Chapter one hundred sixty-one: Back to Helium one

Chapter one hundred sixty-one: Back to Helium one

Everyone probably knows this, but it's my second visit to Helium. However, last time I went there to investigate the high-profile theft case and had no time to explore before returning immediately.

So, if possible, I planned to explore various places in Helium this time. Cecily said we can visit the palace in the evening, so we just had not to be late.

The only disappointing thing is that I can't accompany Adelia. I asked Gartz, but he flatly refused, saying she wasn't part of the plan.

Adelia was still considered an outsider, so it's difficult to take her along. When I told her this fact, she seemed disappointed but cheerfully replied that she had already anticipated it.

Instead, she told me to take care of myself and enjoy without any worries, as she would be training under my father's guidance until my return. I felt relieved seeing her send me off with a brave expression.

Thus, I entered Helium after going through the immigration checkpoint using Gartz's teleportation. From then on, using Gartz's teleportation, I arrived at Helium's capital, Pandeum.

Apparently Pandeum means "cradle" in an ancient language. If you look at the origin of the demons, it is a perfectly suitable name for the capital city.

Pandeum was not only the location of the palace but also where Cecily's villa, which I visited during the high-profile theft case, was located. Being the capital, it is a place where people come and go as often.

"It has changed a lot in just a few months, hasn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"There are not only demons, other races have increased significantly."

I realized that things have changed drastically. First of all, among the pedestrians walking around, one-third of them were not demons but different species.

Among them, half were humans, but there are also dwarves, beastmen, and surprisingly, a very small number of elves. When we arrived after the exhibition, there were only demons, but now various species mixed together.

It's a stark contrast to before the release of Xenon's Biography, where it was considered a place where devils lived, that other species wouldn't even take a step into.

"Well, that's natural. Thanks to diplomacy, the perception of demons has been improving day by day, and during the exhibition, they also learned about the artistic abilities of demons."

"Talking about the Matrics Troupe? What are they up to these days?"

"They're doing the same thing as always. They travel around the world and perform magical theatrical plays. By the way, they announced that theatrical performances related to Xenon's Biography will only be held during the exhibition."

"It's not necessary to limit it like that."

"I completely agree."

For some reason, Gartz vigorously nodded his head in agreement. Even I was amazed by the collaboration between the Matrics Troupe and the Lirus Orchestra during the exhibition, but being a demon, Gartz seemed rather different.

Although nothing has been confirmed about when the next exhibition will be held, it seems implicitly agreed that it will take place once a year. Moreover, since I have already mentioned my birthplace as the Michelle Territory, there is a high possibility that it will be held in the same location.

As I looked around the brighter streets of Pandeum, I suddenly remembered something and asked Gartz.

"By the way, what about Princess Cecily? Can you tell me when she'll arrive?"

"Princess Cecily is currently waiting at the palace. I received orders to guard you while you thoroughly explore Helium."

"Should we go before dinner then? I also need to visit the temple."

"I will inform the princess in advance."

Gartz closed his eyes, as if transmitting a message telepathically to Cecily. After a short while, he opened his eyes again and conveyed the words to me.

"Princess also understands. However, she said that when you come to the palace, she will personally come to pick you up."

"Thank you. So, until then, I can wander around anywhere, right?"

"Yes. If there's any food you want to eat or items you want to buy, I will cover all the expenses."

"That's not necessary ..."

"You didn't bring any money, did you?"

Sharp as ever. I chuckled lightly, and Gartz nodded as if confirming. In the end, I decided to borrow some money.

Anyway, there was still time until evening. I began to explore Pandeum in earnest. If there's anything worth referencing for Xenon's Biography, I intended to note it.

First and foremost, the pedestrians walking along the streets. As I mentioned before, among the pedestrians, there were not only demons but also various other races. Especially among them, humans were the most abundant.

Up to this point, it might just seem like ordinary daily life, but what caught my attention was that there are many people who appear to be couples.

I could see them talking while crossing their arms or displaying affectionate gestures. The combination of demons and other races seemed to have a significant number of lovers.

