379 – Nectar of the Gods #9
It was revealed that the Nectar Brewing Method was related to the health spheres that Luna so carefully crafted.
And the fact that Paranoi’s remarkable memory had uncovered this connection was nothing less than pure luck.
If we could identify the final ingredient, there might be a chance to recreate the divine drink, the Nectar of the Gods.
Sitting in my hut, I took out one of the health spheres Luna had given me and placed it in the palm of my hand.
Its size was similar to a thumbnail or a thick pearl, though the comparison to pearls or orbs was imperfect—the color was dull and brownish, and it emitted a rather sour smell, causing even me to pinch my nose as I managed to swallow just one.
I swallowed it.
“Ugh…”
It was sweet, bitter, spicy, and contained an indescribable mix of flavors. It felt like an encapsulated version of humanity’s suffering and life’s weight. Even considering the affection Luna poured into it, it was far from palatable.
Of course, it’s common for things beneficial to health to have a bitter taste, but what confused me was how this substance could possibly share ingredients with the golden glow of the Nectar I had seen before.
The Nectar I tasted back then held an indescribable flavor—undeniably delicious, like a luxuriously concentrated fruit wine not of this world.
On the other hand, the health sphere I just swallowed had its own strangeness too. I wasn’t quite sure what effect it had on health, yet somehow it too seemed out of the ordinary.
In general, since Luna crafted similar substances, perhaps she might offer some insight into the brewing of the Nectar.
“So, I plan to visit Babel to see Bacchus, then head to Delphi. What do you think?”
I asked Paranoi as she sat in the temple’s office.
Paranoi was signing off on what looked like many documents concerning budget allocations and plans for the latter half of the year. As she scribbled, she replied.
“Isn’t Babel about two days away at top speed? And Delphi is across the sea, so it could take a minimum of a month, perhaps even two…!”
“Yes, it will take that long. Which means I’ll have to leave the temple in your care for that duration. Can we manage without me?”
“We have priests and regulations in place, so even without you, we’ll manage perfectly! After all, a temple is built to serve while you’re away.”
“Is that so?”
There was something in Paranoi’s explanation that I didn’t fully grasp.
“Why is it built for when I’m away?”
“If you, Hassan, are here, there’s no real need for a temple! That’s because you, Hassan, already embody the roles of a temple.”
“Ah.”
“And in your absence, the cornerstone kept in the temple will take over your role! And the priests will spread your stories and teachings!”
Her explanation wasn’t the most articulate, but I got the gist: A temple serves as a stand-in for the deity when they are not around.
“Actually, your absence might even encourage the temple and the priests to truly fulfill their roles! So, feel free to leave with peace of mind!”
“Not quite. You’re coming with me.”
At my words, Paranoi began to shiver.
“You mean… you want to send me, someone as fragile as a Nymph of Ditch Water, on a journey that might last over a month?”
“Exactly. As my top disciple, you should always be at my side, wherever I go.”
Despite being quite noisy and having a sweet tooth, Paranoi has proven to be very knowledgeable and helpful in many ways.
“It’s urgent. We’ll leave tomorrow at the latest, so start preparing.”
“Umm… What about Keng Keng?”
“Hm. No one’s available to leave him with. Maybe we could bring him in his jar?”
“That’s a wonderful idea! So, it will just be you, me, and Keng Keng?”
“We’ll think about that later.”
My first destination was the Mars Guild office located on the central street.
“I’m planning to visit Babel and also drop by Delphi. What do you think, Hippolyte?”
Hmm…
Leaning back in her chair, Hippolyte tapped her desk lightly, then asked after a moment of thought.
“Heading to Delphi must mean you plan to see Noxdotty. Visiting Babel suggests you have some official business to attend to there, yes?”
“Yes.”
“The urgency of your preparation indicates it’s an urgent matter. Your plan to visit Babel must be related to the adventurer Shilaya who recently visited this city.”
“…”
I didn’t disclose what exactly I was dealing with, as Shilaya had emphasized the importance of confidentiality.
Yet Hippolyte, with her sharp intuition, seemed to piece together a near-accurate understanding from the limited information available.
“By the way, wasn’t there a recent disappearance of the Nymphs’ Welfare Foundation at the South Gate? Any chance this is part of the larger issue involving the missing Nymphs?”
“Disappearance of Nymphs?”
It was the first I’d heard of it. Such a troubling issue regarding widespread Nymph disappearances caused me to feel unease. Hippolyte slightly snorted with a faint grin.
“Your reaction suggests no connection to this. Seeing how you value confidentiality, it must be a matter of Gold Tier difficulty. Perhaps even something involving the existence of the city or the kingdom itself. Could it be related to the High God Hypo’s divine matters?”
For a while, Hippolyte mumbled as though lost in her own calculations, then continued.
“Lately, innkeepers and those selling alcohol seem distressed. Since Bacchus appeared in the Deer Forest, their drinks spoil more easily. There must be some issue with the God of Wine himself. That’s why you’re going there?”
