“And another thing is that this space is filled with an unbelievable amount of mana.”
Mana, which serves as the fuel for magic, is inherently present in the air and in various living beings to some extent.
Mages draw not only from the mana stored within their bodies but also from the mana commonly found in the surrounding environment. Therefore, in places with abundant mana, the same magic can be cast with greater power than usual.
After trying out a few spells earlier, I felt an unprecedented amount of mana circulating in my body. No matter how sophisticated illusion magic might be, such a sensation couldn’t be fake.
“For these reasons, it seems appropriate to consider this place as a magically created, existing space by the creator of the artifact. We can’t be sure whether it’s only mental or physical, but one thing is certain—we are trapped inside it.”
“That’s not good news.”
Despite saying that, for some reason, Raphir didn’t seem as discouraged.
“…You seem to be in a good mood, but it must be a misunderstanding, right?”
“Not entirely, because I just realized something important.”
“Yes? What is it?”
I asked anxiously, wondering if I had missed a clue.
Raphir said with a cheerful smile, “Being stuck here means I can be alone with you for a while longer.”
“…….”
Without realizing it, I stared at Raphir with a stern look.
“Your Highness, this is not the time for such jokes.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“Right now, there may be chaos outside because of your disappearance. For the sake of those people, you shouldn’t make such light-hearted remarks.”
“You always tell me to look out for others. To me, you’re more important than all the others combined.”
“You’re saying that again…”
“I’m not kidding.”
Raphir said in a subdued voice. I couldn’t help but fall silent under his earnest gaze.
“You know I traveled all the way to Andela to see you. Until now, I couldn’t spend time with you freely because of official duties and your position. So, this situation doesn’t seem so bad to me. To be honest, even if we were to stay like this forever, I think I’d be okay with it.”
“…Your Highness. No matter what, you shouldn’t think like that.”
“Right. As you said, I shouldn’t indulge in such comfortable thoughts. Your brothers are undoubtedly very worried about you.”
“…….”
He was right. Although I couldn’t be certain yet, if it was just the two of us who were transferred to this place, Nita and Aslan must also be deeply concerned due to my absence.
And there was Clyde.
At least until the next holiday, which was still days away, he probably had no idea that something like this had happened to me. But if we couldn’t find a way out of this place, I would undoubtedly be causing Clyde a great deal of worry.
However, the bigger issue was the fact that the transformation spell I had cast on the necklace would only last for a maximum of ten days.
If the transformation were to expire and consequently, Nita and Aslan were to uncover Clyde’s genuine identity, it may result in permanent and unchangeable outcomes.
‘I need to hurry as much as possible. Inside this place, we can’t even tell how much time has passed outside…’
“So I’m not going to interrupt what you’re doing because I want to be alone with you longer. But you’ll have to forgive me for my willingness to be in this situation.”
Raphir curled an eyebrow. There was no other man I knew who could wink so well.
‘..hoo.’
I sighed inwardly.
Raphir’s innocence and naivety would probably never go away, even as he grew older.
“So, do you think we can find a way out?”
“…There seems to be only one way.”
I looked at the black, sphere-shaped artifact in the center of the room.
I knew from the beginning that I would eventually have to investigate the artifact and go through it head-on.
But because I was well aware of the risks involved, I initially tried to gather clues from other places.
“Are you sure it’s going to be okay, Eila?”
“Even if I’m not, there’s no other choice.”
I took a deep breath and approached the artifact.
Without a doubt, this entire space, the mana filling it, all of it originated from this artifact. Even now, an overwhelmingly powerful magic surrounded the artifact, to the point where it was intimidating.
‘Let’s start with a basic structure and interpretation spell….’
As I closed my eyes and focused on the spell, I felt the mana circulating within my body being drawn towards the artifact in an instant.
My concentration was forcibly broken, and I opened my eyes.
At the same time, my mind felt heavy, and I heard a voice.
You’ve finally come. I’ve waited so long for you.
~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~
Julion stepped out of the carriage, his expression as stern as ever.
The members of the investigation team stood in a row in front of the camp.
“Department head Rojasis.”
Marquis Colliwood approached with a somber expression.
“I truly have no face to show. How can I atone for such a calamity happening under my supervision…”
“The situation?”
Julion asked, interrupting Marquis Colliwood.
“…Since my last report, there have been no updates. We are devoting all our efforts to decipher the artifact, but as of now, nothing has been uncovered…”
“Take me to the ruins.”
“Yes…”
Marquis Colliwood glanced at Count Polden.
“This way, please.”
Count Polden hurriedly guided Julion. Julion passed by Nita and Aslan but he did not give them a glance. Neither could hide the darkness in their expressions.
It had been 14 days since Prince Raphir and Eila disappeared.
When the news first reached the Imperial Palace, there was naturally a commotion.
The Emperor ordered the Head of the Department of Magic, Julion, to immediately convene a Crisis Committee. Julion gathered the best talents from the Imperial Magic Department, the Royal Academy, and other sources and set out for Trachen without delay.
When Julion allowed Aslan to join the investigation team with Eila, he couldn’t have imagined that such an incident would occur.
He was aware that he had kept Eila too confined. He knew that he couldn’t keep the child bound forever, as Aslan had pointed out.
So, that decision was a significant step for Julion as well.
He had thought that with Aslan accompanying her and with additional guards from the twilight moon, there wouldn’t be any major issues.
But this accident had happened as if to mock Julion’s complacent judgment, as if it were a twist of fate.
He didn’t blame Aslan. What he felt was regret for his own decision to allow it.
He shouldn’t have.
He knew it. How many warnings have there been? 19 years ago, and 7 years ago.
How many times had he vowed on his way to Andela that if he got Eila back this time, he would never let her out of his sight again?
‘…So please, if there is a god, please return her to me.’
He prayed, something he had never done in his life.
“Here we are.”
In response to Count Polden’s words, Julion stepped into the room where the artifact was.
~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~
When he regained his senses, the surroundings had changed.
The fact that it was an all-white space remained the same as before. However, the artifact that had been right in front of me had disappeared into thin air.
Instead, there was a strange-looking sofa about five steps away, and on it sat a woman with light blonde hair, dressed in a white robe adorned with golden threads.
Strangely, her age was impossible to guess. At times, she seemed like someone of my own age, and in the next moment, she appeared as motherly as my own mother.
She looked at me and smiled languidly.
“You’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting for so long.”
It was the same voice I had heard when I first entered the artifact.
“…Who are you?”
“I am Archmage Eleanor Grosspellieda.”
She spoke with a resounding voice, as if reciting an incantation.
“Well, to be precise, you could call me a sentient being that replicates the personality of Eleanor Grosspellieda. Her physical form has long since decayed and no longer exists in this world.”
“Are you the mage who created this artifact? The one who lived during the Chauntriya Era, the owner of the hidden workshop behind the Decoswan Canyon waterfall—”
“Yes, that’s right. And also the one who summoned you here.”
Unconsciously, I swallowed hard.
“…You just mentioned that you’ve been waiting for a long time. Who exactly have you been waiting for?”
“Well, of course, I’ve been waiting for someone qualified.”
“Qualified for what?”
“Qualified to carry on my legacy, of course.”
Eleanor narrowed her eyes and smiled.
𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊
Oeeh time for a power up¡