Chapter 305: The Observer of All Things (1)

Keter wondered why Aporphis, something that should be in the Godfather’s possession, was in Killian’s hands. This wasn’t something he could simply brush aside.

Did he steal it from the Godfather?

Today alone, Keter had been made aware of just how formidable the Syndicate truly was, but the same applied to the Godfather. The White Lotus Society to which he belonged ruled all of Liqueur.

Stealing from the Godfather, or even taking something from him by force, is practically impossible. And even if it were possible, there’s no way Killian would be this calm about it.

This only meant one thing: the Godfather had properly transferred the ownership of Aporphis to Killian, and not just the weapon itself, but with the seal already released.

The White Lotus Society and the Syndicate made a deal.

That was the conclusion Keter had come to. Obviously, he didn’t know what kind of deal this was, but what mattered was that the White Lotus Society and the Syndicate were in contact.

Two secret organizations capable of shaking the world forming an alliance was critical information—something only Keter, a native of Liqueur, a regressor, and someone who never overlooked even the smallest detail, could piece together.

The alliance between the White Lotus Society and the Syndicate put Keter on guard.

If the Godfather is targeting me, then the Syndicate could easily become my enemy as well.

However, judging by their reactions so far, their relationship didn’t seem to have become that deep yet.

Though Keter’s thoughts were long, only 0.2 seconds had actually passed. If he showed even a hint of emotion at the sight of Aporphis, Killian would surely use it as a clue, so Keter activated Mandala. He split a single second into thirty, so to Killian, it looked as though Keter had picked up Aporphis without giving it any particular importance.

“What’s this thing called?”

Killian smiled because it was a perfectly natural question to expect from Keter.

“Demon Sword Aporphis. It moves on its own and performs sword techniques independently. It also carries the Authority to cut through anything. As for its performance... you can think of it as having two seven-star swordsmen fighting at your side.”

Killian neglected to mention that the price of wielding Aporphis was one’s lifespan, but Keter didn’t bother asking either.

At that moment, Ivan stepped between them.

“Killian, you’re mistaken. Keter hasn’t completed my request yet.”

“I’m aware. But it’s been reserved, hasn’t it?”

Killian directed the question at Keter. Keter nodded.

“You know your stuff,” Keter replied.

“As you heard, Ivan, I paid the advance because I trust Lord Keter. There shouldn’t be any issue.”

“Killian, whose side are you on right now?”

“Didn’t I tell you last time? You made a mistake. Regardless of the Syndicate’s intentions, you attacked Lord Keter.. The fact that no punishment has been issued already means I’m taking your side.”

“Ugh...”

Leaving the seething Ivan behind, Killian turned his gaze to Keter. His gaze was almost uncomfortably warm.

“Lord Keter, setting the request aside, I’d like to make you an offer. Would you consider joining our Syndicate?”

Ivan looked at Killian like that was absurd, but Killian ignored him and continued.

“You can feel it yourself, can’t you? You’ve become far too great a being to continue acting like a mere rogue in the human world.”

“I’m tired. I’ll hear just a little bit more.”

Keter had just finished getting lectured by Kron. He had no desire to listen to more nonsense.

“Humans can endure being underwater for a short while, but they cannot breathe there. You’re the same, Lord Keter. When a being who has transcended humanity lives among humans, problems are inevitable. And to be blunt, Sefira is a burden to you. They won’t help you, but if you belong to our Syndicate, we can solve all of that.”

“Wow, you really packed everything you could into it.”

“It’s because I find your existence so regrettable and tempting, Lord Keter.”

Keter bent down. On the floor lay the shattered remains of a vase he had broken when he crashed onto the table earlier and a single rose that had been inside it. He picked up the rose and showed it to Killian.

“What do you think of when you see this rose?”

“Beautiful. Red. Soft. Fleeting.”

“I wonder what it tastes like.”

Without hesitation, Keter shoved the rose into his mouth and chewed.

“...”

He didn’t spit it out or grimace at all. After chewing it thoroughly, he swallowed, then licked his lips.

“Disgusting. Bitter and astringent. Strawberries are red too, but they taste good.”

“...Are you saying you intend to devour the Sefira family?”

Killian tried, in his own way, to assign meaning to Keter’s actions, but Keter just snorted.

