Deity 2.319

Viggo arrived in the walled city of Shalzard, in the country of the Oases.

Different from the small underground city, Shalzard was alive and full of colors. With awnings on the sides of the streets so that merchants could sell their products. There were also awnings on the terraces, on top of the houses. Elders gathered in the streets and sat sharing stories while smoking from long metal pipes.

The sun shone in a blue sky while the streets were packed with people. Also, as Shalzard was built in the middle of four huge oases, there were long canals that crossed the city from end to end with bridges to connect the streets.

The squares were spacious with huge pools. People gathered to watch the spectacle of street performers. Men and women doing pirouettes, others juggling or contortionism. The show drew applause or expressions of amazement at the skill.

However, the expressions of astonishment passed to the main street, which did not go unnoticed. People stopped watching the shows, even the artists left their acts halfway.

In the center of the street was a huge red-haired warrior in the most exquisite and beautiful armor the world had ever seen. The metal was turquoise with a crystalline surface and gold engravings. In addition, the rider was on a strange bright bluish steed. Behind him followed a cart pulled by two equally beautiful horses, but this wooden cart clashed with the beauty of the saddles. However, the two women in the front who held the reins were perfect and beautiful. Both with purple hair and a breastplate of the same color as their hair.

The red-haired rider was Viggo and he advanced at a slow pace as if he were a hero arriving in his land. People stared at him, and those who dared to make eye contact with him, looked at the ground immediately, terrified by the gold in his eyes.

Viggo continued to advance through the streets and went to the less traveled area, where the houses were converted into mansions of three or four floors, with huge front courtyards and bars that let you see the majesty of the interior, but not pass.

Many people followed Viggo and his group out of pure curiosity, including thieves and scammers, but when they saw where he was going, they better understood where he came from and turned away. Viggo wasn't going to visit a nobleman or a wealthy merchant, he was going to visit the princess of Opera Meilstora. Miriam Vega, from the royal family of Santonio Vega. Whose family were the wealthiest of all the kings of the Kaios desert.

Viggo saw the huge semicircular gate guarded by soldiers armed with metal breastplates, a shield and a spear. Viggo stopped fifteen meters away and his mere presence was enough for the guards to approach him to ask about his visit in a reverent tone.

However, these guards saw the golden color of the eyes and their respect went from being reverent fear, as if they were afraid to unleash the wrath of a god. They could see the golden rays traveling through Viggo's eyes.

The guards knelt in front of Viggo's horse, left their shields and spears on the ground, and bowed their heads. The tallest and stockiest guard in the group said —Sir, this is the mansion of the princess of Santonio Vega. May I know your name?—

—I am Viggo Dragonroad, king of the gods— said Viggo in a strong and firm tone —I come to see Miriam Vega. Let she know of my arrival, be quick and diligent—

—Yes, sir— replied the main guard. That person, despite being the tallest and stockiest of his group, did not dare to look Viggo in the eye a second time. Instead, he kept his head down and picked up his spear and shield. The rest of the guards did the same and together, they backed away with their heads down and without turning their backs on Viggo. Once the guards were ten meters away, they turned around and rushed to the gate. The main guard roared his orders so loudly that Viggo could hear him from his mount.

It was another world compared to the underground city. In both places everyone understood by mere appearance that Viggo was a god. However, only in Shalzard did they treat Viggo with the reverence and diligence that his status deserves. That guard didn't even get tense or wrong asking something he shouldn't. Surely, he was used to dealing with powerful people.

Within two minutes they opened the huge metal gate, and the main guard came in person to Viggo. Like the previous time, he left his spear and shield on the ground and knelt in front of Viggo. Then, with his head down, the guard said —her majesty, the princess of Opera Meilstora, is waiting for you—

Viggo nodded and asked —What's your name, warrior?—

—George—

—Thank you for your diligence, George—

—Yes— replied the guard and got out of the way. Then he saw how Viggo advanced in that strange mount made of mana while the cart followed him with more runic horses. George had been adventurous in his youth and lived ten years in Orario. However, even though Orario was the city of the gods, he had never seen anything so amazing.

Viggo and his party were led down a cobblestone road on the side of the mansion. They stopped in front of the stables where men in clean but humble clothes stared at them as if they had seen something inconceivable.

Viggo got off his horse and an old stable men approached, but the old man was petrified to see the gold in Viggo's eyes. It was as if he had gleaming gold instead of a normal iris. Too perfect, too scary. The old man stopped and crouched down as his whole body trembled.

