Chapter 225: Chapter 69
Overworld.
On a small human town.
A tavern was noisy, the smell of wine and roasted meat mixing with the sound of laughter and clinking cups.
On the stage, a bard with flushed cheeks and a lute slung across his chest sang about how two brave and righteous heroes had slain the foul serpent-haired monster Medusa.
Describing it in grand detail how they crept into her lair, fought with unyielding courage, and severed her head in one stroke.
Every line was exaggerated, every word delivered with the dramatic pause of someone who truly believed he was performing a service to history.
The crowd erupted into cheers with each verse, pounding on tables and raising mugs as if they themselves had taken part in the slaying.
On the second floor balcony, three hooded figures leaned over the railing, sipping wine and watching the scene below with thinly veiled amusement.
They are Herios, Athena, and Medusa, who had joined them.
Herios leaned back in his chair, shaking his head slowly, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"This bard," Herios said, his tone dripping with irony, "has a real talent for storytelling. He speaks as if he was there and witnessed everything."
Athena, seated with the poise of a queen even in a common tavern, gave a soft laugh, while beside her, Medusa stifled a giggle behind her hand.
Her usually cold, reserved demeanor softened, her shoulders shaking with amusement at the ridiculousness of the tale.
"I should be grateful," Athena said smoothly, turning her head toward Medusa. "With the tale of your ’death’ spreading across the lands, no more heroes will be storming into your lair to test their courage. They will drink to their imagined victory and never bother you again."
Medusa’s lips curved into a bright smile, her voice gentle yet brimming with warmth. "It is all thanks to you, my goddess, you created such a convenient ending."
Herios chuckled, swirling his cup of wine lazily. "It would even be better if the world knew about the truth."
Athena leaned closer to Medusa, her tone suddenly more serious. "Still, now that the problem with the heroes has been solved, should you not return? What would your sisters think if they came to visit you and found nothing but an empty cave? Imagine their shock, their grief."
Medusa’s smile did not fade. Instead, she answered with a quiet, almost playful brightness. "There is no need to worry, Lady Athena. I left a letter for them, hidden in my temple. Should they come, they will find it and know that I am safe. As for returning... I would rather not, at least for now. I have enjoyed these days of adventure with you and Lord Herios too much to go back."
Athena frowned, her lips pressing into a line. "And what if they do not find the letter? What if it is lost, or destroyed, or overlooked? They will think you vanished, or worse, that something dreadful happened to you. Do you not see? You really should return, at least until you have their permission to stay away."
Before Athena could continue her lecture, Medusa trembled.
Her fingers clenched together on her lap, her blindfold hiding her eyes, but her lips quivered as she spoke in a pitiful tone, her voice almost breaking.
"Do you... not want me anymore, Athena?"
Athena froze, stunned.
For a goddess who prided herself on wisdom and composure, she suddenly felt utterly helpless.
The sight of Medusa’s trembling form and the faint wetness seeping through her blindfold shook her more than any battlefield ever had.
"M-Medusa, that’s not what I meant!" Athena blurted, her calm demeanor shattering.
She quickly turned to Herios for support, only to find him deliberately looking away, sipping his wine with feigned disinterest.
"You—!" Athena hissed at him, her sharp eyes narrowing in fury. "You could at least help!"
Herios shrugged, a lazy grin playing on his lips. "This is far more entertaining than any bard’s song. Why would I ruin it?"
Athena inhaled sharply, then sighed, realizing she had no way out but to surrender.
She reached out and placed a hand gently on Medusa’s shoulder, her voice soft and careful. "You don’t have to return if you don’t want to. Stay. Stay as long as you wish."
At once, Medusa lifted her head, her expression brightening like a child granted her dearest wish.
She smiled so radiantly that even the dim tavern lamps seemed to shine brighter.
Athena groaned quietly, leaning back in her chair, muttering under her breath, "I am spoiling her far too much."
Herios leaned in with a smirk, his tone teasing. "Too much? You’ve crossed that line long ago. You’ve gone from goddess to doting nursemaid. One more step and you’ll be tucking her into bed with lullabies."
Athena glared at him, but the redness creeping up her neck betrayed her flustered state.
Medusa, oblivious or perhaps pretending not to notice, hummed happily beside them, her smile wide as the bard downstairs continued to sing of her supposed demise.
