Orario and balance 2.305

A month later, Viggo went to the invocation chapel as when Bishamon arrived in Orario. However, this time he was alone. The chapel was empty, with the long pews on the sides and forming a corridor in the centre to the altar. Viggo walked down the aisle as his footsteps echoed.

At this time, it was seven o'clock in the morning, outside there was an incandescent sun in a blue sky. The light penetrated through the large multicolored windows with the image of the great tower of Babel and a kind of spirits descending to earth, symbolizing the arrival of the gods to Orario.

Viggo arrived in front of the steps leading to the altar of invocation. He waited quietly for a while and at last, a golden light was projected on the altar. It was incandescent and lasted for a minute until it dissipated.

Above the invocation altar was a purple-haired goddess in a white dress with a corset made of gold. In the centre of said corset was a huge red ruby. She was tall, thin, mature in appearance and large breasts.

—Thank you very much for coming to my aid, Goddess Atena— said Viggo, bowing his head slightly.

The goddess Atena descended the steps slowly and stopped in front of Viggo. She was a lower head than him, so she had to raise her face so that their eyes coincided —I have come because it is the wisest thing to help those who ask for help, but that does not mean that I came there out of pure sympathy. I have a selfishness typical of the wise and I evaluate what I have in front of me—

Atena moved closer to Viggo, resting her hand on his chest, and looked into his eyes. Then she positioned herself on Viggo's right side and leaned on his arm —you guide, Viggo— she said.

Viggo showed a small smile, turned around and guided her to the exit of the invocation chapel where there were several curious people watching. It's not every day that a god came down to Orario. They marveled at Atena's beauty but frowned at the sight of Viggo. The latter made no problem and led Atena to a dark and lustrous wooden carriage pulled by four white horses.

Viggo stopped in front of the carriage, opened the door, and stretched out his hand to Atena. She supported her small hand and climbed the steps until she disappeared into the carriage. Viggo looked at the coachman and said —To the office, please—

—As you say— replied the coachman, a guy dressed in a black suit.

Viggo got into the carriage, closed the door, and sat next to Atena. A few seconds later the carriage began to move while the hooves of the horses marked a gentle trot.

—So, this is Orario— said Atena, looking out the window and seeing the large number of adventurers of different races advancing through the streets —it is a small city to be the city of the gods—

—Yes, there was a time when the gods did stupid things and wasted their time— Viggo replied with some irony.

—Don't criticize— said Atena, looking away from the window and looking him in the eye —criticism is a crude label akin to a superficial response that takes us away from the truth and prevents us from solving the mystery—

Viggo smiled at such an argument and nodded.

—I have three goals for the duration of my sojourn on earth— said Atena —to help you gain wisdom, ability, and virtue. You are young, I hope you have an open mind to learn new concepts—

—I'm always willing to listen to good advice— replied Viggo.

—It's not good advice, it's a requirement, Viggo Dragonroad. It is a requirement if you want me to help you in your plans. I didn't come to earth to play; I came because someone worth it needed my wisdom—

—I understand, Atena, thank you very much for your wisdom—

Atena shook her head and said —Don't worry, I'm here for you because I've noticed you for a long time. Our interest is mutual, since what is discussed between the gods of Orario, also reaches heaven. Your existence has caught my attention, so I agree with you in doing what's best for the world—

—Just that?— asked Viggo with a sly look and a broad smile.

Atena blushed and looked in another direction —maybe that, too. I'm still not sure whether to leave a representative on earth, but I agree it could be something special— she shut up for a second, then looked at Viggo with a continuous frown —however, that doesn't mean I'm going to be negligent—

Viggo raised his hands and showed his palms in surrender —I understand, first things first— he replied.

Atena nodded with a soft look, walked over calmly, and tried to give him a small kiss on the lips as a sign of approval, but suddenly the carriage jumped up, and she kissed him so hard that her teeth collided. Both separated, covered their mouths with their hands, and frowned in pain.

—That was painful— said Atena —I didn't remember what the pain felt like—

Viggo looked at her face. Atena had the complexion of a woman who had reached the age of thirty. She had blue eyes, a tender face, an upturned nose, and a big, sultry mouth. She was beautiful, she was a goddess, and her expression at this time was innocent, her eyes a little watery from the pain of the blow to her teeth. Viggo brought his hand to hers, uncovered her lips and approached her while looking into her eyes. She didn't hide or tear up, she looked at those eyes with a golden iris. She became nervous but felt mesmerized by Viggo. The latter kissed her, and she let herself be carried away by the sensation of the moment.

The carriage arrived in the centre of the southern region, on the main avenue, one block from the guild of adventurers. Viggo went down first and then extended a hand to Atena to bring her down. The latter caught the attention of all the adventurers passing by at the time. Whether it was her purple hair, her white robe that made her look like a white lily or her corset made of gold with a large ruby in the centre.

