Chapter 11 – Gather Together
A new morning arrived, and Sheto rose up from the cave of roots, and started to walk.
After moving through the forest for some time, he stopped. In front of him, a single hare was strung upside down after being caught in a vine trap.
It was still moving a little, but barely breathing. Sheto picked it up and swiftly twisted its neck.
Then he untied the vines, and with prey in hand, continued to walk. His nose sniffed the air, searching for his destination.
The kobold soon arrived at a gray swamp. Half of it was mud, and it let out a horrible smell.
“Salia.”
He used his hatchet to cut open the hare’s neck and pour the blood into the swamp.
“After finishing preparations, one more, forbidden thing, I must do.”
‘There is still more?’
“Heroes, will be here soon. Must prepare, quickly.”
He slit open the stomach and removed the hide. Then he threw the guts into the water, leaving just the meat.
“Near this area. Is there a kobold village?”
‘I doubt it. The Heroes have been active as they approach. All monsters would have been wiped out.’
“I see.”
With a look of sadness, Sheto threw the soil that was piled up near the swamp. And then he used a tree branch to mix it.
Several bones rose to the surface. Hares and rats.
“This is fine. Leave for one or two days.”
The whole place reeked of rotten eggs.
“How about your preparations?”
‘I’m about to start. Let me know if anything happens.”’
“Fine. You too.”
Sheto inspected the blade once more and then started to run. He already had an idea of where to go, and so he moved quickly, without any hesitation.
After leaving the god seat, Salia looked around and then headed to the west door. There were hardly any gods in the garden. The ones participating in the games were probably too busy preparing for the attack.
‘Lady Saliashe.’
The small rat came running towards her. She saw it in the corner of her eye, but answered without turning her head.
“Lord Evacus. What can you tell me about the others?”
‘I’m sorry, I cannot tell you.’
“We will set up camp in the south corner of the Erephas mountains. Leak that information to the Heroes.”
The rat suddenly stopped and looked frantic.
‘Ar-are you sure that I can say such a thing!?’
“I do not mind. There is no point in trying to run away. It’s best to stand your ground and fight back. …Wait one moment.”
Salia stood in front of the west door and raised her voice.
“I seek an audience with the Seer of Eternity.”
‘Lady Saliashe…I am sorry. The master has not returned yet.’
“In that case, please let me know when he is back. Tell him that I have accepted his previous proposition.”
The small dragon on the other side was speechless for a moment.
‘Yo-you can’t say that in a place like this…’
“Even if I hide it, the others will find out soon enough. However, there is a big battle coming up. if he does not return before then, I must ask you to send him a message.”
‘Ve-very well!’
She was probably giving the poor things a lot of extra work. She apologized quietly and then turned back to Evacus’s rat.
As for his thoughts and actions, she could guess at them easily enough.
And so it was important to use him as much as possible. And in turn, be used.
“What is the after? You look rather pale.”
“Hah, haha. You do like to jest. So, what will you do now?”
“We should talk in private.”
Salia said to the rat, who had completely lost its color.
She was like a goddess of an entirely different rank. Evacus stared at her as she sat in front of him.
It wasn’t just stubbornness. He could sense a strong will in her eyes. An intensity he had not seen before.
After achieving a victory, she was no longer a fallen god. She was a greater god, worthy of negotiating and competing with.
“I am surprised. That you would do such a thing.”
Inside of a cave that resembled an ancient temple, he faced her in his real body. The other gods might not like it, but he did not care.
“That is good. It has been the other way for most of the time. I thought that I would return the favor.”
“Tha-that was your reason?”
“Of course, not. It was just an opening move. In order to negotiate with you.”
“To take such information, and reveal it to others without using it… In other words, is it a way to restrain the other gods?”
“You see clearly. As for me, I want you to take the information to them as soon as possible.”
“Oh, dear. The medicine was too effective. And now you are using me like some servant.”
“Medicine?”
Saliashe cchuckled.
“That is what I wanted to hear.”
“What do you mean? I do not understand.”
A strategy of using vague words to suggest conviction, and stimulate the other’s imagination.
“Let’s speak more frankly now. You’ve been fattening me up to be fed to the other gods. Making me bigger, so that none can defeat me without your help. That way, all kinds of chances will come rolling your way.”
“…I see. It seems that I might have to reassess you.”
It was said in praise, but he did not smile.
However, it was a relief to know that she could read that much.
“So, since you know my true intent to that degree, what is it that you want?”
“One of your rats.”
Evacus could not help but feel a little excited.
With the last piece in place, he was sure that he could create a masterpiece.
His hand offered, and the beautiful hand accepted. And the rat smiled.
“I suppose you could say that our fates are now intertwined.”
“A rat does not board a sinking ship. And cunning is a stronger power than military might…right?”
Though he had declared that he would betray her, the goddess just smiled.
“…Exactly.”
Evacus answered and stood up and turned away.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Information is best when it is fresh.”
He left in a hasty manner, which was not like him.
How embarrassing. He scolded himself. But his feeling of wanting to get out had won.
Well, perhaps it was the opposite. He was leaving quickly because he realized that he was getting comfortable in a way he had not before.
It would be best to not talk to her anymore.
He did not need any extra burdens on his heart right now.
Extra chapter courtesy of Photo. Thank you so much!!