Lord of Mysteries: Goddess of Origin

The door closed and Welmer left Selina with the house's key in hand.

Standing by the entrance. She began to formulate her day's course. Inwardly, she listed, The gathering starts at three in the afternoon. I should still have the time to prepare lunch... Also since I inherited an astonishing legacy from Selina's parents. It would garner suspicions if I carelessly spend a large amount without having a job to back my expenses...

With this in mind. Her thoughts began to construct a possible job to apply, one which can earn enough for her to buy necessities, weapons, build connections and can aid in her understanding of the beyonder world.

Should I try becoming a waitress at Evil Dragon's Bar? Mr. Swain seems to be a type of man with principles and very knowledgeable... Slightly settling her decision. Selina figured that it would be best to take a refreshing shower.

As she approach the stairway. An image of a shop suddenly resurfaced within her mind. During her way to visit Tiene University, the track carriage came across a humble herbal shop at a street cluttered by buildings.

Her potion provides her with knowledge of herbs and how to concoction drugs with medicinal properties. It perfectly covers her requirements for a job. However, the only exception was the knowledge of the beyonder world.

Upon weighting the two jobs. Selina came into a conclusion, Although I can put my Apothecary abilities to good use through the herbal shop, my stay won't be prolonged and my time is sensitive. The cults are still loose and they could retrieve me at any given moment...

Knowledge of this world is my most top priority in order to survive... Mr. Swain could also provide me protection against the cultists. But being a waitress... The thought of her wearing audacious clothes and the constant stares from the loath detestable customers made her skin scrawled.

With a reddish ear. She whispered, There's no such clothing in this world... Yes, hopefully.

Returning to the second floor. Selina first entered the bedroom and brought out a body towel from her suitcase. 

Seeing her unwashed clothes, tidied on a corner of her suitcase. She let out a soft sigh, pointing inwardly. Let's do a laundry once the tarot gathering is over...

Taking her towel over her shoulder, she made her way back to the corridor and entering the bathroom in the first door.

...

After tying her hair and changing into a beige dress, with a lantern sleeve and a lengthy mildly designed floral skirt concealing her trouser. She strapped her revolver over her thigh once more, using the teared fabric as its holster.

She descended from the second floor, returning back to the entrance. 

This time, her trouser contains a pocket, which she used to store her wallet and the key of the house. With her sun hat by her right hand, she twisted the handles of the door, exiting her residence.

But upon opening the door, she was greeted by Marl Heath and the briwn haired woman from before, holding a steel pot with her gloved hands.

"Oh! We were just about to knock the door." Marl's wife softly exclaimed.

Why are they here? Selina subconsciously revealed a puzzled expression. Lowering her gaze to the crock pot by the lady's hand, she recalled Marl's offer of his wife's delicacies. 

Is that the Seared Mutton Mr. Heath talks about? But that was yesterday... Selina felt a slight guilt for unknowingly declining the man's offer.

Mr. Heath revealed a cheerful and wide smile and enlightened. "If you're about yesterday, don't mind it! As neighbors, its a tradition to show kindness to each other by offering minimal gifts such as food or beverages!"

Meeting the gaze of his wife, Marl Heath turned to face Selina again before back again to his wife, saying in a genuinely soft voice. "This is my wife, Martha. The most beautiful woman in the world."

Marl's words touched his wife, even Selina. She mused inwardly, The guys I met before back home should learn a thing or two from you Mr. Heath.

Subconsciously, Martha suddenly slapped her husband's chest. Saying in a slightly embarrassed voice. "You're making me look boastful in front of our new neighbor..."

 "What? But its true!" Marl refuted his wife.

A corner of Selina's mouth twitched by their interaction. This scene oddly resembles a romcom's friendly neighbors...

"Ahem... Dear, would you like to try some Veggie Beef Pot? I couldn't make Seared and Buttered Mutton because I just made them yesterday..." Martha raised the crock pot in her hand slightly.

I'm sorry... Selina internalized her apology. 

Brushing her thoughts aside. She lowered her body and courteously bowed before introducing herself. "My name is Selina Roy. A pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is ours dear." Martha replied smilingly.

Hearing this, Selina offered. "Please, come in."

Just as Martha enters the door, she noticed her attire consisting of a sun hat and a outwear blouse, suggesting that the lady was about to head out.