'I've heard that the number of couples from different races has increased compared to before ... '

As I mentioned before, with the romance between Jin and Lily being highlighted, the popularity of demons soared. They are not time bombs ready to explode, but a race that suppresses their inner evil and devotes themselves sincerely.

And when that sincerity turns towards love, it transforms into purity. Consequently, demons have become representatives of purity in people's perception.

Furthermore, demons are mostly beautiful like elves, and their individual power is also formidable. So far, they have been perceived as unpopular due to the image of being devils. However, objectively speaking, they were an unusual race.

'Besides, their bodies are also great ... '

The men are tall with broad shoulders, and the women's chests and hips stood out remarkably. These are characteristics that one could observe every time you look at demons. Even Gartz, who appears thin, was slightly taller than me and had broad shoulders.

Perhaps this is also closely related to the black mana that only demons use. Even elves have various body types, but demons all have superior physical builds.

With curiosity in my eyes, I scanned each demon and couldn't resist asking Gartz. Although it was a bit embarrassing, I felt that I had to resolve my curiosity to calm my conscience.

"Gartz, may I ask you a somewhat awkward question?"

"It doesn't matter what it is. What are you curious about?"

"Well ... Are demons naturally endowed with good figures? Even ordinary people seem to have exceptional bodies ..."

"Ah, that is deeply connected to our history and way of life."

"History?"

At first, I was embarrassed, but when I heard that it was related to history, all those feelings disappeared. Only curiosity remained.

Gartz seemed to organize his thoughts for a moment, then he looked at me sharply and blinked his eyes before speaking. Of course, I couldn't confirm if his mouth was opening since it was covered by a mask.

"Benefactor probably knows as well, but our beginning was very difficult. We helped each other, but the situation was violatale like a time bomb that could explode at any"

moment. I suppose it's because we were a generation directly influenced by devils."

"That's right."

"As a result, in the early days when there was nothing, only the strong could survive. The constant anxiety of when someone might turn into a devil, the severe restraint from other races, the harsh land, and the monsters that remained in the last land we could flee to. All these factors came together, and only those with strong power survived for men, while women survived by inheriting the seeds of such men and giving birth to children. Many people died, but the second generation of demonkind was far greater in number."

Just like demons, humanity also gave birth to many descendants in ancient agrarian societies. Moreover, this custom can still be seen frequently in rural areas where agriculture takes precedence over cities.

However, I had one question that arose here. Cecily said that the chances of a demon getting pregnant were extremely low, but according to Gartz's explanation, it seemed otherwise.

I asked him, curiosity filling my question.

"I heard that the chances of pregnancy for demons are very low, right? Moreover, it's said to be even more difficult due to the overlapping of evil cycles."

"That's why they were able to give birth to many children. We were mere savages with nothing at that time. Moreover, being the first generation, their bodies were closer to humans, and the evil cycles were also very short. Now, a long time has passed, and the race we now call demons has been born."

"Well, that makes sense."

Of course, it was immediately understandable. However, regardless, it seems that the underlying principle itself has been connected through the survival of the fittest.

While it could be said to be excellent in terms of the genes themselves, the ruthlessness contained within could never be ignored. The exceptional physique of the demons could be considered as scars that have been passed down from the past until now.

"By surviving like that and as civilization gradually established, now is the time to suppress the inner evil. Have you ever heard from Princess Cecily about how to suppress the inner evil?"

"I heard that self-control is practiced through meditation."

"That's true, but in order to deepen meditation, you must give stimulation or pain to the body. However, it is not appropriate to resort to self-harm, so we had to subject our bodies to intense training."

"How is it done?"

"It's simple. It's something similar to stretching."

"I've been consistently doing that too."

"We are progressing far beyond that. One method is to support the balance of the body with one leg and stretch the remaining leg straight up to the sky, and there's also pulling one leg behind the head. There are various other poses as well."

Isn't that yoga? Yoga indeed has excellent efficacy in mental cultivation.

Usually, if you deliberately make your body uncomfortable and meditate, it's easy for your concentration to be disrupted due to the pain. However, if you endure the pain and continue meditating, naturally, your mental strength will also become stronger.

