"God Hermes. Correct me if I am wrong, but I will be transmigrated, not reincarnated, right?" I started the discussion with this question: Nobody at the market knew about transmigration, and they usually deal with reincarnation with full memories whose divine cost was already high—according to them, of course.
My question stirred everybody on the table. They seemed to be confused by my question.
"Yes." His answer was short, but powerful enough. Asclepius jolted, Joseph and Helena were confused, and more astonishingly, Zoe spoke, "Master. It is impossible!" Her voice was sharp and high—not annoying, but of an unusual type. My curiosity was sated, at least.
"Unfortunately, I have enough leeway for that, even more to be sincere." Hermes said that with a mournful tone. Asclepius went silent and was looking directly into Hermes's eyes, as if he were waiting for some kind of declaration that this was not the time for jokes.
"I apologize if I am getting in the way here, but the mood had become very tense. No merchant had ever heard about transmigration, but everyone here understood what it meant right away. It struck me as an oddity."
It was Joseph's turn to answer, "Transmigration is very uncommon and is not dealt with by the regular market channels. Likewise, it is always discussed with the patron deity directly."
"Yes, Olympus's merchants do not have knowledge about such things. Nevertheless, they are right that the divine cost is tremendous." Asclepius completed Joseph's answer, as did Hermes, whose voice had a sadness point.
"Midgard is being targeted by some unclear forces who tried to violate the causality entirely. I was given the right to protect that world." His words have shaken my core. He received a "right," which meant that he could do nothing whatsoever.
After a short pause while looking at everyone present, Hermes continued, "Not only that, I can influence that world directly by sending a mystical apostle." New qualification: mystical apostle.
"Huh? So that's why I am here. But why not a major god?" Asclepius replies to Hermes's declaration as if the puzzle get solved.
"Our hero is confused. Please enlighten him, Asclepius," proposed Hermes to his medicine counterpart.
He looked to the host and then started his clarification: "Apostles are what you are imagining—a god's representative in a mortal realm. These individuals have some freedom from causality, as they can induce miracles easier than other devotees."
"On the other hand, mystical apostles have an additional degree of freedom, as they are representatives of more than one god. Usually, they represent a cause or a pantheon, and their mere existence indicates that the world is subject to imminent destruction."
It was not a joke when Hermes called me a hero. So, I will be a representative of Olympus, not only Hermes. What did this god see in me—potential? According to the other mortal souls at the market, gods appointed souls based on their potential.
Hermes, however, made a slight correction to the other god's explanation: "Yes, but he is going to represent only the two of us, Asclepius."
"I think you will need to enlighten me now, Hermes."
"Midgard isn't in imminent danger, but there's a chance of devastating and unforeseen consequences. In the long term." Except for Asclepius and me, the other three coughed, as if they were holding down their breath up to now.
"Sorry, but long-term means exactly what? In mortal terms, I do understand we might be talking of some years." I tried to crack this nut to understand what the hell they were referring to.
Asclepius gave a gentle laugh, and started talking as if he were lecturing a child: "For us, gods, long-term implies some decades. Even though, it does mean we can simply relax, moreover, Hermes, you said earlier that you have some leeway. What exactly do you have in mind?"
"I intend to send Rufus trained in the basics of divine power management. I choose to abdicate of a third god protection because of that."
"Interesting decision." Asclepius made a short pause, then continued: "I had some troubles in Midgard. I agree with sending an apostle trained." He was satisfied because he kept nodding even after finishing his sentence.
"Nonetheless, Rufus. I think you get the gist of what we are expecting of you. Now, what is the price of hiring your services?" questioned Hermes while looking straight into my eyes.
How could I answer that question? I understand that being transmigrated is better than being reborn in an otherworldly land, but how could I estimate a price for it?
"I comprehend that you have not thought about that, given the short time I gave you to think. However, I have already made a proposal."
"Yes, three generations in a land in your domain in the Olympus, and I would become a lord in that land. Something like that, right?"
"I add that you can have a title in my domain too, Rufus." Asclepius increased the offer.
"What risks am I subject to?" I know that gods cannot lie to mortals, but they can make some workarounds. I do not know exactly what it entails, so I have to trust their answer to some degree.
