Chapter 306: The Observer of All Things (2)

Nippur, the Observer of All Things, inadvertently revealed the true value of Keter’s offerings by telling him they were worth knowledge such as the creation of the universe, the gods’ providence, gods that devoured other gods, or the reason the Arcane Empire fell... Each was a revelation powerful enough to change one’s life. Yet, information about who Akrah truly was and where she was now was something Nippur claimed they could not reveal.

So my mother’s identity and location are worth more than knowledge about the creation of the universe? That’s ridiculous.

Gods did not lie, but they could tell the truth in a way that sounded like a lie. In other words, Keter found Nippur highly suspicious.

“I came here believing you to be a fair and impartial god, Lord Nippur, but it seems you’re charging an outrageous price,” Keter commented.

This wasn’t a question—it was a conversation. Keter could feel Nippur’s gaze bearing down on him.

—What is your relationship to the Mad Saint King?

Nippur suddenly mentioned Kron. Since Nippur had turned the tables and asked Keter a question, he seized the opening.

“He’s my father. And did you just ask me a question? Then I’ll ask one in return. Why is information about Akrah and her location so expensive?”

—I thought you were no mere human, given how boldly you meet my gaze... but to think you are the Mad Saint King’s child. I see now why you know of me.

Were those flames his eyes?

Keter wondered.

In any case, Nippur seemed satisfied and answered without further resistance.

—Akrah is a far greater being than you imagine. Naturally, information about her carries a commensurate price.

“She may be a great being to you, but to me, she’s simply my mother.”

—You dare judge the value of information by your own standards? I allowed this conversation because I sensed the Mad Saint King’s special regard for you, but you are crossing a line.

So that was the “gift” he mentioned.

It seemed Kron had done something for Keter after all.

Then I’m going to trust my father and go one step further.

“If you want to sell gold, you do it in a city, not in the desert where no one is going to buy it. I don’t want to hear information about Akrah at such a high price. It would be nice to know, but I can live without it. But from your perspective, Lord Nippur, if not me, who else would ever ask about Akrah? I’m the only possible buyer. If I walk away, you’ll never sell that information to anyone. That’s why you should sell it to me at a cheap price.”

—What a mortal way of thinking. I can wait thousands—tens of thousands—of years for a buyer. Time costs me nothing.

“And why do you assume this world will last a thousand, ten thousand years, or forever? Just as bees die without flowers, gods will perish when humans disappear. Do you believe this world is eternal, or do you know it is?”

—You have not lived even twenty years, and you dare speak of time? I have lived for millions.

“What matters isn’t how long you live, but what you’ve seen and felt. An old veteran can predict rain just by watching clouds, but children who run outside learn only by being soaked themselves.”

—...How bold. You speak back to a god. Are you not afraid of divine punishment? If you trust in the Mad Saint King, that will be your final mistake.

“I’ve met plenty of beings who claimed to be gods. Every one of them loved flaunting their power—demanding obedience, threatening death. In the end, they were all just empty vessels making noise.”

—So I, too, am an empty vessel?

“On the contrary. You are a real god, Lord Nippur—exactly the kind of majestic god everyone imagines.”

Negotiation wasn’t only about scraping at the opponent’s nerves; sometimes, one had to scratch the itch.

“If a great being gets angry at a mortal’s words, that means the being isn’t truly great. If the mortal was able to anger them, then the mortal would be a greater being for having influenced their emotions. You may seem angry now, Lord Nippur, but you aren’t—you’re interested. You want me to say more, so you won’t punish me. You might cancel the deal, but that’s all.”

—Heh... hehehe. How amusing. Truly amusing.

Even gods were said to dance when praised. Nippur laughed, clearly pleased.

—That expression—completely unaware of what you’re doing—is especially entertaining.

Keter didn’t know exactly what Nippur meant, but one thing was clear: they weren’t hostile. That was enough.

“So... will you tell me about Akrah?”

—Very well. But do not misunderstand. I am not persuaded by you. I merely wish to see what you will become.

“As long as you don’t watch from too close, feel free.”

—The price for information about Akrah is the Creation Tome. For her location, I will take the Scythe of Judgment and the Skull Staff. Do you accept?

Nippur was definitely giving Keter a massive discount. Even so, the price was staggering.

I didn’t come here for Akrah—I came to stop the Godfather. Hm...

“Godfather Alkione is targeting Sefira and me. I want to know a way to stop him for just one year. Can that be done with the remaining offerings?”

—If you only wish to know the method, you would have offerings left over. Rather than that... ask me for a favor. I will take all remaining offerings and personally stop Alkione.

Ask for the method and ask other things with the remaining offerings or go the easy route... There’s nothing to think about.

“Then I ask that you stop him yourself.”

Whoosh!

All the offerings floating in the air vanished at once. Flickering sparks spread outward, forming a veil.

—First, I will tell you about Akrah—the one you call your mother.

Gulp.

Keter’s throat tightened on its own. He already had an idea of Akrah being a god, but what kind of god was the real question. Nippur seemed to savor his tension, but they didn’t draw it out for long.

—Her true name is Akrah Netzach. She is the mother of the gods.

* * *

“The mother of the gods?!” Keter let out a groan of disbelief. “Then what’s next?”

—Did you not ask to be told about Akrah? I have told you everything. She is the mother of the gods.

“No, I mean—ah...”

