As Alastair discussed the story, Noah began to understand that this world was much different than he imagined. There were people with abilities, but they were only a handful in hundreds of thousands of people.
Alastair also delved more into what goddess Minerva did after much bloodshed. Ultimately, she was enraged by what was happening. She considered each and every living being as her own children.
She literally made them with her own hands, and seeing them kill each other indiscriminately infuriated her. What came next was divine punishment; first, she purged the sinner just to make an example out of them. She conjured a massive fire to burn them alive. What's unique about the fire is their way of excluding innocent people; for them, the fire felt like a warm embrace, but if anyone had any malice in their heart, it would burn their core to dust!
The purge lasted for three days; even nights turned bright red with how much fire was raging through the land. Many people rejoiced; they were grateful to the goddess for answering their prayers. But it wasn't over; she took away one advantage: humans had their superior abilities.
The sorcerers that mingled with the guilty were also purged, but she proclaimed that no substantial abilities would be granted upon new births. There were many people with abilities before the purge, but that number dwindled to nonexistence due to her command.
But not to make her followers helpless, she granted that only those with a pure heart could inherit her blessing. Noah asked the obvious question: according to Alastair, sorcerers were still fighting in wars. Doesn't that go against the goddess's proclamation?
Alastair smiled, seemingly waiting for this question. First, he stated that these are myths and then posed another question as his answer.
" What rule constitutes what's truly moral? If they believe their life is threatened, won't it be justified that they used their powers? What if they truly believe that they are doing the right thing?"
Noah was stumped for a second before nodding his head. There was indeed no written rule for it. It was a classic loophole, and he couldn't believe someone like a goddess was able to miss it.
" I know you grasp the obvious flaw in this system, which is why she went ahead and took drastic measures. As the legend goes, she divided the big continent into smaller parts, an array of islands where people could reside. She designated each faction with their own land and alienated the world for peace."
" You mean there are only islands in this world? Isn't it too drastic, even by her standards?"
" No one knows for sure; the planet is vast, but we only know of other islands. Few islands have many kingdoms while others have their own culture completely engulfing the specific island to the core."
" But you said this kingdom was invaded? Doesn't that mean it didn't work in the end?"
" Perhaps there has always been animosity between different islands. Some are friendly and trade regularly, but others decided to take a more offensive route and plunder other islands for resources. Even if we are under attack, it will take them months, if not years, to get the whole island under control, especially this kingdom because it has many rocky mountains, perfect terrain for defending against sieges."
"Besides, it's only a fairy tale. No one knows what happened or if the myths are real, so don't worry. My hometown is especially guarded; you will know when we arrive."
Noah asked a lot of questions on this trip; a lot of them sounded dumb, but Alastair didn't lose his patience and answered each and every one of them earnestly. By the end of the first day, they made camp near an empty cave.
Noah looked at his injuries, and they were actually healing by themselves, which frightened him a little. He didn't know what was happening to his body when he came here, but he unexpectedly gained healing powers? It was not as drastic as it sounded; it only elevated a little bit of his pain without medicine, but even then, at least his wounds were not festering due to infection.
Before starting the next day's journey, Noah looked down to see how far they had come. He could barely see the rocky peaks where the cave was, but surrounding it was dense forest. As far as he looked, he saw green with few patches of grey but no civilization.
He began to wonder how people lived so high up in the mountain; even thinking about stocking supplies would be a monumental task for Alastair's village. He decided to ask the old man more about it.
" It's not as bad as it sounds. We are climbing from the perilous part of the mountain range. These narrow trails are not used by locals; they are mostly used by hunters, but no one will come this far south." Alastair was amused by Noah's childish curiosity.
" The main route is toward the north end of the mountain range, but we can't take that route because it's too dangerous. There could be a remnant army or, worse, bandits lurking in the shadows. With your injured leg, even if we want to escape, we will be caught in seconds."
" I see; what sort of game did hunters bring? Don't tell me you guys eat that pig bastard that captured us!"
" No, no, they are technically intelligent creatures. It will be odd to, you know...eat such things; besides, they are not native to this kingdom. They were unleashed by the invading empire a few months ago; it's believed that they captured them from another island and brought them here to wreak havoc in the countryside."
"That surprisingly makes sense, but aren't there any rules of war? I mean, something no parties could do in battle? Hurting civilians doesn't help their cause, does it?"
" Rules in war? Young man, that's the most idiotic thing I heard from you. It looks like you never experience it yourself; everything is permitted when one is invading. There are no rules to war."
Noah was embarrassed and stayed quiet for the rest of their journey; by afternoon, they were already climbing toward flat lands high up in the mountain. Alastair told him that they were arriving and to be prepared. He mainly told him to not do anything stupid. Noah didn't know what he was referring to, but he soon found out what mental torture looks like.