1135 The Strength of the Parthenon Temple (2/2)
”Why are you asking about her?” Mo Fan said.
”Nothing really, just want to have a casual chat with you about her. I'm actually quite curious about her, and you too; I didn't think you two are step-siblings,” Asha'ruiya said.
”She was actually adopted into the family as a future daughter-in-law.” Asha'ruiya's tone sounded strange to Mo Fan.
”Okay, tell me about your past. I'm pretty intrigued; my adoptive father used to tell me lots of stories about his childhood friends when I was young,” Asha'ruiya said.
Mo Fan was even more confused, but he did not mind telling Asha'ruiya since she was so interested in it, and it was not like it was anything confidential. Besides, Asha'ruiya could easily investigate their background if she wanted. Mo Fan simply thought of it as a casual chat, so he started telling Asha'ruiya about Bo City.
Asha'ruiya listened as Mo Fan talked. She seemed quite serious.
It did not take long until Asha'ruiya suddenly interrupted, ”You weren't living together?”
”We barely live together. Both my father and I are men, so it's inconvenient for us to take care of her. She was studying at a girls' junior high school, close to my aunt's place, so she was living at my aunt's house instead. As for senior high school, I was staying at the dorms so I could learn magic better. I think we met once every week, we usually stayed in contact by phone...”
”I didn't think you were a self-made genius. Aren't you proud of yourself, considering how you've come from a little city to a big stage that the whole world was watching in Venice?” Asha'ruiya exclaimed.
”Since when are you a post-game reporter now?” Mo Fan was left speechless. However, Mo Fan assumed Asha'ruiya was just trying to find a topic to talk to him. He said, ”I've told you many things, so tell me about yourself instead; the noble, highly-respected, and glamorous Candidate for the role of the Goddess, Asha'ruiya!”
Asha'ruiya was well aware of Mo Fan's mocking tone, but she did not seem too bothered by it. She said casually, ”There's really nothing special about me. I'm just an orphan that was adopted by an amazing person. He gave me my name, and my noble status. Even after he passed away, I'm still respected like a princess in the kingdom that he established.”
”And who was this person?” Mo Fan inquired.
”Holy Saint Wen Tai, the most brilliant Great Muse that the Parthenon Temple ever had in the last few hundred years,” Asha'ruiya said.
”Oh, it's him!” Mo Fan recognized the name.
Mo Fan had actually heard the name Wen Tai before, but the man was somewhat contradictory. The contributions he made to the world were worthy enough to be recorded in history, and the people greatly respected him. However, Mo Fan discovered that most of his information was not disclosed to the public. He could not even find how the man had died, as if the news was completely sealed off.
”Isn't his name quite sensitive?” Mo Fan said.
”Yeah, his name is well known across the world, and he's one of the main reasons that the Parthenon Temple is where it is at today. Unfortunately, he's still no match for jealousy!” Asha'ruiya finished her fruit wine in a single gulp.
”What happened? Was he set up by someone?” Mo Fan asked curiously.
Asha'ruiya shook her head.
”If it wasn't set-up, why do you still grieve for him? It's fine if the old man passed away because of his age,” Mo Fan said.
”He was executed!” Asha'ruiya's gaze sharpened.
Mo Fan's jaw dropped. He could not find any words.
”Why is my past so relaxing and pleasant to talk about, and yours is so gloomy and serious? Let's not talk about the past, I have something to ask you too,” Mo Fan decisively changed the topic. He did not ask about Holy Saint Wen Tai any further.
”What do you want to ask?” Asha'ruiya soon collected her thoughts. She was not immersed in the sorrow of the past.
”Parthenon, how strong is it?” Mo Fan asked.
Asha'ruiya was stunned. She did not expect that question from Mo Fan.
”Why are you asking that?”
”I'm just curious. An organization with the strongest influence in the world, I'm just wondering how strong it can be,” Mo Fan said.
”The Sacred Mountain of Parthenon is divided into four halls. The Hall of the Goddess, the Hall of Knights, the Hall of Faith, and the Hall of Judgment. The Hall of the Goddess is the leader among the halls, and the Hall of Knights is the armed force of the Hall of the Goddess. The Hall of Faith is open to all believers, and the Hall of Judgment is responsible for setting up rules, and delivering punishment.
”The Hall of the Goddess is located on the tallest mountain, followed by the Hall of the Knights, and the Hall of Judgment, with the Hall of Faith closest to the foothill. The Mages that are appointed as personnel are at least Intermediate Mages. The number of Mages depends on the number of visitors that have come to be blessed. If there's a festival, its scale would be comparable to an army of ten thousand Intermediate Mages.”
Asha'ruiya giggled and said, ”Therefore, if we're both at the Hall of Faith, you will be overrun by ten thousand Intermediate Mages as soon as I scream for help. They might even tear you to pieces. They aren't paid like soldiers, since it's actually part of their beliefs, so their firepower is only going to be stronger than a troop of Battlemages!”
Mo Fan twisted his lips and asked, ”How about the Hall of Judgment?”
”The Hall of Judgment consists of Adjudicators, a thousand of them in total, and they are all in the Advanced Level or above.”