LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 124
Chapter 124. The Secret of the Temple (1)
I inspected the entrance of the temple.
Even the devout followers of the Black Willow Cult had been unable to enter this place after all their efforts, yet I had no problem stepping right in.
“Why has the seal suddenly broken? Is there anyone among us related to the Sun God?”
Ender was perplexed, as were the others.
‘It seemed unlikely. Certainly, no one like that…’
Then suddenly, a name flashed through my mind.
“… Tuatem?”
Tuatem Peret.
The only person related to the Sun God that I knew.
Come to think of it, I had once consumed him using the 〈Funeral of Living Flame〉.
However, assuming this was the reason for the seal breaking felt like a leap in logic.
“Who is Tuatem?”
“He is someone connected to me. It’s not certain, but perhaps it might be linked to why the seal broke…”
After pondering with my eyes closed, I reached a conclusion.
“We’d better go inside.”
“What do you mean by that? Are you suggesting we recklessly enter a temple of an Outer God?”
“It might not be a safe choice for us, unlike you or Eldritch!”
It was certainly dangerous.
Yet, I didn’t intend to charge in thoughtlessly.
“Since the seal is broken, the enemies could come to check it at any time. Whatever is inside, we should handle it first.”
This was my primary reason.
Perhaps those who had left earlier did so to report that the seal of the temple had broken.
“Also, I don’t sense any presence of an Outer God inside. There might be another, more powerful seal within.”
Additionally, I proposed a backup plan.
“And to prepare for any unforeseen events, Eldritch should ready a 〈Teleport〉 spell so we can retreat immediately.”
Everyone seemed deep in thought, but leaving a suddenly unsealed temple unattended wasn’t an option.
Thus, we ventured into the temple.
“What kind of temple of an Outer God is this?”
The interior was heavily damaged.
Whether it was due to the passage of time or some other reason was unclear, but due to its age, there were many signs of wear and tear.
“There doesn’t seem to be any apparent threats… No, there’s nothing at all visible.”
It was completely empty.
There might be something deeper inside, but the first floor was merely an empty space.
Furthermore, a barrier radiating heat as intense as the sun blocked our path when we tried to proceed further.
“I will now release the miracle.”
Everyone’s visibility was restored.
Ansandy laid Delion on the ground and checked his condition again, fortunate that he was merely asleep and his condition wasn’t too bad.
“Phew… I need a moment to rest.”
Ender appeared quite exhausted, so I only called Eldritch and Arian aside for a discussion.
“Eldritch. Could this temple be connected to the God worshiped by the Black Willow Cult?”
“I don’t believe so. The God they worship is considered to be the 【Sacred Tree That Contains Lifeblood】.”
Mentioning that name, Eldritch paused, his voice filled with complex emotions as he continued.
“The offspring, born from the blood of the 【Dreamer in the Citadel of the Abyss】, keep the blood of that being waiting for their revival. It’s an Outer God safeguarding that blood.”
“The 【Dreamer in the Citadel of the Abyss】? Then it has no relation to the 【Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young】?”
“To our knowledge, that is correct, though alliances can happen anytime.”
The exact relationship between these two Outer Gods was unclear.
Yet our problem extended beyond just them.
“I’m more curious about those rabbit-mask figures that appeared!”
Arian cast a questioning glance at me.
As if asking what new connection had arisen, yet I had no clue regarding them either.
“Arian, do you have any idea?”
“I’ve never heard rumors that match their characteristics! Where did such strong beings come from…”
During the Wave Reach incident, I dealt with them as mere mercenaries, but the situation was different now.
“They targeted us precisely while we were confronting the Black Willow Cult. Are they also from an Outer God’s faction?”
Usually, we only dealt with crazy Outer God’s followers or vile criminals, but these ones…
“…are utterly bothersome.”
“Please calm yourself, Ethnos.”
Eldritch stepped back slightly.
It was then I noticed that Gluttony had morphed ominously in response to my emotions.
“You mentioned before that anger was your most pronounced emotion, right? It appears so even now.”
Observing me seriously, Arian analyzed, and I nod, somewhat embarrassed, but then my expression twisted again.
“… It’s the presence of an Outer God.”
“What? All of a sudden?”
The faint but familiar aura fleetingly brushed past.
I wasn’t the only one to sense it; it seemed Eldritch noticed something too.
“This isn’t potent enough to affect us. In fact, your usual aura is stronger, Ethnos. However, the presence felt deliberately revealed.”
“Deliberately?”
“It seems as if it was revealed slightly to make its existence known.”
Eldritch’s point was logical.
It wasn’t a particularly threatening aura.
“It seems to be emanating from inside this seal…”
Reaching out my hand, I was taken aback.
The previously burning hot barrier had vanished.
