Chapter 460 - 428: Meeting Zaya, Bek’s Girlfriend....

(A/N):

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

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Its enormous sandstone walls rose above the surrounding buildings, decorated with carvings depicting various gods and scenes of divine battles.

Massive statues stood near the entrance, each representing a different deity.

Beyond the outer walls, Devara could see the upper seating sections stretching around the central fighting ground.

Several workers were still completing decorations around the entrance.

Others were carrying materials and preparing the seating arrangements for the upcoming event.

The arena was already attracting visitors despite the main gathering being several days away.

Devara looked up at the enormous structure.

"Quite impressive."

Bek proudly gestured towards it.

"Welcome to the Grand Arena! Just imagine what it’ll look like when the gods arrive. Every seat will be occupied, and the entire place will be filled with people cheering for their favourites."

Devara examined the enormous entrance.

"And ordinary people are allowed to watch these duels?"

"Of course! That’s the entire point. The gods want people to witness their strength."

Bek then lowered his voice slightly.

"Although, between us, I think most people come because they want to see something spectacular. Nobody wants to miss the chance to watch two gods fight each other."

Devara smiled.

"Then I suppose we should find out when the event begins."

Bek nodded enthusiastically.

"Exactly! And I’ll make sure we get good seats. I know a few people who might be able to help us."

Devara followed him towards the entrance, where several attendants were distributing information about the upcoming event.

As they approached, he noticed another announcement displayed on a large stone board.

[THE GRAND DIVINE DUELS OF HELIOPOLIS]

The upcoming gathering would feature several contests between divine warriors, allowing the assembled people to witness the power and abilities of the Egyptian pantheon.

Devara read through the announcement carefully.

His interest had certainly been piqued.

He had entered the Egyptian divine territories intending to retrieve a bracelet for Alakshmi.

Yet, before even locating the artefact, he had stumbled upon an ancient tomb, met an unusually suspicious guardian, befriended a young thief and now found himself standing before an arena where the gods of an unfamiliar pantheon would soon demonstrate their strength.

Devara glanced at Bek.

"Looks like our visit is becoming more interesting than I expected."

Bek grinned.

"You haven’t seen anything yet, sir!"

Neither of them realised that the upcoming gathering might offer Devara considerably more than an opportunity to observe divine combat.

As Devara and Bek continued along the broad road leading towards the Grand Arena, Bek was busy explaining the different sections of the city, occasionally pointing towards buildings that caught his attention.

He seemed particularly enthusiastic about showing Devara the places frequented by wealthy merchants, probably because he believed his employer would find them interesting.

Devara listened patiently, asking a question now and then, while the black serpent remained comfortably hidden beneath his garments.

However, halfway through their conversation, Bek suddenly noticed someone approaching from the opposite direction.

His expression changed immediately, and the excitement that had been present throughout their walk became even more apparent.

"Zaya!"

The young woman turned towards the familiar voice, and a smile spread across her face when she recognised her boyfriend.

She had been walking towards the marketplace carrying a small basket, but upon seeing Bek, she changed direction and approached him.

Her eyes initially remained on him, though they soon shifted towards the unfamiliar man accompanying him.

Devara was considerably taller than Bek, and his clothing, made from fine linen and decorated with subtle ornaments, gave him the appearance of a wealthy merchant from a distant land.

There was nothing particularly extravagant about his attire, yet the quality of the fabric and the way he carried himself made it obvious that he was not an ordinary traveller.

Zaya’s steps slowed slightly as she looked at him.

For reasons she couldn’t quite understand, the moment her eyes met Devara’s, she felt an unusual sense of respect towards him.

It was not something she consciously decided to show because of his expensive clothing or apparent wealth.

Rather, there was something about his presence that made her instinctively feel that the man standing before her was someone deserving of great reverence.

She had encountered wealthy merchants, royal officials and even priests associated with the temples, but none of them had produced quite the same feeling.

She couldn’t identify what made him different, and after a moment, she simply assumed that perhaps he was an exceptionally important person from another kingdom.

Bek, who was completely unaware of what had gone through his girlfriend’s mind, hurried towards her with a wide grin.

