Chapter 17

The next day, Olivia, Silas, and Alan headed to the ruins.

Princess Florenzia was said to be unwell and would not be joining them today.

When they arrived at the ruins, Professor Wybal told them that he would show them the underground ruins that were currently being excavated.

They were led to the outer part of the White Rose Palace, which was said to be the site of the underground temple.

The underground ruins were prone to collapse, but the area where the underground temple had been was completely collapsed, forming a sunken pit, making it safer as there was no risk of the ceiling falling.

"The central part of the White Rose Palace, where the royal family resided, is quite unstable and dangerous, so we have suspended work there for now."

They were in the process of devising a safe method for excavation and would resume work on that part once they came up with a plan.

"Here is the altar section and part of the mural."

Led by Professor Wybal, they arrived at a place where part of a faded mural was visible.

"What is this mural depicting?"

Alan asked. The mural showed an animal that looked like a cat with a bird's head and wings.

"This is a celestial painting."

"Celestial painting?"

Alan tilted his head in confusion.

"In the ancient dynasty, it seems that the sun god Sestia was worshipped. Is there a connection?"

Olivia asked while looking at the mural. There were multiple religions that worshipped a sun god, each with a different name, but Sestia, worshipped in the ancient dynasty, was a god of both prosperity and destruction. Among the sun gods Olivia knew, Sestia was the only one who governed destruction. Professor Wybal nodded.

"Yes. I believe this mural depicts a person chosen by Sestia ascending to the heavens. Due to the many damages, I cannot say for certain, but the cat with a bird's head and wings depicted here is called Fizzalbia, the gatekeeper of the celestial world. It is thought to be guiding people who have been judged by Sestia and have earned the right to ascend to the celestial world."

"Right to ascend to the celestial world? What happens to those who don't earn it?"

Silas answered Alan's question. Alan looked puzzled.

"Why did you read that?"

"It's a new book that recently arrived at the castle library."

"Oh, I want to read it too!"

Olivia, who had not known about it, brightened at the mention of a new book, and Silas smiled.

"I'll tell you which one it is when we get back."

"Thank you!"

"So, what does it mean to be reborn into the world?"

"It seems they are reborn as new people or animals."

Silas said, and Professor Wybal nodded.

"Yes. Those chosen by Sestia live eternally in the celestial world, while those not chosen are first dropped into the underground world and then reborn as new beings and return to the earth."

"What are the conditions for being chosen?"

Olivia tilted her head, wondering if it was based on the amount of good deeds one performed in life. Professor Wybal chuckled.

"Loyalty to the king."

"Huh?"

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Olivia was taken aback.

"So, the sun worship in the ancient dynasty was a religion created to suit the king's convenience?"

Alan nodded in understanding.

"The king probably created and made people believe in it to control the nobles. It's a common story."

"Indeed, I've heard similar stories elsewhere. Some countries even made the king a descendant of the gods."

While it was a common occurrence, for some reason, hearing this made the mural in front of them seem suddenly dull. In the past, natural disasters like storms, earthquakes, and lightning were all interpreted as the wrath of the gods, so it made sense that using religion to control people was the most efficient method, but it seemed a bit boring.

"If the king changes due to a political upheaval, would all those who pledged loyalty to the previous king be dropped into the underground world?"

Olivia said, thinking it was unfair, and Professor Wybal's face lit up.

"Indeed, that would be the case! How interesting! It is said that there were differences in the burial of those who ascended to the heavens and those who fell into the underground world, so investigating before and after a political upheaval might lead to new discoveries!"

It seemed to have struck a chord with the researcher, and he seemed ready to dig up the entire cemetery. Perhaps she had said too much.

"Look, Olivia. There's a large incense burner over here."

Following Silas's call, they approached a terracotta incense burner that was about the height of an adult's ankle to knee. It was mostly intact, with only slight damage.

"Incense was burned during prayers to the gods."

Professor Wybal explained.

"What kind of incense was burned?"

Olivia asked, peering into the incense burner.

"Most of it had hallucinogenic effects. Some were also used to cloud people's minds or make them lose consciousness."

Olivia was startled.

"Such dangerous substances?"

"They were likely used to deify the king and priests. To make people see hallucinations and instill reverence for the gods and the king who was connected to them. Such dangerous incense is banned in the Briol country but is treated like a drug in the Calzor country."

Olivia felt as if the dangerous scent of the past was wafting from the incense burner and instinctively stepped back.

Thank you for reading!

Today, a new book (a completely original work) is being released!

Title: "I Was Exiled, So I Mass-Produced Magic Items and Became a Great Mage ~ I'm So Loved by High Spirits That I Don't Want to Return to the Guild Anymore!"

Label: Starts Publishing Berries Fantasy

Illustrator: Sugahara Ryu

☆ A fantasy with lots of dragons and fluffy creatures (laughs)!

I hope you enjoy it (*^^*)