RinoZ
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Chapter 1230 - Travelling As Always Part 2
🕑 Added 2023-09-12 05:39:06 +0000 UTCThe interior of the temple was as austere and lavish as one would expect from the Colony. My dearest reader, the ants have made an artform out of taking the simple and the elaborate and mashing them together.
Inside the temple, the columns were enormous and perfectly round, the ceiling was calamitously high with interlocking arches holding up the vaulted roof. The scale was breathtaking, the engineering was magical, the simple elegance was moving. Yet, as was their way, the ants had constructed everything from only the simplest of materials. Plain stone, unenchanted woods, with nary a hint of gold or silver to be seen.
Of course, the precision of the work elevated the final result to something incredible. The perfection of every line and curve was pleasing to the soul, and I have to admit, dear reader, that I teared up once I entered into the remarkable structure.
That was before we stepped a little deeper into the temple and, of course, the ants had covered each and every surface with their now familiar carvings. Beneath my feet, the stones became covered in tiny images of ants so lifelike I feared I crushed a living insect. When Emilia noticed me hopping from foot to foot, she was quick to assure me, bending down to touch the stone to show the carvings.
“The floor is covered in one giant carving,” she explained, “depicting the battle for Roklu as seen from above. The further into the temple we go, the more we will see. Of course, it’s hard to get a sense of the whole thing at once, since it's so large, and because the floor is covered with seating and people.”
Indeed, the temple is busy. Very busy! People thronged throughout the building, moving from holy sight to holy sight, bowing and praying at various sconces and statues positioned around the walls of the temple. Busiest of all was the altar at the front. Thousands of pilgrims wearing robes with antennae poking from the hoods knelt there, pressing their heads to the stone floor and rising with their hands held in the air.
Behind the altar, a man stood, his back to the crowd as he stood with one hand extended towards a grand stained window that stretched a hundred metres from top to bottom.
“The glass window depicts the Great One,” Emilia informed me in a hushed tone, “in combat with the demon leader of Roklu at the time they descended, Grokus. It was a difficult fight, a tier six monster against a tier seven, but the Eldest triumphed with their great power and unique magic. Since that time, the followers of the Great One have never doubted in their capacity to overcome a difference in tiers and fight against more powerful monsters.”
“And who is that at the front of the temple?” I asked.
Emilia glanced towards the front and blanched before she ducked her head and looked down at the floor.
“What’s wrong, dear?” I asked her, before the young woman reached up with a shaking hand and snatched hold of my neck, forcing my head down.
“Ack!” I released a dignified and extremely ladylike note of disagreement.
Of course, as they say, when in the Silver city, don’t touch any Gold! I will always follow local customs. Who am I to say that old ladies don’t have to get their necks seized and heads forced down upon entering the temple?
“Is this a local custom?” I whispered.
“Don’t speak,” Emilia breathed back to me, leaning close to my ear so I can hear her. “Have you noticed how quiet it is in here?”
Now that she mentioned it, I noticed that nobody was speaking. Not to say it’s silence. So many feet shuffling, so many people bowing and rising, it sure to create some noise, especially when so many people were doing it, but absolutely noone was speaking.
It is for this reason that mind magic exists, dear reader!
[Are we not allowed to speak within the temple?] I ask my guide, a little confused. We had been discussing openly, if quietly, earlier.
[No, it is because of the person at the front of the temple,] she replied. [We shouldn’t even communicate like this. I will explain when we are outside. For now, we must visit each sconce in the sequence and then bow at the altar. After that we can leave.]
Unwilling to be rude in a foreign land, I, of course, do as instructed, joining the slowly shuffling throng as they move about the temple. A fascinating experience indeed! Not only are there humans here on pilgrimage, but also golgari, brathian and even demons! Such an eclectic gathering!
Each of the various alcoves and sconces contains a heart clenchingly rendered portrayal of the Colony during its time in the third stratum. Assaulting various cities, fighting various battles, often with demons by their sides. The raising of the great nest below us, conflict with the ka’armodo neighbours, the firing of the great mountain forge. Such stirring sights, dear reader!
Of course, everyone has their head down respectfully and refrains from speaking as we complete our tour. Eventually we make our way up to the altar, where Emilia silently guides us in bowing and raising our hands.
Now, don’t blame me, reader. You know how I am! I have the utmost respect for local customs, the utmost! Was it not Travelling Tolly who dared traverse naked through the jungles of Witna Island? Was it not Travelling Tolly who ate nothing but snake eyeballs for two weeks when sailing with the Reptile Hunters of Parthax?
But I couldn’t help myself! I HAD to take a peak, of course I did! My curiosity knows no bounds! And in my defence, Emilia hadn’t specifically instructed me that one shouldn’t glance at the robed figure.
