Of loves and reasons 1.100

Kain walked up to Ottar and whispered something in his ear. Ottar thought about it a little, looked at Freya, and whispered in her ear. She looked at Kain and nodded. Then Kain made a radiant smile and gave a loud applause in the middle of the banquet hall.

-Listen, here are two promising young men looking to fight- Kain said, raising his voice -the first, Ottar, from the Freya family. A 13-year-old level 5 boy with the strength to fight a level 7. Secondly, Viggo, also 13 years old level 4. Both young people are going to fight yes or yes, but to make it more exciting, I want to start a bet-

Everyone was silent for a moment, looking at the tall elf in the middle of the two young men. One with dark hair and the other with flaming red hair.

I bet, five hundred million worth to the young Viggo- said Hera approaching with Semiramis.

Many released an "Ooooh" upon hearing it, as Hera was one of the most prosperous goddesses of Orario. Many believed that she would not make that bet for no reason. She may have done it for Kain, but such a sum of money was out of the head of most bettors.

-Of course, I also bet five hundred million worth on my son- replied Hephaestus, approaching with Sakura and Ana at her sides. They seemed concerned about all the attention Viggo had gotten.

-I bet one billion worth on my dear Ottar- Freya said, smiling defiantly.

Then the rest of the gods and nobles presented had the desire to join this juicy dispute. However, Kain raised his hands and said -a moment, I haven't set the conditions for the bet yet. First of all, anyone who wants to bet will have to pay a fee of ten million valuables, which is only the membership to participate in said bet. Whatever happens, this fee will not be returned- many remained silent, retracting their intentions. But Kain seeing them down, made a sly smile and said - in return, I will draw ten weapons made by me and they will be delivered according to the luck of the participants-

That changed the atmosphere immediately. A single weapon made by Kain could be worth a hundred million valuables. If any of them were made with that weapon, the loss of the ten million valuables would be nothing. That excites the gods and nobles again. However, of all the gods in the hall, only thirty of them could afford to participate in such a bet without counting Hephaestus, Hera, and Freya.

Once the situation calmed down, Kain led everyone to the balcony.

-What do you propose Kain?- asked Hephaestus with a look of few friends.

-Calm down, it's just a way to help our son- Kain replied with an uncomfortable smile.

-You better, if something happens to Viggo, consider yourself finished-

Kain let out an uncomfortable giggle and scratched his head. Then he turned back to look at Viggo and asked him -What do you think? Do you feel motivated? If you win, your old man will accumulate a great fortune-

Viggo snort indignant and annoyed. Only his mother and Hera bet on him. The rest bet on Ottar, either because they considered him a promising adventurer or to ingratiate themselves with Freya.

-Come on boy, it's your chance, don't take it badly. Strain and cover the mouth of all those idiots. If you learn touki you could become good enough to fight Ottar-

Viggo let out a sigh as Semiramis and Scheherezade each hugged him with one arm. They were concerned about Viggo's situation and about the little support he had had in the crowd. For them Viggo was strong, a born warrior like few others How could all those gods underestimate him? However, Semiramis rested easy knowing that Hera was supporting Viggo. As she initially assumed, Hera was the woman of contacts. In just half an hour she introduced her to more than twenty gods and nobles who seemed vastly prosperous. Each of them was respectful of her and all put themselves at her service.

On the other hand, Scheherezade recalled Viggo's intense struggles against the minotaur and cyclopes. So, remembering that Viggo had been in his world for five years, she thought that the gods were unaware of the current Viggo. However, she also thought that there must be certain circumstances for Viggo to be so underestimated. Eventually, she would have to figure it out.

-Okay, old man, but tell me, do you really think I can win?- asked Viggo.

-Not now, but you never know, maybe the great Viggo has a stroke of luck and manages to tie- Kain replied calmly.

Viggo was frozen, as if his soul had abandoned him. Even his father saw him as the loser. Viggo bowed his head feeling even worse and Kain earned a nudge from Hephaestus for saying all those things.

At the same time, the auction continued, and all the girls could see how their mother-in-law was fighting for a pile of damask steel ingots against another god who looked like an old man. No one else got into the fight and the dispute reached the sum of eight hundred million valis, with victory for Hephaestus.

After offering other high-value items, a short 30-minute break was given for those who had something to offer to show it to the Adventurer's Guild evaluator and be able to offer it in the last part of the auction. At the same time, Hera borrowed Semiramis and Scheherezade and led them to a private room. There Semiramis took out the precious stones and Hera sat behind a desk to check them one by one.

-No, no, no- Hera said after reviewing the third stone.

-What's the problem?- asked Semiramis in horror, as far as she knew, the stones had been always in her box. It was impossible that they had been damaged.

-None, girl- Hera replied with a big smile as she looked at the beautiful turquoise stone with green tones -Can I ask you for something?- she asked as she left the stone inside her space in the box.

