MTLNOVEL Chapter 305
Chapter 306. The Observer of All Things (2)
The Observer of All Things, Nipur, subtly explained the value of my offerings.
The creation of the universe, the providence of the gods, the god who devours gods, the reason the Mage Empire fell… Any one of these could change a life with their transcendent-level information.
But he couldn’t tell me about the identity of my mother, Akra, or where she is.
‘Is knowing who my mother is and where she is more valuable than information about the creation of the universe? Ridiculous.’
Gods do not lie.
But they can speak the truth as if it were a lie. In short, I’m highly suspicious of Nipur.
“I came here knowing Nipur-nim is a fair and just god, but you’re really laying it on thick.”
This isn’t a question, it’s a conversation. I can feel Nipur glaring at me.
[What is your relationship with King Kwonseong?]
Nipur suddenly brings up Kron.
Since Nipur turned the question back on me, Keter seized the opportunity.
“Father and son, of course. And now you’re asking me questions? Let me ask you one. Why is information about Akra and her location so expensive?”
[I thought you weren’t human since you could look me straight in the eye, but you’re King Kwonseong’s child. Indeed, there’s a reason you know about me.]
Were his eyes made of fire? Regardless, Nipur seemed convinced and answered my question readily.
[Akra is a far greater being than you think. Thus, the information and location come with a fitting price.]
“Akra may be a great being to you, but to me, she’s just my mother.”
[You dare judge the value of information on your own? I allowed this conversation because I sensed King Kwonseong holds you in high regard, but you’ve crossed a line.]
It seems Kron did something for me. That must be the ‘gift’ he mentioned.
Well then, let’s take a step forward, trusting our father.
“If you want to sell gold, sell it in the city. Who would buy it in the desert? I don’t want to pay such a high price for information about Akra. It’s nice to know, but it’s not necessary. But from Nipur-nim’s perspective, who else would ask about Akra? I’m the only one who would buy that information. If I walk away, you won’t be able to sell it to anyone. That’s why you should sell me the information about Akra cheaply.”
[How mortal-like of you. I can wait thousands, even tens of thousands of years for a buyer. Time is no loss to me.]
“Why do you think this world will last for thousands or tens of thousands of years? Just as bees die without flowers, gods will disappear if humans do. Do you believe this world will last forever, Nipur-nim, or do you know it will?”
[You, who haven’t even lived 20 years, dare to speak of time? I have lived for millions of years.]
“What you’ve seen and felt is what matters, not time. An old farmer predicts rain just by looking at the clouds, but children playing outside learn by feeling the rain themselves.”
[…How bold. You’re talking back to a god. Aren’t you afraid of divine punishment? If you’re relying on King Kwonseong, that will be your last mistake.]
“I’ve met quite a few who claim to be gods. They all flaunted their power. Demanding obedience, threatening death. But in the end, they were all just empty wagons making noise.”
[Am I also an empty wagon, then?]
“On the contrary. Nipur-nim is clearly a real god. The dignified god I imagine, the one everyone imagines!”
Negotiation isn’t just about scratching the opponent’s itch. It’s also essential to scratch where it itches to make them feel good.
“A great being getting angry at the words of a lowly mortal? That’s not a great being to begin with. The human who made the great being angry is the greater being, for they controlled their emotions. Though Nipur-nim seems angry at my words, you’re not. Rather, you seem interested, urging me to say more. So, you won’t punish me. You might cancel the deal, but that’s it.”
[Hoho, hohoho. How amusing, truly amusing.]
As they say, even gods dance to praise. Nipur is laughing and enjoying himself.
[That expression of yours, not knowing what you’re doing, is truly amusing.]
I don’t know what he meant by that, but I can tell he holds no hostility toward me. That’s enough.
“Will you tell me about Akra?”
[Very well. But don’t misunderstand. I’m not persuaded by you. I’m merely looking forward to what you, as a being, will show in the future.]
“As long as you don’t watch too closely. Feel free to watch.”
[The price for information about Akra is the Book of Creation. For her location, I’ll take the Scythe of Judgment and the Skull Staff. Do you agree?]
He’s definitely giving me a great deal.
But even so, the price is enormous. I came to Nipur to stop Grand Duke Alkione, not for Akra.
“Grand Duke Alkione is targeting me and Sephira. I want to know how to stop him for a year. Can the remaining offerings cover that?”
[If you only want to know how to stop him, the offerings are more than enough. Rather, make a ‘request’ to me. Then I’ll take all the remaining offerings and stop Alkione myself.]
Do you want to know the method and use the remaining offerings to ask something else, or take the easier path?
No need to hesitate.
“Then I’ll ask you to stop him directly.”
Whoosh!
The offerings floating in the air vanish all at once. Flickering small flames spread out, forming a curtain.
[First, I’ll tell you about Akra, whom you claim as your ‘mother.’]
Gulp.
I swallow hard. I had guessed he was a ‘god,’ but I was curious what kind of god he was.
Nipur seemed to enjoy my tension, drawing it out, but it didn’t last long.
[Her name is Akra Netzach. She is the Mother of the Gods.]
“The Mother of the Gods?!”
Keter exclaims.
“What’s next?”
