3 bar menu

Chapter 290 part 2

Among the reduced number of guests, those occupying the most luxurious rooms were of particularly special standing. In a room adorned with furniture and decorations collected by Dran and Christina, two figures elegantly enjoyed afternoon tea on couches, while another served them.

The man with long black hair and pale beauty, savoring the aroma of tea in a white porcelain cup, was Hades. He wore a white half-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and a loosely draped purple-black cloth. As one of the three noble gods of the underworld and ruler of its entirety, his presence in Bern, even in an incarnation, was not entirely impossible for those aware of internal affairs. All three noble gods of the underworld were old friends of Dran, the mainstay of the Barony of Bern, and had reconnected with him last year.

During their conversation, Hades and the others chatted about Dran’s life on Earth. This encounter inspired them to see Dran’s acquaintances and lovers in person while they were still alive, rather than waiting for them to arrive in the underworld after death.

The lords of the underworld, usually busy with the reception of the deceased and the dispatch of reincarnated souls, found the opportunity to send their incarnations at this time.

The two figures accompanying Hades were, naturally, not humans but incarnations of high-ranking gods. One of them, sitting in a chair with a large frame, was Mugen. Like Hades, Mugen is one of the three noble gods, smiling innocently while savoring tea and reaching for the tea cakes in the room.

The remaining of the three noble gods, Mumma, usually appears as a pillar of light guarding the souls in the corridor that sends souls from the underworld. However, during her descent to Earth, she took the form of a woman taller than Hades. Her tall stature is striking, with eyes and long hair that shimmer like fireflies in a mysterious pale green.

Mugen, currently in the form of an adult human female, wore a white, translucent veil over her long hair and a white dress with minimal skin exposure, layered with a thin cardigan dyed in vivid red. Her smile and the mystical aura made her seem like a young child or an innocent fairy.

Though unable to meet Dran, both gods were making the most of their rare vacation on Earth in Berne, a city nurtured by Dran himself. Due to the wards created by the high-ranking gods, including the primordial seven dragons, Hades and Mugen had almost all their divine powers sealed upon descending to Earth. However, they were still able to closely observe the distant battlefield.

「It’s truly fortunate that this battle resulted in no deaths. The souls of the deceased Naverans will become either candies or toys for the evil gods that spawned the ancestors, sparing us additional work, Mugen.」 Hades commented.

As ruler of the underworld, Hades’s workload is not directly affected by the number of deaths. However, for Mugen, who dispatches the souls of the dead, it’s a different story. The absence of fresh souls now merely postpones their inevitable arrival, possibly setting the stage for new developments.

「Is that so? Dragon, or rather, Dran, seems to be unusually relieved. Back when he was an Ancient Celestial Dragon, he only knew battles he couldn’t lose, so he must have never felt such relief on the battlefield.」 Hades surmised.

Hades speculated that Dran must be fighting anxiously, given that those he wishes to protect are too fragile to join him in battle. Although Dran could easily decimate his enemies to protect his allies, he seems to be restraining himself to use only as much power as a human or terrestrial creature would, as he once mentioned in the underworld.

「The demon king clashing with Dran, a descendant of Sagurabars, possesses quite impressive power and spiritual grace. It’s unlikely that Dran can keep his abilities within human limits throughout the fight.」 Hades observed.

「Indeed, as Mugen says, the women around Dran are all worthy of being welcomed into the gods’ garden. If they rise to the occasion, Dran might not have much to do. However, it seems not only the blood and artifacts of Sagurabars but other factors are also impeding Dran.」 Hades mused.

Wondering whether it’s the western Romal Empire or the eastern Todorokuni, Hades speculated about his whimsical ancient dragonkin friend’s thoughts while knowing Dran was aware of their surveillance. Mugen, less concerned with deep thoughts, contentedly indulged in tea and cookies, enjoying tastes unfamiliar in his role as the soul-dispatching pillar.

「For now, Dran is likely to remain on the battlefield. He might send an avatar here upon noticing us, or we could continue enjoying our earthly vacation until Dran returns. What about you, Thanatos? Are you not inclined to do the same?] Hades asked.

He addressed Thanatos, the third deity present and serving quietly as a maid. Thanatos’s disguise as a maid, serving Hades and Mugen, allowed her unrestricted access to the inn, as it’s common for nobles and merchants to bring servants or even furniture with them.

Normally appearing as a butler, Thanatos now wore a practical maid outfit with minimal frills and a white brim hat with a black ribbon. If her devotees witnessed Thanatos, a high god, in a maid outfit unrelated to her powers, they would be stunned by the unexpected sight.

「My lord, I am your faithful servant and will follow your divine will.」 Thanatos pledged.

Hades, amused, noted Thanatos’s loyalty. Since Dragon’s reincarnation as Dran and visit to the underworld, the goddess governing the significant aspect of “death” had become surprisingly lively, a trait Hades found entertaining.

「Your loyalty and words are genuine, but they don’t encompass all your actions. When did Mugen and I ever order you to act as a maid? We didn’t even ask you to behave as a servant.」 Hades pointed out.

Correctly observed by Hades, Thanatos, usually fair, just, and solemn, lost her Goddess of Death demeanor, resembling a child unable to get the desired toy, unable to find words in response. Mugen watched the exchange, neither agreeing with Hades nor blaming Thanatos.

「Presumably, you aimed to be employed as a maid in Christina’s household. With the war’s onset, some might have left, creating job openings. But your continued presence with us answers that, doesn’t it?]

Indeed, Thanatos had intended to work under Dran and others as a maid. Unfortunately, no vacancies arose, thwarting her plans. Accepting her fate, Thanatos looked down, biting her lip in frustration.

「Ah, a momentary lapse this summer. Seeking a vacant position due to evacuations, only to find none existed.」

「Haha, truly, you become foolish around our friend. Should I say more impulsive? Consider it fate. Under the dragons’ wards, we can’t be omniscient or omnipotent on Earth. It’s challenging for us in the underworld to grasp situations in advance. You wanted to surprise Dran, but it would have been better to discuss it with him first to ensure certainty.」 Hades teased.

Thanatos, unable to retort, puffed her cheeks like a child denied a desired toy, her usual impartial, solemn demeanor as the Goddess of Death lost in the moment.

「And even if you had approached Dran first, this land is teeming with gods. Other gods and their kin who arrived earlier would take precedence in employment. Dran is known for his integrity.」

「Yes, sir. Dran would likely refuse gently.」

「That’s how it is. Give up gracefully this time. If there’s no mention of Dran as a souvenir for Enma and Hypnos, they’ll have complaints. Let’s stay here until Dran returns.」 Hades concluded.

「I am grateful for your graciousness, my lord.」

「If you’re not particular about meeting Dran’s original or avatar, you might consider visiting the one in the tower brought by Caravis or the one in the midst of the Romal Empire’s turmoil.」

「But ever since being reborn as a human, Dran has been surrounded by women, hasn’t he?]