I reached the valley surrounding the monastery complex of the Abode of War a month later. Behind me, dozens of roaming bands of humanoids laid in tatters, their blood fertilizer for the ground, their souls an offering to the Sun God.

I was still stuck at level 40. But a glimmer of hope shone in my extrasensory perceptions. As expected and heavily suggested, the former capital of the Unicorn King's domain was a heritage site. I could feel a searing "light" coming from deep under the monastery. It resonated with my blood and sent shivers down my hooves as if the ground I now stood upon were burning coals. My throat became dry and my heart longed for it like a long-lost lover.

It was strange. My fear of mind control triggered again, but I knew it was fine. I had several layers of protection against it. Three Perks, a few abilities, and if all failed, I would rage and break the control.

I descended the hill and joined the merchants, visitors, and tribes that were here for their own reasons. I drew quite a lot of looks. My white fur and mane and the lack of a tribe behind me triggered their curiosity.

Tempering my impulses, I walked amidst the shopping stalls, getting some trinket or memento from each merchant and gathering information. Despite my abysmal Charisma score of 12, I used the full power of my [Diplomat] abilities along with hearty tips to grease the social gears. Halfway through the market, I found some useful information.

"There's war to the west!" One gnome merchant said. "Everyone knows that Pekothas hungered for the elven forest like a scoundrel hungers for the governor's daughter. Out of reach, but never away from the mind."

I knew that very well. I still remembered Rudolph III's word coming for my neck even after I gave up fighting. A naked child amidst a sea of dead people, twisted gore, and blood. The maniacal glare as he thought he would have victory, even though his army was all but wiped out. And now Pekothas laid hands on my mother, once again.

The outrage burned and clouded my vision. Even with the behavioral packages off, I was a centaur. A descendant from the Unicorn King, the noblest among the fae. I was a barbarian at heart, only tempered by the experiences of my previous lives.

"And what makes the dumb human King think he will succeed this time?" I asked already expecting the answer. I couldn't be more wrong.

"He has a throne that makes him invincible and hundreds of Centaur mercenaries!" The gnome merchant said, excited. "He's taking his time, though. It's been six years since he started his campaign. Slowly but sure, he's pushing the elves deeper into the forest. So far, he had no setbacks."

Invincibility was something that did not exist in this world. The mere fact I'd killed two deities was proof of that. What secrets that throne of his hid to make it so? Worse, he was using the centaurs as fodder. This war dragging this long was also a big problem. Every fifteen years, humans could field another generation of soldiers. The King of Pekothas was halfway there. With how slow Elves could breed, even if they started tossing [Princesses] as frontline fighters, they were doomed in a protracted fight.

On top of that, their standoffish proclivity would prevent them from taking risks and sweeping victory.

"I see," I slid two gold coins along the counter but didn't remove my fingers from them. The gnome's eyes followed the precious metal. "And is there any rumor regarding why does his throne grants invincible?"

The gnome sighed and held his hands behind his back, forcing his eyes to lock on mine, "None, miss. Some say it is the return of the Human God."

"Bundeus is not returning, now now, not ever," I snorted, then added in a low voice, "I made damn sure of it last time."

He leaned forward, "I beg your pardon?"

"Nevermind," I giggled then pointed at one of his most expensive items. "Please give me one of those wind-up gizmos. What is this glyph on the gizmo?"

The gnome brightened up as he reached for one gold coin. "That, miss, is the holy symbol of our god, Wyxnos. The god of Logic, Artificers, and patron of Gnomes!"

I beamed a sincere smile. "Are you a devout? Did you know all the improvements we have to the System over the centuries are His work? That He toils endlessly to keep this world safe and the System that empowers us running?"

The gnome held the coin in one hand and the gizmo in the other. He sniffled and a tear rolled down, "Sister! I didn't take you for a believer! Oh, how did your words warm this gnome's heart."

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He emptied both hands on the counter and wiped the corner of his eyes, "Please, sister. Have it as a focus for your faith. Praise Wyxnos, His Holy Name reached even this deep into the savage lands!"

I reached and took the gizmo. "What does it do?"

"It's a puzzle, miss. While the pieces are made of the finest dwarven steel, don't force it. Find your way around it while you meditate and pray to Wyxnos. Once you manage to open it, you'll have a surprise."

I bent one hoof and lowered my head a bit. "A pleasure talking to you, master [Gadgeteer]."

I was about to turn around but he waved a hand. "Your coins, miss. The puzzle is a gift from one faithful to another."

I'd left the other gold coin on the counter. With a sincere smile, I said, "keep them or donate them to a temple. use them to create more gizmos, master [Gadgeteer], and use them to brighten up the lives of children that otherwise would have nothing. Simple ones, wooden ones, the dispossessed care not for luxury. Do that, and we are even. Spread the faith. I know very well the Yznarian Gods need every help they can."

