Imperial Summons

WINIFRED

"So, I couldn't succeed in finding it. Luckily, I know where it is now."

"And where is it?"

"The Pantheon."

"Like a gathering of gods?"

"Somewhat. It's a gathering of gods and heroes from different continents. The goal of the pantheon was for gods to show off their might but after the war of grace, it became a secret war of territories. Whichever hero came out on top would be the champion of the pantheon and receive the highest honor of the gods. The god being represented will have superiority over other gods. Since we're comparing all the gods, the candidates would have to excel in all areas."

"Hmm, I guess the word champion makes more sense then. So, that's where your body is. Is it like a prize?"

"I wouldn't know. I haven't been there in hundreds of years. But I know who holds it."

"Let me guess. A vengeful former lover?"

"I didn't know it was even possible to creep me out. Consider me suitably creeped out."

"I strive to please after all."

In my world, a Pantheon was an old relic. In this world, I was curious to meet these gods. The existence of a higher being was widely disputed in my world but in this world, not only do they truly exist, they have a direct influence over people's lives. And if humans were powerful enough, they could meet said god. Truly incredible.

"Are we going to the pantheon?"

"We are. Normally, it is hard to access even though it is technically open but as long as you serve as an ambassador for a particular god, you can go in."

"By that logic, doesn't it mean that everyone could technically enter? I mean, the people of this world believe in one god or another."

"That is...an interesting point. But it doesn't work like that. An ambassador is personally chosen by that god. So, they need a mark of approval to enter the Pantheon."

"When do we get ours? The marks of approval?"

"We already have then. Yours are your eyes and mine is my soul."

"Good thing I haven't gotten rid of the eyes just yet."

"People are rarely this lucky. You are a lucky one, Winifred."

The urge to tell him to impale himself on a dull, wooden spike was almost uncontrollable. How could I be lucky if I was blind? This is called the privilege of the seeing, I just know it.

There was a knock at the door. Someone walked in and shut the door gingerly like they were sneaking in. it was dumb for anyone to sneak into Nathan's room but it wasn't really my business. I wanted to know who it was though.

"Lord Silver, you have a letter."

"Oh, thank you, Darryl. Do you know who it is from?"

"It says it's from the imperial palace."

The imperial palace? What would they need with a lord?

Who am I kidding?

Nathan is a very suspicious person. They had found one of the trails he stupidly left and now they were on his tail.

"Well, what does it say? Open it."

"You sound very excited, Winifred. Almost like you're praying on my downfall."

"I haven't prayed in a long time. I think you're safe on my end. But who knows what the imperial family wants from you? Perhaps the old Queen wants you to warm her bed, being such a young stallion?"

"WINIFRED!"

"Fine, fine. I won't say anything anymore."

Nathan had a strange look on his face, a look akin to hesitation. He looked like he wanted to refuse. As far as I knew, in this world, it was virtually impossible because of his class. But, it was Nathan so I was curious.

"You..don't want to go?"

"A certain cute lady warned against going. I don't know whose words I should believe."

"You want to defy the imperial family because of a lady? I knew there was something wrong with you. Nothing more disgraceful than a man controlled by his impulses."

He smiled and leaned in, taking a lock of my hair in his hands. He played with it while he appeared to be thinking. After some time, he dropped my hair and turned to Darryl.

"Is his highness available?"

"I do not know. The messenger shouldn't have gone far though. Do you want to send a letter with his highness's seal?"

"Smart child. You know where it is, don't you?"

"I'll go fetch it right away."

I heard Darryl's footsteps fade. Using magic, Nathan sorted parchment and ink from the mess that was his room. He started to write a letter while I stood there with no explanation.

Nathan wasn't the type to listen to people he didn't care about. Just who was this woman able to change his mind about an Imperial summons?