Chapter 371

371 Nectar of the Gods #1

It has been three days since I demolished the Aquinas University building.

Three days.

Plenty of time for the story of the building being burned and destroyed, as well as the university students all becoming unemployed, to spread.

Even the newspaper that the city’s citizens love to read had printed the incident in large type, so I couldn’t help but overhear people murmuring about it.

“The world, to burn it all down in just one day, alone!”

“Aren’t you talking about the Aquinas University, with its fortress-like sturdy buildings? I’ve been there before. How can that place be destroyed in just one day?”

“Apparently, he possessed tremendous strength. They say he ripped out the building’s pillars with one hand, causing the entire structure to collapse instantly!”

Of course, stories like these tend to get exaggerated.

The truth is that the oils stored deep within the university’s underground, in well-like containment, caught fire and consumed everything. However, it seems that the people have come to believe that I demolished the building by swinging a club.

“Why would he do such a thing…?”

“Well, you see…”

“Hassan-sama, they are all praising Hassan-sama’s great achievement…!”

Listening to the murmuring crowd, Paranoi seemed extremely pleased, even grinning in satisfaction. Soon enough, she was shouting at the people.

“Hassan-sama has simply punished the unjust priests!… And has rung the bell of warning against a world where shrines and priests only seek profits like merchants…!”

Of course, that was not my intention at all.

Nevertheless, those hearing that seemed to regard it as some profound truth and made exclamations of wonder.

“That’s true, priests these days are problematic, aren’t they? Only interested in money. At one point, they sold diluted holy water with a few drops of sanctified liquid as ‘low-grade holy water’ for 5 copper coins!

“When I wanted to pray for my family’s safety, they asked me to contribute 1 silver coin monthly.”

“The last time, I received a job from the Venus shrine, but they took half of my earnings. When I questioned it, they said the other half was for their services.”

They were mostly the lower-class citizens of the West Gate area who evidently held significant grievances against the existing shrines and priests.

And such people seemed very satisfied with the fact that I had broken down the university and punished the priests affiliated with it, along with the aspiring priests.

Perhaps I might see these people in the graveyard this Sunday.

“Hassan-sama, seeing how steadily our influence is growing, we might be able to overthrow the kingdom within a few months…!”

For that reason, Paranoi has been in high spirits lately.

『Hassan’s Possessions

Number of Followers: 237,525

Number of Foundations: 1

Number of Shrines: 1

Number of Priests: 12

Number of Blessings: 1

Summary: The young priesthood of the boy god is growing. However, due to the lack of established discipline, they cannot function effectively yet.』

Over the last several days, the numbers of followers and priests to manage them have been increasing smoothly. As a result, the authority of Paranoi, my right-hand assistant, has also grown significantly.

Everyone, every day starts with earnest and wise prayers of gratitude to the nymph Paranoi of Ditch Water and Hassan-sama, who has appointed the aforementioned Paranoi as his right-hand assistant…!

The sight of the little nymph standing on a high spot above the people and blabbering away seemed somewhat strange.

Rather, there are now some people who visit the graveyard just to see the peculiar nymph Paranoi.

Indeed, recently while walking through the streets with Paranoi, I’ve noticed that not only are people whispering about me as usual, but there are also many more people who recognize her.

Look over there, that’s the nymph of ditch water.

It’s said that if you give her sweets, she will send down blessings.

In this way.

Apparently, Paranoi notices that people are talking about her and frowns deeply before breaking into an evil laugh.

“I too am now a famous personality within this city…! Perhaps, I might even become more famous than Hassan-sama…!”

“Yeah, sure.”

“That Paranoi is quite qualified to have something called ‘donkatsu’…! So, when will we arrive at the store that sells this ‘donkatsu’ thing…?”

“Almost there.”

In my sights, I can see the clinic on the East Gate Street.

The clinic that once caught fire due to Elpride and me has been rebuilt more magnificently than before, thanks to the donations received from various places and the compensation money I provided.

