze their arm, thanking myself that I learned how to sling rocks out of boredom as a kid...
Hearing the thunk of wood being impacted by a stone, the two stared at the damaged club with blank eyes for a few seconds, only to yelp as another stone crashed against the club again, splintering the wood this time.
I nodded to the black haired kid, who scrambled away from the two and rushed towards the bridge, before shouting "HELP! KIDNAPPERS!"
Their raspy voice was actually rather loud, and I saw the two numbskulls blink at the sudden shout before realization dawned on their faces.
Before they could do something though, another stone crashed into the club, but this time it impacted the warted man's fingers, making him shriek as he fell to his knees.
The guard rushed into the alley, before unsheathing his sword as he shouted "Stand down! You two are under arrest for public disturbances and attempting to harm a child!"
They blanched at that, and the one with a face covered in freckles tried to run, only for the plate armored guard to click his tongue as he raised his hand.
Viridian green mana coiled around his arm, before solidifying into a cluster of brambles that shot towards the fleeing mans legs, wrapping around them and slamming him into the ground, before he was dragged back towards the guard.
"Resisting arrest as well... Tch, pathetic..."
Sheathing his blade, he glanced at us before looking back towards the two men, who were staring at him with fear.
"C'mon... Either walk or I can drag you..."
They scrambled to their feet and approached him, only to flinch as he tapped the pommel of his sword, making them move faster with a yelp.
Glancing back at us for a moment, he shook his head before stalking behind the two idiots, leaving the small clearing empty of anyone besides a few pedestrians.
And the brat, who hesitantly approached me.
"U-Um... sorry."
Standing in front of me, the kid bowed their head before looking towards my eyes, extending their hand.
"I... have bad experiences with others, so... sorry. You uh... s-saved me though? T-Thanks..."
I nodded, shaking their hand before gesturing to their side of the bridge, saying "We good now? I have this side, you take that one?"
They stared at me for a moment before nodding, stuttering "Y-Yeah, o-of course... a-ahem, yeah..."
"Cool? I'm going to go now... See ya?"
Stepping away, I waved to my neighbor before disappearing into the alleys again, deciding to search the city while I could before settling down for the night.
~~~
Bzz----~~--ztt
Is th----~~ rking?
A--st... Almost... There!
Ahem!
It's finally up~!
Hehe~!
I can finally watch Tiberius again~!
Though, I'm still so~ angry he left me!
Hmph...
Though, this new form...
Could be worse, I guess?
~~~