The breakfast was super awkward for the three of us. Eric, who got bruises and slap marks on his face, simply eating quietly while Liza, red as tomato, wasn't able to eat normally and won't stop stammering.
I get there will be random anime cliché in isekai moment, but why did it only start happening now?! And of all anime cliché, it has to be the 'accidental pervert' one.
Now, the situation turns from a beginning of friendship into an awkward atmosphere. I really hate this moment, and it isn't helping that the possibilities of gods involves in this, only makes the situation unbearable.
All I want right now is to just ignore it, but the awkward atmosphere was so thick, it feels like getting squished in a middle of a crowd.
"So...." I decided to start a conversation. "Which way is.....to Holy City?"
And just like that, I want to mentally facepalm on myself. Damn me and my zero social skills.
"It's just few hours ahead." Liza said while fidgeting her hands.
"What supplies.....you plan to buy?" I asked.
"A lot....clothes, utensils, maybe an emergency weapons, food, there's a lot. All of our stuff were gone during that attack." Liza said in annoyed tone.
"I wouldn't mind to get some clothes as well. The bandit's clothes might've help, but we're limited." That's true, I csn only find one set fo clothes from each bandits, and not all of their size fits all of us.
"I rather not wear man's clothes. How did you guys able to wear something with zipper at the front?" I can't help but choked as Eric cough while blushing.
"Its to made easier during in bathroom....." Eric simply said while looking away. Liza stare at Eric before shrugging.
"Oh well...." Liza said before she perked up. "Guys, we're finally here!"
I turn to see a quite large town surrounded by wooden walls. It kinda ironic to call it a town since looks more like a village than a town. The only thing that makes it different is that the town is filled with houses made of rocks instead of the typical wood.
.....remind me who's the idiot that design this town? Why their line of defense is less durable than their houses!? I then notices a giant statue at the center of the 'town', a statue goddess pouring water to the ground, like she provides rain to everyone.
"Let's go, guy!" Liza said as she ran off. Eric panicked and run after her. I sigh before sprinting towards them.
Why can't I shake a feeling of something bad is going to happen?
As we ran towards the town's gate, we were checked by the townsguard. Both of them are the typical black haired thug, one with beard and one with mustache, wearing a surprisingly fancy looking armor. I notice Eric glares at them with hatred, and I don't know why.
It took us a while since we don't have identifications and funnily enough, they somehow mistook me as a wolf beastman, so they let us in. As we enters, I can't help but surprise by how lively the town is. Kids playing around the street, adults chattering with each other, some holding a basket full of fruits, and there's even a group filled with guys and a girl.
Yeah, that last one is DEFINITELY not a red flag.
"I thought it'll took us forever!" Liza complained.
"I don't blame them, we don't exactly have any identification." Eric stated, but his eyes are twitching and the veins on his face are ready to burst.
Seriously, is he okay?
"Welcome!" I can't help but yelped as a random old woman, who looks like a typical Asian aunty I saw whenever I visits my relatives, popped out of nowhere. "You must be new to this town! We always welcome new faces! I hope you will find your stay enjoyable!"
"Y-yeah..." Liza looks a bit unnerved from the old woman, who smiles at them creepily.
"As a way to welcome you all, I shall present with gifts!" And out of nowhere, the woman pulls out a tons of bottle. I smelled them and it's....smells like flowers? Is that soap?
"Here are shampoos our town are famous for! It can help to clean your hair and grant protection from any kind of dust or dirts! It even keeps your hair smooth and prevents it from feeling oily!" Wow, she surely knows how to advertise. "And another thing is, it can be used as soaps!"
Huh, I didn't expect such concepts exists here. I mean, I saw those concepts from some of the hotel in my country.
"The shampoo is famous for being blessed by our goddess, Anahita! She has blessed this town with purification blessing, so you can expect it's 100% purity!" The lady suddenly gets closer and made a crazed expression. "You can even drink it! It's good for your body! In fact, you can earn more! All you got to do is to sign these paper!"
I look at the paper and grimaced. Remind me, who's insane enough to sign and join a goddamn cult just to get extra shampoo!?
Wait, isn't Anahita the goddess of water and purity from the game!? And despite being a decent god compare to other deities, she is infamous in the game for her crazed....cult followers.....
Oh, gods. I can see why Eric was completely hesitant to enter the town. It's not just a rumor, it's fact! I once encounter a devoted follower of Anahita and that crazy woman never stop following me, begging me to join their cult!!
And now, we are here, in their safehaven! Where all the cult followers can simply crowded us and invites us to join! Shit, shit, shit!
"I'm sorry." I snap out of my thoughts as Eric suddenly spoke. He pulls out a necklace with a insignia of a circle and an 8 pointed stars at the center. "But, I am a follower of the current Goddess of Star and Sky, Tara. And-." Just like that, the woman's face squint in disgust, walks away in annoyance, and to my shock, she spits on the ground for every few feet she took!
If I know I can drive them away by saying I'm a follower of another god, I wouldn't have to experience those hair inducing chases.
"...what just happen?" I can't help but snort at Liza, who looks confused, disbelieved, and horror.
"This is why I try to avoid this town, milady...." Yeah, and you could've told us earlier, you know that, right!?
To be continued