The Goddess Reborns as a Nobody

02 The Sword-Wielding Giant

We finally arrive at Aster.

It's not that far from the forest where the couple found me.

The haphazardly built log cabin where I woke up was just sitting conveniently between the forest and the main road that leads in and out of Aster. It looks like it's made to function as a temporary shelter more than a real home. That probably explains why only their bedroom was fully furnished and the rest of the place is sparse.

They'll probably convert it into a hunting cabin or a rest stop for travelers who gets to cross the forest once they find a more suitable place to live in.

Namely Aster.

Clothed in the prettiest, most comfortable clothes I ever wore in my life, I'm safely ensconced in my new mother's arms as she carries me towards the half-crumbling cobblestone entrance of Aster.

Looking around, I suppress a sigh seeing that I have my work more than cut out for me.

This place looks more like a pigsty--no, actually, calling it a pigsty makes you sound like a nice person. The condition of the place is just awful and it's worse than I thought. This must be the Residential district.

Aster is sectioned into three districts: the Residential district, situated near the fallen kingdom's entrance. After that is the Commercial district or the Town's Square and then, lastly, the Palace district.

The residential areas look more like slums rather than an area where people should live safely and comfortably. People are giving us the stink eye as we pass by, roaches and insects scurry about the road, and suspicious shadows are lurking in the alleyways.

Even though I feel like I'm being burned by their hateful and envious gazes, no one's brave enough to come close. I notice that the townspeople are wary of us as well, giving us a wide berth in the process. It's probably because of the aura my new parents are emitting.

My Dad is tall, muscular, and is built like a tank. And despite the smiling open face my Mom is wearing, there's no denying that dangerous aura emanating from her that clearly states 'get close to me and my kid and you're dead'.

Well, if there's any consolation to be had during this short walk upon our entrance inside the fallen Kingdom, I guess my job's not that hard considering the people here still have some sense of self-preservation.

But I guess I spoke too soon because all of a sudden, a mob of at least two dozen people begin to block our way towards the Palace district.

"Hey, you two, stop right there."

I close my eyes shut and sigh. Yep, I did speak too soon and just jinxed it. This place is beyond help.

How can they muster the courage to be able to get in the way of two people who are clearly way overpowered than them? Even though I plan to stick to the Chosen One nonsense and hide the fact that I'm a goddess until I have the people's trust safely and firmly in my grasp--not to mention that my powers are still slowly adapting themselves in my human form--I can easily take care of a few dozen humans who look like they can topple over from just a strong gust of wind.

For a band of misfits, they look so scrawny and pitiful that despite their foolhardy attempt to block our way, I feel a little sorry for them.

When my parents didn't answer, I half expected the group to rush over and attack us all mob-like. However, to my astonishment, they begin to part like how one man in a human story parted the sea.

I had thought that there'll be more goons coming to rush at us but instead, one lone man saunters along on the path they created.

My small fist clenches on my new mother's shirt nervously, my eyes never leaving the giant behemoth coming towards us.

As he drew close, I notice that, compared to the mob blocking our way, this guy is massive, probably around six foot seven, more muscled than Dad, long brown hair loosely tied in a ponytail, and mean cerulean blue eyes.

He looks...pretty good-looking too. The scar he's sporting from his left brow down to his jaw only adds to how dangerous yet alluring he could be.

And if that scar doesn't deter enemies, that huge rusty, great sword with a broken tip he's holding, perched on his shoulder like its nothing, will definitely send his enemies running for the hills.

But apparently, my parents don't seem to be inclined to do so.

I mean, just by looking at them and from the way my siblings trusted them to take care of me, I know that Mom and Dad are more than capable of handling this guy. But I don't think this is the time for us to fight amongst ourselves?

Maybe I can try and resolve this issue as peacefully as possible. I don't want the fight to result in more casualties and more destruction to the already destroyed Kingdom.

I'm about to open my mouth to say something when I'm suddenly face-to-face with the huge burly, great sword-wielding man.

In the end, my mouth opens not because I wanted to say something and strive for a peaceful outcome in this situation, but to gape at him.

How did he do that? He's so huge and bulky yet he moves so swiftly, I didn't even feel him move. It's like he's an assassin and not a swordsman.

If push comes to shove, we're going to have a difficult time dealing with this man even if Mom and Dad work together.

However, now that he's so close, he looks...a little familiar?

If I didn't know any better he kind of looks like...

"This child..." he suddenly says, his voice deep and gravelly that befits a mercenary-like man him.

I blink in confusion when he did nothing more other than just staring at me intently, as if studying every inch of my face. Though I'm more puzzled because my parents aren't making any moves to attack or escape either.

Then, I feel Mom's hold tighten a fraction on me and I thought we're preparing to make a run for it while Dad attacks. But to my utter surprise, she lifts me up towards the hulking giant, as if offering me up to him like a sacrifice.

Just what is she thinking? Why is she doing this? Have I been betrayed by my siblings' most devout followers?

If so, I don't know what to do! I can't just use my powers and make a scene! Besides, where will I go if I manage to escape? That and I'm still recuperating from being in a human body so my god powers won't be as potent and I have to resort to using unstable mind-altering magic since god powers don't work on Humans.

"Isn't she cute? She's the reason why we left you in this town. Sorry for not letting you know but look at her! She's so adorable!"

My mother's gushing is both embarrassing and astonishing at the same time. How is she talking to this dangerous giant so amicably as if he can't hurt a fly?

"Nialla and I decided to take her in and adopt her regardless of whether she got the summons or not," my Dad steps a little forward, hiding me a little from the man's view and catching my attention in the process.

My gaze ping-pongs between the giant menacing stranger and my Dad, and then, I finally realize something...

The man grins and raises his sword. I thought for sure he's going to hack my Dad to pieces right there and then but he just tossed his great sword aside.

The mob behind him scrambled over themselves, trying their best to catch the weapon without letting it slice them up.

One of them catches the hilt perfectly before sticking his tongue out to the others and made a run for it.

"No fair! He was holding the sword last time! It's supposed to be my turn now!" Another shouts while chasing after the victor while the others followed suit, voicing their complaints of wanting to hold their leader's sword until it was only the four of us left standing in the middle of the walkway.

Dad sighs and rakes a hand through his short brown hair.

"Leader? Are you kidding me?"

Mom chuckles and the man before us flips his long brown hair that looks oh, so similar to my Dad's.

"Why, dear brother," the man grins, "Are you jealous that I gained quite the following while you and your wife are away?"

Wait, what? Brother? Dad and...

The man, I guess he's my Uncle now, glances at me and winks.

"Nice to meet you, princess. I'm Roger, Rodney's big brother. But you can call me Uncle Roger."