Chapter 459 Chapter460-Dragon Valley
"The reason 'Saviors' are all otherworlders is due to a rule explicitly set by the gods, aimed at ensuring every race has a fair chance at survival."
Focusing on Nula, Ali continued, "This woman knew from the start that you're an otherworlder, and she sought you out. Regardless of her true intentions, it signifies a responsibility beyond your imagination."
"But she also offered something I couldn't refuse.
The lure of returning home
Howard doesn't despise it here; in fact, he's somewhat fond of this place
But it can't be helped; he yearns to return.
There's too much back home that he must cherish, perhaps even more than life itself.
"So, what exactly is the quest?" Howard turned to Nula, his gaze menacing, "What are your true intentions? Which of your words are honest?"
Though merely implied, Dorek's words seemed to suggest divine backing, yet no concrete evidence was presented in the end.
"Every word I've spoken, every statement I've made, is true," Nula responded unflinchingly to Howard's intense gaze.
"My name, my identity, my origins, my purpose, I've made them all clear from the beginning. I am but a messenger."
"If you have doubts, go ahead and ask. It knows all the answers, though it might not choose to tell you."
Narrowing his eyes, Howard could sense that Nula wasn't lying.
"So, what comes next? What do you want me to do?"
"Three quests," Nula raised three fingers, "Before I explain, I'd like to share three stories with you. Trust me, you've never heard these tales before because they are the works of gods."
"The first."
One finger bent down.
Now, few know the origin of Avala Continent, aside from those scholars burrowing through mountains for geological studies and magi, many are unaware of even the lifespan of Avala Continent.
This is a young land, in comparison to civilizations weathered by countless storms.
A continent may remain silent, but an indigenous race does not vanish so easily, even if they are the progeny of Nid.
Dwarfs, titans, gnomes, elves, dragons—these are the five direct offspring of the god Nid, sharing the same status as the thirteen godchildren, directly stemming from Nid.
And Nid, in turn, originates from the world, directly from the universe's essence, the "mana ocean."
The world always maintains balance: where there is a beginning, there must inevitably be an end.
Opposing Nid, the initiator of all, exists an entity synonymous with "Apocalypse," Ganzara.
This name isn't hard to come by in myths and the tales of wandering bards, yet few delve into its underlying significance.
It points to the ultimate truth of the world, an end without conclusion.
For the outcome itself depends on existence, and post-Apocalypse, existence ceases.
"Not much of a secret, but it should serve as a decent appetizer," concluded Nula after her first tale.
Rather than a story, it felt more like a myth native to the continent, though slightly different from the usual 'Creation Myth of Nid' heard commonly, the core appeared unchanged.
"I'm not here to listen to mythological tales," Howard sighed.
"Be patient."
Nula smiled, bending a second finger.
There was once a king who desired immortality, so he made many attempts, even seeking the aid of dragons.
In the end...
He died.
The story's conclusion was abrupt, yet Howard sensed something significant.
The first tale spoke of an end, as did the second.
What about the third?
Silence fell, all eyes fixed on Nula.
They awaited the third story, which would determine whether Nula would leave upright or otherwise.
Smiling, Nula bent the last finger.
Gods, too, can die.
Of the original thirteen godchildren, only nine remain.
One fell to Ganzara, two perished at Nid's hand.
And Nid, the only immortal, slumbers.
No one knows what the future holds, no one wants to die.
Her stories told, Greg was baffled, Vivia confused, and Jelia nearly asleep, roused from her nap by Vivia's insistence.
Nula concluded, "What we seek is but a possibility."
"No one can predict when Ganzara will awaken; it is beyond measure, and no being of this world or below it can stand against it."
"That's the true meaning behind every 'Savior' being an otherworlder."
"Thus, we seek a safeguard."
"Whether you are the 'Savior' or not, you are here now, our lifeline."
"Is the 'Apocalypse' nearing?" Howard inquired.
As Nula herself admitted, Ganzara's existence is unpredictable, so how could she confirm its imminent arrival? "We don't know.
Perhaps it won't come even if you die, but it might also start the next second.
Nevertheless, it won't be long now," Nula earnestly stated, her gaze locked on Howard.
"We merely wish to survive."
"Like that king?" Howard scoffed.
"Actually, whether you wish to live or die, what does it have to do with me? I'm only concerned if you can fulfill what you've promised me. But now, it seems you're just a bunch of lunatics."
"Yet, there's only a thin line between genius and madness."
"I'm aware, which is why I won't give up on this opportunity," Howard slowly articulated.
"But I also hope you understand something. Regardless of whether you succeed or fail in the end, you must keep your promise!"
"Otherwise, even gods can die."
Nula remained silent, simply nodding in agreement.
"So, what about the quest? You've finished your tales," Howard raised his hand, signaling Nula to conclude what she hadn't finished.
"Do they matter?" Nula's gaze swept over the others present.
"Are they journeying with you? The principle of equivalence didn't include them!"
Howard nodded in affirmation.
"Then it's up to you all; you bear the consequences of life and death," Nula stated, pulling out a map from her belongings and spreading it out on the table.
"The quest has three parts, with no requirements for the process, only the final goal. How you achieve it doesn't concern us. We will provide necessary assistance, including financial support and manpower. The knowledge base of the Mystic Star Society will also be partially accessible to you."
"There are no time constraints for each quest. If you die, the quest naturally fails."
"However, as long as you're alive, the quest remains, waiting for you to complete it, regardless of any changes in the situation. You must make your own decisions."
"The next quest will only be unlocked after solving the previous one, but I can give you a bit of a heads-up as part of the assistance."
After introducing the rules for completing the quest, Nula finally got to the main point.
"Coming up, here are the specific requirements for the first quest."
Nula's finger glided over the map, which was not of Silverwind Kingdom but the entire Goldencharm Prairie, detailing every region and settlement on the grassland.
Everyone's gaze followed Nula's finger.
Her fingers were pale and long, not particularly beautiful but captivating in this context due to the grassland's significance.
It's a place of great danger.
Where Nula's finger stopped would directly determine the strength of Howard's future enemies, directly linked to life and death.
Finally, Nula's finger crossed Dragon River, halting at the southwest edge of the Goldencharm Prairie.
Everyone, except for Howard and Jelia, looked uneasy.
For Nula's finger rested on Dragon Valley.
It's not a myth; Dragon Valley is home to dragons.
"The objective of the first quest," Nula announced, "is an ancient dragon."
Nula's words brought a chilling silence over everyone.
"You... you're not joking, right? This isn't funny at all. I mean, I did mention slaying a dragon, but you can't seriously be asking me to do it!"
Howard leaned back in his chair, covering his eyes with one hand, taking a deep breath.
What does an ancient dragon entail?
Dragons don't have a hierarchical system like human magi, but there are still differences in strength and levels among them.
Legend has it that the dragon race created by Nid was originally called the ancient dragon race.
Ancient dragons had indefinite lifespans, and the amount of mana within them would continuously increase with age.
Although the rate of increase wasn't rapid, theoretically, there was no upper limit.
However, due to some unknown events, the ancient dragon race vanished, and all pure-blooded ancient dragons disappeared.
The current dragon race is actually a subspecies branch of the original ancient dragon race, along with some highly purebred descendants of ancient dragons.
Although today's dragons no longer possess infinite lifespans and limitless strength, their power grows much faster than before, and their numbers have increased by several orders of magnitude.
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