“That’s… somewhat correct, though it’s confidential and I’d appreciate it if you kept it secret.”
“Of course. That much I understand. So, you’re preparing for a journey lasting more than a month?”
“Yes, I came to ask if you’d be willing to join me.”
“…”
At my words, Hippolyte didn’t respond immediately but carefully reviewed the stack of documents on her desk.
“I’d like to help, but my schedule won’t allow it this time. There have been troubling reports from the Sodomora region, and I must prepare for the upcoming festival.”
“Understood.”
Hippolyte had already taken a considerable amount of time away for the recent Delphi trip, making further absences from Sodomora impractical.
Though she would be a massive asset to have, ensuring the city’s security makes sense.
Seeing my somewhat regretful expression, Hippolyte added.
“In your absence, I’ll ensure the patrol routes of the Mars Guild cover your temple’s location. You needn’t worry about it while you’re outside the city.”
“What? Are you really doing that?”
At my question, Hippolyte crossed her arms and grinned confidently.
“Of course. Someone has to ensure there’s a place for you to return to. Among the people you know, not many could accomplish that besides myself, right?”
The thought of Hippolyte safeguarding my temple’s security brought immense reassurance. With her and Antiope around, it seemed we could handle almost anything.
“Leaving tomorrow?”
“Should be, if nothing unexpected arises. It could last a month at the shortest, perhaps two at the longest.”
“I see. By the time you return, Antiope and I might be out of town for the festival, so we might not meet.”
“I’ll try to return as soon as possible.”
After exchanging brief farewells with Hippolyte, I set off toward the North Gate.
The quiet inn frequented by Elpride—recent visits have shown that she’s often absent.
What if she isn’t here today either?
If I leave on this long journey without even informing her, who’s prone to showing separation anxiety, she might go berserk.
As I considered this, I knocked twice on the door to Elpride’s room on the second floor of the inn. Fortuitously, I heard some rustling from inside.
“Come in.”
Opening the door, I found that it wasn’t locked, and Elpride, fully dressed in boots and pants, seemed either freshly returned or about to head out again.
“What if I were some dangerous stranger? What do you intend to do?”
“You and I have known each other for days. Do you think I can’t identify the sound of your footsteps? These exquisite ears aren’t just for show, you know.”
Looking at her pointy ears, visible amidst her hair, I recalled that Elves have incredibly keen hearing. It seemed Elpride was no exception.
“It’s been hard to see you lately, Elpride. What keeps you busy?”
“I need to work to avoid starving. By the way, the innkeeper said you visited a few times in my absence, right?”
“Yes, though I had to leave since you weren’t around.”
“Saying you didn’t want to see me when you left Kolkata, now you’re coming after me.”
Elpride’s eyes narrowed as she threw out this barb.
Her resentment ran deep, unlike that of Luna or Hippolyte, perhaps lasting a lifetime.
Seeing my awkward silence, Elpride casually removed her shoes and cloak, flopping onto the bed while lightly tossing a joke my way.
“It’s a joke.”
“It is?”
This was the first time I realized Elpride was capable of jokes. She’s usually so serious that humor or tricks seemed alien to her.
Private musings aside, I thought it was evident she had no talent for it.
As she settled her dusty feet and pulled them under the blanket, she asked,
“So, why are you here? What evil plans do you have in mind for me, you pervert?”
“What plans? I just wanted to say hi. Calling me a pervert is a bit harsh. I just wanted to see you. Seeing me should be good for you, shouldn’t it?”
“Ha? Why would I enjoy that? You’re such a weirdo.”
Elpride frowned, indicating it was absurd, but her ears betrayed her, flicking from the top to the bottom, clearly intrigued.
Surely, she realized my visit was nothing more than lighthearted jest, and it seemed my joke had amused her.
“So, what’s the real reason?”
“I’m planning to leave this city, either tomorrow or the day after. It’s a slightly long journey to Delphi. I thought a competent Mage in the party would be useful. What do you think?”
“Delphi, right? The archipelago located across the southern seas of the continent, right? Definitely, for a long journey, having a Mage can be helpful, particularly in warding off unexpected enemy attacks.”
“Exactly.”
“So?”
“So, I’m asking if you’ll come with me.”
“Are you at a point where you can comfortably handle things even without a Mage? Do you really need to bring me along?”
Elpride had a point. The punch enhanced by nectar was formidable, comparable to a medium-level attack spell. Not to mention, the devastating power of swinging a hefty club or casting d*ath Beam Saber*.
But this world wasn’t soft or easy. Even the great god Bacchus fell gravely ill due to some conspiracy. For a young, newly awakened deity like myself, anything could happen out there alone.
I might even be captured and hunted by the notorious Elf Hunters, who are known for killing gods.
Elves…
A thought struck me. Why had Elpride been so busy lately? Could it have anything to do with Bacchus’s recent collapse?
So, I casually asked her as she combed her long hair meticulously.
“Elpride, are you involved in anything nefarious with other Elves?”
Her hand paused mid-motion at my words.
