Chapter 451 Lies don’t hurt, the truth is the sharpest knife
Asgard, the fairy palace.
Odin followed the guidance from the unknown, passed through the thick shade of the trees, and came to the world tree Yggdrasil.
Looking at the light patterns floating on the tree trunk in front of him like water waves, he hesitated for a moment and walked straight into it.
“Crash~~”
Accompanied by a crisp sound of falling into water, Odin, who regained his vision, was shocked to find that he had entered an unfamiliar space.
This is a body of water shrouded in mist, surrounded by some dark grey rock ruins, which are covered with barnacle-like attachments and algae due to the passage of time. Some of the towering foundation stones seem to have deep inscriptions on them, which sometimes even penetrate the entire stone. Between the ruins, there are often tangled tree roots exposed above the water, like snakes lurking in the water.
What's even more amazing is that this body of water seems to have been blessed or cursed by someone; living things walking on it will hardly sink; but if inanimate objects are thrown into it, they will fall as if being embraced, and quickly disappear without a trace.
Odin looked around and then looked at the cornerstone platform in the middle of the water.
Shrouded in mist, three figures in gauze skirts, with mysterious and vicissitudes of life temperament, are sitting on the edge of the foundation stone platform, holding earthenware jars to scoop up clear spring water from the deep pool and pour it on the tangled tree roots under their feet. Everything seems harmonious and natural.
But upon closer inspection, Odin discovered that the space around them seemed out of place, and the world was invisibly divided into three canvases with distinct boundaries, each depicting a completely different scene.
Under the feet of the first person, frost and flames intertwined, and the roots of the World Tree had just sprouted new buds;
Under the feet of the second person, the green of life filled the surroundings, and the roots of the World Tree had already covered the foundation stone:
Under the feet of the third person, the surroundings were indescribably blurred and desolate, and the roots of the World Tree became chaotic and complicated, as if they had grown to the end, or extended to an unknown realm...
"God King who created the world, we have been waiting for a long time. Now that you have heard the call of destiny, let us step forward."
A low and slightly hoarse voice passed through the mist and reached Odin's ears.
Odin came back to his senses from his trance, but did not move. Instead, he looked warily at the three figures on the foundation stone platform that were giving him inexplicable pressure:
"Who are you?"
"We are the three Norn sisters, daughters of Orlaug, recorders of Fate..."
Some voices sounded vicissitudes of life, some were mature, and some were young. They gave the same answer and introduced themselves one by one.
The eldest sister, Urd, has short hair, a gloomy temperament, a slightly dark complexion, and amber eyes like aged wine, as if they contain countless stories from the past;
The second sister, Verdandy, has long hair and an elegant and noble temperament. She is in the prime of her life, looking straight ahead, firm and high-spirited, and seems to be always full of enthusiasm for everything;
The youngest sister, Shikoti, had her hair in braids and looked naughty and lively. She hid her pretty face secretly behind a veil, never showing her true face to anyone. On her knees lay an ancient book made of tree bark, but she never opened the book to read, appearing mysterious.
Odin walked forward and looked at the three Norn sisters sitting on the cornerstone, and couldn't help but think of the secret that his grandfather Buli had passed on to him.
Above the tangible [life], there is the invisible [time] that controls the fate of the world and writes the beginning and end of all things. Its name is [Orlaug].
It is invisible and immaterial, without beginning or end. It is the eternal law of the universe and possesses the oldest and highest power.
The daughter of [Time]? The three goddesses who rule fate?
They were the ones who called me? What did they want me to do?
As if she understood what Odin was thinking, the eldest sister Urd spoke calmly:
"As a gift from the Creator and Maker, you are qualified to ask us questions."
Odin's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he spoke impatiently:
"I want to know how to unify the nine kingdoms and make the Aesir prosperous!"
Hearing the undisguised ambition, the three Norn goddesses, who seemed to have expected it, were not surprised, but spoke quietly:
"Everything has a price..."
Odin heard this and nodded in approval.