“Amazing.”

The person greeting me was a woman sweeping the fallen leaves in the spacious garden.

She had short brown hair, the fluttering clothes characteristic of healers, and a rather elegant appearance which was already familiar to me.

“Oh, Hassan-sama has come!”

This was Maana the healer. The female healer whom I had once rescued when she was trapped under a pillar during the fire.

Paranoi frowned slightly at seeing this woman.

“I want to eat donkatsu now! Isn’t this a healer’s office, not a restaurant?”

“You’re right. Is there time for it here? Maana-san, are you available?”

“Yes, yes. Please come in.”

Thus, we entered the clinic, and Paranoi’s arms and legs were tied to something resembling a bizarre chair.

Then they pulled open her mouth with something resembling forceps.

“What is this? What is happening?”

Of course, it is Maana who responds.

“Hmm, your molars are quite damaged. These need to be treated, meaning they have to be extracted. Now, say ‘ah’.”

“That… that dreadful thing, it won’t fit in my mouth…!”

“Don’t worry. Now, say ‘ah’.”

“Uuuiee-!”

Lately, the number of followers has increased, and everyone brings snacks for Paranoi. Though I had been brushing her teeth daily and maintaining them with mouthwash oil as Luna had advised, she still developed cavities.

There’s no way to treat cavities with acupressure, so we came to the clinic. The dental treatment in this world is rather intense and primitive.

“Auugh, auugh-.”

Ultimately, Paranoi, massaging her swollen cheeks and shedding tears, looks at me with eyes full of resentment.

“Hey, this is all for your own good. So, how did the treatment go?”

“Due to the nymphs’ high regeneration ability, a new tooth will grow back after pulling the cavity. Most likely, within a few days, new shiny teeth will sprout.”

With some relief, I learned from Maana that nymphs have teeth that continuously regrow. Like sharks, I suppose.

Maana adds one more thing.

“The treatment fee is 5 silver coins, but since it’s you, Hassan-sama, I’ll charge only 3 silver.”

“Really? Do I get a discount because of me?”

“If I give a discount to the deity who is currently reveling on earth, perhaps I’ll receive blessings too?”

Then Maana slightly bowed her head as if praying to me, both her hands clasped together.

If I were the ordinary adventurer Hassan, perhaps the treatment fee of 5 silver would have doubled or more with some excuse. But Hassan, the owner of the shrine, gets discounts.

Indeed, the higher ground has its advantages.

“Will you patrol the East Gate Street before leaving? The places that caught fire, you know.”

“I see. Since I’ve come this far, it wouldn’t be bad to check those areas.”

With the passage of several weeks, the reconstruction of buildings and structures had been smoothly carried out, but it still somehow smelled of burnt, perhaps just a feeling.

“Ho ho! Here comes our young deity!”

The place I reached was a laundry shop. The owner of this shop, the president of the fire victims’ association, greeted me warmly upon seeing me. It didn’t seem like the hospitality between the offender and the victim.

“These days, I’ve heard that the shrine is growing very smoothly!”

Considering my position as both a perpetrator and someone indebted, there’s nothing much I can say.

I gave a noncommittal reply.

“Well, just so-so. No big incidents?”

“If you, the owner of the shrine, are patrolling around, how could there be problems? Anyway, I’ve heard of the peculiar blessings you grant. A blessing that enhances one’s luck with money…?”

As it turns out, the blessings I’ve been granting have already reached the wealthy of this East Street.

“If I become this fine gentleman’s follower and join this ‘Dark Brotherhood’ thing, can I receive the blessing?”

To which Paranoi interjected.

“When you want to receive baptism into Dark Brotherhood, you must pass the judgment of Paranoi…! Of course, all nymph-haters will be rejected…!”

The ‘Dark Brotherhood’.

It was the term used to refer to my followers. The newly appointed priests, along with Paranoi, Antiope and I, brainstormed and coined this name.

