Moment of Truth

Meanwhile, on the long sofa, Enrique lay back and stared at the ceiling. Occasionally he could feel the ground shake and then hit his face, blinding his vision. His face looked glum, the next second his breathing was very long, inviting questions from the little old man.

"You don't seem to be feeling well, sir? Is it because the guests this time did not meet the requirements?"

"They did not come to offer an agreement or co-operation. But the guests this time are so special because they can meet My Brother again. I haven't seen him in a very long time. Is this also part of your plan?"

The little old man smiled, it calmed the people around him. "Whatever you need I will fulfil even if my life is at stake. I have repeatedly heard your story about that young man. I memorised and remembered his features because they were too unique and different. Let alone you, I who brought him here was also surprised at first. How could the person you were looking for come to us without any help or effort? Think of it as a reward for your kindness towards me."

Enrique was still gloomy, even silent for a moment. Among all of them, the little old man knew Xavier very well. Hearing his master's story, he could conclude that the young man in his story was indeed worthy of being a brother or relative. If they were equal, perhaps the little old man would not mind offering him a mutually beneficial agreement.

"I told you not to make a fuss over trivial matters. I just happened to see you."

The little old man shook his head and then continued. "Back to the main topic. What makes you look glum? Is it a business problem?"

To be more precise, it's the problem of the vendors in the market. Although some of them always looked elite and others looked like trash, ninety per cent of them barely paid their monthly taxes. 

The deal was not a one-sided one and the vendors were willing to pay it. Enrique promised that the tax would not be misused and would be used to improve the village system.

But over the past few months, they neglected and forgot about the agreement. To make matters worse, the market leader came down to demand the monthly money. But the result was that Enrique was pelted with the items they had displayed in the shop as a form of rejection and expulsion. It just happened and they were one of the factors that prompted Enrique and others to build this underground place.

"I realise that most of your income comes from the tax. But there's nothing wrong with expelling those who disobey. After all, you always fulfil their rights, and you always get the worst of it." The waitress who had brought the guest here suddenly interrupted.

Enrique was silent, he had no reason to deny his actions so far. They also couldn't do much because the final result still came back to the leader. 

"I can be ruthless if that's what it takes. Perhaps this is the time." His face was suddenly serious and threatening. 

"What are you planning?" asked the little old man, having not seen that expression in a very long time. It still gave him goosebumps.

"I'll... Later. It's too embarrassing to say right now when My Brother comes with good news."

It was a coincidence that Xavier and Cytherea approached those who were discussing. They looked at each other and gave the guests a chance to speak.

"We will leave at midnight tonight."

"Hey, I told you we would stay until our business is done!" Xavier denied

Not exactly good news, Enrique got up from the sofa. The servant asked the question "What do you mean, Goddess Cytherea? She's just joking, right?" her face turned to Xavier who was already standing in the corner of the room with Enrique.

"I'm just joking, human. It's cosy here and I feel at home."

Their heartbeats stabilised again.

***

"I want to talk to you, Senior Enrique. Just the two of us." 

Enrique could sense the tension and almost told them to leave, but Xavier held him back and let them joke around. The awkwardness continued but the adventurer remained patient until he could finally get back to chatting with the market leader.

"What do you want to dig up, My Brother? Is a map with signs not enough? Say whatever you want."

"I have two questions but I don't know if they will help our journey or not. Firstly, what happened to the village that it was destroyed like this? Second, can you tell me about that old man? He's very mysterious and seems to be hiding his powers."

Enrique was a little wide-eyed, as it was rare for strangers to talk about the little old man who had faithfully accompanied him for several years.

"I won't force you to answer, but it helps me a lot that it reduces my curiosity."

With a long breath, the market leader remembers exactly how he met a little old man. Their encounter could be said to be very fucking and tense, to this day not one of them knows the name of the little old man. He deliberately hides and tries to forget the events of the past that have traumatized him enough.

When the Goddess insulted the leader of the village, she looked panicked and confused. His fear is hyperbolic to the point that he doesn't want to be touched by anyone else. Slowly the paralysis began to spread from his hand to his whole body. Such diseases can still be cured by the abilities of the very Great Goddess. Eventually, he refused any help from the gang of crime and spit right in his face.

Cytherea is not a stupid goddess and would not add more sacrifices, deciding to leave them by sliding until it managed to get out of the village without a wound.

The time passed so fast that the village leader died with dozens of wounds on his head. His family thought it was a paralyzing wound, but when they noticed it, it was an acute wound with a sharp, rotting weapon.