Chapter 39: Conflicting Interests
“I find it quite… displeasing that fellow Espherites, such as yourselves, would lower yourselves so far as to collude with those… vermin.”
“Watch your tongue, child. The gnomes are just as devout believers of the Goddess as you are.”
“‘Child’?... Did you just call ME a ‘child’?”
“Esphera?”
Before I could get a proper word in, Esphera stepped up to confront Snide. The atmosphere turned sour in a flash.
“... Forgive me for using the wrong term to refer to you. It is a habit of mine to address others that way.”
“You do not look nearly old enough to behave as such, yet you have made that your habit? How often must you look down on others for that to bleed into your speech?”
“I could ask the same of you, Star Priest. How lacking must you be in character to speak so lowly of the gnomes? Is it not you who, in your arrogance, see the gnomes as beneath yourself?”
“I quite literally need to look down at gnomes to see them!”
Good point, but I don’t think that’s what she was talking about.
I can’t let this go on. Stirring trouble with Snide now would just further complicate things later down the line.
[Esphera, it would not be wise to start a conflict with an influential figure such as Star Priest Snide right now.]
[But… Lord Yvell, he is clearly acting out of line! This behavior is unacceptable!]
[I agree, and I too am unhappy with him and find his words grating to the ears, but that is besides the point. We must be patient, lest we create more variables to the plan.]
[I… You are correct. I apologize, Lord Yvell.]
Is this enough? I think I’ve cooled Esphera down. Now, to deal with the old guy.
I step between the two and bow my head in apology.
“I must apologize, Star Priest Snide. It was not our intention to come here and be disrespectful to one so close to the Goddess as you. Would you please allow this one transgression to pass?”
“He is not—mph!” (Muffled)
I quickly slipped around Esphera’s back, wrapped my arm around her, and put my hand over her mouth, preventing her from speaking. Snide looked at me with a hint of suspicion for a moment before responding with a nod.
“... Hmph. I suppose it would be inappropriate for a Star Priest such as I to be engaging in an unsightly exchange of words such as this.”
“That is true. I appreciate your patience, Star Priest.”
“Indeed. Though I have yet to receive my answers, for your deference towards me, I shall forget this instance of disrespect from your partner.”
“Fahnuh?! [Partner?!]” (Muffled) ← Esphera
“Thank you, Star Priest. Now, if you excuse us.”
“Be on your way then.”
Snide gave us the side eye as he entered the mudbrick building, passing us by. I signaled for the rest of the group to follow suit, and we all left the scene.
“... How exhausting…”
I feel drained after today’s debacle. We still have to return to the gnomes to tell them of the good news. Maybe we should head there right away and order take-out again.
“... Uu…”
“Hm?”
Why does my hand feel warm?
““Sir Yvell/Pervert, could you take your hand off her now?”” (Graille & Ori in sync)
Oh, right.
I take my hand off of Esphera’s mouth. For some reason, she was as red as a tomato. Ah, I must’ve been too close to her. Did I make her uncomfortable?
“Sorry, Esphera. I did not intend to stick that close to you. Did you dislike it?”
“O-Oh, no! It is fine, Lord Yvell! I assure you!”
“I see. That is a reli–”
Pinch.
Twist.
“AH! What was that for?!”
When I turned around, Graille and Ori were standing right there, looking at me with resentful eyes. Was it because I was being too touchy with Esphera?
I guess it must’ve looked a bit creepy for me to have gotten that close to her.
“I get it. I will try not to make her uncomfortable next time.”
“Ah…? Oh, yes, that is right! You were making her feel strange! Be more mindful of your distance, Sir Yvell!”
“... You better, pervert.”
“Hehe~”
Esphera looks happier now that she is no longer restrained.
Come to think of it, my ex used to whine about me being too touchy back then, too. I should do as Graille suggested and keep away from their personal space.
“... I suppose we can consider this half of the mission clear. With this, we have elevated the position of the gnomes to a respectable level. Time will have to do the rest of the heavy lifting.”
There was still the schism to deal with—but not while tensions between the races were this high. Unfortunately, we might have to negotiate with Snide on that front, since he likely wielded the greatest spiritual influence over Starfell’s people—but speaking with him any time soon would make me feel shittier than I already do.
