Prelude to change 2.205

-You don't know how to treat a woman- Jason said -she only follows you because you're the person who brought her to Orario-

Viggo stared at him: blond hair, short and rowdy, gray metal breastplate and an intimidating look. Viggo had never seen him put such an arrogant attitude in front of him.

Both were several tens of yards from Kain, Odysseus, Achilles, and the other adventurers. On the edge of the cobblestone road and the buildings that functioned as warehouses for the family's supplies, even on the side of the mansion.

-Why do you say it?- asked Viggo, unusually calm. He felt that Jason's aggressive and resentful attitude was pathetic, but he didn't want to smile or show it any other way. For some reason, it made him feel confident to see how pathetic someone else was. Even if that person was Jason, a brother who gave him a lot of good advice in the past.

-She only dedicates herself to work, she does not go elsewhere, and her only friends are that red-haired elf and Semiramis, do you ask your wife to watch your other wife?-

-That's an interesting theory- Viggo said, keeping calm -look Jason, you're my brother, I've always considered you a brother. I don't want this to separate us. It's silly, we've known each other all our lives. I, Scheherezade is my wife and I understand that she is focused on the things she wants to achieve with Semiramis, but don't accuse me of things-

-You were only born lucky, not brained, Viggo-

-Hey, don't offend me, I haven't offended you. I thought we were talking-

-I'm just going to tell you this, I'm going to come back, and I'll take myself to Scheherezade and you won't be able to do anything-

Viggo took a deep breath, looked at the ground, and nodded several times. Then he looked at Jason, who looked at him with resentment, as if Viggo had done him some harm -look, let's clear this up. You and I are brothers and now you are threatening me-

-It is not a threat; it is a reality-

-Well, you're promising me you'll take my wife- Viggo continued, fed up with this conversation, but trying to stay calm -look Jason, let's clarify the points. First of all, my wife has always been able to do whatever she wants. Second, she receives gifts from many other nobles, you are not the only one. She takes them and places them in a chest next to my bed for me to see, just to remind me that there are many guys like you who try to woo her. So don't feel special. Third, you tell me you're going to take her, do you know what it's like to have a wife and children? You are over seventy years old and have never started a family, what do you know about making a woman happy?... -

Viggo went on to list the problems Jason had over the years, they were brothers, his father and Jason talked publicly to each other about these problems so that the younger ones would not imitate him. Kain was always saving Jason's ass, like that time he fell into gambling addiction. All that infuriated Jason, who clenched his fist with all his might.

At the same time, Viggo sensed danger and channeled his divine power to activate his clairvoyance. His pupils turned a golden color. Viggo continued to speak and make his position clear, until he saw Jason's fist move at full speed. Viggo moved his face to the side, but the speed of a level 9 was such that Jason reached him to graze his cheek. Even if Viggo could see Jason's movement several seconds earlier. The latter continued to throw punches after another, but suddenly someone hugged him from behind and held him back.

Jason saw that the person holding him was Kain while Odysseus and Achilles pushed Viggo away. Jason made force to get out, but Kain made an equal amount of force and held him back. Then he pushed him away so no one could see him and let go.

-What's wrong with you, demon boy?- shouted Kain, annoyed by Jason's attitude.

-You don't know anything, you don't understand anything, don't touch me- Jason shouted, his face red with fury.

-If you don't tell me, I can't understand you-

-What are you going to understand?- shouted Jason -it's your son, of course you're going to defend him-

-What are you talking about, boy- Kain replied with a low tone of voice -you are my boy too, I also taught you and educated you-

-You only mistreated us, you only gave us suffering, but you never cared about us-

-I...-

-I curse the day I met you, I curse all this, I curse Aunt Catherine, she should never have helped us. We just had to die-

-Boy, don't say stupid things- said Kain, astonished and saddened by what Jason said -I, Catherine, was the one who cared most about you. She wanted them to be great adventurers, it all started with her-

-I- said Jason, understanding his mistake. He turned around and said -go, this is not your place, this is the Hera family- he ran his hands over his eyes -for people with bad luck-

-Boy, what do you say?- asked Kain, approaching Jason -you, you're a level nine, you're the captain of the most important family. You are the support of your brothers, of your goddess. You have money, you have a place to live, you have everything-

-I- Jason said in a sorry voice -I don't know anymore-

Kain shed tears when he saw Jason so confused, hugged him and that man, over seventy years old, captain of the most powerful family and the best adventurer that Orario has ever walked in, broke down in tears while muttering that it was not fair, it was not fair.