*
*
*
The night had settled deep over the little town, and in a modest room at a small inn, the faint glow of a single oil lamp illuminated the three travelers.
Herios stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the faint flickering shadows on the wooden walls.
Medusa and Athena sat at a table that had seen better days, its surface scarred with old knife marks and burns, yet it served well enough for their planning.
The air was quiet save for the occasional laughter from the tavern below and the creak of the floorboards whenever someone walked past their room.
Their mood, however, was less than bright.
The purse they had once carried now lay empty, the coins they had scraped together over the last few weeks gone on food, travel, and shelter.
Athena tapped her fingers impatiently against the table, her brows furrowed.
She had been raised in Olympus, where wealth, power, and influence were hers by divine right.
She never needed to consider money, never once thought of what it meant to run out, and now she found herself facing the mundane struggles of mortals.
Athena clicked her tongue, muttering in frustration. "How utterly bothersome. I never realized how hard it is to live in this world without coin. I had prepared what I thought was sufficient for this journey, and yet it slipped through my fingers as if it was water."
Herios finally turned from the window, his voice steady and pragmatic. "We can’t continue our journey without money. Why don’t we look for some wealthy merchants or nobles? They must need people with our skills."
Medusa nodded, resting her chin in her hand with a calm smile. "I agree. It would be even better if we take on requests involving beasts. I would prefer to fight monsters rather than bow to the whims of greedy nobles."
Athena’s lips pressed into a thin line. The thought of humbling herself before merchants or lords, offering her service in exchange for gold, gnawed at her pride.
She was Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war.
To present herself as a common sellsword was humiliating. Yet she could not deny the truth. They needed money, and wisdom lay in accepting necessity, even if it tasted bitter.
Herios said nothing more, his sharp eyes watching her as though waiting for her to set aside her pride.
Medusa tilted her head, her soft expression showing understanding, but she too knew their situation.
Athena sighed and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "If only there were a place where people with problems could post their requests, and those willing to help could simply choose a task without having to chase after nobles as though begging for work."
Then, suddenly, her eyes brightened, a spark of inspiration flashing across her face. She sat up abruptly, then stood on the bed, startling Medusa, who flinched at the sudden motion.
Athena’s voice rang with excitement, sharp and clear. "That is it. I have it!"
Medusa blinked up at her, startled but curious. "What is it, Lady Athena?"
Herios arched a brow, his usual calm mask cracking with mild amusement.
Athena clasped her hands together, her tone brimming with confidence. "We will establish an organization. A place where anyone may come to post requests and the rewards they are willing to pay. Adventurers, warriors, and heroes will not need to wander aimlessly in search of work. Instead, they will come to us, look upon the list of quests, and take those they are most suited for. In this way, both the one in need and the one seeking employment will benefit."
She began pacing, her hands moving with her words as her excitement grew. "We will also create a standard for rewards, so that no adventurer is cheated of their fair due, and no commoner pays more than what is just. The organization itself will take a portion of the adventurer’s earnings in return for maintaining order, ensuring fairness, and keeping records of every task. It will be a system, one that brings structure to chaos and stability to the reckless nature of mercenary work."
Medusa leaned forward, her face glowing with admiration. "That... truly sounds wonderful. If such a system were to spread, then no adventurer would need to beg for work again. They could simply come to the organization and find a task suited to their strength. And those in need would no longer risk trusting charlatans, for everything would be under the authority of the organization."
Herios nodded slowly, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Efficient. Structured. Profitable. It would indeed change the way this world functions. Such an organization would benefit the people. I must admit, Athena, this is the kind of wisdom I would expect from you."
Athena stopped pacing, her chest rising with pride as she looked at the two of them. "So, what do you think? Shall we see this idea through?"
Medusa and Herios exchanged a glance, then answered almost in unison. "Yes."
Athena laughed, the sound rich and triumphant, as if she were once again standing in Olympus after outwitting her rivals.
"Then it is decided. As for its name... let us call it..." She paused for dramatic effect, her eyes narrowing with satisfaction. "...Grand Order."
Herios smirked. "Grand indeed."
Medusa clapped her hands lightly, her voice filled with delight. "It suits perfectly."
Athena folded her arms, still standing tall upon the bed as though it were a throne, her smile fierce with confidence.
"Then it is settled. From this day forth, the Grand Order will be born."