“Then, shall we return to Gnomewood? I am quite famished, and I think tonight is ripe for another celebration. How about we order some pizza this time and share some with the gnomes?”
“Ooh! Sir Yvell! Could we please order pizza with pineapple slices on top? I heard online that pizza is best enjoyed with pineapples!” ← Graille
“The fuck are you on about, woman?! Who puts pineapple on pizza?!” ← Ori
“I must agree with the human, junior. Such a poor choice of toppings reflects upon your poor taste.” ← Esphera
“What?!?”
“Oog…”
“Goo.”
Looks like another fight was erupting already. Give me a break, girls. I’m tired…
“Sir Gorilla, shall we leave the women to fight among themselves?”
“Oog.” (Thumbs-up)
“Oh. And what should we get for Sylvie? Do you think she will appreciate a carrot blend?”
“Goo.” (Thumbs-up)
“Huh? Sylvie, did you learn that from Sir Gorilla?”
““Oog/Goo.”” (Ramube & Sylvie in sync, giving a thumbs-up)
“You’re learning pretty fast, huh? Smart kid.”
And so, we left for Gnomewood, leaving the women behind. They did catch up with us later, of course. Some of them can straight-up teleport, after all.
“... Chief.”
“Snide. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
Snide stood before the throne, where the town’s ruler, Nova’k, sat and admired his new gift.
Nova’k glanced at Snide before returning his gaze to his newest, most treasured weapon, the Agnova’k. A knowing smile drew across his face all the while.
“I take it that you are here to undo that group’s efforts?”
“...”
“You are quite easy to read.”
Click.
Ziiing!
Vuuuooom! Vuuuooom! Vuuuooom!
Though Nova’k was still a novice with the blade, he was a skilled warrior. That showed with every movement he made, swinging the blade, expending minimal stamina yet delivering maximum force.
Vuuuooom! Fsssshhh!...
“This blade… Do you see the power that it wields?”
“... Esphera’s light. It is stored within the blade, empowering the weapon.”
“Exactly.”
Vuuuooom! KSSSSHH!
With one swift swing of the sword, Agnova’k had cut a stone table in half. The sight surprised Snide for just a moment before his anger resurfaced on his face.
“Tell me, Star Priest. Do you think it is wise to cut the belly of the goose, when it could lay you plenty of eggs for days to come?”
“... Chief.”
“I think not. Especially if this goose… could make weapons as fearsome as this ‘sword’. Did you know that geese could bite? I learned that in my childhood. They can be quite ferocious beasts. Haha.”
Click.
Ziiing…
The sword, carrying a fragment of the Holy Star (complete bullshit), powered down at the click of a button. As the blade lost its light, Nova’k nodded in satisfaction and slung it over his back.
After Yvell’s group had left, he strung the handle with rope for carrying—a small habit of his when it comes to his own personal weapons. Feeling the weight of the weapon on his body, Nova’k smiled in satisfaction.
“Snide, I am sure you understand that this, too, is a path to power. The power we so desired to avoid further tragedy. To inspire all under one rule.”
“Chief.”
“Should we wrangle the tribes together as one, no longer would we need to fear the wilds. No longer would we need to fear hunger or the magical beasts that see us as prey. Together, we could create a paradise free from fear.”
“...”
Snide was clearly less than pleased. For once, he looked insolent before his ruler. Blatantly so.
At this surprising development, Nova’k couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hahahaha!”
“... May I ask you what it is you suddenly find funny, chief?”
“You have grown quite the fire inside of you, have you not, Snide?”
“I do not know what it is that you are referring to.”
“I suppose old bones like yours do remain sturdy. You still have the eyes of a warrior in you. A most vengeful one.”
“...”
Snide recalled the gesture Yvell had made not long ago—the bowing of one’s head as a show of respect. In that moment, an idea had struck him. He would go a step further.
Snide got on his knees and elbows, pressing his forehead to the ground. The shocking sight caused Nova’k’s eyes to widen in surprise.
“... What are you doing?”
“... Great Chieftain.”
“What is it, Snide?”
“Please reconsider.”
“...”
Nova’k frowned.
He approached the bowed Snide with heavy steps that dug into the dirt. He knelt on one knee to the ground and grabbed Snide’s head up by his hair.
