I Sell Bottled Water for Gold in Another World!-Chapter 190: God’s Apostle

Two Weeks Later.....

When Alex travelled to ancient times after two weeks of accumulating energy through late night shifts once again, he received another invitation from Mr. Shah to have dinner together.

Same place, same person as before.

"This Mr. Shah is really quite hospitable and generous with his invitations."

Alex had no reason to refuse such an offer. Someone was inviting him to eat and drink fine delicacies, so Alex would naturally not refuse such pleasant company.

He took Jacob with him to the private room of the restaurant as his constant companion. Ever since the attack on him last time he rarely travelled alone anymore, after all he had offended a whole bandit group by finding their hidden lair in the mountains.

And now the supposed son of the bandit leader, who was actually a woman in disguise, was actively targeting him for revenge. He has to be extra cautious.

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Upon seeing Mr. Shah in the restaurant, who was looking notably haggard and worn down, Alex smiled warmly but could not help but ask with genuine concern.

"Mr. Shah, I have not seen you for several days now. You look somewhat tired and exhausted. You even have dark circles under your eyes that were not there before."

The Emperor offered a smile and tiredly massaged his face. "Trade in the capital has been exceptionally hectic these weeks with numerous pressing issues. I haven’t had a nights sleep, for several consecutive days."

Truly the Emperor had been exceptionally busy these past two weeks with matters of state.

For two consecutive weeks without rest, he had read detailed reports sent from the capital every single day.

He wrote response letters constantly, often working late into the night by candlelight.

After timely intervention by the imperial court and the swift execution of many corrupt officials who had hidden the canal problem and been found guilty of embezzling food grain supplies meant for the people, the disaster in the Northern Canal region was finally brought under proper control.

However, these past two weeks had kept him exhaustively busy with one crisis after another.

Finally having some free time away from constant administrative demands, he invited Alex to dinner and drinks once again to satisfy his curiosity.

After chatting pleasantly for a while about lighter topics, the restaurant servants began serving the dishes with practiced efficiency.

The food smelled absolutely delicious as steam rose from the platters. The aroma and appearance were irresistible to a man like Alex who appreciated fine cuisine.

"This is genuinely excellent and worth the wait."

Alex took several bites and praised enthusiastically while savoring the flavors. "I encourage you to try this particular dish. It tastes wonderful and the seasoning is perfect!"

"Yes, it truly is good," the Emperor agreed after sampling it himself.

After a few drinks of strong wine, Mr. Shah’s cheeks were slightly flushed with color. He was somewhat tipsy even though they had only just begun.

But even in that state he could not help but praise Alex with admiration. "Alex, you are truly remarkable beyond ordinary men! Those two things you mentioned have both come true without the slightest error or exaggeration. The Khan’s territory suffered severe drought exactly as you described. The northern canals had dried up just where you predicted. This is truly extraordinary when one thinks about it! How do you accomplish such accurate predictions?"

This time the empire owed everything to Alex’s timely warning about the conditions.

Otherwise he would have rashly sent troops into that wasteland without proper preparation.

The empire absolutely would have suffered a crushing defeat that would have echoed through history!

Alex blinked with genuine surprise at this revelation. This man before him was clearly no ordinary merchant it seemed.

He knew this because the news from his syndicate had taken months of careful accumulation to gather, so how had Mr. Shah learned about these two matters so quickly and in such detail?

He could not help but say with curiosity, "Mr. Shah, your information network is remarkably effective and well organized!"

The Emperor coughed lightly as he realized his mistake. He had nearly revealed too much about his true identity and position. He quickly composed himself and said in a more casual tone, "As you know from your own business dealings, doing business in the capital inevitably involves dealing with government officials at various levels. I know several people in the imperial court through these connections. I learned this information from them through private correspondence."

Alex nodded without any suspicion of the explanation.

The reasoning was perfectly logical and made complete sense.

