Pivot of the Sky – Chapter 173, Covenant of the Gods

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Translator: adomman

Editor: Snorri

 

Later on, the gods discussed again and decided that only servants who served the gods were qualified to master the magical powers given by the gods and to know how to sing the praises of the gods and record their instructions in the form of oracles. Nowadays, only nobles in the continent received the permission of the shrines to practise magic arts and learn the Hieroglyph.

 

As for the Tower of Gods, its construction was halted halfway through and it became a huge relic standing in the wilderness. When the war of the gods broke out, Marduc led the gods and defeated Kingu and Tiamat. As a result, he obtained the Book of Destiny and presented it to Anu. The Tower of Gods was reduced to rubble during the war, and the thousand miles of fertile land became barren, following which the town of Duc came into existence.

 

Marduc became one of the two god kings in the Anunnaki divine clan, a rival to Enlil, and was also god worshipped by the kingdom of Bablon. In order to pay their respect to the Great God Marduc, successive Bablon kings built a tower in Bablon City, called the Holy Gate. The tower was magnificent, and it had a height of three hundred feet. At the top of the tower, a palace was built for Marduc.

 

The purpose of building the Holy Gate was not, of course, to ascend to the heavenly kingdom where the gods lived, as the “sinful people” had done in the past, but to listen to the voice of the god and to offer the best of earthly enjoyment to the god. It was said that on the day the Holy Gate was completed, Marduc appeared in the clouds and landed on the top of the tower to bless the people.

 

The people had never seen the heavenly kingdom in which the gods lived, so they but built everything as they saw it in their minds. At the foot of the tower, there was a shrine where the people gave offerings to Marduc, while at the top, Marduc’s “palace” existed. There was no statue of Marduc in this palace, as it was a residence built for Marduc, and it had a roof made of azure glazed tiles inlaid with gold.

 

In the luxurious bedroom there was a large, comfortable bed, and the youngest and most beautiful women of the kingdom were chosen to stay here with Marduc. The people were unaware of the pleasures of the gods, but followed the ideals of worldly life and served the god as if he was an emperor. Only kings and high priests of the shrine were entitled to ascend to the top of the tower, a symbol of service to Marduc and listening to the teachings of the god. It was said that by climbing to the top of the tower, one could face the Great God and receive an oracle, hence the name Holy Gate.

 

Such was the legend of the Tower of Gods, and currently, there was indeed a magnificent tower on the outskirts of Bablon City called the Holy Gate. Amon revealed a look of understanding after hearing this, and he smiled at Aesop. “Thank you, this story has answered a question that has been in my heart for a long time. …Go back with Lynk now, and start preparing everything for the road to be built immediately.”

 

Lynk maneuvered the shuttle and took Aesop away, and Amon sat in the swamp deep in thought. The legend sounded a bit absurd, as even if people built a tower as high as they could, it wouldn’t lead to the so-called heavenly kingdom, but legends were often again symbolic metaphors that were telling something implicitly. Amon had read the secret records in the archives of the Shrine of Isis, and they contained poems written by ancient bards. Today, when he compared them to this legend, he suddenly understood one thing.

 

In the legend, the Tower of Gods symbolized a mortal’s path to divinity, and “language” referred to the secrets to becoming a god, the practise of the power of the origin as well as the many tests along the path. In the legends written by the bards, Isis also asked Ra to tell her the “true language”.

 

The part where the gods disrupted the language of the people so that they could not build the Tower of Gods was a clear indication that the secrets of practising the power of origin were not passed down to the mortals, but had been divided into body arts and magic arts. The magic arts seem amazing, and could only be practised by nobles with the permission of the shrines, and there was a very clear system in place, while the contents were incredibly complicated, but they were not the same as practising the power of origin.

 

The secret to becoming a god was in the hands of the gods, and they formed organizations of gods, which were the well-known divine clans. Only those who were approved by the gods and guided into the divine clans could share the secret, but they also had to make an oath to keep it secret. For they now belonged to these organizations as well, defining the boundaries between them and mortals.

