Book 4 Chapter 93 (2/2)
Although he didn't know how the archeologist had managed to enter this section, Woohyuk didn't doubt the fact that the nameless tome was kept in here as the archeologist couldn't read or decipher the information about the Ark of Knowledge.
The nameless tome was definitely written in the wis.e.m.e.n's language, in Rosa Eterna.
“The name of the authors and t.i.tles are all written. Do you think that there's another hidden s.p.a.ce?”
“That's also possible.”
In case of an emergency, they may have designed the secret section in a double structure.
Eteria Rodinus did in fact have many enemies in the outside world.
Woohyuk took out his golden magnifying gla.s.s, when
'Hmm?'
He felt a sharp gaze on his back for a short instant.
Woohyuk turned his head to face the being that was showing hostility against him.
“Interesting.”
There was a portrait hanging on the wall, containing the painting of an elderly wiseman.
“What's so interesting?”
“Hide behind me for a while.”
Choi Kayoon silently obeyed him when she noticed the serious look in his eyes.
She had realized that something was wrong.
As he approached the portrait and extended his hand towards it,
[Why is a demon in here?]
The portrait's elderly wiseman began speaking first.
When their eyes met, Woohyuk raised both his arms to show a non-confrontational att.i.tude.
“I'm not here to fight. And I'm a human. I did inherit a demon's name due to some circ.u.mstances, though.”
“...There's a detail that seems amiss, but nevermind that for now. My name is Martinus. I am the guardian spirit of the hidden library. My guests, what are your names and for what purpose are you visiting this library?”
Martinus' gaze alternated between Woohyuk and Choi Kayoon.
He had judged that they could have some interesting circ.u.mstances and gave them a chance to explain themselves.
“My name is Chun Woohyuk. I wish to learn about the Ark of Knowledge. This woman simply followed me. Heed her no mind.”
“The Ark of Knowledge… Only the chosen ones can enter it. But if you simply wish to know more about it, there is a way.”
As Martinus finished speaking, a system message popped up in front of Woohyuk's eyes.
[New Quest]
Name: Martinus' Trial
Rank: Ordinary
Contents: Gain Martinus' trust by conversing with him after pa.s.sing the trials he gives you.
Other: Cannot be repeated upon failure.
'A hidden quest.'
Considering these circ.u.mstances, the reward for this quest was most probably the nameless tome.
There was no reason for him to refuse this quest.
Woohyuk gladly nodded to Martinus.
“I shall accept that offer.”
“I like your audacity. Once you're finished with your preparations, place your hand on the portrait.”
The portrait on which Martinus was painted upon was now covered in a blue energy.
Woohyuk did as he was told and a blinding flash covered his surroundings.
'This place is…'
He was in a bustling city with lots of people.
It was Port Delphoa, with its huge lighthouse reminiscent of a small castle.
He was most probably in Martinus' imaginary world.
“Are you conscious now?”
Martinus stood next to Woohyuk as he spoke, a white robe resting on his shoulders.
He had the same appearance as in the portrait.
“What happened to the woman who was standing behind me?”
“She is currently waiting outside. But there's no need to worry. Time flows faster in this s.p.a.ce.”
“...I see. I can rest a.s.sured now. Anyways, what kind of trial are you giving me?”
“Let's walk for a bit. You'll see what it is in a while. Oh, and this is a warning, but the test isn't quite presented in the same manner as an exam test.
He meant that the trial wasn't something so simple to understand, such as saving someone or finding an item. It wasn't a test where they had a designated goal from the start.
In other words, he would be observing Woohyuk making decisions and acting within various different situations.
'That sounds like a bit of a pain.'
In these kinds of trials, there were many cases where the trial-giver would consider the challenger 'unworthy' just because of their subjective emotions and thoughts.
However, if you try to match their preferences and modify your decisions accordingly, they would be called opportunistic.
Therefore, it was better to act according to your own beliefs no matter what kind of problem you had to deal with.
“Is this the times before the War of G.o.ds and Demons?”
“Indeed. Back then, us Eteria Rodinus was being chased after by p.r.o.noa.”
The wis.e.m.e.n were trying to hide their secret knowledge. They had come all the way to the Izuna Kingdom by running away from their fanatical pursuers.
Woohyuk was puzzled by Martinus' explanation.
“p.r.o.noia has existed even before the War of G.o.ds and Demons?”
“Yes. They are a group of fanatics with a very deep history.”
p.r.o.noia had accused and blamed Eteria Rodinus for stealing the Holy Grail.
The evidence they presented at that time was the epidemic that was crossing through the Eeth Continent.
They claimed that the G.o.ds were furious against Eteria Rodinus for stealing the Grail and were punis.h.i.+ng the humans.
“They've made up quite an extreme story.”
“We never got a chance to argue back. The Holy Aperian Empire had sided with them.”
The Pope, the Cardinals, and all the senior priests were directly or indirectly related to p.r.o.noia.
No matter how strong and influential the wis.e.m.e.n were, they were powerless against the continent's sole empire.
So the wis.e.m.e.n of Eteria Rodinus all took the path of hermits and created secret crypts for their ancient doc.u.ments.
“Are you talking about Rosa Eterna?”
“So you know of it. We were trying to protect the secret knowledge of the ancestors and those of the divine lineage.”
Martinus stopped and pointed his cane forward.
There, was a female blond scholar wearing a blue dress.
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