The Truth Hidden from Humanity
"Fine then, let start from the beginning."
Ruby and Natalia finally beca quiet.
Even they listened respectfully.
This was basic knowledge for them.
However, for Videl, it was a completely new world.
"The human race does not simply worship random divine beings. Throughout history, eight great Gods and Goddesses have protected humanity."
Videl listened carefully.
"The world itself is divided into two major regions. One is known as the New Continent, where we currently reside. The other is known as the Ancient Continent."
Max’s finger moved across the massive map hanging on the wall.
The map was old.
Ancient.
Countless markings and faded symbols covered its surface.
Most of the map depicted the New Continent.
Only a distant section beyond a vast ocean represented the Ancient Continent.
"Each region contains four great empires."
"aning eight in total."
Videl nodded slowly.
The scale of the world was larger than she had imagined.
Max continued.
"Across those eight empires stand eight major temples."
His finger pointed toward the New Continent.
"Within our side of the world stand four divine temples."
"The Temple of War."
Ruby proudly straightened her back.
"The Temple of Justice."
Natalia smiled elegantly.
"The Temple of Light."
"The Temple of Darkness."
Videl blinked.
Light and Darkness?
War and Justice?
Those sounded powerful enough already.
But Max was not finished.
He moved his finger toward the distant landmass.
"As for the Ancient Continent, the four temples there are different."
"The Temple of Fire."
"The Temple of Water."
"The Temple of Wind."
"The Temple of Earth."
The office fell silent.
Even Videl could feel the weight behind those words.
It was as if two completely different worlds existed beneath the sa sky.
Max continued.
"Each one of these Gods and Goddesses has their own temple which represents them. These temples are in every country, and each country has a different temple established within them."
"The temples and the people who work there are not considered citizens of the country in which they reside."
"They belong to the temples first."
"The temples are considered sovereign organizations."
"In a sense, they are countries within countries."
Videl’s eyes widened.
Even kingdoms allowed such authority?
That sounded unbelievable.
Max nodded as if he understood her disbelief.
"Inside Skyfall Kingdom we have two temples."
"One is the Temple of War, represented by Lady Ruby."
"The other is the Temple of Justice, represented by Lady Natalia."
The two holy maidens imdiately lifted their chins proudly.
Then they noticed each other.
Another glare followed.
Max ignored them.
"Now onto the real topic."
"These two are Holy Maidens of their respective temples."
"The Holy Maidens are said to be the closest mortals to their Gods and Goddesses."
"They are able to hear divine guidance."
"They serve as the voices of their deities."
"They are among the highest authorities within their temples."
"Their status is second only to the Head Priests."
Videl quietly absorbed the information.
No wonder nobody dared disrespect them.
These two won represented divine powers worshipped by millions.
"Okay then, I guess I can understand that, then what do they an about becoming their chosen hero?"
Videl finally asked the question bothering her.
Ruby and Natalia imdiately looked at her.
Their eyes practically sparkled.
Max smiled faintly.
"You see, each Holy Maiden must choose a warrior that would represent their temple."
"These special warriors are called Heroes."
"They are individuals favored by the Gods and Goddesses."
"They receive blessings depending on which deity chooses them."
Videl frowned.
A Hero.
The word carried far more aning than she originally thought.
Suddenly another question surfaced.
"Wait."
Max looked toward her.
"If this Ancient Continent exists... why have I never heard about it before?"
The room beca unusually quiet.
Ruby and Natalia exchanged glances.
Max’s expression turned serious.
"Because the existence of the Ancient Continent is not public knowledge."
Videl froze.
"What?"
"Only royal families, high-ranking nobles, temple authorities, and a handful of powerful individuals know the complete truth."
For the first ti since entering the office, Videl looked genuinely shocked.
A secret this large had been hidden from ordinary people?
An entire continent?
How was that possible?
’Then all this ti...’
Her thoughts beca chaotic.
’Why didn’t anyone tell us?’
’Why hide sothing this important?’
’Why would the kingdoms keep such a secret?’
Max seed to understand her confusion.
"Long ago, before the current age, conflicts between the two continents nearly plunged humanity into disaster."
"The wars were devastating."
"The losses were unimaginable."
"So eventually a pact was signed."
Videl listened carefully.
"A pact?"
Max nodded.
"The Pact of Separation."
"The rulers of both continents agreed to stop interfering with one another."
"Neither side would invade."
"Neither side would interfere."
"Neither side would freely cross into the other’s territory."
The room beca silent again.
Even Ruby and Natalia looked serious now.
"The agreent has remained in place for centuries."
Videl stared at the map.
Two continents.
Two civilizations.
Separated for generations.
"Then why doesn’t anyone simply travel there?"
Max chuckled softly.
"If only it were that simple."
He pointed at the temples marked on the map.
"To legally travel from the New Continent to the Ancient Continent, approval from all four temples is required."
"The Temple of War."
"The Temple of Justice."
"The Temple of Light."
"The Temple of Darkness."
"Without unanimous approval, passage is forbidden."
Videl stared at him.
"All four?"
"All four."
Max nodded.
"The sa rule exists on the Ancient Continent."
"Their four temples must unanimously approve any crossing."
"That is why almost nobody travels between continents."
"Not because they physically cannot."
"But because neither side wishes to break the ancient pact."
Videl slowly looked back toward the map.
For the first ti, the world felt unimaginably vast.
Everything she thought she knew had suddenly beco much smaller.
And yet one thought appeared in the back of her mind.
If the world was truly this large...
Then how much of it had Victor already discovered?
Max finally folded his arms.
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