With a conspicuously worried voice, she asked. "Dear, are you perhaps, going to go out? I'm sorry if me and my husband interrupted you."

Hearing this, Selina abruptly halted and turned to face Martha. She lightly insisted. "No, Mrs. Heath, it wasn't a cause for concern. I was just about to buy ingredients and condiments to cook when you and Mr. Heath arrived. I'm grateful that my expenses wasn't deducted."

Martha's face softened as she replied. "Your mannerism and elegance is quite remarkable, it almost seems like a noble accent. Mind if I inquire if you have an aristocratic lineage?"

Selina couldn't replied immediately, pausing for a moment before saying in a gentle tone. "To be frank, my nature was honed through books and well-educated years. I do not have such status yet..."

Martha nodded, restraining her impulse to inquire further.

After storing the pot in the kitchen. Selina guided them in the lounge, gestured for the couple to occupy any couch they want. As for her, she sat across them, facing the bay window that reveals the outside.

"My wife noticed that the housing agents brought a lady with them and told me that the resident next to ours are now finally being accommodated." Marl explained.

"Honestly, dear. We thought that this house wouldn't get occupied anymore due to the case that had happened months ago..." With a sigh, Martha added.

A case months ago? Selina echoed the words from Martha that caught her attention. Adjusting her posture, bringing her right leg over to her left, she asked. "Mrs. Heath, could you inform me of this case that have transpired?"

It would be problematic if a dormant issue was still crept within her rented house's walls. Her intended goal of keeping a low-profile would be sabotaged!

"Well, since you're staying her for awhile as our neighbor. We might as well bring you out of the dark..." Martha replied, meeting the gaze of Marl Heath before turning it back to Selina.

"Last year, late of November. The occupant of this resident have disappeared unbeknownst to anyone. Police reports concerns about an act of adultery that resulted in someone's imprisonment that seems tied to his disappearance." Martha informed, laying out the house's history as far as she knew.

She first leaned slightly to Selina before adding. "There were many rumors of his partner during the act. But what became prominent from them all was Mrs. Sharon, wife of the late Mr. Baron Khoy." 

Mrs. Sharon... Baron Khoy... Selina reflected on these names. Making a mental note of them before inquiring. "But what is its connection with the house's reputation?"

"Those rumors escalated. But wasn't actually proven. What mattered was the occupant's sudden disappearance without any traces." Martha replied in a consultative manner.

That's a relief... A soft breath escaped from her lips.

"Well, we're grateful that the house now has an occupant. And it seems this occupant displays elegance and refined demeanor." Martha commented in a genial manner.

"I'm flattered... It's reassuring that I have the Heath family as my neighbors. Please take care of me." Selina politely replied.

"Ah dear, I really wish I bore my child much earlier. So that I can haggle you into our family..." Martha simpered amusingly.

Lady Heath... I don't plan on getting into a relationship in world. It would only hinder my progress of returning home... Selina's smile twitched slightly.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Martha elbowed her husband, darting his attention across the room's interior.

"What- Oh! H-Here." Marl reached for the pocket of his trouser. Pulling out a paper slip and handing it to Martha.

Martha then offered the note to Selina, saying in anticipation. "The Woodman family are initiating a congregation. Me and my husband will attend, and you should too! You would be able to join a social circle which can extend your relationship connections."

The note itself isn't remarkable. With only a signature of the head family, along with etched words stating the house's exact location.

After taking the note. Selina internalized, I'll see if I can attend... Joining a circle...

Seeing her blankness. Martha unrooted herself from the couch. Gesturing for Marl to rose as well. She said to Selina. "Well, dear, we don't want to bother you anymore."

"It seems you're preoccupied with something, and we don't want to be nuisance any longer."

Selina snapped from her thoughts. She stood up abruptly before replying hastily. "Oh no, In fact I'm pleased to have you and Mr. Heath as company."

"That's reassuring dear. But I need to tend Heath Jr, we won't prolong our stay." Martha performed a tapping gesture, drawing a clockwise circle. "Thank you for having us. May the Goddess guide you."

Marl mirrored his wife. Saying gaily. "Thank you, Lady Roy. May the Goddess guide you."

Well... She was also a believer of the Evernight... Selina briefly nodded back before performing a clockwise circle over her chest. Saying in motion. "May the Goddess guide you as well."

