"Before the Multiverse was born, we already existed. We possess knowledge and technology billions of years ahead of other civilizations. Once, we believed ourselves to be the Guardians of the Universe, destined to help other races develop and evolve."
"However, through experimentation, we discovered that not only do individuals have a lifespan limit, but so do races and civilizations. Our intervention only accelerates the demise of that race."
"Since then, we no longer interfere in the affairs between Universes, only acting as spectators, observing and recording various major events in the Universe."
As he spoke of the Watcher civilization's glory, the Watcher couldn't help but puff out his chest.
For powerhouses like Odin, who are on par with the Watchers, or Lucas, whose strength surpasses them, the Watchers' prying is an offense. They naturally feel displeased.
Furthermore, while the Watchers speak grand words, appearing as absolutely objective observers, they have in fact frequently shown partiality. This kind of hypocritical behavior has always been despised.
This is why the Watchers have a poor reputation among powerhouses.
But for countless other ordinary civilizations, the existence of the Watchers is a matter of individual interpretation.
Just as Lucas said, in the Multiverse, most civilizations are born silently and perish silently. For such a civilization, to be recorded by someone until the end of the Multiverse, perhaps, is a very romantic thing.
"Life always fears its nameless passing and always wants to leave a trace of proof. But the masses are destined to perish silently."
Lucas looked at Earth, waving his hand to display various screens.
On the screens were scenes of human life in various big cities, towns, and villages.
Among them were people of all ages: elderly, middle-aged, young adults, teenagers, and children.
"Decades for mortals, centuries for nations, millennia for civilizations—on the scale of the Multiverse, they are minuscule."
"The slightest trace they leave in this world will soon completely disappear under the erosion of time. Only you can record them until the end of the Multiverse."
"Watchers, your greatness needs no further words."
Lucas sighed and gave the Watcher a thumbs up.
To extract more energy from the Watcher, Lucas didn't mind saying some pleasantries.
Facing Lucas's uncharacteristic praise, the Watcher, though puzzled, couldn't help but curl the corners of his perpetually expressionless lips upwards.
He had now adjusted his perspective, realizing that Lucas was a more powerful being than him. And praise from a superior always brings more joy.
"Lord Lucas, you flatter me. We (the Watchers) are not great."
"Those individuals and civilizations who constantly overcome difficulties, continuously develop and progress, proving and sublimating their vitality—they are the truly great ones."
"And we are merely bystanders, witnesses, and record-keepers."
Lucas pointed at the many superheroes in the images. "They are like meteors streaking across the night sky, illuminating the entire firmament with their brilliance."
"However, meteors exhaust their own lives to light up the night sky for an instant. But stars burn eternally, illuminating the day."
"Lord Lucas, what do you mean?"
"Watcher, there is a being greater than a star right before you. Why would you seek far and wide?" Lucas smiled, pointing to himself.
His voice carried a strong allure, and the charm spell from the darkhold began to take effect.
"Recording a meteor streaking across the night sky, that fleeting beauty is perhaps romantic."
"But chronicling the rise of a supreme deity, that grandeur transcending infinite time and space..."
"This is the true legend, the true epic, the true myth."
Facing Lucas's grand promises, the Watcher's heart stirred, and he subconsciously chose to believe.
He remembered that although this person in front of him was extremely powerful, his rise was very brief.
In fact, even he, a Watcher who had been focusing on Earth-404, wasn't clear about how or when Lucas rose to power.
The rise of such a powerful deity is a rare major event even in the Multiverse. If he could witness and record his rise, for the Watcher, it would be tantamount to proving his vitality and sublimating his vitality.
"Lord Lucas, I am willing to witness and record your rise."
Lucas asked, "But why do I need someone to record and witness my rise?"
"Even if I need someone to record and witness my rise, why should it be you, and not others of your race?"
"Watcher, you should know that I have the ability to travel freely through the Multiverse. Finding your kin is not difficult. What advantage do you have over them?"
After successfully creating a need for the Watcher—to witness and record his rise—Lucas then had to figure out how to sell it at a high price.
The simplest way was to suppress the Watcher and elevate himself, thereby influencing his value judgment.
The Watcher pondered for a moment and said, "Lord Lucas, I can give you energy in exchange for this opportunity."
"Other Watchers can also give me energy. This is just basic, not your advantage. Unless you don't mind witnessing alongside your kin."
"I don't mind."
To Lucas's surprise, the Watcher didn't care about exclusive interviewing rights.
After a moment's thought, Lucas was relieved.
They are, after all, Watchers, not reporters. They don't need to report what they record.
So, the exclusive news brought by exclusive interviewing rights is naturally dispensable to them.
However, this also inspired Lucas. He could sell one product multiple times, finding several Watchers.
"Then let's confirm how to charge. Same as before, 2 billion units of energy for one major event?"
"Okay." The Watcher readily agreed.
For a moment, Lucas wondered if he had set the price too low.
Or perhaps, this fat sheep was much fatter than he had imagined.
Although he regretted it a bit, since he had already decided on the pricing standard, he didn't intend to change it.
He cannot leave behind such a black mark of going back on his word.
Unless...
The Watcher suddenly felt a chill on his almost non-existent neck.
Undoubtedly, this chill could only come from Lucas beside him.
The Watcher sighed inwardly.
Lucas was good in every way, and generally belonged to the righteous alignment. It's just that sometimes he was too maniacal, too chaotic.
However, this was also why he traded with him.
Chaos is a ladder.
Completely lawful people cannot reach great heights.
(End of Chapter)
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