Chapter 39: Ch 39: Welcoming Dwarfs

"It seems like I might have some more blueprints and information on you that I will be happy to pass over to you. As for your living arrangements, I will ask the villagers to lend us some land so that you can get settled in. How soon do you want to come in?"

Aiden asked the dwarfs, who looked at each other with a slight smile. They seemed to have discussed this among themselves already.

"We would like to settle here by the end of the week. Don’t worry about our living arrangements. As long as we get space, we can build our own homes. And we have more than enough money to buy our own food."

The dwarfs seemed to have it all planned, which did not surprise Aiden. They seemed like people who always had a plan.

And honestly, this deal benefited him a great deal, so he had no trouble welcoming these new residents.

Still...

"What would you have done had I rejected your proposal?"

Aiden was curious to hear the dwarf’s reasons, and their chief flashed him a smile before explaining his actions.

"We never considered that you would reject us. But it’s not only because we think you are a good and reasonable person. Well, you are that, of course. But you are also an opportunist. We knew you would see the value in having us around."

The dwarf leader was not mincing his words when he spoke to Aiden, but he did not take offense to anything that was said.

After all, he was an opportunist. But the dwarfs had something wrong.

’I might be reasonable, but I am not kind. The only reason I pretend to be kind is because I want to make my goddess seem kind and approachable. But I have no desire to play nice if she is in danger.’

Not that it was necessary for Aiden to say this out loud. If the others were going to mistake him for being kind, then it was their own problem.

For now, he had to prepare for the village’s expansion and get the dwarfs settled in.

...

The villagers were far more agreeable about giving up their land for the dwarfs, and some of the forest was cleared as well to welcome their guests.

But there was a lot of construction to be done, and the raw materials needed were a problem. So Aiden made a suggestion to the dwarf leader, who was worried about the cost of their dwellings.

"I can provide you with raw materials and food until you find your footing. In return, you can help focus on the village’s development. This deal can become useful to both of our sides."

Since these dwarfs were his goddess’s future worshippers, Aiden did not mind helping them out. This way, he would have them in his debt and work them to their bones as much as he needed to.

The dwarf leader looked thankful and took his offer immediately.

"We welcome your support, Priest Aiden. We shall welcome your help with open arms. Also, can I request a week off from our work on the temple? We would like to finish building our homes first and then continue...but only if it is not too much trouble."

The dwarf leader looked hesitant to ask this, almost as if he was afraid that this break might be too much.

But Aiden did not care what the dwarfs did as long as they were able to complete the main temple before the festival at the end of the month.

"Of course. I just care about having the temple finished before the end of the month. Do you think you can manage?"

He asked, and the chief looked relieved.

"Of course we can manage it. Not only will the main temple be finished, but we will also begin the repair work on the temple in the village. Please, consider this as a token of our sincerity."

The dwarf looked thankful, and Aiden nodded.

He was about to return to the temple when a system notification popped up.

[You have gained a faith point. You have opened up the possibility of evolving into a god.]

[This is a possibility that cannot be denied. Please continue collecting faith points to evolve into a god.]

[The bond between you and Goddess Apophis will remain even after your ascension and, as per your bond, you both will be able to use your combined might as a god.]

For anyone else, this message might have felt exciting, but Aiden could not help but feel as if the system was playing tricks on him.

’I have no desire to become a god, much less compete with my goddess. But why would I gain faith like this when I have not gained any until now?’

No matter how Aiden saw it, he could only make out one group of culprits. And that was the dwarf group standing behind him.

They were the only ones who caused him to evolve like this, and he felt like he needed to correct their misunderstanding.

"I would like to inform you all that whatever benefits you are experiencing are all thanks to the benevolence of my dear goddess. So if you are going to thank someone, you should thank her."

Aiden stressed these words, but he only got smiling faces looking back at him.

"Of course, Sir Priest. We understand what you want from us. Please don’t worry. We will make sure our craftsmanship spreads the goddess’s name far and wide."

The dwarf leader promised Aiden, but his words contradicted the message on the system screen.

[You have gained more faith. You will need 100 faith points in order to unlock the possibility of becoming a god.]

[Current faith points: 50]

Aiden had no idea when he had gained so many faith points, but it did not feel good. This faith should belong to his goddess.

But he could somehow hear her say that it was his reward for working well.

Still, he needed to clear the air with her before this became a problem. And if she had a problem, Aiden would find a way to get rid of this...somehow.