Chapitre 17: Search for Information
It was hard enough to find the criteria for his cloak when the village conditions so easily tainted his selfishness. But for the sake of information and reinforcements, Xavier was forced to go around the village and told Cytherea to hide behind a pile of wooden baskets.
In less than ten minutes, she returned with a very dirty white robe. It was not what she wanted.
"This is all I got. If you still whine, I will not hesitate to leave you here or even tell the locals that the culprit who paralysed their leader is here." Xavier threatened, his patience very limited due to the cape issue.
"Damn it! Whose side are you on?"
Xavier let out a long breath. "It's better than nothing. We don't have much time or you will stay in this world forever."
Cytherea shook her head hard. She was actually quite sick of living in this world because every human's behaviour was so unique and different. Not to mention she disliked seeing the noise and disgust before her eyes right now. She briefly thought about the fate of the gods scattered around the world, would they have the same fate as her or even better? But her fear grew when one of them experienced their difficult journey.
Soon Cytherea was wearing a cloak to cover her entire face except for her eyes. The smell of rat's blood was quite strong but she did her best not to complain or Xavier would completely leave her alone.
'Damn! It looks like he wants to kill me with this smell!' She cried inwardly.
"Now, how should we get the information you want?" Xavier asked even though he already had his own plan.
"I don't know. I've never thought about anything except forcing them."
"I am not wrong to think you are a foolish goddess."
"You are cursed!"
"It's impossible for us to search for information at the same time. We should split up and ask the locals."
"Why the locals?" Cytherea was curious.
"They've known this place longer and could at least receive information if there are any newcomers with world-shaking abilities who could potentially help you."
"Sounds interesting. I don't even know the extent of your power. A soldier can't even defeat the Demon Lord's army if he can't use special abilities."
Xavier smiled, as if he was being underestimated. "You have chosen me and I am only obeying Mr. Emil's request."
Then they split up and started looking for someone worth interviewing for reinforcements. It would even be an advantage if one of them met an invincible magic user.
Cytherea walked very slowly and cautiously, but her behaviour was suspected by the people around her. She seemed to want to steal a valuable object and caused excessive concern.
They began to protect their respective goods, the sellers began to cover their goods with a cloth and plastic sheeting. She soon clarified that she would not take anything from them.
It was a shame that a goddess had to bow down to lowly humans. To confirm that, she went to one of the vendors in a hurry and bluffed slightly.
"Have you recently heard of any humans capable of casting magic or extraordinary powers in this cursed village?"
"What are you talking about! Get out of here, you bitch!" Displeased with her behaviour, the vendor instantly pulled out a large machete and pointed it at Cytherea.
"What the fuck are you doing? I'm not a suspicious person or a member of the criminal community. I just want to know if there have been any witches coming to this village lately."
"I don't know anything about witches! I'm just a very poor vendor! Leave now or I won't hesitate to throw things out of my right hand!" The vendor's voice grew louder and the more she gained a bad reputation in the eyes of the locals.
Cytherea decided to stay away from that location and decided not to act suspiciously. Humans were truly lowly creatures who even dared to challenge those in power.
But she didn't realise that the opening question was coercive and intimidating, like chastising an innocent person. If Xavier had been by her side he would have locked the goddess in a wooden basket.
Seeing a fairly experienced blacksmith, Cytherea approached him with a bit of surprise.
"Welcome .... mistress? How can I help you? Incidentally, I am the only blacksmith in this village. Would you like to make kitchen utensils or home furnishings?"
Greeted so politely by him, Cytherea could not help but smile under her cloak. "Thank you, but I don't need any of that."
Confused by her answer, the blacksmith stopped his right hand that was carving a sword. "Then, is there anything important you want to ask?"
'This guy is really very perceptive. Last time I went to this bastard village, I never saw him.' Cytherea did not expect there to still be residents who were friendly in such a miserable condition.
"Would it not bother you if I took off my cloak?"
"Sure. We can be more relaxed when discussing."
Slowly she took off the cloak, easing the coils around her neck, slightly giving a long breath after being quite claustrophobic and tormented. Her face was observed by the blacksmith. At first, he tried to remember her familiar face. Repeatedly hearing almost every day that it was the face of a fugitive from the locals.
The blacksmith was not one to fear evil in any form. But he certainly could not stay silent if there was someone capable of paralysing with just a subtle touch.
"You... Why are you here?"
Seeing his reaction, Cytherea instantly blurred and understood the meaning of the question. Although the goddess had never seen him, that did not mean the blacksmith did not know about her.
"Stop! You'll get caught if you run that way!"
"What?!" Cytherea stopped her feet, the screeching sound of sand and footwear screeching loudly, almost causing her to step on a puddle in front of her.
Then her steps returned to the blacksmith and wondered. "What about the conditions there? Why did you forbid me? It almost cost me my life." Cytherea was curious and furious at the same time.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. It's just that the area is exclusively for locals who have lived in this village for a long time."
"Oh. Then?"
"I'm not a resident of this village. But I know that you have paralysed the village chief before, right?" The blacksmith asked to make sure even though he knew the fact was absolute.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone