Jephrin.
A top-tier craftsman and mage who specializes in crafting armaments.
Even after the coup d’état, Jephrin continued to supply goods to the imperial palace not out of loyalty or righteousness but due to personal interest and benefit.
Upon returning to the Imperial Capital, Johanna visited Jephrin’s atelier as advised by Luna.
Jephrin greeted Johanna with unhidden curiosity.
Jephrin was also curious about what Johanna had gained during her seclusion that lasted over eighteen months.
“Here…”
Jephrin showed Johanna more than ten armaments made from different materials and requested that she channel power into each one briefly.
Jephrin quietly observed as Johanna complied without refusal.
Afterward, while seated, Jephrin analyzed the internal structures of the armaments altered by Johanna’s power and fell into a long silence.
“…”
Jephrin had expected that Johanna might have learned some special form of force or technique.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for Johanna to withdraw from the front lines and remain secluded at Obelisk for over a year.
Despite already anticipating such a situation, Jephrin struggled to shake off his bewilderment.
“…”
The nature of the power Johanna infused into the armaments exhibited characteristics not found in any of Jephrin’s extensive records.
Jephrin even doubted whether the force could truly be classified as “mana.”
As he examined the peculiar traces left behind by this mana-like yet distinctly strange power, Jephrin finally asked Johanna,
“What is the origin of this power?”
“My… life.”
“…”
In fact, if this highly unique mana were concentrated solely within Johanna’s core, Jephrin might have roughly understood the situation.
However, the energy radiating from Johanna wasn’t confined to the core inside her heart; it enveloped her entire body.
Elves known as ‘Sharpshooters’ sometimes utilized their internal energies in a similar manner to the current Johanna.
Nevertheless, the force wielded by these Sharpshooter elves was limited to ordinary mana and blessings from the World Tree.
“…”
Jephrin hesitated, rarely pondering whether it was appropriate to voice his doubts.
Could the being before him… truly be human?
The peculiar mana surrounding Johanna was a type of power that no human body should ever contain.
While storing it within the core might be understandable, Jephrin couldn’t comprehend how Johanna managed to house such an unusual mana within her physical form.
After much deliberation, Jephrin posed another question:
“…What are you preparing to oppose?”
For what purpose do you seek my armaments?
This was always one of Jephrin’s most powerful motivations when creating and refining weapons.
To Jephrin’s usual inquiry, Johanna responded briefly:
“Speira. Speira Prizzran.”
“The Sacred Maiden?”
“No, not the Sacred Maiden. A traitor who has betrayed humanity, fusing the powers of El-Lam and evil deities into one hybrid.”
“…”
Jephrin silently stared at Johanna for a moment before slowly twisting his lips into a satisfied smirk.
Understanding Johanna’s intent, Jephrin questioned further:
“Hmm… I see. However, if your opponent is indeed a hybrid… can you handle it?”
“I will. So, you better fulfill your role too.”
“If your resolve is genuine, then feel free to demand anything. I’ll commit all my capabilities.”
With a greatly content expression, Jephrin retreated briefly into the depths of his atelier before returning.
“There are a few types of metals missing for experimental reactions. Come back in three days. I’ll prepare everything needed for the experiments.”
“Understood.”
Johanna nodded once and turned her back on Jephrin, leaving the atelier to head back toward the Imperial Capital.
On her way, she encountered a familiar face—Didier, the knight of the Philips family and someone Johanna had previously served as Master.
Johanna greeted Didier warmly.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Around eighteen months ago, Didier had reached the Graduete level but was still relatively unstable in power.
Johanna noticed that during her seclusion at Obelisk, Didier had matured in strength, prompting her warm congratulatory remarks.
After exchanging brief pleasantries with Didier, Johanna glanced around. Didier’s presence implied there was someone nearby requiring protection.
“…”
Compared to seven years ago, the Imperial Capital had significantly recovered.
All remnants of broken buildings had vanished, and a select few permitted by Luna now resided in or traveled through the capital.
Of course, the positions and movements of those entering the capital were continuously tracked by barriers.
At the very least, it was extremely difficult to enter the capital through proper procedures and cause mischief.
Johanna spotted Jimy and Bella beyond the thin crowd.
Ellie and Canny, Ray’s children, followed closely behind Jimy and Bella, repeatedly shouting “Grandpa!” and “Grandma!”
Jimy soon scooped up the energetic Ellie and Canny in his arms.
Laughing joyfully, Ellie and Canny tugged at Jimy’s cheeks.
Meanwhile, Bella paused momentarily, quietly gazing skyward.
The sky was clear and blue. Luna’s barrier projected an illusion resembling the skies of the past onto the ground for a few hours each day.
