Chapter 184

So, after spending about a year in Rattkinia, I made sure the city was running smoothly and prepared to leave.

Well, “preparation” is kind of an exaggeration since I’m just leaving with nothing but the shirt on my back.

Maybel seems capable of taking care of the Rats alongside her mother’s help. Guess she doesn’t need me around anymore.

“So you’re really leaving?”

“That’s right. Don’t think my help is necessary anymore, does it?”

“Well… yeah, but…”

Rattkinia, where the Rats have settled, is doing surprisingly well. We’ve cleared the forest by cutting down trees, dug wells for groundwater, channeled waterways, and cultivated rice paddies and fields so we can harvest plenty of food.

With over ten thousand Rat Beastmen living here, agriculture is thriving. They’re also diligently planting soybeans and clover to restore soil fertility and avoid overworking the land. Though fertilizer is scarce, this much should suffice for now.

Looks like my assistance isn’t needed here anymore.

“So, where are you planning to go next?”

“I heard an interesting rumor that piqued my curiosity. It would’ve been fun if you came along, but from now on, you’ll need to look after your believers.”

At my words, Maybel nodded. Although she decided to become a deity out of revenge against those who oppressed her mother, now that she has followers, she can’t abandon them.

“Then I shall depart. Let’s see… when your lifespan comes to an end, we might meet again.”

“You sound just like the Grim Reaper.”

“Well, the Goddess of Life oversees death too, you know.”

Life and death are two sides of the same coin. Both birth and death fall under my jurisdiction.

“Anyway, I understand. It’s disappointing, but if you’re set on leaving, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Maybel smiled faintly and said,

“Thank you, Dragon Priestess. Thanks to you, I was able to save my mom and avenge my dad.”

Hearing Maybel’s words, I gave a small nod. Who knew meeting her and embarking on this journey together would lead us to dismantle such a massive conspiracy?

Honestly, how did things turn out this way?

Whoever orchestrated this, I’m glad we were able to thwart that idiot’s plan early on. Lucky break.

But… if that guy’s scheme had gone through and the ceremony hadn’t been interrupted, would he have actually shown up?

Even if not in perfect form, would he have dared to appear while I was nearby?

To be honest, if he did, I’d probably have walloped him with everything I’ve got.

If he had any intelligence left, he probably wouldn’t have risked showing up. But hey, that’s all water under the bridge now.

“So you’re heading off to investigate this rumor? What kind of rumor is it?”

“There’s an intriguing rumor about Cow Beastmen in a nearby City-State. I’m thinking of checking it out first.”

“Cow Beastmen?”

At Maybel’s question, I nodded slightly.

Precisely, it’s a rumor about a powerful Cow Beastman who suddenly appeared among humans. Despite being young, this Cow Beastman is far stronger than adults. Other humans fear and call them a monster.

This rumor sparked some interest in me, so I thought I’d take a quick detour.

“Well then, let’s get going. Hopefully we’ll meet again someday.”

“Yes. If you ever pass by, please visit!”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

With that, I bid farewell to Maybel and departed from Rattkinia.

Let’s see… First was the Rat, next is the Cow.

I wonder if Tigers come after that? Any good rumors out there?

Not that I *have* to follow any particular order, but it’d be nice to align these somehow.

First, I’ll check out this so-called “monster” Cow Beastman, then head east.

It’s quite a distance, but definitely worth the trip.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The God of Rats. Protector of Explorers. Savior of the Rats. The Ashen Rat.

Her name before becoming a deity was Maybel Sinder. She is an ancestor of the House of Sinder, rulers of the Rats, and their savior.

Her backstory involves the First Beast, who became the guardian of the Divine Hall under the name Sirius, leaving a vacancy among the Beastman gods. This caused various Beastmen to act selfishly, no longer seeing each other as kin.

After losing their protective barrier, the Ratkin suffered persecution from many races. In their darkest hour, their fervent prayers coalesced into the birth of the Rat God, according to scholarly consensus.

Unlike other Beastmen, Ratkin lacked physical strength but excelled in mining due to their small size and burrowing skills. While not as skilled as Dwarves, they were often enslaved in mines.

Of course, compared to the Dwarves, a race renowned for their resilience and blessed by the Divine Mountain Sagarmatha, enslaving Dwarves was unthinkable.

Though less proficient than Dwarves, Ratkin were still ideal mine slaves—weak enough to control and hardy enough to work. Many species exploited and discarded them without mercy.

In response to this harsh reality, the Ratkin prayed for salvation. Their unwavering faith converged upon a young Ratkin girl, granting her divinity.

Thus, the young Ratkin girl became a living goddess known as the Ashen Rat.

As a deity, the young Ratkin girl swiftly punished corrupt leaders who sold out their own people for personal gain. She then gathered all persecuted Ratkin across the lands.

With over ten thousand Ratkin following her, she embarked on a journey to find a homeland for her people.

Despite having no supplies, the young goddess showed no hesitation. When food was needed, she pulled sustenance from her tiny pouch for all ten thousand Ratkin. When water was required, striking the ground with her staff summoned clear springs. When monsters threatened, she crushed their heads with her slender staff.

Witnessing these miracles, the Ratkin praised their goddess and followed her guidance to settle in a new land.

Once lush forests stood there, but at her divine touch, the trees uprooted themselves to make way for the Ratkin. Thus, the Ratkin established their home on this newly formed plain.

There, the goddess named her people “Ratkin” to signify their shared lineage and called their new land “Rattkinia.”

Through her leadership, the once-oppressed Ratkin united under the Ashen Rat and found a new beginning.

…

Beyond the Ratkin, the Ashen Rat is also revered by others for her power to locate valuable items. Her ability helps adventurers identify treasures in dungeons or detect dangerous monsters and traps.

Explorers specializing in detecting objects always place deep trust in her.

1) This name was used when she was human, but as it holds divine significance, it shouldn’t be spoken lightly. Beware: blasphemous use of a god’s name invites divine retribution.

2) Some theories suggest an unknown entity influenced her ascension, but these remain unsubstantiated legends.

3) Notably, her own grandfather was among those punished, demonstrating her impartial commitment to justice.

4) While 10,000 may seem exaggerated given the era’s population, considering the Ratkin’s high birth rate and archaeological evidence, this number is quite plausible.

5) Her staff, a black metal rod bent at 90 degrees, is believed to possess object-finding powers. This artifact embodies her divine abilities, allowing her to locate anything.

– The Faith of the Ratkin and the Ashen Rat.