The black sun hangs high

Chapter 132 Speaking in Silence
Hugh, who was underground, had no idea what was happening outside.

The sudden and terrifying tremor, along with the magical turbulence that defies explanation by existing theories and common sense, caused extremely serious damage to the underground structures of Ernst Manor. Fortunately, the Black Sun Society had previously spent a great deal of effort setting up a high-quality solidification ritual here to ensure the stability of this underground space.

Although these solidified rituals also suffered considerable damage when the magical turbulence arrived, it ultimately did not cause a catastrophic collapse.

However, for Hugh and Verine, leaving this space has become somewhat difficult.

Because the passageways and staircases were severely damaged, the two had to find another way, using every method they could think of to explore and move forward in the damaged underground building.

If only one person were trapped here, they would most likely be crushed by the endless, blind exploration and oppressive darkness.

However, for Hugh and his companion, the journey home was relatively easy.

It's at least more comfortable than when we arrived.

Food and water were not a big problem. With enough magic crystals, both of them had enough magic power to support the consumption of magically crafted drinking water and dry food. Of course, this task was mainly undertaken by Virin, who would never dare to eat a single bite of anything made by Hugh.

As for finding a way out, Hugh entrusted the task to the rats who were extremely familiar with this place. Even though the raging rats were now asleep, the abilities of Alexandra and the other family wills were enough to find the right way out in this space.

As for the blocked passages, the two were able to break them with magic.

The swarms of rats that once filled the underground space have now vanished. They seem to have burrowed deeper into the earth through cracks, or perhaps they simply disappeared completely due to the cessation of the Earth Mother's mystical instrument...

Hugh had no time to think about whether the disappearance of these rats might cause further consequences, because his mind was still preoccupied with everything he had seen in the underground temple and altar.

The blind rat that had been scouting ahead scurried back through the crack. After obtaining accurate information about the collapse ahead, Virin immediately began casting a spell. The two had repeated this process many times before—first, using the "Mud Swamp" spell to soften the collapsed wall, and then using Hugh's Karron Touch to clear a passageway.

Such a process is often long and tedious, so at this point, the two of them will naturally start talking.

“Miss Weilin, a question has suddenly come to mind.”

"Ok?"

As Vera constructed the magical model, she responded softly.

"Within that altar, there are stone statues of human sacrifices..."

The female mage paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, you mentioned it once before."

Hugh sat down against the wall. Because of the collapsed passage, he couldn't fully straighten up; standing for too long would be tiring. He said, "Suppose this statue wasn't erected later by the Black Sun Society, but rather belongs to the same period as the entire altar and underground temple..."

"This is enough to prove that the true history of human groups is completely different from what we know today."

"Vellin said softly. As the magic runes were completed, the glow of magic covered the collapsed wall and began to soften the hard stone bricks at a slow speed. Then she stepped aside and sat down opposite Hugh with her legs drawn up."

“When I was researching my own subject, I specifically read some books written by scholars on the belief in gods and history... They summarized several mainstream myths and theories in Vain.”

"Shouldn't the story at the very top still be about 'life and wisdom'?"

"Yes."

Vera nodded: "After all, that's a 'correct' version certified by Mellinler and the Legal Committee, and it's also the most common and widely accepted version."

Hughes gave a somewhat strange smile in the darkness.

He was certainly familiar with this story... after all, it was something he casually wrote down, imitating some classic creation myths and human origin myths, when he was initially organizing these worldviews.

The story is simple; it's just a combination of several mythologies that Hugh is familiar with.

In summary, it is about the story of the goddess of life who tried to create life forms resembling gods from clay, but could only create lifeless puppets. Frustrated, she sought help from the goddess of magic, Mel, who eventually infused the clay sculptures with wisdom and thought.

"When I was choosing this topic, my advisor gave me some advice..."

"He told me that if I insisted on choosing this topic, I must accept that I might not achieve academic success even if I spent my whole life on it, and I should also be prepared to shatter my past beliefs."

At this moment, the young scholar, who had appeared extremely resilient and rational since Hugh first met her, finally revealed his bewildered and vulnerable side.

She said softly, "I really thought I was ready..."

"So, you've actually accepted that conclusion?"

Hugh gently raised his hand, and several Calron tentacles immediately extended forward. Under Hugh's command, they gently touched the surface of the stone bricks with their sharp limbs. After confirming their condition, they began another round of construction in an extremely gentle and slow manner.

In order to allow the tentacles to smoothly move aside the cut mud, rocks and bricks, Violet silently changed her position. She moved to the same side as Hugh and sat down again an arm's length away from him.

"Even if I don't accept it, so what?"

Looking at the black tentacles that were working quietly but clearly did not belong to the current magic system, Vera said, "They will always exist. Even if I use magic to erase my memories in order to forget all of this, they will still exist... and they might even appear in front of me one day. This denial is meaningless."

"I am already quite surprised that Miss Weilin can think this way."

Hughes chuckled, “When we first met, I always thought you were the kind of mage who would remain absolutely loyal to the Law Council…”

"Oh? Does it really look that similar?"

Even without seeing Vera's expression, Hugh could imagine from her tone that she was pouting or rolling her eyes.

