Author's note: I made this chapter in preparation for the special chapter~

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I'm just a newbie author writing for fun~

Help me by pointing out mistakes you see in the chapter as it will help me improve~

Thank you and enjoy the chapter~ I made this for you guys~ I needed the practice anyway~

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Volume 1 Chapter 10: Popularity

Struct began looking at us with those eyes… He seems quite sure about something, but I don’t know what it is.

Maybe I should commence my original plan? Now is a good time!

The original plan was to somehow portray Feru as a [Goddess], which will divert any attention and speculation, of me being a [God], away and buy me some time to learn more about the world without too much trouble…

Yeah, not one of my best ideas… but it was the only thing I could think of.

Well~ as a person nurtured by my family to be kind and respectful… (I’m still questioning my actions last night…)

I could only initiate my plan if the person in question agrees to it, but if she doesn’t agree, I have something else in mind.

I don’t have any intention to force someone to do something if they don’t really want to…

With that said, I’m still standing here… deciding if I should really go through… a High risk, High reward…

The opportunity to do it right now is really good.

Feru is really favored by the people, which mean that we could gain some kind of influence towards them.

Meanwhile I’m very feared by all… when word gets out that I’m that [God]… I don’t really want to think about it.

The summary is; Feru good, Nero bad.

Looking back at the three of them, they all gave me looks with different meanings to them.

Struct, with eyes of suspicion… Lina, with eyes of worry… and Feru, with eyes of determination…

Looks like I wasted too much time over thinking…

I want to say that everything that happened was because of Luck…

I blame it all on Luck… I’ll also leave it to Luck… It’s not like I can do anything about it…

I leaned in closer to Feru and whisper.

Me: “It looks like you already know what I’m planning, but just in case. Are you really fine with carrying such a large burden?”

Feru nodded with resolution… Seeing this, I moved in closer and placed my arm around her neck… hugging her.

It made me feel strangely calm, as if all of my stress was beginning to fade away.

I ignore the two people looking at us and whispered something to Feru.

Me: “Thank you… Try to play along… and show them your wings and scythe after I place a flower on you…”

After saying those words, I reluctantly ended the hug and parted with Feru… Maybe I should hug Feru more.

I stood still and gave Struct a cold stare… Making him flinched.

I’m taking a huge gamble now and there is no turning back at this point.

I let out a deep sigh as Now is the time to start the act!

Me: “As she already ordered me… I have no choice but to do it”

I opened up my inventory and took out the transparent white flower that I got from the spirits.

I carefully placed it on Feru, it looked like a hair ornament.

System:Name:Spirit FlowerType:AccessoryQuality:SDefence:25Durability:n/aItem Description:A mystical item widely known in Legends.

It has been said that the Spirit Flower is only given to those who have been favored by the spirits.Additional Effects:Augments:20% increase in mana regeneration

Feru started muttering something under her breath while she stretches her right hand to the side. To which a pure white, angelic looking scythe materializes and a pair of black wings started protruding from her back.

System:Name:??? [Dormant]Type:ScytheQuality:Artifact (SSS+)Attack:100-200Durability:n/aItem Description:The 6th Form of Zodiac: Virgo

???Additional Effects:Abilities:???

Special SummoningAugments:Growth

SentientRequirements:Can only be equipped by the following:

Neroborj

Feruniru

I’m quite perplexed by this, but I didn’t show it.

As far as I know, Virgo is supposed to be a staff and not a scythe with ‘???’

I’ll pursue this matter later as I need to focus on this first.

Looking at the two in front of us…

Lina has an expression of awe as she was mesmerize by Feru’s beauty.

While her father has a pale expression as she looked at Feru…

I’m having a bit of trouble maintaining my poker face… I was almost captivated by Feru.

Me: “As ordered, allow me to introduce ourselves”

I continued my acting.

Me: “This person is Feruniru, [The Goddess of Life and Death]”

I gestured my hands towards Feru as she stood up gave a lovely bow. The two blushed so much that they look like tomatoes…

I can’t see Feru’s expression as I was still standing behind her.

