Gods walked upon the earth, not in the astral world... In the early Fourth Epoch, during the Solomon Empire's era, there was no boundary between myth and reality. Gods walked directly upon the earth, without needing to descend?
This was similar to what was recorded in the City of Silver's texts about the Second Epoch—places like the "Giant King's Court" were separated from the real world by only a "door." You could pass through whenever you wanted and return whenever you pleased. Humans and gods lived together in chaos and darkness... Moreover, the astral world truly corresponded to the gods... Upon hearing Baron Mobet Zoroaster's description, Klein's mind immediately began making connections.
He subconsciously glanced at Grossel, because this giant was very likely a firsthand witness to some period of history from the Second Epoch!
Grossel picked up a cup even more extravagant than a barrel, gulped down a mouthful of melted snow water, and laughed heartily:
"Mobet, isn't this perfectly normal? Why are you being so serious?"
"I don't even know why I'm being so serious." Mobet Zoroaster gradually broke into a smile. "Haha, what seems perfectly normal to us might be absolutely terrifying and unbelievable to them. I have to use appropriate expressions when telling these stories to achieve the desired effect. Do you remember Luzer's expression when he first heard our stories? He looked like he wanted to kneel down and repent to the 'Lord of Storms.'"
"..." Klein, Danitz, and the others were momentarily at a loss for what expressions or words to use in response.
Anderson leaned slightly in Gehrman Sparrow's direction and lowered his voice:
"I think he has a natural gift for being provocative."
He appeared to have controlled his volume, but his words could actually be heard by every living creature present.
Mobet laughed it off without taking any offense and continued the topic at hand:
"I know you don't really believe that gods walked upon the earth. It's hard to accept, just like Edwina before. Haha, I can give you two examples. On Pasu Island, there's the 'Storm Abyss,' and in the Amanda Mountains, the 'Deep Dark Heaven'—these are the divine kingdoms of the 'Lord of Storms' and the 'Goddess of the Night' respectively. Divine kingdoms situated on the earth, separated from the real world by only an illusory 'door'!"
Pasu Island? Wasn't that the current holy site of the Church of the Lord of Storms? The Amanda Mountains... Amanda meant "tranquility" in the Hermetic language—was this referring to the Sanctum, the Cathedral of Tranquility? When gods no longer walked upon the earth, their kingdoms became the headquarters of their respective churches? Klein intuitively felt that Mobet Zoroaster was not lying, and made his judgment based on this.
Danitz listened with a mixture of confusion and fear, instinctively wanting to withdraw, but after glancing at the focused and serious captain, the contemplative Gehrman Sparrow, and Anderson Hood—whose face was practically emblazoned with sentences like "I'm very interested"—he had to force himself to stay put and uneasily searched for a more comfortable sitting position.
Just then, the elven singer Chatas, who was on guard duty, walked in and said dismissively:
"Don't mention that false god. The Authority of Storms belongs only to our Elven King!"
Her voice was clear and melodious, but her tone was filled with rage and irritation, as though she might raise her hands at any moment and put an arrow through Mobet Zoroaster.
"Fine, I'll refer to him as a false god." Mobet reached up and adjusted his pointed, rigid black hat.
Chatas withdrew her gaze and turned to the Lord of Storms' superficial believer and former Loen soldier Luzer Edward:
"Your turn!"
Luzer slowly raised his head, his expression still carrying a trace of bewilderment.
He seemed not to have noticed the conversation and argument that had just taken place. He pulled out the iron-black straight sword planted beside him and walked step by step toward the cave entrance.
After observing for a moment, Klein seized the opportunity to address the elf Chatas:
"Do you know about the 'Calamity Queen' Hochinaim?"
He wasn't actually certain that Hochinaim was the Elf King Sunia Solem's subordinate deity, the "Calamity Queen." He was asking precisely so that the elven singer Chatas would provide the answer.
A look of dazed reverie similar to Luzer's immediately appeared on Chatas's delicately lined face:
"It has been so long since I last heard Her name. She is... she was the Queen of our Elven people.
"Mobet and Luzer didn't even know She had ever existed...
"Where did you encounter Her? No—where did you learn about Her situation?"
As she spoke, Chatas's tone became increasingly urgent.
At this point, Danitz was staring at Gehrman Sparrow in astonishment, marveling that this madman could be so learned as to share common topics with a seemingly ancient elf.
"Didn't realize you were a scholar... Can't tell, can't tell at all..." Anderson shook his head while sighing with admiration.
"Iceberg Rear Admiral" Edwina's gaze also fell upon Klein, her spring-water-clear pale blue eyes burning with an intense thirst for knowledge.
Klein responded candidly:
"I entered a ruin belonging to the 'Calamity Queen' Hochinaim and obtained some items."
"A ruin?" Chatas softly chewed on the word, her tone sounding like someone who had lost something not critically important but still couldn't bear to part with.
"Judging by the conditions there, She may not have truly died." Seeing Chatas's eyes light up, Klein asked directly: "Do you have the potion formula for 'Ocean Singer'? What could I offer in exchange?"
He felt that when negotiating with a Beyonder on the "Storm" Pathway, it was best to be honest and straightforward.
Chatas considered for a moment and said:
"Exchange it for one of the Queen's belongings."
"I only managed to get a golden goblet. It had been crushed flat, with intricate patterns engraved on its surface along with the two Elven words 'Calamity, Hochinaim.'" Klein didn't keep anything secret.
"I know that goblet. It was the Queen's favorite." Chatas couldn't hide her excitement. "Deal!"
"The goblet is outside." Klein had no intention of going Above the Gray Fog in front of everyone.
Chatas nodded:
"I understand."