Kobold Wizard's Journal

Chapter 382 The Journey and the Suffering
On the winding, dark stone steps, the two people's footsteps maintained a steady, unhurried rhythm, creating a sense of disconnect with the irregular, pained cries that seemed to come from deep underground, yet were also close to their ears.

“That broken stone statue at the entrance is the God of Joy,” Kurt said with a smile, “which is me in the past, making people laugh… It’s too difficult, like that clumsy performance on stage. The only thing that made me laugh out loud in that performance was the performer’s contorted expression that lasted only a moment. I’ve also been contorted in that confused way, and my expression was probably even uglier. In the end, just like the performance on stage, the story of that great man constantly changing himself inspired me. I want to make a change. I’m too insignificant to reach my goal in one step…”

Kurt smiled and looked at Ruger.

Ruge naturally knew that the great man he was praising was the current God of Knowledge.

"Many people fail to recognize this fact. Having lofty goals does not mean that one can move forward in a straight line. Even that wise and extraordinary person took the first step as the God of Bread. How much more so for someone as insignificant and ignorant as me. So the God of Joy died and the God of Sorrow was born. Although this delayed my advancement for several years, fortunately, everything is no longer a problem now, and I have Lord Luger's help..." Kurt said with emotion.

Ruger scratched his head, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with such praise.

Or rather, it is valued so highly.

Hopefully, the confidence Kurt has shown will translate into an equally high success rate as he advances, and that he, as a witness, won't have to witness a devastating failure.

"It's not completely dead, is it?"

"Ruger said softly, matching the high spirits of his contract partner who was about to advance to the next level."

“Of course, of course! You are right. Although I am sad, although I am in pain, although I can feed on sorrow, I have not lost my way,” Kurt said happily. “If you had appeared ten years earlier, I believe I could have saved a contract, because we would have become best friends. I would have enjoyed the sorrow, but aimed for laughter, gathering the broken pieces of the god of joy into a ball as its heart. Sorrow and pain would have enveloped laughter, just like the people around me. No matter what kind of pain they are in, they will eventually laugh, and my existence would have shared their sorrow… This is what I can do now, this is my heart, the source of my ideals, and also my insignificance…”

Kurt laughed as he spoke, even chuckling softly.

Ruger felt that as a wizard apprentice, he recognized his own insignificance and the gap between himself and his dreams, but he still tried. He never belittled himself in his words, and even felt some pride and satisfaction in what he could do, which further demonstrated that he had a clear understanding of himself.

Suddenly, Ruger realized that his so-called dream, and his creation of his own god, seemed quite suitable for being spread and disseminated, and perhaps he would be quite competitive on the path of faith wizards in the future.

No matter how times change, pain and sorrow, like laughter, will never disappear.

It will never be absent from any corner.

Kurt's dream, as he himself said, was not to pursue power like other wizard apprentices. But Ruger saw another level: it wasn't the difference between dreams and desires, but rather the difference in the time and environment in which they were born. Kurt's desire, like that of the blacksmith apprentice before him, was a dream he had as a child, an ordinary person. Perhaps some special experiences stimulated him and left a deep mark on his heart, making him eager to use that extraordinary power to fulfill his desire when he first came into contact with the supernatural and wizard apprentices.

Ruger raised an eyebrow.

This guy is truly suited to the path of a true wizard. If he were to walk another wizarding path in some remote corner far from the Endless Sea, his achievements would likely be quite limited. Of course, everything is uncertain. Perhaps if he had never heard of the path of a true wizard, Kurt's wishes would have gradually been forgotten, or become a small regret in his heart after decades or centuries, instead of being used as motivation on his path to transcendence. The thoughts and reflections along the way, along with the casual conversations, made the seemingly endless stone steps not as boring as he had imagined.

Luger finally saw the source of those feeble cries.

In front of them was a long corridor, with some special prison-like rooms on both sides.

"Lord Ruger is almost here. I call this place the Road of Suffering," Kurt said with a smile. "These are all people who have made mistakes, oh, and spies too. The recent collapse of the distant, invisible Tianzhu Mountain caused a series of troubles... But I never expected that someone would have their eyes on my remote little place. How interesting..."

Luger smiled and found it amusing as well.

If someone were to actually invade, and it just so happens that Kurt has successfully advanced to a first-ring wizard, it would definitely become a long-standing joke in the Chaotic Star Sea.

The two walked slowly, and at the end of the straight corridor were two rather exaggerated iron gates, each as tall as three or four people.

Twisted patterns, like vines, intertwine on the two tall, black iron gates, forming beautiful designs.

Ruger walked along, looking around.

Half of the special cells on both sides were empty, and some figures could be vaguely seen moving around inside, wielding strange black whips.

"They are my divine gifts, some of the devout warriors of excruciating pain I mentioned before. Of course, in their eyes, I am merely a messenger of God. As for those who are wailing and releasing their sorrow and pain, they are usually death row inmates on the island. But I am merciful. They have been given the potion of life warriors and have time to rest and eat, so they will not die easily... If they can endure the long and painful sentence, they can receive the redemption and forgiveness of the God of Sorrow."

Kurt smiled when he saw that Ruger was listening attentively.

"Actually, it's about using the Life Warrior potion to punish these fools who made mistakes for a longer and better time, while also gaining more grief and faith power. Of course, God's promise will definitely be fulfilled. Generally, those who can get through it will be very devout, and they will digest the Life Warrior potion very well, becoming potential God-givers. For orthodox faith wizards like me, there are many places where I need God-givers, and some Life Warriors are also a good option."

Kurt said, shrugging his shoulders.

The two arrived at the iron gate, where two solemn-looking divine beings emerged from the darkness and bowed respectfully to Kurt.

(End of this chapter)