Year 3988, 9th Day of the 9th Moon
Continent of Humana

AT THE first splash of yellow on the horizon, Aricson and the rest set off. A few bandits had tried to attack but it was nothing compared to yesterday. At the very least, the new carriage was in one piece when they arrived at their destination.

"Let's go," he said, opening the door.

Light peeked its way but no warmth pierced the area. It should already be noon but the blue azures were nowhere in sight. He stepped out first and offered his hand to Elise and Isabella.

"Uh, are we there yet?" Elise asked while she wore her coat.

"Far from it," he said, glancing at the plain empty lands.

Several years had passed since he came to this place that had a lack of saturation. Patches of soil were washed with chalk as if winter had never melted and pallid mists danced around them in a perfect rhythm that cloaked their surroundings.

"The carriage stops here and we need to walk to reach the gate," he added.

"Oh, okay."

After taking a minute to mull over, he took her hand. Mundrans always had a rough time venturing into the mountains due to their weak dispositions.

"Let me carry you. It'll be harder once we go deeper," he suggested.

Elise did not respond but color bloomed in her cheeks. Her face had always been easy to read but sometimes he did not understand why she was quick to blush. The loud coughing fit of Exel did not help either.

"What's wrong?" he inquired, slightly befuddled.

"N-nothing."

"I just forgot I have a company of innocent people."

They answered simultaneously and his brow twitched. Exel was hinting at something but this friend of his had always been mischievous so he did not bother asking for clarification. His gaze solely focused on Elise instead.

"Anyway, I'll be fine," Elise continued.

"Are you sure? Divine Peak may be hard for you."

"Don't worry. I'm not that weak, you know."

That was indeed true. For a Mundran, she was a daunting one and headstrong to the point of overestimating herself. He wanted to insist but from what he had conceived so far, talking to Elise was similar to conversing with a wall, especially if it was something she was adamant about.

A resigned sigh came.

"Alright," he said but remained his hand enfolded in hers.

Whatever the circumstance, it was better to have her within reach.

ONLY A couple of minutes in and heavy grunts were the only sound reverberating in the area. Aricson turned to Elise whose face had become sallow.

The high altitude could only be the reason affecting her. Divine Peak was renowned as the highest mountain in the whole Elith and the air had been less dense in this place.

"Try pursing your lips and breathing through your mouth," he whispered when he leaned at her.

There was no resistance and she obliged. It was only when she realized her mistakes that she became meek with him. He found it adorable but most of the time infuriating when he was the kind of person who sought control in any type of situation. Nevertheless, that did not stop him from cleaning up after her.

After several more minutes, a shimmer of gold eventually materialized.

A huge arch stood in front of them. Big bold letters were engraved above, beckoning for the attention they deserved with the amount of effort that was exerted on the craftsmanship.

"Temple of Legrand..."

His eyes immediately snapped towards her. It was a soft mumble, the kind of tone she used when her thoughts slipped.

"You can read Elitiya?" Exel probed.

It looked like he was not the only one who heard it. All of them had stopped in their tracks and circled her. Furthermore, Isabella's attention was also piqued and he could not blame her. The Language of the Gods had been a lost language.

Elisa turned to them with an inquisitive face. "What?"

"You said 'Temple of Legrand'. How did you know it?" Exel prodded further.

"Isn't that written— Oh my god!"

Her mouth gaped as if drawing a blank before she was sent into incoherent murmurs. Elise had a habit of talking to herself, most notably when she was trapped in bewilderment.

She did not seem to notice it but staying with her made him realize that she had a lot of quaint habits which he found endearing for no reason at all.

"We'll talk for a minute. You guys can go ahead," he asserted, not waiting for their reaction. "Ferios."

A sheen of scarlet covered the two of them after the magic circle was completed. It was an Integrated Cast that combined two separate Single Cast spells of soundproofing and altering the scene inside the barrier.

With Exel who was adept in espionage, it was better to be safe so he could not deduce the movement of their mouths.

"Elise."

"Huh, what was it?" she said after she was tugged from her trance.

"I remember you mentioned before that you can read our books since it's the same as yours. I don't know if you already learned this but Hirman is the continental language, which is the one we are using, while Elitiya is the Language of the Gods. Can I assume that it also exists in your world?"