 

This was the most important covenant between the gods!

 

If that was the case, another question arose. In the long history of the world, there was no shortage of geniuses with the spirit of exploration, people such as Crazy’Ole, Bair and others, and Amon had also explored this path on his own. What choices would these people have made? It was possible for them to establish their own divine clans, or to be guided into the known divine clans. After all, even if they knew the path, it would be arduous to get through the many trials. When they truly transcended eternal life, they would also continue to abide by this covenant with the gods.

 

Such was the desire of Girtablullu, the Scorpion King, to establish his own divine clan and divine realm. The grand wish that Amon made when he crossed the Syah Desert was however, a different kind of wish.

 

Amon finally understood the meaning of the legend of the Tower of Gods, and when he looked down, he saw El Mar lying on the side staring at him, its long tail still dangling in the swamp, as if to say: “Oh God Amon, you called me here, but why are you ignoring me?”.

 

Amon smiled. “El Mar, I was just thinking about something and ended up making you wait for a long time. I called you here to ask a question, do you wish to transform into a human form? Just like me.”

 

There was ecstatic joy in El Mar’s eyes, and it nodded its big head vigorously while wagging its tail, stirring up the muddy water in the swamp. Amon laughed again and said: “I forgot that although you can write, you aren’t capable of speaking yet. It’s not that hard for you, as long as you know how to practise. You and I have had different experiences. There are some things that cannot be taught but can only be understood by oneself, and this process is very long and requires rare luck. But you’re lucky, I already have a bit of experience in the art of practising for a beast who becomes aware of itself, so I can pass the knowledge to you.”

 

Amon’s so-called experience was naturally what happened after Bastet had become aware of herself as a cat and before she eventually received systematic guidance from Isis. The cat’s situation was not exactly the same as El Mar, but one could always deduce from the knowledge. As long as El Mar could understand it, it could then go ahead and confirm it step by step on its own.

 

This day Amon sat by the swamp and gave a lecture to El Mar, and although Amon did not open his mouth, he was in fact directly communicating through their souls. El Mar listened very carefully, and in the end, it gradually became absorbed, slowly closing its eyes thoughtfully. The next morning, Amon stood up and straightened the corners of his robe. Then he said to El Mar: “You can slowly understand it later, but for now we are going to participate in a duel. The location is not far from here, so listen to my explanation.”

 

A voice appeared in Amon’s soul: “We’re going to fight someone?”

 

Amon chuckled. “You’re really smart, you already figured out how to talk! It’s not a fight, but a friendly communication. You are not allowed to hurt them, because I’m going to take this opportunity to make a deal.”

 

……

 

Two days later, at the original site of the camp where Amon had captured King Lucier of Hittite alive, a group of carriages arrived. At the forefront was a carriage made of pure white cedar, its body treated by magic to appear elegantly crystal, but without unnecessary ornate decorations. This carriage was known to everyone in the city of Syah, and when they saw it from afar, they would retreat to the side of the road and bow in greeting, for it was Golier’s carriage.

 

In the carriage was Golier, with the beautiful and lovely Celia beside him. Raphael, Golier’s pupil, stood beside him with his teacher’s staff in his hand. Raphael was now the high priest of Syah, and his status was quite noble. He had remained standing on the unsteady carriage as a sign of respect for his teacher. The driver sitting in front was someone who Amon also knew. He was the supreme warrior Aruka, the former captain of the guards beside King Lucier back then.

 

Due to his failure to protect King Lucier, he had been demoted two ranks of nobility. After Asher succeeded to the throne, he was even removed from his position as general of the palace guards, and was now just an idle noble supreme warrior. Amon’s successful sneak attack in the past also embarrassed the supreme warrior, but Aruka was indeed no match for Amon.

 

Due to his failure, the once exalted Aruka was now the target of jokes. After losing his post as well, he devoted himself to practising his body arts instead of wallowing in depression, and even broke through the eighth-level. Since Enkidu’s death, the continent had yet to hear of another ninth-level warrior appearing, so the eighth-level was already the highest level available for a warrior.

