Goddess Kaleidoscope

Before we knew it, the sun had set. In Pine Village, the villagers would have just finished dinner and gone to bed early. But in the bustling town of Unos, for the locals, the nightlife was just beginning.

Since it had been confirmed beforehand that meals were not included in the hotel's accommodation fee, Lude planned to take Aina out for a nice meal before returning home.

Since his soul transmigrated, Lu De has lived in this world for sixteen months. For the first six months, he was in exile, living a life of hardship and uncertainty. Later, he settled in Pine Village and barely found a place to live. However, he lived a poor and difficult life. If he wanted to eat meat, he could only do so by fishing with his own fish traps. The only time he ate chicken was at the village's collective feast celebrating the harvest.

And to be honest, because there weren't any decent seasonings, the food and wine tasted very bland, which almost made Lud cry on the spot.

So, having finally managed to save a little money and having been bored to death, Lu De resolutely decided to indulge in a small luxury in town!

The two, one human and one god, found a small tavern that looked decent from the outside. They thought the dining environment would be filled with all sorts of江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) outlaws, but when they pushed open the door, they were surprised to find it was quiet.

"Unbelievable! This place is doing so badly, could it be because the food is terrible?"

Seeing that there weren't many people in the tavern's lobby, Lude subconsciously thought that this place wasn't doing well. But in fact, it wasn't just this place in Unos; the situation was pretty much the same in other taverns and restaurants. Most of the mercenaries and adventurers who were the main consumers were not in the city at the moment.

Not long ago, the legendary wanted criminal "Handsome Zack," with a bounty of 500 gold coins, reappeared. This news was like a global announcement in an online game that a super rare elite monster had spawned in the wilderness. People from all walks of life, whether human or ghost, were all lured by the gold coins and, for the grand ideal of "not having to struggle for the rest of their lives," joined the hunt one after another.

At least until these guys return, the tavern business throughout Earl Ramley will be affected to some extent.

A man and a god entered the tavern. The chubby owner was exceptionally enthusiastic in the face of these rare guests, and introduced all the signature dishes of his restaurant.

So Lud spent three and a half silver coins to order a glass of ale, a glass of sweet and sour juice, and several meat dishes. Although he and Aina were clergy, there were no rules against drinking alcohol and eating meat among the various religious sects in this world, so their spending at the tavern was not considered taboo.

"Eat up! It's a rare treat to go out like this, so treat yourself."

"Cheers, Master!"

Taking a sip of cool ale and eating a piece of hot, grilled chicken, Lud felt as if he had rediscovered a past life, his eyes unconsciously welling up with tears of emotion. Aina, sitting opposite him, clearly didn't share these feelings; she was simply happy with the delicious food.

As the man and the god were eating, the tavern door opened and a hooded woman entered. Lude glanced at her briefly. The hood was pulled low, obscuring most of her face, but she had a very voluptuous figure. Her leather armor perfectly accentuated her tall and full curves, and the tie at the front was deliberately loose, revealing a deep cleavage and light brown skin.

"...(Oh! It's a dark-skinned person!)"

Maintaining a feigned seriousness, Lud continued to steal glances out of the corner of his eye. But just then, the woman in leather armor suddenly turned her head to look in his direction, a meaningful smile appearing on her lips peeking out from under the shadow of her hood, as if she had discovered that Lud was spying on her.

Subconsciously, Lude guiltily averted his gaze, but the leather-armored woman walked straight towards him and sat down next to him with great familiarity. Her voice, full of mature and sophisticated charm, sent shivers down his spine.

"Hey buddy, wanna share a table?"

"Miss, what did you just call me...?"

"Young man! Do you really think you're that old?"

Hearing the leather-armored woman's words, Lud maintained his smile, but his eyes became completely serious. Aina, sitting beside him, seemed to sense the tense atmosphere and quickly took a sip of juice to calm herself.

At this moment, the woman in leather armor took off her hood, revealing long silver-gray hair and long ears that clearly belonged to the Elven race. Her beautiful face, delicate yet heroic, gave the impression of being around thirty years old, possessing a unique flavor that was mature enough and had a touch of chivalry.

Simply put, she's the kind of woman who's got guts!

However, in Lud's eyes, this woman gave him a very strange feeling. The reason why this feeling was strange was that it made him think of Aina who was standing next to him. Even though the two had such different temperaments, there was still a subtle similarity between them.