“… It looks like someone indeed exists inside here. Eldritch and Arian, I need you to guard this place.”
“You intend to go alone?”
“We must also be wary of those sent by the Black Willow Cult. If I have to, I’ll find a way to make it out alive.”
I was more concerned about the risk of my exhausted companions being harmed; it was comforting to have someone stay behind.
“Understood! If anything happens, please communicate through the ring!”
With those instructions, I proceeded deeper down into the interior alone.
The feeling of warmth grew stronger as I descended the dark steps.
『I don’t feel any danger inside yet. How about your side?』
『All clear here! We’ll maintain our vigilance!』
Briefly reporting to Arian, I examined the inside.
Despite being a temple, it bore no adornments, appearing starkly black and barren.
‘The floor, ceiling, and walls… They aren’t naturally black, but all bear scorch marks.’
A scene familiar to me.
“Could it be… Is this place a temple of the 【Eternal Blaze】?”
The resemblance was stark to the location where I encountered Tuatem.
『Ah, there you are at last.』
Following an Outer God’s presence and heat downward, I eventually reached those who had undone the seal.
Figures with burnt blackened skin and mere skeletal remains.
Among them, some had missing limbs.
‘Those figures…? Wasn’t Tuatem the last priest of the 【Eternal Blaze】?’
Being deep underground in a sealed temple, it wasn’t surprising it remained an unknown secret.
『We have awaited your arrival, gracious one.』
“Gracious one…?”
『Indeed. Did you not grant death to Lord Tuatem?』
『In doing so, you must have mastered the miracle of this cursed existence.』
I could roughly grasp the situation.
They, like Tuatem, had been forced to master miracles of the Blaze.
They likely knew Tuatem well, too.
“As you guessed, I granted him peace with the 〈Funeral of Living Flame〉.”
『How can we not call you a gracious one?』
『Moreover, you’ve driven away those who sought to desecrate this place. We can only be grateful.』
Their voices even carried a hint of reverence.
Though the atmosphere was amicable, I still harbored questions.
“I’m a little confused… but wasn’t this place sealed with the Sun God’s barrier? How was it undone?”
『It was not the Sun God’s seal.』
Not the Sun God’s seal?
『We do not serve the 【Eternal Blaze】. We are still devoted to the Sun God.』
『To deceive future intruders, we fabricated a seal mimicking the flames of the sun. Those unacquainted with the miracles of Ra or the 【Eternal Blaze】 could not discern it.』
I let out a small gasp of admiration.
Even I, who mastered the miracle of the 【Eternal Blaze】, was deceived enough to think it was linked to the sun without doubt.
Perhaps I could employ such a trick someday, too.
『And you must wonder why we protect this place.』
『Surviving in such a state, as you see, has its limits.』
The reason for their limits was evident.
Amidst the places where people once stood lay piles of ash.
Though seemingly all lifeless, a consciousness resided in the ashes.
『We’ve guarded this underground space for countless years. However, we can no longer endure. Thus, we summoned you, gracious one.』
“What on earth are you guarding?”
Given the temple’s lengthy entombment, they must have upheld the seal for centuries.
‘Could it be the 【Eternal Blaze】’s scripture? Or some perilous divine relic?’
They fell silent.
Hesitation about revealing its identity was apparent.
『We hope you understand. Even among us, opinions are divided.』
『It’s not about disregarding your admirable actions. Merely, we wish to be cautious.』
“Is it because the trust is not yet enough?”
『The matter is profoundly significant and perilous.』
『Though we’ve observed your deeds, it’s only based on events here, which offers a limited glimpse… an assurance is…』
“In that case, allow me to demonstrate.”
If persuasion was required, then seeing is believing.
I promptly began a prayer.
“The net ensnares all living beings, so let it manifest across your movement. 〈Wave Net〉.”
To the void, I cast a miracle.
『This is the miracle of the 【Weaver of Destruction’s Threads】!』
『How does one manage miracles from two Outer Gods in one body…?』
“I am also versed in other miracles of Outer Gods. This is to avoid absolute submission to any one of them. I do not revere any Outer God.”
These individuals weren’t followers of the Outer Gods.
Much like Tuatem and me, they were victims forced into this against their will.
What was necessary now was convincing them I didn’t follow the Outer Gods.
『You’ve chosen a… perilous path.』
『Though a remarkable feat, I cannot help but lament the trials awaiting you.』
I simply afforded a wry smile.
『May the gracious one maintain their course.』
『If something was lost, may you retrieve it.』
『We will trust you with the secret of this place. May you continue untainted by the Outer Gods, using it to protect humanity…』
The truth they managed to enlighten me with confirmed its gravity.
『We have been guarding the ‘Red Dragon Crown’ here.』