After being the King of Gods for a period of time, he has discovered that in this world that was born out of sacrifice, it is often necessary to follow the principle of equal exchange. If you want to get something, you must give up something.
That's fair.
"What do you want? Treasure? Artifact? Or faith?"
The three goddesses shook their heads, their expressions still calm:
"Neither. We need a recording tool to write down the words of your fate."
After hearing this, Odin was stunned.
A tool for recording? What is that?
Seeing Odin's bewildered expression, the three Norn goddesses did not give a definite answer, but just pondered leisurely:
"God King, fate cannot give gifts without reason. Go find the wise giant Mimir. He may give you the answer."
Before Odin could continue asking, the surrounding scenery shattered like water waves. The spring, the cornerstone, and the three goddesses of Norn disappeared one after another, and he was outside the world tree. Everything that had just happened seemed like a dream.
Mimir?
Odin murmured, and couldn't help but think of this giant blood relative.
His mother Bestla was a giantess created by the first giant Ymir, and Mimir was her blood brother.
In other words, according to seniority, he should call Mimir uncle, as the other party has a close relationship with the Aesir.
However, because of the sacrifice of Ymir to create the world, and the resulting flood that killed most of the original giants, the relationship between the two sides was naturally not harmonious.
As I remember, after escaping to Jotunheim, this uncle, with his foresight and vision, seized a main root of the World Tree that possessed extraordinary power and settled there. He took the fountain of wisdom flowing under the roots for himself, drank it all day long, and eventually became the most intelligent giant in all of Jotunheim.
But the giants have old grudges against the Aesir, and even though Mimir is his blood uncle, he may not be willing to help.
Moreover, even if the wise giant was willing to answer his questions, Odin would not dare to believe it easily.
So, the fountain of wisdom?
Thinking of this, Odin's eyes were thoughtful, and he probably understood the hint of the three goddesses of Norn.
After the birth of the World Tree, there were three major root systems.
The first tree root goes deep into the fairy palace - Asgard. Under the root is the spring of Urd, which has the holy function of purifying filth and healing all injuries. It is also the spring controlled by the three goddesses of Norn in the secret realm.
The second tree root goes deep into the giant kingdom - Jotunheim. Under its root is a fountain of wisdom and knowledge. It is said that if you drink a sip, you will have endless wisdom and knowledge. It currently belongs to Mimir.
The third root goes deep into the Land of Mist - Niflheim. Under its roots is the Hvergelmir Spring, which is the living water that nourishes the primordial world and has endless vitality. However, the poisonous dragon "Nidhogg" entrenched there and also regards it as his private property.
Obviously, he wanted to solve the puzzle left by the three goddesses of Norn. He could either ask the wise Mimir for advice or drink the water from the fountain of wisdom to become a wise man.
The choice is self-evident.
Odin made up his mind, took off his armor, put on a wide-brimmed hat and cloak, transformed himself into an old man, crossed the rainbow bridge, and came alone to Jotunheim where the giants lived.
This place is close to Niflheim, the foggy country, one of the two original countries in the world, so the climate is cold, covered with permafrost and mountains. Although it cannot be said to be a barren land, it is also very poor.
Odin took a breath of cold air, chose a direction, and carefully avoided the frost giants wandering in the wilderness and the mountain giants living in the caves, heading towards the roots of the world tree that was entrenched there.
After a journey lasting half a month, Odin finally arrived at the World Tree and saw the gurgling spring.
At this time, his face was covered with dust, his white beard and hair were covered with frost, and his whole body was filled with fatigue, just like a hungry and thirsty traveler.
And this is exactly what Odin wanted.
Odin moved with difficulty and came to the Fountain of Wisdom. He bent down and opened his cracked lips impatiently, wanting to drink the legendary water of wisdom.
"Bang!"
However, a stone thrown from a distance hit Odin's feet, forcing him to stop.
At the same time, a towering and strong figure stood up from the tangled roots of the World Tree, and his deep eyes cast a cold gaze:
"Outsider, what are you doing? This is mine!"
