What do I do now? Everyone is staring at me. What do they do with reincarnated people in this world? I'm a little scared. Janeth grew tense and also has her gaze fixed on me; I've never liked this much attention.
—Is he an envoy? —someone asked from the back.
—Envoys are the ones who come from another world, right? —a young voice also asked.
—It is said that not a single one has arrived in Priya for over five thousand years —the muscular man said.
—Now it all makes sense. That's why, being a Liva, he can speak and reason like us. Are you the Liva who faced the King? —Antonella exclaimed.
I was sitting on the giantess's lap; I felt her preparing to fight at any moment.
—Don't the legends say that envoys are superpowered? He looks pretty average —bellowed a young person sitting next to me.
—Old Mona, are you sure about what you're saying? —the older woman asked Mona.
—He was on the verge of death; at that moment I saved him and saw his soul. I am very sure —the old woman replied.
—Samuel was in the capital's palace for about a month; we had him as a guest because His Majesty was curious that a little bug could withstand several of his blows —Janeth began to speak while raising her hand—. There, he heard about the food problem you have here and set out to create a solution. Now it makes sense that, out of nowhere, he began to design a structure to keep food fresh. I attest that he is someone with external knowledge.
Everyone calmed down a bit after the explanation.
—Let's see, are you saying he only knows how to build things? What's so special about someone enduring several of His Majesty's blows? —the young man next to me exclaimed.
—I remind you that King Zoran destroyed a mountain with one punch during the war, and this little bug in my lap endured several of those —Janeth shot back. Now, finally, everyone's doubts vanished.
—What do you know how to do besides build? —the chief of Bigue asked me.
Nervous, I stood up on Janeth's lap and then climbed onto the large table.
—First of all, I introduce myself: I am Samuel, the Liva. And Mrs. Mona is right: I am someone who comes from another world. I have advanced knowledge to create different things; I'm not saying I'm very strong, but I can hold my own —I announced, keeping my cool.
—What kind of knowledge do you have? —the chief asked again.
—Let's see... I'd say alchemy, smithing, mechanics, and maybe magic.
Everyone got agitated as soon as I finished the sentence.
—Magic? No one has known how to use it for a long time; the last one was His Majesty's mother —the muscular man said.
"Shit! I'm screwed! I said that without thinking; I don't know the first thing about magic. I thought it would be good to say it since I know how electricity works, but this is another level."
—I said I maybe know something about magic; I'm not promising anything —I replied.
—And how will that help with the war that is coming down on us? —the chief asked again.
—For some strange reason, the legends always say that envoys are very intelligent. So much so that they create weapons of mass destruction as if it were nothing —Mona replied.
"Don't put so many expectations on me! I barely know how to code. What kind of people have come to this place?" I thought, terrified.
—But those envoys from the legends were brought by the gods. He simply appeared, and no deity announced him —Antonella explained.
That girl is right: I was tossed into this place turned into stone. No beautiful and exuberant goddess spoke to me or gave me abilities. Why is everything so different with me? Maybe I shouldn't be here?
—She is right; I don't even know myself what I'm doing in this world. Perhaps I was brought by something or someone I don't know. The only thing I'm clear about is that I want to return the favor of being taken in by Janeth and Zoran —I said forcefully.
—Fine, and what do you propose to save King Zoran? —the chief asked, always with her doubts.
—If it were up to me, we should be careful. The enemy is quite strong; he managed to kidnap the King and take over the castle and the capital —I began to walk in circles as I spoke—. The truth is that I have information about the enemy. Augusto is so strong because he is being helped by something else: by a despicable and somewhat immature being.
—Who exactly? Tell us everything that could be of help —the muscular man asked me.
—I don't know the name; I only know it is a deity. And you have to be careful: the power the "Master" has makes him practically immortal.
—Lady Janeth already told us that the day she arrived. Tell us something new —exclaimed the young man sitting next to Janeth.
—That's where I'm going. Perhaps there is a way to break the bond between the King's brother and this lowly deity. The thing is, I don't know how, but I have something that could work. Give me a few days and you'll see.
—Very well. In a few days, we will hold another meeting. The leaders of the villages that haven't been conquered will come in a week. You have until then to present your plan —the chief dictated—. The meeting is adjourned.
Everyone rose from their seats and proceeded to leave the building. I sat on the table where I had been standing; the tension was too much. The muscular man approached me.
—You have a lot of guts, little Liva. Coming here and standing before us like that —he offered me his hand—. I am Difo, the head of the army here in Bigue.
I shook his hand.
—It will be a pleasure to work with you —I replied.
After a while, I was left alone in the room; I was processing everything I had promised. I must go to where Uuk is as fast as possible; without him, it will be very difficult to have an advantage. The thing is, I don't know if he wants to help me: he's very lazy. I got up and went to the exit; barely a step outside, a female voice shouted:
—I was waiting for you! —the girl named Antonella approached me and grabbed me as if I were a cat—. Up close, you are much cuter. How sweet! —she started rubbing her face against mine.
If I weren't an animal, this would be very weird, but the truth is it feels good to receive some affection. Up close, I could detail her better: like everyone in this village, she looked like a supermodel. She had light blue skin and feline features, although her expression was kinder than the rest. What stood out most was her black hair, a great contrast to the dominant white in the area. It had been a long time since anyone had hugged me, and since she was so attractive, what more could I ask from fate? I must make the most of this adorable form.
—Ahem! —Janeth was watching everything—. Can you let go of my pet?
—I am not a pet! —I complained while Antonella pampered me.
—Let's go —the giantess took me by the scruff of the neck and pulled me out of the girl's arms.
—Goodbye! —she waved as they took me away.
As we walked, she sat me on her shoulder. Since when is this bitter giantess so kind to me? This is really strange; she always insults me or belittles me. What changed in this time?
—Why are you so pensive? —Janeth interrupted my delusions—. Don't tell me you like that girl. Although it would be strange for a demon and a vermin like you to end up married.
—It's not that; I was just thinking that you've become kinder to me.
I noticed how she blushed a little.
—I'm just following His Majesty's orders: to watch over you and help you in whatever I can. That's all —she replied, looking away.
—Sure, I'm not stupid. I know you care about me a tiny bit.
—Speaking of something else... —she diverted the conversation—. Exactly what do you plan to do to defeat Augusto?
—We should talk about that in private; we don't know who might be listening —I looked in all directions, a bit paranoid.
—Alright.
Janeth took me to her hut. Once inside, I hopped off her shoulder and settled on the bed.
—I have an idea to defeat that monster. It will be very risky because it requires breaking the bond between a god and a mortal —Janeth sat beside me, listening seriously—. I researched and saw that to do that we need the help of another god, and, well... I don't trust them much.
—Then what do you propose? —the giantess questioned.
—I have a friend I haven't seen for months. Since I arrived in the demon kingdom, I haven't heard anything from him. He is a very large animal, with scales that look like metal; he is very imposing.
—Are you talking about a Gondra? —she asked.
—What is that?
—The beast you describe resembles a Gondra.
"Really? Dragon backwards? They couldn't think of another name? I guess Uuk is a Gondra. Whoever invented it is lazy," I thought to myself.
—I guess so. We must go look for him in the place where I was born; I think he's around Honoriria. I heard there's a giant forest in the middle of the mountain in that area.
—Fine, we leave tomorrow. I'll tell the twins to come with us —Janeth stood up—. Rest in the meantime.
She left the hut and left me alone. At least I already have a plan: I must find my pseudo-dragon companion and convince him to come help. I also have to find a way to destroy the bond between the "Master" and that idiot god. As always, nothing will be easy.