Chapter 839: 321 Ferry Boat

Chapter 839: Chapter 321 Ferry Boat

Mount Olympus was hosting a banquet for the Deity Race.

The Mount of the Gods was extraordinarily glorious because of the most distinguished guests, and the colorful clouds illuminated one-third of the sky in the east.

The fragrance of a hundred flowers danced in the air, and the birds on the horizon hovered, reluctant to leave.

However, at the same moment, at the southeastern edge of the continent, in a town not far from Silver Moon City, two young people finally awaited the daylight to continue their journey.

“It was truly a long night… This time was much longer than any before.”

“Even during the coldest days of winter, such an event had never occurred in the extreme north of the continent.”

...

“If it dragged on any longer, I might begin to believe that the sun had plummeted from the sky and that the Mortal Realm would never again see the Light.”

By tying a simple sled made of two planks to a rope, even a light application of force could move heavy objects across the snow.

As he walked, Heracles couldn’t help but praise Amon’s ingenuity.

On a winter’s day after fresh snowfall, it was undoubtedly a clever invention.

Though he was generous with his Strength, Heracles was not one to refuse help when offered.

“The sun would never fall; if it were truly extinguished, the entire world would likely plunge into Chaos.”

With a gentle shake of the head, the youth beside Heracles looked up at the finally rising sun.

Starlight twinkled in his eyes, revealing the true form of the initially immense light orb.

A golden chariot… Could it be a Divine Artifact akin to the “Solar Barge”?

Amon didn’t know, but it didn’t stop him from being intrigued.

If given a choice, aside from deities who controlled Time or Spirituality, the ever-burning sun would likely interest him the most.

…

While walking through the town, the two engaged in casual conversation.

Today, the town seemed particularly lively, with a crowd density more than double that of usual.

Evidently, the unexpectedly long night had made everyone uncomfortable over the past period.

So when daylight returned, people emerged from their homes to release their long-suppressed spirits, thanking the deities for their grace.

Various prayers echoed in the city; Heracles heard at least a dozen kinds.

But it was nothing strange. The residents here not only had no relation to Silver Moon City but, ironically, they came more from the West.

For centuries, ordinary people across All Countries of the continent, having abandoned Faith for various reasons, gathered here, building their own place of residency.

Silver Moon City rarely paid attention to this, and no other kingdoms would come here to apprehend fugitives.

Thus, over time, the settlement expanded and formed this ungoverned town.

“Hehe, young man, I know your doubts. But as you can see, this town belongs to no one.”

“It’s not that no one has tried to govern it; even some refugee aristocrats have wanted to claim it, passing it down as Divine Blood Nobles.”

“But what happened to them? The powerful Godhood Practitioners cared not for a bunch of clustered refugees, but it didn’t mean they would allow the birth of a faithless nation within their territory.”

“So anyone who tried this has long since perished… I suppose, you wouldn’t do the same, would you?”

Guided by the guards to the town’s center, Heracles finally met its leader again, a man in his forties who had been waiting for his arrival.

Clearly, despite the great hero’s disinterest in power and status, the renowned merchant remained skeptical of him.

“You worry too much—I certainly won’t do that. I’m only here to get what I need.”

After a moment of silence, Heracles spoke in a deep voice.

He then reached out, and with a loud ‘bang,’ the great hero pushed the objects off the sled behind him.

The heavy object thudded to the ground, momentarily trembling the entire estate as the covering fabric scattered everywhere.

A wild boar as tall as several men rolled out, but the middle-aged man rejoiced at the sight.

“Ah—seems like you’re indeed worthy of the task. Hero from afar, your bravery truly amazes me.”

“You captured it alive just as you said, and you seem far superior to those knights burdened with a Curse.”

Taking a few steps forward, the middle-aged man circled the immense wild boar.

Slightly injured, but the prey was evidently still alive, much to the man’s satisfaction.

He needed a living Ermanos Wild Boar, not a lifeless carcass.

Only living things could serve as sacrifices to the God.

Only the deities themselves had the right to decide its fate.

“You overpraise; countless Heroes could accomplish this. Capturing a wild beast isn’t worthy of much boast.”

“But anyhow, since I’ve fulfilled your demand, will you honor your promise and grant me my rightful reward?”

Not taking credit, Heracles reiterated his request.

For his upcoming overseas journey, he surely needed a ship.

But even in the dominions of Silver Moon City, the great hero remained unaware of where to seek what he wanted.

Luckily, at that time, Heracles encountered the middle-aged man who had just posted a bounty.

The man wanted someone to capture the Ermanos Wild Boar but without harming it.

After demonstrating his prowess, the two quickly reached an agreement.

“Certainly, hero from afar. Regardless of where you come from, as you’ve found the sacrifice for the God, I naturally keep my oath.”

Nodding affirmatively, the middle-aged man showed no hesitation.

“If the gift to the God had flaws, it would not reflect my piety.”

Leading the way, the middle-aged man invited Heracles indoors, and the great hero had no reason to refuse.

