True Magician

Chapter 83

Belnargo.

The dragon-girl, whose name was Giselle, led me deep into the temple, and at the same time my eyes scanned every room that came our way.

Stone columns reached the ceiling, various items with symbols of the goddess were placed here and there, wide passages and rooms were illuminated by daylight that penetrated through massive windows. In short, everything was large, imposing and, to some extent, pretentious.

But what impressed me was the number of people present inside. It's safe to say that this goddess is very revered. She certainly has no shortage of worshippers. There were indeed a lot of them. Some were praying with their fingers locked in front of them, some were listening to the sermons of priests and priestesses sitting on small benches, and some were just walking back and forth for some unknown reason.

When they saw our duo, they obediently stepped aside and bowed. I guess being an Apostle comes with a few advantages.

Now I'm really curious about Hardy. You can't get that kind of worship based solely on fear.

As I recall, the realm she wields is the underworld, which is pretty vague. Does she possess "the world"? Or is it souls? If the latter, how much of my 3rd magic is able to affect her? And if the former, what is its connection to this "world"?

So many questions...

- Impressive, isn't it? - Giselle remarked snidely - You are honored to meet the goddess in person. Remember that, mortal.

- Sure, sure," I nodded, "Can you tell me what the goddess Hardy has control over? I'm genuinely interested in this subject.

- О? Do you wish to embrace our faith?

- Maybe. I'm new to this world, so I don't know much about it. After all, no one wants to get a cat in the bag, right?

- Heh. You're right about that," she grinned, and then her eyes seemed to light up with pride, "However, worshiping my goddess is the highest reward and blessing anyone can receive. She is the goddess of the underworld. The world where all living beings go after death, where they receive a new and happy life in the form of souls. It is my goddess who ensures its existence, and without her, after death, there will be nothing. Only emptiness.

Hmmm... So she is the pillar of the afterlife that cannot exist without her. Hardy is not a goddess of the dead, as I had partly thought, and her duties do not include looking after the souls of the dead. She merely ensures the existence of the afterlife. Now I can see why she has so many followers, since everyone understands the power of death to some degree.

- I do.

- Now you realize the significance and power of my goddess, don't you? Don't you think it's the greatest honor to serve her?

- Perhaps. - I answered uncertainly.

- I see you're not mature," Giselle grinned, "But that's all right. Mortals are not always ready to accept the truth. Idiots still exist, after all.

After a while, we came to a rather narrow staircase leading down somewhere. It was deep, considering the number of light sources - small magical lanterns hanging on either side of the stairs. At the entrance stood one of the priestesses, who gave the torch to Giselle, and then we began to descend. And passing it, a truly impressive picture appeared before my eyes.

A very, very spacious basement with rows of giant columns going into the darkness. And at the very end was the Hardy symbol carved in gold, near which stood several priestesses in familiar attire. The sources of light were magical lanterns placed by the columns, making the surroundings quite epic.