"First, why don’t you tell us more about your situation so that we can figure out how to help you better?"
Aiden brewed some tea for Lumi to help calm her nerves. The newly constructed guest room was being used for the first time, and Aiden decided to test out the new technology he had requested.
The room had internal heating and cooling, keeping it at the perfect temperature, and the soft carpet under his feet helped him relax. The soft but firm sofa also provided the perfect support to make their guest feel calmer, which Aiden intended to make use of in the future.
For now, he noticed Lumi’s distracted expression and he coughed to remind her that she had started speaking.
Lumi took a sip of her tea and forcefully distracted herself from all the new features she noticed in the room for the first time.
"I apologize. This room is different from any other place I have ever been to, so it distracted me. Now, let me think where I should start from."
Lumi gave Aiden a quick rundown of who she was and what she wanted, and he made a quick note of her words.
According to Lumi, she was the daughter of a rich merchant couple, but the local lord wanted to grab control of her family. Her family was rich but lacked just one thing that would help them expand their business—a noble name.
And that was where the local lord came in. He suggested a marriage with Lumi in return for his name. But as soon as they married, he had Lumi’s parents killed and all their property fell into his hands.
Moreover, since this world did not allow women to inherit property, there was nothing Lumi could do to fight against her husband. By the time she got to know his true nature, it was already too late.
"I wouldn’t have come here to ask for help if that was all that bastard did! But I heard him planning my death as well to pull off the same scam again and again. I tried going to the authorities, but they decided not to help because my husband legally owns me. So I need your help."
Lumi had clear intentions and a reason for her revenge. But Aiden decided to press her for more.
"If the authorities refused to help, then why not ask the local god for help? Surely he would be able to take you in."
Aiden decided to clarify this question before it became a problem for his goddess. She had just started to regain her powers, and he refused to put her in danger.
Lumi bit her lip and looked conflicted about whether she should say something or not. But after considering her options, she decided that staying silent wouldn’t help her. Aiden had agreed to help her, but he could take his words back at any second because of her dishonesty.
"To be honest, you were not my first choice. I went to my local temple, but they took my husband’s side because he provided them with huge donations. He also forces his territory to worship the local god. You are the second noteworthy god in our vicinity."
Since Lumi was from the adjacent village, it did make sense that they were the only available powers around.
However, this changed the situation from helping her to invading another god’s territory.
"I see. So the situation is not as simple as you made it out to be. By agreeing to help you, we will be invading the other god’s territory. Have you considered this?"
Aiden asked Lumi, and she looked ashamed.
But that did not last long because she had made her decision.
"I am more than aware of what that entails. And I am also aware that you are not obligated to take this risk for me. That’s why I am willing to offer you more. If I successfully drive a rift between my husband and the local god and have him cast aside, will you agree to help me?"
Lumi asked, and Aiden looked at his goddess. It was her decision now.
"Hmm, I would prefer not to interfere in other gods’ business unless it’s absolutely necessary. But if you can get your husband cast out, then it’s a different matter."
His goddess agreed, and Aiden also agreed to help her.
[Would you like to accept the mission?]
The system asked, and Aiden knew that once he pressed yes, it would be the final decision for him.
But he still decided to make this decision.
[Updating Additional Objective: Helping Follower Lumi gain her freedom.]
[Reward: A potential High Priest]
[Additional Reward: Can gain more followers and influence in the nearby village.]
The reward was helpful enough for Aiden to take this risk.
"I shall return to my village now. I have been gone for some time, and my husband will start to question my disappearance soon. I will contact you with more information-"
"Miss Lumi, would you like some help in driving a wedge between your husband and the temple? If so, then I have an idea."
Aiden told her, and Lumi felt curious to hear him out.
He handed her some herbs that were known to cause sickness but looked identical to the ones he usually handed to the villagers.
"These herbs are special. If you ask your husband to look into local specialties in the nearby village, he will come across spices that look exactly like these. But unlike the spices, these will cause sickness. Just change these in his offering, and you shall see the rift that you wish for."
Lumi took the herbs with a suspicious look on her face, but he could tell that she was not going to use them at face value.
"I see. I shall test the potency of these herbs on some animals first before deciding whether I can use them on humans or not. I would rather not have innocent people killed. But if it helps, you will have my eternal gratitude."
She told Aiden, and he nodded.
"Of course I will help you out. Since you are ready to dedicate your everything to my goddess, I shall spare no effort in helping you. I hope you give me the good news soon."