By the time we went inside the temple, it was the year 717, and I spent 25 years in the other world. So, basically, it would be the year 742, right?
"Hah? Did spending your time being stuck in a dungeon make you lose your sense of time? Or maybe you do live here!" Again, the man Nathan was against me.
"Shut up, Nathan. The last time I checked, it was about, I think, 724." 724? I spent 25 years in the Otherworld, and only 7 years have passed here? Alright, regardless of how much time has passed, 7 years is far better than 25.
There was nothing that I could do but hope that nothing dramatic happened over the past 7 years.
As the healer, also called Theresia, was cooking, Terius asked me some questions, and I answered most of them with lies.
Somehow, this brings back memories. Though those times were short lived, now that I think about it. It was indeed fun.
After eating some bread and stew, Terius and his group decided to rest before going back up. I was not in a rush, so it's okay.
I had the liberty to ask Terius if I could wander around, but on one condition: the archer girl stays with me, to which I simply agreed.
The temple looked the same as always, except maybe a few dead bodies and bones laying around, but who cares!
Then I stumbled upon a podium. It was quite familiar, and then I finally figured it out - the sword!
Where is it? What happened to it? I died on this place for that sword. Now, where did it go? Don't tell me the Gods took it. Wait, no, they can't even touch it, let alone steal it.
After being transported to another world and back, this is the mission I get? Damn, both worlds are cruel. I'll eventually need that sword but for now I need to get out of here. As I continued walking forward, I saw it again.
A majestic and ancient statue with all its glory; it was still standing. Hmm? The head - where's the head of Adeera? This can't be.
I looked at the archer girl and immediately asked about what happened to the statue.
"The statue? It was taken by another kingdom." Taken? Taken? That ancient masterpiece got stolen?
Tsk tsk, they should've taken the whole statue. That's just disrespect. But how did they move it though? We're underground, and the only entrance is the tower.
Was it some kind of new magic? I'll just leave it be for now. We will soon exit this place, so might as well wait.
A bell rang; it was a signal for us to return to the group. "The walk is over; time to go back."
Huh? Does this little girl think I'm a dog? At every moment she turns around, I would aim my fist at her back. I should at least release my anger.
We eventually got back to the group, and they were preparing to leave. I wonder if I could help kill the monsters. After arriving here, I waved my hand around, but there was no magic.
I waved like crazy, doing poses and hand signs, but nothing worked. Eventually, a small fire came out. I did underestimate it, but little did I know that that little flame carried a lot.
At every movement, the archer girl would keep her eye on me. Am I that suspicious? It was quite a bother, so I laid down and took a quick nap, though it didn't last long.
My nap was bothered by the archer girl. I should really ask for her name; I can't just keep on calling her archer girl.
After a few minutes of preparation, the decision was made: we are going to leave now. And before leaving, it was common to turn off the lamps and other lights. I don't even know why.
As per their usual formation, Terius would be at the front, while the mage and the swordsman are beside him, and the healer in the middle. I was placed beside the archer at the very back.
Did they clear this place already? It was full of monster carcasses. It was okay to leave them rotting since they don't have a bad smell or would do any harm.
The first step on the stairs leading upwards was creaking. The boards were broken, so we had to watch our steps.
It was a sight to behold. Even after seeing it, it was still beautiful but... Where are the rest of them? The ceiling was brimming with luminous orbs, but now it was missing a lot.
"What happened here?"
"Thieves and merchants," Nathan surprisingly replied to my question, "they paid adventurers and explorers to steal the orbs and sell them for profit."
It seems humans really are scum, but I did protect them in the past. They are simply creatures born with greed, apparently.
"A lot has changed in this temple after what happened 6 years ago," Terius added, and here I was hoping that nothing happened in the past 7 years.
I couldn't just stay still and feel anger, so we had to keep on moving. And I swear, if anything happens to the second floor, I will... Where is it? This can't be happening. F*cking humans, they have crossed the damn line!
The shelves were empty, and this time it wasn't only the history section that was left empty; the entirety of the library disappeared.
"The books are gone!"
"Yes, the books are gone," Terius also can't help but feel angry as well.
"But why are the books gone?"
"Well, first, those books contained every knowledge that has supposedly been lost. Secondly, it was too much knowledge to be kept hidden, so everyone eventually had to steal some of it."
"But why are the books gone!?"
Terius sighed as he saw my face, like it was the face of a man who had received an answer. I can't believe it; they actually had the guts to steal it.
Can I still find those books? The chances are lower than zero; the technologies that have been discovered might exist today, and all the methods were most likely being used to this very moment.
Man, I can't stop and contemplate here. I'll think about it when I get on fresh sand.
We finally left the library and headed towards the top floor staircase. I looked back at the library, and truly, what a shame.
Thump thump thump.
Strange sounds and shaking ground emerged as we arrived at the top floor.
Now, this is really familiar, and that sound, I recognized it. Never thought I'd fight it again. Well, I technically can't fight since I don't have my magic, so I'll let these guys do the work.