Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 807: A Deal To Be Made

Possessing the dead and the living, the two goddesses who’d always lived in a perfect balance, decisively stared at each other as it was finally time to tip that balance. One way or the other, the hero would march through their city, and since neither his party nor he seemed interested in taking over such a troubling place, their chance was now or never.

"Allow me the honors then," twisting Eren’s neck towards Raven, Mesmerazia ignored everyone else. "Safe passage, and I will drop my name from the council, so long as Elenaria extends her protection to me."

"Is that all?" Scoffing at the goddess’s offer, Fortuna covered her mouth and laughed.

Giving one mean glance to Lady Luck, Mesmerazia quickly turned her attention back to Raven.

"That is a starting offer, of course, we can always get everything down on ink and parchment."

"Hold on a minute!" Slamming his hammer against the ground, Ironheart stepped forward. And although he gave his goddess a quick bow, his next words came to question even her. "Why are we making a deal with him? What do we even need this outsider for?"

For a spell, Eren’s eyes dimmed a little, and in that very moment, his true voice escaped through his lips.

"Do not question our lady, you moron! Do you fancy yourself wiser than a being that transcended space and time?" The tall brute’s mouth opened to retort, but then came a mana-laced string of words from Eren’s mouth. "Stand down before I have to write you an eulogy!"

And so with the bard’s magic words, the tall minotaur was forced onto his knees. His head bowed to the goddess, and even as the divine glow in Eren’s eyes, Ironheart kept grunting, for his mouth had been magically sealed.

"I have given you enough room for sway, Ironheart, do not test your lady’s patience..." As the goddess’s voice returned, her eyes scanned the room. Helm and Ditsy were the only ones who hadn’t said anything yet, and as if expecting–or rather, giving them one last chance to speak, Mesemrazia remained quiet for a bit.

Picking up on that cue, the vampiress did in fact take that chance. Turning towards Fortuna, she stretched her arm forward and asked.

"Is this about choosing a hero, after all? Are you two offering him to become your chosen?" Returning her glance, Fortuna waved her hand in dismissal. "Then? And are we ever going to have a chosen in our city?"

"The council is falling apart, so consider this a compromise," with a smirk, Fortuna eyed Mesmerazia. "Both of us want to be with the leading party, but given the tight spot that we’ve been in recently, it seems best that we go our separate ways, don’t you think?"

"No more compromises," Mesmerazia added, her voice tinged with centuries of frustration.

Dealing with Lady Luck was no easy task, especially since her mocking nature was only second to Athenia’s. Not to mention...her luck, an absurd ability that always made things land in her favor. No game of cards could she lose, however, in terms of a board–of chess specifically, Mesmerazia could still have the upper hand. Banking on that fact, she addressed Raven once again.

"Gold, resources, and everything that’s required, I shall provide. We can sign the contract now, and I’ll even throw in a personal weapon of mine."

"Oh, please~ As if they’re struggling without your help." Cutting off the goddess of commerce, Fortuna extended her hand towards Raven. "What they need is luck. A ton of it, better than any resource that you can offer."

"My lady, about the chosen..." Since her question wasn’t answered to the fullest, Ditsy stepped forward and asked again. "Are you going to choose a chosen or not?"

Raising a hand, Fortuna stopped her.

"You’re halfway there, vampire dearest. Continue on your path, and I shall grant you any wish that you want." Glancing at the vampiress from the edge of her eyes, Fortuna smiled once more. "Your chaos I can do without, but the way you’ve been trying to get my attention, I can clearly see that you’re the most devoted follower I currently have."

Ditsy’s eyes lit up at her goddess’s words. Smiling without realizing it, she tried to step even closer, but Fortuna stopped her with an extended hand.

"Now," looking at Raven once more, the goddess asked. "Whose offer do you prefer? The success of your journey might depend on it, so think hard."

"And what exactly do you want in return, apart from the protection? And why now? Why betray the gods closer to you and shake hands with Athenia and Elenaria? Even with their protection, you’re not gonna get far if you don’t already have a plan."

"Of course we do, but let’s just take everything one step at a time, alright? Besides, I never lose at gambling. And this switch is just that, don’t you think?"

"Enough with the semantics." Cutting off the other goddess, Mesmerazia stared right at Raven. "Why don’t you just name your price and we’ll see which one of us can match it?"

Taking a moment to consider everything, Raven instantly knew that this wasn’t a decision that he could make lightly. If nothing else, a discussion with his party members was required, and so lifting his head, he told the goddesses.

"Give me time. As for something you can do for me as a show of goodwill," turning his attention towards the rest of the crowd, he added. "I want you to tell me as well as these idiots who killed the Judges. You see, Garcia and I also have a pact."

"WHAT?!" Helm screeched, baffled by the revelation.

"Of course, it’s her. Always the damnest luck that woman has!" Ditsy complained, her eyes turning to her goddess for just a moment.

"Unfortunately, we can’t do that," Mesmerazia kept her eyes on Raven and took the initiative to talk before Fortuna tried to twist the situation into her favor once more. "Mortal affairs must be settled by mortals; we can’t tell you who’s the person behind the murders."

"Your words only confirm that it isn’t Garcia, don’t they, fellow goddess?" Scoffing at Mesmerazia, Fortuna let out a chuckle and turned to Raven. "How about this? You bring her and anyone else you want here tomorrow, and the truth might just reveal itself. Although I will be expecting an answer from you, this offer of mine doesn’t stand indefinitely."

Waving her hand with a smirk, the goddess Fortuna left the dead host. Dealer’s head hit his desk, and at the same time, the light that had been cast by Mesmerazia’s presence disappeared as well. However, with the goddesses gone, there was a lot that the hero had to deal with before he could make his way back to his companions.

The first of which was the raging bull–Ironheart. Free of his bind, finally, he was huffing and puffing and ready to finally put those rumors about Raven to the test.