Chapter 516

There was only one disciple that Berthus brought back with him from his return to the Yellow Road, Sabiolin Tana. This was because there were not many people who knew about Ellen's condition. The Daitomorian was not a dormitory, but a club building. It was the Occult Research Department, a club created for learning magic. Berthus and Ellen were not close to the Daitomorian, so it was the first time they heard about the Occult Research Department. Of course, there was no way the club could function properly at this point in time. Therefore, there was no club activity in the area where the club building was densely located, which was more desolate than other areas of the temple that were almost empty. When Berthus, Ellen, and Tana arrived in the area of the temple, they felt disappointed. Berthus realized how unrealistic his expectations were in front of the desolate scenery of the club building area. However, they had already come this far. If it was impossible to solve the problem, it would be meaningful just to confirm that it was impossible. "Where is it located?"

Although Daitomorian was said to be in the direction of the club building, there was no sign of it. They wondered if they had come to eat a late lunch.

"Underground."

Ellen said slowly.

"It seems to be underground."

"......?"

Tana and Berthus couldn't help but be puzzled by Ellen's words. However, Ellen seemed to be saying it with a blurry focus in her eyes, as if she was feeling something.

* * *

Just as the upper floors of the club building were not used, neither was the basement. And the basement was often used as a storage room for club equipment. Following Ellen's strange conviction, the three of them went down to the basement of the club building.

-Clang! Clang!

"It's locked."

The large door leading to the basement was completely locked.

"It seems to be locked from the inside."

The lock is on the outside, which means it is locked from the inside.

"It seems to have been closed...."

Since it was an unused building, it could be that they had simply locked the door leading to the basement. But Berthus felt a strange feeling.

"Let's go in for now."

Tana easily opened the locked door by sliding her finger along the edge of the door with her Aura Blade.

As soon as they arrived on the first basement floor, Berthus couldn't help but frown at the situation in the basement, whatever Ellen's strange conviction was based on. "What is this...?" Berthus and Tana couldn't help but feel chills down their spines as they looked at the strange symbols and ink drawn on the corridor and ceiling, as if the entire space was being used as a magic circle.

"There is something here."

Although the specific function was unknown, Ellen's words suggested that it was related to sorcery, and it was clear that Daitomorian was doing something while walking to the door and locking it in the basement. To be safe, Berthus, Tana, and Ellen were careful not to step on or touch the magic circles as they went down to the basement.

The basement was designed up to the second floor. And both the first and second floors were covered with unknown magic circles and symbols. Berthus felt a sinking feeling as he looked at them. "It's not something that can be made overnight...." "It looks like it...." The club building had not been used for quite some time. Even before the large-scale military organization, it was almost certain that Daitomorian had drawn and installed these magic circles in the basement of this club building for a very long time. Although he had only heard ominous things about it, Berthus was on the verge of having his spine chilled even though he had no idea what these magic circles meant. The three of them soon found Daitomorian. The largest warehouse in the innermost part of the second basement floor. In the dark basement, they could see numerous candles lit beyond the open door of the large warehouse. Hundreds of large candles were scattered around the room, and the melted wax dripped onto the floor. In the center of all the candles sat Daitomorian. In the light of the candles, Berthus could see idols made of bone and numerous symbols drawn in blood. Daitomorian slowly looked up at the three standing in the corridor as if he knew they were coming. Berthus felt a sinking feeling as he looked at the magic circles and realized that they were not made overnight. Daitomorian had been doing something in the basement of this club building for a very long time. Daitomorian explained that he was praying for peace, but Berthus couldn't understand the purpose of the ritual. Daitomorian admitted that he didn't know either and that he was just doing what he could. "However... it's possible that something might be going on." Daitomorian stared intensely at the flickering candles. Berthus felt suffocated by Daitomorian's slow movements. Was this all meaningless? "When did you start doing this?" "Continuously..." Daitomorian muttered incomprehensible words, bowing and dancing before the strange idol. Regardless of the location or what he was doing, Daitomorian continued to pray for peace. Since the Gate incident, for a very long time. Since he didn't know what else to do, Daitomorian continued to pray towards an unknown power. For over two years since the Gate incident. What was different about this from the prayers of ordinary people? Berthus couldn't decide whether to feel empty or impressed by Daitomorian's words about continuing to pray even if there might be no effect. But Berthus paid attention to Daitomorian's words about wishing for peace, not revenge or destruction. Daitomorian's personal information had already been relayed to Mustering. He was from a primitive tribe in the north. In a world full of monsters and plains, it was highly likely that Daitomorian's hometown had already disappeared. Even if he wished for the death of the Demon King for revenge without knowing the truth, Daitomorian still wished for peace. "So... let's say your wish is successful and has meaning. How exactly will peace be achieved?" Daitomorian shook his head in response to Berthus' question. "I don't know." Daitomorian put down the candle he was holding. "If peace isn't achieved... then my wish has failed..." "..." "If peace is achieved... then my wish has succeeded..." It was a retrospective thought. "Of course, regardless of the success or failure of my wish... peace may still come..." Daitomorian nodded as if he knew without being told. "So... it's good in and of itself..." That's why he continued to pray for peace. In the basement of an abandoned building that no one visited anymore. He continued endless rituals, installing strange symbols and idols and bowing before them. Berthus felt an inexplicable sense of awe when he saw Daitomorian like this. Just as he couldn't decipher the meaning of the symbols, he couldn't understand the value of Daitomorian's rituals. However, I was convinced that it was not something to be ignored. "So... why did you come here?" Berthus only realizes now that Daitomorian is talking to him like a normal person. While Ellen is special, the other students do not consider Berthus a friend anymore. However, Daitomorian doesn't seem to have any reverence or fear towards Berthus, who has become an emperor. This shaman acts and moves according to his own principles and values. According to those values and principles, he was praying for peace. "There is something you need to help with." Berthus still can't believe in magic. However, he judged that he could believe in Daitomorian. "Anyone can pray."

