Chapter 339 189. The Three Goddesses
"Do you remember the underwater temple city before? There is a great world-shaping engine in that pyramid!" Darkus, who thought for a moment, said slowly while gesticulating, and then he He extended his hands in an arc shape and said, "The great thing about it is that it can change the surrounding geographical environment!"
"Calledo, the dragon tamer, has been tortured in the maelstrom for six thousand years. He is a descendant of the family of Hell. It can also guard the world for six thousand years!" Maranur, who was obviously already on top, raised his wine glass and shouted loudly and forcefully.
As the Druchi raised their glasses and shouted in response, and under Beloda's surprised gazes, Darkus drank his sixth glass of whiskey.
After a while, the girl came back.
The blue paint on the girl's face has been removed. Her complexion is very white, her lips are wide, her pupils are blue, there are freckles on her face, and her hair is dark red. She looks very beautiful.
"Yes, the number three has another meaning here." The girl seemed to know what Darkus was going to ask. She sat down where her grandfather had been and said with a smile, then she pouted with regret. He said, "In Obiun a long time ago, three had rich symbolic meaning and magic. It probably originally represented the three realms of the past, present and future. The prophet said that the three included the upper, middle and lower levels of the system. As for the specifics, The prophet doesn't know what it is."
"By the way, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Maher." Maher said after saluting.
"Then do you have two sisters? One is called Badbu and the other is Morrigan?" Darkus, who was also drunk, said casually.
The expression on Maher's face was dull, and she looked at Darkus blankly.
The Drukhi who were eating and drinking also noticed Maher's unusual behavior. They either looked at Maher from the corner of their eyes, or stopped what they were doing and looked up at Maher.
"Are you also a true speaker? There are indeed sisters who studied with Oracle Oracle, but their names are Morrigan and Barbo." Maher said after a long time.
Darkus was spinning another crucible. Compared to the previous crucible, this crucible was ordinary and made of bronze. The gems that were supposed to be inlaid were missing. The outside was covered with dome rivets. Far more than was necessary to hold the pieces of metal together. When the firelight shines on the crucible, the crucible will reflect the color of the flame and become bright and dazzling, and the rivets will sparkle like diamonds.
"I'm not the Truth Speaker, but I am the messenger of the Ancient Saint. Can you introduce Oracle and your sisters?" Darkus stopped turning and looked at Maher and asked. He felt that something was wrong. If If he remembered correctly, the Maher, Morrigan and Barbo in front of him should be the three war goddesses in the Celtic myth of the Emerald Green Island? The trinity goddess who governs fate, war, death and fertility, is known as the "Goddess of War in the form of a black crow".
Then Maher began to introduce humorously that it was nothing more than the childhood virgins in various settlements in Obien reporting to the Prophet of the Truth at designated times. The Prophet would select some talented children to stay with him, and the boys would go to chiefs, warriors, The girls are trained in the direction of Truth Speakers and Druids, while girls are trained to become backup candidates for the Sisterhood and Truth Speakers.
Darkos captured useful information. If it is correct, this Oracle should be the most powerful truth speaker on Obion Island. In addition, the word "Oracle" also means oracle.
"Are you going to see the prophet? I can take you there, because I will leave there tomorrow." "
In other words, Oracle is the eternal queen of Obion Island?" Cowell teased.
Then Cowell was glared at by Belloda, and Cowell glared back not to be outdone, but that was all, they knew what they were here for. Although Cowell had never seen Darkus angry, he didn't want to see it, especially when the anger was poured out on him.
"I'm looking forward to the next meeting. I would like to ask, how old are you?" Darkus asked casually.
"Thirteen, what's wrong? And the Morrigan and Barbo you mentioned are the same age as me." "
Nothing, I just see in you a wisdom that is inconsistent with your age." Darkus prevaricated, Then he changed the topic, "Can you tell me other stories about this island?"
"Thirteen?" Darkus thought, his heart was not shocked, he had already adapted. If this is correct, this The three girls should have been born after he came to this world, but he didn't ask in detail, so that Maranul and the Kewell brothers would notice. But this is very interesting. It seems that fate has been arranged?
"The weather in Obion is always bad, but it seems to be particularly bad recently. Various storms and strange signs, storms hit the land, rivers overflow. Many villages have been washed away by floods, and a huge curse has befallen our land On the top of the mountain, hordes of darkness emerged and came down from the mountains to attack us. The messengers of the ancient saints from the continent of Lustria, the ancient saints have turned their sights away from Obien and no longer look at us. ?" Maher asked with a worried look on his face.
Darkus shook his head calmly and motioned for Maher to continue.
"We can't catch fish, and the newly sprouted barley on the mountains has withered. They say that the clans in the northern mountains are starving, and the beasts in the southern swamps are also wandering." "The beasts in the southern swamps
?" Darkus asked curiously He said that he didn't pay much attention to other points, because those points were on his way and he couldn't go back to the south to see what was inside.
