Chapter 121
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: 28. The Imperial Capital. (4)
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Red-robed mage Elena headed to the Magic Guild alongside the blind saintess Odnunn.
...To be honest, it was only called a guild in name; it was more like a comprehensive magic shop. Mages of all sorts were hawking their wares to customers like street vendors, desperately trying to sell potions, items, or spellbooks made using their specialties.
It was a disappointing sight for Elena, who had imagined a stately academy. Still, there was plenty to see.
Among it all, what especially caught her eye was the overwhelming number of spellbooks!
Of course, most of them were probably full of useless content, but if she picked carefully, she might find some rare tomes that could actually be helpful.
Harboring such hopes, she began meticulously examining each book one by one.
There were as many varieties of spellbooks as there were items overflowing the place. Some even covered contracts with demons. ...Of course, having witnessed the miserable ends of countless dark mages, Elena shuddered at the mere thought of black magic and steered clear.
While the blind saintess, tired of waiting, wandered off to browse accessories for a bit, the red-robed mage, who had been skimming through countless spellbooks, happened to pick up a particular volume. ...Or more precisely, her hand seemed to reach for it on its own, as if drawn by fate.
- Origin Magic.
That was the entire title of the book. Naturally, Elena had never heard of origin magic before. She could only assume it was some bizarre magic researched obsessively by an eccentric mage over a lifetime.
Still, since she'd pulled it out, she decided to read the contents.
However, her initial impression of it being strange magic gradually changed the more she read. Surprisingly, the book's theories were quite solid.
All matter in the world had an "origin," and mana was energy filtered once from that origin. Thus, the core of this research was using the origin of mana itself, before it was filtered.
And the book explicitly described methods to perceive and utilize that origin of mana.
It was quite an intriguing read. She hadn't even known about the concept of mana's origin to begin with. Honestly, even mages were largely ignorant about magic from affinities outside their own, almost like commoners. ......Of course, it could still be snake oil, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.
She couldn't devour the entire book right there, so she closed it and tucked it into her bosom. She'd been wondering if she'd find anything worthwhile today, but it was a relief to have something to take away.
The red-robed mage paid for the book and rejoined the blind saintess, who was wandering dazedly in front of an accessory stall. The two strolled around the Magic Guild a while longer, browsing, before stepping outside and plopping down on a bench by the fountain.
The sky was a blinding blue, and the air was as warm and cozy as a blanket.
It was the kind of peace that brought a smile to her face unbidden. ......In that moment, Elena briefly fantasized how much nicer it would be if Allen were sitting beside her.
The aura of happiness radiating from her reached even the blind saintess.
Having spent so much time together lately, the two had grown quite close. They even shared personal stories from time to time.
"You seem in high spirits."
"Maybe because it's been so long since I felt this peace."
The blind saintess clasped her hands piously like a devout believer and offered a prayer. A prayer of thanks to the holy spirit for granting such peace.
Watching her, Elena's heart softened even more. ......Then, her chronic worry suddenly resurfaced, drawing a small sigh from her.
As a gloomy aura replaced the bright one oozing from her, Odnunn asked if Elena had some worry on her mind.
"...No, it's nothing."
"Come on, that's not it. ...Tell me. It's fine."
After a slight hesitation, the red-robed mage poured out her concern.
"It's just..., I feel like my skills aren't improving. The mercenary corps is growing by the day, but I feel like I'm stuck in place..."
"Stuck? We rely on you so much, Elena."
"No. Looking at it objectively, that's not true. ......I might even get kicked out."
"Come on, who would kick you out? ...Worst case, you transfer somewhere with better terms. No big deal."
But Elena shook her head firmly.
"......I don't want to go. I want to stay here."
"Mercenaries don't need to stick to one place. You must have great dreams too, right? ...Tch, even if Leader Allen is great..."
To lighten the mood, the blind saintess tossed in a light joke, but Elena's face flushed bright red as she panicked, her gaze flickering.
She'd tried so hard not to let it show, but she couldn't fool Odnunn's keen senses after all, she thought.
"...D-does it, sh-show that much...?"
......Huh...?
Elena had taken it so seriously that Odnunn was momentarily flustered herself. ......She hadn't expected the joke to be real.
Still, brushing it off as just a joke wouldn't fly given the situation and atmosphere. Even she could tell that much.
"Oh, uh..., I..., just barely noticed. Probably no one else knows...!"
"...I see..."
"Don't worry too much. If you keep working hard, you'll definitely improve!"
"Thank you."
Seeing Elena's wistful smile, Odnunn felt an odd pang of conscience.
Come to think of it, Leader Allen was indeed a charming man. Enough to understand why Elena would fall for him.
However...!
