Chapter 791: To The Celestial Battlegrounds!
Besides, if Izroth were to decline the quest and be automatically ejected from the Secret Realm, he would no longer be able to ensure Sychia's safety for his other active quest.
Although the Thousand Blossom Maiden managed to fully recover from her previous state, in the end, there were still others in the Secret Realm who wanted to claim her life. In that kind of situation where one was powerless to do anything, how could Izroth be at ease?
The contents of the quest were simple. All Izroth had to do was survive in a place called the Celestial Battlegrounds while emerging victorious.
Though Izroth was a bit troubled by the vagueness of the quest completion requirement.
Survival was one thing, but with his current strength, Izroth knew that he could not guarantee a victory for the celestials. Even if it was an SSS-ranked quest, how could he be expected to continuously face late or peak stage legendary realm powerhouses?
Izroth did not know the exact strength of the enemies he would be facing on the Celestial Battlegrounds. But, if the pillars were able to force so many legendary realm powerhouses to go into hiding, their personal strength and the power of those they commanded could not be underestimated.
As Izroth's thoughts wandered, he noticed that Sychia appeared to be lost in thought with a troubled expression on her face. She had been like this for the past few moments.
Izroth figured she was either concerned about her master back in the Mortal Realm or possibly nervous about what they were going to face soon. Regardless, since they would be entering a high danger area soon, Izroth could not afford to have Sychia place her attention elsewhere. After all, it only took one moment on the battlefield to lose one's life.
"Is there something weighing on your mind?" Izroth asked as he approached Sychia.
Sychia released a small sigh and replied, "I inquired about the location of the Endless Nectar Fountain you mentioned to me earlier, but... there seems to be a problem."
"Oh?"
"The owner went into hiding along with the Endless Nectar Fountain after discovering signs of an inevitable upcoming conflict. Apparently, until everything settles down, it will be nearly impossible to find their location. Unfortunately, time is the one thing we lack." Sychia explained.
'So that's why her mood took a sudden downturn. I suppose it can't be helped given the circumstances.'
Sychia must have felt that fate was working against her at every turn.
'Astratis mentioned that the one who guards the Endless Nectar Fountain is Thanasia's sister—one of the three beings of the Ateleigos ancient race. If they are hiding together, even if we find them, it won't be easy to acquire the Immortal Nectar using force alone.'
Izroth was still in possession of the Immortal Nectar Astratis rewarded him for completing the first quest; however, even if it were for an SSS-ranked quest, Izroth could not use it for Sychia or her master's sake.
There was a debt in this world he had yet to fully repay and Izroth planned on utilizing the Immortal Nectar to fulfill that purpose. The chances of it working were probably not 100%. But, as long as it was not 0%, Izroth was prepared to give his greatest effort!
'Forget it. There is no point thinking about it. In the end, if there is not a path before me, I just have to create one.'
Izroth looked over at Eiritia and asked, "Is there anyone in the Hidden Celestial Abode who possesses the highest quality Immortal Nectar?"
Eiritia's brows rose slightly. Her expression revealed that she was a bit taken aback by Izroth's question.
"There is one, but it is better if you do not hold out any hope for that approach. If it were just normal Immortal Nectar, then it should be possible to acquire as long as you trade something of equal value, but... when it comes to the highest quality Immortal Nectar, only a maximum of five can be produced once every ten revolutions of the seasons. The Immortal Nectar not only replenishes one's youth and beauty but is also considered a rare delicacy. That is why that woman will never give it up—the Daughter of Spirits, Methysria."
'The Daughter of Spirits... If it is a delicacy she desires, offering a Mature Wing of the Ambrosia Tree in exchange should work. Unfortunately, I only have two left in my possession after giving one to Astratis to recover. Even if I successfully made the trade, I would be right back where I started—one item short. Though if it comes to it, I may have no other choice.'
