During the few days since Yuric left, Lady Rani had truly improved remarkably. Having been confined to her room for over half a year due to the worsening symptoms, she finally stepped outside after such a long time. Cautiously and slowly.
To everyone’s relief, the seizure did not occur. Instead, she leisurely strolled around the garden as she used to.
Ah—Lady Rani realized only now that things she had taken for granted were actually sources of happiness.
After much contemplation, Lady Rani decided to accept the will of her ancestor, Estella. Surprisingly, making this decision gave her the composure and courage to face the emotional waves.
She no longer considered it suffering. The peace she felt was due to the dedication of the ancient heroes.
“I want to study history.”
Although she had always been interested in history, she had never seriously considered it before. However, through this opportunity, Lady Rani wanted to study history professionally.
Without hesitation, Baron Ollinger hired Yuric as a private history tutor for his daughter, considering it a two-birds-with-one-stone solution as he could also monitor her condition.
Within a week of starting her walks in the garden, Lady Rani was almost back to a normal life. Although there were occasional times when she would sit down exhausted and gasp for breath, these episodes were so mild compared to the constant seizures that made a normal life impossible before.
Of course, Yuric advised her to meditate regularly. A mage must practice meditation daily to control both body and mind.
“I meditate every dawn and night. For a mage, having an unwavering will is most important.”
Since learning Yuric’s meditation techniques, Lady Rani’s mana circulation became much calmer and more serene. Clearly, her talent was impeccable.
Now free from much of her pain, Lady Rani could sleep soundly at night. Even Estella, who appeared to alleviate the descendant’s pain, rarely showed herself now.
Of course, Lady Rani continued to converse with the Great Witch. Engaging in deep discussions with the ancient hero, a repository of knowledge spanning hundreds of years, provided her with mental maturity and enlightenment.
The mansion, once filled with sorrow and pain, regained its vitality and joy.
Baron Ollinger and his wife, who had always worried about their daughter’s problems, finally smiled. Her older brother and sister couldn’t hide their joy either.
A month passed, and Lady Rani even ventured outside the baron’s estate. Her first destination was the library branch of the Mage Tower. Passionate about history, she immersed herself in historical books and attended history seminars held every quarter.
Naturally, Yuric received tremendous attention at these seminars due to his paper on the interpretation of Dural’s treasures submitted to the Mage Tower earlier. Historians had already visited the underground treasure vaults in Storm Peak several times.
“The eye depicted on the treasure map is very similar to the Eye of Providence from ancient times!”
“Why do you think Dural used the Eye of Providence?”
“That should be a crucial research topic, don’t you think?”
In fact, numerous new research projects had begun based on Yuric’s paper, ranging from the exploration of symbols in each magic city to the history and interpretation of symbols, and historical events related to symbols. Researchers were overwhelmed with both joy and agony by the flood of research topics.
Of course, with her newfound passion for history, Lady Rani developed a keen interest in Dural’s treasures.
Indeed, when she first heard about Storm Peak and Britante, Lady Rani experienced a slight seizure, but she had largely overcome it.
“Avoiding pain won’t help overcome it. I believe we must confront it head-on and move forward.”
Lady Rani, who now spoke such words, was no longer the fragile noble lady she once was.
Now, she stood as a mature mage.
Baron Ollinger couldn’t hide his delight seeing his daughter’s remarkable growth.
Especially, watching her overcome adversity and grow into a fine mage!
“Thank you. There’s nothing else I can say except this.”
The baron forgot his dignity and firmly grasped Yuric’s hand to express his gratitude.
“It’s thanks to my daughter’s strong and resilient character that we were able to overcome this.”
“Even so, you were the light in the dark, guiding us with hope and perseverance.”
Just imagining how long everyone would have suffered in the pitch-black darkness without Yuric’s guidance was daunting.
“I want to repay you. I could give you five thousand gold coins instead of three thousand. Tell me what you want. Anything in the warehouse is yours.”
The baron was sincere. He had prayed to the universe for his daughter’s recovery, regardless of the cost.
He believed this was the universe’s blessing and grace. Thus, it was only right to repay it.
However, Yuric gently declined with a smile.
The baron looked puzzled.
“It’s unnecessary to repay me when it comes to the sacrifices of our ancestors and the patience of my daughter.”
“But…!”
“And such a large sum is too generous. All I need is enough to eat and shelter from wind and rain.”
Only then did the baron understand why Yuric had openly shared the treatment for Mana Blockage Disease. As a mage himself, the baron couldn’t help but be moved by Yuric’s noble and lofty intentions.
“Then, if not money, is there anything small I can offer in return?”
Yuric pondered the baron’s sincerity.
“Could I take the diary imbued with the Great Witch’s will?”
If imbued with the Great Witch’s will, the diary was certainly worth studying.
