Raul POV (Returned)
Yet everyone kills the one they love, listen to what I say. Some with their looks, some with their words. Cowards kill with a kiss, the brave with sword strikes. Some kill their love when young, others when old.
Some strangle with lustful hands, others with hands of gold. Merciful people use a knife, for death by blade is painless. Some love too little, some too much. Some sell, others buy. Sometimes they shed tears while killing, others feel nothing. For everyone kills the one they love, but not everyone dies with them.
That was it—the poem that summed up Micah.
The symbols on Lara's face vanished automatically once we completed the deal.
I have to grant her a wish, but she hasn't used it yet.
She can hold onto it; it doesn't matter, but I have more urgent things to deal with.
"Artemis, uh… I need to make a quick stop at Hel's place, you know, to make sure that girl gets where she needs to go," I said. Artemis gave me a sidelong glance, holding her arrow.
Then she pointed the arrow at me: "So now you're kidnapping elves? I'm a good archer… did you know that?"
"Well, I'm sure Orion knows better than I do; he's got the experience," I said, and an arrow promptly lodged itself in my head.
For the love of the gods, I could've stopped it, but I knew I'd pissed Artemis off. I pulled the arrow out from the middle of my forehead: "Alright, I get it, you're mad."
"Lady Artemis, you don't get it. Raul's a bastard, and that's why he has no luck with women," Alice said.
I narrowed my eyes.
If I wanted, I could've revived her, but I know Alice didn't want that, and since her soul was shining, I wouldn't have killed her anyway; that's against my principles.
I wasn't even the one who killed Alfred—Micah did that with his own hands.
Right now, he's in my subspace, slowly experiencing hellfire and stakes enter up in his ass.
"Just so you know, Alice, I've got a crazy princess chasing me, a tsundere maid waiting to see me, and an ice-cold beauty who's fallen for me," I said.
But Artemis muttered, "Pfft, like your first example, only lunatics would want you."
I narrowed my eyes at Artemis. We were all sitting on a couch. I leaned closer to Artemis, but she seemed to shrink away.
Finally, she had nowhere left to go and just sat there: "Shh, Artemis, how about I make you some divine pudding?" I whispered softly.
"Just one? What am I, a child?" Artemis tried to push me away with her shoulder.
I rested my head on her shoulder: "My finest dishes, plus as many massages as you want, how's that?" I said.
Artemis turned to me: "Unicorn meat with red wine, three puddings for dessert, and you don't stop massaging until I say so," she said excitedly.
Raul rarely cooked seriously.
Even though he didn't cook seriously, his food was fit for the gods.
"Uh, seems like you forgot about me. As much as I hate to interrupt you lovebirds…" I could hear Alice's mocking tone.
Hmm, this coming from a woman whose relationship was a disaster: "Alright, Artemis, wait for me. I'm heading to Hel's place."
"Hmm, hold on—when you go to Hel, bring her some meat. Her brother Fenrir is still trapped, and Hel loves him," Artemis said.
I nodded slowly: "Don't worry, my goddess, I'll be back soon, and I won't forget your suggestion."
Then Alice and I vanished.
Artemis was left alone, grabbing some ice cream from the fridge. Raul had gotten on her nerves and mentioned Orion…
The Underworld…
An elf girl and a handsome man appeared in the underworld. The air was cold, reeking of sulfur and the like.
Something was off. As I scanned the surroundings, I realized this place was infinite. The underworld could be seen as another dimension.
Since every mythology has a different underworld, it creates multiple dimensions, which makes everything complicated.
I followed Alfred's traces to get here, and voilà.
"You're in the underworld now, Alice. Be happy—I'm taking you to Valhalla," I said, tapping the ground lightly.
Hard soil, almost impossible for plants to grow, but if I wanted, I could turn this place into paradise.
Alice was floating in the air: "You're really not taking anything?" she whispered.
"No, Alice. I was going to visit Goddess Hel anyway, but you're my little guest tagging along." As I looked around, I noticed countless souls.
This place is an all-you-can-eat buffet for me…
Alice shouted from behind: "Raul, wipe your drool, you look disgusting." I wiped my mouth with my hand.
Then Alice and I found ourselves in what looked like a throne room. It was ornate, with a few skull decorations here and there, but they were rare.
The throne was made of swords, and a stunning woman sat upon it—white hair, red eyes.
"Uh, hello, Goddess Hel," I said, but as a spear came toward my head, I stopped it with my finger: "Please don't act like that, or I'll have to counterattack."
Hel looked at me with disgust: "You filthy thief, stealing souls from me wasn't enough, and now you show up with one in front of me?" She was clearly pissed, but who cares?
I bowed slightly: "I'm Raul Cainhurst, or Raul von Vance—your choice. I'm a merchant."
"I know who you are. I remember you from Sphiros's memories," Hel said, standing up and approaching me. She was tall for a woman, though not taller than me, and Alice was trembling, but Hel gently touched her: "Don't be afraid, child. This is a place of rest. No one can harm you here."
"Goddess, you're misunderstanding me. Listen before you try to fight me… This girl, Alice, had her soul trapped in the world by dark magic. That's your failure," I spat out the truth, but politely.
Hel relaxed, though her guard was still up: "So you're not here to steal souls?"
"No, I want this girl to stay in Valhalla. If you say no, rest assured, I'll destroy this place," I said. A few Valkyrie-like armored figures drew their weapons.
Before Hel could raise her hand, I did, and everything around us froze, guards included.
Only me, Alice, and Hel could move: "I can't send her to Valhalla. She didn't die in battle… That goes against the rules of this reality."
"Come on, I even brought a little bribe," I said, pulling a piece of meat from my subspace. Hel's eyes widened: "Is that… ancient dragon meat? And the bones too…"
Yes, I dug these up from a tomb.
They were well hidden, but nothing escapes my mental library knowledge.
"Your brother Fenrir will love this, I think. Come on, it's a small favor," I said. Hel's eyes seemed to waver.
She looked at Alice, then at me, and waved her hand. Alice vanished…
"That little girl will have a special place in Valhalla. She'll get everything she wants. You brought her peace after death, and I respect you for that, but why do you take souls? Sphiros's knowledge doesn't explain that," she said, clutching the small gift tightly.
I clapped my hands, and time resumed: "Let's talk about it over dinner, Hel."
"Hmph, quite the flirt, aren't you?" She nudged my shoulder and walked ahead.
It seems I was forgiven for the favor I did for her brother, and I became fast friends with Hel.
No god exists, doesn't fear Fenrir, and no one gives gifts like me.
Even if they did, they'd only face Hel's scorn. Everyone looked down on her brother, but this Raul guy was pretty good, at least for her.
He brought meat—aged meat is good, and ancient dragon meat is even better.
The bones were something Fenrir would love; even he'd take time to break them.
We walked through the palace corridors. The atmosphere was a bit grim, but it's the underworld, so that's normal.
When we reached the door, it opened, revealing a round table with two plates and two candles.
I looked at Hel, narrowing my eyes.
"Come on, sit. What are you waiting for?"
I pulled out a chair for Hel: "What a gentleman."
"Thank you, Hel," I winked, and she laughed.
I sat across from her.
And so, Hel and I began our meal…