Chapter 68: A meal with Akatsuki
The Valkyries and Akatsuki are now in a steakhouse. They have ordered large servings of meat and are waiting for their food to come.
"We can have a good talk here. Let's start." (Aisha)
"You really are persistent but since you will be paying so I can answer that much." (Akatsuki)
"Why do you live in that cave?" (Aisha)
"'Cause I didn't want anyone to find me." (Akatsuki)
"How old are you?" (Aisha)
"It's not polite to ask for someone's age." (Akatsuki)
"That goes for a woman. Now answer." (Aisha)
"Don't ask anything. I am let's just say 5000+ years old." (Akatsuki)
The Valkyries are stunned.
"Are you a human?" (Aisha)
"Absolutely. I am a bona fide human who is just 5000 plus years old." (Akatsuki)
Akatsuki was as usual. The Valkyries are starting to accept it as well. So it ain't too hard.
"What's your story?" (Aisha)
"What story?" (Akatsuki)
"How are you alive when you are more than 5 millennia old?" (Aisha)
"Hmmm…. I never thought about it but I guess, I can't die?" (Akatsuki)
"You can't die. But why in question?" (Aisha)
"Yeah. You see I was blessed or it's more like cursed by a goddess. I have eternal youth. I can't die. No matter how many years pass, I simply can't die." (Akatsuki)
This made everyone silent. Akatsuki said something that was the truth. But for a normal mortal, it's impossible.
A human getting the blessing of a god is kinda rare nowadays. Only the Head priest gets the blessing of the goddess and then he can extend the blessing to others.
This was the common knowledge for them. However, Akatsuki said something totally impossible.
A goddess cursed him with immortality, that's a fairy tail. A story which were told to the kids so they don't go out at night.
Aisha clearly knew about the story but it was hard for her to accept that.
"Well, don't think too hard about it. I was the one who willingly took the blessing. I chose this life." (Akatsuki)
"I really want to say that you are a liar but you aren't. I can totally see it in your eyes that you aren't lying." (Belle)
"Your senses are sharp. As a swordsman, you need to have quick judgment. Or you will fail as a warrior. That's a good trait. Nurture it. I didn't have the talent to be a swordsman but you can become a good one." (Akatsuki)
"But tell me, why can't I feel anything from you?" (Leah)
Akatsuki looked at Leah. She is a mage. She is pretty knowledgeable about things and values knowledge more than money.
"You are trying to perceive me through your mana sense, aren't you?" (Akatsuki)
"Yes. A living being has mana. No matter how paltry, they have it. But you show no signs of mana. You are invisible to the mana sense." (Leah)
"You aren't wrong about that. I don't have mana. I don't need something so inefficient as mana. You can use something else." (Akatsuki)
"What is it?" (Leah)
"It's better that you should not know. I am telling this for your own benefit. That's a forbidden knowledge. Know too much and you will be eliminated." (Akatsuki)
"Even so, I want to know." (Leah)
"The goddess you worship won't stand it. So no. I can't put your life at risk." (Akatsuki)
"Leah, calm down. He said that it's a forbidden knowledge. I think, you should give up on that." (Aisha)
Aisha intervened and calmed Leah down. This worked. And soon the food arrived.
Akatsuki savored the food. It was exquisite at least to him. He hasn't had a meal for 5 millennia. It's like a flood of flavors on his tongue.
After savoring every dish, he was satisfied.
"That was good. I haven't had something like this since my death." (Akatsuki)
Akatsuki wasn't wrong. The last time he had something like this was before his death, at Mary's house. However, the Valkyries looked at him like he was a lunatic.
"Don't give me that look! I know that's weird however the last time I had something this good was at my teacher's house. And the following week, I died." (Akatsuki)
The faces of the girls turned grim. This isn't a very good thing to talk about.
"Have you ever heard of reincarnation?" (Akatsuki)
"If it's in stories then yeah." (Aisha)
"I am a reincarnated person." (Akatsuki)
"…." Silence followed.
"Well, that's that. So how about we leave?" (Akatsuki)
He said that and the girls paid the bill and left. They were heading to the guild building.
But they came to a halt because a crowd was forming. The temple is hosting something.
"Is something happening?" (Akatsuki)
"The goddess is descending. It's a rare event which happens every century. Today is the descent. I think it's starting." (Aisha)
"Hoohhh…..that shitty goddess is actually descending." (Akatsuki)
He muttered so they don't hear it. Now they are also a part of the crowd. They wait for the descent to be over and the goddess showed herself.
She is divine. A bone chillingly perfect beauty that would give you shivers. Akatsuki smirked.
"Five thousand years and she still hasn't changed!" (Akatsuki)
Akatsuki said in his mind. The goddess took her seat.
