Chapter 303

303rd Episode – Strength of Monsters #3

A quiet park in Delphi.

“Phew, that was close. I almost lost Alinoy to those nasty brats.”

A man named Caesar, with a visibly swollen face, grimaced as he spoke. As he did, the nymph Alinoy continued to gently apply ointment with her tiny fingers to his wounds.

“This is not how it should be…! My master is none other than Lord Caesar alone…!”

It was an impressive display of loyalty. I found myself oddly fascinated, even slightly questioning whether this really was a ditch water nymph like Paranoi.

Could there be some special method he uses to train her?

While pondering this, Caesar suddenly bowed his head and spoke.

“I would like to offer my thanks. I am Caesar, the son of a mountain deity. My father always taught me that a received favor must surely be repaid. I thank you both for saving me and Alinoy. We owe you our lives.”

“Aaah! Lord Caesar! You must not bow to such common folk…! Even without their help, you alone could’ve easily dealt with those villains…!”

“No, Alinoy. Without the help of these friends, we might have been in serious trouble. Despite my bravado, I’m not that extraordinary.”

This humble attitude was quite different from the self-confident “ladies’ man” image I’d initially formed of him.

I appreciate humility.

In a world full of loudmouths like Jabes, who constantly look for attention and cause problems, humility is as rare and precious as candy between dry crackers.

I decided to raise Caesar’s score in my book by half a candy.

However, nymph Alinoy didn’t seem to approve of her master showing humility and gratitude towards us.

“Lord Caesar! There’s no need to bow thus! The earth knows it, the heavens and rivers know it — you are destined to ascend to a high throne as a great deity!”

“Alinoy, you’re overstating my worth. I’m just the son of an obscure mountain deity.”

“Our nymphs are eternal companions to the gods and their messengers…! We have an innate ability to recognize the seeds of greatness…! I, Alinoy, guarantee you… Lord Caesar, you should allow yourself a bit more confidence…”

Their conversation was quite different from mine with Paranoi. Reflecting on our usual exchanges:

“Paranoi, I’m thirsty. Can you get me a glass of water?”

“The teapot is closer to Lord Hassan. It’s only suitable that Lord Hassan arises and brings me water…”

Ah, how right you are.

Something’s off here.

I began to feel like things were going wrong somewhere. I had thought I was getting along well with Paranoi, but seeing what seemed to be an ideal relationship between a nymph and trainer made me feel insignificant.

Could it be I’ve been doing something wrong this whole time?

As I mulled over the past, Luna, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, asked:

“You’re the son of a mountain deity? A demigod?”

“Yes. My mother was a maiden who collected herbs in the mountains, and my father was a fading mountain deity. He presided over a deep and rugged area, without followers, slowly losing his divine power.”

Another declining god, I thought, recalling a story I’d once heard from Hippolyte. Not all who drink nectar are regarded as deities. Even though their bodies may reach transcendental states, without followers to worship them, they lose their strength and fade away. If their names disappeared completely, they might just live out their lives as ordinary humans.

To put it another way, Caesar was like the son of a bankrupt company’s CEO. In many cases, such individuals end up buried in debt and live worse than normal people.

Hmm, so the son of mountain herb collectors.

The fact that he had a nymph and grew up in circumstances somewhat similar to mine evoked a peculiar sense of solidarity.

“In any case, I would like to offer something in return. Alinoy and I live intertwined lives, so our separation would be truly sorrowful.”

“Repayment?”

At my question, Caesar nodded.

“Yes. When I left my hometown for Delphi, my father shared an important story with me.”

“Aaaah, Lord Caesar! Sharing such a precious secret is too generous…! A simple meal would be enough gratitude for these savages…”

“No, Alinoy. Since we’ve managed to protect something precious, we should offer something equally precious in return. That’s what my father taught me.”

“Grgr…”

Alinoy cast me a glare in frustration, her fierce loyalty causing her to look down on others.

However, Caesar gently patted her head before continuing:

“In any case, this story involves some sort of ticket system and peculiar vibes. You two, being demigods like me, this information could be quite critical. Did you know that demigods who have achieved divine awareness can become full gods by obtaining nectar?”

“I know!”

Luna answered for me, with such confidence that Caesar muttered, “That makes explaining things easier-,” before continuing.

“But, what if you could ascend to godhood without nectar? What would you do?”

“Wait, there’s such a method?”

I was surprised. I had believed that to become a god, one had to consume the immortal beverage called nectar.

“Yes, such a method does exist. This is only known to demigods born from powerful deities like the 12 Gods of Hypos. Specifically, those special individuals ranked below number 100 in the lottery system.”

“Below 100?”

“The bracelets for this lottery are issued starting from number 101, did you know that?”

“Not number 1?”

“Yes. Numbers 1 to 100 are said to have their owners predetermined by prophecy. Additionally, these individuals can meet directly with the Great Oracle through a special door, without waiting.”

Ah, so like a secret investment tactic shared only by the higher elites and their successors.

Perhaps this might even help me break my strength level 15 limit. The thought sparked considerable interest.

At that moment, Luna frowned.

“What? A total class privilege system! Hippolyte, I knew you were hiding something!”

“Hippolyte-? Anyway, it’s indeed about privilege. Being the offspring of the 12 Great Gods carries that sort of meaning. As for me, or someone like that Jabes from the outskirts, we’re not even at that level. Anyway, once you meet the Great Oracle, you supposedly receive a common task.”

A task. Does it refer to something like a quest? I’ve been involved in various tasks, so I understood the general idea.

“And, the reward is the right to challenge for a seat among the gods, given to whoever completes the task first.”

In a somewhat eerie voice, Caesar’s explanation made Luna shiver.