I thought the term ‘Dark Brotherhood’ I suggested sounded better, but they said it might sound too cult-like, so it became the Dark Brotherhood. Because it sounds cuter.

“Must you pass the judgment of this little nymph?”

“Not just any little nymph! The one who survived the tooth extraction torment, the Marquis of Hell’s Frontier, Paranoi…!”

“Never seen such a bold nymph. The nymphs I have seen were shy and timid.”

Indeed, as the laundry shop owner rightly pointed out.

Looking back, the other nymphs I had met tended to be shy and avoided strangers or hid because of shyness.

However, Paranoi is different; she just plunges in ahead.

Anyway, that’s not important right now.

I said,

“Please inform the members of the victims’ association in the East. Let them know that my shrine is always open for them. We have a long queue for baptisms, but we will give priority to the victim members.”

“Ho ho, that sounds good! Absolutely good! This is exactly why connections are so important.”

Listening to me, the laundry shop owner looked very pleased. It was probably because he considered it repayment for the debt he owed me.

I, too, felt a bit relieved to have reduced some of the mental debt.

“Well, then I’ll take my leave.”

“Come again next time. And take care.”

“Should I…?”

To my question, the laundry shop owner stroked his bearded chin.

“You burned down the university, didn’t you? And lately, you’ve been gaining prominence suddenly, so it wouldn’t be surprising if there are many priests from existing shrines who would try to slander you, Hassan.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you for the advice.”

“You’ll do fine, I trust.”

With that, my exchange with the laundry shop owner ended. The advice he gave me last was quite beneficial.

When someone’s fame suddenly expands, and their influence grows, there will surely be those who envy it or harbor senseless anger. Therefore, it wouldn’t be strange for someone to try to trip you up.

But now, I don’t need to worry much.

I have my own supporters, and above all, I have the strength to punch anyone who doesn’t sit well with me.

*

“Oh, Hassan-sama has come!”

After a long while, I visited the Mars Guild. Daphne was busy handling numerous tasks at its lobby when she greeted me.

She even waved her hand at me while ignoring the long line behind her.

“It’s been a while!”

“Yes. I’ve been busy lately.”

“Well, of course! I’ve heard that the shrine is growing smoothly!”

“Is Daphne also quite busy?”

I looked at the people Daphne was dealing with. Iron and Bronze Tier adventurers stretched the reception line extensively.

Daphne said,

“Ever since it was written in the newspaper that I am the exclusive receptionist for Hassan-sama, it’s been like this! Everyone wants to become as strong as Hassan-sama!”

“Ah, is that so.”

“Everyone starts with the shrine cleaning work that Hassan-sama did first! Next, they clean the underground areas and then go out to the nearby forest to catch goblins.”

Indeed, the commissions I have undertaken seem to have become a sort of training regimen. I wonder if doing these things will actually help in growing stronger?

Look over there. That man surely is Hassan of Samaria.

He’s of the Silver Tier. He looks d*mn strong.

In the eyes of the long queue of people filled with admiration and awe, I admit, my neck feels itchy.

Should I challenge him once?

Idiot, you’ll be no match for him with just one finger!

With one finger? Honestly, I believe I could knock all of them down with just one strike.

To the Iron and Bronze Tier adventurers, I probably appear as tall and imposing as the wall I first saw Hippolyte against. It’s the truth.

Thinking about this makes me realize just how high my current position is.

I’ve been freed from Elpride, and I started with the commission of cleaning the shrine, and so many events have occurred since then. Most of these events involved Luna too.

I wonder where Luna is now and what she’s doing.

Suddenly missing her made my mood a little down.

To me feeling low, Daphne said,

“Ah, and there’s a delivery for Hassan-sama!”

“Delivery?”

Could it be a letter from Luna?

With that thought, my mood brightened instantly.

“Where is it?”

“Go to Hippolyte’s office!”

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