93
093 ― The Old Castle
The Elves who had been about to drive him out as a monster had relaxed their guard somewhat. However, they hadn't lowered the bows they had aimed.
In a place where dozens of arrowheads were visibly aimed at him, the crow was sending a polite proposal.
―I heard that the temple where you were staying has collapsed. If you need a place to rely on, how about our Temple of Light? It's a very bright and wonderful place. Hahaha.
Though he was chattering and laughing, the crow speaking those words seemed far removed from light. This wasn't simply about the color of his feathers being black, but rather that he was emanating the ominous and sinister aura characteristic of monsters.
"You're saying you'll take us in?"
April, the leader of this place, stepped forward first to attempt a conversation with him.
Although Jin-woo had protected everyone, being human made him unsuitable to lead the Elves, and Jin-woo himself declined such a position.
Rona had sufficient skill and status to lead everyone, but she had yielded the leadership position to April. She had been active in the 3rd floor the longest, and it was she who had protected her compatriots from the Orc attacks.
Thus, April, who had come to represent the Elf refugees, sat face to face with the monster who had come as a messenger of the God of Light.
―Our temple is open to all. Extending a helping hand to those with nowhere to go is also part of our role.
"......Before the 3rd floor became like this, there was something I heard last. That the Temple of Light was gathering monsters."
―Well, since we don't have troops. It was an unavoidable matter. We can't kill you and use you as troops, can we?
Though it was strong words that could even seem like a threat, the crow's tone was as calm as everyday conversation.
"Are all the monsters there like you?"
―Are you asking if they have self-awareness and intelligence like me?
April nodded her head.
Based on stories heard previously, the Temple of Light was completely overrun with monsters, having become a kind of fortress.
In fact, she had even heard complaints from Orcs saying they couldn't attack because of that.
Since it might be a trap, there were many things to hear about in advance.
―Not all of them are like me. Most of them are just being used without proper self-awareness. You could call them arrow fodder.
There was a strange sense of superiority in the crow's words. The feeling that he was different from the monsters who weren't chosen and were used as expendable resources.
[ The God of Moonlit Forest gives advice. ]
[ It won't be a trap. ]
When April was having a serious conversation with the crow, an oracle descended upon Jin-woo, who was listening from the side. Since it was the spirit's words, it truly was an oracle.
'If it's not a trap, does that mean they sincerely intend to take in all the Elves?'
[ Originally a lord who likes playing leader and such things....... ]
Does that mean he likes wearing armbands and acting around?
It's not like he'd be someone who's all bluster without ability. He was the only spirit who had first grasped and prepared for the God of War's conspiracy.
'Simply put, he thinks he's the one to save everyone in this situation? The God of War is an evil villain, and he's the hero who will defeat him.'
[ Similar. ]
'Then do you think we should accept this proposal?'
Jin-woo asked for her opinion. She was the only one in this place who knew anything about the God of Light. It was natural to ask.
[ Hmm....... ]
But the reaction was lukewarm. She didn't seem very inclined.
It was true that this wasn't something to decide easily, but it seemed she didn't view the God of Light very favorably either.
'If we need a place to rely on......'
If the Temple of Light was ambiguous, what about other places? With that thought, Jin-woo recalled a god he had connections with in the past.
'What about the God of Ice Valley? I received some help from him before in the 2nd floor.'
[ Absolutely not. Absolutely not! ]
But the reaction was more intense than expected.
'Absolutely not? To that extent?'
[ The God of Moonlit Forest protests vehemently. ]
[ Quickly forget about the help received from such a place! ]
If her attitude toward the God of Light was ambiguous, her attitude toward the God of Ice Valley was clear. It was the most intense reaction so far, even more than when dealing with the God of War, who had arbitrarily taken control of the 3rd floor.
Whether that meant he was that dangerous an existence, or if she personally disliked him.......
'He did seem dangerous.'
Jin-woo recalled the past. The hell gate that opened at the bottom of the labyrinth, and Johan's soul was dragged into it.
At that time, when he had carelessly tried to look beyond the gate, the God of Ice Valley had warned him it would be dangerous to look.
There was that, and also the help received in defeating Johan, so the impression hadn't been bad.
'Anyway, I understand. I won't mention Ice Valley to April.'
There was no reason to bring it up when she disliked it this much.
The God of Moonlit Forest wanted to protect the Elves of this place. She, who felt that way, said the Temple of Light's proposal wouldn't be a trap, and had a fit as soon as Ice Valley temple was mentioned.
The answer was decided.
―That's all I have to tell you. Please discuss it well with your compatriots.
"I will. Thank you for bringing the proposal anyway."
―I merely conveyed my master's words, so thanks aren't necessary.
Around that time, April also finished talking and stood up from her seat. Even as a leader, she wasn't a queen. Such important matters needed to be discussed well with other Elves too. Of course, with Rona and Jin-woo as well.
"Jin-woo, what should we do?"
Rona asked Jin-woo what to do. For her, too, this was something difficult to judge easily. It was a matter involving the safety of all her compatriots, and there wasn't a single piece of evidence for making a judgment.