At the same time, the other five people who knew him knew that the old man was professional and wise to behave. However, his current attitude was like that of a rookie who doesn't know where to start taking care of horses.

The five people looked at Viggo: tall, red-haired, wearing beautiful turquoise armor and golden edges. Then they turned their gaze to the eyes and understood the old man's fear. Rays of golden energy traveled through his eyes as if he was an all-powerful god. They also knelt and bowed their heads.

The elder, leader of the group, asked —How should I address the god?—

—I'm Viggo Dragonroad, king of the gods— Viggo said as if it were a mantra to remind himself of his position. Viggo was one to converse with people and treat them closely, but in his current position, any kind of consideration could be taken as an advantage and as a future king of the gods, no such thing could be allowed. Here, in the city of Shalzard, there was a status and an economy. Any kind of preferential treatment would be taken as friendship and could give immense power to a simple man. To the point, that just by the fact of knowing Viggo (friendship / treatment / business), they could take that man in any country and give him a noble title.

—Sir, if you will allow me your mount— said the old man —I am an expert, I come from a long line of horse breeders—

—No need, these frames don't need your care— said Viggo.

The old man raised his face in amazement and Viggo touched the runic mount. The next instant, the runic mount vanished, and only a metal medal was left that flew into Viggo's hand. At the same time, the runic steeds pulling the cart disappeared. They were also transformed into medals and flown into Viggo's hand. The latter made a gentle flick of the wrist and the medals disappeared as if by magic.

Viggo turned around, walked to the cart, and held out his hand to Ana. She smiled seeing Viggo so serious, this was a new kind of facet. "King of the gods," Ana thought in her mind as she rested her hand on Viggo's, and he helped her out of the cart. Ana thought that this new Viggo felt strange, since he was not one to treat people with such distance, even if they were of humble origin.

Viggo also helped Sakura get out of the cart. On the other hand, Sara got out of the cart on her own while holding little Diarmuid in her arms. Thus, marking a dividing line between her and Viggo's wives.

Viggo turned around and looked at the old stable man. The old man was shadowed. Viggo smiled for a moment and wanted to pat him on the shoulder in a friendly way. Maybe tell him about what runic mounts were and let him ride on one of them. However, he closed his eyes and concentrated on what he had to do. Now he could no longer go around making friends everywhere, which tasted too bitter to him. Each person was a world, an interesting story with its ups and downs. He was already repenting of being king of the gods.

Viggo took a deep breath and looked at the old stable man who was still looking at him in amazement —where I can advance to the interior of the mansion—

The old man stood up and pointed his arm while bowing his head in a reverent attitude —over here, sir— he said.

Viggo nodded and walked ahead as Sakura, Ana, Sara and Diarmuid followed. The stable man led him to a door through which came an old man with dark robes, white hair, and beard. The old man acted respectfully and knelt in front of Viggo.

—God Viggo— said the old man in a respectful tone of voice, without looking Viggo in the eye —I am Pedro, Princess Miriam's butler, I will escort you inside—

—Thank you, Pedro— said Viggo —arrange rooms for my wives and one for my friend and her baby—

—Yes, don't worry, everything is prepared—

Viggo nodded and didn't take it seriously. Nobles and great merchants were always prepared to receive influential people. Socialization and kindness were too important in his field. As the saying goes "flies are hunted with honey".

The interior of the mansion was clean, with the walls painted damask, the white ceiling, and the floor covered by an emerald ceramic with black veins. As it was a solid construction, the interior was icy, but for the harsh desert sun, it was what people needed. There were servants everywhere, shaved men and women, marks of slavery. Something normal on this side of the world. They cleaned, moved things, and prepared for what appeared to be a banquet. However, none dared to cross the path of Viggo or the others.

On the way, on the second floor, Pedro sent two servants (who were not slaves) to escort Viggo's wives along with Sara and her son. Both were young, with pretty looks and neat black hair. However, instead of looking flirtatious or witty, they looked serious, as if they were machines.

Viggo and Pedro separated from the group and continued to the third floor of the mansion. Coming out of the stairs, there was a path to the left and right. Pedro led Viggo to the right and they advanced down a long corridor without doors. There were paintings on the walls on the right side, furniture, vases, and other ornaments. On the right side were windows overlooking the side yard and the city. Houses and mansions rose with square, flat roofs.

On the other hand, on this floor, there was only one double door, sturdy, of a burgundy color.

Pedro stopped in front of the door and tapped twice.

—Go ahead— said a melodious voice from within.