When your mental strength becomes stronger, your patience also increases, so it's natural for demons to develop and progress.

'It's inevitable for one's physique to improve.'

It's not just empty words, demons have consistently developed yoga literally to "survive." In addition, their genetic makeup has been passed down through the ages, continuing the survival of the fittest.

It might be considered natural for their physique to be exceptionally good. I expressed my admiration for the origin of demons that I newly learned and thanked Gartz.

"Thank you. I've learned something new thanks to you."

"This much is nothing. I'm even more glad that it was helpful."

"Then demons must be highly flexible, right? Since they meditate while doing challenging stretching exercises."

"Yes. If you wish, I can guide the benefactor. It will be a great help for mana circulation as well."

"I'll ask Cecily later if she can help me with that."

I should include this in Xenon's Biography. Now it's about time to shift the spotlight from only to Xenon but also to Jin.

When the reason for demons' exceptional mental cultivation, which is yoga, is revealed, I wonder if it will spread worldwide. Or maybe it's already gradually spreading.

Afterward, I began walking down the streets under Gartz' escort. Thanks to this damn red hair, I received some glances from the people around, but I ignored them.

"By the way, Mr. Gartz, you mentioned that the security in Helium is not good in the evening, right? You said there might be demons coming out because they couldn't withstand the evil cycle."

"Recently, an antidote has been invented, so the situation has improved. Even if some demons come out due to the evil cycle, the followers of Mora quickly take them to the temple. Still, it can be risky during certain hours of the night, so it's best to avoid wandering around."

"Hmm ... Doesn't Mora's temple open around six o'clock?"

The temple of Luminous in the Minerva Empire opens at six a.m. and closes its doors at six p.m. Of course, they operate for twenty-four hours in case of emergency patients, but it means one cannot pray during that time.

So, I think Mora's temple might operate from six p.m., being the opposite. After all, Mora was the god of darkness, unlike Luminous.

"No, Mora's temple is always open, at least in Helium. Perhaps because demons can be devoured by their inner darkness anytime, anywhere. Moreover, they can go without sleep for several days, just like elves."

"I see."

"Oh, speaking of which, it seems that Mora is looking for a benefactor, isn't she?"

" ... Yes."

I remember that mischievous goddess calling for me to find her. Unlike the gentle and affectionate Luminous, Mora was rather playful and a bit restless.

She's clearly the goddess of darkness but has a much brighter personality than the god of light.

"How was Helium at that time?"

"It was a bit chaotic, because Mora was there, but we let it pass. Even on regular days, Mora plays mischievous pranks on her followers. Still, we did inform the media about it."

"What is Mora like on regular days, anyway?"

"Just ... Well, yes. Anyway, she is a merciful deity."

Looking at how Gartz was avoiding answering, it seems like she has quite an extraordinary personality. I thought about postponing my visit to the temple, but I didn't want Mora to get upset.

Being known as the Goddess of Darkness and Rest, she shouldn't cause any harm to me. Although the likelihood of some strange mischief was high.

'But don't the Dark Elves also worship Mora?'

As I pondered whether the Dark Elves might be looking for me as well, a certain smell caught my nose. It was a savory aroma that made my mouth water involuntarily.

When I turned my head, I noticed a street vendor that one could commonly find on the streets. It could be considered unusual for a street vendor in Helium, but street food exists wherever you go in the world.

I was drawn to that smell and slowly walked towards it. Judging by the line of people waiting, it seemed quite popular.

And then ...

" ... Wh, What is this?"

As soon as I discovered the identity of the savory food, I couldn't help but be astonished. I expected it to be some kind of meaty dish, but it was completely different.

Insects. Yes, insects. Not just ordinary insects.

Would you believe that it's bigger than a rat but smaller than a rabbit? Occasionally, while browsing the internet, you might come across insects that are as big as large dogs.

However, right in front of my eyes, there was such an insect, cooked as if it were a lobster, and someone was selling its meat to people.

I'm not sure what kind of insect it is, but judging by its hard exoskeleton, it might be a species like a stag beetle or a longhorn beetle. It had a savory smell that was tempting to eat, but its visual appearance was so gruesome that it actually reduced my appetite.

