「Just now, what did you say…?」
Encia, who had suddenly brought up the topic, started rambling on without even acknowledging my words.
“During Tia’s sleep, a lot of things happened. I met many people and read countless books. To write the book Tia requested, I needed vast knowledge and meticulous verification.”
“In that process, I had to do various things. Including a trip to Sirius, the capital of the Romania Empire.”
Encia continued calmly.
“When I was in Sirius, I met someone.”
“One person?”
“Yeah. Someone wandering the world after losing their beloved.”
“Sounds contradictory.”
“Contradictory, but due to other factors, they became weak. Their heart weakened after losing their loved one. If their beloved had been by their side, they wouldn’t have become so weak.”
So… how does this relate to me being the Goddess of Life…?
And how did Encia figure this out?
“I learned a lot while talking to them… including stories about the Goddess of Life.”
Stories about me…?
“The Goddess of Life. The god among gods. The most magnificent goddess. The creator of all life in this world. A deity so well-known that no one doesn’t know her, possessing the strongest faith. And the goddess who established the Church of Life to care for humans.”
Hmm, this feels like too much praise. Kinda embarrassing.
Though it’s all true.
“That Goddess of Life’s beloved, Gaia, wasn’t human apparently. She used to be the Goddess of Earth, but was merely remnants of a fading deity at that point.”
Wait. Gaia?
“All that remained of her power could still create mountains, redirect rivers, and instantly build massive stone walls.”
Hey… didn’t I do all those things?!
If that’s true… then the person speaking…
“That Gaia person… not a person. A remnant of a goddess. Anyway, they said Gaia was originally one aspect of the Goddess of Life.”
“Even in this Age of the Gods where deities don’t directly interfere with the world from the Divine Hall, the Goddess of Life left part of herself on earth to watch over… life.”
That line… I feel like I know who said it… No, can’t be. So much time has passed. There’s no way that guy is still alive with a human lifespan. Unless he had elven blood?
But I checked during his training. He was purely human…
“Anyway, while talking, I mentioned Tia.”
“Out of curiosity, what was this person’s name?”
“Luke. He introduced himself as Luke.”
Luke? Lucius? Lucius Altirius III?! Is that really you, Arthur?!
How are you still alive? Beyond human lifespan… Could there be elf blood in your lineage?
No, we confirmed you were pure human during training… How are you still alive?
Could you have transcended humanity somehow?
Ahem. I’ll investigate that later. How you’re still alive in human form…
Yet here you are, still looking for me.
Honestly, as an emperor, you could’ve chosen any woman…
Is that idiot still thinking about me?
You fool.
“Anyway, when I mentioned Tia, that person said the name ‘Tiamat’.”
“Tiamat?”
“Yeah. Apparently it was a title a certain Dragon Priestess called herself long ago.”
Encia was saying my old title.
Where did Arthur hear that? Not many remember that name…
From Maybel’s Rattkinia side? Or Asterios’ Vistia? Either way, it’s surprising that name survived.
“There might not have been a Dragon Priestess raising beastmen to gods after all. Why would such a priestess exist?”
“That person thought the Dragon Priestess named Tiamat might actually be the Goddess of Life using an alias to observe the world. Makes sense since the Goddess of Life wouldn’t openly reveal herself.”
I couldn’t respond to Encia’s accurate deductions.
Exactly right. I did act as a Dragon Priestess under that name.
Did you piece together clues to figure out my identity? Both you and Arthur are unnecessarily competent.
“The name Tia. A personality nearly identical to Gaia. Knowledge that seems to encompass everything. No matter how I think about it… Tia isn’t an ordinary existence.”
“From the perspective of someone who can sleep for decades or centuries… You’re definitely not normal. After considering all these clues, the existence closest to Tia’s identity… Can only be the Goddess of Life. Might sound disrespectful, but…”
Encia slowly continued, watching my reaction.
“Tia. Tell me your true identity. I want to know who you are. If necessary, I’ll use a wish you granted me to hear your answer. Please.”
“Tia.”
“Please. I want to know more about you. Tell me.”
Encia spoke earnestly. Did she truly want to know me? My identity?
What does Tia mean to Encia? What significance do I hold?
Not sure. Can’t read Encia’s mind.
Still… given how excellently Encia fulfilled my desires… Maybe it’s fine to teach her about me.
With these vague thoughts, I carefully opened my mouth.
“Si-a. Do you really want to know about me?”
“Yeah. Tell me. Why can Tia speak to me? Why can only I hear Tia’s voice? I want to know more about Tia. About the Tia who seemed ever-present, yet could leave anytime.”
“What if knowing means I’ll lose you?”
“If Tia leaves… I’ll be sad. Afraid. Maybe I’ll regret wanting to know. Still, I want to understand. Knowing that Tia isn’t gone from this world, but has returned to where you belong… would give me some peace.”
Even if we part ways… you still want to know my identity?
Even if I disappear… knowing I’m not gone from this world, but returned to my rightful place would give you peace?
Don’t understand Encia’s feelings…
“I am…”
I began slowly.
——————————–
The foundational magic theory that became the root of all magical theories. The author of Basic Theory of Magic by Cientia has many apocryphal stories.
A tale of quietly retreating after entrusting everything to her disciple.
A story of building an unshakable golden tower of magic, then dedicating herself to researching other fields.
A legend of gathering countless books to compile all worldly knowledge, establishing a grand library with her disciples.
And the most fantastical yet popular story.
Achieving divinity beyond humanity through mastery of all magic, ascending to godhood.
Of course, the truth remains unclear. If she ascended to godhood, shouldn’t her name appear in the Divine List – the register of gods?
Though the human-transmitted Divine List may be incomplete, if she became a god, her name should have appeared at least once.
Thus, most dismiss it as mere rumor. Yet the mysterious disappearance of one who reached the pinnacle of a field keeps the rumors alive.
As for her sole disciple, Archmage Cecil Marygold maintains silence regarding her master’s whereabouts, leaving the truth forever unknown.
– Commentary on Basic Theory of Magic: Basic Theory of Magic by Cientia
