Two weeks had passed since the battle in the forest fortress, and Edmund was walking around the town. Today, he had a hidden agenda: Going to crowded places and eavesdropping, trying to find out what people thought about Ariadne. A group of people caught his attention as he passed through the central square.

  ‘This was not what happened; Edmund has white hair because she shared a part of her power with him, and that connection made his love cure her pain. That is why she doesn’t feel pain.’ The young Chatzi lady pointed at a Shafran male in the group.

  Edmund sat on a bench close to them; they were so invested in the conversation that they didn’t notice the young man; the words he heard took him back; it was ?fabricated and far from the truth.

  ‘No, he fell in love and offered himself as a slave for her and became the first devoted; that is why he was the first one to make the devices we use, but you are right in one thing: his love cured her.’ The Shafran male steps forward.

  The young white-haired man covered his face with his hands. He was concerned by those claims, and as he heard more that they were talking, he became more concerned, not because of the stories alone but because it was all a lie, but it made sense in reality.

  He also noticed how they talked about her; the feeling was strange. Even those who didn’t call her goddess, but her Highness said things that might as well have called her goddess; there was no actual difference.

  The group dispersed, but some saw Edmund sitting on the bench, recognizing him by his signature white hair. As they walked close to him, they made a gesture for him he interpreted as for him to give his all. He sighed in response.

  ‘All of this goddess thing is moving way too fast; they even have their own stories about what is happening, but what Ariadne said is right. They are behaving ?when talking about her.’ Edmund thought to himself.

  He got up and continued walking around the city. He hadn’t noticed how full of life it had become, with kids running around, couples holding hands, and people? coming in and out of shops.

  Going to the outskirts of the city, the sight of new buildings rising made him smile, but what surprised him the most was the magic tools the workers were using. He got closer, and one worker waved to him.

  ‘Hey Edmund, there is something you need?’ The young Chatzi walked in Edmund’s direction.

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  ‘Ethan? What are you doing here?’ Edmund looked at him, confused.

  ‘Those magic devices cost money; Ruth wanted the device that washes clothes, so here I am.’ Ethan scratched the back of his head.

  ‘She is perfect for you; I was just walking around the city to see what was happening. Did you hear about the stories that are circulating about Ariadne?.’ He looked at him, crossing his arms.

  ‘Ruth told me about it; they are fascinating; she seemed so happy while telling them; is any of it true? They are kind of crazy if you ask me.’ Ethan chuckled.

  ‘It’s all true; all I do is for Ariadne; it's difficult, but one day, she may recognize my love for her.’ Edmund looked away while covering his mouth with his hand.

  ‘Seriously? Well, you know I’m not good at this whole love thing; I never really noticed; it is destiny, them, how you took her pain way and all; when I get home, I will tell Ruth about it, but now I need to go.’ He turned around and walked away.

  Edmund glanced at Ethan, who was walking away, and the other workers, looking at him. He smiled at them and continued to walk, observing the new buildings being constructed.

  ‘Might as well play into the story: an army or religious zealots against the demon lord army; it can work, and they are not bad people, for now.’ He talked to himself.

  He walked through a new street with brand-new houses. They were simple but nothing to be ashamed of. The people who lived there paid a fraction of their wages by working for the same company that funded the building effort, Arc and Socher. Even though they were the same companies, they chose the same design for the homes.

  ‘I hope that by the time they finish these new buildings, we already have conquered the dungeon; all of this manpower will be needed to build the train line connecting the duchy.’ Edmund was kicking a rock while looking down and talking to himself.

  As he blabbed to himself, he didn’t notice the eyes looking at him. He heard the whispers of the people at the windows and walking in groups in the middle of the street. He kicked the rock forward, and the street he was on ended, giving way to a more crowded one: Duchess Street, the city's main street.

  Edmund thought Burns was a terrible name, but there was even an opening. He shook his head, remembering what had happened. What filled his eyes with hope for the future was how fast everything was changing, especially Main Street. Even shops selling the devices had signs in bright colors and drawings.

  It filled him with happiness. He didn’t do anything to make this happen; it was built and thought out by the people of the duchy themselves. Maybe in twenty years, he wouldn't be needed anymore.

  He entered a shop that sold brand-new cakes. He just remembered eating them from the memories of his past lives, not himself. Just one chair was next to the small table, so he chose that place to rest. After some time, an A-Dam with a black beard stood beside him with a tablet.

  ‘Ho, Edmund, what kind of cake would you like to eat and want tea?’ The bearded man smiled and gave Edmund the tablet.

  ‘Wow, this is impressive; you guys made a menu with drawings and everything, nice.’ Edmund scrolled through the items.

  ‘Is thanks to you; my daughter did this for me; she learned at her classes; one of your students is the teacher, I believe.' He stroked his beard while chuckling.

  ‘Well, I want this and this one too with tea.’ Edmund touched the drawings, and they were highlighted on the tablet.

  ‘For those, it will be just...’ The bearded man was interrupted by Edmund’s palm.

  ‘Wait, I thought it was free for me like I’m a slave. How am I supposed to buy anything without money? Put it on the duchess tab; she will give me some, but I don’t know when. Edmund scratches the back of his head while looking at the table.

  ‘Well, I’m going to give a slice and a cup of tea on the house for what you indirectly did for my daughter.’ The man turned around, shook his head, and smiled.

  ‘Thank god. Yeah, the treatment doesn’t apply to me at all, hum?' Edmund looked at his clothes.