Izroth had plenty of Young Wings that he plucked from the Ambrosia Tree. If it came down to it, he would just trade some for standard Immortal Nectar and work with whatever was at his disposal. However, for some reason, every time Izroth had this thought, he felt that an unknown force was reaching out to him. It was as if it were warning him to discard that approach.
'Strange... It doesn't feel like a gut feeling, but something is telling me I shouldn't entirely ignore it.'
Izroth turned his attention back towards the disheartened Thousand Blossom Maiden and said, "Do not be discouraged. Since I have decided to help you, even if I have to pull up the underworld from its roots, I will find a method. There is still a road ahead of us. Our path has not been entirely cut off just yet."
After listening to Izroth's words, Sychia's mood started to improve bit by bit.
Of course, she could not completely hide the concern for her master, but, Sychia knew the outcome of her failure. And, no matter what, failure was not an option!
...
Nearly half an hour later...
Izroth spent the past half hour exploring the Hidden Celestial Abode with Sychia and even collecting some materials unique to the Secret Realm. The two were accompanied by Eiritia, who acted as the perfect guide—regardless of Sychia's status as "mortal" in their world.
In terms of strength, Eiritia did not equal up to her siblings despite being the eldest among them. Along their brief journey, she spoke of her past self-doubts and being looked down on as well as how she managed to overcome them.
As someone who was in a similar situation of being seen as a burden—perhaps it was this unique perspective that caused her to get along quite well with Sychia.
But, now, the serene atmosphere of the Hidden Celestial Abode had taken a drastic turn as Izroth stood at the entrance where he arrived.
At the moment, including Izroth and Sychia, there were exactly 96 other individuals gathered.
Standing at the head of the group filled with celestials was Astratis, who was accompanied by his two brothers Thalos and Skos.
As Izroth examined the group, he realized that no one present was weaker than an epic ranked being back in the Mortal Realm. And, more shocking than anything, nearly 20% of the group had already stepped into the legendary realm!
Since when was it this easy to put together a force that consisted of so many figures in the legendary realm?!
'Hm? Did he already depart?'
Izroth searched around; however, he saw no signs of Ilioreas.
At the same time, the last brilliant light from the Guiding Ray died down. Almost instantly after it did so, Astratis stepped forward as everything fell quiet.
There was a look of unwavering determination and resolve in Astratis' eyes.
"Brothers! Sisters! Today, we face a challenge unlike one ever presented before us! Rebels! Disgraces! Cowards—these are just a few of the names that have been thrown at us by the pillars and those who support them! They want us to spend our life with our heads down! They want us to revere and fear them as we once did before! But, those days are long in the past! No longer shall we revere those who encourage wickedness! No longer shall we walk with our heads down in fear! On this day, we will return the suffering we have received a hundredfold! We will severe that which binds us! Today—we live as true celestials!" Astratis roared proudly as the sound of thunder filled the atmosphere and lightning could be seen in the skies above.
"Yeeeeeeaah!"
"Today we live as true celestials!"
"Today we live as true celestials!"
As the celestials chanted Astratis' last words, any previous nerves they had seemed to vanish into thin air. Their eyes were burning with fighting spirit and a sense of indescribable pride.
'Interesting. I thought he was just a headstrong guy, yet it turns out he can give such a rallying speech. I am not a celestial, but even I was somewhat moved by it. I can only imagine how it must be like for them, who spent most of their lives living under someone else's thumb.'
"We depart! To the Celestial Battlegrounds!" Astratis declared as he held his hand to the skies.
Bzzzzt! Crrrrrckle! Clap!
An ear-piercing thunderclap echoed throughout the atmosphere as a bolt of lightning struck down on Astratis' location.
By the time the flash disappeared, Astratis donned an extravagant armor filled to the brim with his powerful lightning element.
The following moment, the Guiding Ray encompassed Izroth along with the entire group.
'The Celestial Battlegrounds we're headed to—I wonder what kind of place it is. Well... It's been a while since I could let loose properly.'
In the blink of an eye, the entrance area of the Hidden Celestial Abode became empty.
However, the faint lingering echoes of the celestials' war cry could still be heard.