“What kind of creature?” Caster asked.

“Well, an Avatar, of course. Onyx Selinian doesn’t naturally form like the other crystals. It has to be done by one of your kind using an overwhelming amount of force. I’ve only ever seen a few handfuls of the stuff myself.”

Huh. I wonder… Caster looked up, trying to figure out when he might have accidentally used an immense amount of power to create the crystals. Was it when I was fighting that fire guy, Griffin? I did shoot my ray into the ground when I was dragging it towards him… no! This ring is the same size as the one that was around the Zz’Wrath when I landed!

“That’s gotta be at least a couple of wheelbarrows worth,” Caster murmured.

“You know, I’ve been thinking… what is it that you’re planning?” Woody slowly turned toward him.

What does he mean? He doesn’t sound angry, maybe he’s just curious?

“In all my years I’ve never met nor heard of someone with God status that has aims anywhere near as decent as yours. Are you truly who you say you are?” Woody asked.

The Craftmaster looked at him, his sunken old eyes told Caster that he was looking for a genuine answer, not something one of the other villagers wanted to hear.

“The truth is… I’m Caster. I’m from the Cosmic Center from beyond the stars. I’ve come here to destroy the Old and Elder Gods that have gone mad with power and ensure that Perdita never has to suffer under their grasp again,” Caster stated.

“I see. That’s it, hmm? No global soul-siphoning? No planetary omnicide?” Woody raised an eyebrow.

Does he not believe me?

“No. I didn’t come here to kill or conquer, even if that’s what Phoebe says. I think the Old and Elder Gods have done more than enough damage to this world. They need to be exiled beyond the stars again, just like in the early ages.”

“Hmm… yes, I remember you mentioning something along those lines before.” Woody nodded, looking down at the stone floor, deep in thought.

Then his head perked up with a wink. “And you’re sure you’re not one of the mad ones, eh?”

“I don’t think I am.”

“Heh. Good enough for me. But a word of advice if I may.”

“Of course.” Caster nodded.

“I’ve got a good eye for folks, and I don’t think you got any tricks up your sleeve. If you’re going to change this world for the better, prithee be careful. The Old and Elder Gods won’t take too kindly to your plans. Once they catch on to what you’re planning, they’ll chase you to the end of the earth.”

“Thanks, Craftmaster.”

“Just call me Andre.”

A series of footsteps came from the tunnel above, it was a single villager carrying a basket.

“Craftmaster Andre, Mayor Sherman sent me to deliver your afternoon meal.” When the newcomer saw Caster, he froze.

“M-my Lord!” He continued walking around Caster in a wide circle while bowing multiple times, handing Woody the basket of food. “My apologies! I’ll be right on my way!” The villager ran up the tunnel.

Honestly, I think that reaction is an improvement to how they usually act around me. Caster chuckled to himself.

Woody pulled the cloth covering the basket, revealing a series of assorted vegetables within. The Craftmaster took a single carrot and snapped half of it off with his teeth.

“Are those fresh? I didn’t see any farms when I first got here.”

“The villagers have been working hard over the last few days. Farming’s not my strongest Skill, but with the boosts I give them, and your aura of inspiration, it only takes a day or two to grow most crops.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

A day?! That’s impossible! Well, I guess shooting lasers out of my hands is just as strange, but still.

“Can they do that all the time? Do you think everyone will be able to live off of the farms?”

“Should be. It’s intensive work, but if need be, Sherman can always reassign the duties of the village. That being said, we could use some livestock. It’s not good for strapping young men like you and me to be eating cabbage all day – we need meat!” Woody chortled.

“Do you think one of the nearby towns would have animals we could buy? I was planning on heading out to Hale’s Pass today anyway, so I might as well get some other errands out of the way.”

“Aye, they should. Casterville doesn’t have any steeds for riding yet, so it might take you the whole day to get there and back.”

“I won’t mind. It’s gotta be done, and it’s safest for everyone if I go myself.”

