The next day at Epherna’s lodging.
“Ugh…!!”
Epherna stretched to shake off the last remnants of sleep.
There was still a day left before departing for the Empire.
With nothing to do until then, Epherna contemplated what to do for the day and glanced at a staff placed on the bookshelf.
She approached the bookshelf, lifted the staff, and grabbed it.
“An unusual staff.”
The top part of the staff was embedded with a red gemstone. Within the gemstone, well-maintained mana circulated, waiting for the mage’s command.
“It seems to be a staff that aids in calculations rather than enhancing power.”
There are two main types of magical staffs used for assistance.
Rod and wand.
The staff Epherna held was a wand, which helps with minor arithmetic operations related to spells. A rod, on the other hand, mainly amplifies the mana concentration used by the mage, and due to this feature, it was widely used during wars when large-scale magic had a significant impact. There are staffs that possess the characteristics of both rods and wands, but such staffs are generally very expensive.
“Enhancing lower-level magic to mid-level magic… It seems to have a slight ability to perform major calculations as well… I don’t know who made it, but it’s impressive.”
If possible, she would want to have it included in the Imperial Magic Tools Department.
Despite the Empire being a powerful nation, it always struggles with talent acquisition.
If such magical tools could be produced in abundance, even shamans would be welcomed.
Knock. Knock.
“A guest has arrived.”
A knock accompanied by Ern’s voice.
Responding with a loud “I understand,” Ern opened the door and entered.
She seated Epherna in front of a mirror in her pajamas and began brushing her hair.
“It’s troublesome to get dressed up, but why a guest so early in the morning? Who is it?”
“Forest Elder.”
“Why is that old man suddenly coming to see me?”
“I don’t know either. He only said he wanted to talk to you.”
Ern skillfully helped Epherna change clothes and get ready.
When Merien was absent, Ern took over her duties.
Especially since they hadn’t been able to rely on Merien for a long time at the Academy, Ern had gained quite a bit of skill, and now she could even assist with makeup to some extent.
“I’ll take it from here.”
Of course, there were still some awkward aspects.
In terms of makeup and appearance, there was an inevitable lack compared to women.
“By the way, you’re not thinking of rejecting the offer now, are you?”
“If I had given it any thought, I wouldn’t.”
This deal is more advantageous for the shamans than for the Empire.
The Empire had planned the operation, agreed to collect Autumn Wind without requesting support, and promised to provide support for warriors while finding Winter Blizzard.
They offered to handle everything, so why would she refuse?
If the shamans were that foolish, they wouldn’t have survived for centuries.
Epherna quickly washed up and got dressed.
It wasn’t as meticulously prepared as the day before, but it was enough to welcome a guest early in the morning.
Receiving her escort, Epherna headed to the conference room located in the center of the lodging, called the Sohaepjang.
One might question what kind of conference room there is in a lodging, but the lodging provided by the shamans is a valuable residence made of precious camphor wood that even a noble shaman cannot use carelessly.
Upon arriving at the Sohaepjang, two shamans were waiting for them.
One was Achaz, the Elder of the Forest Shamans.
And the other one was.
“Hello! I got permission from the old man!”
It was Meriel, who had inquired about the conclusion of the previous night and then disappeared somewhere.
Epherna, who was unsure why Meriel was here, spoke to Achaz.
“I think an explanation is necessary.”
Nod.
Achaz nodded lightly.
“First, have a seat. Don’t worry, the story won’t be long.”
*****
Achaz of the Forest.
As an Elder of the Forest Shamans, Achaz had managed the Shaman Nation for over ten years.
However, he had rarely appeared publicly, leading some high-ranking individuals in the Empire to suspect that he might be a figurehead.
While it no longer mattered now that the Shaman Nation and the Empire were on friendly terms, no one could resolve the doubt of whether he was indeed a mere figurehead.
“Please take this child with you. It won’t be a disturbance.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“There’s no hidden meaning. I would like this child to be taken to the Empire and cared for.”
“…”
It wasn’t a difficult request.
If Achaz wasn’t a high-ranking shaman who had the authority to permit the departure of a shaman’s subjects, it might be different, but he held the highest power among the shamans.
If he gave his permission, no one would object to taking Meriel.
There would be no loss, as it could even result in a favor owed to Achaz.
However.
“May I ask why?”
Not knowing the reason why someone as inscrutable as the Second Prince Elius Grandeum would want to send Meriel to the Empire felt oddly unsettling to Epherna.
“There’s no harm in asking. I heard that Merien is serving as your chamberlain.”
“…That’s correct.”
“I now wish to take that child away.”
“…”
Epherna’s brow furrowed deeply.
Her ominous premonition had proven accurate.
“Meriel is Merien’s sister. If that child were to appeal for Merien’s return, it might be taken seriously.”
“If that’s the intention, I must refuse.”
Epherna expressed her refusal firmly.
Taking Merien away was unacceptable to her.
For Epherna, Merien was like a mother. Apart from Ern, she was the only woman she trusted without a trace of doubt.
“Whether it was in the past or now, Merien is my chamberlain. It’s not something an Elder can decide on their own.”
No matter how great the Elder of the Shamans might be, they could not interfere in the affairs of the Imperial chamberlains.
Even if they could, it would undoubtedly raise questions.
Since when did the Elder of the Shamans have the authority to interfere in the management of the Imperial chamberlains?
“It seems you misunderstood. I merely intended to persuade Merien.”
“Intervening in the personal affairs of an attendant requires the lord’s permission first.”
“Ha. Since when did such a law exist in the Empire? Are you trying to force me into accepting your terms? Even the most loyal subject must have their personal affairs respected to be considered a good ruler.”
“That’s true. However, I do respect Merien fully.”
Epherna turned her gaze to Meriel.
“I cannot be sure whether Merien would be pleased or troubled by having her younger sister taken away. From my perspective, it’s uncertain.”
This time, Achaz’s brow furrowed deeply.
“…It would be wise to choose your words carefully.”
“You may not know, but I haven’t heard anything about Merien. I once asked about it during her childhood, but after Merien was reluctant to answer, I never pursued the matter further.”
Epherna did not know the complicated relationship involving Merien, Meriel, and Achaz. She did not wish to know.
What mattered to her was only one thing: the emotions Merien would feel if Meriel were taken away. Not all siblings are close.
Just like the First and Second Princes of the Grandeum family, who are at odds with each other.
“If you do not provide a reason for wanting to take Merien, I cannot take Meriel to the Empire. Even if she tries to come along, I will use all means to send her back. Do you understand?”
“…”
“I’ll take your silence as a sign that you have no further arguments.”
It seemed there were reasons behind it, but if he had no intention of revealing them, it was just a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
Taking Meriel away without careful consideration and causing a problem would be the worst possible situation.
As she was about to rise from her seat.
“If you tell me, will you take me with you?”
Meriel, who had been silent all along, spoke up.
Achaz, who was next to her, shouted in disbelief.
Epherna looked at her calmly for a moment before responding.
“I will listen.”
She sat back down and crossed her legs.
While she might have shown deference to someone of Achaz’s authority, the moment the conversation shifted to her, she had to display her own dignity.
“Speak. What is the reason you wish to take my attendant?”
“…Before explaining, since you might not believe me, let me say one thing.”
“Go ahead.”
With Epherna’s permission, Meriel raised her arm.
Then, she pointed straight with her index finger.
At Ern, who had been standing blankly.
“That man, he is your Personal Guard, correct?”
“Yes.”
“I will marry that man.”
“…?”
