Prelude to change 2.202

Semiramis had taken the paintings she could exhibit, along with her "nude" where she posed with beautiful jewelry on her body. At this time, it was the hottest topic of conversations everywhere. Whether nobles or gods spoke of the paintings. All in all, Semiramis got what she was looking for and many nobles and goddesses came to talk to her, asking her who was the artist who had portrayed her to make her look so beautiful.

Semiramis made a business smile, because if she could, she would yell at them that she was beautiful. Viggo was a good painter, but in no way did he arrange the painting to make her look good. However, it was time to be cordial with the fifteen noble women and ten goddesses around her. There was even the god Freya within the group. Eventually, she and Semiramis would become business partners and if all went well, the Bishamon family with the Freya family would make a foray into the dungeon. Everything was possible, after all, Viggo and Ottar were brothers. They wouldn't dirty their relationship for a few valis or treasures.

-My husband painted me- said Semiramis with a pleasant smile.

-I don't think so, the one who fought against young Ottar?- asked one of the noble women.

-Yes- added the goddess Freya, supporting Semiramis -Viggo drew the paintings, I went to see him at his house. It's amazing his ability-

-How incredible!- said a woman with a long nose and bored expression -drawing the black dragon as if it were something glorious-

Semiramis kept her smile and wanted to slap her twice, but she remained calm and replied -it is not the black dragon in one eye. Maybe you didn't realize it because apart from the center of the painting everything is dark, but the dragon in the painting is huge, like a mountain-

-They are the same dear, it is still an offense to the gods- insisted the noble woman.

-I think the same, a braty idiot who knows nothing- said someone in the crowd with a contemptuous tone of voice. Everyone broke through and saw the god Zeus next to the dragon painting. He contemptuously slapped it and threw to the ground. Several people let out sighs of astonishment. Zeus walked to where Semiramis was and continued -just a pretentious fool who knows nothing. A dragon is the enemy of a god. Even though your husband is an insignificant demi-god, he should know these things-

-Can't you shut up for a moment?- asked Kain, making his way along with Hephaestus who had an expression of intense hatred when looking at Zeus. Kain stopped in front of Zeus and asked -Do you like to humble yourself so much? You are a god, but you don't know about the time of darkness, you wouldn't even be able to distinguish an archdragon. You, with your tiny divinity, hahahahaha, wouldn't even be an enemy for an archdragon. I'd really like to see if you can scratch him with your rays-

-This is not your business, dirty elf- said Zeus in a contemptuous tone.

-From the moment you insulted my son, it is- Kain replied with a smile that wasn't. Then he turned his back on him and told everyone -my son has traveled to other lands and has seen things that you can only imagine through his paintings. See them, those places where monsters appear are not known, at least throughout the continent Do you know those creatures that look like gorillas, but have scales on their arms and bumps on their backs and head? Or do they know the undead with bodies torn apart by time who seem to have magma from blood? See, evaluate it, have fun talking, but if you have only come here to discredit my son's work, to break it, you are only making an enemy. My wife, goddess Hephaestus and I, back him up with everything we have. So, go ahead and think about it– Kain turned around and looked Zeus in the eye -how they are going to behave-

Zeus frowned, took the wine cup in his right hand, and threw it into the draugrs painting, but the cup and wine were left halfway through the flight. Zeus turned around and saw Kain with his hand stretched out. It was surely one of his magic tricks. Zeus snorted annoyed and walked away and bumped into everyone in his path.

Viggo watched him from a distance as Hera patted his hand to calm him down.

-Father had to protect me- Viggo muttered disappointed.

-Nothing can be done- said Hera -right now, you and Semiramis are building their image and influence. The time will come for you to stand up for others. Until then, trust what you have, it's what your parents have worked for-

Viggo nodded and took a deep breath. Seeing him so distressed, several young women approached Viggo. Of course, they took care of their vocabulary and what they offered; they were in Hera's presence. Even if Viggo was just a companion, disrespecting him was beyond her means. Sure, unless none of them want to re-enter Orario.

-Young man- said a nobleman, he looked dignified in his coat with a long mustache.

Viggo looked at the nobleman, found him of serious character at the level of Odysseus. Simply put, a guy who isn't made for making jokes.

Viggo bowed slightly and asked -How can I help you?-

-Please explain to me the anatomy of that dragon you painted-

-Yes, please- said one of the girls who already surrounded him -explain us why it has six wings. Did you do it that way to exaggerate it?-

Viggo smiled like a young lover and replied in an animated voice -I do not exaggerate, what happens is that the dragon is that incredible- then he put a more normal expression and spoke to the nobleman -dear ¿?-

-Frank- replied the guy.

