A Theory on Godhood: An Overlord Story

Chapter 10: Village Life

The next morning, Carne Village

Momonga made sure that his armor was properly adjusted and that his helmet was straight. His guildmates and CZ Delta were likewise doing the same, nodding to him when they were ready to go out into the wider village.

Opening the door, the quartet stepped out into the middle of another bustling day for the villagers of Carne. Young and old, man and woman, magic and not, everyone was heading one way or another to deal with some sort of project that needed to be done in the village.

The skeletal overlord turned to his friends. "We should split up into two pairs, create a buddy-system for translation purposes. Ariel can accompany me while CZ goes with Rasputin. We cover each other's backs while we make sure everything is as it seems."

"We have to make sure the Sunlight Scripture isn't breaking their pact with the villagers, right?" Ariel asked.

"That's correct. We'll meet back up together at noon, but until then, just explore and act natural. Speak with villagers and mages alike. I plan to try and meet with the Goblin Troop at least once."

Ra Ra Rasputin held up a finger. "I remember Enri mentioning they had problems with the mages. Want me to go and explain things to her, in case she starts to wonder?"

"If that so pleases you," Momonga said, "I trust in your judgment. See you all soon, and remember, we're just gathering information, so no need to start interrogating people if they are hesitant to share something."

Having established those parameters, they parted ways. Ra Ra Rasputin and CZ Delta went in the direction of the village longhouse while Momonga and Ariel headed towards where he remembered seeing the Goblin Troop's barracks.

"I know I wasn't there when this place got attacked the first time, but at a first glance, the Sunlight Scripture seems like they're making an earnest effort to earn forgiveness," Ariel said to him over a private [Message].

"I agree, but it never hurts to double check. We can't expect Nubo to do all the work now, can we?" Momonga half-joked.

They passed one of the former scripture members summoning a pair of Archangel Flames in front of a dilapidated house. The summons moved swiftly, carrying heavy amounts of building materials and setting them into the proper places they needed to be for the workers surrounding the house to get to work.

The men gave quiet thanks to the mage, who bowed his head in thanks. This was a good thing, as an equal amount of the workers spit at the mage's shoes and even the hood he wore.

An elderly man intently watched over them all, hunched over a cane. He shook his head in disappointment at his fellow villagers, or at least Momonga assumed so.

Along their way they passed more scripture members who were walking to other houses or building projects that were in progress. Many of them had ditched their old uniforms, wearing clothing that closely mirrored Carne's residents. Those who still wore their robes had the same image of the Mask of Envy painted on the front, proudly displayed for all to see.

"Excuse me, good sir, might I speak with you for a moment?" Momonga asked, pointing towards a random mage who bore the symbol.

He was a younger man of no real defining features, someone who could easily disappear into a crowd if need be. "How might I help you, adventurer?"

"We noticed some of you people have this weird face painted on the front of your robes. What does it mean exactly?" Ariel inquired, Momonga translating for her.

"Oh, you noticed the mask, yes? Some of us painted this mask as a reminder of our defeat and of our promise to make amends. We wear it everyday, and it's also the reason we haven't gotten rid of our old clothes," the young man spoke in a nasally voice.