Although Daitomorian prayed through a giant shaman, in fact, anyone can pray.

Regardless of whether it actually comes true or not.

"Like I pray for peace...."

Daitomorian prays for peace.

Like praying for something, hoping to add possibilities even though he doesn't have the power to change the world.

"You can pray that you won't disappear too."

Ellen believes that she can pray that she won't disappear.

If you believe in something, it's a world where someone lends you strength.

Ellen was chosen by the gods of the moon and sun.

Hoping that the protection of a greater power than a shaman like herself will be with her.

Daitomorian carves a symbol of a being that can lend power to Ellen and gives it to her.

"I hope this will be a milestone for your soul...."

And he promises to pray for Ellen as well.

"May the blessings of the sun and moon be with you."

Ellen remembers something her mother said.

The moon and the sun.

She carefully grasps the symbol made of something's bones.

"Thank you...."

Ellen hangs the charm given by the shaman around her neck.

* * *

After receiving the charm from Daitomorian, Berthus, Ellen, and Saviole Tanah leave the temple.

Ellen and Tanah have to return to their base.

And Berthus is expected to stay at the base for a few more days as his inspection is not yet complete.

"Will it work...."

In the judgment of whether magic really works or not, it may just be a waste of time.

He doesn't know what kind of power Daitomorian really has.

He doesn't know if he even has any power.

Magic proves its existence as a substance called magic.

Divine power also proves its existence by summoning the power of the gods.

But these three have not seen the substance of shamanism.

It is not known whether it really works or not. If peace comes just because you pray for peace, why do you need all the substance.

Isn't it just relying on fiction because the situation is too difficult and desperate?

The author of the emperor, the knight of the empire's first sword, the hero of humanity.

Isn't it terrible to rely on uncertain shamanism?

Although he talked to Daitomorian and received a charm as if he was possessed by something, Berthus felt guilty as soon as he left the temple, wondering what he had done.

There is no way to protect Ellen like this.

That was the only thought that came to mind, and it was to the point where he felt sorry for bringing Ellen to the temple, leaving the battlefield.

"It may not work."

But Ellen walks quietly, holding the cheap symbol around her neck.

"But it might work."

Daitomorian was praying that peace might not come, but it might come.

The charm may only be able to protect Ellen.

But it might be able to protect her.

"I don't think it's bad to have something like this." Because there might be even a slight possibility, as Daitomorian said, Ellen will believe it. If she uses this as a milestone for her soul and believes in it, she thinks she won't disappear. If just believing in it can keep her from falling apart, the charm is already effective. Ellen believes it. That's why she was clearly feeling a little clearer in her cloudy consciousness.