So I did.
There wasn’t much to see, unfortunately. The figure wore a white robe with long antennae rising proudly from the hood, which was up. Since they had their back to me, there was precious little I could make out. One hand was held up, extended towards the great stained-glass window, the other… well there wasn’t another. It appeared that this person was missing an arm, which was rather unfortunate.
When we reached the outside, Emilia was more than happy to explain what had taken place inside.
“I do apologise for grabbing you like that,” she said, almost tearfully. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
“Not at all, my dear!” I replied. “I’m as tough as tree roots. Don’t you worry.”
It’s true, dear reader! Very true!
The person we had seen was, in fact, a very holy and respected figure amongst those who followed the Colony. A leader, both civically and spiritually, since the founding of Renewal.
My soul burned to speak with him! What stories could he tell, stories than none outside of these lands had ever heard?! Sadly, it was impossible, as Emilia explained.
“He has taken a vow of silence,” she explained, a downcast look on her face “he does not speak, and will not, until the Great One emerges once again. Out of respect, it has become custom not to speak in his presence.”
Comments
Vora_Vixen
Since the guide said they shouldn't even speak mentally there i'm guess it covers all communication
Rahsheem Reid
RinoooooZ I’m starting too get antsy lol
Rahsheem Reid
Anyone know when Rino is coming back 😫😫
alt31415
Nah, he mentioned in a BoD chapter he's traveling.
kingoff00ls
Starfield got you too eh rinoz? We're blessed with good games this year
Koala Man
😂 tbh I’m starting to think I need to re read it all to refresh my memory
alt31415
I think it's implied that this future segment happens when Anthony's evolving into an Ancient. Personally I hope Tolly gets there RIGHT as Anthony finishes.
Koala Man
I thought Anthony was just mutating not evolving . They would prob be guarding him like he had his pets guard him so no one can see his undignified twerking . With their backs towards him so they don’t see it either
alt31415
I'm guessing Anthony's gonna take a peek down there once the Wave ends.
BallsDeep69
Seeing how low Anthony's level was last status check, rinoz is either going to send him to the 5th and beyond floors soon, or do a time skip. I mean, if he doesn't want to still be writing this story on his death bed
Joshua
He's totally going to faint the moment the MC comes out of evolution
Joshua
All of them have been. Most of the beginning snippets have peaks at the future too.
Fistro nio
Wait what, is this in the future with Anthony evolving to T8?
Nathan Quitugua
So... does the vow of silence cover mental communication? Can he "speak" in a mind bridge? Does using pheromones count?
ManguKing
Hahahaha my exact thoughts
SaltyVigilante
Why do I get the feeling Anthony told him to 'shut up!' and he just...stayed shut up?
Desmond Cheong
If Jern and Alis is guarding Anthony evolving, that means beyn is stuck at 3rd strata unable to follow deeper? That’s so sad…
TechLaser
Se Anthony souber disso, ele nunca mais vai subir, seria um milagre pra ele se esse padre louco calasse a boca. Kkkkk
Weirwood
I love that his vow of silence probably comes from Anthony just telling him to shut up until he comes back.
Elmithian
More likely tier 8 or 9. 10 seems pretty far off, and this is what? Mere decade into the hive's life?
BelligerentGnu
The cruel irony: the one thing Anthony could do to actually shut him up, was get to a place where it didn't matter anymore.
CentaureHeart
Probably told him to shut up as he was entering evolution slumber and he took it too far
CentaureHeart
Aah so Alis and Jern may be standing guard over Anthony and he's really evolving. Wonder what evolution it is? We don't really know the time-line. Tier 10?
Crazy Abe
Clearly He told him to “shut up until he could get back to him” while Beyn was mentally bothering him… and then promptly forgot he said that to the poor madman.
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
Lonez Zhavec
I need more of Beyn and his wonderous cult!
guvvuf
I wonder what Anthony said that convinced Beyn to hush
Ibuks5
Beyn is doing esophagus lifts right now, prepping for his comeback concert... y'all ain't ready
Kiongku
Beyn is saving up his voice until Anthony comes out. This vow of silence might give Anthony a bigger headache later.
Ether's Blessed One
Ooff, I can already imagine the decibel when he could finally speak again. Let's be honest. Reading Beyn's sentences makes me feel like he's actually shout beside my ear.
Grey Knight Lord
Beyn, the priest who could not shut up has taken a vow of Silence. May the Great One return and allow the mad priests sermon’s to return.
No_Creative_Name
Beyn, you silly lad. I’m sure he’s mentally shouting The Great Ones praises.
Imspinnennetz
Poor Beyn
Thomas Issa
Oh damn it Anthony told Beyn to shut up too many times
pink playz
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