Chapter 20: To the Underworld? (2/2)

There was apparently a marketplace to the north.

Prior to that, however, he asked something that was on his mind since they left their estate.

”Umm, Crista, do you have enough m-money?” Alex brought his own remaining coins with him in case.

”Of course I do. Actually, I've become quite rich from the time of my adventures in the mortal realm back when I was young” She stated.

He got a bit curious hearing that, but he didn't probe any further. Nonetheless, she uncovered his curiosity and kept explaining.

”Basically, when that b*tch committed genocide to my people, she had me officially become her attendant. However, as you might know, her evil powers usually don't work on women, so she didn't wish to have an attendant who could not only disobey her, but also one that held hatred towards her. That meant that I was effectively abandoned, but it didn't bother me too much not to be around that f***ing b*tch, so I chose to travel the world instead. I became a traveling musician and trader, and in the almost 4 decades I've lived that lifestyle, I quietly accumulated a small fortune.” Crista explained her life situation while they were walking towards the marketplace, and she looked a bit strained when she was speaking about her sisters, to which Alex tried to dissuade her from continuing but she simply raised her hand to signify it was alright and resumed her speech.

Alex also wanted to speak about himself, but he needed to use a language which would be comprehensible by a resident of this era.

”In my home, since young, every child goes to an educational institute that they usually spend the years ranging from their childhood to the end of their adolescence in, learning educational matters, sort of like me going to Athena's place. And then when I finished it, funnily enough, to start earning money I needed to spend another few years in another kind of school, a harder school. Only then could you say that your life really started!” Using simple language to decipher his life, even he found it weird.

”So you're like the Spartans, but instead of learning about war and battle, you learn about books? Your home is a weird place. You finish education...to do more education?” She seemed dumbfounded and looked to find it really comical.

”Ironic, isn't it?” Alex shrugged and sighed, really perplexed at how he could have spent more than 90% of his current age in some sort of 'school'.

Once again, the two had nothing much to speak about. They walked silently through the crowd and reached their destination, the city's bazaar.

It was extremely crowded and the bodies of the people clashing against each other in the narrow alleys didn't do much to help with the spring heat, making it hard to breathe.

Strangely though, while Alex and Crista were advancing, they heard someone scream ”Isn't that Alex, the Nightmare Slayer?” All the while pointing at him.

The crowd then parted to form a circle around the embarrassed Alex and they were whispering to each other.

”Wait, are you famous?” Crista asked him, shocked at the sudden predicament they were in.

Alex nodded and explained what was happening to her as they were being given incredible discounts by traders who were surrounding them.

”If I knew this, I'd have killed a monster or two back then!” She mumbled to herself while clenching her fists.

Alex was a bit embarrassed and stood still, as he didn't quite appreciate being the center of attention.

Fortunately though, Crista, being more extraverted than him, took the situation at hand and used that to their advantage by stating ”Yes, it is in fact, him, the Nightmare Slayer. We have come in search for scrolls and materials of writing, if any of you can offer that.”

Alex was relieved and thanked his friend in his mind.

The crowd was wondering amongst themselves but a middle-aged man entered the empty circle and took out an old-looking scroll and an inkstone from his pouch.

He then started speaking eloquently ”You have found the right one, Lord and Lady. This scroll was found in a tomb in Memphis, and was used by the gods of Egypt in the past. It is a truly special scroll and I am willing to sell it to you heroes for only 15 gold coins”

Crista looked at the man with glowing eyes and listened to his explanation while nodding fervently and putting her hand on her pouch like she was ready to give up her life savings for this.

Alex shook his head. This man was very clearly a seasoned salesman, as he used flattery, a so-called history and the allure of discounts to trap potential clients into buying defective products.

Alex examined the 'scroll of the gods' with his Item Appraisal and it was in fact, just an old scroll that would tear if the writing feather was even slightly sharp and the ink would soak the paper that was so old even the cellulose in it probably broke down.

He shook his head and whispered his insights to Crista, who looked dejected but trusted his words and they advanced, going smoothly this time as the crowd parted to form a straight line for them.

After searching for an hour or so they found a merchant who sold scrolls in relatively good quality in bulk and also writing ink.

The two paid a portion of what they would have given if they were scammed and made their way back to the estate, with their bags now full and heavy.

The hike up was a bit hard, but through cooperation they were able to make it in half the time it would take if they were alone.

When he reached Hermes' front plaza, Alex was expecting to enter home and call it a day, finishing this fun adventure but something...someone troublesome was in front of the door.

Short-tempered, aggressive, unfunny and loud brutal warfare machine, fully clad in heavy armour and holding a long spear in his hand, it was the God of War, Ares.

'What does he want?' Through some research, he found that Ares' personality wad fidel to his traits as the god of war and was equally barbaric and he dodn't want to get involved with him

”A-Alexander, you're here” Ares was sweating a bit, and he used a tone that made it sound like they were old friends. He even called his name wrong.

Alex frowned and looked at him, questioningly.

Ares then collapsed to the ground and stated anxiously ”I know you have Dionysus' letter. Can you g-go to the Underworld for me!?”

'What' Alex was surprised, and hinted at the man to start from the beginning.

”I need you go to the Underworld to get me Achilles, I need strong heroes for the fight against Minos. The Minotaur is on their side and a strategy won't be enough to defeat that monster”

”Why can't you go yourself?” Alex asked with a frustrated tone.

”I have made Thanatos, God of death, really busy and if he happens to see me, I'll be dead meat. And...It would be very hard for me to enter the Underworld, as I don't have any affiliation to any of the Chthonic gods.”

”Weren't you on the enemy side of Achilles in the Trojan War, where he died? Why would he help you?” After his countless hours of research with Athena, he had a grasp of most historical events.

”Even though we were enemies. Achilles is a warrior at heart, if he gets the chance to be trained by the one and only God of war, then he will forget about the past, no problem...” His arguments were really shaky and relied solely on his status as a god.

”That aside, why should I waste this precious letter on your own responsibilities?” He asked him bluntly.

Crista, who was to his side listening to their exchange, was only holding back her laughter due to Ares being a major god of Olympus and kept tugging at his shoulder.

Ares, who was only prideful when he is in a position of strength, and turns subservient when he asks for something, looked just about ready to tear up but Alex wasn't in the mood to see the crocodile tears of a murder machine.

”If I accept, then I will get 2 requests to ask of you, is that fine by you?” He formulated it like a question but it was actually a really reasonable deal.

Ares nodded fervently and as if to avoid Alex changing his mind, he screamed ”DEAL” and ran off at a fast speed.

'So embarrassing' Alex thought

Crista was on the floor, laughing like a madwoman at what just transpired. By the time she stood up, she stated with a sly smile ”Well, since you intruded on my peaceful visit to the city, I suppose I'll f***ing intrude on your peaceful visit to the Underworld, heh?”

'Visiting the Underworld with Crista? Sounds fun, sign me in' Alex bemused to himself. He knew the real reason she'd want to go along with him but nevertheless, he knew this would be a memorable journey.

And so, Alex was now on track to visit the Hellenic land of the dead, the Underworld.