We returned, Joseph and I, back to the temple. As he stated earlier, we would not return using the carriage. When we arrived at the temple, its doors were open, and a priestess was there.
"Welcome, sir Joseph, have you come for a shortcut again?"
"Of course!" he replied shamelessly back to the woman. This butler always surprised me in odd ways.
After this quick exchange and some pleasantries, I introduced myself to the priestess, and then she guided us toward the corridor.
"The first time I arrived here, there was almost nobody here. Now I see several people praying. It does make sense when the god to whom they pray is sitting over there." I questioned Joseph while we were walking in the corridor.
"People gather here to renew their vows and to enhance their own divine power." The priestess answered me, but unlike his usual behavior, Joseph remained silent.
"People are obsessed with this so-called divine power." I was starting to think that there was something else to divine power, why would people do that.
"Each soul has its own goal. The divine realms are much larger than anything that anyone of us have experienced in our mortal lives. There are various reasons to gather divinity. The most common is to send a miracle towards their living relatives." Her explanation caught me a little off guard, the prayers were aimed at helping people outside the boundaries of this place. It seemed to me a little far-fetched, but I did not poke this nest anymore. The priestess was a little annoyed by my questioning.
As soon as we reached the door to the mansion, the priestess returned to the temple, and Joseph opened the door, as I did not know how to use this teleportation facility yet.
---
I asked Joseph if I could take a shower and get a new change of clothes.
"Clothes? You only need to imagine what you would like to wear. I know that you lack proper instructions regarding magical technicalities, but just relax and see yourself. You are not dirty, but you can imagine yourself clean."
I think Joseph lacked the freshness feeling we get after going back to our home and taking a long shower. Anyway, I followed his instructions.
People here use an ancient Greek dress code, almost like in the movies I saw about that era. However, I failed to have the proper notion about what to wear, so I went for a full black suit, with a green tie. Naturally, I would be totally off about the dress code, but nonetheless, I am going to meet a god, so at least I should show proper respect, even if it does not fit this place.
As soon as I finished imagining my new clothes, my current ones simply changed, as if they were magically transmuting into new ones. Joseph remained unfazed, nor has he reacted, considering my outfit.
We entered the dinner hall, now properly decorated for a feast. Inside, there were some servants who were setting the tableware. I saw Helena and Zoe, but neither of them were in their maid uniforms. There was a tall guy holding a wooden rod who was not wearing a tunic, but some kind of brilliant white cape.
"Greetings, Mr. Rufus," replied Helena. Zoe just nodded. Maybe she can't speak, which is why she did not say anything.
"Helena, Zoe, how are you?"
"We are fine. Thanks for asking." Helena replied for both, and Zoe felt relieved. I thought that my trick would make Zoe speak.
Hermes was not in the room, he did not set a time. I believe gods do not need to eat, but if they do, it would be around twelve o'clock. Meanwhile, the servants were offering drinks and some finger food to everybody in the room.
Helena was curious about my tour of Olympus and asked for my impressions. I told her that I did not have the opportunity to explore the library and that I enjoyed talking to people at market stalls.
"For what purpose would a new soul go to the market?" The white-cape guy suddenly asked me. I find that a bit disrespectful.
The other three were startled by the sudden intrusion, and Zoe was particularly shaken when she saw this man.
"Master Asclepius, my apologies. We have not seen you. I present my greetings." Joseph declared this while doing a small act of reverence. Zoe and Helena followed him. Considering all the Greek references up to now, this man should be the god of medicine, Asclepius. However, I expected to see a snake entwined in his staff.
As in Rome, do like the Romans. I performed a reverence similar to the one made by Joseph. Thereafter, I replied to him: "It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rufus Costa. I went to the market to meet other mortal souls."
"I am Asclepius, medicine god." He stated. Brunt. He is the third godlike being that I met, but I did not like him. Hermes was much more likeable.
"Why did you not come to greet me?" he asked me. Why me?
The other seemed as confused as I was. "Sorry, Master Asclepius, but I do not recall seeing you here when we arrived. I apo…"
"I know that. I made my presence to be felt only by this man." He interrupted Joseph while he was trying to justify our blunder.
"He did not know who you were, master." Joseph was meek before, but after he told us that he tried to trick me, the butler was very displeased and was clearly demonstrating that in his face.
Thank you, Joseph. I did not know that another god would be here. If I knew, I would have greeted him!
Asclepius studied me then said, "Did not Hermes share with you that I would be here?"
I saw the chance to fix the situation, then went for it: "I was truly sorry, yesterday I was upset and confused as I just arrived at Olympus. Probably, I miss when he told me that you would come."
"It is quite a silver tongue that you have, mortal. I informed Hermes this morning that I would be here." Asclepius was testing me, I did not know the reasons for it.
"Once again, it is my fault, I should be able to recognize a god. But I lack the ways of mana and divinity to grasp with whom I am talking." I replied to the god.
Now, it was the turn of Asclepius to get confused. "I think Hermes had told me something about it, but after seeing you, I see. You do not have a single speck within your vessel."
"He crossed three days ago. And his home world is a barren mana and divine power land." Helena pointed out to Asclepius my shortcomings.
"Interesting. Hermes's cleverness always surprises me, but to choose someone from Earth. He is truly a bold one." Asclepius was now showing a curious side that was a little funny, the way he was speaking was as if we were not there. It sounded like he was a bit delusional.
"Gods tend to be alone so much that they present odd behavior. I apologize in his stead." Hermes said while joining our conversation that I did not see from where he came. Does he simply appear? Was I too distracted?
"I was just thinking about what you meant by working around the constraints. Now I understand." Asclepius told Hermes, while ignoring the comment, that he was an oddball.
"Greetings to everyone! Please join me in this business lunch. We have a lot to talk about, especially with our main guests, Mr. Rufus and my long-time friend Asclepius." Hermes proclaimed it in a humorous tone, trying to soften the situation.
---
Everyone had taken a place at the table. Every position was marked with a small card with the guest's name. Hermes was sitting in the main seat, while I was on his left and Asclepius on his right. Joseph was sitting beside Asclepius, while Helena and Zoe were sitting beside me.
This was a full-course meal. We had some small finger food and bread for the first part. Subsequently, a very tender and delicious meat was accompanied by some red wine. One great perk of being a soul was that I did not feel drunk, and the wine was wonderful, with a sweet fragrance and a strong taste, similar to Tannah grapes from Uruguay.
Hermes spoke small pleasantries with everyone, except for Zoe, who answered by nodding or shaking her head. He commented that he tried to get the best of Latin America cuisine for this session, especially from its southern region. I noticed and appreciated his dedication to trying to get to my side. But, this excess of luxuries is starting to make me feel very uncomfortable.
The meal continued until the dessert time, when a delicate sparkling wine was served along with some tropical fruits. He told us that obtaining earthling food was really complex as the supply from there has been really short for some time, as they have not worshiped anybody in the Olympus pantheon for some millennia now.
After this enjoyable food session, Hermes said, "Did you give some thoughts about my proposition, Mr. Rufus?"
Straight to the point, I am unsure about this transmigration. I am going to listen to the market service dealers about the possibility of coming back here, and how this is a big opportunity. I will listen to Hermes offer, and try to negotiate better outcomes and profits.
"I am willing to understand better what mission you have for me, god Hermes." The god with whom I was talking to made a gentle smile after I used some honorifics. One thing is for sure: this discussion will change my existence for good.