378 - God's Liquor, Nectar #8

"So, what's Bacchus's condition? Where is he now?"

"In the Tower of Babel, underground. He's being treated somewhere no one can access. The healers say he needs a large amount of Nectar to detoxify the poison-."

"Is that so?"

"You're called the God of Healing, right? Then, as you said, can you cure that poisoning from that thing called Ate?"

Curing poison, you say.

Can I really do something like that with acupressure?

I don't know if there's acupressure that can cure poison, though I suppose healing necrotic bodies might be possible.

I asked.

"What's the distance from here to that city, Babel?"

"Two days if you ride the fastest horse."

"Will he be able to hold out until then?"

"No one can guarantee that. Bacchus's current condition is something no one predicted. This situation isn't in any prophecy or record. It must be because beings from other continents interfered."

"...."

Bacchus might die.

If that happens, the concept of alcohol in this world will likely disappear. If alcohol disappears, how will the poor people of this Gaia continent relieve their stress? I have no idea.

It also means I won't be able to taste the Nectar that Bacchus brews anymore.

Then, I suddenly remembered that this unconscious Nymph of Muddy Water, Ignoi, had stolen the Nectar brewing method or something.

"You, what are you trying to do?"

"If I ask this one, I might be able to figure out what happened."

"I punched her solar plexus. Even so, she won't be able to come to her senses for a few days."

"Well, we'll find out if we try."

I grabbed the Nymph's slender wrist and pressed the acupoint on her wrist quite firmly with my thumb.

Then, the Nymph Ignoi snapped to her senses with a strange scream of "Eeuugh-!"

"Agh...!"

"To actually wake her up like that, you're more amazing than I thought."

Silaleia seemed genuinely impressed, but since the important thing now wasn't being shy about praise, I spoke to Ignoi, who was making a crying face.

"Hey, Ignoi. I've heard a lot about you. They say you tried to poison Bacchus? For a Nymph, you've got some nerve. Tell me everything you know. Otherwise, you might experience something even more painful than just now."

"I, I don't know. I really don't. It's something I know nothing about. Trying to poison Bacchus-nim? I've never even thought of such a thing!"

At that, Silaleia narrowed her brow.

"Weren't you banished from Bacchus's followers and trying to get revenge with malicious intent? The evidence already speaks for itself. You shouldn't try to deny it."

"No, I really wasn't like that. I just wanted Bacchus-nim's attention. Really. Poisoning? I never even thought about that..."

Tears streamed down from Ignoi, the Nymph of Muddy Water's, only eye.

For a moment, thinking of Paranoy, my heart softened, but Silaleia frowned even more at the sight.

"Tears, sorrow. Those are tools for the wicked schemes you Muddy Water Nymphs often concoct. If it's some petty trick, you should just stop."

Perhaps because they are both women, Silaleia was unfazed even by the Nymph's pitiful tears. However, despite the threats, Ignoi just kept shedding tears, *jureureuk, jureureuk*.

"I just wanted to regain Bacchus-nim's favor. To become his top Follower, I thought it would be nice if he'd lift me up or stroke my head like he used to."

I didn't know about Silaleia, but at least it didn't seem like this Muddy Water Nymph was lying.

Compared to Paranoy, a Nymph full of improvisation and schemes whom I dealt with daily, this Muddy Water Nymph was actually quite easy to understand.

Right now, I am the God of Nymphs, Hassan.

Judging as a Nymph expert, it seemed right to calm down this Ignoi's agitated emotions first.

So, just like I often did for Paranoy, I placed my hand on Ignoi's head and ruffled her hair back and forth.

"Don't just randomly stroke my hair-! You fake god! Stop pretending to be Bacchus-nim-!"

However, the tips of her pointed ears were turning strangely red. Nymphs are said to have a strong loyalty towards their master, right?

Therefore, it seemed she didn't quite like me, not Bacchus, stroking her head. However, compared to that, I could feel her breathing and the trembling of her shoulders becoming noticeably calmer.

The body never lies and is always honest.

I took my hand off her head and asked.

"I might be able to save your master, Bacchus. So, calm down and explain the situation. The truth you speak will save Bacchus."

"Th-the truth..."

Ignoi's only scarlet eyes, along with her tears, seemed to gleam with some strange emotion.

Like all Nymphs, Ignoi was originally an innocent Nymph of the stream.

However, perhaps because the Tower city of Babel was harsher and less hospitable than Sodomora, there were quite a few difficulties for a stream Nymph to survive alone.

Therefore, Ignoi, who was a stream Nymph, ended up becoming a Nymph of Muddy Water as her magic gradually became corrupted from doing various things to survive.

"I got caught stealing, so I lost this eye."

Ignoi pointed to the slash mark on her face with her finger. It looks quite painful. I know well how Nymphs scream with exaggeration even for minor pains.

