The Orphan Prophetess
Ludenberg Lavante found himself opening the book almost unconsciously. Right now, in the midst of facing the six heroes in the world of trials, his greatest interest was inevitably in them.
Moreover, compared to the other denominations that eagerly spread tales of their heroes' exploits far and wide, the Setra Church wasn't particularly forthcoming with personal stories about Istradim Seta. From Ludenberg's perspective, this only piqued his curiosity even more.
His expression filled with long-forgotten anticipation, he opened the book. Being quite an old volume, it released a musty odor the moment he did—a scent unique to aged books—accompanied by a fair amount of dust.
As faint letters gradually came into view bit by bit, Ludenberg slowly immersed himself in the contents.
The Solemnute Empire's history, already spanning a thousand years. The six heroes who proudly claim their place within it could truly be called luminaries in their own right.
No need to even mention Kyle Solenute, the founding emperor, or Orpina Testia, the first empress. The same goes for the others.
Hidea Rune, who laid the foundation for sacred laws in the Lanur Church and guided them; Parrel Mer, symbol of the Mare Church, teacher to the Lavante family's founder Parrel Lavante and countless sword saints; Adalin Cielm, who flaunted the skies' beauty in the Celioum Church.
The anecdote of Parrel Mer bestowing his name upon the Lavante progenitor is still famous today. Hidea Rune's foundational Lanur sacred laws continue to enrich Solemnute, and Adalin Cielm's sky paths are a point of pride for the empire.
But among them, just one. Details of Istradim Seta's life were not widely known to the public, nor did the Setra Church promote them aggressively.
This filled the author with burning curiosity. What kind of life did Istradim Seta live?
I headed straight to the Setra Church. Setting aside the warm reception, contrary to my expectations, I obtained information on Istradim Seta with surprising ease.
If they were willing to share it so readily, why didn't they publicize her stories more? But that's not important now. What matters is learning about her life.
I immediately organized the information they provided and was able to write this book.
Unlike the other five heroes, whose lives are shrouded in vague accounts, Istradim Seta's biography is meticulously detailed from birth. One wonders why such information hasn't been revealed to the world until now.
During the war, she was a common orphan. When erosion beasts first invaded the world, she wandered from place to place amid refugee columns.
Her peculiar trait was her ability to see the future from childhood. Considering that divine power descended upon the six heroes at the Battle of Tachgalde, her foresight suggests she was already blessed by Setra.
Or perhaps her visions are the very reason these stories survive today.
At any rate, her prophecies brought anxiety to some and hope to others... but it was clear that those living hopeful lives were fewer than those mired in unease.
Eventually, she was branded a "cursed child" among the refugees. This title wounded her deeply, with records even noting her melancholy.
But gazing at her reflection in a small pond by a stream, she realized she would meet a great master—and overcame her gloom.
Afterward, Istradim was a changed person. She lived each day in eager anticipation of meeting her master, her complexion brightening.
(Note: This is excerpted from Istradim's own handwritten account. Setra's Star Pilgrims are the sort who break out in hives if they don't record everything, so even tattered, illegible tomes can be restored.)
The rest aligns with what we know: her meeting with Kyle and Orpina, journeying with them to become one of the six heroes at Tachgalde.
In between, divining futures, peering into pasts, consoling people—she might have been the one who most soothed the heroes' inner hearts.
One can't help but feel profound respect for her path.
There were many other tales. For example... (excerpted)
Having devoured these stories, one question lingered for me. Who was that master?
The gender of the one called Istradim's teacher, a member of the six heroes—what did they teach her?
Everything else was known, but this remained an unsolved riddle.
Yet no records revealed it, no matter what sources I scoured. As if deliberately erased.
Regrettable, but uncovering this much was reward enough. Here, I conclude.
Ludenberg closed the book. He'd learned more than expected.
Istradim was originally a refugee orphan who could see the future from the start and acted alongside Kyle and Orpina. The minor details weren't particularly significant.
And from reading it, he could vaguely predict how the trial world would unfold.
Probably... I'll meet Istradim in the trial too. It mentioned she had a master, right? That must be Liberatus Ahad. I wonder what she'll be like in the trial world.
