Nathan led Zofia to his thatched hut. It wasn't beautiful, but having a shelter was the best thing right now. Besides, she had grown up in a poor family, so she was quite used to this.
Nathan's place was across a vast vineyard. Although still inside the city, this area was inhabited only by poor farmers; there were no other classes here.
"Thank you."
"I should be the one apologizing. You got hurt like this because of me."
"It's okay, just bandage it up. Tomorrow I'll take some money and go to the healer."
Night had fallen. Zofia kept looking out the window to make sure those men weren't following them.
"Don't worry, apart from the people who live here, no one knows anyone lives in this hut."
Only then did Zofia breathe a sigh of relief. She looked around. Everything was desolate; the items in the house were scarce. The old bed was stuffed with straw; even the pillow was a bundle of straw. Zofia didn't need to be observant to guess that Nathan had no family.
"My name is Zofia."
"Huh? Ah... if you don't mind, you can sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."
"It's fine. This isn't the first time I've slept on the floor. Having a roof overhead is good enough."
Zofia found some dry grass to line the floor and lay down. She quickly turned her back to Nathan to avoid him asking more questions.
"System?" Zofia thought in her head.
"Yes!"
"Why do I have this?"
"Answer. This is a special favor from the gods for those who travel across worlds."
"Like a blessing? Why was I chosen? Besides me, does Martha have it?"
"Answer. The criteria for receiving the blessing are very strict. Historically, only a few have been chosen. Besides you, no one else has been granted it recently."
"Then why don't the gods explain directly instead of using a game-like system?"
"Answer. Because a game system is familiar to people from Eurasia, or Earth as you know it. Through this, it is easier to train you and answer questions."
"Train me? For what?"
"Answer. For nothing in particular. In case the power holder wants to become stronger, this is the most effective method. The gods in other realities are bored and want to add some variables to the worlds they created."
"So I'm just a game to them, a pawn and nothing more."
"Answer. The gods only bless you with power. They absolutely do not interfere in any other matters, even if it is a disaster that destroys the whole world."
"I understand."
Zofia drifted into sleep. A day with so many incidents had left her exhausted. She could figure out this system later; there was no rush.
She was so tired that she slept until noon. Nathan returning home after finishing his morning shift startled Zofia awake.
"Sorry, I disturbed you. You slept for so long."
"It's okay, you can sleep as long as you like. It seems you were kicked out of the castle, right?"
Zofia didn't answer, only nodding slightly. She didn't know where to start explaining this. She thought perhaps she should give it some time; if she became close with Nathan, she would tell him. For now, she needed to find a job to feed herself.
Zofia asked Nathan about available jobs. Luckily, on his way back, he had seen an inn recruiting maids. Zofia felt this job wasn't quite suitable for her, so she thanked Nathan and went to find work herself.
After returning to the central district, everyone suddenly gathered to watch something exciting. Zofia curiously ran over to observe. It turned out to be Martha sitting on a palanquin carried by four tigers. The citizens clapped and cheered, throwing flower petals at the procession.
"What's happening?"
"Don't you know? The Queen just announced she successfully summoned a Hero from another world. She will help humanity fight against the demons and monsters rampaging in the Kingdom of Relum. She might even liberate the continent from the Demon King's rule."
"How ridiculous!"
Hearing this, Zofia burned with anger. She ran straight out to block the procession and pointed directly at Martha's face.
"This bitch is a traitor, a two-faced scumbag who steals credit from others!"
The surrounding people began to buzz with gossip.
Queen Isabella intended to speak, but Martha stopped her. She ordered the palanquin lowered and stood before the people, speaking loudly and clearly.
"I won't hide it from you all. This person is also someone summoned like me. Contrary to heroic deeds, she is a petty person who likes to stab others in the back. I used to be best friends with her, but I was played by this very friend, making my life in the old world a living hell. Now that I have been summoned by the esteemed Queen Isabella to this world, I was happy to start over and help everyone. I generously asked the Queen to spare her life for her insolent words and only exile her from the castle."
"Expel her from the kingdom!"
"Execute her!"
"You deceitful villain, daring to harm the Kingdom's Hero!"
The people immediately protested violently. Some even threw stones and eggs at Zofia. She knew she couldn't take on the whole crowd, so she had to run away, leaving Martha behind with a smug smile on her lips.
Zofia ran home, choking back her anger. She couldn't clear her name. Nathan didn't know how to comfort her, so he just shared half of the cake he was eating.
"Thank you. I will definitely repay this favor."
"It's just a cake."
"No, the shelter, and the other matter too."
"Are you really the person summoned to this world?"
"Did you witness everything at the square?"
Nathan nodded slightly. He looked at Zofia with wide eyes, waiting for an answer.
Zofia had no choice but to tell the whole truth, except for the System. She needed Nathan's trust to continue staying at this house.
"I believe you. I... find that Queen Isabella is not a good ruler. Otherwise, there wouldn't be slums right in the capital."
"Perhaps."
Recalling the past made Zofia heartache a little. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she absolutely did not let a single drop fall. She lay on the pile of straw and drifted off to sleep.