“If you kill and eat a duck right away, that’s enough for one meal. But if you raise it and let it lay eggs? You get eggs, and if you’re lucky, even ducklings.”

“Are you seeking wealth and glory?”

“Doesn’t raising ducks sound fun? Imagine playing with those fluffy, round bodies, or flying through the sky with them.”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

“It means you and I see things differently. You calculate usefulness. I calculate fun. My goal isn’t about the benefit I would gain through growing Sefira, though I wouldn’t reject benefits either. More importantly, I can’t stand not knowing things. For example, I think archery is superior to swordsmanship, but why isn’t it mainstream? So, I want to prove it—I want to create a world where bows, not swords, are the norm, and show that I wasn’t wrong.”

“A world where bows replace swords... is that your dream? And Sefira is meant to be the pillar that supports it?”

“Nope. Just one of the things I want to try.”

“...”

Killian raised a hand, as if he wanted to argue. But then he lowered it.

“You are a greedy man, Lord Keter. Your ambition is absurdly immense.”

“That’s exactly why I’m strong.”

“...I understand.”

Bzzzz.

Killian tore open the air; he had given up on recruiting Keter.

Just before leaving, he turned back and said, “Lord Keter, if you continue down that path, the day will come when we meet again.”

“When that happens, don’t stand around talking nonsense. Let’s have a drink instead,” Keter replied.

“I’d like that very much...”

With that, Killian departed, leaving behind a strangely bitter smile.

* * *

Keter held out his palm toward Ivan.

Taking his hand, Ivan said, “So it’s finally my turn? I thought I was going to be waiting forever.”

“What are you talking about? Pay the request fee first. You need to pay first.”

Smack!

Keter slapped Ivan’s hand away and beckoned, motioning for him to hurry it up.

“Why is it only me... Fine, I’ll pay in advance.”

Ivan realized that logic didn’t work on an angry Keter—only bribery did.

“This should be more than enough for payment.”

Like Keter, Ivan opened space and pulled something out. It was an enormous scythe that was absurdly long.

“This is the Scythe of Judgment. It attacks the soul rather than the body. It ignores all defenses and can harm even beings immune to physical attacks. Souls cut by the Scythe of Judgment become bound to it and can be commanded. Frankly, it’s far too powerful to be given to you.”

“Wow. Just hearing the description, it could pass for one of the Five Divine Relics. So why isn’t it the sixth? Obviously because no one in their right mind could properly wield something that looks like this.”

Scythes were difficult weapons to handle to begin with. Since the Scythe of Judgment was larger and longer than most, it looked even more difficult to wield.

“Maybe it would suffice if it were a Sword of Judgment, not a scythe, but who the hell would use a weapon like this? Quit trying to pull something and hand over this and one of Shade’s tools.”

Keter remembered Ivan mentioning before that he possessed Shade’s tools.

Ivan’s brow furrowed. Shade’s tools weren’t as precious as artifacts, but they were still valuable.

It was difficult to obtain them...

Ivan didn’t want to make a deal with Keter, but at the moment, the only person in the world who could treat him was Keter. Worse still, Keter, whose personality was utter trash, already didn’t like him, so negotiation was pointless.

“Fine...”

From among those he owned, Ivan handed over the comparatively less valuable one: Shade’s Mask.

“Wait. What about Orphe’s Mask you borrowed?” Ivan asked.

“I’m still borrowing it.”

“What?”

“I never said when I’d return it.”

“What the... I need that back now.”

“Oh? You seem to have lots of time. Sounds like you’ve found another way to heal yourself besides me. That’s great because I didn’t really feel like treating you anyway. Let’s just forget about the whole thing.”

Keter turned away without hesitation. Ivan ground his teeth. This place was a subspace only Syndicate members could enter, and leaving or entering at will was impossible. However, Keter had escaped the inescapable Three Thousand Worlds, which meant he could very likely escape this subspace as well.

“Fine... but you have to return it later.”

Ivan was the one at a disadvantage. In the end, he handed over Shade’s Mask without even getting Orphe’s Mask back.

Shade’s Mask looked like nothing more than a scrap of cloth, but when worn, it allowed the wearer to perfectly transform into any face they remembered. However, because it was limited to faces the wearer remembered, the transformation could lack detail, and it couldn’t mimic voice or physique. As such, it fell short of being called a true artifact.