Those who could conduct major business operations in the capital all had dealings with government connections and official patronage.

This was completely normal throughout the empire.

Such arrangements had existed since ancient times in every dynasty. Nothing surprising about it at all!

The two continued drinking together as the evening progressed.

After several rounds of increasingly strong wine, both men became progressively more intoxicated and relaxed.

They chatted about this topic and that subject without any particular direction.

From local customs and festivals to rare and precious treasures from foreign lands.

The two conversed freely and openly, having quite an enjoyable time together.

The county magistrate standing respectfully to the side dared not speak or interrupt. He only listened silently to the conversation with growing alarm.

He would never dare to be so presumptuous or casual in front of His Majesty under normal circumstances.

At this moment, Mr. Shah laughed heartily at something Alex had said.

He looked at Alex with genuine curiosity and asked the question that had been weighing heavily on his mind.

"Alex, tell me honestly without any deception. How can you predict things so accurately across such vast distances?

Could it be that you are some kind of deity banished from heaven for some transgression?"

Alex’s expression became mysterious and somewhat distant.

The wine had loosened his tongue considerably and removed his usual caution.

He leaned forward slightly across the table. His eyes gleamed with an otherworldly quality in the flickering lamplight that cast dancing shadows.

"Mr. Shah, I will not deceive you with false modesty. The truth is far more profound than you could possibly imagine."

Alex paused dramatically for effect before continuing in a lower voice.

"I dare not to claim to be a god myself walking among mortals. Gods do not walk among mortals so freely without consequence. However..."

He lowered his voice even further as though sharing a sacred secret that few were privileged to hear.

"I am an apostle of the gods. A messenger chosen by the divine powers that govern fate itself and watch over humanity.

The gods speak to me in vivid dreams filled with visions. They show me patterns and connections that mortals cannot perceive with ordinary senses.

They reveal truths hidden from ordinary eyes that see only the surface of things."

The Emperor’s eyes widened noticeably despite his intoxicated state.

He was surprised but still maintained some composure and clarity. However a doubt appeared in his mind that he could not dismiss.

Could this man genuinely be a god’s apostle as he claimed?

Alex continued with growing conviction, fueled by wine and the receptive audience.

"The gods do not intervene directly in mortal affairs with their own hands.

That would violate the natural order that keeps heaven and earth separate. Instead, they choose certain individuals carefully.

Rare souls who can perceive their guidance and translate divine will into mortal action.

Through us, they offer warnings and wisdom to those who will listen with open minds."

He gestured expressively with his wine cup. "When I solved the drought in Ironhold, it was divine knowledge granted to me through revelation.

When I predicted the Khan’s troubles accurately, I saw clear visions sent by the heavens themselves.

The gods showed me detailed images of dying cattle scattered across barren fields.

Dried riverbeds cracked like broken pottery. Starving people migrating south in desperate caravans.

These were not mere guesses or lucky speculation, Mr. Shah. These were divine revelations shown to me for a purpose."

Alex’s voice took on an almost reverent quality that filled the room.

"I am merely a vessel for greater forces. A conduit for divine will that seeks to guide humanity. The gods wish to see this empire prosper and grow strong.

They wish to prevent unnecessary suffering and foolish wars that waste precious lives.

Through me, they send their messages to those wise enough to heed them and act accordingly."

He looked directly at the Emperor with intense focus. "You are fortunate, Mr. Shah.

You listened carefully when others might have dismissed me as mad or delusional. The gods favor those who possess wisdom and humility rather than arrogance."

The room fell into stunned silence that seemed to stretch endlessly.

The county magistrate stood frozen like a statue. His mind reeled at these bold declarations that bordered on heresy.

The Emperor stared at Alex intently, processing these words carefully. If what Alex claimed was truly the case, it would be a great blessing for the entire kingdom and its people.

But still a doubt remained in his mind that would not be dismissed so easily. Was that really the case, or was this merely the wine talking?