Semiramis stared at the goddess sitting behind the desk and asked her calmly -What would it be?-

-I want to keep them all. Of course, I will ask the Assessor of the Guild of Adventurers to review them and give us an estimate of how much they can achieve-

Semiramis try to breathe calmly thinking about what her best option would be. Maybe she lost some of her value with this deal, but she would manage to ingratiate herself with this goddess. However, what would Viggo think of all this? she wonders.

-I will give you 1500 million valis- Hera said.

Semiramis had merchant's wood, but with such a large amount of money, she could only be left with her mouth open. On the other hand, Hera seeing her so surprised let out a laugh.

-You don't have to worry; this is just because these stones are too wonderful. Their colours, shapes and how well maintained they are worth it. If that seems little, I can give you 1700 million, no, 1800, but it is my last offer-

-We accepted- replied Scheherezade, who was standing a couple of steps behind Semiramis. From that position she couldn't see Semiramis' face, but she was surely dumbfounded. She would still be if they told her that head-on. Even selling all those treasures and gold brought from the other world only produced one hundred million valis. Not in a million years did she imagine that stones could have such value.

However, Semiramis turned to look at her seriously and Scheherezade was silent. Then Semiramis looked at Hera and asked her in a strict tone -Why?-

-The ten make an exquisite game- replied the goddess looking at the stones inside the padded interior of the box -too beautiful and picturesque. Each should be worth one hundred million worth, but together they are a delight. If you are used to looking at art, you will understand that a sculpture derives its value from the context and work of the sculptor. However, if you are missing an arm, leg, or other part that takes away its meaning, you would lose much of its value. The same goes for these jewels, each one is beautiful and wonderfully coloured, separately, but together they make a vision too beautiful-

Semiramis as someone who was brought up to appreciate art and precious things, understood the point -okay- replied -it will be the 1800 million as you promised, you don't need to call the guild evaluator, I trusted you-

Hera nodded contentedly, gave Semiramis a brief glance, and then looked at the ten gemstones inside the box. She passed her delicate fingers caressing each of the stones and was glad in her heart to have something so beautiful-

-I understand that you are Semiramis' right hand- Hera said without looking at anyone.

For her part, Scheherezade, who was one step behind Semiramis, understood that the words were for her -that's right- she replied -I have enough scholarship to function as a scribe or tax collector-

-Mmm, it's been a long, long time since I heard that kind of denomination- Hera replied, staring away from the stones for a moment. She looked at Scheherezade in those green eyes like precious emeralds and said -help Semiramis, I will give her a tent to run. If they, do it right, I'll let them manage one store each-

-We will do our best- Scheherezade replied without ever getting excited.

At the same time, Hera understood that Scheherezade was not interested in business or money like Semiramis. She wonders what kind of things Viggo had to do to capture this kind of woman? Her figure attracted attention. Those eyes and that voice made her a dream for many men. No doubt she would attract many men to her shops.

After talking about the future for a few minutes, Hera led the girls to the balcony, but in the process, she encountered someone who spoiled her whole night. He was an old man who looked quite manly with his white hair and a full beard. He wore a long white robe while his arms looked toned. However, as much as it looked decent, Hera knew he wasn't worth a single valis. A young man accompanied the old man, with black hair, wearing a frac just like everyone else. He seemed upset for some reason.

-I see you well accompanied, Hera- said the man in a thick, manly voice.

-I'm always well accompanied, Zeus. You were the only black spot in my life- Hera replied in a biting tone.

Zeus made a soft smile and said -they don't look adventurous. If I remember correctly, they walked with that brat Dragonroad. What a pity, what a pity, someone so inexperienced enjoying what he does not understand. If one day they want to have real fun, they can look for me- and he wink at them.

-A man whose only ability is his power to manipulate the will of others should not be so conceited. Go away- replied Hera

Zeus stared at Hera with a sardonic smile. The young man with black hair whispered something in his ear and Zeus snapped his tongue.

-Until another chance- replied Zeus and walked ahead.

At the same time, the young man with black hair, said -sorry dear goddess, it was not my intention to bother you, but to do some paperwork in the Guild, I need the god of my family-

-I'm the one who feels it for you, Maxim. I would like you to be in my family so much, you would make an excellent team with my boys- Hera replied.

Young Maxim straightened his back and looked into her eyes -I can't- he said -my old man would never forgive me-

-As stubborn as Romulus-

-I'll take it as a compliment- said Maxim, bowing and making a fast-paced way to reach Zeus.

Hera turned to see Semiramis and Scheherezade -that's a mistake in my life, learn from me- she said -an unscrupulous man will never have a remedy. It doesn't matter how much they suffer, cry, pray, or beg for him. There is nothing more terrible than a self-indulgent man-