That protagonist is trash; I could do better!

Merlin descended from the Heavenly Bow Maana and muttered to himself, "One of the three goddesses, the Forest Goddess, the supreme pillar in Aztec mythology, the Winged Serpent."

Hall calmly asked, "Where is Anna?"

"Anna? Ah, you mean that child? Don't be impatient. You can rest here for the day and recover your magic. We'll have another exciting competition tomorrow after the arena is set up. I've been looking forward to today." Quetzalcoatl's smile was kind and warm, and extremely infectious.

Chapter 437 This melon is crisp and sweet

As night falls, Eridu is brightly lit, with people lighting bonfires around the altar. Although it lacks the grand architecture of Uruk, it is just as lively and vibrant as Uruk's central streets.

Despite the fact that most of the residents were forcibly sent here as laborers, they did not mind at all, and smiled and respected the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl who ruled this place.

During the dinner held around the campfire, Merlin took the opportunity to inquire about the current situation of Eridu from the residents.

The man answered somewhat awkwardly, “Although we respect the King of Uruk, the environment there seems quite harsh now, so staying here isn’t so bad. We just need to build the temple during the day and get plenty of rest at night.”

Someone chimed in, "That's right, the fruit here is also delicious, it's a delicacy that people of our status could never have enjoyed before."

In Uruk, the average resident might not be able to afford fruit even with several days' wages.

Someone nodded: "Last time, someone was attacked by a wild beast in the dense forest and was seriously injured, but he recovered just by eating the comforting food sent by that goddess!"

"She is a wonderful goddess who is also very kind to us ordinary humans."

“I plan to stay here. With the protection of the dense forest, I don’t have to worry about being attacked by monsters. If the king’s prophecy is true, humanity will be wiped out in less than a few months. So, my last wish is to fully enjoy a peaceful and tranquil life during this time.”

After listening to the residents of Eridu's account, Merlin nodded slightly: "Thank you very much for your answers. I will relay your message to the King."

Beside her, Ishtar, listening to others praising Quetzalcoatl, crossed her arms in annoyance. The firelight reflected her cold expression as she muttered unhappily, "What is this? A mere foreign deity, always calling her 'Goddess.' That's why we can't be too merciful to humans."

No one heard Ishtar's complaints except for Hall.

Hall was also tasting fruits from the dense forest, including mangoes, coconuts, bananas, and other fruits whose names he did not recognize. Their shapes were very different from modern fruits, but their taste and sweetness surpassed those of modern fruits.

It's important to know that modern fruits are specially cultivated; whether bananas and mangoes from thousands of years ago were even edible is questionable.

That's not the key point; fruits grown in dense forests have the same effects as elixirs and panaceas.

Ordinary people who consume it will have improved physical health, Servants will have their spirit origins solidified, and magicians will have their magic power replenished—these are just some of the amazing effects they can achieve.

"The feathered serpent god is a deity in the hearts of the Maya who brings the rainy season and is associated with sowing, harvesting, and abundant crops. Its power is truly extraordinary," Hall sighed silently.

Ishtar sat down next to Hall, and seeing Hall enjoying delicious fruit, her eyes filled with resentment. "Hall, do you also think she's better?"

Ishtar disdained comparisons with ordinary gods, but the problem was that Quetzalcoatl's powers largely overlapped with hers, and this stark contrast led to Ishtar's sense of defeat.

Hall nodded: "That is certainly true for humans."

"So what do you think?"

Hall looked up at Ishtar, meeting her sparkling eyes, and smiled as she expected, replying, "I like you more."

"That's wonderful! As expected of my Master, you have excellent taste!" Ishtar cheered and jumped to Hall's side, hugging Hall's neck affectionately. All the gloom in her heart vanished with Hall's words.

As night deepened, the campfire gradually died down, but the sunstone at the highest altar continued to provide light and warmth to the land.

May I sit here?

Before anyone knew it, Quetzalcoatl appeared quietly behind Hall, asking him with a warm and friendly smile.

There were only Hall, Ishtar, and Merlin around the campfire.

Merlin, who replenishes his depleted magic by using fruit, does not need to sleep. He records what he sees and hears in Eridu on clay tablets, and reports back to King Gilgamesh after returning to Uruk.

Ishtar, draped in Hall's robes, was the first to retort with a hostile tone: "You are our enemy, aren't you? Why are you coming here?"

Quetzalcoatl's smile remained warm: "I don't deny that. Let's get along as enemies."

"..."

Ishtar pouted. "I really am not good at dealing with you."

Merlin exclaimed happily, "I wholeheartedly agree! If you can answer some of my questions, I'll even use my feet!"

"Merlin, shut up!" Ishtar turned and glared at Merlin.

Quetzalcoatl looked at Hall, and after receiving a nod of approval, exclaimed happily, "That's great!"

As she spoke, she sat down next to Hall and naturally took his arm, saying affectionately, "I'm so happy to see you all again, big sister."

Merlin stroked his chin, his gossip growing stronger: "Sure enough, you two had been in contact before."

"It was an unforgettable encounter; it was the first time I'd ever felt my heart flutter since coming to this world," Quetzalcoatl said shyly.

Ishtar's expression grew increasingly grim.

Hall added speechlessly, "We've fought before, and she killed me once."

"This is how I express my love. Big sister, I admire outstanding warriors the most."

No one doubted the way she expressed her love; after all, gods and humans are on different levels.