Bella, her emaciated eyes still carrying traces of pain, silently looked up at the sky.
What thoughts did she harbor while gazing at the heavens?
Johanna didn’t bother asking and simply turned away.
*
Two more months passed.
Completion of the White Tower was urgent, and the rising public opinion across the continent needed suppression.
Tensions were also mounting on the front lines near the Demonic Realm, necessitating decisive action before the situation worsened further.
Just as Johanna sensed the time for resolution drawing near, Luna summoned her.
Others present at the gathering included Delun, Jimy, Matthew, Didier, and Hayden.
Everyone gathered here had a rough idea of what Luna was planning.
Seated, Johanna asked first,
“How’s the rumor spreading?”
The empire had been continuously circulating the rumor that “Speira had accepted the power of evil deities and fallen.”
Naturally, the responses were far from favorable. Many mocked the rumor, and even the imperial citizens refused to believe it.
Such baseless and exaggerated rumors were never expected to influence public opinion.
Thus, it became even more crucial…
“…Johanna. You need to prove it.”
It was necessary for Johanna to reveal Speira’s true identity in front of everyone.
Only then would the rumors spread by the empire start taking effect.
Johanna calmly nodded and asked again,
“And how do we explain this to the masses afterward?”
“…”
Was the Sacred Maiden Speira merely corrupted by evil deities? Or was El-Lam abandoning the continent and conspiring with dark forces to bring ruin to the world?
How exactly should they explain the current situation to the people of the continent? This was something even Luna hadn’t definitively decided yet.
For thousands of years, El-Lam’s shadow had loomed vast and profound over the continent and humanity.
“…We’ll observe the situation and decide accordingly.”
There was a contingency plan prepared based on the circumstances.
Though whether it could effectively suppress the chaos sweeping across the continent remained uncertain.
Luna paused briefly before addressing the main topic,
“…Within the next two months, we plan to initiate a military operation in Nord.”
“Am I going to Nord too?”
“No.”
Luna shook her head slightly in response to Johanna’s question.
“The objective of the operation in Nord is to draw out Speira.”
Luna projected a holographic map into the air, indicating the locations of the Sacred Country and Nord.
“…But Speira may not move directly. Instead, troops from the Sacred Country might be deployed.”
Speira could easily send the Sacred Country’s forces into battlefields deemed traps.
For Speira, consuming the Sacred Country’s troops was nothing more than weakening the continent in the long term and reducing her enemies.
Moreover, if the Sacred Country’s forces were massacred by the empire, it would also be possible to label the empire as heretical and solidify public support.
Even if the Sacred Country were destroyed immediately afterward, the continent would collapse in chaos, unable to unite.
“…Johanna.”
“Yes.”
“If you infiltrate the Sacred Country and find that its defensive forces move to Nord instead of Speira herself, you must exploit the resulting power vacuum to strike Speira directly.”
“…”
“…Victory will be difficult.”
“…”
“You must do your best to draw out Speira’s full potential and expose her true nature for everyone to see.”
“…Understood.”
Understanding the general outline of the mission wasn’t difficult.
Johanna nodded, prompting Luna to warn her in a grave tone,
“…If this operation fails, I’ll have to step in personally.”
That was an outcome to avoid at all costs.
Therefore, this was a critical operation tied to the fate of the continent.
Regardless of the process, one thing was certain: this operation would lead to the collapse of the Sacred Country.
*
After concluding the first meeting.
Delun stood alone in an empty corridor, lost in thought.
After standing there for quite some time, Delun pulled out a book from his pocket.
It was one of the banned texts successfully retrieved by the empire.
Staring at the forbidden book, Delun recalled a recent conversation with Luna.
[…Delun.]
[Yes… Luna.]
When summoned by Johanna, Delun went to meet Luna, puzzled about why she wanted a private audience.
Looking at the perplexed Delun with silver eyes, Luna delivered a warning that was both incomprehensible and bewildering.
[…I might have to kill you.]
[…]
Delun couldn’t understand Luna’s warning.
Not until he saw the banned text lying on the table did Delun vaguely grasp what Luna desired.
Delun stopped trying to fully understand the situation. He didn’t want to think about why Luna required sacrifices.
He knew that if Luna hadn’t explained the reasons, it was because valid reasons existed.
Delun accepted whatever Luna wished without question, gripping the book on the table and muttering to himself.
[Yeah… This is… all because of my greed.]
[…]
[It’s just my unilateral decision.]
Delun took the forbidden book with him.
If sacrifice was necessary, Delun was prepared to willingly take on that role.
For the grand cause that Ray sought to achieve. Without hesitation.
It was a belief.
And also a fanaticism.
