Chapter 61: The Importance of 'Followers”.

Chapter 61: The Importance of “Followers”.

You want us to do what now, little lady?!

[I want you three to become my followers,] I answered Caszcurs question.

Followers? Apsala stopped for a moment, thinking about my request. Little oneyou told me that you werent a priestess of Aurena, right? And you also know that Im a Kargryxmor follower so isnt asking this a bit redundant?

It seems like there was a misunderstanding when I told them to become my followersactually, maybe there wasnt one? I mean, technically, I am asking them to become affiliated with Aurena due to the origin of [Fan Overview] and [The Light].

[No, thats not what I meant. I mean that you become my followers, not Aurena or Kargryxmor or any other god,] I responded, making the lizardmen even more confused. [Ok, truth be told, I have an ability that grows stronger and stronger, the more followers I have. You dont actually have to do anything besideswell, I also am not really sure what youre supposed to say. The skill is still quite mysterious to me, its owner.]

Both Saori and Tasianna became my followers when they simultaneously got [Hestias Retainer], while Im not sure how Rajah and his family did it. Was there some sorta ritual or a specific phrase that they have to say?

Little one, although Im not quite sure what youre even talking about, you should know that we lizardfolk take our religion seriously. The tribes that we three came from have a history of being Marsven worshippers, Apsala said in a troubled tone. Yes, some of us worship Kargryxmor but that is because of our culture. The once renowned dragon that was known throughout the world ascended to godhood through his strength alone. This ideal helped us stay strong through our harshest time, that perseverance and courage would bring us fortuneand it has, in you, Hestia.

Apsala cast her head down, crestfallen as she continued speaking while tucking her tail between her legs, "You want us to become your 'followers' so it may make you stronger, and nothing would make me happier than to be able to help you butI-I can't do that. It feels like I would abandon my faith if I did. My faith has brought me both happiness and sadness but without it, I wouldn't have been able to keep my sanity through these trials and tribulation."

I honestly didnt think about that. I knew that these lizardmen were religious, but I never had the feeling that they were that faithful about it. I wasnt trying to make them convert or anything, but it seems I underestimated the meaning of a follower.

Im not religious myself, neither in this life nor in my past. Despite knowing that gods actually existed in this world, I never wanted to worship them or anything, merely thinking of Kargryxmor as my super old grandfather and Aurena as a benefactor.

However, being stubborn about what you believe in is something I can respect, as my dream would have died a long time ago if I had given up on it the moment it got hard. There is no need to force her to do it if she didn't want to. I wanted [Venerated Saintess] but it wasnt a must.

As my tail is my witness, Im so sorry, little one. Argh, I have insulted the God of Dragons and Oaths by not being able to fulfill my debt to you, Apsala apologized wholeheartedly, completely inconsolable as she fell on the ground and held up her tail. I-I offer my tail up for breaking this oath, and in the name of Kargryxmor I shall cut it off to repent.

WHAT?!

[Miss Apasala, please you do not have to go that far!] Saori shouted, attempting to calm the crazy lizardwoman down.

["HEY! Listen to Saori, Apsala. Who fucking cares about that little favor anyway?! Don't fucking maim yourself just 'cause of me,"] I also shouted, rushing over to her side to take her hand away from her tail.

Little one, let go of me, this has to be done. Ive shamed my faith by my own selfishness, Apsala pleaded, tears flowing from her eyes as she helplessly tried to remove my hand.

[What do you mean youve shamed your faith, huh? Heilige scheie, I was merely asking you for a simple favor, not a holy quest,] I said frantically, not understanding whats gotten to her.

["Miss Apsala, please you must calm down. Think about what you are trying to do here. If you were to cut your tail here then you would undoubtedly ignore Lady Hestia's wish once again,"] Saori remarked.

Her words seemed to have an effect as Apsala was visibly worried about it, I-I would?

[Yes, yes! She is the one who asked you to not do it, so please stop,] Saori continued. [Isnt that right, Tasianna? Lady Hestia asked her to not cut her tail, right?]

Uh, y-yes. Madam Apsala, nobody would be satisfied if you were to sever your tail, especially if you did it because you couldnt help Lady Hestia. She would feel guilty, Tasianna uttered, albeit hesitant at first.

Looking at Caszcur, Aksmias, and Tasianna and how they were just standing around and not doing anything despite how loud Apsala was shouting that she was about to maim herself, made me slightly flabberghasted. Admittedly, it doesn't seem like she had the strength to cut nor was there any sharp objects to help her, but just the thought counted.

Saori words seemed to have hit Apsala, as the hand she was using to tear mine away slowly lost strength and went limp. As the two of us tried to comfort her, I couldn't help but question what even happened just now.

