The villagers insisted we take their offerings. Bags of coins, rare materials, fresh food.
I wanted to say no.
Aelira insisted we say yes.
"Consider it tax," she said flatly, tossing a bag of gold into my hands. "Saints don't pay rent."
---
We ended up at the best inn in the capital.
Big stone pillars. Velvet curtains. A fancy guy at the counter with a curled mustache and an attitude that practically screamed, you're not rich enough for this place.
I slapped a handful of gold onto the counter.
"We'd like your best room."
The innkeeper blinked. "I'm sorry, but the premium suite is—"
"Give us the premium room," I said, accidentally tapping into the voice.
He stiffened like a statue, then bowed so low his mustache brushed the desk.
"Of course, right this way, Your Most Gracious Commander of Absolute Agreement."
"…Not my title," I muttered.
---
The room was stupidly large.
Gold-framed windows. Beds big enough to drown in. A chandelier made of crystals shaped like birds. Even the pillows looked like they were worth more than my old apartment.
But luxury couldn't save us from one thing.
Lucen.
He stood by the mirror, admiring himself, shirt halfway unbuttoned, muttering under his breath.
"Divine. Elegant. Perfect jawline. Vessel of truth. Sculpted by gods…"
Aelira was lying on one of the beds, arm over her face. "I'm going to strangle him with that feather boa."
I groaned. "I knew we should've booked a separate room."
Lucen turned to us, arms wide like he was delivering a sermon.
"You two are blind to greatness. You resist the truth because you fear it. But I… I am Veritas Incarnate. The perfect being!"
Nothing happened.
No blue glow. No whispers of belief. No divine spark.
Aelira sat up. "You done?"
He blinked. "Wait… why didn't that work?"
"Because we're not normal," I said, grabbing a pillow. "And you're not perfect."
WHUMP.
The pillow hit him square in the face.
"Traitors," he muttered through fluff.
Aelira launched hers next. "Shut up and go to sleep, God-boy."
---
Later that night, it got quiet.
The kind of quiet that sneaks up on you and makes you think.
I stood by the window, watching the moonlight spill across the stone streets below.
Aelira joined me, her voice softer now.
"We're getting pulled into something… bigger."
"You feel it too?"
She nodded. "Lucen's just one. There might be more. Other 'placed' ones. Other Veritas. Other rulers."
I looked at my reflection in the glass. I didn't look divine. Just tired. And maybe… a little lonely.
"I didn't ask for this," I said.
"No one does," she replied. "But you're doing better than most."
Behind us, Lucen started snoring.
Loudly.
We both winced.
"…Let's throw him off the balcony," Aelira suggested.
"Tempting," I said, half-smiling.
The city lights flickered in the distance.
And for once, despite everything, I felt a strange calm.
Tomorrow would probably bring monsters, cultists, or another chosen freak.
But tonight?
Tonight we had pillows, moonlight, and each other.
---
[To be continued…]