“Of course. There are many old things in the warehouse. Feel free to look around and take whatever you like.”
It was natural for a mage to be curious about what was in the baron’s warehouse.
“If you allow me, I am grateful.”
“I’ll tell them to let you in whenever you want.”
Yuric decided to visit the warehouse when ready to see what was inside.
Given the baron’s history, it was possible that astonishing items lay hidden within.
Lady Rani, engrossed in her history studies, revealed her resolve to Yuric.
“I… I want to go to Storm Peak.”
That place triggered her trauma. Naturally, he was concerned.
“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“Yes, I’m okay. Both my ancestor and I desire this.”
Lady Rani said resolutely.
“Alright, with such determination…”
Of course, it wasn’t something that could happen immediately; she needed Baron Ollinger’s permission.
Fortunately, he agreed to her request, allowing her to travel with the knight squad and Yuric. Since it wasn’t far from here to Storm Peak, they could return before autumn if they hurried.
Yuric informed the merchant of Storm Peak about their upcoming trip.
“I planned to spend winter here anyway. Business is thriving here.”
There was still much clutter to clear out in the warehouse. Torneil told him to go and enjoy his trip.
Four days later, Lady Rani’s group departed for Britante.
With a mercenary band of four and knights, along with Yuric leading the expedition, they safely escorted Lady Rani to the underground city of Chiazand, where Storm Peak was located.
After a journey of one and a half months, they finally arrived at Storm Peak, Britante.
Standing atop Storm Peak and gazing at the massive tree, Lady Rani could no longer hold back her emotions.
Ah—
Tears streamed down her face. But they were not seizure-induced tears. They were tears of mixed emotions from Lady Rani and Estella, marking their triumph over hardship and adversity.
Yuric gently patted the girl’s back.
After crying for a while, Lady Rani descended the hill and stood in front of the tree. Her face looked sorrowful as she touched the massive trunk.
“Look, ancestor. We’ve finally come. We have come.”
After expressing deep appreciation, Lady Rani headed toward the field where the treasure room was located. To her surprise, several tents were set up there. These were temporary accommodations built for the historians studying the treasure room. The expedition team decided to use one of the vacant buildings.
Accompanied by Yuric, Lady Rani entered the treasure room and was ignited with scholarly fervor by the astonishing sight. She recorded everything she saw and drew diagrams of the interior.
“This is amazing…!”
Lady Rani couldn’t stop marveling. She praised Yuric again for his achievement in unraveling countless mysteries and finding the treasure.
Busy with research and investigation, Lady Rani didn’t return to the tent until evening.
The mercenaries, already a bit drunk, had fallen asleep in just their underwear.
Under the silver moonlight.
Someone knocked on Yuric’s door in the tent.
“Mr. Yuric, it’s me.”
It was Lady Rani. Yuric opened the door to welcome her.
Lady Rani, whose face was slightly flushed, asked Yuric while pushing her hair behind her ear.
“Can we talk for a moment?”
“Sure.”
They naturally walked out of the tent and strolled across the beautiful field under the moonlight.
“The time has come.”
“What do you mean?”
Yuric asked, but Lady Rani simply smiled faintly and remained silent.
She turned towards the tree. He saw spirits gathered on the tree.
At that moment, Lady Rani spoke again. From her changed tone, Yuric sensed that Estella had emerged.
“Thank you.”
The Great Witch approached the tree. It was the legendary tree grown from Zadrot’s spear.
She pressed her cheek against the tree’s trunk and closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.
“I’m finally here. I was scared. It was hard to accept reality. I’m sorry, Zadrot. I will love you forever.”
The tree shook, as if comforting her.
…
And an incredible glow began to fill the surroundings.
It was an unbelievable sight.
‘This…’
Suddenly, the world transformed.
It was a beautiful place filled with radiant light.
There, two people stood.
Hero Zadrot and Great Witch Estella.
Their true love transcended time and space, touching the ground here and now.
The two embraced each other, smiling happily.
– Estella.
– Zadrot.
They called each other’s names lovingly and embraced.
Ah,
Immortal love exists on this land.
Estella and Zadrot looked toward Yuric.
– Thank you.
He bowed respectfully.
May you be happy.
Gradually, they dissolved into particles of light and dispersed.
Far away, into the distant horizon.
Yuric returned to reality.
And surprisingly…
Another tree stood next to the original one.
Countless spirits moved freely between the two trees.
What else could this be called but a miracle?
Witnessing this scene together, Lady Rani tightly clasped Yuric’s hand.
“He… has left.”
“I see.”
“Please tell Mr. Yuric that he thanked you.”
Lady Rani gazed at Yuric with warm eyes.
“Thank you too. I will never forget this moment.”
They held hands for a long time, quietly observing this beautiful moment.
The two trees swayed beautifully for a long time.