 

Amon was also a supreme warrior, and although the man he was dueling with was not Aruka, Aruka wanted to see how Amon’s skills were and whether or not he was a match.

 

In the second carriage sat the governor of Syah, Schmul. Schmul had also brought along with him the quaestor and the head of the barn, while the driver sitting in front was the captain of the city’s guards, the supreme warrior Musenu.

 

This scene was kind of interesting. Although it made sense for Aruka to be the driver for Golier, why was the noble supreme warrior Musenu also working as a driver for the governor? Ever since Enkidu drove Gilgamesh’s chariot into battle and the Pharaoh of Ejypt had Supreme General Amon sitting in front of his carriage as a token driver, has it become popular for the supreme warriors of the continent to drive wagons?

 

Musenu was also here to watch the fun, to observe this rare duel on the continent, and since the eighth-level supreme warrior Aruka was driving the first carriage, he volunteered to be the driver of the second carriage. As for Golier, he had been invited by Celia, as only this esteemed supreme mage was qualified to be the judge of this duel.

 

Golier brought his student Raphael with him to broaden his horizons, while Governor Schmul could not resist the curiosity to come along as well. Golier agreed to leave Warret behind to look after the city, and let the governor come with him to watch the duel. He also told Schmul to bring the quaestor and the head of the barn along, as well as their official seals.

 

When Governor Schmul asked Golier the reason for doing so, Golier just smiled and said that after the duel there might be something to talk about, and that it would be more convenient if they came. Schmul felt curious as he could not figure out what a duel had to do with the finance and products of the city, the esteemed Golier was too difficult to figure out.

 

There were more carriages and guards at the back, and there were more than fifty accompanying personnel in total. This was a formidable force, and if they had the intention to harm Amon, he would be in a difficult position!

 

They came to the place where King Lucier camped, and saw from a distance that a magnificent golden tent had been set up in the forest clearing next to the swamp. In the tent a wide white oak table had been placed, and chairs had been placed at both ends as well sides of the table. A man was currently sitting at the table and drinking wine from a raised cup, and he was the famous Supreme General Amon.

 

The tent, table and chairs were left behind by the Lion King, and Amon brought them along just in case. The utensils left by the Lion King were very beautiful, and the wine was already served.

 

Amon saw the convoy coming from afar, and even though it was such a large and powerful group of people, he did not panic at all. Putting down his cup, Amon stood up and greeted them. “Honorable lords, you have come, but why are there so many people?”

 

When the convoy stopped, Golier came down first and said with a smile: “Supreme General Amon, you are the guest here, but you actually prepared a banquet for us, sorry about that. We all want to see the Supreme General’s prowess today, and witness a rare duel in the continent, so everyone came. As for me, I was invited by Celia to be the judge.”

 

The servants began to set up the camp, and Golier brought Celia, Raphael, Schmul, Aruka, and Musenu into the tent, a total of six people. Amon apologized slightly: “I didn’t expect to have so many guests, the chairs I prepared are insufficient.”

 

Raphael smiled. “No worries, I’ve prepared some as well.” Then he waved his wand and four more chairs were set down by the table. Amon nodded and praised: “In less than two years, you’ve also become a supreme mage, congratulations!” Looking at Raphael’s actions just now, it was obviously a spatial magic technique that could only be performed by a supreme mage, and he also had a spatial artifact with him.

 

Raphael humbly said: “No matter how brilliant the magic is, it is only a personal achievement, I wouldn’t dare to show off in front of the Supreme General.”

 

Everyone settled down, Amon sat at one end of the long table, Golier sat at the opposite end, while the other five sat on either side. Apart from Governor Schmul, the other party had three supreme mages and two supreme warriors. Even if Amon had the ability of Enkidu, it would be hard to play any tricks here. Although he was on someone else’s territory, Amon waved his hand calmly and said: “Although I am here for the duel, let’s drink together before the duel and catch up on old times.”