"Oh, this is a lobkerk. It's one of the most popular street foods in Helium."

" ... You eat this? An insect as big as a rabbit?"

"Why not? If you think about it, even shrimp or lobster in the sea are technically bugs."

It's strangely convincing, yet unbelievable.

"Does it have any historical significance?"

"Of course. In harsh lands where there's nothing to eat, you have to eat whatever you can. Not only insects, but Helium has a variety of dishes. To put it bluntly, if it has legs, you can eat it."

It's not like it's China or anything. I hope they don't end up eating bats and catching some terrible virus.

Still, it's not entirely incomprehensible. After the Korean War, when there was hardly anything to eat in South Korea, US soldiers used leftover food and created a dish called

" 꿀 꿀 이 죽 (Korean grunt porridge?)". Helium must be similar. And since hygiene was considered more important than in other countries, they probably won't eat all sorts of grotesque food like in China.

The insect cuisine before me may look disgusting, but I didn't feel a sense of dirtiness. On the contrary, the flesh itself had a light pink color and looked delicious.

"Even though it looks like that, it tastes good. Please try it once. I'll pay for it."

"Is it tasty?"

"If it wasn't tasty, it wouldn't have become famous in the first place."

It's a bit suspicious, but trying it once wouldn't hurt. I hesitated for a moment, then stood in line, waiting for my turn.

They said it would be a different experience, and it was a bonus that I could learn more about the demon race.

After a while, the long queue quickly moved, and finally, it was my turn. As expected, the shop owner was a demon, and he looked at my red hair and spoke with a cheerful smile.

"Welcome, red-haired gentleman! Which part would you like?"

"Do you have different types for each part?"

"Of course. Just like how some people want legs from crustaceans living in the sea, and some want the internal organs, the same goes for Lobkerks. We have head, torso, and legs."

"Please give me the torso part."

My appetite was gradually diminishing. Do I really have to eat this?

Whether I liked it or not, the shop owner skillfully separated the flesh and exoskeleton from the torso part and handed it to me. As it could be hot, it was wrapped in paper as an extra precaution.

Honestly, the flesh looked vibrant and had a light pink hue, making it visually appealing. Well, that is if you don't consider that it came from an insect's body. While Gartz took care of the payment, I glanced at the lobkerk.

" ... Let's just think of it as silkworm pupae."

Silkworm pupae may look grotesque on the surface, but they have a savory taste. Lobkerk might be similar. With that in mind, I closed my eyes tightly and took a bite.

" ... Oh?"

It's delicious? It's not a lie, it really was tasty. The rich fragrance circulated inside my mouth, and even though I don't know what spices were used, I could taste the subtle flavors.

I'm not particularly picky about food in general, but even without considering that, it's definitely a style that suits my taste.

"It's delicious, isn't it?"

"Right? I shouldn't judge solely based on appearance."

"Hahaha. Since you say it's delicious, I feel proud. Would you like to try the head part as well?"

"Um, that's a bit ..."

Still, if it's not possible, it's not possible. As I hesitated about Lobkerk, a question suddenly came to mind, and I asked Gartz.

"Is there anything else besides this?"

"We also have fried options."

"Aside from insects, we have dishes made with monsters ..."

"That's enough."

This is how different cultures can be.

Chapter one hundred sixty-two: Back to Helium two

The cuisine of Helium was truly diverse. It ranged from insect dishes that emerged from impoverished lives to delicacies that evolved with the advancement of civilization. The traces of poverty were pitifully evident throughout, not only in food but also in the discriminatory cultures.

Starting from the conclusion of the Devil War three thousand years ago, the demons, in order to survive, established their own civilization, which led to numerous differences from the foundation.

First and foremost, people possessed a positive, optimistic, and bright nature. When I asked Gartz about the reason, he said that having negative thoughts would only further immerse them in their inner evil, so they mostly maintain a positive mindset. Consequently, if someone manages to anger a demon, more often than not, it means the other party is at fault.

