Chapter: 184
After spending about a year in Rattkinia, I prepared to leave once I confirmed that the city was running smoothly.
Well, when I say “prepared to leave,” I mean I’m just going without any supplies—only my body.
I figured Maybel, with her mother’s help, would manage to take care of the Rattkin well enough. They wouldn’t need my help anymore.
“So, you’re really leaving?”
“Yeah. I don’t think you’ll need my help anymore, will you?”
“That’s… true, but…”
Rattkinia was doing better than expected. They cleared the forest by cutting down trees, dug wells to tap into the underground water, established irrigation, and cultivated fields to harvest enough food.
Over ten thousand rat beastmen were farming successfully, and they were planting beans and clover to maintain the soil’s health and prevent overexploitation. They didn’t have many other fertilizers, but for now, this should be enough.
So, I really wouldn’t be needed anymore.
“Where do you plan to go?”
“I’ve heard an interesting rumor that piqued my curiosity. I’d love for you to come along, but… you need to take care of those who believe in you, right?”
At my words, Maybel nodded. Although she was determined to become a god for revenge on those who oppressed her mother, now that she had followers, she couldn’t just ignore them.
So…
“I’ll be leaving now. Let’s see… we’ll meet again when your lifespan is up.”
“That sounds like something the Grim Reaper would say.”
“Well, after all, the goddess of life manages death too.”
Life and death are two sides of the same coin; both the birth and death of life fall under my jurisdiction.
“Anyway, I understand. It’s disappointing, but I can’t stop you from leaving.”
Maybel smiled slightly.
“Thank you, Dragon Priestess. Thanks to you, I saved my mom and avenged my dad.”
I nodded slightly at her words. After all, we had met by chance, traveled together, and toppled a conspiracy that could have destroyed a city.
Really, it’s strange how things turned out.
Whether it was someone’s arrangement or not, I was glad we were able to nip that foolish scheme in the bud.
But… had that guy really appeared even if the ritual had been performed as he intended?
Sure, it wouldn’t have been in a complete form, but given that I was nearby, would he have shown up at all?
Honestly… if he had, I think I would have given him a good thrashing.
If he had any sense left… he’d probably know better than to show up. Well, that’s all in the past, so I’ll just let it go.
“So, you’re off to check out this rumor, right? What’s the rumor about?”
“I heard an intriguing one about a bull beastfolk in a nearby city-state, so I’m thinking of heading that way.”
“A bull beastfolk?”
I nodded slightly at Maybel’s question.
It was a rumor about a bull beastfolk who had suddenly been born with immense strength among humans.
A young beastfolk stronger than adult humans, one that others feared and called a monster.
I was a bit curious about this bull beastfolk rumor and thought I’d check it out.
“Then I’ll take my leave. We’ll meet again someday.”
“Yes! I’d appreciate it if you could drop by whenever you’re near!”
“I’ll consider it.”
With that, I bid farewell to Maybel and left Rattkinia.
Let’s see… starting with rats, then moving on to bulls.
Maybe tigers next? Are there any good rumors out there?
Well, it’s not like there’s a strict order to follow, but I do feel like I’d want to maintain some sort of sequence if possible.
For now… after I meet this so-called “monster” bull beastfolk, I’ll head east.
It may be a bit of a journey, but it’s definitely worth it.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
The Rat God. The protector of explorers. The savior of the Rattkin. The Ashen Rat.
Before becoming a god, her name was Maybel Sinder. The ancestor of the House of Sinder, which could be considered the ruler of the Rattkin, and the savior of the oppressed Rattkin.
Her background involves the event in which the first beast deity, known as Sirius, became the guardian deity of the Pantheon.
This left the position of beastfolk deity vacant, causing various beastfolk to start acting solely for the sake of their own kin—no longer considering others to be kindred.
After losing this sturdy wall of protection, the Rattkin (once called rat beastfolk) were oppressed by various races, leading to a dark future for them.
Scholarly consensus now holds that their desperate wish birthed the Rat God.
At that time, the rat beastfolk lacked the physical strength displayed by other beastfolk, often finding themselves enslaved in mines due to their small stature and digger skills.
While they were certainly less skilled than dwarves, it was unsurprising since dwarves are already a resilient race flourishing under the blessings of the holy mountain Sagarama.
It was absurd to even think of treating dwarves as slaves.
Despite being physically weak, rat beastfolk often became mine slaves, mistreated, and lost their lives.
In such dire circumstances, the rat beastfolk yearned for a savior, and their deep faith coalesced around a single rat beastfolk girl, imbuing her with divinity, even at a young age.
Thus, that young rat beastfolk girl became the living deity known as the Ashen Rat.
As a god, the Ashen Rat dealt brutal punishment to all the leaders who sold out other rat beastfolk to fulfill their own wealth without thinking about their people.
She then gathered all the oppressed rat beastfolk who were also being persecuted by other races and set out in search of land for them, resulting in over ten thousand joining her cause.
Despite embarking on a long journey without any preparations, the girl who gathered them was unwavering.
If food was needed, she’d simply pull it from the small pouch at her side—enough to feed ten thousand rat-beastfolk; if water was necessary, she struck the earth with her thin rod, and clear water would spring forth.
When dangerous monsters appeared, she would fearlessly lead the charge, crushing their heads with her slender rod.
Witnessing such miracles from their goddess, the rat beastfolk praised her as they ventured to their new land.
Initially covered with towering trees and dense forest, she performed miracles by merely tapping the ground with her staff.
All the trees would uproot themselves, creating a clearing for the residents. The rat beastfolk settled in this newly formed plain.
In that open space, the Rat God named her kin—the “Rattkin,” meaning the bloodline of rats, and named the newly settled land “Rattkinia.”
Thus, the oppressed rat beastfolk united under the name Rattkin, gathering as one beneath the Ashen Rat.
So, we transformed anew under the guidance of the chosen deity born from among us.
……
The rat beastfolk, worshiped as the god of the Rattkin, the Ashen Rat had followers among other races as well, thanks to her ability to find objects.
Whether identifying the locations of valuable items in dungeons or detecting dangerous monsters and traps, her powers provided immense help for adventurers’ survival.
Explorer specialists who specialized in treasure hunting always conveyed their unwavering faith in her.
1) This name was used when she was human, but since it is her true name, it should not be spoken carelessly. Remember, those who profane a god’s name will face divine punishment.
2) There are claims of an unknown entity’s involvement in the process of turning an ordinary girl into the rat beastfolk’s god, but this is merely an anecdote without any substantiating evidence.
3) Among those punished at the time, the Rat God’s grandfather was included, meaning the Ashen Rat was willing to sacrifice even her own kin for the sake of her persecuted kindred. Her nobility is always worthy of praise.
4) Considering the era and population at the time, many believe the number of ten thousand is greatly exaggerated. However, taking into account the high birthrate of Rattkin and the number of forges uncovered, the number carries significant credibility.
5) The rod held in her hand is a black metal staff bent at a 90-degree angle, believed to have the power to locate desired items. This is a manifestation of her ability, through which she is said to find anything.
– The faith of the Rattkin and the Ashen Rat.
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