"Hmm," began Asclepius: "You are going to become an enemy to some particular groups of gods and be the target of envy for others. In our case, the gods whose domains are related to destruction, chaos, diseases, death, and curses might try to kill you."
"While the envious gods might try to disrupt your plans," complemented Hermes.
"I do not fear death so much, as I met with the gods directly." Personally, it was curious to think that I would fear death. Of course, pain, or torture are awful experiences, but knowing that I will come back to Olympus.
"You should do newcomer." Joseph interrupted, and went on: "There are specific rituals that might imprison your soul forever or even seal you in a small prison on Tartarus."
"In other words, I would be on my own against several invisible enemies." Now, I started to understand some risks.
"Unlucky for them, they are not invisible. Your new mortal vessel will be very sensitive to divine power because, as an apostle, your perception of divine power is very accurate. You will be able to perceive different divinities easily."
"You can rest easy about that, sir Rufus, we are going to detail such minute details to you in our training," said Zoe. I almost forgot she was there, and her voice surprised me.
"When can my designation be considered fulfilled?"
Hermes nodded when I finished the question, then began his explanation: "Well, we are going to update you as long as you return periodically here. But your main goal there is to develop economically that land and provide means to avoid the Midgard damnation."
I felt as the conditions were too vague, but nonetheless, we were discussing an intervention in another world. Hermes perceived my worries and continued: "Specifically, at some moment in your lifetime there, a war will break out. Our devotees and civil population shall survive to such an extent that they can rebuild everything."
"Therefore, I shall prevent an apocalypse during this giant world war." Easy piece; everyone could cope with such a contract. Become a lord in a divine realm. Forget it. Sorry, descendants, but you are on your own.
"I am risking being captured and held in hell for eternity, considering that a world war might erupt. Why would I accept to dwell in an otherworldly place because I could protect my generations and gain a kind of divine fiefdom?" I was truly amazed that people here accept such conditions or think that they are good enough. They did not know the concept of risk return because this was assuming infinite risk for a minimal gain.
They might have forgotten at this point, but I traded options. Risk analysis is something that I am proud of. Their proposal is shorting a call without possessing the underlying asset. It is insanely risky, with a very limited return.
"We would never allow that to happen. We vow to protect and rescue an apostle in such a situation." Joseph swears in, and Helena, Zoe, Hermes, and Asclepius agreed with that declaration.
The time had stopped, then I felt a warm, gentle emerald light enveloping my body, and then a young and beautiful angel appeared before me. "I heard your promises. If you, Rufus Costa, agree with their conditions, then they must carry out the vow."
Veritas had appeared once again. But now, I could see that she was a beautiful angel, contrary to the first time I saw her when she was wearing a dark cape like a death god. Suddenly, she disappeared, and time started to flow as before. I did not fully comprehend how I knew that she was Veritas, but I was sure.
For everyone there, I believe that they did not see anything at all, but I could feel a small chain connecting everyone to me. Zoe looked up to the chain and said, "This is proof that our pledge is truthfully true, and we must adhere to it during all of our existence."
"I would never have designated an apostle to abandon him afterward. My goal here is to prevent destruction, not to trick you into a prison in Tartarus." Hermes was clearly upset, not by the promise but by my lack of trust. I felt ashamed at that moment. This was not a short call, but a covered short call. I have some protection, although not perfect, but the best that is possible to have.
"I did not mean to offend you. I just need to have the most correct understanding of what it entails to be sent elsewhere, whose failure might lead to my damnation." I tried to argue with them, but this was just an excuse.
Hermes might notice my failing excuse, then moderated his tone: "I understand your point, but as I said, the war and the criteria I have told you are the bare minimum successful. If you fail, or even better, if we fail, countless souls will have to forsake their home world, forever."
"Nonetheless, this is a prophecy. The reason I chose you is that I am confident that you will be able to prevent the war entirely. I am just giving you the minimum acceptance criteria." Hermes made a sheepish face, and here comes the true, enticing proposition.
"If you prevent the war entirely, or even, minimize the war to the point where our devotees win by a larger margin, you will return as a demigod."