I told Historia the theory I had created about the languages between this world and our world. Hearing me, Historia sank into deep thought—could languages really make such a big difference, and had she truly made such a huge mistake unknowingly? She was weighing this possibility with her AI logic when suddenly a heavy voice came from behind.
"Hey Jona! What are you and Historia doing standing here?"
As soon as I heard the voice, I turned quickly and saw Den crawling there, because he had just returned from the Underworld. Seeing him there suddenly startled me a little; only one fear was in my mind—had Den overheard the talk between me and Historia about languages and our world? But judging by his facial expressions, it didn't seem like he had heard a single word of our conversation.
His manner of speaking made it clear too. Calmly he said, "Jona, Historia… are you guys training right now?"
I answered his sudden question in slight panic, "Oh no! We were just preparing for training when you arrived."
And immediately Historia also sensed my nervousness and quickly changed the topic to handle the situation. Picking up the empty milk tray, she said to me, "Master, have you completed today's Aurum cultivation process?"
Hearing that, my forehead thumped. Since morning I had been so busy with many things and the argument with Helena that I had completely forgotten to focus on my main task—Aurum cultivation. But Historia had reminded me at exactly the right time.
Looking at her, I said, "No, I haven't completed the Aurum cultivation process yet."
Historia bowed her head and said, "Alright, Master, then please complete your cultivation. I'm taking this tray. Once I finish all the housework, I'll definitely come to you for training for a while. Until then, please wait for me."
Saying that, Historia left the room with the tray, and then Den said, "So Jona, now that Historia has gone, you should complete your Aurum cultivation too. Anyway, in the past two days both of you have trained a lot, and I hope that within the next two weeks you and Historia will learn to use all your abilities."
I replied, "Yes Den, maybe you're right."
After that I went near my bed, folded my legs on it, sat down, and began cultivation. While cultivating, I arrived (in my consciousness) at the same place where that god-like tree stood. As always, the tree glowed and then dimmed slightly, making it seem as if it were beating like a heart and felt alive. The green energy-like ropes hanging from its branches looked so tangled with each other as if they were my own consciousness. They too shone rapidly for a few moments and then dimmed their light.
After that I turned my gaze away from all this and decided to focus on my cultivation. I went near the tree, sat in its glowing shade, and concentrated. After more than 20 minutes of cultivation, I was ready to return to my real consciousness. During this whole time I could feel the tree, from which a faint, incomprehensible yet perceptible sound came into my ears, which felt like a mother trying to calm her own child. It was Historia who had told me about this behavior of the tree, and maybe that's why it is called—the Mother Tree.
After that I came out of that state, and when I opened my eyes Den was already in front of me. My cultivation process for today was also complete. Then I told Den everything that had happened between me and Helena. I explained how the Churches and Royal Knights had also joined the hunt for that kidnapper woman, how she was planning to leave Magadh city within two days, and especially what Helena's intentions were and how her actions could put us in trouble.
Den thought for a while and told me the same thing I had already thought. He said, "Jona, the problem you're describing seems as difficult as it looks, but its solution is just as simple. Just do one thing—when Helena comes to call you, refuse. After that she won't be able to do anything, and you won't need to get involved in this matter. After all, in cases where Churches and Royal Knights are involved, an unofficial Paragon shouldn't interfere."
Hearing that, I thought in my mind—this idea had already come to me, and Den is giving me the same idea. And is saying no to Helena that easy? Whenever she's in front of me, no voice comes out of my mouth, and refusing her directly is beyond my ability right now.
Then I thought, "Alright, we'll think about all this later." Then I said to Den, "Do one thing—give me my father Narco's notebook."
Den asked, "Why do you need that notebook right now?"
I replied, "Actually I want to check whether all the training I've done these days has had any effect or not. Because if I try to open one of its unknown pages and it opens, that'll mean my effort is working."
Den said, "Alright, as you wish." And as soon as he said that, his thin stomach began moving strangely, and it swelled up. Then that swollen part slowly moved upward toward his mouth. He opened his small mouth, and that thing stretched his mouth like rubber and came out—and that thing was Narco's notebook. Even after coming out of Den's stomach, the notebook wasn't damaged at all. Seeing this made me quite happy, and I praised Den's Vacuum Pocket ability, because thanks to that ability things became a little easier for me.
Then I picked up the notebook. It looked exactly like Historia's notebook, only the color was different. And I also have to return it to the basement. According to my guess, the basement door opens into that mysterious room only on a full-moon night, so I'll return it on such a night. Right now 24–25 days remain until the full moon. By then I'll also understand this notebook better. But I didn't think much about it and tried flipping some new pages for me. Many pages still refused to turn, but while trying, one page opened.
But on both sides of that section there was nothing written; instead there were strange sun-like patterns on both pages. Many small wheels were drawn inside it, and in the center of each wheel were twelve lines. But the right page was the most special because on it a card the size of a tarot card was pasted.
Den, who was on my shoulder, understood on seeing it and said, "Jona, this is a Reverent Card!"
Hearing that, I was surprised—what is a Reverent Card doing inside this notebook? But Den himself was also surprised seeing it. I carefully removed the card from the notebook and looked at it in amazement. On all four corners of this card there were thin but visible red lines. On the upper side there was a painted image of the sun, and below it the name of the card and the ability inside it were written.
The card's name was—"Purify Co."
Reading the name, I said in surprise, "Purify Co? What kind of name is that?"
Den said, "Alright, think about that later—first read its ability."
So I read the ability written on it. It said that when the user uses this card, they can pour their Aurum energy into it and purify anything. If its power is used on a normal item, that item becomes a purified item for some time, on which low-level corruption energy has no effect. The duration depends on the size of the item—the bigger the item, the weaker and shorter the effect. But if the ability is used on something already corrupted, the card can purify it, depending on how strong the corruption is.
After reading it I said, "Den, how does this card seem to you? Is its ability useful for us?"
Den replied, "Yes, absolutely! The ability inside it belongs to the Sun Domain, and with this type of ability it's definitely a reusable card. In my opinion, it'll be very useful for you."
Then an idea came to my mind. "Alright then, I have a way to test it."
Den asked, "What thing do you have that can test this card's capability?"
I replied, "Wait, be patient. I'll show you."
After that I went to the bathroom and brought that same mirror whose glass showed a black-curtain, void-like image. When I showed it to Den, he was surprised why such a black-curtain, void-like image was appearing on it.
Then I brought it and placed it against the wall of my room and prepared to use the Reverent Card. But Den interrupted and told me something else about Reverent Cards.
He said, "To determine a Reverent Card's power level, you look at the outline of its corners. Like this one has a red outline, so it's the lowest rank Reverent Card. Above it there are two higher levels. Above red comes black reverent card, and above that comes golden reverent card.
After hearing that, I asked, "Alright, but why are you telling me this now?"
Den replied, "I'm telling you because if there's very high-level corruption on this mirror, this card won't be able to do anything. And if it doesn't work, don't be sad, because it won't mean the card is useless—it'll mean the corruption on the mirror is stronger."
I said, "Alright, let me test it first."
After that I took the card near the mirror, touched it to activate it, and spoke the activation spell—
"Co."