Secondly, they rarely get angry. This was roughly expected, as from a young age, they undergo training that demands patience, similar to yoga, resulting in a high level of mental cultivation.

Lastly, this is a recent change. Originally, demons were extremely cautious when dealing with different species, recognizing themselves as a potential danger that could transform into devils at any time and place. However, thanks to the emergence of Xenon's Biography, a sense of pride has developed, and they have become more proactive when dealing with other species.

Of course, just like how each individual has a unique personality, not all demons were the same. Just as there are people like Gartz who are blunt and try to restrain their emotions as much as possible, demons also have various personalities.

You can think of it as a kind of stereotype. For example, Koreans are known for eating spicy food well and having a culture of doing things quickly, which may give the impression that they have impatient personalities.

"Mr. Gartz."

"Yes, please speak."

"I haven't asked until now, but do you have a family, Mr. Gartz?"

I paused my contemplation of Helium and sat on a nearby bench, asking Gartz. Following my request, Gartz sat next to me and blinked his eyes a couple of times upon hearing my question.

"A family ... you say?"

"Yes. I'm asking about demons, but don't know anything about the one next to me. So I became curious."

Thanks to Gartz, I've learned a lot about Helium and demon culture, but I know very little about him specifically. I only know that he is a knight personally appointed by Cecily and that he is exceptionally skilled. Beyond that, I know very little.

Since there is still plenty of time, it didn't seem like a bad idea to ask some questions before heading to the temple.

"I have parents and a younger sister."

"You're not married?"

"I have a fiancée whom I've promised my future to."

"How old are you?"

"I am one hundred thirty-two years old."

When a demon reaches one hundred years old, they are recognized as true adults. It is a testament that they have lived as humans without becoming devils until the age of one hundred. Their physical growth is no different from humans, and socially, they each get their own professions around the age of twenty-five. However, being one hundred years old can be considered as a mental milestone of adulthood.

For this reason, demons can marry after the age of one hundred. It is because they believe that before taking responsibility for another person, they must thoroughly manage themselves.

By the way, as the representative of the long-lived races along with elves, the demons appeared much younger than they seemed. Cecil mentioned that she was one hundred five years old, so she was much older than me.

"I don't know if it's because I'm human, but you seem quite old. Among demons, you would be considered young, right?"

"I'm a rookie among rookies who have recently become adults. Especially among demons, there is a culture of respect for the older ones, so in reality, I am still young."

The reason why elder demons are respected is probably because they have not turned into devils over all those long years. Still, a hundred years is unimaginably long.

I quietly observed the people of Helium wandering the streets. Their faces bloomed with smiles, and children were running around on the streets.

As I felt before, Helium was bright and lively. It wasn't a place where devils live, it was just a place where people with horns live.

Was it the same even before the publication of Xenon's Biography? While I glanced at a demon child that was happily walking holding their parents' hands and asked Gartz.

"Mr. Gartz."

"Yes."

"Was Helium this bright even before Xenon's Biography came out?"

In response to my calm question, Gartz answered in his characteristic blunt tone.

"It was bright indeed. But unknowingly, we carried fear with us. No matter how much patience we cultivated or lived positively, the evil within us was a practical threat to the demons."

"But not anymore. Now we have gained the courage to face it head-on instead of avoiding evil. We have gained the confidence that we can do it and took pride in not yielding to our inner evil."

If the previous Helium had some defense mechanism to avoid threats, now it is genuinely bright. There is a difference between a pure smile and a smile with intention. And the citizens of Helium are now enjoying life with pure smiles.

While feeling a sense of inexplicable pride, just as I raised the corners of my mouth, I suddenly felt a presence beside me. When I turned my head, there was a little girl standing quietly.

Long curly hair, red eyes, and a tightly clutched pink rabbit doll. She had horns similar to Gartz, but they were much smaller in size.

She was a little lady who truly deserves the adjective "cute like a doll," and she was staring at me intently. I blinked my eyes and greeted the girl who had silently approached me with a warm smile.

"Hello?"

"Hair."

As I greeted her warmly, the girl seemed startled and took a step back. Clutching her rabbit doll tightly, she exuded an irresistible charm.

