Zara was left speechless after hearing what Patagamon had to say. He felt like everything he knew about gods, labyrinths, and adventurers had been flipped upside down.
“What I have just told you is a secret of this temple known only to those above a certain rank. Outside the temple, the king of Peza, the emperor of Gorenza, the king of Aldana, the king of the Holy Kingdom of Roahl, the king of Mazulu, and the other influential rulers of the south also know about it. These rulers protect the existence of this temple, and we receive their patronage.”
“I’m shocked. I don’t even know what to say.”
“That is to be expected. I ask that you not repeat this to anyone.”
“I promise. By the way, Master Patagamon.”
“What is it?”
“Were the divine spirits that would kill devas at the request of the dungeon makers dragon gods?”
“I do not know the answer to that, but it is certain that dragon gods held exceptional strength among the multitude of divine spirits. But there are no longer any dragons aboveground.”
“Are dragons and dragon gods the same thing?”
“They are the same, but strictly speaking, there are differences. Creatures such as fish, birds, snakes, and beasts need a long time to become divine spirits, so they need special circumstances to award them a long lifetime to achieve it. Dragons, by contrast, are born as divine spirits.”
“I see.”
“Dragons all have long life spans and grow slowly. Dragons gain high intelligence as they age and can wield strong divine energies. They become able to take on human form and mingle with mankind. Dragons that have reached this stage are called dragon gods, or divine dragons. There are many divine spirits on this continent, but unfortunately, there is not a single dragon left.”
“I witnessed the birth of a new dragon.”
“What?!”
Zara told him about the strange trip he went on with the White Princess Ishkriella and about the baby dragon’s birth. He also told him about the White Princess’s true identity and the fate of the dragon god Kaldan. He was unsure of whether he should do this, but he also told him about Narillia.
“Hmm. Hmm. This is a lot to take in. I see. So that’s what happened. That means good omens actually were sighted at the Dragon Temple. I never would have guessed it was the child of Kaldan. She may have been born a dragon god. Hmm.”
“I hope my experience is helpful to you.”
“You’ve already been far more than helpful. It is enough for me to wonder if you have been given the protection of the divine spirits and directed toward this temple with a mission. Your story has cleared up a number of my long-held doubts.”
“There is one thing I’m worried about.”
“Oh? And what is that?”
“It’s about Narillia. Her true form is that of a lamia, which is in the demon family of monsters. Will Jan’Majar Temple subjugate her?”
“Ha-ha-ha! No, you don’t need to worry about that. Hunting lamias is not the role of this temple. Her true form is human, and it was clear from your report that there is no need to suspect she bears any ill intent. Besides, that area is not under the jurisdiction of any country, so there is no administrator we could even report to. The temple will forget you ever mentioned this.”
“That’s a relief.”
“All right, Master Zara. I will ask this of you again. Will you return Gormedo’s Bracelet to this temple?”
“I was already planning on doing so. This is something that my father borrowed temporarily, so it only makes sense to return it to its rightful place.”
“I greatly appreciate your kindness. I ask that you keep this a secret as well, but the head of this temple’s denomination, the abbot, died suddenly, and his successor needs to be chosen right away. The keepers of Rasha’s Bracelet, Polpo’s Bracelet, and Yarts’s Bracelet are all virtuous and dependable monks, and I believe any of them would make a good successor. However, though the keeper of Rasha’s Bracelet has announced his candidacy as successor, the keepers of Polpo’s and Yarts’s have backed the director of the Clerical Division, Ragalat.”
Patagamon’s expression soured.
“It is certainly not a rule that the abbot needs to be a keeper of a Sacred Beast Bracelet. But the only reason it is not a rule is because it is common sense that the highest position of the temple should be occupied by a person of the highest moral integrity.”
“Has this Ragalat not had appropriate training?”
“He was a man of great talent when he was young. But then he had a taste of power and wealth. If Ragalat becomes the abbot, I am afraid this temple will be unable to carry out its original mission. The keepers of Polpo’s and Yarts’s are not people who can be bribed, but I may have been able to win them over with time. I’ve been careless.”
“Now I understand. Having Gormedo’s Bracelet back means the current course of events can be stopped.”
“Exactly. I am casting my vote for the keeper of Rasha’s Bracelet. That way we will be stuck in a two-to-two deadlock. Then I’ll get to work trying to persuade the keepers of Polpo’s and Yarts’s.”
“Do you not need certain qualifications to be the keeper of a Sacred Beast Bracelet?”
“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I am a pupil of Master Manda. Which makes your father my fellow student. My status as keeper is recognized by the temple.”