Odin paused, and a humble and sincere expression appeared on his old face:
"Dear giant, I am so thirsty after my journey. Please be kind and let me drink a sip of this clear spring water to moisten my throat."
The wise giant Mimir listened to the traveler's request quietly, then walked over with a cane in hand. He examined him for a moment with a deep gaze, and a hint of mockery flashed in his eyes:
"Want it? Sure! Give me your sharp right eye in exchange, traveler!"
However, just as the wise giant finished speaking, Odin, knowing that his identity had been seen through, raised the cursed knife in his hand without hesitation, dug out his right eye from its socket, and handed it to Mimir with a smile:
"This is what you want, so what do I want?"
Seeing that the legendary nephew of the God King was so decisive and ruthless, Mimir was caught off guard and stood there in a daze for a moment.
"I have fulfilled my promise. You don't want to go back on your word, do you, Giant?"
Hearing the meaningful reminder in his ear, Mimir woke up from his trance, his face looking a little gloomy.
As a giant with wisdom, he certainly understands the underlying operating rules of this world.
——Sacrifice and exchange.
Now Odin has sacrificed his right eye as he said. If he chooses to go back on his word, he will inevitably be retaliated by the laws of the world and cursed by fate.
You are so cruel!
Mimir glared at his nephew, snorted coldly, and threw the bloody eyeball in his hand into the Fountain of Wisdom. Then he took off the horn cup from his waist, filled a cup with wisdom water, and handed it to Odin with a cold face.
Odin took the cup and drank the spring water eagerly, ignoring the bleeding from his right eye.
As the fountain of wisdom flowed into his body, Odin's brain seemed to be ignited by an obscure and mysterious power. His perception was infinitely broadened and his thinking was infinitely divergent.
The questions that had troubled him were answered one by one. The fog that shrouded the world was gradually lifted before his eyes, and everything became extremely clear.
Even though he only has one eye left, his vision and sight are longer-term and more thorough than his former self and than those mediocre people in the world who have both eyes intact but are blinded by confusion.
In this world full of blind people, the one-eyed man is king!
Odin suppressed his excitement and looked around. His eyes were immediately attracted by the World Tree in front of him.
Three huge root systems spread from the Fairy Palace to the Giant Kingdom and finally penetrate into the Kingdom of Mist, linking the nine kingdoms into a whole. Three sacred springs flowing around the roots carry the power of the world's laws to the World Tree, which then decomposes and absorbs it, transmitting it to the nine kingdoms, together forming a perfect energy circulation system.
And under the bark, between the branches and leaves, and within the roots, Odin vaguely saw obscure and mysterious characters acting as nodes of energy circulation.
In an instant, he understood that this was the recording tool mentioned by the three goddesses of Norn.
But the excitement came and went quickly.
Because no matter how he observed, he could not see the traces and appearance of those characters.
It seemed as if there was still a layer of hazy fog covering his eyes, preventing him from peeking into the mysteries of this entire world.
not enough!
The price you pay to master this secret is not enough!
A hint of determination quickly flowed out of Odin's one eye, and then he left the wise giant Mimir, left Jotunheim, and came to the world of Midgard.
At this time, Lorne, who was teaching mortals how to make fire at the seaside, heard the news and rushed over. Seeing Odin's empty right eye, Lorne couldn't help but stare:
"Your eyes..."
“It doesn’t matter!”
Odin waved his hand, his bloodstained face showing an unusual excitement.
"Loki, you've come just in time! I need to perform a sacrifice now, and you will be my guardian and help me prevent any interference from the outside world!"
As soon as these words came out, Lorne looked at the one-eyed Odin and the World Tree behind him, and immediately understood his purpose, and couldn't help but speak:
"Does it have to be this way?"
“That’s right!”
Odin answered with a smile, his eyes deep.
"It takes a magnificent sacrifice to create the world, and so does it to get it!"