Apsala tried to cut her tail, her two companions didnt even try to stop her, and Tasianna was even hesitating to even help before Saori called her out. It feltI feel like there was some kinda disconnection between us two and them.

Noticing that the other lizardmen were slowly becoming louder, I decided to ask Tasianna or Caszcur about the issue later on, [Enough, forget about what I just said, alright? Lets just go, were holding everybody up.]

With that, our trip with the lizardmen began. Ive already noticed it during the rescue mission but the lizardmen really were adept with moving through a swamp, barely being affected by the water that went up to their knees.

To not be slowed down, Saori and I had to be creative about it and move along the trees if the water was too deep. The lizardmen were taller than us so if the water went up to their knees, then it would go up to Saoris hips. I was even shorter than her so my belly area would get submerged if I werent on a tree.

As we wandered at a relatively good pace, Saori and I talked with Tasianna about what just happened this morning, wanting to know her PoV, first.

Tasianna firstly apologized to us before telling us that she wasnt sure what she was supposed to do there. Although she did find it a bit extreme she thought she had to respect it, as she mentioned that she was doing it for her god.

After questioning her a bit further, she told us that some of the gods are pretty strict about certain tenets. Plesia, the Water Goddess, was not only the chief goddess but she was also known to govern over order, honor, and tradition.Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

Despite being an extremely generous goddess to her followers, she was known to show disastrous consequences if they were to dissatisfy her extremely.

She thought this was the case with Kargryxmor. As a god who presided over dragonkins and oaths, she thought what Apsala was trying to do was just normal. She thought that it was something a follower from Kargryxmor would do to atone.

As she knew that I had no idea about the gods and that I wasn't interested in them until yesterday, she never thought it was important to mention it. She explained that the god a person chooses to follow usually was a good indicator of that person's personality.

Races that have a patron god usually worship theirs regardless of their disposition, however, whoever they chose to worship next was usually considered their primary god. Tasianna was a fairy so growing up as a Zephira believer was normal. By becoming also Plesia's, she made it clear that she valued her tenets.

[I equally pray to Zephira and Plesia every night, but I consider myself more a water mage than a wind one,] Tasianna admitted, telling us that she felt much closer to other Plesia worshippers than Zephiras. [Our ideology and values coincide, I believe.]

In a way, this explained why she was so distraught about not being punished for her mistake, blaming herself for being the real reason why her last mistress died. Not only was it her honor and pride as a maid, but also her religious belief that made it hard for her to understand why nobody was willing to condemn her for her mistake.

Having that explained to me helped me understand the situation a bit better, knowing that my feeling of disconnect wasn't wrong. People in this world were religious, knowing that an actual god was overseeing them above the blue skies, so I guess people would be more careful to follow certain religious rules.

I mean, Earths history has shown time and time again that religion could be extremely manipulative, being able to cause hate and war. Just looking at the many crusades was enough to convince you about that.

[So, whats your opinion on the bowl?] I asked Caszcur, ignoring what just happened.

"Hmmm," Caszcur laid a hand on his chin, scratching it as he carefully inspected every single angle. "You still put a bit too much force into your swipes which makes everything a bit inaccurate. Here, look. You can clearly see where you began your cuts and how a small dent is left behind. Im pretty sure you would do better with a knife, but youve gotten so used to using your claws to cut that it would be bad to change now.

Digesting the criticism everybody gave me, our little group of artisans continued creating small wooden creations. While most of it was giving me tips on what wood would make good dishware, what technique I should use, and what other objects I should make to improve my skills; there were also some moments where the lizardmen had a quarrel about conflicting ideas.

You skink, were here to repay our debt to her and youre trying to teach her some outdated technique? Ill cut your tail before that happens!

"Krrrrashu! This is something my workshop mastered, and we've been selling our wares in the grand clan village for multiple years now! I'm trying to teach the young scale something that I would never show an untalented krill eater like you!

Mastered? You try to fool our tails, huh? The last time I saw you there, Im pretty sure you were begging people to buy your stuff, ha ha ha!

Hearing all that makes me kinda wish I could visit that place one daybut depending on how large this continent was, that might be a bit too hard and time intensive.

Despite the rowdy noises, I still much enjoyed and benefited quite a lot from their lessons, feeling like I could breakthrough to [Woodworking Lv. 4] without needing to spend SP.

After everybody started leaving for dinner, I quickly collected any finished bowls so I could join them.

However, before I was about to go, Caszcur stopped me, Hey, little lady, can I speak with you for a moment?

Turning around, I answered yes to the tall lizardmen, prompting him to continue, You remember what happened this morning? About that whole follower stuff?