-I understand, Frank- said Viggo, guiding Hera to the archdragon painting they had collected and only damaged in the lower right corner of the frame -this is an eternal archdragon, a creature that has reached eternity, as its name indicates-

-Why?- asked Frank, frowning as the rest of the girls listened to Viggo. At the same time, Hera seeing the expression of the girls turn their eyes to the sky in a gesture of annoyance.

-You see, when a dragon has covered its whole body with scales as hard as stone...- said Viggo with a thick tone of voice, but pleasant to the ear. People approached, because it gave the feeling that Viggo really knew the creature and it was not part of his imagination, explaining the reason for the wings, why he had no eyes or ears, the size, and many other things that his father had taught him.

Kain himself listened only to his son, fascinated by how skilled he was with words and their expressions. He was a magician, with everything he did or said absorbing people's attention. The Archdragon was only the beginning, and they went through the rest of the paintings, explaining the creatures such as draugrs, ogres and Seidr witches, among others.

-Your wives- said one young woman, she must not have been more than thirteen years old. Blonde, short and tender and innocent face -Why do you draw them like that?-

Viggo looked at her, then looked at the twins painted on the canvas. Sakura who pointed her bow while tightening the rope to shoot an arrow. Ana, running at full speed while holding both daggers. Both daughters of Sparta looked glorious, like purple-haired warrior goddesses.

-I…- was going to say Viggo.

-Gentlemen, the auction will start in three minutes- said an adventurer from the Ganesha family, dressed like a waiter.

That provoked a series of murmurs that deconcentrated the crowd and attention was lost. Many, the vast majority, showed themselves in front of Viggo and asked that, if he made another exhibition as interesting as this, he invited them or at least made it public so that they could attend. A few praised him for his skill with the brush on canvas, others, those who considered themselves masters in the art, reminded him that he was just a novice. Viggo smiled and those people, for some reason, they got angry. Then they left totally indignant with him. Maybe they expected Viggo to ask them for advice or things like that, but Viggo wasn't going to do that. He painted first for his wives and then to capture what left a great impression on him. He didn't care that everyone else admired him for painting or things like that.

Frank, the nobleman, was the last and said -I am Frank Vesalius, of the empire. Viggo nodded and Frank continued -the archdragon, although I can't corroborate if what you said is real because, well, obviously I could not get a specimen like that, but if you find a specimen like the other creatures with the draugrs, ogre or witch, you could sell it to me. Lady Hera, present here, knows how to locate me-

-Yes, Frank, don't worry- Hera replied -Viggo will get you one or two of those so you can embalm them and add to your collection-

Frank smiled with pleasure -as always- he said -you do know how to treat your supporters-

Hera nodded, Frank bowed heavily, a slight bow for Viggo, turned around and walked out of the event hall.

Kain and Hephaestus approached Viggo while Semiramis and Scheherezade followed closely.

-It seems that everything went well- said Hephaestus -regarding Zeus, don't worry, I will raise his services and arms sales ten times-

-Mother, don't do that, you'll just hurt Maxim- said Viggo.

-And it seems that his family is the same- Hera added -I learned that this year, Maxim did not pay for Zeus' box like other years, that's why he was so irritable and upset. He had to sit with the other gods in the seats-

-That, well, was logical- replied Hephaestus -he doesn't deserve more than that, but to upset my son. Holy heaven, when I find an opportunity, I'm going to annoy him until he must apologize on my knees. Dog of bad life-

Everyone stared at Hephaestus. After all, she was not one to refer to other people like that, even if she disliked them. On the other hand, Viggo thought inside about things and possibilities. Maintain balance, be cruel to those who deserve it and have no remedy while protecting those who deserve it. In this case, what would happen if he killed Zeus? He had many doubts, the future came like a gale that does not spare anyone. Maybe it was a good idea to go to the adventurers' guild and chat with the great spy, as his father called him. Finally, ask if it was okay to send Zeus back to heaven. Viggo was going to be a god, so why not use his status to pressure him? If there was a lot of trouble, Viggo could tell the goddess Bishamon to take the adventurers he liked from the Zeus family and throw away the rest, surely there were other gods just as garbage as Zeus, who would welcome them with open arms. However, what Hera said was right: how to control the problematic gods who are no contribution, neither for their families nor for Orario?

-Let's go?- asked Viggo with a gentle smile that everyone knew how to interpret as if he was really upset.