After accompanying them to the door, Martha abruptly halted. "Dear, you can return the pot to our house once you've finished the food. I will be delighted with your opinion of my cooking."

"I will Mrs. Heath." Selina replied, closing the door afterwards.

...

After finishing the Veggie Beef Pot cooked by Martha. Selina commented the dish silently, The stew is perfectly seasoned... While the beef accentuates the carrots and potatoes with a hint of... An apple?

Settling the empty bowl aside, she added. "If possible, I would definitely request Mrs. Heath for her cooking recipes..."

Upon replacing the leftover stew with another iron pot. Selina intends to head out and apply as waitress before returning the crock pot back to Mrs. Heath.

Donning her sun hat, she first checked her pocket for the wallet and her right thigh for the revolver before exiting the residence. Striding off towards the nearest track carriage stations.

Arriving by the road side of Daffodil Street, it didn't take long before she boarded a carriage packed with passengers adorned with top hats, bonnets, news caps, working outfits etc.

The horses proceeded with slow pacing before gradually galloping with increased momentum.

Along the journey, the carriage have stopped multiple times, at each intervals, Selina became farther from the entrance of the transportation. Although the odor lingering remained indistinct from before, she slowly getting used to its putrid scent.

The carriage drove pass the municipal square, changing course to the road leading to East Borough. 

As the mundane views of the street slid pass their passage. Selina caressed the soft and relatively smooth surface of her sun hat.

Thoughts drifting from her weariness. She began to reconsider her earlier decisions. Becoming a waitress at Evil Dragon's Bar would benefit me with information, connections and resources. I could even ask for protection from Mr. Swain once we become allies...

But being a potion assistant... maybe paychecks and...

Suddenly, she recalled her former body's owner. Her ambition of attending Tiene University to study herbalism and to socialize with people.

A herbalist... The profession weighted on Selina.

She promised that for awhile, as she integrates herself into this world, to fulfill the wish of her body's former owner. Even if I couldn't attend the college like you want to... I'll have to make sure you experience becoming a herbalist, but this way, it won't be aligned with how you intend it...

And since we're already here...

As the carriage proceeded. It soon turned south before halting at a station, giving time passengers to alight and board. 

Among the civilians that left the carriage was Selina.

The station was near to the area she outlined in her imagery of the shop's location. Maneuvering the street, clustered by towering buildings. She saw a particular low-rise building by the side of the road.

Its bay window reveal a variety of hanged plants. Ranging from flower she's familiar with, leaves and herbs unknown to her. At the the door, a sign was placed above, engraved on the language of Loenese, it reads:

"Lawson's Folk Herb Shop"

...

Darkwill, a man in his thirties, with black short hair and brown eyes. A round face and a chubby body.

He's the owner of the Lawson's Folk Herb Shop and have been experiencing a lack of customer for the past weeks. Deeming his products to be unusual and overly unreliable due to its appearance.

Paced behind the counter, frowning at the row of untouched bottles on his shelf. With an annoyed and frustrated tone, he muttered. "Judging by appearance, again. Idiots. They wouldn't know an effective tonic if it cured their stupidity."

He slammed a bottle shut with a grunt. "My medicines are effective! Idiots!"

His mentor strictly advised him to play the role of the potion's name. So out of respect and dedication, he established a simple business, aiming to provide medicinal herb while also earning for the formula and ingredients of his potion's next sequence.

Thinking that due to his exceptional abilities as a beyonder, he can garner the attention of customers, not to an extent where his shop becomes popular that officials begin to set their eyes on it.

As a wild beyonder, unauthorize by the officials. He considered its location, specifically choosing a slight secluded, to become inconspicuous while also attracting different pedestrians. 

But with rate of customers lower than the expenses of the herbs and plants used. He will be bankrupted in no time.

Just as he turned, face loomed with weariness, the door creaked open.

A breeze swept in—along with a silver-haired young woman, adorned with a wide sun hat.

Her hair tied into a braid and to a bun. She was clad in a beige-fitted blouse, with mild frills over the wrist and a lengthy skirt. Her calm silver-blue eyes emits a faint alertness and her face displays unbelievable beauty obscured by the sun hat.

Upon taking off her hat, she performed a brief courtesy at Darkwill before revealing a genial smile. "Good afternoon mister. Mind if I come in?"