"We call that place 'Mud Peak'. It may not be appropriate to call them beasts. They should be...monsters. Those swamp monsters are composed of mud and swamp. Oracle once said that they were used by the True Speaker to die in the swamp." Created from a mixture of rotten vegetation, mud, and the bones of creatures that died in the swamp, often with an orgham stone as a focus.
They cannot feel pain and can be constantly reshaped Their limbs. They have no brain at all and follow the orders of the Truespeaker who created them.
I once saw Oracle's swamp monster, it was as tall as a mountain and could uproot trees, but it was fighting the darkness. Disintegrated, maybe I will have my own swamp monster in the future."
"Like the tree man?" Belloda asked curiously, trying to connect the swamp monster with things within the scope of her knowledge.
"I have never seen a tree man. I can't answer this question."
"No, swamp monsters and tree men are completely different things. If you are right, there is a similar swamp monster that is naturally formed, right?" Darkwu Si first denied Beloda's conjecture and then asked.
"Yes, there are some naturally formed ones. They cannot be touched. If they enter their territory, they will attack."
In Darkus' view, although tree men and swamp monsters are related to elements, their essence is Swamp Thing is more like a construct. As for what a construct is, he doesn't have a clear concept in his mind.
The next day, Darkus woke up to the sound of water washing against the walls of the village and rain hitting the roof. He fell asleep lying on the long table where he had eaten yesterday. Other Druchi were also lying around, Most were still sleeping and snoring loudly. Only Franais, Selire, Baine and Shakala stood there, watching every move around them. Genevieve didn't know where she ran now.
Darkus stood up and rubbed his back. He felt an indescribable pain, and he first shrugged at the four Edreze Divine Chosen. Then he walked outside the longhouse into the mist and rain. Immediately a chill came over him and his mind began to clear. He stretched and tried his best to relax. He could see the activities of the villagers and the smoke coming from the roofs of the houses. He kind of liked it here.
If he accepts dogs, Darkos will definitely not choose the humans in the old world or those Kislev people. He will choose this place, this land blessed by the ancient saints, and these people who have silently dedicated six thousand people. The human beings here have their own foundation and are like a blank slate. Maybe there will be a whole Celtic warband or something like that in the future.
"My friends, are you...going to leave today?" Puyr, who was still hungover, stumbled over and asked.
"My friend, you have changed your attitude. Yesterday I was still a servant of the dark forces, and today you are ready to help me." Darkus teased with a smile.
“Let’s put it this way, nothing gives you a better understanding of a man’s character than drinking with him,” Pouille said with a laugh.
"Can I see the sword behind you?" Darkus laughed first, and then asked.
"Of course not if it's someone else! But you can." Puir took off his long sword as he said this. "Compared to the sharp blade, I think the scabbard is more valuable than the sword itself." Puir said when Darkus looked at the Celtic-style scabbard.
"War is just a means, peace is the goal?" Darkus asked with interest.
"Yes, my friend, the warlike lord losing his scabbard will sow the seeds for the end of his rule." Puyr's wrinkled face showed an excited expression, as if you understand me.
Darkus smiled and echoed Puir. He took off the sheath of the sword. He saw the mark of the ancient saint Zoga at the connection between the blade and the handle. Zoga, a representative of the stone spirit and the giver of power. and the Arbiter of the Old Ones. If I am correct, this sword should have been handed down from that time as a symbol of rule and judgment.
Puir didn't know the specific situation. He only knew that this sword was passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of ruling here.
The strange thing is that Darkus saw a button on the hilt that could be touched with his index finger, but he did not touch it rashly, but returned the sword to Puyr.
After noon, Puryear prepared several boats.
Darkus frowned and studied these ships. In his opinion, these ships looked strange. The ships were flat-bottomed and had a very shallow draft. They did not look like ships that could sail on the river. They looked more like a barge. But since it exists, there is a certain rationality. It seems to make sense if this kind of boat is used in swamps.
Some natives picked up long poles and began to push the boat into the water away from the island in the middle of the lake. On the fence, the women watched quietly while several children waved goodbye to their fathers or grandfathers. In the distance, a bagpiper played a sad song and said an unpleasant farewell.
"It seems that everyone is looking forward to this trip. Everyone looks so happy." Darkus said teasingly.
"The journey through this great swamp will never be easy. There are many strange dangers, swamp demons, monsters and the walking dead. Various curses litter this land. Who knows when or if we will see each other again. Our home?" Puyr said with a sigh.
"The mud peak?" Darkus looked at Puir with a suspicious look on his face and asked. He found that yesterday's information seemed to be inconsistent with today's situation?
"My friend, the mud peak in the southwest is a land of death. No one would choose to go there."