Based on the fact that this guy had just called him "little brother," Lu De vaguely guessed what was going on.

"May I ask your name, Your Excellency?"

"I've used so many names, so many that I can hardly remember some of them myself... Haha! Look how nervous you are. Don't be afraid. I have no hostility towards you. You don't need to worry about other guys finding you. If they could really see everything, the world wouldn't be the way it is now."

"And you? How did you recognize me?"

"I didn't actually recognize you, but I recognized the things I made... You're pretty smart, now you know who I am, right?"

"..."

Having said all that, Lude was no fool. The dark-skinned elf sitting before him was a god, and not just any god, but the "famous" god of thieves, Hume, the revered patriarch of all petty thieves and scoundrels. She had been quite active in the War of the Gods three hundred years ago; even if she wasn't a top-tier deity, she was definitely not someone Aina could contend with now.

Fortunately, this person seemed to genuinely have no hostility towards Lud. Lud had already vaguely sensed while studying the old astrologer's notes that his mentor had other backers, and they were definitely the kind of "insiders" who were very familiar with all kinds of gods.

Now that Hume, the god of thieves, has actually appeared before him, Rudd can basically conclude that it was the other party who secretly assisted the old astrologer in creating a god, and even gave him a divine artifact for disguise.

The fact that the God of Thieves personally descended to the mortal realm to find him at this moment was clearly not just a simple matter of coming to greet the disciple of an old friend!

End of this chapter

Ludwig didn't know why Hume, the god of thieves, had come to him. It was very likely related to the old astrologer, but he didn't know the specifics. However, since the other party showed no hostility and was willing to sit down and talk, he decided to get straight to the point and ask directly.

"Um... Miss Hume, is there something you need from me? If it's about getting the artifact back, could you please grant me a few more days?"

"Haha! Don't misunderstand, that thing was given to Perseus by me. Now that he has passed it on to you, it is yours now. Although I am the God of Thieves, I will not take back what I have given away. You can rest assured."

"So you've come to catch up with old friends?"

"This is the first time we've spoken face-to-face today, so there's no need for reminiscing. Don't make wild guesses. I came to see you today simply because I suddenly sensed the mask and then spotted you in the crowd of people entering the city... and this interesting little girl beside you."

Hume glanced at Aina, who looked as adorable as a little owl the whole time, and his smile was meaningful.

"I really didn't realize it before! You, my little apprentice, usually keep a low profile, but it turns out you're even more capable than your master. I was thinking, since you're so skilled, shouldn't you also fulfill the promise your master made to me, considering the help I gave you and your master back then?"

"Uh... let me make it clear first, I'm not pretending to be confused! I only found out what my mentor was doing after he had the accident by looking at the notes he left me. So I really don't know what kind of agreement you have with him. If you want me to fulfill a promise, at least tell me what it is?"

"You really don't know?"

"It's true, absolutely true, but I want to know."

"Ha! This is really interesting. Let me tell you about it."

Through Hume's account, Ludd finally learned about some things that the old astrologer had not recorded in his research notes during the creation of the gods, as well as the secrets about the origin of the primordial fire.

The old astrologer's real name was Perseus Hamilton. The fact that he had a surname makes it clear that he was a nobleman, or at least he used to be!

In his early years, Perseus was a playboy with a domineering and extremely devout father. Because he did not want to follow his father's arrangements to study in the temple and become a priest, Perseus deliberately indulged in debauchery and wasted his extraordinary talents on sensual pleasures.

It wasn't until his mother died and his father, who had remarried, kicked him out of the house out of disappointment that Perseus finally realized his mistake. He thought that using self-degradation to rebel against his father was both childish and unreasonable. So, with the help of some friends, he worked hard and eventually became an excellent scholar.

Driven by an innate rebellious spirit and thirst for knowledge, Perseus, though disliking so-called gods, was filled with curiosity about these beings beyond mortals. Unlike the ignorant and vulgar masses who revered gods as supreme beings, he treated them as subjects of study, seeking to unravel the mysteries of their existence.

By chance, Perseus met Hume, the god of thieves, a "non-righteous" deity who roamed the human world. She admired Perseus's strong thirst for knowledge and had something to ask of a mortal. So, in exchange for assisting Perseus's research, she asked him to do something for her—to go to the legendary "forbidden land of the gods" where the truth he sought lay.