 

The crowd raised their glasses and drank, the scene truly resembling a meeting of old friends. After putting down the wine cups, Golier cut to the chase and said: “Supreme General, I am not only here to be the judge for the duel at Celia’s invitation, I also wish to ask the Supreme General himself about his future plans.”

 

Amon was stunned. “My plans?”

 

Golier smiled. “Yes, so we don’t have to beat around the bush, I know that you killed Prince Snek before leaving Ejypt, and apparently have no intention of going back. From the news that came back from within Ejypt, although the Pharaoh did not openly give the orders for you to be wanted, he sent assassins after you. The ones who were appointed to hunt you down are your benefactor and friend.”

 

Amon sighed and said: “Lord Golier, you are so well-informed. What will come will always come, and when I made my decision, I knew in my heart what I was going to face.”

 

Schmul said from the side: “Supreme General Amon was originally from the Hittite, but he has made unparalleled contributions for Ejypt on the battlefield, and also facilitated the peace treaty between Ejypt and Hittite. You are not an escaped slave, and should be respected when you return to your homeland, so why should you have to put up with the nonsense from the Ejyptian Empire? Now that Lord Golier has spoken, the city of Syah welcomes you home, and the Kingdom of Hittite welcomes your service.”

 

Golier nodded with a smile. “On the way here, I talked to Governor Schmul about this matter, and I can assure you that none of the past grudges will be brought up again.”

 

These words might not carry enough weight if someone else said them, but when Golier spoke, no one from the entire kingdom of Hittite would object, and this was the best assurance possible. When they sat down to talk, it was about the duel, but rather the desire for Amon to serve Hittite.

 

Amon stood up and poured wine to all the lords in a circle around the table, and other than Golier, everyone quickly stood up to express their thanks. As Amon poured the wine, he said: “I’ve come for the duel with Lord Celia, but we can talk about it afterwards. My hometown is the town of Duc, and my friends have settled in the Plains of Duc. This time I have come with a desire to discuss a business deal with the city of Syah.”

 

Golier twirled his beard in his hand and smiled. “I have heard of this matter, the situation in the Plains of Duc is currently complicated, although that place is still within the territory of Syah in name, the situation is now going out of control. Since we’re here to duel today, Amon, we might as well make an agreement based on the outcome of the duel. If you win, I will agree to Governor Schmul doing business with you, and if Celia wins, I hope you will serve Hittite.”

 

Amon finished pouring the wine and returned to his seat. “Alright then, let’s make the agreement according to the result of the duel!”

 

Golier added: “None of you are allowed to harm each other, and although it is a duel, I hope that it will just be a showcase of skills. As long as the difference in skill is determined, that is all we need.”

 

Amon simply nodded. “Of course, I never intended to harm Lord Celia, and I hope she can treat me kindly as well!”

 

Seeing that there was a slightly boastful tone to his words, Celia wrinkled her nose slightly and said: “The Supreme General is so powerful that he can even repel the Uruk Legion. I’m afraid that I’m no match for him, but I will give it my best shot. Lord Golier said this more to protect me, but my summoned beast and I will not harm the Supreme General either!”

 

Aruka finally managed to interject: “It’s been a long time since the peace banquet between the two countries, but I keep hearing about the Supreme General’s name. I only know that you are a supreme warrior, but I wonder how many levels have you achieved currently?”

 

Amon wasn’t able to explain much and he only said vaguely: “If we talk about achievements, I actually just broke through to the ninth level not long ago.”

 

Several of the faces of those seated changed, especially Governor Schmul who nearly couldn’t hold his wine cup steady. Ninth-level Supreme Warrior! After Enkidu, the continent now had another ninth-level supreme warrior! Celia looked a little nervous and she took a deep breath before saying: “Supreme General Amon is truly an incredible talent, and I should start by saying congratulations! Regardless of the outcome of the duel with you, I will do my best.”

 

Raphael, on the other hand, pointed at Celia and said: “Supreme General Amon, Lord Celia has also recently advanced to the eighth level. Her summoned beast is powerful and magical, so even if you are a ninth-level warrior, you should still be careful when fighting it.”

 

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