Chapter 191: Nephthys ; Gate (1/2)
”Tiffa?” I say upon entering Tiffania's bedroom.
Getting no response, I look around the room, only to find Tiffa immersed in the Grimoire of Loss which is shining in a greenish light.
Walking over to her side, I pat Tiffa on the back and say,
”Tiffa, I'm here.”
As if she just noticed my arrival, Tiffa breaks her sight away from the Grimoire of Loss to directly look at me before saying,
”Come, take a look at what's inside the Grimoire.”
Hearing her, I'm about to tell her about my inability to read this world's writing, but the words get caught up in my throat as I take a glance at the page she has opened.
Surprisingly, instead of words and runes, there is only a picture that seems to be moving.
Taking a closer look at the content of the page she's on, I realize that the picture is that of an oasis surrounded by several houses.
”This is…” I say while pointing at the book.
”The Holy Land,” Tiffa says.
Huh? This was what the Reconquista aimed to conquer? An oasis? Shouldn't it be relatively easy to do so even without the support of other kingdoms?
As if reading my thoughts, Tiffa explains,
”The Holy Land is the term used over here to refer to the elves' homeland.”
”Elves?”
”Yes. Most elves live there due to the safety provided by their location as well as the 'Great Purpose'.”
”I get the first part regarding the location, but what's this 'Great Purpose' that you speak of?”
”Um…” Tiffa hesitates as her eyes wander for a few seconds before she ultimately lets out a sigh and says, ”It's what they refer to when speaking of their object of worship.”
”Which is?” I ask with an intrigued expression.
Tiffa then begins to explain to me what the Great Purpose is and what significance it holds to the elves.
Basically, the elves believe that the whole planet is one giant living being whom they're tasked to protect at all costs.
They refer to this being as the Great Purpose for reasons Tiffa is unaware of.
Nevertheless, it was a little startling for Tiffa to know so much about elven culture despite being a half-elf that lived far from them. As such, my curiosity got me to ask her about it.
It turned out that her mother told had told her most of what needed to be known about the elves, most likely in preparation for the day she would have to visit them.
”So, what's the name of this oasis?” I inquire.
”Nephthys,” Tiffa responds.
”Why is the Grimoire of Loss showing Nephthys? Is there something that needs to be retrieved from there?”
”No,” Tiffa replies, ”According to the Grimoire, there is supposed to be a gate that will lead to the Lost Continent.”
Lost Continent? What's that? Is it a continent that drifted away or something?”
When I asked her about it, she said,
”It's called the Lost Continent because-”
Before Tiffa can finish her explanation, the sound of the door opening reaches our ears, causing the two of us to look in the direction of the door.
There, we find Matilda, who has a tired expression on her face, walk over to the bed and let her body limply fall on top of it.
”Matilda?” I call out to her.
”Leave me alone, prince,” she immediately responds while placing on the word 'prince'.
”Come on,” I say while walking over to her, ”For all you know, I could easily solve your problems.”
This time, Matilda completely ignores me, so I approach her and place my palm on her back, startling her quite a bit, as she immediately turns around and hastily waves her hand in the air.
After the failed attempt at slapping my hand away, Matilda glares at me and asks,