Having stripped Ivan of the Scythe of Judgment and Shade’s Mask, Keter made his next demand.

“Now open the gate to the outside.”

Ivan opened it without much suspicion. Keter passed through the gate and exited the Syndicate’s subspace.

“Whew. I thought I was going to suffocate in there.”

Keter spread his arms wide, embracing the blue sky and the sharp wind.

Ivan followed him out, grumbling, “I waited four days for my turn. I want you to start treating me now.”

“Oh, that. Here.”

Out of nowhere, Keter tossed Ivan a glass marble. Ivan caught it and frowned.

“A communicator? What’s this for?”

“What do you think? When I call, you come running, okay?”

“...?”

“Later.”

Keter vanished without a sound or a trace. It was a full-power escape, even using the divine power he had newly acquired. No matter how great a mage Ivan was, he had no idea where Keter had gone.

“...”

Ivan stood there blankly for a moment, then looked down at the glass marble Keter had left behind.

“Fuck...”

* * *

In the eastern region of the Lillian Kingdom, there was an abandoned lighthouse. Built hundreds of years ago, only the shape of the lighthouse remained. There, Keter brushed the dust from the wall.

“As expected, it’s still here.”

A symbol hidden beneath the dust was revealed: an isosceles triangle with an eye drawn at its center.

Keter pressed his thumb against the eye and recited an incantation. “I, Keter, request a transaction. Respond, Nippur, Observer of All Things.”

Ding.

With a faint chime, the world suddenly darkened.

Whoosh!

Flames flared up on both sides of Keter.

—Present your offering.

Keter had gathered artifacts and relics for this very moment. The items he brought out as offerings rose into the air on their own. The flames circled them as if appraising their worth, flickering like a dance.

—It has been centuries since I last received a proper offering. Welcome, Keter.

It was widely rumored in the underworld that, as long as one provided a fitting offering, Nippur, the Observer of All Things, would reveal anything in this world. Of course, very few people had ever profited from dealing with Nippur; they were notoriously finicky, and unless the offering was exceptional, they wouldn’t even agree to meet.

To satisfy Nippur, Keter had prepared generously, both in quantity and quality. He brought three relics brought from Liqueur: Tuska’s Wall of Ten Thousand Demons Sword and Divine Heaven Defiance, Ailos’s Skull Staff, Ivan’s Scythe of Judgment and Shade’s Mask, the Creation Tome from which Turan had vanished, and even two additional artifacts he had acquired on the way here.

Solving the puzzle is fun, but you were the one who started this first, Godfather.

If it had only been the princes and Queen Lillian, Keter wouldn’t have bothered seeking out Nippur. He would have been more than enough to handle it by himself and Daat; But now with the Godfather involved, Keter refused to assume he could resolve everything without risk.

And on top of that, the mystery surrounding Akrah only keeps deepening.

Keter thought he would learn the truth eventually, but the more he learned, the more lost he became. As such, he decided to obtain answers from Nippur on how to stop the Godfather and Akrah’s true identity and whereabouts.

—Speak. What do you wish to know? The creation of the universe, the providence of gods, gods who devour gods, the reason the Arcane Empire fell... I know everything.

“I won’t spend all the offerings on a single question. I’ll use them separately.”

—That is acceptable.

Keter made sure to carefully craft his sentences. If phrased as a question, Nippur would interpret it as such and immediately consume an offering.

“The identity of my mother, Akrah, and where she is now. Please tell me these two things.”

With plenty of offerings prepared, Keter decided to start lightly by probing for information about his mother.

—Your mother, Akrah... Very well.

The flames that were presumably Nippur dimmed and flared repeatedly.

Keter nodded.

So gods really are gods. Being able to gather information this easily...

About a minute passed, and Keter was growing puzzled.

Why is this taking so long?

—Visitor Keter...

Nippur returned at that moment, as if reading his thoughts.

Thinking the answer had finally been found, Keter casually dug at his ears.

“I’ve been ready to listen for a while now.”

—The offering is insufficient.

“...What?”

—Hand over the dragon heart, the scales of the dragonkin, and the Terra Ring as additional offerings. Then I can at least tell you where Akrah currently resides.