A Journey Unwanted

Chapter 523 - 511: Important factors

[Realm: Uhorus]

[Location: Verdantis]

[Capital City]

They stepped into an expansive area unlike anything Lucinda had expected to find within the walls of a castle.

For a brief moment, she almost forgot she was still in Verdantis.

The garden stretched far beyond what should have been possible, opening into a vast sea of color that seemed to exist entirely separate from the frozen area outside. Every direction was crowded with it. Countless varieties of plants occupied carefully cultivated sections of earth, arranged with such care that none overshadowed the others despite their overwhelming diversity.

The air itself felt more moist, filled with the mingled scents of hundreds of flowers.

Sweet fragrances drifted through the breeze, blending with herbal aromas and unfamiliar scents Lucinda couldn’t begin to identify. The garden also carried a strangely calming atmosphere, as though every plant had been placed precisely where it belonged. And they were exotic, otherworldly flowers that bloomed throughout the grounds; many possessed colors Lucinda had never seen in nature.

Some even glowed from within; entire patches of flowers emitted hues of gold, blue, violet, and red, transforming portions of the garden into pools of light.

At the entrance stood enormous red lilies; their stalks were thick as tree trunks, and each bloom towered several times higher than a grown man.

Lucinda found herself instinctively glancing upward as she passed beneath them; the flowers swayed despite the absence of wind. And beside them stood a grove of what seemed like bioluminescent trees.

Ahead of them, Percival walked at an unhurried pace; his hands remained folded within his sleeves.

Alyssia walked several paces behind him and Lucinda beside her. The former white-haired spawn attempted to maintain her usual indifferent expression. Lucinda quickly realized she was failing, badly. Alyssia’s eyes wandered constantly, one moment toward a patch of flowers. The next toward an unusual tree, then toward another cluster of strange plants.

Her gaze lingered just a little too long each time. The smallest hint of interest repeatedly slipped through the cracks in her demeanor.

Lucinda almost smiled; the sight was surprisingly endearing.

They continued down a winding stone path; the further they walked, the stranger the flora became.

Plants with scale-like leaves grew from beds of dark soil; nearby stood flowers shaped like tiny stars. Dozens of them floated slightly above their stems rather than resting upon them. Further ahead, peculiar vines crawled across stone walls, and glass-like blossoms hung from their tendrils.

Everywhere Lucinda looked, there was something new.

But her attention was eventually stolen by something far simpler: at the heart of the garden stood a single towering oak tree. Its trunk was massive, and its roots twisted deep into the earth.

Compared to everything surrounding it, the tree should have appeared ordinary, boring even. It lacked glowing petals, impossible colors, and exotic beauty. And yet it drew the eye more than anything else; Lucinda stopped walking for half a second.

Her gaze locked onto it immediately; something felt wrong, or perhaps "unusual" was a better word. Mana flowed from the tree, but calling it mana felt inaccurate. The sensation was familiar and foreign simultaneously.

The feeling sat against her skin.

Lucinda frowned slightly.

("That’s strange...")

Her eyes narrowed as her Chthonia flared; layers of information unfolded before her vision. Immediately she noticed it, a vast network of complex enchantments wrapped around the tree. Countless layers, bindings, and restrictions.

A sealing spell, multiple sealing spells.

Her heartbeat slowed.

("My Chthonia detects some kind of sealing spell.") The realization immediately raised more questions. ("But why on a tree?")

Her gaze lingered; she wanted to study it further, yet before she could pursue the thought, Percival spoke.

"I hope you find my personal garden to your liking." His voice was warm and almost sounded proud.

The archbishop had stopped walking; his gaze rested upon the great oak. Not the glowing flowers or the exotic plants, but rather the plain tree.

"It takes quite a bit of effort to maintain," he continued quietly. "But it is a very soothing process."

Lucinda’s eyes shifted toward him.

She noticed the fondness in his expression, the genuine affection. Not merely for the garden, for the act itself. For nurturing it and watching it grow.

"There are a lot of foreign flora here," Lucinda noted after a moment. "But I do not sense any magic preserving them."

Her observation earned a small smile.

Percival looked pleased.

"I prefer doing it myself." His eyes drifted briefly toward a cluster of flowering vines. "It must be a natural process, see?" The way he said it reminded Lucinda strangely of Alyssia; both seemed to hold a deep appreciation for things growing naturally.

For allowing life to flourish without force and shortcuts.

It was an oddly specific similarity.

One that did not appear accidental.