Merlin asked, "There's something I want to confirm: Winged Serpent, are you one of the three pillars of the goddesses who want to destroy humanity?"

Quetzalcoatl answered frankly, "Yes."

"This makes me a little curious. As the highest and most benevolent god in Aztec mythology, why do you want to destroy humanity?"

"Since it's Mother's request, destroying a little Uruk isn't so bad. To put it another way, don't you think humans have gotten a bit too cocky lately? Just kidding. I love things that are vibrant, especially humans."

Merlin immediately realized that the mother Quetzalcoatl was referring to was Tiamat, the creator goddess, and shook his head, saying, "I understood when I arrived in Eridu. Rather than destruction, your actions seem more like protecting humanity."

"Is that so? Is that how you see it?"

Quetzalcoatl's expression turned icy in an instant, even his smile exuding an unapproachable indifference: "Don't get carried away, magician. Before you try to probe the goddess's thoughts, think carefully about your identity and responsibilities, or I'll kill you first tomorrow."

Ishtar scoffed, “What a coincidence, it’s the only point on which we agree.”

"Feel sorry."

Merlin shook his head with a wry smile, not daring to ask any more questions.

Quetzalcoatl's expression warmed as if spring had returned: "I am fundamentally different from the other goddesses. I want to destroy humanity in a more meticulous way, to remember the name and face of every human being, to feel their determination and to kill them one by one. Only in this way can humanity's value be realized."

Keep blowing, I'm listening.

Hall quietly ate the melon; it was crisp and sweet.

Chapter 438 Sunstone

In Eridu, almost everyone was fast asleep.

Hall ascended the altar steps alone.

Without any guards, Quetzalcoatl had disappeared.

Is it confidence or just carefree attitude?

Hall muttered to himself as he successfully reached the top of the altar. Before him stood the Sunstone, covered in a bluish-green light. It was 3.75 meters in diameter, with a simple design, and exuded a powerful divine aura.

This thing is Quetzalcoatl's trump card, maintaining the territory of the dense forest, and is the core of this altar. If it is destroyed, Quetzalcoatl's power will be reduced by at least half.

If it's hard to understand, you can think of it as a version of the Radiant Great Complex Temple of Quetzalcoatl.

In the original timeline, Fujimaru Ritsuka and his group wanted to weaken the power of Quetzalcoatl by destroying the Sunstone.

However, even if Quetzalcoatl did not interfere, how could a mere mortal possibly destroy the symbol of the supreme god's authority? This thing is a divine weapon of the same level as the [Marduk's Axe].

Hall had a strong interest in the unknown.

The Demon Eye emitted rainbow light, analyzing the divine power attached to the Sun Stone.

Hall felt a burning sensation on his retina as his eyelids twitched.

Using human foundations to access divine power is tantamount to suicide.

Before long, Ereshkigal's clear voice rang out from behind: "Peeping at the goddess is a grave sin. This sunstone is a symbol of the power of the winged serpent, a treasure among treasures. If you continue to investigate, your eyes will be burned off."

Hall deactivated his magic eye and turned around to see a familiar figure bathed in the dim light of the sunstone. She wore an elegant and noble black dress, her golden hair reaching her waist, and her pretty face was shrouded in a lingering gloom.

"Are you afraid of being discovered here, Eileen?" Hall asked thoughtfully.

Ereshkigal said matter-of-factly, "So what if she found out? I am one of the three goddesses' pillars, a companion of the winged serpent. No matter how much she hates me, she can't possibly lay a hand on me."

Hall nodded. That was true. It was practically impossible for the three goddesses to directly attack before the contract ended. Quetzalcoatl had only lost half of his divinity by throwing Marduk's Axe to destroy Gorgon's temple. If they attacked him directly, the punishment would be even more severe.

There was no need to hide the relationship between Ereshkigal and Hor from Quetzalcoatl; their first meeting was when Ereshkigal retrieved Hor's soul from Quetzalcoatl.

The two arrived at the side of the altar, enjoying the evening breeze and admiring the South American jungle-style night view.

Are you confident of winning tomorrow?

"We won't lose," Hall said confidently, his confidence reinforced by a brief explanation of the concept of the Sunstone.

"Our opponent is that winged serpent."

"So what? The situation might be more favorable to me." Hall shrugged.

"Even though you're in the other party's territory, in front of their temple, you still say it's more advantageous for you. Sometimes I can't tell if you're joking or if you really have that kind of power."

Ereshkigal sighed softly.

"What happened?"

"N-nothing, just a little worried," she said, trying to cover it up.

Ereshkigal is a naive young lady who is completely unable to hide her emotions and is even less adept at lying.

Since she intended to keep it a secret, Hall didn't plan to press her for details.

Hall nestled in Ereshkigal's arms, lay on the ground, his head resting on her jade-like legs, and smiled, "Ereshkigal, you can always come to me for advice if you have any troubles."

"Ah."

The night wind was bleak, and after a long silence, both of them enjoyed the atmosphere of silence while each of them had their own thoughts.

Ereshkigal ruffled Hall's hair as he answered, whispering to himself, "Hall, you are truly an incredible human being."

"Really? I think I'm quite ordinary."

Ereshkigal covered his mouth and chuckled: "Ordinary? Isn't that a word that doesn't fit you at all?"

"He just has greater power than the average person, so his desires are also stronger, and yet he's still extraordinary." Hall sighed, and this sentence came from the bottom of his heart.

Having traveled through different worlds, Hall has only ever played the role he was supposed to play, experiencing more setbacks than successes.