Kingdom Building: Civilization Starts with Divinity-Chapter 83: Sitting Out

"Sa–Pphire!" Alchemy chimed, peering into her bedroom.

"EIP!" Sapphire shouted, jumping up from her resting position.

"M-Master Alchemy! Did you finish all of your business with that wolf and Miss Nera?"

"Why is everyone scared of me? I get you to an extent, and I was intentionally being a weirdo to Nera, but even Teacher seems to be wary of me. I don’t get it at all." Alchemy sighed, verbalizing her thoughts before answering Sapphire’s question.

"Anyway, uh, no. Nera and the other kids found an Instance Dungeon, and we’re gonna go clear it out. I came to see if you wanted to come."

"Instance... Dungeon?"

’Right. Not familiar with the system yet.’

"A gauntlet of monsters with bonus rewards. Sometimes they have puzzles."

Sapphire stood up to readjust herself on the bedding. Since Alchemy didn’t use it, she gave her dear deer daughter the entire room.

"I-I think I’ll sit this one out..."

When Sapphire stumbled on her words, Alchemy nodded. She had figured as much.

"Alright. We might be back late, so don’t wait for us to eat."

Turning to leave, Sapphire abruptly stopped Alchemy.

"Y-you’re okay with that?"

"I know half the stuff I say is complete nonsense that I make up on the spot, but when I said I wouldn’t force you to do anything, that was the half I didn’t make up."

"B-But you also said that I would be your trump card. W-was that a lie?"

Taking a deep breath, Alchemy turned and sat next to Sapphire.

’Where do her issues of worth come from? Intelligence is such a terrible thing.’

"Nope." Alchemy sighed.

"I can’t really use Teacher or Rio as an example since you haven’t seen either fight."

It didn’t help that Sapphire had no life experience to which Alchemy could compare. It was like she was talking to an infant who somehow had the mental capacity of an adult.

"In fact, forget about that. Just for a moment, at least."

Alchemy placed her forehead against Sapphire’s, quietly caressing the young child.

"The funny thing about faith in the divine is that it’s often blind. That is a concept I hate to the absolute core. If people are going to follow me, I never want it to be from a misunderstanding or delusions of grandeur."

Pushing her head away, Alchemy smiled.

"Inversely, as a Goddess, I have an obligation to keep those who believe in me happy. You’re not a Verminae; you have no reason to be hurt or injured for me. At any point, you could run away, and I couldn’t stop you."

"Y-you couldn’t?"

’System.’

|<Notice: If the Prospect knowingly kills a Heroic Unit, a penalty is placed upon their existence.>| The system kindly notified both of them.

’Wait, what do you mean by my existence?’

|<Notice: Your Soul. Do not forget that the only reason your soul can remain on the physical plane is because of the System’s interference.>| The system replied only to Alchemy.

"B-but how do I know that this weird thing isn’t lying."

"The System is an ass. That is a fact. It withholds information unless you ask for the most specific thing, like a corrupt genie. And even then, it sometimes refuses to tell you anyway. That being said, the system doesn’t lie. As much as I hate to compliment the thing, it’s the most honest partner one can have."

Alchemy began gagging at the thought that this horrid system was a good partner.

Out of nowhere, Sapphire giggled slightly, confusing Alchemy.

"You swore again. That’s twice now; both times, it was for me. Well, sort of the first time."

Alchemy tilted her head as she thought about it.

"Did I? I don’t remember that. I suppose it’s possible if it was when we were fighting that dumb bird. I might be a little unstable when it comes to losing my people."

"A little?" Sapphire asked sarcastically.

"Oi, it can’t be that bad. I’ll have you know I’m completely prepared for the day that one of you kids is going to die! Because it’ll be after mine."

Alchemy’s own words made her shiver.

"Anyway! We somehow got off-topic. My point is that you can do whatever makes you happy. So be it if that isn’t leveling up or growing stronger. Nera will just have to work extra hard until I get a hero that’s solely specialized in offense."

Alchemy turned her head to look out the window, seeing the sun quietly pass through the sky.

"Speaking of Nera, I shouldn’t make her wait much longer. I’m not exactly sure when we’ll be back, but it’ll probably be after the sun sets."

"U-uhm... Okay! Come back safe!"

"I’ll certainly consider it," Alchemy said, walking out of the hut and stretching her body.

At her top speed, she began dashing toward the Instance Dungeon. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

|<You’re starting to seem like a true Mother Goddess.>|

"Call me a Mother one more time, and I will beat you to death with a stick."

As Alchemy vanished behind the numerous trees and dense foliage, Sapphire trailed out of the hut.

Without Alchemy’s borderline insane rambling or Nera buzzing around in her Minimalist Form, the settlement felt so empty...

So cold. At the very least, when he was fighting alongside them, Sapphire felt warm and needed. Despite that, she wasn’t sure if the cold safety was what she wanted.

She didn’t like this cold feeling. She’d go so far as to say that she hated it, but did she hate the thought of pushing forward beside her Master more than that? She simply didn’t know.

"Moonie." A voice echoed out.

A familiar voice.

Sapphire immediately snapped out of her thoughts, entering a battle-ready position.

There was no one except the Granitects and other Verminae scuttling around.

"D-did you hear anything?" Sapphire asked one of the insects near her.

She still wasn’t sure about all the Verminae, but Alchemy wasn’t here, so they’d do.

The Granitect tilted its head before shaking it. In the dirt, it said "No" before covering it up.

"Moonie... Come to me..."

That same familiar voice stated, causing Sapphire to jump around in a panic.

When she regained control of herself, she identified the direction the voice was coming from. North. The same way that the Gale Wolves attacked her.