Perhaps he'd encounter her in the very next trial.
Such thoughts inevitably led Ludenberg to Raha.
Raha, who had prepared all sorts of arrangements for him thus far. Even assigning Professor Nah Tes and Nadan Tes to him was her doing...
He couldn't help suspecting that all these circumstances were orchestrated by Raha.
But Ludenberg didn't feel particularly displeased by it. After all, everything Raha did brought him only good fortune.
No matter what... if I meet her next, I'll probably encounter Parrel Mer, who gave our family founder his name, and Adalin Cielm too.
He simply liked that fact.
Especially the one Ludenberg most anticipated meeting: Parrel Mer, who had established the foundations of imperial swordsmanship alongside Kyle. A master swordsman said to surpass even Kyle in the art—glimpsing his trials and how he reached that realm would be invaluable.
Moreover, witnessing superb swordsmanship often led to insights on its own...
Ludenberg began to look forward to the upcoming trials. Exhaustion during them was secondary; each one brought tangible growth.
With that thought, he closed the book—and caught a familiar fragrance approaching.
Glancing aside, sure enough, it was Ashytara Solenute drawing near.
"Finished the book, Rud? What's it about?"
"It's about Istradim Seta, one of the six heroes. Just wrapped it up... more interesting than I thought. What'd you read?"
"I skimmed a bunch of random ones... but they were too tough. Pages crammed with stuff about stars... shoulda picked something else. Was yours fun?"
"Not bad. Nothing too complex. Wanna give it a try?"
Ashytara shook her head at Ludenberg's offer. Truth be told, she'd rather chat with him than read.
"Nah. People'll crowd in soon anyway—let's head up first. When I asked Professor Nah while you were reading, she said comet viewing's obviously from the top floor."
"...Yeah."
Ludenberg nodded, and Ashytara took his hand, leading him along.
"I'm excited."
Not wanting to bother Professor Nah, the two climbed the Star Tower's stairs slowly instead of using the sacred law formation to the top. With their sturdy stamina, stairs posed no issue.
Ashytara chatted amiably with every step.
"Stars remind me—I've barely seen any."
"Me neither. Trained so much at night and dawn, but hardly remember the night sky's stars."
Ludenberg nodded at her words.
"Yeah. Makes it more exciting. Even without the comet, just gazing at stars... feels like I finally have some leisure."
"Same. Thinking back... no time for sentiment since twelve. Had to prove myself, get stronger than others without divine power. Always charging ahead."
"How about now?"
"Got more breathing room than before. I'm much stronger, no need to fret about anyone catching up. So stargazing now and then? Fine by me."
"Yeah. Should be. Gotta rest sometimes."
"Y'know... it's all thanks to you."
"Huh? What is?"
"At the origin festival... if you hadn't held my hand, I'd still be charging ahead."
"Hehe. Really?"
"Yeah. All thanks to you. Always grateful."
Ashytara blushed slightly at Ludenberg's words, a bit shy.
Chatting like that, they finally ascended the long stairs to the tower's summit.
Opening the door revealed clouds brushing close and a sea of stars. Rounded clouds draped the tower's edge against the sky's rim, stars seeming so near... it was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The sight overwhelmed them both.
"Whoa..."
An exclamation escaped Ashytara, and Ludenberg stared at the celestial vista with wide eyes.
But soon he noticed the fierce wind carried an unnatural chill.
"Ugh... cold."
It was midsummer, sweltering—naturally, their clothes were light.
"Oops. Shoulda prepped when she mentioned the top."
"Yeah. Sorry. My fault for suggesting we come early..."
"No, not your fault—don't make that face."
"Okay..."
They found themselves in a slight bind. Using the sacred law to descend? They didn't know how.
"What now? Even if I light a flame, in this chill, it'd snuff out quick..."
"No choice. Guess we go down, grab some clothes."
"But that means all the way to the base and back—won't we be late?"
"True..."
As they dithered awkwardly, a voice suddenly came from behind.
"Huh? Why're you up already? Comet viewing's still a bit off... and what's with the clothes? Not cold?"
It was Professor Nah Tes.