【God】.
The so-called “Divine Gift” does not mean offering sacrifices to the gods, but quite the opposite.
It refers to gifts bestowed by the Supreme God upon humanity.
It is said that in the distant ancient times, when humans did not yet have kingdoms but lived in tribal eras, an adventuring party of heroes called the “Golden Apple” crossed towering mountains and finally, in some place, came face-to-face with the only Supreme One.
From then on, humanity received the blessings of the god.
Especially the members of the “Golden Apple” party—who even gained power comparable to high beings.
Among them, the most well-known—also existing in Ilea’s own memories—was Gilgamesh, the first King of the Kingdom of Halonza, known as the First Hero King.
In legend, he slew the high being “Ancient Rock Dragon Horsi Resifa” with his sword, drank its blood, subdued the mountains and rivers, and forged the kingdom from gold and ore, achieving an unsurpassed throne.
His feats, like the dazzling crown upon his head, could not and would not be ignored.
His story spread throughout the kingdom, known to all just like the “Havoc in Heaven” tale from Ilea’s hometown.
Most commoners and nobles deeply believed in and took pride in the legend of the Hero King.
Of course, the main reason was that within the kingdom’s borders, attacks by “high beings” were extremely rare.
Even if creatures like “familiars” crossed the border, they would quickly be suppressed by the knights.
Thus, at least on the surface, the kingdom remained quite peaceful.
“A Hero King…granted power by the god?”
Reading the description in the book, Ilea rubbed her chin.
This book offered her quite a lot, but most of it was just myths and legends, nothing of practical use…
More like a biography?
Fabrication?
Or perhaps a record of divine era history?
Of course, what was written still had value.
At least it let Ilea learn some basic legends and understand this world’s supernatural system.
Closing the book, the young lady began flipping through the next few books, giving them a quick skim.
Hm…it couldn’t be said there was no gain at all, but it was admittedly somewhat disappointing.
The contents of these books were almost the same as the first one— just more descriptions and tales about certain so-called “high beings.”
Putting things together, the only somewhat useful information Ilea obtained was probably this: “Humans cannot naturally acquire magical talent; they must rely on external forces.”
But what exactly was this external force?
Not a single book mentioned it.
However, putting some clues together, Ilea had a guess: if one wanted to obtain so-called magical talent, perhaps…like the Hero King and the members of the Golden Apple party, one needed to come into contact with these so-called “gods.”
Or at least, come into contact with those high beings.
Misha.
Perhaps it required their gift, or perhaps…
Sigh…never mind.
Letting her imagination run wild like this wouldn’t help.
If she wanted to learn about the supernatural, there were only two options now: ask her mother, a senior noblewoman— or go find the glasses-wearing maid, Amisa.
Of course, these two choices might actually be one and the same.
After all…while Mother was always gentle and kind when facing her, if she didn’t have the means to handle it, that old man wouldn’t have entrusted all the affairs of the marquis territory to her after leaving.
That her mother was no mere ornament—
Ilea had already mostly guessed it earlier that morning, when some nobles deliberately came by to discuss matters.
“Maybe…Mother already knows I’ve taken an interest in magic by now, huh~”
She didn’t know what her mother’s attitude about it would be.
Hoo!
Ilea leaned her petite body back against her chair, staring blankly at the pile of books stacked haphazardly before her.
Suddenly, a question popped into her mind—one she had completely overlooked!
“Wait…‘Goddess of Death’ counts as a deity too, right?!”
But this world claimed there was only one god above all, the very one discovered by the “Golden Apple” party, who then bestowed blessings.
Yet…even though Veil always came across to Ilea as a silly plush ball, before reincarnating, Ilea had truly seen—and felt—the aura and majesty of Veil as a god.
“Perhaps this is also a third breakthrough—necromancy.”
She murmured to herself, realizing there might not be so few paths laid before her after all.
This was the advantage…of being part of the privileged class, wasn’t it?
Still, she only had one year, so she would have to plan carefully.
Scratch, scratch, scratch…
“Hm? You say Yaya suddenly took an interest in magic?”
In the central hall on the second floor of the castle, the lord’s council chamber.
Madam Shudlian sat at the head seat, her quill dropping elegant, concise words onto the yellowed parchment.
Her pure blue eyes then lifted to look at the maid in crystal glasses standing before her.
“Y-yes, madam. After the young lady went out this time, she seemed to become interested in magic.”
Hm…
Shudlian’s quill suddenly stopped.
Her face first showed some worry, then revealed a trace of a smile.
Parents always felt a mix of relief and concern at a child’s growth.
“The ‘supernatural’ is not an easy path. With Yaya’s personality…do you think she’s truly suited for this road?”
Shudlian set down her quill, as if asking, yet also scrutinizing Amisa before her.
“Replying to madam, I am just a maid…unqualified to comment on my masters’ decisions.”
“No matter, speak your own thoughts.”
“Uh…if it’s purely out of curiosity, then this servant believes she should be stopped. But if the young lady truly wishes to become a supernatural being…”
As Amisa spoke, her voice grew softer and softer toward the end.
“Once this path is chosen, there is no turning back…the young lady must be made to understand that.”
“Mm~ very true.”
Madam Shudlian slowly nodded, then smiled and stretched lazily, lifting her head to gaze at the ceiling above.
Painted there was an oil mural: golden rays of light and countless hands eager for knowledge, lifting up what seemed to be a reclining human-like figure.
“Alright~ you may go. If there are any new arrangements later, I’ll let you know.”
Closing her eyes for a short rest, Madam Shudlian then waved at Amisa with a smile.
“Yes, madam.”
The maid with glasses responded, her expression still somewhat timid as she slightly turned her body— then vanished directly into the shadows of the room, as if she had never been there at all.
After that, Madam Shudlian processed a few more letters sent from the various small territories directly under the marquisate.
Most were from kin clans, expressing concern for Madam Shudlian, who was now alone in the house, along with some gift lists.
Handling them took only a short while.
“Mm.”
The feather quill gently tapped on the table.
In the end, Shudlian still pulled out a new sheet of letter paper, and at the top wrote: “To my dear younger brother, Reiwicott Sereton…”