In terms of material power and strength, shamans are overwhelmingly disadvantaged compared to the Empire.
Therefore, when relations between the two nations or two races deteriorate, it is the shamans who inevitably suffer greater damage.
Elder Roland of the Blue Ocean, though young, was one of the few who understood the continental situation better than anyone. He couldn’t even joke about refusing the request.
However, there was something he needed to ask.
“How will you gather the essences?”
This was proof that Epherna’s claim was not a mere delusion. In other words, a wise strategy was needed to gather the essence.
“At present, two essences are gathered here. The Spring Leaf held by the Elder of the Forest and the Summer Sun that I hold.”
Currently, Temur, who is guarding her, holds the Autumn Wind. Effectively, three essences have been gathered.
“There are two essences remaining: the Autumn Wind and the winter Blizzard. Leave the acquisition of the Autumn Wind to the Empire.”
“It seems you have identified the location of the Autumn Wind.”
“One could say it is similar. It is almost obtained.”
There was no need to discuss Temur.
For them, the process was not important; the result was.
“What’s left is the Winter Blizzard. However, I don’t even know where it is stored.”
“Wasn’t the Second Prince aware of it? Can’t you just ask him?”
“Yes, it might seem simple, but I do not trust my elder brother.”
“… ”
Roland’s eyes widened slightly.
“Is the issue of the succession to the throne still unresolved?”
Epherna shook her head.
“It is not that.”
If it were such an issue, she would have felt more at ease.
Problems usually have solutions.
If one knew what the problem was, one could think about how to address it afterward.
However—
“My elder brother is an enigmatic person. He doesn’t seem interested in the succession to the throne, nor does he seem to have any attachment to my life.”
Elius harbors a hidden agenda that he has not revealed to anyone.
He is not merely waiting for death.
He has something he wants to accomplish before he dies.
Epherna was convinced that this task was related to Evergreen.
“In two days, I will return to the Empire and ask the Second Prince about the location of the Winter Blizzard. If he does not provide a satisfactory answer, I plan to use force to obtain it. Therefore, I would appreciate it if the Elder could make preparations for that.”
“Preparations…?”
“I will organize a search party to seek out the Winter Blizzard. Please select exceptional individuals from the shamans who excel in both force and exploration and send them to the Empire.”
“I understand the need for exploration skills, but do you really need force as well?”
“It may be necessary. No, it will be necessary.”
Currently, the Winter Blizzard is suspected to be held by Evergreen. If they need to take it from them, a violent confrontation is inevitable.
“Facing them with ordinary troops would mean they hold both the winter snowstorm and the Force Shamans. This implies unnecessary sacrifices could increase.”
Moreover, mobilizing troops would escalate the situation uncontrollably.
Even though the war ended less than ten years ago, moving troops again would lead to great chaos.
Epherna wished to resolve this matter with minimal scale and disruption, like extinguishing a small candle rather than quelling a massive fire.
“…Understood. After you depart for the Empire, I will prepare to send the best warriors of the shamans to the Empire.”
*****
After the long and tiring meeting in the waiting room, Epherna returned to her lodging and lay down on her bed.
“…It’s exhausting.”
Meetings with high-ranking individuals never become familiar. Being only twenty years old, she especially felt her shortcomings every time she conducted a meeting, and the effort to address them naturally wore down her mental strength.
So—
“I need to get out.”
Determined to enjoy her day and do what she wanted, regardless of what might happen tomorrow, she jumped out of bed.
“Mister, I need some healing.”
As if anticipating her request, Ern extended his hand.
Epherna smiled brightly and took his arm.
“Where should we go first?”
“Well, I’ll decide after we get out!”
*****
At night in the Forest District, yellow lanterns adorn the woods.
The source of the lanterns is not a mana-operated device.
It is the light emitted by thousands of fireflies burning their own lives.
They gather and illuminate the forest, obscuring the stars and moon.
“The atmosphere is wonderful…”
Epherna looked around with a smile.
Despite having seen all kinds of festivals, streets, and dazzling treasures, the mystery that nature itself provides was something she couldn’t experience in the Empire.
‘This place hasn’t changed.’
Perhaps it was around ten years ago.
She had come here to guard the Second Prince, who was directly negotiating the treaty between the Empire and the shamans.
Though she was too focused on the guard duty to pay attention to other things, she vividly remembered the spectacle of the fireflies lighting up the dark night.
Epherna thought it would be nice to see this again, and seeing her enjoyment now, it seems her thought wasn’t wrong.
“Mister, this is my first time in a place like this.”
“That would be the case.”
It must feel like a completely different world compared to the Empire.
Everything around— the environment, people, objects— is vastly different from the Empire.
“Still, it’s a place where a race similar to humans lives. Once you get to know it, there will be many similarities with the Empire.”
It has been quite a while since the Empire and the shamans began their exchanges.
Even if it seems no different from ten years ago on the surface, there are bound to be subtle differences if you look closely.
Something caught her eye.
“This is an Empire-style scroll. Although it has been diagrammed for shamans to use freely, its fundamentals are still Empire-based.”
“You modified an Empire scroll for shaman use? Let me see.”
Epherna leaned in to look at the scroll.
“Wow, it really is. How did you manage that?”
It’s not difficult.
It’s easy to memorize and even easier to understand.
It’s a simple method that any mage with a title can grasp.
However, only someone with exceptional creativity could come up with such an idea.
It’s a talent that even a genius might not easily possess, a kind of creativity that sparks innovative thoughts.
“I did that.”
“Really? That’s impressive.”
“Hehe, it’s nothing special!”
…
“Wait.”
She turned her head towards the direction of the voice.
“Why are you here?”
Meriel, with her brown pigtails and a proud expression, smiled.
“I just followed you since I saw you.”
“So why did you follow us?”
“If I follow you, I can meet my sister.”
“You only promised to deliver a message. And how did you plan to follow us?”
“Aren’t you recruiting shamans? Then I should be able to follow you, right?”
Although a lot of the details were missing, it was clear what she was trying to say.
“I don’t know how you found out about that, but if that’s the case, you should speak to the Elders, not follow us. Besides, the recruitment hasn’t even started yet.”
“Huh? If I don’t go, who will become a warrior?”
“Hah…”
It’s frustrating that she’s so difficult to communicate with. It’s clear she’s not very bright, but trying to understand her simple words is maddening.
“In any case, if you want to follow us, you should be asking the Elders, not the Princess.”
“Is that the conclusion?”
“Yes.”
“Got it.”
Meriel nodded as if that settled everything and turned to walk away.
Although it’s hard to predict what kind of trouble she might cause, the Elders will likely handle it.
More importantly—
‘…So she knows about the shaman recruitment.’
The suggestion was made only early this afternoon in the meeting.
That she already knows about it suggests she is not an ordinary person among the shamans.
Is she royalty among the shamans?
However, her sister Merien is not royalty; she was said to be a royal chamberlain.
‘Maybe it’s not something I should delve into.’
Epherna, who was observing, seemed lost in thought, her face showing confusion.
“Mister.”
Calling me, she suddenly lifted her left index finger.
“That girl, isn’t she strange?”
She ignited mana and cast a spell.
The spell, created through diagramming, was [Observation].
It’s a magic used to examine the internal state of a target’s body, but a mage as skilled as Epherna can also directly observe the mana circuits.
“The flow of mana is extremely unstable. It’s even affecting her brain.”
Mana typically flows in a one-way direction and maintains a consistent speed.
However, Epherna noted that Meriel’s mana was chaotic, with its direction and speed all mixed up, making it a wonder that she’s even alive.
“…That girl, there’s something going on with her.”
