Chapter 31

"Never, there should be no complaints, right?"

A grand monologue echoes. The voice permeates the dark, black space, dissolving into it.

It seems as if this place, this world, was prepared for this shadow. It is as if it is its territory. Everything is at the shadow's command.

"You made the first move. Besides, don't forget. This is my domain."

The shadow began to take on a faint outline. It resembled a demon, yet it also seemed human, and perhaps something else. An indescribable, elusive something. However, it was indeed starting to take on a definite form.

"It's just a matter of me moving a finger in my own bed. What complaint do you have about that!"

A grand laugh is once again absorbed into the blackness. It sounds mad, yet endlessly joyful, and the laughter does not stop.

Even knowing that everything will be absorbed into the black world, the voice continues to echo, forever and ever.

*

The main hall of the temple. The gathering place of the knowledge and wisdom of the Emblem believers. There, emblems that could be considered their object of faith, along with books, stone tablets, and even small objects of unknown use, are piled up in a cramped space.

It is truly impressive. In this kingdom, is there really a place that can accumulate such wisdom?

The Emblem believers always made the collection and gathering of knowledge and writing, and things akin to them, one of their doctrines. The truth of this world lies in exploration, and the emblem points the way. That was their standard line.

Perhaps it could be called a worship of knowledge. Their collection sometimes went too far, even causing wars. I don't know the details, but their aggressive faith and fanatical worship of knowledge did not spread widely. Rather, their exclusive thinking and philosophy, which they also gathered as knowledge, led to a decline in their influence as time passed, which is perhaps inevitable.

"Amazing! Look, look at this! I've never seen anything like this in the academy's library or research room—no, nowhere!"

But thanks to this doctrine, a repository of wisdom has been created here.

There, the girl with the black hair, Fiala La Borgograd, is letting her hair flow freely. Her shining eyes, rhythmic feet, and bouncing chest reveal how pleased she is.

However, isn't she a bit too excited? At least, when Fiala visited this place during her travels in the past, she didn't act like this. Of course, the difference in age between the Fiala of now and the Fiala of then is a factor.

"Stop acting like a butterfly that found a cabbage field and start tidying yourself up, employer."

"Oh, you just don't understand the mood. Be firm, yet natural. That's the teaching of the Borgograd family. So, if you're happy, you should show it."

I've never heard such a thing before.

A firm attitude, indeed, is something I can relate to from her past travels. But natural, being true to oneself, being oneself. Indeed, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to match the image of Fiala that exists in me. In fact, the Fiala in front of me, while retaining the essence of the Fiala of the past, seems to have a fundamental difference.

Perhaps something happened in her life that changed her worldview from this era to the time of her journey to save the world.

I take a quick, deep breath and stand up.

"Oh, you can read not only the rural script but also the formal script?"

"My condolences. I do a lot of work, you know."

She twirls her finger by her ear and shrugs proudly. I can't say I learned it from Alyeno during the journey to save the world, as it would sound too awkward. Until then, of course, I could only use the simplified script and symbols used in the countryside.

I slowly move my gaze along the spines of the books. Owning books, such a luxury, is like owning a fortune. The sight of countless books lined up is breathtaking. If I had the right connections, it would be a great fortune, but that's impossible for me.

To sell such luxury items as books, one needs the appropriate status and tradition. If a rat like me had a large collection of books, I would either be underestimated or labeled a fraud.

I sigh inwardly, stroke my chin, and put some items that might be valuable into my pocket. Some are familiar, some are not. This place is full of valuable things. For a small-time thief like me, these are more suitable than books. I tried a tobacco-like substance in my mouth, but it had a terrible smell.

"Amazing. Truly amazing, like a dream. No, maybe it is a dream! What's over there!"

That's Fiala's voice.

Ah, yes, that should be the main chapel, I pointed to the door. It's a spacious room that can fit dozens of people, and it's hard to believe it was built underground.

When we visited in the past, there were human bones, bloodstains, swords, and armor scattered around. This was the last stronghold of the old believers, the Emblem believers, and when they realized their defeat during the Gospel War, they must have died here in secret. There was even a woman's corpse, likely a beauty in life, and I couldn't help but pray there.

The Gospel War, also known as the Great Rebellion of the Old Believers. It was a large-scale war that plunged the surrounding countries into chaos as the oppressed old believers rose up in unison.

Countries like the Galrist Kingdom, which were united under the Great Church, were better off, but many others fell into civil war as the old and new churches clashed. The rebellion's influence was significant, and in fact, the once impregnable city of Galuamaria was captured by the old believers from both inside and out.

However, despite leaving a significant mark on history, the old believers' momentum did not last. They suffered strategic defeats and ultimately chose to meet their end in this underground temple.

Honestly, the sight of the remains is not pleasant. As I thought this, something crossed my mind. No, wait. Am I missing something important?

Yes, that's it. It's as if I've been focusing on the periphery but overlooking the center. I'm forgetting something basic.

Fiala muttered, "Wow," and grabbed the door, opening it with her overflowing curiosity.

—Beyond the door, there were people like cathedral knights, pointing the dull tips of their spears, and dozens of eyes glaring at us with hostility.

Fiala's face froze and turned pale. I felt a chill creeping up from the soles of my feet.

A clear voice echoed through the grand hall.

"I heard there were intruders, but I never expected them to reach here."

She was a beautiful woman, with a voice that resonated, and a face that combined dignity and purity. Her eyes were pure, yet mad.

"Not only do you harm our faith, but you also trample on the wisdom of the cathedral with your dirty boots—what a great sin, what a great insult! Yes, I command you. Capture them and tear them to pieces. For the foundation of our intellect!"

Ah, yes. That's it. Why was I so clouded?

When we came to Galuamaria, I was certainly aware of this. I was undoubtedly wary of this. Yet, the success of the small plan to separate Fiala from Helt Stanley led to this blunder. Ah, what a blunder I've made.

"It's a lie, the old believers left this place and went east long ago...!?"

Fiala's trembling lips forced out the words as armored men seized her arms.

They were unmistakably the emblem knights, the pride of the old believers. And the one giving the orders was likely the woman revered as a saint during the Gospel War. The one who started it all and colored it with fresh blood.

Ah, I'm a fool. I'm a great fool.

—The Gospel War is not over. It hasn't even begun.