Merulos remained silent inside the compartment. In truth, the Kodo School's attitude and beliefs were rather vague. They seemed more interested in exploring what kind of existence the ancient gods were, where they came from, and whether they had any weaknesses.
"This discarded old man couldn't possibly know where the King of Light is. Are you planning to go on a pilgrimage? Give it up."
Merulos sat relaxed in the wooden chair, looking as if he had seen through everything long ago.
"Old man, you've got quite a background."
"Nothing special. I merely enjoyed a period of glory. The previous generation's goddess of the Kodo School almost became my wife."
At that, Merulos sighed with emotion and began recounting his past.
Merulos had originally been one of the Kodo School's high priests. That was until he fell in love with the previous generation's goddess and acted on it.
The result was that, after he nearly succeeded, a group of believers tied him up and "kicked him around." The previous generation's goddess, wearing a wedding dress, had been left badly shaken. She had nearly been forced to complete a wedding ceremony.
What happened afterward was simple. Merulos had indeed contributed to the Kodo School, and he had not harmed the previous generation's goddess—at least not physically. Mentally, that was another matter.
After discussions among the Kodo School's senior leaders, they decided to exile Merulos to "Old Royal Capital," a godforsaken place where not even birds laid eggs, and have him watch over an abandoned branch with no one left in it.
He had guarded it for over thirty years. The great high priest Merulos of the past had become a stooped old man.
The more Baja listened to Merulos's account, the more something felt wrong.
"Weren't you just lusting after her