I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Chapter 504: Collecting a Debt [Golden Ticket Bonus Chapter]

Artemis reappeared closer than she’d been before, her divine movement transcending normal space. "A bet? With Zephyros?" Her green eyes sparkled with interest. "What did you wager?"

"My resistance to his blessing for thirty days," Jack replied. "If I won, he answers a question. If I lost, I accept his divine influence permanently."

The goddess studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "And you won, obviously, or you wouldn’t be here collecting your prize." She paused. "What question is worth betting your soul’s autonomy?"

"That’s between me and Zephyros," Jack said.

Artemis’s smile indicated that she fully comprehended Jack’s reasons for not disclosing further information."Fair enough. I can transfer you directly to his domain. Save you the trouble of navigating the Hall of Eternals’ bureaucracy."

She raised one hand, divine power flowing from her fingers in patterns that made reality ripple. "Count yourself fortunate, Kaiser. Not many mortals receive personal escort service from goddesses."

"I appreciate it," Jack said.

"Don’t thank me yet," Artemis replied, her tone carrying warning beneath the amusement. "Zephyros doesn’t like losing bets. He’ll honor the agreement, gods must, but he won’t be happy about it."

The world began to dissolve around Jack, the forest fading into patterns of light and shadow.

Artemis’s voice followed him through the dissolution. "And Kaiser? When the time comes that you need my help, call for me. I’ll answer. Once."

Jack materialized in a space that assaulted his senses with overwhelming luxury.

The chamber was vast, easily a hundred feet across, with a domed ceiling painted to resemble an eternal sunset.

Silk drapes in shades of red, purple, and gold draped from the walls, moving in winds that carried the scent of exotic perfumes and wine.

Braziers burned with flames that produced no smoke, casting warm light that made everything appear soft and inviting.

At the center of the chamber sat an enormous bed, easily large enough to accommodate a dozen people.

The bedding, crafted from silk and filled with premium down, was prominently displayed on a raised platform, establishing it as the central feature of the room.

And sprawled across that bed, surrounded by beautiful women in various states of undress, was Zephyros.

The god of fertility looked exactly as Jack remembered from their previous encounter.

Tall, about six and a half feet, with silver hair that fell past his shoulders and eyes that gleamed like molten metal.

He wore minimal clothing, loose silk pants and nothing else. His divine form on full display.

Three women attended him. A blonde held a crystal goblet of wine near his lips.

A brunette fed him grapes with delicate fingers.

A redhead was draped across his side, her hands tracing patterns on his bare chest.

Zephyros’s expression shifted the moment Jack appeared.

The pleasant expression that had been present on his face became strained and artificial. His intense gaze followed Jack’s as he appeared with the concentration of someone who had just recalled an unwelcome duty.

"Jack Kaiser," the god said, his tone carrying none of the warmth from their previous meeting. "Come to collect on our wager, I presume?"

"Yes," Jack replied, his golden eyes taking in the scene without judgment or reaction.

Zephyros sat up slightly, the movement causing the redhead to adjust her position with a soft sound of surprise.

He waved one hand in a gesture that was both dismissive and commanding. "Leave us."

The women scattered immediately, reading their god’s mood. Within seconds, the bed was empty, and Jack stood alone with the god of fertility in his domain.

"Thirty days," Zephyros said, his voice carrying grudging respect beneath the irritation. "You actually resisted for thirty full days. I was certain you’d break within two weeks at most."

He stood, moving with that impossible gliding motion that defied normal physics. His full height was apparent now, divine presence radiating from him in waves that made the air feel thicker.

"So," Zephyros continued, stopping ten feet away. "What question is worth betting against a god’s blessing? What information could possibly be valuable enough to risk permanent divine influence?"

Jack met his gaze directly. "I want to know about a curse. Specifically, how to break it and who cast it."

Zephyros’s eyebrows rose slightly. "That’s two questions, Kaiser. Our wager was for one."

"Then answer whichever one you consider more important," Jack responded, his demeanor indicating a lack of concern regarding the technical aspects.

The god studied him for a long moment, his smoldering eyes tracked Jack’s face as if searching for something. Then, gradually, his expression transitioned from annoyance to amusement.

"You know what?" Zephyros said, a smile creeping across his features. "I’ll answer both. Because honestly, I don’t know anything about whatever curse you’re asking about, so the information costs me nothing."

He gestured broadly, divine power flowing from his fingers in patterns that made the air shimmer. "But before I answer, tell me, whose curse are you trying to break? Some tragic maiden you’ve taken a fancy to? A political ally whose silence serves your enemies? I’m curious what motivated this entire elaborate wager."

"Aurora Sunblade," Jack said. "She’s been cursed to silence since she eight. I want to know how to break it and who did it."

Zephyros’s expression shifted again, genuine interest replacing the earlier amusement. "Sunblade? As in Cassius Sunblade’s daughter? Your arranged fiancée?"

"Yes," Jack confirmed.

The god began to laugh.

An unrestrained laughter that echoed through the chamber and made the silk hangings ripple with divine mirth.

He doubled over slightly, one hand pressed against his stomach as if the humor was too much to contain.

"Oh, this is perfect," Zephyros managed between laughs. "This is absolutely perfect. You have no idea, do you? No idea at all!"

Jack’s jaw tightened, patience wearing thin. "If you’re quite finished..."

"The first answer," Zephyros interrupted, still grinning widely, "is simple. To break the curse, you must ask the god who cast it to remove it. That’s all. Just ask, and he’ll listen. No sacrifice required. Just... ask."

The simplicity of it made Jack pause. "That’s it? Just ask?"

"That’s it," Zephyros confirmed, his smile widening. "Which brings us to the second answer, and this is where it gets truly entertaining."

He moved closer, divine presence intensifying as if building toward a punchline. "The god who cursed Aurora Sunblade, who stripped her voice and left her silent for years. Do you want to know who it was?"

"That’s why I’m here," Jack replied.

Zephyros’s grin became almost feral. "It was Draven."

The name hit Jack like a ton of bricks.

"Your patron god," Zephyros continued, clearly savoring the revelation. "The deity who chose you as his Chosen One, who blessed you with power, who you’ve been working with for months. He’s the one who cursed your fiancée. Isn’t that delicious?"

He laughed again, the sound carrying malicious delight. "And the best part? You had no idea! You’ve been serving the very god who took her voice! Oh, the irony is just..." He made a chef’s kiss gesture. "...magnificent."

Jack stood perfectly still, his expression giving nothing away despite the storm of thoughts racing through his mind.

Every interaction with Draven replayed in rapid succession, examined through the new lens of this revelation.