Then, as if sensing my curiosity, she pointed at me with her finger and exclaimed,

"Red!"

"Red?"

"My mom said that it's dangerous if black turns into red! Our hair is black, but yours is red!"

Is she seeing a human for the first time? Recently, there has been an increase in visits from different species to Helium, but it's possible that she's encountering one for the first time.

It seems she's under the misconception that all demons have black hair, and she believes I'm a danger due to my red hair. Perhaps that assumption only applies to horns, and hair color doesn't matter. With a gentle smile, I momentarily tugged on Gartz, who was trying to move forward, and continued the conversation with the girl.

"So, it's because my hair is red?"

"Yeah!"

"But hey, I don't have any horns, you know?"

"Huh?"

The girl blinked her eyes when I said I had no horns. Then she stared at my face intently and spoke in a startled voice.

"Huh? Why don't you have horns? And your eyes are sparkling colors!"

"Sparkling colors? What's that?"

"Sparkling colors are sparkling colors. They shimmer and shine, you know."

Indeed, the innocence of children is incomparable. Especially when she called gold color "sparkling colors."

Unable to hide the smile on my face, I continued the conversation with the girl. Although I didn't know when her parents would come, they would likely arrive soon.

"May I ask for the name of the adorable young lady?"

"My name is Amy. What's the name of the hornless brother?"

"You can call me Isaac. And I'm a human, that's why I don't have horns."

"Human?"

"A person like me without horns."

"Then do humans also have no horns and have bright red heads? And sparkling colored eyes?"

It seemed like the girl was asking such questions because demons all have black hair and eyes.

"No, humans can have red hair like mine, or they can have white or sparkling colored hair. Unlike demons, humans have a variety of hair and eye colors."

"What does 'a variety of colors' mean?"

"It means many different colors. And ..."

"Amy!"

While conversing with the girl, a desperate cry of a woman entered my ears. As I raised my head, I saw a demon woman who closely resembled the girl rushing towards me.

As soon as she saw Amy, the woman swiftly embraced her and faced me. Her expression was urgent, resembling her voice.

"I'm sorry. Did Amy say something disrespectful by any chance?"

"No, she didn't. I think she was just curious about my hair."

"Mom, mom, is it okay if the guy's hair is red?"

"Sigh, Amy ... I'm truly sorry. It's the first time she has spoken to a human ..."

"It's okay. Thanks to that, it was interesting."

I wondered if Lily, when she is born, will be as cute and adorable as Amy. The woman apologized again and left with Amy, while Amy waved her hand while being held by her own mother.

I also waved my hand to Amy, who was getting farther away. It seemed like one of the most memorable moments since I arrived in Helium.

'Should I go to the temple soon?'

As I wandered around Helium, I noticed that the sky was gradually turning purplish-blue. Unlike the Minerva Empire, where the four seasons were distinct, Helium remained cold or chilly throughout the year.

Although the environment is harsh for people to live in or cultivate basic crops, demons have built a civilization with their tenacious vitality and excellent magic.

In many ways, 'determination' was one aspect that humans and demons alike had. Since their origin is human, it may be natural.

"Shall we go to the temple?"

"Yes, understood."

"By the way, Mr. Gartz. Looking at that child, I suddenly had a thought. Do demons also go through adolescence?"

"They are usually called 'imps.' It's a period of emotional instability and a very dangerous stage in their growth, so they are referred to as such."

"It sounds cute in a way."

"It sounds unsettling to me."

Following Gartz's guidance, we walked to the location of Mora's temple. As evening approached, the weather suddenly turned chilly, and I could see my breath in the air.

Fortunately, wearing clothes enchanted with a warming spell, I wasn't cold. By the way, these clothes were personally gifted by Cecily, but in Helium, they were widely available. They were expensive due to their attractive design.

If it were the Minerva Empire, one would have had to pay a hefty price for them, but in Helium, even ordinary civilians could easily use magic, so it was only natural for them to become popularized.

"A few months ago, Helium started engaging in diplomacy, right? I heard that the diplomatic envoy presented silk woven with magic as a gift."