“I doubt that Phoebe girl will let you go alone.”

“She’s passed out, so I’m free to go.” Caster laughed.

“Fair enough. Maybe take that one lad, Abel, was it? The boy’s young, but I see a lot of potential in him.”

Do we know the same, Abel? The kid seems like a clown, not a Challenger.

“I guess I may as well take somebody with me. Can’t carry everything myself.”

Hmm… but maybe I can? I have an idea.

“Well, Sherman says the village hasn’t got a lick of gold in its coffers. Be sure to take some of those crystals with you. They’ll fetch a mighty fine price in town. Ain’t every day someone finds one of the rarest substances in Perdita.”

“Good to know… should we hide the rest of it? You know in case anyone steals it?”

“No need. None of the villagers would even think to do such a thing, and if they did, I’d give ‘um a good whack. We’ll hold the fort while you’re out.”

Caster nodded, then turned back toward the crystals.

I think out of anyone in town I like him the most. It’s nice to be treated as a person. He acts as more of a grandpa than an obsessed cultist.

Caster reached down, picking some of the crystals off the floor. They clicked together, their smooth yet hard steel texture was cold to the touch. He placed it into his pants pocket.

Item Acquired! Onyx Selinian Crystal.

Clever - Knowledge is Power, Activated! +1 Arcane!

“This shouldn’t take too long. If anyone needs to contact me, use the Temple. Just… try to not wake Phoebe up.” Caster started climbing his way back up the tunnel.

“Aye. I’ll be seeing you then.”

Caster made it to the surface once more. He took a deep breath of the fresh air again.

Man, it feels good to not be a minion.

As if on cue, a certain young man was exiting one of the living complexes. He raised his arms over his head, stretching after his nap. He then proceeded to pick his nose, while scratching his butt.

Caster sighed.

Just invite him to come with you, Caster. Maybe Andre was right. Caster made his way over to Abel.

“Hey, Abel,” Caster waved. Abel turned in surprise, then wiped his hands off his pants.

“Hello there Mr. God, sir,” Abel said, as if unable to remember what he was supposed to call Caster.

“Just call me Caster for now. I’m heading into one of the nearby towns to buy supplies for Casterville. If you want to, you can come along and help. I saw your techniques during your training with Elenore and the others, and I think you’ve got potential.” Caster tried his damnedest to keep a straight face.

“Really? Me???” Abel stepped back, but quickly composed himself. “Heh. Now I know you’re an Elder God. You could see right through my ruse.” Abel put both of his hands over his head as if he were lying in bed and relaxing. “I’m not just some ordinary kid. I’m the real deal.”

You’re really dealing me some bullshit right now is what you’re doing.

“So, you’ll come along then? I want to get there and back before nightfall.”

“Course, Mr. God-Caster-Sir.” Abel’s hands returned to his sides, his ever confident and happy-go-lucky grin spreading over his face.

“Do you need to get ready before we leave?”

“No sir! Got everything I need right here.” Abel tapped the short sword on his hip.

“Alrighty then, let's head out!” Caster nodded.

They walked out of the village walls and into the edge of the Badlands. Even from the short time that Caster had been here, the difference between Casterville and the earth that spread out over the horizon was incredible.

Where their little village had lightened earth and soil that could be worked, just beyond the doorstep was death and rot.

I know they can handle themselves while I’m gone but… soon enough whatever’s out there will know that we’re here… that I’m here. I can’t just sit around and wait for them to come to me. Not the Lords or Gods, or that Witch beyond the Shroud Sea. Once this trip is over, and we have some real defenses, I’m going out there myself. Maybe I’ll even bring a party with me.

Before heading north toward Hale’s Pass, Caster looked to the south. There, he saw Sherman teaching Elenore how to till the soil. She made an error in the dirt, ruining a line she had carefully traced over a few dozen paces. She threw the tool down and began pulling at her hair, and the other dozen villagers around her began to laugh.

Classic Elenore.