**Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Four: Secret Room**
After passing through countless dim Rooms, deep Corridors, and that utterly silent 'training ground', just as I was feeling physically and mentally exhausted, the first Destination Kashya highly recommended finally appeared before my eyes.
This was the deepest part of who knows which Barracks Building. It was clear that the stone used for the surrounding Buildings was much more High-Level. The floor was no longer paved with the ubiquitous gray-brown square stones, but with more exquisite patterned tiles. The Magic Lamps on the Walls, which became more frequent, added a sense of Safety to the deep Corridor. Because the Light became brighter, I didn't encounter any of those Monsters skilled at Sneak attacks along the way.
I hadn't walked far before I reached a dead end. I glanced briefly at both sides and found an inconspicuous thick wooden Door on the left. Its color was so dark it almost blended into the Wall.
Gripping the deep bronze-colored doorknob, I pushed hard. The ancient and heavy sigh of the Door echoed in the depths of the Corridor. What appeared before me was a simple Room that revealed a hint of solemnity. Unlike the Rooms of ordinary Soldiers, besides the Magic Lamps, there were also several decorative Weapon Racks nailed to the Walls. It was a pity they were all empty; otherwise, I could probably have sold them as antiques for a fortune.
Besides that, there was a bed, an almost completely decayed empty bookshelf, a solid desk and wooden chair with a dusty Magic Lamp placed on it, several Clay Pots of various sizes in the Corner, and even a separate Latrine next to the Door. This was a very High-Level Treatment. At least, I hadn't seen a Room like this before. It was probably a Room allocated only to High-Level commanders in the Barracks.
The bed was very clean, almost spotless. Many Adventurers must have Rested here. Indeed, the features of this Room were too obvious. There was no reason not to find it.
However, if you thought this was what Kashya highly recommended, you'd be completely wrong. How could that picky old woman be interested in a Room that any ordinary Adventurer could find?
I went to the Wall behind the desk and observed it carefully for a long time. Finally, I discovered a very inconspicuous circular indentation. Without hesitation, I pressed it with my finger.
"Boom..."
"Crack..."
"Whoa..."
"..."
Stuck to the Wall like a large character, I slowly and speechlessly slid to the ground. If the heavens could feel my resentment at this moment, they would probably strike that old woman with a million-volt Lightning Magic bolt.
It was indeed a Secret Door, that's not wrong, but how should I put it, it wasn't an ordinary Secret Door. Generally, based on common sense, the way a Secret Door opens should be like a Japanese sliding door, or slowly rising upwards. But this Door before me was unconventional, rotating 90 degrees like a revolving door, and it had the advantages of high Speed and fierce momentum. Naturally, I, who was practically pressing my face against the Wall, was unable to Dodge in time and was sent flying by this revolving Secret Door...
"Damn it, you old woman who can't get married!!"
Rubbing my red nose from the impact, I cursed. I knew why that old woman Kashya would tell me about a place like this for no reason. She was definitely anticipating this exact scene.
I had to stay calm, pretend not to care, otherwise, she would just think her scheme had succeeded. I ignited a strange consciousness of resistance, cursed a few times fiercely, and then stepped inside.
Inside the Secret Door was a curved Stairs leading downwards, just wide enough for one person to pass comfortably. The Stairs were very short. After walking for only a moment, an exquisite Secret Room appeared before my eyes.
Calling it a Secret Room was actually a bit of an exaggeration. In fact, the Layout here was almost the same as outside, just that the Space was much smaller. Besides the Magic Lamps, there wasn't any special decoration on the Walls. However, the large bookshelf was piled high with many Beast Hide Scrolls. From a distance, I could smell an Aura of books, making me think this must be the Residence where some learned Wise Person lived in seclusion.
What is this? Isn't it just a place to Rest? Lacking aesthetic sense, I naturally didn't care about the Difference in style between the Secret Room and the Room outside. For me, they were just places to sleep.
However, the Fact that there were still scrolls remaining on this bookshelf greatly surprised me. To prevent damage, most of the documents outside had already been collected and stored away. It was probably because this Secret Room was quite well-hidden and unlikely to be discovered and damaged, which is why the books inside hadn't been taken away.
I casually picked up a scroll from the bookshelf. Hmm, it had a heavy, solid Feel. Because even rough paper didn't exist in that era, records could only be made on this tough Beast Hide.
As soon as I opened it, an ancient Aura of ink rushed towards me. The Beast Hide was well-preserved and didn't emit any rotten smell. The writing on it was still clear.