Therefore, it's easy to imagine how much she must have hurt when she received such a large wound. Of course, it's the fault of the one caught stealing.

I asked.

"But, what exactly is a Nymph of Muddy Water? Do they have special abilities or something?"

Did Doris, the Nymph of Honey Water, have the ability to communicate with bees? Eco, the Nymph of the stream, was characterized by a mature and graceful personality compared to other Nymphs.

Then, I became curious about what characteristics the Nymph of Muddy Water might possess.

Ignoi said something in response.

"When lying, my conscience doesn't bother me. Even when I do bad things, my heart feels calm. That's the special trait of a Nymph of Muddy Water."

"I see."

"Anyway, I've done many bad things, and my eye became like this, so I'm a shabby Nymph. Still, Bacchus-nim accepted me as a Follower. Then one day, during a festival, I broke Bacchus-nim's cherished wine cup, and everyone scolded me and kicked me out..."

Ignoi sank into a rather gloomy state. Silaleia asked her.

"So, did you put poison in the wine cup to get revenge on all of them?"

"No. I just... I just wanted to be forgiven for the sins I committed. So, I thought I should brew the best liquor Bacchus-nim had never tasted and give it to him. But those guys... those guys made me do it."

"Those guys? You mean the Elves?"

"Y-yes. The Elves said that if I put this into the wine cup, Bacchus-nim would notice me again... But I bought it with all the money I saved my whole life, 3 Gold..."

*Seureuk*.

Ignoi took out something like a small scroll from her bosom. Then she handed it to me.

"After Bacchus-nim collapsed, I just ran away because I was scared. Because I was scared..."

I could visualize this whole process in my head.

Ignoi, who made liquor with suspicious substances to gain Bacchus's favor. The Elves who used such an Ignoi. And Bacchus, who collapsed as a result.

"There was no one I could trust. So, I heard there was a relief foundation that helps Nymphs in Sodomora, so I ran here. But this place was also completely empty."

"Is that so?"

It seemed the Nymph Relief Foundation and Ignoi, the Nymph of Muddy Water, were unrelated. If so, I could erase the suspicions about the Nymph Foundation from my mind.

Silaleia asked, as if she couldn't understand.

"Ignoi, but you stole the brewing method that fell on the floor. How do you explain that? I saw you steal it and run away right there."

"This is Bacchus-nim's treasure. I won't let others steal it. Everyone, when Bacchus-nim collapsed... they were more interested in this brewing method than in Bacchus-nim. If I hadn't taken it, someone else would have stolen it!"

Ignoi, who had been sinking into a rather gloomy state.

"So, you were keeping the secret of the brewing method to protect it?"

"Y-yes. If you can't believe me, there's nothing I can do. I'm a Nymph of Muddy Water, someone everyone rejected. But it's true."

"I know. Ignoi, you're not lying right now. When Nymphs lie, only the tips of their ears turn strangely red."

Ignoi touched her ear at my words.

"Th-then, you believe me?"

"Yes. It's likely mostly true."

"...."

At my words, the doubt in Ignoi's eyes seemed to lessen slightly. She must have realized my words weren't a lie.

Compared to Paranoy, a Nymph full of improvisation and schemes whom I dealt with daily, this Muddy Water Nymph was actually quite easy to understand.

"So, I'm interested in the brewing method you have. Can you show it to me? If I have that, I might be able to secure a large amount of Nectar, and perhaps save the Bacchus you like."

"...."

Ignoi looked at me again with suspicious eyes. It must be because after saying something so touching, she asked for the brewing method, raising her guard.

I don't really like making promises, but this is the only way to make things easier.

"I swear upon the honor of my temple and the Styx River flowing deep underground. I will help Bacchus."

"R-really?"

An oath upon the Styx River is powerful. It's a covenant or norm that even gods cannot escape, right? Knowing that well, Ignoi's expression brightened considerably.

"Will you really help Bacchus-nim?"

"Yes."

Only then did Ignoi take out something like a small scroll from her bosom. Then she handed it to me.

"...I committed an unforgivable sin. I'll probably be executed and go to Tartarus. But that's okay. Just save Bacchus-nim..."

"Understood."

I accepted the scroll. It's true that personal gain was also a factor in swearing upon the Styx River.

If I handle this well, and Bacchus recovers, I thought I might get one bottle of Nectar, or maybe two if things go well.

It would also be quite something to incur a debt with a giant corporation like Bacchus.

However, as a Nymph Tamer myself, I couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and caution towards those who used this Nymph, Ignoi.

"Then, I'll take charge of Ignoi's situation. That's all I can do, wearing this golden necklace. Since it concerns gods, you, as a god, will have to resolve it from now on."