Viggo guided her to a two-story building with a grey façade, it looked simple and inconspicuous, even old.

—I want to think they're just getting started— Atena said when she saw the building.

—Yes, we're just getting started. Hitomi has made a breakthrough in this short month— replied Viggo —come on, I'll introduce her to you, you'll find her a lovely woman. She, like me, needs your wisdom—

—And the captain of the family?—

—Also, she must be right now next to Hitomi, waiting for you in the meeting room—

Viggo led Atena to the white-painted door with several glass rectangles on top. Viggo opened the door and let Atena through. The latter was met with a spacious reception with nothing more than a table and a wooden filing cabinet. The floor was made of boards, the walls painted water green and the ceiling white. All the colors looked dull and worn. In some corners the paint was peeling.

—Viggo, we were waiting for you— Hitomi said in a lively voice as she walked down the stairs and the wooden steps squeaked at every step. She wore her red hair tied in a long ponytail to her hip, a blue dress, and low-heeled shoes. Hitomi went down to the first floor and turned around to look at the goddess. His expression changed from enthusiasm to one of amazement and he smiled pleasantly in the presence of a goddess. Then two more people came down, Edgar, who had short blond hair, wore a shirt, jacket, and brown pants. He stopped beside Hitomi and stared at the goddess.

Finally, a few slow steps, as if that person had to walk sideways. Nothing to do, Viggo had said, most buildings were not intended to house people with wings like those of an angel.

That person takes one step at a time. She had grey hair halfway down her back and two braids framing her face. A heart-shaped face, almond-shaped blue eyes, thin nose, and thick lips. She did not have a relationship with Viggo but used his colors. A black one-piece dress with white embroidery.

Once Brunnhilde was able to reach the first floor, she stared at Viggo and looked the goddess in the eye. Undoubtedly, the real gods had a different appearance. Even if Viggo was awakening his divinity, he didn't feel the same. Brunnhilde advanced ahead marking her steps until she stopped in front of the goddess and crouched on her right knee.

—Nice to meet you, goddess Atena— said Brunnhilde —Viggo told me about you, I will be the captain of your family—

The goddess Atena looked at Brunnhilde, incredibly beautiful, but what caught her attention the most were her white wings. They were too beautiful and adorable. Atena held out a hand, Brunnhilde looked at that hand and looked up. The goddess Atena looked at her respectfully, and Brunnhilde took her hand. Atena helped her to her feet and they both looked into each other's eyes.

—Much pleasure, Brunnhilde, Viggo has said many positive things about you. I expect great things from you—

—Yes, I will try to do my best—

Then Hitomi and Edgar approached, both bowed to the goddess and the latter nodded in greeting.

Viggo stepped forward, put his hand on Atena's back, and she looked at his face. Viggo said —Why don't we talk in the meeting room?— he asked.

—Yes, you're absolutely right, I've got everything ready— Hitomi said with a broad smile and full of enthusiasm. Edgar did not comment on it, but Brunnhilde frowned. It was an enormous effort for her to go up and down such narrow stairs.

Viggo smiled at seeing Brunnhilde so uncomfortable, approached Brunnhilde and whispered something in her ear. The latter let out a sigh and nodded. Hitomi, Edgar, and Atena caught this movement, but they didn't say much. Edgar and Hitomi had known Viggo for a long time and Atena had heard of Viggo's life from him and from the opinion of other gods. Hephaestus, Viggo's mother, kept complaining about her son's wives. However, Atena let out a sigh and for a moment thought that this was the least wise thing she had done in her entire existence.

Everyone went up to the second floor, came to a large room with a square table with a white tablecloth. It was nothing like the large oval table of lustrous wood and beautiful veins that Semiramis had for his meetings. At this table there was luckily space for four people, some cups, and some dishes with delicacies.

Viggo approached a chair with a back and invited Atena to approach. Then he approached the other chair and invited Hitomi to sit down. Then he invited Brunnhilde, who sat on a stool without a back so that her wings would not be disturbed. Finally, Viggo sat next to Edgar.

Viggo coughed to remove the uncomfortable atmosphere before the scarcity of space and said —as this is a special occasion, we will drink something special to commemorate it— he made a gesture and an emerald bottle appeared with a golden glow inside. He passed the bottle to his left hand, made another gesture with his right hand and five glasses appeared on the table.

—Quite interesting technology— said Atena, grasping that all things came from the ring on Viggo's index finger.

—Yes, my father gave it to me— replied Viggo, opened the bottle and poured the estus. Then he invited everyone to have a drink and so they did. Viggo raised his glass and continued —for a great start—

—For a great start— they all replied.