[Didn’t you ask to know about Akra? I’ve told you everything. She is the Mother of the Gods.]
“No, ah….”
Keter scratches his head and holds his forehead.
Certainly, Nipur told me about Akra. It wasn’t a lie.
“When you say Mother of the Gods, does that include you, Nipur-nim, and all the gods?”
[If you want to ask questions, offer a sacrifice. If you give me all the dragon scales, I’ll answer.]
“Wow, how stingy. Among family.”
[……?]
“I mean, if we share the same mother, aren’t we family?”
[…….]
Though shocked by the revelation that Akra is the Mother of the Gods, Keter’s first thought was to use it against Nipur.
But unfortunately, Nipur only reached the stage of ‘Is that so?’ and didn’t give an answer.
“Since we’re family, let’s speak comfortably. First, I need to meet my mother and have a word. If I’m a child of a god, shouldn’t I have some great power? So, where is my mother?”
[…She is currently in Lemegethon.]
“Lemegethon! Where’s that?”
Keter tries a time-delay attack, first expressing amazement before asking.
[If you give me a dragon’s heart, I’ll tell you.]
But Nipur didn’t bite this time either.
“Ha….”
Keter strokes his chin, glances at Nipur, and says.
“Refund, please.”
[You’re talking nonsense.]
“No, it’s completely useless. Knowing my mother is the Mother of the Gods makes my shoulders feel a bit heavier, but I have no idea where Lemegethon is.”
[Then figure it out yourself, or give me a dragon’s heart.]
“The more you ask, the less I want to give it.”
As soon as he received the dragon’s heart, Keter thought.
‘If only I could swap this with my own heart.’
Having crossed the line of death dozens of times, Keter had undergone not only ‘body modification’ but also multiple organ transplants.
This wasn’t just limbs but internal organs as well. It’s no exaggeration to say almost everything below his head had been replaced.
Some of the replacements weren’t even human. If surgery was possible, Keter was willing to fuse with the blood of a monster like a troll.
[If you have no more questions, leave now.]
The curtain of fire opens, and a wave of heat rushes at Keter from behind, urging him to leave quickly.
Enduring the heat, Keter says.
“So cold to family. And you haven’t stopped Alkione yet.”
[That was taken care of long ago. Grand Duke Alkione won’t touch you or Sephira for a year.]
“It’s a shame to leave like this. Can I come back?”
[If you bring offerings and find my mark, anytime.]
“About that mark. It disappears after one use, right? It’s a hassle to find it again. Can’t you just engrave it on my body? As a family service.”
It was a shot in the dark.
But-
[Hu.]
Nipur sighed. Then, an isosceles triangle with an eye drawn in the center appeared engraved on Keter’s palm.
[Now, don’t bother me and go.]
“Yes, Brother! I’ll come again!”
As Keter was about to leave, calling Nipur ‘Brother.’
[Wait.]
“You’re reluctant after all, aren’t you?”
[My mother has something to say to you.]
“……!”
Keter was excited. What could Akra possibly say? Would she tell him where Lemegethon is?
[You are a failure.]
“……?”
[Do not leave the Lilian Kingdom. That is the last mercy and advice I give you.]
“What the hell….”
Keter was about to curse but was expelled from Nipur’s space before he could.
Nipur’s subspace.
As soon as Keter left, the space tore open, and a woman appeared.
[Kehehe, Mother Netzach. It’s been a long time. Or should I call you Akra now?]
To Keter, Nipur appeared as ‘flames.’ But in reality, those were his ‘eyes.’
Soon, tentacles covered in eyes spread out in all directions. Akra, who was extremely human-like, spoke calmly under the gaze of those tentacles and eyes.
“Distorting my words to Keter. How presumptuous.”
[I merely summarized your long message. If Keter misunderstands, that’s his problem. Are you angry?]
The tentacles brush against Akra’s body, as if applying medicine.
Akra slightly removes the hood covering her head, revealing her eyes.
Eyes that seemed to contain the universe. Just looking at them felt like being sucked into an infinite depth.
At that moment, Nipur’s endless tentacles and eyes shriveled up like clams exposed to salt.
Squeak squeak squeak!
The tentacles writhe as if in pain. Nipur bursts into laughter.
[Hahaha! You’re really angry, aren’t you? Do you truly consider Keter your ‘child’? Even though, in the end, Keter is just a ‘failure.’]
“Nipur. Your narrow knowledge cannot comprehend me.”
[I may not comprehend you, but I know what you’re trying to do. Aren’t you trying to do what the Emperor of the Mage Empire attempted?]
“…….”
[Unite the continent and fight the gods once more. Have you truly forgotten the defeat back then? Humans can never defeat gods. Pioneers or whatever, in the end, they’re just playthings for the gods.]
“…….”
[If you have nothing more to say, will you leave now?]
Akra, who had covered her eyes again with her hood, left Nipur’s space without a word.
Nipur threw a dagger-like remark at Akra’s retreating back.
[Hypocrite.]
Then, he turned his gaze and peeked into the mortal world.
He could peek anywhere in the world with his tens of thousands of eyes, but now all those eyes were focused on one person.
Keter.
Nipur smiled faintly and muttered.
[Between failures… this could be fun.]