Me: “I am Nero, Vassal of [The Goddess of Life and Death]”

I also gave a bow while I spoke…

As I looking back up, I saw Lina with the same expression…

While her father has already lost all of its color on his face… I mean, I can color his face with a crayon…

Me: “Let’s talk a bit more~”

I looked at Struct while I spoke in an uncaring tone.

Struct bowed his head and say.

Struct: “Y-Yes!”

At this point, I want to say ‘Just as planned’ but I was just overestimating myself… haven’t I?

During the talk, I learned that Struct has the ability to discern the nature(Alignment) of others.

He was able to discern that Feru’s nature was kind(good) while mine was… confusing as it was both good & bad.

They explained that Struct’s previous action of attacking me was to see my nature better… it yielded no results.

So Struct kept being suspicious of me until he was able to discern my true nature(Alignment) while Lina was worried that Struct might do something rash again. He also thought that I might also know something about the recent incident which arouses his suspicion even more, but he was only able to discern my nature as kind(good) when I gave Feru a hug…

He never really thought that Feru and I were the [Gods] in the prophecies… it was just me over thinking and misunderstanding.

Anyway~ as we continue our discussion, I was able to convince Struct to become our ally… he was happy to serve the [Goddess] he said.

And somehow, everything went to my favor… But still, I somehow felt like I’ve lost something.

After that embarrassing bout, I excused myself and borrowed the kitchen to distract myself a bit…

Lina gave Feru a tour around the house while Struct said he still has some business to take care of…

. . . . . . .

Somehow, I able unlock the profession called “Chef”. It seems that skill points can be used to increase its level.

As a person who likes to cook, I went ahead and distributed 9 points unto it, leaving me with 21 skill points.

I was able to make various kinds of food.

I used magic to make cooking a bit easier and used Creation for some ingredients.

I refrained from using creation too much though; I might need the status points later on.

[Total status point cost: 3]

Me: “Hmmm… I think I made too many”

There are many too many sweet stuff here…

I grab some of them and placed them all on my inventory, but there are still many left- hmm?

I see some people peeking through the door.

I wonder how long they were there; I haven’t really paid attention to my surroundings…

I gesture them to come closer but they all left… except for one;

A maid, she has the same height as me, she has short red hair and eyes… and cat ears!?

I wonder if I can touch it…

I went towards her and gave her piece chocolate bread.

Me: “Give it a taste~ I want to know if it taste good~”

I did taste the food I made, but I want to know what others think of it. And maybe somehow agree to let me touch her ears…

The maid was somewhat confused, but she was able to eat the chocolate bread I gave her.

Red Haired Maid: “……”

Me: “Was it no good?”

Red Haired Maid: “……”

Did I break her somehow? Did it taste that bad?

The maid just stood there in a daze as her face turns a bit reddish…

Maid: “Delishuu…”

Seems like the maid is still in a daze… should I just leave?

As I turned around to leave, the maid hugged me from behind…

Red Haired Maid: “C-Can I have shome moure!?”

Me: “Eh…? Uh sure… Why not…”

Well, I was planning on giving it away. So I’ll just give it to her…

If no one wanted it, I'll throw away all of the left overs.

I gave her the remaining chocolate bread on the table.

After that, I silently moved away from the kitchen…

My intuition tells me that the situation is starting turn bad… maybe I should leave the house?

I spotted Feru and Lina in the corridor talking to each other…

Me: “Feru, I’ll be out for a bit~”

I told her as I ran pass her.

Feru: “Ah! Take care!”

. . . . . .

I began walking around with no certain destination. Well, some of the buildings are familiar.

The streets are full of different people, some of which are from different races.

All of the commotion seemed to have died down, although they seem restless.

At least they are not carrying any weapons around…

I continued my stroll, looking for stuff that could interest me in any way.

There are plenty of them…

I came upon a familiar building. I think this was one of the inn I visited in that incident.

Because there were people entering/exiting the building, I went in as I was curious…

Inside the inn was;

People drinking…

People talking…

People eating…

There are a lot of happy people than sad ones…

But my focus was towards the bar counter, as it had many people gathered.