This topic slightly eased the pessimism in Verin's mood. She asked, "So, when did you find out that I wasn't that kind of mage?" "There should have been two times... I wasn't sure about the first time, but the second time, when you agreed to let me pick up old Schubert and Sally before we were about to leave Seren, I was sure that you really weren't that kind of mage."

Upon hearing this answer, Wei Lin asked in confusion, "This is the second time? When was the first time?"

Hughes remained silent.

For a moment, the only sounds in the passage were the diligent cutting and moving of bricks and stones by Karljun's Touch.

The atmosphere seemed to be spiraling into an awkward situation.

Hugh coughed lightly, steer the conversation back on track, and asked, "So, Miss Verin, do you think the Legal Committee and the current Mage Council can accept the idea that humanity actually has a much longer history and may have even participated in the struggles between those lost gods?"

"Of course they will accept it."

As the youngest magic advisor in the former Law Council, Verin quickly gave her answer: "The events in Seren City happened first, and it's impossible for them not to accept them, but accepting them doesn't mean they will announce them to the public... Otherwise, many things will fall into chaos. This situation is the same for both the Mage Council and Merlinle. Mr. Hugh should understand the reason, right?"

"If they really announce these things to the public, I'm afraid not only will the status of mages in Vain be challenged, but even the faith in the gods in Vain will be impacted..."

At this point, Hugh couldn't help but sigh.

The concepts of those lost deities in terms of faith and attributes are actually closer to the "primitive faith" in the common human understanding, that is, faith in a series of natural phenomena such as life, reproduction, and death, as well as objective existences such as forests, oceans, and land.

These beliefs are very basic, and very important.

Because in Vanne, these are equivalent to the most basic understanding of the world held by ordinary people.

Once the gods representing them are completely overthrown and subverted, the majority of people in this world who hold simple beliefs and ways of thinking will immediately fall into a state of confusion and bewilderment. Just as Jacob said before, in this situation, if someone jumps out and uses certain methods to show these ordinary people so-called "miracles" and, through unconventional magic or rituals, enables these ordinary people to also master those extraordinary powers, then everything will become uncontrollable.

Although Hughes disliked many of the Legal Committee’s actions, he believed that such an organization was still very important to Vaan in the current environment.

After all, if mages, who possess extraordinary powers, were to be out of control and become what the Legal Committee calls "wild mages," they would inevitably have an impact on human society itself.

The essence of "everyone casting spells" and "everyone carrying guns" is very similar. Moreover, in Vann, the two may now coexist. With people carrying guns and casting spells, chaos is inevitable.

"Hopefully, Vain still has the time and opportunity to make final preparations and adjustments."

Hugh shook his head. He mobilized his restored magic power and summoned more of the Touch of Calron to speed up the work at hand.

Time passed slowly amidst the monotonous sounds.

The long period of wakefulness and the darkness that made it difficult to distinguish between day and night gave Hugh and his companion ample time to think and talk. However, the depletion of their physical and mental strength was unavoidable. Although the magically created food and water were plentiful, they didn't taste very good, and they were also somewhat ineffective in relieving thirst and hunger.

So the two of them tacitly reduced the frequency of their conversations, and mostly just exchanged simple information.

"If we go through this staircase, we should be able to get to the third basement level."

After controlling several of the Karron's Tentacles and forcibly clearing a path that was barely passable, Hugh turned to Virin and said.

However, he was met with only the sound of soft breathing.

After a long period of intense spellcasting, even with magic crystals to replenish her energy, Verin was exhausted. In this state, magic and potions were no longer effective, and only sleep could truly soothe her mind.

"All right……"

Hugh shook his head helplessly. He wasn't in a hurry to go upstairs, so he sat down directly opposite Vilin, closed his eyes, and began a short rest.

……

This was destined to be just a short sleep.

He wasn't dreaming, nor did he enter the dream sanctuary. Hugh even knew he wasn't completely asleep; he remained aware of his surroundings.

However, this rest did not last long, as Hugh, who was leaning against the wall, was suddenly awakened by a slight noise.

"Another earthquake?"

Hugh suddenly opened his eyes and saw that Virin opposite him had woken up at some point. She looked very calm, and the soft light of the illumination magic quietly fell on her, while her gaze was fixed on the top of the passage.

Vera took off her glasses and used magic to create water to wash away the dust on their surface. As she spoke, she said slowly, "It's not an earthquake, that's the sound of tools—someone is digging down. It seems the Ernst family hasn't forgotten about us after all."

She looked at Hugh and said, "I originally intended to use magic to tell them our location directly, but before leaving here, I have some questions that I need you to answer... Mr. Hugh, this is important, and I need to know your attitude."

"Just like before in Seren?"

"Yes, but this time, it's my turn to ask you."

Veraine seemed to be smiling, but her tone was very serious, which quickly brought Hugh to his senses. He nodded and said sincerely, "Okay, I'm listening."

"Well, so the first question: are you really going to accept the conditions proposed by Princess Sophia or the Ernst family? This decision could bind us to the power of the Walter royal family or the Ernst family forever. You should know that escaping Borden is a million times harder than escaping Seren."

Hearing this question, Hugh couldn't help but laugh. He shook his head and said, "I don't have that plan. I didn't before, I don't now, and in the future... maybe I will, but who knows? It depends on how the world changes."

Hugh's answer was decisive and straightforward, as if it were an answer that had been prepared long ago, which left Vera somewhat stunned.

(End of this chapter)