Hearing the firmness in those words, Loen sighed and stopped trying to stop him. He stood silently outside the World Tree and set up a defensive barrier.
Having eliminated all his worries, Odin also came to the trunk of the World Tree in the Atrium World, manipulated the branches to hang himself upside down on the trunk, then raised his hand and took out Gungnir, the eternal spear that the dwarves had built for him, from the magic circle, and stabbed it into his abdomen.
“Puff~”
The golden-red divine blood gushed out from the hideous wound in Odin's abdomen, and sprinkled like rain on the trunk, branches, and roots of the World Tree.
At this moment, he used the World Tree as an altar and Odin as a sacrifice, sacrificing himself to himself, exchanging this self-sacrifice for the power to control the World Tree and the foundation of the Aesir career!
Of course, as the pillar connecting the nine kingdoms, the World Tree will not easily succumb to humans. The tremendous power within it constantly resists the erosion of Odin's blood, causing the God King hanging upside down on the tree trunk to gradually become scarred.
But Odin was not discouraged, nor did he give up. He endured the excruciating pain and tamed the World Tree like a wild horse.
During this process, the branches of the World Tree swayed, strong winds blew, and lightning and thunder roared. Odin, who was hanging upside down on the tree, swayed left and right like a tattered rag doll.
The golden-red divine blood continued to flow out of Odin's wounds, and life disappeared from his body bit by bit.
After enduring torture for nine days and nine nights, Odin was on the verge of death. He vaguely saw his blood dripping on the ground turning into sacred characters. After counting carefully, there were 24 in total, which seemed to contain infinite power and mystery.
Got it, finally got it!
Rune!
Odin opened his tired eyes and ecstatically carved the sacred runes obtained from his sacrifice on a golden shield and imprinted them firmly in his mind.
"puff!"
At the same time, a ray of flame swept across, cutting off the vines that were entangled with Odin and freeing the wounded God-King from hanging upside down.
As soon as he landed, Odin refused Lorn's help, left a word of advice, and eagerly opened the Rainbow Bridge:
"Loki, you guard this place well. I'll be back soon! Asa will soon prosper in my hands!"
Looking at the figure disappearing in the flowing light, Loen's eyes gradually became complicated.
Many times, lies don't hurt people, but the truth is the sharpest knife.
And the answer he is now determined to pursue may not meet his original expectations.
~~
Meanwhile, back in Asgard, Odin felt dizzy.
Although he drank from the fountain of wisdom and gained infinite knowledge and wisdom, he lost his right eye forever and the wound continued to ache;
Although he tamed the World Tree and comprehended the 24 runes that govern the operation of the world, he had consumed a large amount of divine blood, and his strong body had become extremely weak...
Therefore, with every step he took, he had to endure intense pain and a constant feeling of weakness.
But even so, Odin still did not stop for a moment, and stepped firmly and resolutely into the trunk of the World Tree that was spreading out ripples of light. His tired but high-pitched voice rang out in the water:
"I have brought the tools for recording. Honorable Three Goddesses of Norn, please grant me the destiny that will lead the Aesir to prosperity!"
The eldest sister Urd took the golden shield engraved with 24 runes from Odin and waved her hand gently.
The spring water with holy power washed Odin's whole body, healed his wounds, and cleared away the blood and fatigue in his body.
After regaining his spirit and strength, Odin still did not forget his original intention and could not wait to ask:
"Where is the fate decision I want?"
The three Norn goddesses looked at each other, and together threw the golden shield into the holy spring, sighing:
"See, this is the answer you want."
Upon hearing this, Odin widened his one eye and looked towards the spring with joy.
He saw the Æsir rise in fire, prosper in thunder, and reach their peak in light. The entire nine kingdoms submitted to the might of Asgard and together created the glory of the Æsir.
But then, Odin's smile froze on his face.
Because, the glory is fleeting, and a blazing flame tears the world apart, destroying everything and dragging all things into eternal darkness.
That is the twilight of the gods, the end of fate!
(End of this chapter)
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