Soon, at the estate’s core, the middle-aged merchant unfolded a map on the table.

“And this is?”

“This is a sea chart.”

With a hint of pride, the middle-aged man spread a giant sea chart as tall as a person on the table.

Inclusive of numerous markings, clearly indicating divisions, with many symbols Heracles couldn’t decipher.

“I recall you mentioned preparing for sailing, but a journey must have a destination.”

“Depending on the destination, I’ll offer different advice—so, young hero, where do you wish to make your adventure’s end?”

“…I’ve heard of a massive whirlpool over the East Sea?”

Pondering briefly, Heracles tentatively asked.

Yet to his surprise, the middle-aged man’s face changed immediately upon hearing this.

Not Fear, but a slight trepidation mixed with a tinge of shame.

Lost in recollection, it took a while before the middle-aged man looked at the hero complicatedly.

“I see… you’re heading to that whirlpool… So, hero from afar, are you pursuing the legend of the ‘Bronze Creator’?”

“What if I am? What if I’m not?”

“…It doesn’t matter. Regardless of your intentions, let me share a story with you.”

Shaking his head slightly, the middle-aged man gestured dismissively, then recounted his past memories.

…

About thirty years ago, before the middle-aged man arrived in the town under Silver Moon City’s jurisdiction,

He was an aristocrat from Olympia, a believer in the omnipotent King of All Gods.

Until one day, a young aristocrat was summoned by a priest from the church.

In the awe-inspiring The Temple, he accepted a mission before the God’s statue, leading him to his conclusion.

“Are you saying the priest of the Divine King commanded you to sail a large ship to the East Sea’s whirlpool, feigning a fall into it accidentally?”

“He told you that there you would meet an imprisoned God, and your task was to repay kindness with the utmost malice, and repay gratitude with a Curse?”

Hearing this was astounding; Heracles almost didn’t believe what he heard.

Could this be true?

Though in his heart, All Gods were not always virtuous, the great hero never imagined the Monarch of All Gods would do such a thing.

No, this might not be the Divine King’s intention.

After all, many times Gods and humans are not equivalent.

“I don’t know where the order originated, whether from the Monarch of Olympus or a priest’s own ambitions to please the deities.”

“But eventually, I accepted the task.”

Leaning back in the chair, the middle-aged man took a deep breath.

“I thought I could do it well; after all, a god deemed a sinner was not someone I empathized with.”

“But it was when I personally felt the despair of Boundless Darkness, and was saved from that despair, that I was first shaken.”

“And that was just the beginning; when I met the prisoner locked in the Sea Eye, I realized my mistake.”

“So… you didn’t follow the priest’s orders?”

“…No.”

After a prolonged silence, he finally uttered one word.

Though the middle-aged man didn’t provide reasoning, Heracles understood.

Fear of power, fear of the priest, fear of authority, and the influence of past education.

Evidently, even regretting at the time, the middle-aged man had complied with the priest’s demands.

He eventually returned in triumph, receiving accolades from the priests—yet perhaps one day, having long since aged, he finally felt remorse.

He abandoned everything in Olympia, along with his Faith in the Divine King, to start anew in Silver Moon City.

“I understood then, no matter my decision, it made no difference.”

“In returning malice for grace at the priest’s demand, displayed humanity’s evil before the creator.”

“And even if I chose otherwise, and were to be publicly punished by the priest after leaving, it only showcased the despair of humanity’s ‘virtue’ to him.”

“Whichever I chose, the result was predetermined, so I retreated then.”

“But now, I regret it again.”

“Perhaps gathering the courage to die then was a preferable choice.”

“…”

Remaining silent, Heracles felt conflicted.

He had been guided by the God of West Wind to complete trials but now heard words of defiance against the Divine Court.

He couldn’t discern truth from fiction.

However, Heracles’s intuition told him that this man wasn’t lying.

“So, the sacrifice you need…”

“I’ve abandoned my former Faith; now, I worship the Goddess of the Wilderness.”

“I intended to offer this boar as a sacrifice to her, hoping the Deity would forgive my sins…”

Putting away the sea chart, the middle-aged man suddenly smiled.

“But I’ve changed my mind now.”

“Great hero, you might not be aware, but the Ermanos Wild Boar once escaped the Goddess’s arrows.”

“It appears large, but its agility is unparalleled.”

“Capturing it alive, you have proven your Strength—so I’ve decided to accompany you there, back to the place of my regret.”

“My Morality is so depraved; my past is so cowardly… Yet I still wish to try, to strive to kill my former self.

“So, young hero, would you accept my request?”

“Of course.”

Nodding resolutely, despite his lingering doubts about All Gods, Heracles decisively extended his hand.

“Everyone is entitled to regret; I’m atoning for my past.”

“So, tell me your name, newfound friend.”

“Though this journey promises challenges, I’m willing to venture together with a friend like you.”

“And if you should perish, I’ll carry your name… henceforth, all who know of Heracles shall learn of your legacy.”