Snide’s aged face looked back at him without a hint of fear in his eyes. Nova’k furrowed a brow at this.
“... Tell me, schemer. What makes you think I would change my mind now, after receiving such wonderful gifts?”
“Great Chieftain.”
“The path to power is now clearer than ever before. We no longer have to play any underhanded tricks. The long wait is over!”
Despite Nova’k raising his voice, Snide did not blink. He did not even flinch. The old man remained unafraid and unaffected.
“... Do you not fear the loss of control?”
“Say that again?”
Snide smiled.
“Today, it will be this one sword. Tomorrow it may be two.”
“... Where are you going with this?”
Nova’k narrowed his eyes as he met Snide’s gaze. Deep within the old man’s pupils lay a bottomless pit of darkness that yearned for something sick and twisted.
“Do you not fear the day the gnomes will return with their weapons in hand and take their revenge for having ousted them from Starfell?”
“Even if they return now, more bloodthirsty than ever, we can win against them. Their bodies are weak, and no sharp weapon can compensate for those lacking in skill and strength.”
“...”
“I am sure you know this yourself. You were once a hunter, too.”
“...”
“The past blinds you, Snide. Forget your sorrows and lingering resentment. You will reunite with your lover in the afterlife, anyway, so why must your hatred of the gnomes bind you so?”
This time, it was Snide’s turn to frown as his emotions bubbled into growing anger. Noticing this, Nova’k let go of Snide’s head and stood back up.
The old man glared at him with hatred as he looked up at him from below.
“I will create a land where none may starve again. This is what I promised you long ago when you first became a shaman.”
“Chief.”
“Begone for now, Star Priest. Rest your head and cool your heart. I will entertain no further discussion today.”
Snide understood that there was no point in speaking any further. So, he stood up from his position and turned to the exit.
His eyes focused on a group of women outside, bickering in the daylight. He held onto his chest, clutching it as he felt emotions rise like a fiery storm within him.
“... I will have my way.”
After we arrived in Gnomewood, it was time for another feast. This time, however, we chose to order from Pizza Home, rather than WcDonnie’s. To make things even simpler, we also had Angel Deliveries pick up our order.
It was my first time seeing a drone deliver take-out. And it wasn’t just a simple drone, either. It looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. It hovered about in the air without any rotor propellers.
“Thanks again, um, ‘Two-Balls’? Are you sure I should be calling you that?”
[Error. I do not understand the purpose of this inquiry.]
“... Never mind.”
I watched as our group and the gnomes made merry, enjoying the feast.
Graille decided to get pineapple pizza for herself, since no one else wanted any. I didn’t take her for a foodie at first, but apparently, she can eat a lot for her fill. As expected of a constellation.
Everybody else got different kinds of pizzas. We had the money to spare thanks to Ramube’s surprisingly fat wallet, so we went crazy with the choices.
Ori even ordered some anchovy pizza out of curiosity, but since nobody liked the taste or texture, it remained barely touched at the end of the table.
As promised, I got Sylvie some carrot blend. I had a blender tucked away in my condo’s kitchen, so after giving it a good cleaning, we used it to blend up some carrots into a baby bottle.
Sylvie seemed to like the carrots, which was a nice thing to discover. Graille made sure to take notes so as not to forget. She was steadily growing into a proper motherly figure to Sylvie already.
The gnomes seemed to be enjoying themselves, fattening themselves up with greasy pizza. If they get any fatter, I might just mistake some of them for the seven dwarves.
And as for Tumble…
“... You’re still wearing that?”
“Yes, of course! You see, I find this ‘glow-in-the-dark diaper’ quite comfortable to wear! Would you like me to return it to you…?”
“No thanks.”
I would rather you just throw it away before you start getting a rash somewhere you won’t like, but saying that would expend more of my mental energy, so I decided to stay quiet.
[Utopic World Builder.]
“Oh, uh… Two-Balls. You’re still here. Do you need something?”
2-BalledAngelos, or rather, its drone, hovered in front of me with its red monoeye gleaming ominously over me.
Is it scanning my body, or something? It’s not going to find out I’m actually just a human larping as a constellation, right?
Beep.
[I wish to present to you a business proposal.]
“A… business proposal?”
[Inquiry: Would you be willing to share your talents with more established constellations?]
“... Huh?”