The so-called "Forbidden Land of the Gods" is located deep within the Earth's core. There lies a mysterious sanctuary where even gods cannot set foot. Its origin is unknown, but it is almost certain that it predates all the gods of this world.

Only a very few gods, including the god of thievery Hume, knew that this place was deep inside the earth, but none of them could enter. A powerful force that even the gods could not resist kept them out.

These gods subconsciously assumed that their inability to enter was due to insufficient power, so they tried every means to become stronger. Hume, however, was more astute. She vaguely felt that this mysterious barrier might only be effective against gods, and perhaps mortals could enter.

Hume then summoned some believers to conduct a test, only to find that anyone who had received divine blessings or possessed a certain degree of faith was also rejected. This barrier seemed to judge whether intruders were qualified, and just when Hume was at her wit's end, she encountered Perseus and was pleasantly surprised to find that this man only had curiosity about the gods, but no reverence whatsoever!

So the two cooperated, with Hume, the god of thieves, escorting Perseus to the gates of the forbidden land at the center of the earth, where he would attempt to enter. What was a barrier that even the gods could not breach, Perseus strolled through effortlessly, successfully obtaining a small flame within and bringing it to the surface.

Ludwig knew almost everything that followed; the flame the old man brought back was the primordial fire. Hume had tried to touch it, but discovered that, like the barrier of the forbidden land, it was something the gods could not touch.

Using the primordial fire, Perseus created what he considered an incredibly cool evil god, finally fulfilling his long-held dream of uncovering the mystery of the gods' existence. As payment for his assistance, Perseus promised Hume that he would use this power to help her revive the declining Cult of Thieves.

Unfortunately, the old astrologer passed away before he could fulfill his promise!

Hume also regretted Perseus's death, after all, there were very few mortals in the world as talented as him who did not regard God as God. Even if the vast majority of people were not believers, they at least acknowledged the supreme status of "God" in their understanding, unlike Perseus, who always held a skeptical and critical eye.

However, surprises always come unexpectedly and suddenly. Hume came to Unos to take care of some other matters, and unexpectedly sensed the artifact he had created. Following his senses, he discovered Rudd and recognized that the silly little nun beside him was no ordinary person.

Hume, the god of thieves, immediately understood that although Perseus was dead, his unassuming apprentice was still alive and had inherited his mantle. So Hume spent the day observing Rudd's activities in the city and finally decided to meet him.

Hume sought out Rudd, hoping to continue the cooperation agreement with Perseus. The Primal Flame was difficult to obtain, and finding a mortal capable of wielding it was equally challenging. Moreover, Rudd seemed more reliable than the perversely eccentric Perseus, making Hume even more determined not to give up.

End of this chapter

Faced with the olive branch extended by Hume, the god of thieves, Rude hesitated somewhat, because from what he said, Hume had a cooperation agreement with the old astrologer Perseus. She would help Perseus obtain the Primal Fire, unlock the mysteries of the gods, and then use the power of the Primal Fire to revitalize the cult of thieves.

It sounds like a fair deal, but the problem is that Lud now has his own Medicine God Cult, which he built himself. Although the parish only has Pine Village, it is still a legitimate and upright cult. Even if it is not well-known at the moment, it can at least be said with dignity. He can't just abandon Aina and go work for Hume.

While Hume, the God of Thieves, is an old-fashioned deity with a considerable number of followers, just like a certain famous author's novel "The Great Sword of XX," no matter how outstanding its achievements are, it is difficult to introduce it to relatives and friends with ease during holidays. The reason is the same!

So after a moment's hesitation, Lude spoke cautiously.

"To be frank, it's difficult for me to agree to your conditions right now. I can't abandon this silly girl, and we lack mutual understanding. Even if I joined your ranks now, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to play any significant role."

So, you're going to reject me?

"No, I just need some more time to further verify some of my previous speculations and conjectures. It could take a few months or three to five years. I think that shouldn't be too long for an immortal god, right?"

Luther looked at Hume, his gaze meeting hers without flinching. Hume remained silent for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on his previously expressionless face.

"You and your advisor are the same type of people, but also quite different."

"I'm a rather ordinary person, and my supervisor's tastes are too heavy for me."

