Quite A Bargain

In the end, it took Judas a whole week to fix El Dorado Casino Resort. The paperwork and negotiation with the guild alone took a whole day. Bribing money-hungry officials was a pain. He had to throw a party for them after the incident just to appease them. Luckily it didn't take a while for him to hand over the problem to Houdini so Judas could handle solely the paperwork to understand how the Casino operate. Coincidently his character "Edmund Cervantes" became popular with the rich folks of Orario and Judas gained good connections.

He sent a letter to Freya that he would come to bargain in the name of Joker. Of course that was a week ago. She must be pissed now.

Judas didn't care. He had better things to do. Making the Goddess of Beauty wait like a forlorn lover is amusing to him. So he did it. She would constantly send messengers to El Dorado carrying threatening letters.

Judas divination said he was safe. So he laughed it off every time he read the letters. The Goddess had a cute side to her. He is probably the only person crazy enough to tease her this way.

But today seems to be the end of his fun. Freya personally sent Gulliver Brothers to escort him to her. Such an aggressive reaction made Judas bubbly inside.

"Bastard! How long do you plan to make our Goddess wait!?"

"Konoyaro!"

"You're Deadmeat bastard!"

"Let's kill this idiot now!"

Angry shouts came from the four tin cans that barged in. Judas thanked the Clown sequence inwardly for not making him laugh his ass off run away from this scene and maintain his regal demeanor. Judas who thought it might be funnier if he persists a little said the following.

"Ah yes. I'm almost done with the paperwork. Maybe another day...?"

The four copperheads started brandishing their large weapons menacingly and started murmuring their murderous intent. If not for the clown potion, he might have created a deluge of his own sweat. But Judas continued to persist.

"Just a little bit more?..."

He was promptly without notice ejected from his seat. And escorted out for all the onlookers who turned a blind eye to this scene.

A rumor soon spread that the Freya Familia gave their blessings to the new "Cervantes Brothers".

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Freya looked at the changes brought by the annexing of El Dorado Casino by the unknown party.

Not even a week before its annexing. The changes could be seen. The new celebrities known as the "Cervantes Brothers" made a shocking change to Orario. They set up an organization known as "Cervantes Charity Organization" to provide support to Orario's poorest families. Although it's still a skeletal organization. A huge line can be seen in the slums where brand-new clothes are provided, as well as free food. The "Brothers" urge anyone willing to donate to do so. Of course, Freya was the first one to donate just to show face. The other Familia followed suit. It was interesting for Freya. Of course, the "Brothers" gained respect and legitimacy through her action, and now they are trying in the process of devouring the results of her actions.

She did it out of simple interest in the unknown God's plans. She wanted to gauge this "Joker". Is he willing to play by the rules? Or not.

"Terry Cervantes" was giving a speech in the slums about how his life-changing experience of being tortured changed his outlook on life. Of course, Freya knew the truth. He's a "fake". But his Falna said differently.

"How do you think they did it? My pet?"

Her "pet" didn't answer. Seemingly confused as well. Perhaps a mistake in the status thief? Unprecedented, but not impossible. Or a way to fake its results? As for directly tampering with the Falna. That's impossible. Falna has the protection of gods. Not even Evilus can do that. If they could, they would have long taken away everything.

All she knows is that she wants it. She looked at the mirror projecting the fake, "Terry Cervantes." and a scary thought came to her.

"Maybe one day, my pet, my familia could be replaced by "fakes" without me noticing."

Freya felt shivers at the thought.

*Me and My brother announced to Orario that we would fund a school for everyone in Orario! Completely free and for anyone! The Cervantes School of Life and Adventure would ensure our children have bright futures!*

A cheering crowd erupted. Freya turned off the mirror projection. She was no longer interested. She returned her attention to the actors on stage.

"Is that guy still not coming here? How long does he plan to make me wait?"

"The Gulliver Brothers said he will be here soon. My goddess."

Ottar said.

"Alive. I hope. This "Joker" came to bargain after all. That guy better brings something interesting. My patience is at the limit."

A knock sounded from the door. Freya signaled Ottar to answer.

________________________________________________

"Freya-sama, we have brought the bastard that offended us."

The four tin cans have been manhandling Judas all the way to the top of Babel. Although it was partly his fault for pretending to run away at every corner turn.

The door was opened by a giant man. It was Ottar. Then the Gulliver brothers left without a word. But Ottar gave me a stare-down. Judas could only make a surrender pose and say.

"Yo, King."

"Interesting..."

Ottar then led him in and left without much talking.

Seeing the giant leave, Judas heaved in relief. Just being with a person who could easily kill him without as much as moving a finger made him second-guess whether coming here was a good idea. He was closely invested in running away and leaving Orario for good.

Although his divination said he would be safe, he could feel his danger intuition screaming. Now comes the negotiation, in which he couldn't know the outcome. Since the other party is a divinity, trying to divine it is impossible.

Looking at the flowery dress that exposed Freya's back. Judas couldn't help but get a tingling feeling within his heart. So he decided to look away and approached the Goddess overseeing Orario.

"How long did you plan to make me wait Judas Iscariot? Or should I say, Lupin Hood?"

Hearing the annoyed goddess, Judas smirked.

"Hmm? Your handwritten love letters made me feel the joys of love. How else would I keep myself from coming here other than that? I prefer if you call me Judas, it's closer to the heart."

Freya snorted. This shrewd man. No matter where he is. He seems to do as he pleases.

"So what do you want? No, more specifically. What does the "Joker" want from me."

Judas took a glass of wine and started pouring his drink.

"It's simple, my god wants a "non-aggression pact". We "Beyonders" get to do our job in peace. You get what you want. And the everlasting thanks of Joker. Honestly dealing with your familia is quite stressful."

Freya raised an eyebrow and looked at Judas.

"And what exactly do I want?"

Judas took out the [Belt of Strength] and a potion and laid it on the floor.

Freya was then interested. Although the brilliance of the soul contained in the belt was not much. She was still interested. But looking at the unknown potion, she could only what's its purpose, perhaps it was the thing that changed the Falna.

"Beyonder...? Is that what your kind is called? Half monsters half humans hybrids?"

Judas was confused. Did she think we're some sort of monster offspring? Judas coughed and said

"I think you've misunderstood us. Lady Freya. This potion... Turns you into a beyonder. Think of us as adventurers except not without the blessings of Falna."

Freya's eyes closed. Her mind started running wild. and came to one conclusion.

"Are implying, that your god created a different power system that all gods are unaware of?"

Freya's eyes were glowing in anticipation.

"Indeed, this one in particular is called. The Sequence 9th Seer potion."

Freya's interest was running wild now. Her eyes were staring daggers at his potion.

"Tell me everything."

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Thanks for reading.