Jin-woo whispered quietly to her alone so the other Elves couldn't hear.
"According to the World Tree, it probably won't be a trap."
"......! You heard Mother World Tree's voice!?"
"I hear it sometimes. Didn't I mention it?"
"This is the first time I'm hearing that you can hear the voice......"
Rona looked at Jin-woo as if seeing something hard to believe. A human who wasn't even a queen, not even an Elf, hearing the World Tree's voice.
Thanks to that, persuasion seemed easy, so Jin-woo comfortably shared the story he had heard earlier.
***
Many discussions took place, and there were stories about being reluctant about a temple crawling with monsters.
However, Rona argued strongly for it, and April didn't greatly oppose it either, so eventually the refugee Elves decided to head to the Temple of Light.
"You are not bound to this place. If you judge it dangerous for yourselves, you may leave. However, at least Sir Garcia and I will not abandon those who trusted and followed me."
In reality, no one left. Though it was true that the Temple of Light was dangerous, wandering alone was even more dangerous.
Not only that, but it was also because April's behavior shown in Moonlit Forest until now had given them trust.
It was also because the powerful Rona and Jin-woo, who even Orcs couldn't easily attack, were together.
―Then I'll guide you.
The Elves who had lost their forest decided to head to the Temple of Light following the crow's guidance.
Though some worry and concern followed, there had been no safe choices in this situation from the beginning. Whichever side they chose, some gambling was necessary.
"By the way, what's your name? I don't think I heard it."
―Ah, Sir Jin-woo. My introduction was very late. Please call me Galeo.
"You know me?"
―How could I not? My master said you're the most important person of concern in this 3rd floor.
Hearing Galeo's words, it seemed the God of Light also knew well. That he possessed the God of Sky's divine artifact.
'From the beginning, there was no one who didn't know that I had invaded the Temple of Sky.'
If anyone mentioned the most famous topic in the recent 3rd floor, everyone would point to that.
Of course, since the existence of the divine artifact was secret, the rumor's content only went as far as Jin-woo having destroyed the Temple of Sky, but the God of Light and Dawn would know everything.
Bringing down the temple and driving out the God of Sky's authority from this 3rd floor meant that Jin-woo had stolen his divine artifact.
―It's truly fortunate for us. That Sir Jin-woo didn't go over to the God of War's side. I heard you had some friendship with Bertus, too.
"Not quite friendship, just a few conversations."
―I see. Anyway, thank you for coming to our side. If Sir Jin-woo had gone over there, things would have become uncontrollable.
Jin-woo stared intently at Galeo, who was flap-flapping and chattering away so well. Since the topic came up, he thought he should know the situation more clearly.
"You said you're fighting the God of War."
―That's right.
"How many divine artifacts has he devoured?"
―......From what we've determined, five temples have already fallen. That means he possesses six divine artifacts.
"Including Moonlit Forest's?"
―Yes.
Setting aside the glass orb for now, Jin-woo possessed one divine artifact. The God of War possessed six.
"What about your side?"
―Only my master.
"One then."
Combined, that's eight.
It meant that out of the total thirteen divine artifacts, the remaining five were scattered somewhere in this desert. One of them would be in the Ice Valley temple.
"So with about half, he caused such a rift......"
―The more divine artifacts he gathers, the more his influence will grow exponentially. If he gathers just three more, no, even just two more, it will become uncontrollable.
"What happens if he gathers two more?"
―I don't know for certain, but wouldn't he be able to descend as a demigod?
With just one arm and just one swing of a sword, Moonlit Forest and its temple had all been blown away.
If such an existence descended even halfway, there truly would be no one in the 3rd floor who could stop him.
If that happened, the remaining divine artifacts would also be easily stolen. Practically speaking, two more could be seen as the Maginot Line.
'No wonder he said it was so fortunate that I didn't go over to that side.'
If Jin-woo had joined the God of War, that alone would have been +1 divine artifact. If that happened, if just one more divine artifact was stolen, they wouldn't be able to prevent his descent.
After sharing such information and sometimes having trivial conversations, several days passed.
Even though it was a desert, the Elves' feet were quite fast, but even at that speed, it took several days' distance.
"That place is......"
"This might sound strange to say...... But is that really the Temple of Light?"
Looking at the scene spread before their eyes, the color gradually drained from the Elves' faces. Even though everyone had agreed and followed along, seeing it directly made them hesitate again.
An old castle stood erected in the desert. Though it was clearly daytime, as they approached near the castle, the sky turned black and darkened.
The only light was a single ray of moonlight shining through the black sky.
And around the castle, countless monsters were densely covering the area, all without focus in their eyes and showing no signs of life. They were undead - dead corpses walking around.
'Even among undead, higher entities are said to possess souls.'
Even in Jin-woo's vision, it was a pitch-black scene. Blue flames could not be seen at all from the monsters covering the castle's surroundings.
―Welcome to the castle that yearns for light.
Galeo said this with his chest puffed out and shoulders raised. He seemed quite proud of their castle.