Darkus understood. Although Obion Island is full of swamps, the natives divided the swamps into Several levels.
"All the young people in the village are gone, so you should stay in the village. Besides, these ships..." Darkus pointed at the end of his sentence, and there were cold lizards, chariots, and ships behind him. It's the equipment, baggage, and the 300 people there. How many boats can we rely on? Seems like a bit of a joke.
"But?" Puyr said hesitantly.
"Just let your granddaughter take us. She is a druid. Besides, doesn't she just want to study with the prophet?"
"But she...but..."
"Just treat it as a trial and temper for her. There are threads of fate that she will face sooner or later. My friend, I promise you that I will protect her. If swamp demons appear, give them to me and they will taste the sharpness of my blade. "Dakeus looked at Puir and said solemnly.
"Okay... my friend."
"By the way, take care of those horses for me. If we don't come back for a long time, remember to go to the place where we landed to see our ship." After finishing speaking, Darkus turned around. , waved to Puyr who was still standing there.
Different from the previous legions, this group of Adreze believers, whether they eat, sleep or fight, are in groups of three or three, and are on guard with their own long swords, short swords and crossbows. Today's situation, or It means that the situation in this swamp is very different from yesterday, and the fog limits their vision. Whether they are forced converts or those who originally believed, they all know that they have embraced him. They don't want to disappear into this fog for no reason. Fortunately, the necklace around their necks will not make them lose their way.
At the forefront was Kalien's team of trainers, receiving guidance from Maher standing on the chariot.
The swamp is a huge maze composed of turbid water and unstable land. Although he did not encounter any monsters, Darkus, who was following behind, felt that the team had been circling in circles. Every time there was a fork in the road, Mach would Look left and right and choose a path.
The team would stop every half hour to count the number of people, but fortunately no one suddenly disappeared while walking. Although Darkus felt that he was always going around, he knew that it was not actually the case. The path guided by Mach was correct. The cold lizard sometimes stepped on the mud, sometimes on the causeway built under the swamp water, and the wheels of the chariot also It would make a creaking sound. He was not reckless enough to let a thirteen-year-old girl guide the team. There were several safety gates in the team.
In addition to the roar of the big guy complaining about the silky dirt on its thighs, Darkus also heard the chirping of birds, the growling of animals, and the furtive splash of water as something big entered the water in the distance. .
The air is damp and full of rotten smells.
The swamp reminded Darkus of the civilian streets of Krakarond, with the same gloomy air of abandonment and coldness hanging in the air, along with a sense that things were changing before his eyes. He could feel ancient powers stirring in the land, and the air he breathed was filled with strong winds of magic. Around him he could see twisted trees rising out of the murky water, the trees looking menacing and ugly, more like twisted evil giants than plants.
The thing crawled along the branches, suddenly fell on the car board where Darkus was standing, and began to slide on the car board. At first he thought it was a snake, but then he realized the thing was segmented and insect-like?
A saw-tooth dagger cut through the air and struck the insect's still squirming body. Soon the insect stopped moving.
Darkus did not pick it up rashly, but squatted down and observed while holding on to the fence of the chariot. The insect looked like a giant millipede, but the insect's jaw was huge and like an ant.
"Arboreal bug, luckily I didn't bite you. I saw a guy get bitten once. Before he could get treatment, his arm was swollen, blackened, and ulcerated from the venom. We had to amputate him, but he still managed Dead. Some truth speakers and druids will collect the venom of tree-dwelling insects and use a small amount of the illusion brought by the venom, but I think that is crazy." Maher, who was guiding the way in front, heard the movement behind him and turned around. Turning his head, he looked at the insect with the dagger in Darkus' hand and said.
"Interesting," Colonia said.
Darkus looked at his sister. He knew that his sister was again... Because his sister had bright eyes and was full of curiosity, he shook his head and handed over the serrated dagger.
"I have never seen such a big one before." Colonia took out a jar from the saddle, carefully and dexterously cut open the insect's head with a serrated dagger, exposed the poison sac, and put the poison sac into the jar. , then after she handed the serrated dagger back to Genevieve, she looked at Lustria insect expert Renn and said, "The species here are obviously different from those in Lustria."
"Yes." Renn responded.
Then the two scholars began to communicate, and occasionally Belloda would join in for a few words. After all, she was also engaged in research on Lustria when she was in the Tower of Twilight.
Darkus shook his head helplessly and did not participate in the discussion. He was listening to the sounds of the mist around him. The songs of the birds were low and lacking in music. Sometimes something huge, winged, flapped and screamed overhead. Glowing bugs emerge from the water and swirl around the group like lost souls.
Unlike the continent of Lustria, there is a strange and frightening beauty here.
"We're here."
As Mach's words fell, Darkus saw a strange scene. He felt as if he had traveled through time again...
(End of this chapter)