......What do I do? This is awkward. Leader Allen loves me...!
The blind saintess inwardly marveled at her own ant-trap allure, one that even her ample bosom couldn't overcome.
Prophet Aloa.
The youngest daughter of a baron's house, she was a mage of innate genius even before her title as prophet. But due to her frail constitution compared to her talent, she couldn't endure the rough mercenary life for long and retired from her unit before making a name for herself. Many didn't even know she'd been a mercenary.
Of course, like many noble daughters used as pawns for alliances with other houses, she had received countless marriage proposals but rejected them all, claiming her fated partner hadn't appeared yet. ......Which left her age creeping past thirty.
Still, she passed her idle days giving prophecies to highborns or studying magic.
She could see others' lives but not her own, which sometimes left her feeling stifled. ......She even wondered if her fated partner truly existed.
But life was what it was. Live and die like this, and that was that!
Of course, she wasn't without hobbies. In fact, peeking into others' lives was her greatest pleasure. Watching the dramas of all sorts of people made her feel like a god at times.
She'd ache with them through hardships, rejoice in their happiness, praise good deeds, and curse evil ones.
......Before she knew it, she'd earned the moniker of prophet.
Anyway. On one such leisurely day, she had a strange dream.
A dream of swallowing a brilliant, massive golden sun whole.
She woke in shock. ......Anyone could see it was unmistakably a dream of pregnancy.
Sometimes people dreamed others' pregnancy dreams for them, so she brushed it off, assuming someone close by was expecting.
......And not long after, her older sister Yufi came to visit.
Though it had been years since they'd last met, she hadn't changed a bit from their first encounter.
"What's your secret?"
"Born with it."
Thanks to her ample mana, Aloa aged slowly too. Already past thirty, and she still passed for her twenties!
"......And your prophecy was wrong. My disciple didn't come back."
Aloa furrowed her brow, as if asking what that meant.
"You know better than anyone, sis—my prophecies don't miss. Ever!"
"Tsk tsk, fortune-teller peddling snake oil."
"I told you not to call me that!"
Yufi grinned teasingly.
"......A man might come looking for you later. I told him to drop by. See for yourself and judge."
"No thanks. I'm closing shop. Time to take down the sign after all those misses."
"Again with that. Always so touchy. ......Anyway, he's intriguing. You won't resist taking a look."
Well aware of the prophet's peculiar hobby, Yufi seemed convinced she wouldn't turn the request away.
Curiosity piqued, Aloa felt a flicker of interest.
"......What kind of man?"
"You'll see. ......The man who made your prophecy miss the mark."
"There's no such person, I said!"
"Just take a peek. Stubborn as hell, from what I hear. Not even as bad as my disciple."
"...If you're wrong, you really are!"
Aloa shot her a light glare, wondering if her sister was losing it with age.
......Yufi stayed at the mansion another two days before departing for the Holy Kingdom.
The prophet steadied her empty heart and returned to prophecies and magic studies. It was all she could do there anyway.
Months passed since Yufi left. ......Enough time for Aloa to nearly forget about the man she'd mentioned.
Then one day, someone came calling. Nothing special about that—the prophet drew visitors like flies. Most were turned away at the gate without seeing her, of course.
But this one was different: he mentioned Yufi's name.
Aloa's eyes widened slightly at that.
"......Who is it?"
"Allen, leader of the Allen Mercenary Corps."
Only then did that conversation resurface in her mind.
...Sis did say someone would come.
She still didn't think much of it. ......Though she was surprised that this Allen fellow, who entered her room, was exceptionally handsome.
Sis has a hidden taste for looks, huh. ......Getting sentimental in her old age!
Aloa figured Yufi had selected this man as a potential husband for the blind saintess Odnunn, her disciple and sort of niece. Probably wanted her to check his future.
"Yufi sent you?"
"Yes. She told me to visit..."
"Good timing. She and I are close. ...Ah, you know who I am?"
"Prophet Aloa, right?"
"That's me."
"You're far more beautiful than the rumors. Quite the shock."
Aloa let out a ladylike laugh. Compliments never got old.
As she did, she casually extended her hand under pretense of greeting. ......Greeting and indulging her peculiar hobby.
"Nice to meet you."
The oblivious Allen grabbed it firmly for a handshake.
Let's take a look...
......And in that instant, his distant life unfolded before her eyes...!
─────A─────.
Dizziness hit her like a wave; she clutched her head and staggered.
"Whoa, you okay?"
Allen swiftly caught the swaying Aloa and supported her.
"...Ah...!"
Once she came to, she looked up at him with wide eyes.
One son, one daughter.
And a harmonious family.
Aloa—the husband of her destiny, the one she'd waited so long for—
was the man standing right before her.