A luxurious chair made of gold which gave off elegance and majesty. Sitting on the chair, she looked divine. The normal people knelt and bowed before her except Akatsuki.
All the city people are kneeling so Akatsuki stood out. He was the only one standing and the Head Priest and holy knights were becoming hostile.
"You haven't changed a bit, Medea?" (Akatsuki)
Akatsuki said that out loud. The goddess looked his way and pulled her veil. Her face which was hidden came into view and it was surprised.
The Head Priest was trying to say something but she stopped him.
"Long time no see, Akatsuki." (Medea)
"So you still remember me." (Akatsuki)
"I do. Why wouldn't I?" (Medea)
Akatsuki was having a casual talk with the goddess. The goddess whom everyone worships is talking to a man. An ordinary man who is not outstanding in any way is talking to the supreme being they know.
This attracted the king's attention. The king was also present in that. He was keeping quiet for some reason but he broke free from his hesitations.
"Seize that man."
The king shouted at the soldiers to capture Akatsuki. The Head Priest also ordered the templars to capture Akatsuki.
But they were all stopped in their tracks by the goddess.
"No need."
The goddess told them.
"But my goddess, that man is disrespectful to you."
The king said with a shaky voice.
"No need. He is an old friend."
Everyone shut up. The goddess is calling Akatsuki her old friend. No one can say otherwise.
"Medea, why don't you come to my house? I'll serve some tea." (Akatsuki)
"Oh…that's a first. Are we going to be alone?" (Medea)
"Of course not. My mother would be there." (Akatsuki)
"Tch…you're no fun. But let's go." (Medea)
"Don't click your tongue." (Akatsuki)
They left. Not normally but they teleported. And the crowd was still silent. It was extremely confusing for them.
They were here to get a glimpse of the goddess and listen to the oracle but the goddess went away with an unknown man who was acting all familiar with her.
Naturally her believers would be offended and confused at the same time. Only a particular group actually understood everything.
"So he wasn't lying back then?" (Aisha)
"Probably not."
Leah muttered and Belle nodded in agreement. They came to accept a quest but instead ended up witnessing a bizarre situation.
But Akatsuki is laid back. He brought Medea back to his house.
"I can't say that this is a really fitting place for you but welcome." (Akatsuki)
"It's a nice house. You still have that sense of taste." (Medea)
"But it was such a coincidence! Who would have thought that you would descend the same day I went to the outside?" (Akatsuki)
"Well, coincidences are scary. It is all random after all." (Medea)
"Let me serve you some tea. I don't know which tea it is but my mom sent them so I think they are pretty high grade." (Akatsuki)
"If she chose it then it is definitely the highest grade. Your mother has excellent taste in tea after all." (Medea)
"Then, let's talk business. Why did you come?" (Akatsuki)
Akatsuki dropped his really easy going tone. He is now talking business. He means it.
"No need to be so wary. I just came down to pass an oracle. The demon lord is resurrecting. So I will choose a few guides for the heroes." (Medea)
"Hmm…..I think I know who will be those guides. Is it those three girls I was with?" (Akatsuki)
"Yes. So you felt it too. They are born with considerable talent. As adventurers, they are accomplished, as warriors, they are seasoned. They each have the potential of reaching the Demi-god level." (Medea)
"I know. They actually found me. Whether dumb luck or not, they actually found me and didn't get surprised when they saw me. They have mental fortitude for sure." (Akatsuki)
"And the chosen heroes are people you know. It's your girls." (Medea)
"My girls? I don't think I have any girl in my life." (Akatsuki)
"Stop being dumb. Mizuki and Mary. They have agreed to Selene's proposal. They will come to this world to meet you. But they also have to save the world." (Medea)
Akatsuki was stunned for a moment.
"I know why you are surprised. But only a year has passed in that world. The time difference is quite big." (Medea)
"Still, they don't have to come here to check on me." (Akatsuki)
"They will arrive by tomorrow. So be there when I am summoning them." (Medea)
They had tea and chatted away. In the meantime, the kingdom was in chaos.
Well that obvious. The supreme entity that they follow has gone missing with a guy of unknown origins.
He disrespected her and took her away. The king has declared a bounty for that man. Sketches have been prepared and everyone is scouring everywhere for him.
Even then, a single group didn't react. It's The Valkyries.
They exactly knew where Akatsuki went but they had a hard time processing why the goddess went with him?
"The question won't answer itself so how about we go get them." (Aisha)
"Yes. It's better than just doing nothing." (Leah)
"I am in awe and scared but I do want to know how Akatsuki knows the goddess." (Belle)
Humans are curious by nature and their curiosity got the better of them. So, to find out the truth, they headed for Akatsuki's home in the hopes of catching him.
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