Silaleia wrapped Ignoi's wrists and entire body tightly with ropes, enough to be called excessive. Of course, she's a heinous criminal who harmed Bacchus. That much is natural.

I asked.

"So, what will happen to her now? Ignoi, I mean."

"Well. She'll probably stand trial. The outcome of the trial is obvious. It's an unforgivable sin."

"Yeah, well, that's probably true."

I was sentenced to the maximum penalty, execution, for setting fire to the city and the arena.

In a world full of religion and faith, what kind of punishment would someone who harmed a god receive?

As memories of going to the trial chamber surfaced, making me slightly furrow my brow, Silaleia, perhaps reading my expression, added a comment.

"Even though her situation is pitiable, it can't be helped. It's merciful and humane enough to at least allow her a trial."

"Is that so?"

"Even now, outside, there are plenty of Bacchus's Followers who want to literally tear this one to shreds."

That's also true. Allowing her to go through the fair process of a trial is probably the last consideration for Ignoi.

"Well then-. I'll be off to chase the Elves. I have no business in Sodomora, so if you have anything to say, contact me at the Mars Guild in Babel."

"How do I contact you?"

"There's a carrier pigeon that connects guilds. Anyway, I'm going. It was nice meeting you, little god."

With that, Silaleia quickly disappeared somewhere. Even though her pace seemed ordinary, her speed was faster than others running, truly befitting a superhuman with Agility 15.

Only when I found myself alone in this spot could I finally look at the scroll in my hand.

So, this is where that damn awesome Nectar recipe is written? I'm just a nobody's son from a health food store. I can make liquor if I have the ingredients.

"Nectar's all gone."

*Seureuk*, *seureuk*.

I untied the loosely tied knot and looked at the letters written inside.

"Nectar Brewing Method - Based on one bottle of wine. Five cups of water."

Oh, five cups of water.

It sounds plausible enough. However, the moment I saw the ingredients listed after that, I couldn't help but be a little shocked.

"What the hell."

Because what was written after that were ingredients like coded messages that were hard for me to decipher.

"Nectar Brewing Method - Based on one bottle of wine. Five cups of water. One feather from a 100-year-old snake. One tooth from a tree over 300 years old. One dog's laugh. One curse from a woman in love. Two horns from a cloud. A handful of clown mushrooms. Lastly, the most important ingredient-"

What kind of ingredients are these, damn it.

I completely missed my expectation that it would say something like a bottle of water. A few bunches of grapes. Is this for real?

Even the end of the page was smudged with something like a wet stain, so the letters written after 'the most important ingredient' are illegible.

What is this?

*Jeobeok, jeobeok-*.

Someone approached me while I was spacing out.

"Hassan-nim, my goodness, what were you doing hiding alone in a secluded place in the cemetery...? Perhaps you were secretly eating hidden honey...?"

It was Paranoy.

Paranoy sniffed the paper I was holding, seeming interested.

"Aah, Hassan-nim smells like another Nymph...! What on earth is that scroll...?"

"What are you looking at, you punk?"

I untied the loosely tied knot and looked at the letters written inside.

"All of these are ingredients Luna-nim puts in when making health beads...! This Paranoy also helped a lot with the making, so I know...!"

So that's how it is. It felt like lightning struck before my eyes.

"Then do you know what the last ingredient is? Isn't there one more ingredient?"

"The last ingredient...? That's Luna-nim's secret ingredient, so she didn't tell me either...!"

It felt like I had found the answer in a place I never expected.

"Paranoy, good job."

I ruffled Paranoy's hair roughly with my hands.

As I patted his hair and back, Paranoy acted like a feisty cat, complaining, "Aah! You shouldn't mess up my freshly styled hair...! I don't like this barbaric petting...!"

However, the tips of his pointed ears were turning strangely red.

Seeing that reminded me of Ignoi earlier.

Before I knew it, Paranoy took a comb out of his mouth and started tidying his hair again. I said to him.

"Paranoy, you don't need to push yourself to gain my favor. Just stay as you are now."

"What do you mean...?"

"I mean, let's just stay friends without changing, like now."

"Not changing? That's impossible...!"

"R-really?"

"This Paranoy is learning growth exercises from Hippolyte, the tall Amazoness...! Soon, I'll grow a lot like Eco, the stream Nymph...!"

"Oh, I see. Do your best."

"At least I'll grow tall enough to look down on those damn Elves...! That's truly Paranoy's ultimate goal...!"

Paranoy kept emphasizing that he was drinking milk and doing exercises morning and evening to grow taller.

Listening to Paranoy's story, I looked towards the southern sky. Ideope was said to be an archipelago across the sea from the southern end of the continent.

If that's the case, it felt like Luna might be somewhere among the flowing clouds. It might just be my imagination, but the wind blowing from the south seemed to carry Luna's Mente fragrance faintly.