They don’t appear to be ordering anything; they were just talking.

I moved in a little closer to see what’s happening.

Nymph: “Shouldn’t you rest for now?”

Female Clerk: “I’m fine, I’m fine”

Male Demon: “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Female Clerk: “Yeah, nothing too drastic happened to me… I was saved before they could do anything to me”

Female Beastman: “I kept hearing rumors about that”

Female Elf: “Yeah… It was something about a guy surrounded by a dark mist”

Male Beastman: “I heard that he killed all of those bastards!”

Male Celestial: “Hmm… even though he saved us, the whole kingdom is still restless because of the incident…”

I continued listening in on the gathered people on the counter.

Their talk mostly consisted about what's going on in Maltis… But the topic about the [Mysterious Hero] remained.

I could have continued listening more, but I finally noticed the female clerk staring at me…

She was one of the few people that I saved during that Incident.

She was a female human with long brown hair and blue eyes…

… I would like to play a staring game with you, but it's getting late.

I quickly left the Inn and headed back.

. . . . . . . .

I was able to return before it got dark… but one problem…

The guards won’t let me in.

Annoying Guard 1: “The master is attending to important guests right now, come back next time!”

Me: “Uh… I’m one of those guests”

Annoying Guard 2: “No, We never saw or heard that one of the guests left the house”

Me: “Isn’t it because you two were slacking around?”

The two guards pointed their spear towards me… They even glared at me.

Well~ I never saw this two when I arrived here or when I left…

What do I do now? Should I just force myself in?

It's possible to jump over the high fence with my current stats.

But before I could take any action, I saw the familiar red haired maid from earlier coming towards the gate.

Red Haired Maid: “Can you let that person in? He is one of our honorable guests”

Annoying Guard 2: “Shut up, a lowly servant such as you cannot order us!”

… Really, these guys…

I moved 3 steps back, and took 4 steps forward before jumping over the tall gate.

While in midair, I saw two shocked guards and an astonished red hair maid.

Me: “You two are wasting my time!”

I quickly rush towards the house the moment my feet touched the ground.

I’m exhausted… I’m going to sleep after I eat…

Fortunately, I was just in time for dinner…

The two are already seated at the table, and are waiting for the food to arrive.

By the sides, there are a line of people, all wearing maid or butler outfits, standing by the wall. Ready to assist us.

I walked towards Feru and sat beside her.

One of the maids pulled the chair and gestured me to sit… I'm not really used to being served, so I feel kinda awkward.

As we wait for the food, I got the impression of everyone's eyes are focused on me…

Anyway~ the food arrived, time to eat~

We started eating as soon as the food arrived.

The people by the wall were just standing there… but I still feel them watching me, even though they are behind me.

This is really awkward for me…

While we were eating, the attention of the two changed to me.

Lina: “You’ve caused a ruckus in the kitchen…”

Me: “Eh…? Did something happen?”

Lina: “Everyone in the household was looking for you…”

Me: “Why!?”

Lina: “They hope to get some brown bread from you…”

Me: “Eeehhh!?”

What the heck… well, that explains why all of them are looking at me with those eyes…

All of them are like predators eyeing their prey, they aren’t attacking me, but it's still making me a bit tense…

. . . . . . . .

I plan to sleep after eating… Lina told me where my assigned room was and I happily went there.

On my way, there were several people looking at me with puppy eyes…Stop!

Honestly… I don’t know what to think of this anymore… It was kinda funny the first time I heard it, but now it's just scary…

I just promised them that I’ll give them some sweets tomorrow… Fortunately, that stopped them…

Aren’t there too many workers here?

There are quite many of them… male, female… some of them are from different races…

I finally reached my room…

I immediately locked my door as soon as I entered… I don’t want to be assaulted by one of them…

That night, I had a nightmare…

Maybe because it was my first time sleeping after that Incident… and this nightmare was the reflection of my guilt…

But somehow, the nightmare disappears and I felt strangely calm…