"You remember it well. That news spread, and many merchants are now conducting business with Helium."

"With just this clothing alone, there would be a tremendous demand, don't you think?"

"Yes, indeed. The Minerva Empire has already placed a substantial order for thermal clothing to be used for military purposes."

It was a phenomenon I frequently witnessed since my previous life, so I could nod my head in agreement starting from the military. Seeing the endless stream of casualties due to chemical warfare, one can understand the importance of protection.

Perhaps Helium will take a position comparable to the Dwarven Kingdom Makina has for humans. Dwarves provide weapons, while demons would provide basic necessities like medical supplies.

By the way, Alvenheim primarily trades the main ingredient of elixirs, the dew of the World Tree. And for the country of beastmen, Animers, it was still somewhat ambiguous as to whether their civilization has developed to that extent.

"If you've started trading, were there any useful goods for demons?"

"I can't say for sure since I value the act of trading itself. As for Alvenheim, although the queen has given permission, there is strong resistance from the Council of Elders, which is causing a headache. We still have a long way to go. Diplomacy isn't something that can happen overnight."

"Was there no suggestion to collaborate with Makina on creating magical locomotives? It would be quite helpful for demons."

"I'm not sure about that aspect."

As we engaged in various conversations while walking, we suddenly found ourselves at the Temple of Mora. Indeed, being twins with Luminous, the form of the temple was also similar.

The only difference was the distribution of space. Luminous's temple had a structure that allowed more light to enter, but Mora's temple was enclosed from all sides.

With such an arrangement, wouldn't it be dim even during bright daylight? Nevertheless, it was a design befitting the goddess of darkness and repose.

"Funeral rites also take place here, right?"

Mora, as the goddess of rest, also presides over funerals. Even the followers of Luminous do not object when Mora's disciples conduct funeral ceremonies. In fact, if Luminous worshippers interfere, in severe cases, Mora herself may retaliate instead of her disciples. Thanks to this, the authority between the two sects was strictly separated.

"Welcome. You have arrived at Mora's sanctuary."

As we entered a somewhat dimly lit temple, a priestess greeted us warmly. She had drooping eyes and a languid impression, as one would expect from a demon.

If the attire of Luminous disciples had a white base, Mora's attire was very similar to that of a nun from my past life, except it was even darker, reaching a pitch-black level.

I politely greeted the somewhat drowsy-looking priestess.

"Hello. I have come to worship Mora. Is there a private room available?"

"Of course, there is. It's just five silver."

"Then I will wait outside while you're praying."

Gartz paid five silver to the priestess and moved outside the temple. I followed her and looked around the dimly lit interior of the temple.

The atmosphere was fitting for the temple of the goddess of darkness and rest, although it wasn't completely blocked from light. Light seeped through small openings, allowing me to discern the surroundings.

Moreover, candles were placed in various locations, creating an overall gloomy feeling. Strangely, if there was a bed, I felt like I would fall asleep immediately, feeling comfortable.

"This is the worship room. If it's too dark, you can light a candle as you please and make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you."

"It's the first time I've seen a human worshiping Mora. I hope it will be a relaxing time for you."

The languid priestess bowed her head and firmly closed the door to the worship room. As soon as the door closed, I looked around Mora's private worship room.

Except for the faint light seeping through small, scattered holes, it was pitch black, unlike Luminous'. As the priestess had mentioned earlier, there were several candles placed in front of Mora's statue.

Unlike her twin brother, Luminous, who had small holes through which light gently emanated, Morrah possessed a mischievous personality and was depicted the same way in the statue. While her brother had a compassionate smile, Mora had her lips curled upwards, which was the defining feature.

However, one could see the meticulousness with which her statue was sculpted. Since the demons also had a deep appreciation for art, they must have carefully carved the deity they worship.

"I guess there's no need to light the candles right now."

Maybe I could just bow my head towards the direction where the light seeped through the holes and pray. I knelt down on the floor, just as I had prayed to Luminous.

" ... Lady Mora, are you there ... "

[I'm here!!! You finally came!!! Why are you so late?! Oh my.