[Huh, that? Caszcur, I already told you that it was fine. No need to bring that topic back up,] I said, in response to his sudden questions.

Nah, seeIm alright with becoming oneone of you followers, I mean, he said, scratching his head nervously.

Caught off-guard by this, I made a bewildered huh? before speaking, [Wait, wait, why would you want to do that, huh? Werent you against it when I asked about it this morning? You just stood still like a statue, as if you were petrified by the very idea of becoming one!]

What the hell is that sorta imagination!Caszcur shouted, scolding me for what I just said. I didnt answer because that question came out of nowhere! Do you really think somebody could think properly and give you an answer after you said, Become my followers., huh!?

After letting ourselves cool down a bit, Caszcur once again brought up the topic, "I gave everything a thought and I made up my mind that it wouldn't be that bad. You said to only become a follower so your skill can evolve, right? Well, who am I to disagree with my lifesaver about fulfilling a favor?"

[But what about your belief? Shouldnt Apsalas reasoning also work with you?] I asked, still remembering what Tasianna and Apsala told me.

My tribe are Marsven followers, so I had to become one, too. I never had a choice on that matter, Caszcur remarked. "I never really was religious, to begin with. It's just too much of a bother when it doesn't help me better my craft, after all. But I still did it because it was part of being a tribe, a family."

Casczur let out a sigh in exasperation, clearly annoyed at what he was about to say, I asked Apsala about it and she made a big fuzz, explaining that it wouldnt be right to do it due to my duty to Marsven. Eventually, she did relent telling me that I technically didnt have a second god yet and that she also wasn't part of my tribe, so she had no authority to stop me if I really wanted to.

[Do you really?] I asked.

"Well, I heard that the Earth Goddess, Crustacia, was also a Goddess of Craftsmanship so I actually planned to have her as my second god, but there also wasn't a rule that I couldn't have three gods that I could pray to," Caszcur responded. Well, you arent a goddess but I guess this follower thing might be bit similar.

Remembering what I heard from Tasianna, any person may pray to as many gods as they wanted to. The gods see no problem in a person praying to all gods as in the end results, the gods are receiving that persons prayer anyways.

Tasianna told me that the elven culture, more specifically speaking, the high elven culture promoted polytheism. Some elves chose to stick with one while others could choose how many they wanted to. It was all allowed.

If the gods see no fault in it, then technically we mortals shouldnt also.

[Still, what made you so willing about it? Just cause I said that nothing big will happen doesnt mean you should believe me on it. Im not the greatest liar but I also dont hesitate to do it when I have to,] I admitted, remembering that I have made excuses to keep my two friends unaware about a few of my personal issues.

"Sure, you want me to count them up for you?" once I nodded, he continued. "You saved the lives of my scale-kins without any payment. You agreed to come with me on that rescue mission. You rescued me and our lost scale-kins from those terrors, and you also re-attached my arm. We didnt start out well, especially concerning those virigresses, so everything youve done for me and my scale-kins wasnt something we deserve. Despite also knowing how we treated them and that we were the ones that chased them away, you still were willing to stick around.

Hearing everything Ive done for them really puts stuff into perspective. I really was a bit too nice to the people who chased away Rajahs family! I better confront them about this later!

We havent told you anything about how lizardmen tribes worked, but a chief is usually chosen due to their strength. Not only are you the strongest among us but youve also shown the leadership needed for one, Caszcur said before bowing, placing one hand on the ground and the other on the chest. There really is no reason for me not to accept, right?

[Sigh, ok, lets do it,] I said, throwing my arms in the air in defeat. [Lets not make much of a deal out of it, but I really have no idea how this will work out so how do youhuh?]

[Krokus Lizardman, Caszcur] has become your follower

Total follower count updated. Total follower of [Young Spark Inferno Dragon, Hestia Atsuko]: 7

Hmm? What is it? Caszcur asked, oblivious of the fact that he just became my follower.

What just happened?!

[Well, congratz Caszcur, you just became my followersomehow,] I stated with slight confusion.

That happened? Weird, it feels nothing changed for me butI guess thats fine, he expressed with a shrug. At the end of the day, if it benefits you then whatever. Never expected anything to change anyways.

[Yeahbut I still have no idea how that happened, though? There has to be a reason for why the System gave me the message now, right?]

As I mulled for a reason, Caszcur placed his hand on my head and patted it, Come on, little lady. I think youre thinking too hard about it now. There is a dinner waiting for us, so leave the thinking for later, ha ha ha!

With that said, he slowly walked towards the center of the camp where our dinner would be held. Noticing that my stomach was growling, I gave my parallel minds the duty to think over it while I refueled our body with food.

The night is cold and eating some good food will warm me back up again.