"Why do you call me that, miss? As if it was my Class? As far as I know, there's no [Gadgeteer] Class. Although it does have a nice ring to it."

I chuckled, "Doesn't it? Why doesn't it exist? Are you sure? Can you give me a minute to... pray?"

"Sure?" He answered, confused.

I closed my eyes.

> [Administrator Hotline]

>

> CALL START

>

> Snowdrop: Hey, Wyxnos! Why don't you make a [Gadgeteer] Class for your faithful gnomes? Or a full Path, or whatever you are calling it nowadays.

>

> Wyxnos: Where is this coming from?

>

> S: I'm with a gnome merchant, he had this puzzle thingamabob with your Holy Symbol etched on top. Are we going Steampunk with these gnomish inventions? Death rays?

>

> W: I don't think that's a good idea.

>

> S: Well, then don't. But if I could craft magical vibrating dildos centuries ago, I don't see why they can't make magical motors and clockwork devices. No steam-power, no death beams then. But I believe that you could get some extra Faith with that Class.

>

> W: I don't need to know what you are crafting!

>

> S: Were. Nevermind. But you are the God of Artificers!

>

> W: Please, spare me.

>

> S: Sorry, then. But do consider my suggestion.

>

> W: I'll give it a thought.

>

> S: Do it. Do it, now! System, is there a [Gadgeteer] Class in the database, or something similar to what we discussed above?

>

> SYSTEM: AFFIRMATIVE. Class unuseable. Conversion needed.

>

> S: Here you go. You'll thank me later.

>

> W: No. I'll thank you now. Snowdrop. I found your gnome merchant. His Faith Attribute spiked by two points right before your call. I'll grant him the Class, he has a Path choice open.

>

> S: OH! More hidden Attributes?

>

> W: Yes, and yours is locked at Zero out of Zero, by the way.

>

> S: I'm cool with it. Wyxnos, I'm the one to thank you. For enriching the world. And doing your job. Back in New York, in the bowels of some datacenter, we had a saying. 'They who works risks committing mistakes. They who don't commit mistakes are promoted to management.'

>

> W: Isn't that a Dilbert strip?

>

> S: I don't know. Maybe it is, maybe not. Really sounds like one but don't quote me on that. I just want to say, you are working. That's more than what can be said of some of your peers. Out!

>

> W: Snowdrop... Goodbye.

>

> CALL END

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The gnome shouted and exulted. He climbed on the counter, kicking one gold coin out into the dirt street. I swiped it into my item box. "PRAISED BE WYXNOS!"

"Is he insane?" An orc guard at the booth on the other side of the street asked, bringing his hand to his sword.

"No. He's had a message from his deity," I said out loud, waving a hand to calm them down. "He'll come back to normal soon."

The gnome was crying. "Miss! What have you done?"

I smiled and clapped his shoulder. "Nothing but have a pleasant conversation with you, master [Gadgeteer]."

His breath ragged, he still shed tears. "I must return home. North. To bring the good news to my people." He looked back at his booth. "Keep it for yourself, miss. I must..."

He tried to move, but I had fifty Strength and {Absolute Clinging}. He'd have to rip the fabric off his shirt, disrobe, or drag me along. he did neither.

"You kicked your coin on the street, mister," I held his hand and dropped some coins. The gold coin and two platinum. "Go, I think that's enough to buy all of your wares.

He looked at his hand and clenched the coins to his chest. Once his breath resumed, he slid them into a pouch of his vest. "Thank you, miss. I'll never forget you."

"You won't. That's an {Order}," I winked at him and dismissed the message that my Perk had been resisted. He laughed.

"I had no idea..."

I released him. "Now you do. Go and hire some guards. I would love to come with you and see what you will come up with, but I can't. I have business at the monastery."

"What's your name?" Standing up on the counter, he bowed.

I leaned closer to whisper in his ear. "Werecat Matriarch, Death Princess, First Hero, King Locksley, Queen Alloralla, the Siren. That's what they called me in old times. This time, I'm Snowdrop. Remember my name. A centaur with pure white fur."

While he stared with confusion, fear, and admiration, I wiped his wares into my item box remotely and from it into a storage ring.

"I'll believe you. Did you intercede for me?"

"Not for you. That was all Wyxnos. Your faith has been rewarded. A parting gift for hearing to my foolish list of made-up titles. Have this ring, and go."

> Ring of Minor Nondetection and Storage

>

> Price: 25 Kingmetal coins.

>

> Stores up to 8 cubic feet of matter.

>

> Stores up to 2,000 MP. Can be recharged by anyone touching it. The charge can only be used to maintain ring powers.

>

> Generates 5 MP/hour.

>

> For 200MP/10 minutes, gain +50 Furtivity against all senses.

He shook his head, slid the ring in his hand, and vanished. I looked up and clenched my teeth.

Six years of war. Centaurs in the front lines. My mother might not be alive anymore. My appetite for shopping was gone. I climbed the cobblestone path leading up to the monastery.