-Boy- Kain whispered -we weren't all born lucky, but you can make your own luck and create your path. Don't worry about others, just go your own way. We always talk about it-

-I know- said Jason in a cracked voice -but it's so unfair, life, everything-

-I know, it's true- Kain said -but we can only do our best with what we have in our hands-

-Yes, I know, sorry, sorry, seriously, sorry- Jason said and continued to hug Kain, crying like a child. He knew it, he was so envious inside. Viggo was born, had it all, a demi-god, true son of Kain. He could do whatever he wanted, be whatever he wanted, but all the time he behaved like a fool, giving problems and making others worry. What he or his brothers would have given to be in the same position as him. For a while he left, then came back and acted as if everything he did was a thing of the past. All the offenses he said to his father, all the worries he made the rest of him. He had beautiful wives, grew strong out of nowhere, even mastering techniques that others could only dream of learning. In a short time, he got everything, why should only he be happy? It wasn't fair and it wasn't fair that he had a woman like Scheherezade for him.

Things calmed down and although some adventurers wanted to come and see what had happened, Odysseus and Achilles pushed them away. The Hera family parade was delayed by an hour.

-Are you okay?- asked Kain.

Jason walked ahead with a helmet with a visor that covered his entire head. He advanced alongside the group of adventurers lined up like soldiers heading for a horse in the front -I'm fine, old man– he said calmer –I just felt bad for a moment, I'm not a child-

-If you want, I can talk to Hera to delay the departure, it can be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Hephaestus will have no problem, don't worry, I can also talk to her. Even with Zeus, he will not give trouble-

Jason stopped, turned around, lifted the visor of the helmet revealing eyes swollen from so much crying, but now smiling -I'm fine, father, I'm fine- he said

-Boy, don't scare me, call me old man, as always. When you are too respectful, I feel that something is going to go wrong-

Jason chuckled, looked at Kain with a face full of worry. Then he saw Odysseus and Achilles, who followed him closely. In the end Viggo, who had a worried look. Jason took a deep breath and took off his helmet. Then he looked at Viggo and motioned for him to come closer. Viggo walked to him, and Jason gave him a hug with his right arm.

-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Viggo- Jason said, pulled away from him, messed up his hair with his right hand and then looked at Kain, the latter giving him a tight hug. Jason let out a sad sigh for always making this old elf worry. Since they met, he gave him nothing but trouble. First bringing him in his carriage, feeding him, passing him weapons and money. Then training him, teaching him how to be an adventurer, walking behind him and his brothers to study. Always him, without giving him anything in return. Even now, in his old age, he continued to give him problems. Jason gave a chuckle. He also hugged Kain and after a few seconds, they separated. Jason quickly put on his helmet so the others wouldn't see tears streaming down his cheeks.

-I'm leaving, but when I come back, let's go to the usual restaurant, with the whole family- said Jason.

-Well, boy, just take care of yourself- Kain replied, Viggo from behind him nodded with a serious expression.

Jason nodded, on his way to the horse in front of the adventurers of the Hera family. He got on the horse, Odysseus and Achilles said goodbye to Kain and Viggo. The two walked to the front, but Achilles realized that there was no horse for him.

-And my horse?- asked Achilles in a serious tone of voice.

Jason lifted the visor from his helmet and said -There's no horse for you, brother. You stay, you take care of your wife and son. Oops, I shouldn't have said that...-

-What?!- Kain asked, looked at Achilles and the latter lowered his head, scratched his head, and let out a silly chuckle.

-Didn't we tell you?- asked Achilles.

-B-O-Y- Kain said, looking at him with resentment.

-Don't blame him, old man- said Jason -even I would be afraid to reveal such news to you- then he looked at Achilles and said -this is a decision Odysseus and I made, don't be angry Achilles, but you must know where the important thing is-

-I- said Achilles, somewhat surprised.

-Don't worry, you'll have time to curse us and stuff, just take care of yourself. By the time that little rascal is born, we will be back-

-What did Lady Hera say?- asked Achilles.

-She is also satisfied with this decision. Take care, brother- Jason said, then under the visor of the helmet.

-Everyone- yelled Odysseus with voice of command -advance-

Thus, with Jason and Odysseus at the head, the adventurers of the Hera family advanced to the exit of the grounds. People climbed onto the shelfs and formed a corridor while the gate of the mansion was opened.

Jason was in the lead, riding slowly. He watched the way through the hole in the helmet while holding the reins. He was calm, as if crying had cleansed all the worries in his heart. I knew it was wrong, but I still thought it was unfair that life was so good to Viggo.

-Maybe I should have a family too- muttered low.

-Jason, Jason- someone said jogging on the side of the family squads. People complained because they were pushed. Jason looked aside and saw Kain, the tall white-haired elf.

Kain made a cone with his hands and shouted at him -Catherine would be proud of you, she always knew that you and your brothers would be great adventurers. She always thought of you, even of your deathbed. She wondered if you were okay, if you were sick, or if you were missing something. She loved you with all her heart-

Jason just nodded and kept riding. Since he was wearing his helmet, no one noticed, but inside he was crying. On the other hand, Odysseus caught everyone's attention, since, despite wearing a stoic face, tears ran down his face.