“To… challenge the gods?”

“Yes. There are twelve seats on the Hypo throne. To become a new deity, you would need to usurp a current one.”

Indeed.

It’s somewhat analogous to a game of musical chairs. But even if one were to gain the right to challenge, I seriously doubted defeating those gods could be possible.

The gods I’ve encountered, like Mars, Nox, Jupiter, Erebore, and Diana, all exuded an aura that seemed beyond my reach.

Would it not be suicidal?

As I thought this, Caesar added something more:

“Of course, there is a way to ascend to godhood without challenging. This is the secret my father taught me.”

He glanced around cautiously, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, then lowered his voice,

“To support the territory of a small stream, field, or any small domain managed by a fading, unnamed deity… Most places like that often house gods nearing obsolescence.”

“What exactly do you mean?”

While Luna didn’t comprehend, I thought I understood what Caesar was implying.

In simpler terms, it’s like being transferred to a remote area. It’s only natural for provincial areas to have less competition and tranquility compared to the center.

“The higher deities of Hypos wouldn’t object to having someone manage the rugged areas they can’t reach. Therefore, they generously offer these positions. My father became a mountain god this way. I plan to do the same.”

“Indeed.”

I nodded in agreement, understanding the gist of what he was saying. With this understanding, one question arose naturally.

“So, you need to handle whatever common task first, right? What the Great Oracle tells you? If that information is only given to those ranked below 100, how do you know it?”

“Well, that’s something to work on.”

“Indeed.”

“In any case, that’s all the information I have. I hope it helps.”

“Helpful indeed.”

I nodded to Caesar’s statement. The sensation of acquiring new knowledge illuminated a corner of my mind. Truly, this world had its own set of intricacies.

I asked,

“So, you plan to become a god of a distant mountain or meadow?”

“Yes, I wish to carry on my father’s mountain. It is the destiny of the eldest son to inherit our father’s legacy.”

“You’re quite suitable for that.”

“I know it’s a secluded, somewhat backward location, but I was so happy growing up there. With my father, my mother, my younger sister, and our wolf, Philos- thinking they’re gone makes me a little sad. I don’t like the idea of someone else taking over it.”

“Indeed.”

He spoke in a manner typical of patriarchal eldest sons in this world.

Still, I somewhat understood the sentiment.

In my youth, I didn’t much like my parent’s health center that they diligently operated. I remember being teased about it sometimes. But reflecting on it now, it wasn’t all bad.

Ultimately, the business and its proceeds supported me and my younger sister’s upbringing.

As time passed, I too began studying pharmacology and acupressure techniques to eventually inherit it.

How’s it doing now?

Gone, I presume, since I disappeared. Perhaps sold to someone else.

Thinking I might never again experience the earthy smell and sticky moisture from there, a strange sensation arose within me. Pushing it aside, I opened my mouth.

“Alright, try your best. I’ll root for you.”

“Turns out, they’re pretty interesting people and I learned something fun!”

As we parted ways with Caesar’s group with appropriate farewells, Luna voiced her enjoyment loudly. Frankly, for Luna, finding something uninteresting is quicker.

Her enthusiasm always runs high, like a constant fever.

Nonetheless, I too found this encounter quite intriguing.

There was another nymph, and it had been a while since I’d had a good chat with someone my age, leading to a pleasant conversation.

Nymphs value and appreciate repaying favors. If you show kindness first, they will be more loyal to you.

I also learned a lot about how to befriend nymphs. Nymphs cherishing repaying favors was completely new information to me, so it was somewhat startling.

Has Paranoi ever repaid me for anything?

While deeply pondering this, Luna spoke:

“The guy, Caesar, strangely resembles Hassan, doesn’t he?”

“Really?”

“The vibe, the aura around him!”

“Maybe it’s because he has a nymph.”

“Could be. Anyway, let’s head back to the lodging and rest a bit. I need to sleep.”

Thus, Luna and I returned to our room. Having bought quite a bit of food, we intended to place it down, when rather loud noises greeted us as we opened the door.

“Please surrender…”

“Such nuisance…”

Inside, Elfride was lying on the bed reading, while Paranoi was perched above her pressing her down.

“Lord Hassan, you’ve arrived just in time! This humble Paranoi, your loyal servant and primary devotee, was disciplining this annoying imp who kept intruding on Lord Hassan!”

“She keeps bothering me. Can you take her away?”

“Paranoi, stop troubling her and come here.”

Having no choice, I called Paranoi over.

Disturbing Elfride while she rests.

Elfride, though, is truly a formidable individual. If she were angered, she could set Delphi ablaze. That would not end well.

As I thought about warning Paranoi with a blow to the head, I remembered the earlier conversation with Caesar.

It’s better to do favors first with nymphs.

Therefore, when Paranoi crouched close in fear, I lightly raised my palm over her head.

“Ooh, I’ve been good today…! No trouble, no punishment today!”

She was sure I was about to deliver a slap but instead, I gently patted her head with my hand.

“Well done, you’ve been good. If you stay well-behaved until evening, I’ll give you some candy.”

“H-h-h-how?!”

Paranoi’s body began to tremble. Was she pleased? Perhaps treating her kindly is indeed the right approach. As I pondered this, Paranoi said,

“Even worse than getting a slap! Lord Hassan is not supposed to act like this! Something must be wrong with Lord Hassan! It’s clearly a monster wearing Lord Hassan’s skin!”

“Such a nuisance.”

Therefore, after resting for some time in the evening,

Hippolyte eventually returned to the lodgings late in the evening for dinner, and I asked her about something I had been curious about:

“Haven’t you come from meeting the Great Oracle? It’s because of the warrior’s task or something similar, right?”

“H-how do you know about that?”

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