"Alright then! I've already waited for over three hundred years, so what's another two or three years? I also have some urgent matters to attend to. If you had readily submitted to me, I wouldn't have been able to settle you down in the short term."

Seeing Hume's understanding nature, Ludd remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief. He had been genuinely nervous, fearing that Hume would fly into a rage because Ludd, a mere mortal, dared to refuse the invitation of a god. If a conflict were to break out, Ludd and Aina would undoubtedly lose.

So, having completed their peaceful negotiations, Ludwig and Hume exchanged contact information. Ludwig told Hume that he was currently developing his sect in Pine Village. There was really no point in hiding this. Hume had already discovered Ludwig, and as long as he continued to follow him in the shadows or contact the villagers who had come with him, he could easily find out that Pine Village was now the territory of the Medicine God Sect. By taking the initiative to say this now, he could leave Hume with a good impression of honesty.

Hume, on the other hand, had some matters to attend to in Unos, but he did not reveal the specifics to Rudd, nor did Rudd inquire about them.

"When I have some free time in a few days, I'll go to that village to find you. It just so happens that an old friend of your mentor is looking for you, so I'll take her there. If you need any help with anything while you're in the city, just put three wildflowers on the window of your hotel. I'm always very loyal to my friends!"

After Hume finished speaking, he pulled up his hood and got up to leave the tavern. It was only then that Ludwig realized from the reactions of the waiters and other customers that no one else present, except for him and Aina, had noticed Hume's presence. It seemed that in their eyes, the woman's coming and going was just a gust of wind blowing in from outside.

"As expected of the God of Thieves, who can stop him from dining and dashing!"

Over dinner, Rudd met a god and discovered that the world was always strangely magical in some unexpected ways.

After a hearty meal, Lude took Aina back to the inn. Ron and the others who had come with them also returned, but their expressions varied, suggesting that they had all experienced different things.

Several villagers responsible for selling the goods chatted and laughed. The two cartloads of goods they brought were selling well in town, and they had sold more than half of them in just half a day. They estimated that they could clear out the stock by tomorrow. Ron, on the other hand, looked somewhat worried. When he saw Lude and Aina return, he quickly told them about his encounter with the adventurers at the mercenary agency that day, hoping that Lude could help him find a solution.

"Most of the mercenaries and adventurers in the city have gone out to catch a notorious bandit. The agency accepted our commission, but they want to take 20% of the commission. In the end, we only had 24 silver coins left after posting the mission on the board. None of the mercenaries seemed interested."

"What about the Adventurers' Lodge? Didn't they say they could hire people there too?"

"The skill level over there is too low. I went around and everyone there looked weaker than me. My dad said that if you can recruit people through the mercenary agency, try to avoid the Adventurers' House; they're always leftovers there!"

Ron's assessment of the Adventurers' House wasn't derogatory; it was an undeniable truth. So-called adventurers were essentially a group of people unsuitable for mercenary life, yet yearning for that kind of江湖 (jianghu, a world of martial arts and chivalry) lifestyle.

Mercenary agencies are officially supported. To become a mercenary, one must pass a series of registration and assessment tests and possess sufficient skills to be hired. The state considers these mercenaries as reserves; in the event of war, agencies can quickly assemble a pool of usable soldiers for the king or lord through the registered roster.

Adventurers' Houses, on the other hand, are civilian organizations modeled after mercenary agencies, not nationwide unified institutions, and therefore vary greatly from place to place. The backgrounds of adventurers are also diverse, ranging from delinquent mercenaries expelled from agencies for too many violations to hotheads who have heard too many adventure stories from bards and, unable to become mercenaries, have no choice but to become adventurers as a second-best option.

The kingdom's official stance towards the adventurers' homes established independently in various regions is neither to ban nor support them, allowing them to develop freely.

Because of the existence of adventurers, they can indeed make up for the shortage of regular mercenaries in some low-end commission tasks that are not difficult. For example, finding cats, dogs, or lost children, or going into stinking sewers to clean up some low-level dangerous creatures. These low-level jobs pay little and are not worth the attention of mercenaries, so it is just right to hand them over to adventurers.

If possible, Ron would prefer to hire a proper mercenary, someone with some skill, to train the village militia to be more effective. But after thinking about it for a while, Lud felt that the mercenaries not taking his job probably weren't just refusing the low pay.