Mage of the Abyss: Siola Mithra

Chapter 38 - Book of the Unknown

Descending a level from the entrance of the ruin, I see no light, not even a single candle or a punch hole through anything, leaving me to use [Ignition] on my right hand as a torch. Staircase, I walked down expecting danger, but there's nothing here. Except, a marking on the walls, some kind of symbol portraying many planets with starry clouds above, presumable, the galaxy.

"What is this place?"

{A relic from ancient times. They once said it was a place of worship}

"Hunh, and who are they?"

{Elves}

Narrow foundation connecting the staircase to another. Glancing at the open space both on my right and left side. I don't dare to lean away to look at the depth, 'Oof. I'd be dead if I fall here.'

"A place of worship. If it's Elven, does it mean the fairies? Like the God of Fairies?"

{The Spirit King}

"..." narrowing my eyes down, I ponder, 'So, we're not talking about the recent ancient time, but rather, the old ancient time. The topic of the four kings rarely ever comes out of people's mouths.'

{As far as I remember, this temple used to be surrounded not by a desert but by a forest}

"Was it part of the Great Forest of Sylph?"

{No. That place was called that long after}

"What happened?"

{The Divine Order laid waste upon that land. Turning it into what it is today in the war against the Demon King. Regardless, you must obtain the book. I believe it contains something related to The Unknown. Have you ever heard of the term, Idle-State?}

"Uhh? Like standing still?"

"Wait a minute, I can't follow. What War? And huh? Demon King? I mean okay, but the Divine Order is ruled by a human god, right? It stems from the same root, the Spirit King, so why would they destroy their allies, the Elves, and turns this place into this?"

{You sounded just like a real Wanderer. Or maybe you're just an ignorant fool}

"Mean!"

{Alliance is made to accomplish a goal, working together towards it, but by no means one will share the same views as the other. One of the many such examples is the ruin you're in. Despite already having many gods that can be chosen to grant a blessing from, they chose to worship another being. One who is revered even by the gods themselves}

'Well, I guess it's just like me then. I didn't worship any of the gods, but rather, I chose to worship one of the End Kings called Konig. Even though I didn't get a blessing from it, I did gain the Chronomancy Magic through the Unique Quest related to that one."

{One speaks of magical occurrences where one of the worshippers often levitates in the air, calling a powerful storm that can last for days. They don't eat, they don't drink, they just stay floating in the air as if they are sleeping in the comfort of the wind constantly being rotated by it. That is the so-called Idle-State, a method of prayer presumably used by the original worshipper of the Spirit King}

'...' puffing my cheeks, 'She seems to be enthusiastic about these things. I never even prayed once in my past life. I wonder if I should have?'

'Whatever, let's just focus on the task at hand.'

Upon arrival to the bottom floor, music and a melancholic humbling symphony of men were rumbling in my head. Signaling my arrival at the special place.

! {You have entered a Safe Zone}