Book 1. Chapter 21: Dinner with a Goddess

Book 1. Chapter 21: Dinner with a Goddess

When Ophelia knelt down and started to get her thoughts in order, Jake had felt her intense regret and grief. He had done his best to send his emotions to calm her, and eventually they were replaced with determination. When Jake had read about these oaths of a paladin or valkyrie, he learned that most of the time nothing happened outwardly; they would just receive some prompts from [The Framework], and that was it. New novel chapters are published on

It was to his surprise when he saw a flame ignite within Ophelias chest, and the statue of Hestia was replaced with the goddess herself. There were no motes of light, no portal, or other magical effect. It was like one moment there was Hestias statue, and then another it was Hestia standing there, like she had been there the whole time. Her flaming red hair felt like it was truly on fire, Jake being able to see a blurring haze of heat being given off from her presence.

My, how rare to receive a valkyries oath from the fringe, and such an earnest one. It was nice of you to invite me to your [Refuge], with such a rare invite I just had to accept.

Both Ophelia and Fhesiah gasped, and the goddess just smiled.

Valkyrie Ophelia, your oath is accepted. May you wield your blade in defense of hearth and home, and protect families forevermore. To think, youve already found your Chosen. It has not fully taken hold, so you could still change your mind

Ophelia shook her head no, and just bowed in acceptance, perhaps not trusting herself to speak. Jake had noticed that she said that she was invited, perhaps the sacrifice of wine, that was still sitting there on the altar? If that meant that she was now a guest in Jakes home, he would have to welcome her.

Welcome to our humble home, Hestia. If you like, theres food

They had just eaten dinner, and the food was likely even still warm. Jake was not sure what compelled him to offer what he did, but felt it was right; it was only normal to offer a guest food when they were in your house and when it was present, to him, anyway.

The goddess showed a beaming smile as she looked at Jake, and she picked up the glass of wine that was prepared for her and took a sip. She spoke, while looking over to the demoness, Such an interesting wine, its very rare for me to be offered the wine of cultivators. Most absolutely refuse to join the Framework and instead fight against the outsiders in a different way. To think I would meet one that did, and that she would resonate so well with me.

The sconces that held the everlasting torches ignited powerfully, and Jake could feel the divine presence of Hestia being given off. The demoness was enchanted with peering into the flames, entering some sort of trance, forgetting to even respond to the goddess.

Jake didnt get long to think about what might be happening, when the goddess now addressed him, And that leaves me with Jake. Thank you for welcoming me into your home, and offering your hospitality. To think that the one here that resonates with me most is both a warrior and a man. I accept your hospitality to partake in your meal, Jake. We should just wait for a moment.

Jake wasnt sure what she was talking about for about a minute, when Jake felt what he had come to understand was the demoness heavenly truths being made manifest coming from the demoness, only even stronger than he had felt before. He saw no flames when he looked to Fhesiah, but he could feel their weight on reality. The feeling felt both weaker and different than the goddesss flame, perhaps less complete. He could also feel her emotions over the bond: joy, pride, and triumph.

If Jake had to guess, she had somehow advanced her understanding of the heavenly truth of fire, and made that understanding a part of her very being. Jake was surprised, as with how he understood how her heavenly truths, or Daos, worked, it meant that she had taken a part of the goddess flames as her own. The demoness suddenly gasped, almost like she had forgotten to breathe the whole time, so focused on the flames. She gave Jake a beaming smile, and spoke, I did it, Jake! I had not advanced my Dao for over a decade, and with my soul recovering, I thought it would be decades more before I advanced it again. To think the goddess would gift us with something so special. Thank you, goddess Hestia.

Hestia just smiled at the demoness, but replied, Whatever do you mean, a gift? You simply witnessed a normal manifestation of my divinity as part of a religious ceremony, and it was you that advanced on your own. No gift was given, and thus the law of balance has been maintained. Now, I was offered to partake in your meal. Please, show me your area of dining as a family.

Jake tried to understand what the goddess was perhaps trying to tell them, with her wording about the law of balance, while he stood with the demoness and opened the door and led the three ladies out of the room and into their living room. They headed for the table, where Jake did have four seats, with food already on the table.

He said, Please, have a seat, Hestia. I will go grab you a plate. Jake held the seat out for and pushed in the seat for Hestia as she sat down, and he saw that she sat down her wine cup. Jake felt that this was really surreal. This was almost like having your favorite celebrity, or a president that you actually liked visiting your home and eating your regular dinner, but even bigger than that. This Goddess could erase the Earth with a thought if they wanted to, after all.

Jake and the two girls both were in a state of shock at the offer. Jake had read about Champions, and hadnt found overly much. However, he had learned that there were very few of these for each god or goddess, and they were only exceeded by their chosen [Hero], for which there was only one.

Jake wondered just why a level five could even be considered for such a role, but voicing it out loud would be like an insult; of course, shes aware of his capabilities, and probably all of his limitations as well, so there could be some advantage to catching Jake early. Still, she desired him to be her champion. This decision was not quite permanent; some champions have left their gods or goddesses, or given up their role as a form of semi-retirement.