Biography—
Holy Light Crusade Second Legion Commander—Alexander Erqiton. My father gave me a great Name, and I did not fail his Expectation. In Holy Era 2547, I started as an unknown Pawn...
...all the way to my current position as Legion Commander. It's no exaggeration to say I am admired by tens of thousands. Whenever I lead my steadfast and loyal subordinates through the bustling streets filled with Crowds, I always feel this proud.
However, if I were to talk about my childhood, it might disappoint many of my subordinates who always look up to me with respectful Gazes. But unfortunately, this is a Biography, and I must be true to myself, true to Reality.
My childhood was not as full of Glory as it is now; in fact, it was quite the opposite. Not long after my father gave me a resounding Name, my Mother passed away. Then, my stepmother, a vicious woman – I really don't want to call her that – she brought her two shameless older brothers and intruded into my Calm Act, announcing the beginning of my miserable life. Under their coercion, I wore the most ragged Clothes, did the dirtiest and most tiring work, and to fill my stomach, I even stole and robbed. I was just short of killing people...
Ah!! May God forgive me, forgive the Helplessness of a poor person struggling in Pain just to survive...
Well, let's not dwell on my boring childhood. Under much oppression, I finally chose to leave my home and participated in the selection for the Holy Papal Guard, eventually becoming a glorious Papal Army Soldier, even if just a low-level Pawn.
Whenever I think of this, I kneel alone and give thanks to the benevolent and almighty God. He ultimately did not abandon me. I even have to thank my stepmother and those two Pig-like older brothers. They must have been trials arranged by God for me. Without them, there would be no Holy Light Crusade Legion Commander today—me, Alexander Erqiton...
The Ihak Nation has rebelled again! These ungrateful fellows are even more greedy and shameless than my two older brothers. While enjoying God's grace, they violate God's guidance. They are bound for Destruction! With such determination, I finally welcomed my first Battle. The Result was unquestionable. Under the radiance of God's Glory, God's Traitor—Ihak—was destroyed like rotten wood. Those who commit Blasphemy against God received their just punishment, and I, based on my performance in Battle, leaped to become a Squad Leader. I believe all of this was God's guidance...
Yes, I have now become a Legion Commander above tens of thousands, even capable of leading my own Army to independently conquer a small Kingdom—those countries that violate God's instructions and have fallen into Heresy. I enjoy God's protection, the respect of my subordinates, and the Glory of Power. I have a beautiful Wife and lovely children. But, at some point, I found my smiles becoming fewer and fewer, and my heart, which should have been content, was filled with unease and Fear.
When I used the Sword in my hand to cut off the Heads of those Civilians whose faces showed Fear, His Holiness the Pope told me: they are God's Traitors and should be punished. When I was Commanding my subordinates to erase the borderlines around the Church, His Holiness the Pope explained to me with a Smile: they are Kingdoms that have fallen into Heresy and should be annihilated...
Yes, I firmly believed that I was doing it for their own good, freeing their Souls that had been tempted by Demons. Otherwise, they would face even stricter punishment after death. They should even thank me.
But why is my heart still so lost? I don't know when it started, but I found my hands stained with Blood that couldn't be washed away. The strong smell of Blood almost made me want to cut them off. Every night, those mournful, helpless cries would appear in my dreams. I swear in God's Name, I haven't had a good night's sleep for years...
Merciful God, almighty God, please have pity on this lost lamb of yours, please show me the path ahead, God...
When I reached out my hand, preparing to turn the page, I realized this was already the last page. I don't know what the final Result was for this Legion Commander named Alexander, but I imagine it wasn't good. From the sentences at the end of the notes, it's clear his behavior had started to become somewhat neurotic. Even at the very end, his beloved Wife, whom he spoke of, was killed by him over a small matter, under the pretext of committing Blasphemy against God...
"Whew..."
I let out a long breath. Although this Legion Commander could be said to be a devout follower from beginning to end, the content of this notebook could absolutely serve as a textbook example for anti-theism. No wonder Kashya and the others didn't take it out or burn it. Leaving it here was probably the wisest choice.
I don't know how much Time had passed. I looked up and saw Light Snow and the others were lying on the ground, sleeping soundly. In a place with such Safety, letting them Relax was fine. They had been a great help in the Barracks today; otherwise, I would have truly been overwhelmed by those Monsters.
God? If possible, please tell me, do you truly exist?...