Chapter 60: Ch 60: Dealing with the Aftermath

Caelion looked determined not to disturb Aiden’s rest, but the noises outside were getting louder and much more familiar.

The louder these noises got, the more determined Caelion looked to handle them. However, there were also murderous intentions in those eyes that made Aiden sigh. He finally decided to interfere.

"I understand that you don’t want to disturb me, but you all are my fellow priests and belong to Goddess Apophis. It is my duty to handle matters related to you."

Aiden reminded Caelion, who sighed and, with an unhappy expression, turned around to lead Aiden outside.

The familiar voice causing trouble belonged to Ethan River, who had an angry expression on his face as he glared down at his food.

"What do you mean I will have to eat the same things as you low-lives? Do you think we are the same? I am from the River family, while you all are slaves—"

One of the ’slaves’ decided to nudge Ethan, causing him to scream, and another one grabbed his mouth to quieten him down.

"Listen here, young master. We used to be ’former’ slaves, but we are no longer slaves. Here, we are all equal in serving Priest Aiden...and Goddess Apophis. You better remember, or you will be in trouble."

The priests had formed a wall around Ethan River, who was a recent addition to their religion, but there was resentment brewing behind their gazes.

But that was a given.

They had a history that simply being under Goddess Apophis could not erase. Unfortunately, it was a problem they would have to overcome themselves.

"E-Everyone, please don’t be too harsh on master. He only behaved like he did because that was all he was taught. I am sure he will improve with time."

Honey defended Ethan, but she did have a point. Not that it excused Ethan’s actions, but it did make them understandable. At least it did for Aiden. But the others clearly did not think the same.

But since Aiden was here, they did not try anything else either and turned toward him to make a decision.

The solution here was rather simple—Aiden was going to separate them so that there was no need to be tense anymore.

"Everyone, gather around. I will tell you the roadmap of what we are going to do."

The priests huddled around Aiden, curious to hear what he had to say. Ethan River was forgotten, which he looked resentful about, but he followed Aiden’s orders as well.

Once everyone was around, Aiden laid out the plan for this village.

"We need to start with developing this village to make it livable. I will send some workers here that will assist in this. Since our population here is limited, we will start with the temple and then move on to the local redevelopment. Does anyone have any questions?"

The former slaves nodded to show that they understood. However, Ethan was the only one who had a question and did not follow his orders blindly.

"Hey, aren’t you forgetting something? How are you going to get approval from the Septa family and Trinity family for this? They are not going to give up their lands and rights so easily. Are you going to take their lands by force?"

Righttttt.

Aiden knew he was forgetting something, and now he knew what.

But honestly, did those two families even matter?

River family had perished as soon as their god died, and the only survivor was Ethan River, who swore his loyalty to Goddess Apophis at Honey’s insistence. Kensen family was still in the dungeons, and Aiden was going to give them an offer—either surrender their loyalty to Goddess Apophis or leave.

’I guess I will do the same for the other two families as well. If they choose to become followers, then I will allow them to remain, but if not, then they will be forced to abandon these lands.’

"There is no need to worry about those people. For now, go and bring them to the village plaza. I will deal with them there."

...

"Let me go! Do you have any idea who I am? I am going to marry into the River family and become their lady. Then you will regret handling me this roughly."

The young lady of the Kensen family gritted her teeth in anger as she threatened the ex-slave who was dragging her outside. But she quickly noticed that she was not the only one to be brought into the plaza.

Other people from her family and other ruling families were being dragged there as well, and they complained just like her. They even tried to command the slaves, only to be ignored.

’Just what is going on here? Why have we all gathered here? And why are the slaves rounding us up? I don’t have a good feeling about it—’

"You! Ethan River! What are you doing, standing still! Can’t you see that your family’s slaves have gone mad? Do something about it!"

She yelled, gaining everyone’s attention. But Ethan did not reply to her. He stepped back with his ’Honey’ and pretended he could not see her.

’That bitch! Not only did he sideline me for a slave, but he is also pretending he does not know me? Is this some kind of dream?’

She tried to yell, but no sound escaped her lips. In fact, no one around her was able to say a word as they felt a massive pressure pressing down on top of them.

Soon, a beautiful man took the pedestal. His hair was a weird shade of black with green mixed in that did not look normal.

Actually, nothing about this man looked normal. The lady from the Kensen family could tell that this man was special, and a new idea formed in her mind.

Her fiancé had already thrown her away, but she did not need him to succeed. In fact, wasn’t she going to have a better life if she got together with this powerful man?

’That’s right! I can—’

A sudden headache threatened to split her head apart, which made her let out a silent scream. She clutched her head, only to see snake-like eyes daring her to speak.

She fell quiet, and finally, the mysterious yet beautiful man spoke words of poison.

"You all have only two choices—either leave this village or surrender yourself to Goddess Apophis, because from today onwards, this village will become hers."