He had no reason to doubt her since it was already known the first two words had already been translated to Hirman. However, it was impossible for her to learn the language since the writings were only exclusive to the temple. Those same wordings were a far cry from the common letters used nowadays. Her saying 'Legrand' could probably be the last word in the arch.

"No. That's actually the odd thing. They are literally symbols and I had no idea how I read them either. Besides, what is it? Based on the name and your reaction I can already tell it's importa— Hold on, won't they hear us? Is it okay to tell them I'm from a different world?"

"They won't be able to hear us due to the spell I cast. As for your other question, Elitiya is a lost language that not even the temples in the whole of Elith can read."

Not to mention, only a few could speak it with true pronunciation, not the translated letters they studied at the temple. This fact, alone, could put her in danger.

"If you are able to do it, the whole race will be after you," he added.

She shuddered as a flash of fear crossed her brown irises.

"I swear to god, I had no clue how I did it! I ransacked my brains but there is really nothing that explains it. It did not match any of the languages I knew but it's remarkably familiar..."

Both their eyes were directed to the arch. Unlike the common tongue, the Language of the Gods had more fluid lines entangled without any space that a calligrapher would have a hard time writing.

"I got it! It's the sword! I saw the same symbols with the sword!"

"Truly?"

"Yes. It says something like..." She paused, her fingers nibbling her ears as she began maundering to herself. "...It's weird. It doesn't form a word and only says 'bp'."

The two went silent. His mind stirred but he could not give a convincing reply. Question after question always piled out when he was with Elise.

Her safety had now become his precedence but the more he knew her, the more he became unsure if he had the power to protect her. She was a human from another world chased by the Abyss Faction with expertise in healing and now it was topped by her ability to comprehend the temple's language.

How he hoped it would end there. If her identity was deemed more special, he could definitely foresee how he would be stuck in a situation he could not manage.

Aricson cleared his thoughts and an exasperated sigh left his lips. There was no clear solution and prevention was his only option.

"I guess we have to make up an excuse again. If they ask, you can just say it's a guess and if they persist, you can let me handle it. The less we speak about it, the less we expose your identity and ability," he advised.

"A fair point," she agreed.

The instant he released the spell, Exel rushed to their side.

"So? How did you know it's 'Legrand'?"

"Just a wild guess," Elise said.

"Nevertheless, it's totally plausible. There are many missing letters in the alphabet but it is already deciphered that the first letters of the last word are 'l' and 'e' and the most recent discovery is the fifth letter. After 'a' has been translated there are many words that are unlocked—"

"Exel," he called out. "From all the years I've known you, I am not expecting you to be this inquisitive. Then, let me ask you how can you read the Language of the Gods as well?"

Aricson and Isabella were expected to learn that since they were the children from the House of Monarch but Exel was an ordinary Enchanter — or that was what he wanted them to believe.

Exel clicked his tongue. "You certainly know to shut me up."

"Guys. Time," Isabella reminded.

"That's right. We're delaying our plans."

They proceeded and crossed the arch. Several additional steps before they arrived at an iron gate painted the same shade as their blanched surroundings.

Two temple servants stood on the other ends of the gate wearing pasty tunics that did nothing to complement their pale complexion.

"Greetings! Your entry badge, please," the man on the right spoke.

He gestured to Isabella and she handed him a pouch. He took out the gold plate, giving it to the man.

"Thank you." The man returned it after verifying the badge. "Please step inside the magic circle."

The two men started chanting a spell as lines were drawn with a diameter as long as the gate. The magic circle was the true entrance of the temple which directly transported them inside the moment the last stroke connected.

The entire theme of purity was all over the place with no other hue staining all sides of the walls.

"Welcome, dear guests." A sotto voice resounded. She talked lower than a whisper yet her voice became loud and clear amidst the serenity.

A woman wearing traditional white garments approached them in a graceful way, enticing but exuding a sense of innocence of a sheltered woman.

"Greetings, Your Holiness Alydia."

They bowed and exchanged pleasantries.

"What can I help you, sire?" she asked right after.

"My companion is here to talk to the Overseer," he stated.