The goddess once again spoke, Of course, I understand that this seems excessive. Making a level five their champion seems foolish, knowing what you know. However, there are benefits to choosing a Champion before they reach their first tier. My cost is lower, and the end result of a Champion whose class evolved at each Tier as one will simply be better than waiting until an initiated reaches above level fifty and then choosing among them or something like this.

What Ive said to you is also true, that strong-willed warriors, specifically leaders resonating with me more than another god or goddess is somewhat rare. I have many slots available for champions that go unfilled, as many of the paladins and priestesses that worship me: their desire to do battle, or risk their souls against the outsiders are lower. They often have their own families or communities they wish to protect, and with you currently unattached, this is an opportunity for us both.

Fhesiahs thoughts were all over the place, and Jake could feel that Ophelia was both excited and worried. Perhaps worried about how much harder it would be to protect a champion? Hed have to ask her later. Hestia probably saw the confusion and decided to add, Being my champion is not going to be easy, but it is not without benefits. Your [Summoner] class once it reaches the first major threshold, level ten, will be able to be increased in rarity, its effectiveness, beyond what it would have otherwise. You will be granted a spell and a passive skill that matches my domains immediately when you accept as well.

The cost for you will be that you must be an agent for my interests. If I call upon you, you must do your best to accomplish the Tasks I set out for you. I only choose champions that would have nothing against doing the Tasks that I set out for them, and I always reward them accordingly for their completion.

Fhesiah will enjoy that the position comes with both fame and power, and Ophelia will enjoy that the position comes with glory, and of course matches her oath besides. She looked meaningfully at Jake, and gave him a motherly smile, Jake, you are needed, and you are wanted: I need your help. You have worked hard in your life to become better, and your personal efforts and your Fate, she glanced meaningfully at Fhesiah and Ophelia, Have made you special. I know you will do a lot of good, and this is the way for you to accomplish the most. I would like to tell you more, perhaps everything, but Im limited until you accept.

Jakes emotions from that proclamation were all over the place. If they hadnt done a lot of research on Hestia before Ophelias oath taking, he would probably be enraged by how manipulative that statement was. If it was someone like Loki, a god known for deception saying this, he would think they were just looking at his deepest desires in life and promising it to him, even if he was not going to get it. Instead, it felt like it was just a statement of truth; Jake was needed, and he could make a difference: just like he always wanted.

Jake wanted to say yes, but he was not about to make such an important decision alone, perhaps this was precisely why Hestia addressed the girls first. He looked over to the demoness, and she sensed what he was wanting and nodded her head. From her thoughts, she was very much interested in both the fame and power it would bring Jake, bring their family. Jake also knew that she had done the most research on the gods and would know even more than what Jake knew about champions. If she was on board, that was definitely a good thing.

Jake looked over to Ophelia and she also nodded. He could still feel her worry, but she was proud, as well. It looked like there were no problems, everyone was on the same page. He looked over to the goddess, who was waiting for his answer with a smile; even if she already knew the outcome of his thoughts, he would still need to voice them.

I accept, Jake said. Hestias smile grew wider, and she raised her hand where a flame grew in it. He could feel her divinity in this flame, even greater than the previous ceremony. She pointed towards Jakes chest, and that flame sped towards him; too quick for him to react. Hestias flame entered his core, where it began to change in ways that were quite similar to Ophelias. Jake was trying to observe the changes being made to him, but the goddess once again spoke.

Once again, you will be saddled up with some studying; As much as I would like to go over all the responsibilities and advantages of being one of my champions, I am still limited in how much time I can spend with you. The good news is that you should be able to consult with me using your shrine if you need, but try to keep it to the important bits. When she was done speaking, a book similar to the ones he purchased in the [Alliance Shop] appeared in her hands, and she set it on his table and spoke again.

This should contain all the information that you need, along with the information contained within your [Menu]. Dungeons, including your [Trial] to join the multiverse will become more challenging when they are allocated thanks to being my champion, but that should be offset by what you gained here today. I think you will find it to be quite worth it, even if you are a min-maxer, Jake. You will not receive any tasks until you reach the greater multiverse, though I will try to keep you busy not long after then.

Once again, Jake would have to read to learn more, but it sounded like until they completed their [Trial], his decision would not change much. Just one more reason in the long list of them to reach and complete their [Trial].

Hestia spoke again, Once again, thank you for your hospitality, Jake, Ophelia, Fhesiah. It was so nice to finally meet you all. Jake, Odin had good things to say, and let me know that I should meet you for myself. He was right, like usual. I will leave you with one more piece of information. There are various races that many consider evil, but even among those there is the possibility of good. If you meet a worshiper of mine, I doubt that you will object to them, even if you might object to the rest of their race. Goodbye, everyone. It was a pleasure.

With that, she was gone, just like she had arrived. No motes of light, she was just there one moment and then gone the next. They all stood there, and let the impact of the goddesss visit sink in. It was the demoness who then spoke, Well, that happened. I suppose thats what wifey gets for thinking that the oath would be anticlimactic, huh?

Jake groaned. He just knew he was never going to hear the end of that.