Scratching his head roughly, Keter pressed a hand to his forehead. Nippur had told him about Akrah. Nippur wasn’t wrong.

“So when you say ‘mother of the gods,’ you mean all gods, including you, Lord Nippur?”

—If you wish to ask a question, provide an offering. Give me all the scales of the dragonkin, and I will answer.

“Wow. Stingy, especially between family.”

—...?

“I mean, if we share the same mother, doesn’t that make us family?”

—

...

The revelation that Akrah was the mother of the gods was shocking, but instead of dwelling on it, Keter immediately tried to use it against the god standing before him. Unfortunately, Nippur didn’t seem to care and didn’t answer him.

“Since we’re family, I’ll speak casually. First, I need to meet my mother and ask her a few things, like if I’m a child of a god, shouldn’t I have been given at least one incredible ability? So where is she?”

...She is currently in Lemegeton.

“Lemegeton! Where’s that?”

Keter tried a delayed follow-up by expressing awe first, then asking again.

—Give me the dragon’s heart, and I will tell you.

But Nippur didn’t bite this time either.

“Haa...” Keter rubbed his chin with a sigh and gauged Nippur’s expression. “I’d like a refund.”

—You are mad.

“No, I’m serious. This was completely unhelpful. Finding out my mother is the mother of the gods is kind of an ego boost, sure, but I have no idea where Lemegeton even is.”

—That is for you to discover yourself, or you may offer the dragon’s heart.

“The more you ask for it, the less I want to give it.”

The moment he obtained the dragon’s heart, a thought crossed Keter’s mind.

Honestly... I’d rather swap this with my own heart.

Keter had crossed the line of death dozens of times. To survive, he had undergone not only bodily modification techniques but multiple transplants as well. It wasn’t just limbs—his internal organs were no exception. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everything below his head had been replaced.

Some of what he carried wasn’t even human. If surgery were possible, Keter wouldn’t hesitate to graft even a troll’s blood into himself.

—If you have no further questions, leave.

The curtain of flame parted, and a wave of scorching heat surged from behind Keter, urging him out.

Enduring the heat, he added, “You’re awfully cold for family. And you still haven’t stopped Alkione.”

—That matter has already been resolved. Godfather Alkione will not touch you or Sefira for one year.

“Leaving like this feels a bit disappointing. I can come back again, right?”

—If you bring offerings and seek my mark, you may return as often as you wish.

“About that mark: once it’s used, it disappears, right? Finding it again is a hassle. Can’t you just engrave it on my body? Family service,” he said it half-jokingly, thinking there was nothing to lose.

However...

—Hmph.

Nippur sighed. And in the center of Keter’s palm, an isosceles triangle with an eye engraved itself into his flesh.

—Now stop bothering me and go.

“Yes, Big Brother. I’ll be back!”

Just as Keter turned to leave, calling Nippur his brother...

—Wait.

“Regretting it already?”

—Your mother has something to say to you.

“...!”

Keter’s heart leapt.

What could Akrah possibly say? Is she going to tell him where Lemegeton is?

—You are a failed creation.

“...?”

—Do not leave the Lillian Kingdom. That is the last mercy and advice I offer you.

“What kind of bullshit...”

He was about to curse aloud, but before the words could leave his mouth, Keter was forcibly expelled from Nippur’s domain.

* * *

Keter was expelled from Nippur’s subspace, leaving Nippur all alone. The moment Keter departed, the space itself tore open, and a woman emerged.

—Hehehe... Mother Netzach, it has truly been a long time. Or should I now call you Akrah?

To Keter, Nippur had appeared as flames. But those flames were actually eyes. In the next instant, countless tentacles studded with eyes unfurled, covering the space in every direction.

Even under the gaze of those writhing eyes and tendrils, the profoundly human-looking Akrah remained calm.

“You distorted my words when you passed them on to Keter. That was presumptuous of you.”

—I merely summarized your message because it was rather long. If Keter misunderstood, that cannot be helped. Or perhaps you are angry?

The tentacles brushed past Akrah, deliberately provocative, grazing her skin. Akrah lifted the hood she wore, revealing her eyes. They were eyes that seemed to contain the universe itself—so deep and infinite that merely looking into them felt as though one might be pulled in.

In that instant, Nippur’s innumerable eyes and tentacles recoiled as if they had swallowed salt.

Creak! Creak!

The tentacles writhed violently, as though in pain. At that, Nippur burst into mad laughter.

—Hahahaha! So you truly are angry? Do you really intend to treat Keter as your child? You spoke at length, but in the end, he is nothing more than a failed creation, is he not?

“Nippur, you cannot comprehend me with your shallow understanding.”

—I may not comprehend you, but I know what you intend to do. Are you not attempting the very thing the emperor of the Arcane Empire attempted to do?

“...”

—Unite the continent and challenge the gods once more... Have you truly forgotten that defeat? Humans can never defeat gods. Pioneers or not, they are nothing more than playthings for divine amusement.

“...”

—If you have nothing more to say, shall I see you out?

Akrah pulled her hood back over her eyes and, without another word, left Nippur’s domain.

As she departed, Nippur hurled a dagger-sharp remark at her back.

—Hypocrite.

Turning away, he peered into the material world. With tens of thousands of eyes, he could observe anywhere in existence—yet at this moment, all of them were fixed on a single figure: Keter.

Nippur’s lips curled into a faint smile.

—We failed creations... can have some fun together.