"Why, of course. Let us prepare for the ritual. Is it a male or female, sire?"

"Female."

"Understood." She motioned for a servant to come. "This servant will lead you to the receiving area while we prepare for the ritual."

They acceded and followed the other woman along the hallway. It was an empty canvas that put emphasis on minimalism using only one color and devoid of complex decorations, likewise to the lounge that they were sent to.

He had sat in this exact place years ago. After winning a few tournaments, he always came here and brought another person. He had no specific wants so he reserved his chance until the incident happened. He bombarded his way here the day after their parents died and asked who their killer was but even the almighty Overseers could not answer.

More temple servants arrived and served refreshments as they waited. It did not take long after another entered and brought the ritual attire.

He took it and handed it to Elise along with the pouch. "You should change to this. And, this badge here will be burned when you ask your question. You might also need this."

She stared at the paper and quill that was handed by the servant with the clothes earlier.

"You may go now. Remember, they will only answer once so think of a question that will give you the answer you seek."

"Got it. I'll see you later," Elise said and left with all the servants.

As soon as the doors clicked Exel muttered a spell for soundproofing. He took a deep exhale before squinting those outlandish irises at him.

"I'm really curious why you're doing this for her. I thought you lost your faith after the incident," Exel noted, his tone dripped with suspicions. "I know I'm amazing but I admit she is a genius though only in medicine of course. When it comes to magic I'm still the great—"

"Get straight to the point," he interjected because if he did not, it would only end with his friend's passion for boasting.

"I have a strange feeling about her. I can't put it into words but it felt something like I'm lured to protect her..." he continued.

A brow raised. "Explain."

"No, no, no. Don't look at me like that. I'm not talking romantically. When she's there, it's like I'm being captivated to do all her bidding but when she's not, I don't feel the urge to serve her, that's all. She interests me in a way but that interest multiplies when she's around."

"Nice," Isabella interrupted.

Exel gawked at her. "Tarnation. I wanted to talk about this with Isabella to have another voice of reason but look, she even swayed the elusive Isabella on her side!"

He propped up his chin and contemplated. Exel had been his first teammate and Isabella joined later. The three of them had been a group since then and it was natural for a bond of trust to form between them. Exel had no reason to lie but he found himself confounded yet again with the situation.

"I've been wanting to talk to you since last night but you stayed with Caian so today's the right time. It's not that I'm saying she's an enemy. I just feel bizarre like I was bound by a spell when I'm with her."

'But she's Mundran.' He wanted to say it out loud. That explanation was enough to counter all of Exel's claims. Nevertheless, he prevented himself so he thought of another pretense.

"Fairies are known for their charm. They don't need a spell to enchant someone."

"What?" His face morphed in disbelief. "She's a fairy? I thought she was just a Half-breed. But still, can't you see she got along with everyone?"

"What's unusual about that?"

"She changed you, chap. You always had that poker face that only knows how to frown but now you seem different."

"Love changes everything."

Exel gaped, his jaw slacking as if it would drop to the floor. "See?! You're declaring nonsense."

"Said someone who speaks rubbish most of the time," he retorted.

"But you need to ruminate all about it, Aricson. I observed it the whole journey, everywhere we go, she attracts people. I've heard the townsmen. You might not perceive it with your eyes all stuck on her but everyone who saw her was singing praises about her up to the point that it has become ludicrous. A person or two is not a problem but imagine everyone I asked says the same things when they only caught a glimpse of her?"

"She deserves the compliments."

"Damn it, Aricson. Can't you see, you're defending her?! You are the type who always thinks objectively but I can't see a hint of that when it involves her."

He allowed silence to fill in as he evaluated his statements. Exel had a frolicsome attitude but he had the sharpest senses. Aricson could not deny the possibility since the sense of unorthodox hung to Elise like a second skin. Yet, he did not find any wrong with it. Rather, he accepted it to the point that all the uncommon things about her had become common.

"I suggest you look up to her again. Her forgotten memories might not be true."

'Of course, it is.' He was the only one who was aware of her identity and it was preferable that way. For her and his family's welfare.

"Well?" Exel goaded.

"Alright. I'll investigate her again," he lied.