The destination of Encia’s light steps, seeking the source of the massive power flowing beneath the ground, turned out to be a garden behind Sirius Castle.
Though there were hardly any traces of people, for some reason, the garden was neatly organized in one corner.
From within a small stone cottage, an endless power could be felt emanating.
Why did such overwhelming power extend from this place? Encia, holding her curiosity in her heart, cautiously opened and entered the stone cottage door.
The first thing that caught her eye inside the cottage was…a statue of a woman.
It was a beautiful statue of a woman.
Looking at the kind and benevolent statue, Encia murmured…
“Tia?”
For some reason, she recalled the owner of a voice that wasn’t by her side now.
“No, Tia wouldn’t be here. What am I thinking…”
Though only the voice echoed, Encia somehow felt the statue resembled Tia greatly.
Despite knowing it was impossible, just an illusion, Encia couldn’t tear her eyes away from the statue.
After standing still for a few minutes, Encia shook her head lightly and finally found the leisure to look around.
A small stone cottage. All the furniture inside appeared to be simple items carved from stone.
Encia carefully ran her finger across the nearby stone table.
No dust clung to her fingertips. It was as if someone had meticulously cleaned it. Everything was spotless.
Even though it didn’t seem like anyone had lived in this cottage, it was evident that the garden was thoroughly maintained.
“Ahh, this isn’t the time.”
Encia shook her head again, recalling why she had entered this cottage.
The massive power flowing through the land of the Romania Empire led here. There was no way she, who was extraordinarily sensitive to external magic, could have mistaken it.
Though the magical power flowed deep underground to a degree where most mages wouldn’t notice it, she could sense it clearly.
That immense magical power…
“Is it this statue?”
It was flowing from the beautiful statue of the woman.
Well, saying it “flows” might not be entirely accurate.
If we were to pick a more appropriate description…it feels like a well, perhaps?
Drawing enormous amounts of power from deep below and spreading it throughout the Romania Empire, acting as a pivot point.
It was difficult to explain clearly, but this wasn’t something an ordinary mage could accomplish.
Rather, it would be correct to call it a miracle of the gods, not a human achievement. That was her judgment, having concealed most of her magical abilities and become one of the representative mages of Procyon merely through weather manipulation magic.
Encia carefully extended her finger toward the statue, her curiosity as a mage stimulated by all these questions.
Just as her finger was about to touch the statue…
“Halt.”
A low male voice came from behind her.
“?! ”
Without even sensing his presence, the man stood right behind her.
“Do not lay a hand on her. I don’t mind you observing, but that’s all.”
If he had intended to kill her…her life would have already vanished.
Suppressing the rising fear, Encia withdrew her finger just before it touched the statue and asked:
“Who are you…?”
“I should be the one asking that. Who are you? This garden shouldn’t be accessible without royal permission.”
Encia carefully examined the mysterious man’s appearance. The strange material of his armor made him appear unlike any ordinary human.
His armor, resembling carved rock, along with the helmet in his left hand, allowed him to approach undetected despite its cumbersome appearance.
Thus, Encia decided to speak honestly to the enigmatic man before her.
“I’m a mage invited by the royal family of the Romania Empire. They asked me to clear the weather.”
“Ho…so you’re the weather mage I’ve heard rumors about. Your reputation precedes you. I didn’t expect such a young woman.”
“Everyone says that. Anyway, I received permission from the Romania royal family to move freely within the castle.”
The man nodded at Encia’s words. He must have witnessed the clouds dispersing instantly to reveal a clear sky.
“Then let me ask in return: who are you?”
Encia questioned while maintaining her guard. Though she prided herself on being more sensitive to magical energy than any other mage, this man eluded her perception completely.
As if existing yet not truly present – like a mirage.
“Just an old man?”
Old man? His appearance looked no older than thirty. What an odd statement.
Still, Encia kept her expression neutral.
“Yes. Among all the people I’ve met, none have been as extraordinary as you. Who are you?”
“Hmm…would you believe me if I said I’m just a passing knight?”
“Did you really think I would?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
The man chuckled meaninglessly, then after a moment’s thought, spoke.
“I’m just an old man who lost his beloved and continues living because death evades me.”
“Is that supposed to be an answer?”
“Doesn’t that work? You’re quite demanding, aren’t you?”
The man smiled faintly at Encia.
“Then let’s exchange names. I’m Luke. Call me Luke. A knight older than I look. Just consider me a relative of the royal family.”
“Ah, yes. I’m Encia. I’m called the weather mage, though I may not seem impressive.”
“The master of the great weather magic calling himself inadequate…interesting words indeed.”
The man simply smiled faintly at Encia.
“You remind me of my younger sister.”
“Eh? Your younger sister…could she be from the royal family…?”
“No, it’s nothing. My sister wasn’t as well-behaved as you.”
This man who introduced himself as a royal relative. Encia had no way of verifying his claim.
What else could she do but accept it and move on?
“So, what brings the famous weather mage to this secluded cottage? Not many members of the royal family even come here.”
“Ah, well…”
Encia hesitated, glancing at Luke. Should she tell him about the mysterious power flowing from that statue?
Revealing that the power making Romania’s land fertile originated from this statue wasn’t something to be done lightly.
Regardless of whether Luke would believe her.
“Just…I sensed some unknown power and followed it here.”
“Unknown power?”
“Yes. It was a force difficult to describe.”
Thus Encia spoke as ambiguously as possible.
Whether this was the right choice remained questionable, but she had no other option.
“Unknown power…”
Fortunately…
“The power of that lady, I see. Your reputation is well-deserved.”
The man seemed pleased with her answer and smiled.
“Isn’t she a beautiful statue?”
Luke gazed at the statue with a wistful expression, speaking as if loving it.
“This old man’s beloved, crafted in her likeness. She created and left this statue herself.”
“That lady…?”
“To explain would take too long. Just know that there was a mysterious and beautiful person with special powers.”
At Luke’s words, Encia nodded. For some reason, she felt delving deeper would lead to a very long story.
“She was a remarkable being with special powers. Far too wonderful for someone like me. Unfortunately…she left shortly after I confessed my feelings.”
“Oh, is that so…”
While Encia didn’t know the full story behind the statue, it wasn’t something directly concerning her, so she began tuning out most of Luke’s words.
“When she departed, she left this statue behind, imbuing it with mysterious powers.”
“Mysterious powers…?”
“Powers that make Romania’s land fertile. Back then, there was a terrible famine, but thanks to her powers, such disasters ceased.”
As Encia continued half-listening to Luke’s tale, she suddenly paused.
Bountiful harvests? Power? From one person alone?
No, it couldn’t be human power. There’s no way a person could accomplish that.
Rather…calling it divine power would be more appropriate.