"Look who I found! I was just telling my employer about the city when I spotted you coming this way."

Zaya looked at him with some curiosity before glancing again at Devara.

"Your employer? Since when did you start working for someone?"

"Yesterday!"

Bek replied proudly, almost as though he had been waiting for an opportunity to announce it.

"Remember I told you about the gentleman I met? Well, he was visiting the city for the first time, and I’ve been appointed to show him around Heliopolis. He’s paying me properly, too, so you don’t have to worry about me spending the entire day wandering around looking for someone to rob."

Zaya immediately gave him a disapproving look.

"Bek!"

"What? I’m only telling the truth!"

he protested, before turning towards Devara and introducing them.

"My lord, this is Zaya. She’s my girlfriend. We’ve known each other for quite some time, and we’re planning to get married soon."

"Zaya, this is the gentleman I told you about. He’s from somewhere far away and has come to visit our city."

Zaya straightened herself and greeted Devara respectfully, bringing her hands together before lowering her head slightly.

"Greetings, my lord. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope Bek hasn’t caused you any trouble."

Devara returned her greeting with a pleasant smile, noticing the difference between her behaviour and Bek’s rather casual manner.

"There’s no need to be so formal. You can simply call me Devara. And as for your boyfriend, well, our first meeting wasn’t exactly what I would describe as a pleasant introduction."

Zaya looked towards Bek, who immediately became interested in examining something on the nearby building.

"What did you do this time?" she asked suspiciously.

"Nothing serious!" Bek replied quickly.

"There was just a small misunderstanding."

Devara chuckled.

"He attempted to steal my pouch after bumping into me. Fortunately, I noticed it before he managed to get very far."

Zaya closed her eyes briefly and let out a tired sigh, looking as though this was far from the first time she had heard about Bek getting into trouble.

"I apologise on his behalf, my lord. I’ve told him countless times to stop doing things like that, but he never listens. One day, he’s going to get himself into serious trouble."

"Hey, I’m standing right here!" Bek complained.

"And I already told you that I’ve stopped doing those things. I’m working now."

"Because you were caught,"

Zaya reminded him.

"That is beside the point!"

Devara laughed at their exchange.

It was quite apparent that the two were accustomed to arguing with each other, and despite their complaints, there was a certain affection in the way they spoke.

Bek, who had seemed rather guarded and desperate when Devara first encountered him, was considerably more relaxed around Zaya.

He even appeared eager to show off his new employment, repeatedly mentioning how much he was earning and how he intended to use the money.

In fact, Bek soon returned to the subject that seemed to interest him the most.

"Anyway, Zaya, once I’ve earned enough, we’ll finally be able to get married. I’ve already started saving, and with the work I’ve found now, things should become much easier. I was thinking that perhaps we could speak to your family after the upcoming gathering."

Zaya’s cheeks turned slightly red, and she looked around to make sure nobody nearby was paying particular attention to their conversation.

"Bek, you don’t have to announce our marriage plans to everyone you meet."

"Why not? It’s not a secret!" he replied, grinning.

"We’re going to get married, aren’t we?"

She tried to maintain a stern expression, but the smile forming at the corners of her lips betrayed her.

"Yes, but that doesn’t mean you have to tell the entire city about it."

Devara watched them with amusement.

He had already learned that Bek was an orphan who had survived by stealing, and from the little he had heard, it was clear that the young man had not enjoyed an easy life.

Yet, despite his circumstances, he had someone he cared about and a future he wanted to build.

It was a rather simple aspiration, but Devara understood that such things often meant far more to people than wealth or social standing.

"Well, then I suppose I should congratulate you both,"

Devara said, looking between them.

"Marriage is a considerable responsibility, but it’s also a wonderful thing when two people genuinely wish to spend their lives together. I hope you have a happy future."

Bek immediately brightened.

"Thank you, Devara! Once everything is arranged, I’ll make sure to invite you to the wedding. You have to attend!"

"That depends on whether I’m still in Heliopolis when the ceremony takes place,"

Devara replied with a smile.

"But if I’m here, I’ll certainly consider it."

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(Author note:)

I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea’s.