"I am sure," Alyssia interrupted before Lucinda could dwell on the thought. Her arms folded once more, and her skepticism remained fully intact. "But you did not bring us here to discuss your process."

Her red eyes settled on the archbishop; Percival merely nodded.

"Then I shall get to the point." The atmosphere shifted, and just like that, the casual nature of the conversation faded. "There is a certain matter in which I require assistance."

Alyssia immediately scoffed.

"Ah." Her voice carried cynicism. "So you merely wish to use us."

Lucinda pursed her lips; part of her wanted to chastise Alyssia. The archbishop had done nothing particularly suspicious, yet another part understood. Alyssia had every reason to be cautious, perhaps more reason than either of them.

So Lucinda remained silent.

Percival did not flinch or frown; instead, he simply continued speaking.

"This is more a request." His gaze briefly lowered; for the first time since meeting him, Lucinda thought she saw genuine vulnerability beneath his composure. "A personal one." The admission came easily and without hesitation. "And one that may serve to better combat the calamities."

Lucinda blinked; that immediately had her attention.

Beside her, Alyssia’s expression changed as well; the mention of the calamities transformed the conversation from personal curiosity into something significantly more important.

The two spawns exchanged a brief glance.

"Does it have to do with that?"

Lucinda’s gaze shifted once more toward the towering oak tree; the question had been lingering in her mind since the moment he spoke of a request. Even now, despite standing before Percival and listening to him speak, part of her attention remained fixed on the old tree.

The feeling radiating from it was impossible to ignore.

Percival followed her gaze; his expression softened, and then he nodded.

"Indeed." There was no hesitation or attempt to avoid the subject. "With those special eyes, I have little doubt both of you have already taken notice of the sealing."

Lucinda nodded slowly; beside her, Alyssia’s attention finally shifted fully toward the oak tree. The earlier irritation she directed toward Percival seemed forgotten, at least temporarily; her eyes narrowed.

Unlike Lucinda, she had not immediately focused on the tree when entering the garden. The countless flowers had stolen her attention first; now, however, Lucinda could practically see her fellow spawn beginning to piece things together.

"And what exactly is it sealing?" Alyssia’s voice had grown somewhat curious.

Percival’s eyes returned to the tree; for several seconds, he simply looked at it.

Not as one might look upon an object, rather as one might look upon someone. Like viewing a cherished memory or person they had not spoken to in far too long.

When he finally spoke, there was fondness in his voice.

"An old friend."

Lucinda blinked, and Alyssia’s brows immediately furrowed.

Neither had expected that answer.

("An old friend? Inside a tree?") Lucinda questioned.

The answer only created more questions, Percival continued before either could interrupt.

"He’s an exceptional mage." His gaze never left the oak. "One of the finest I have ever known." There was no exaggeration in his voice, and it lacked any attempt to dramatize it. That alone made his words seem more significant. "The likes of this era have never seen someone comparable."

Alyssia’s expression became increasingly skeptical.

Percival either failed to notice or simply chose to continue.

"Equal to spawns of Octavia in the art of magic. Perhaps even superior."

Silence followed, a short silence, and Lucinda found herself staring. Even she struggled to process that claim. Spawns of Octavia stood at the pinnacle of magical talent; that was simply accepted fact. Every nation knew it, all scholars acknowledged it, and every mage understood it.

To suggest someone exceeded that standard, especially someone from another era, was difficult to believe.

Alyssia seemed to share the sentiment.

"High praise." She folded her arms as one brow rose. "Or perhaps simple exaggeration."

Her eyes shifted toward Percival, carefully watching his reaction.

He didn’t react to become defensive or attempt to justify himself. That alone caused Alyssia’s skepticism to falter ever so slightly.

"Regardless." She motioned toward the tree. "And you would have Lucinda and me attempt to remove these seals?"

Percival nodded immediately.

"Indeed." The answer came without uncertainty.

Lucinda frowned slightly; the request seemed far simpler than she expected. If it were merely a matter of removing seals, surely others had attempted it already.

The thought surfaced almost immediately.

"What about Lady Lyra?" Lucinda questioned as her eyes shifted toward Percival. "Surely the Court Mage of Verdantis could assist."

If anyone could decipher impossible magical constructs, it would be Lyra. At least that was Lucinda’s assumption.

Percival sighed softly.

"She tried." That answer alone surprised both girls; Percival slowly nodded. "Even Lyra found herself at a loss regarding these seals."

Lucinda’s eyes widened slightly; that immediately elevated the matter. If even a Court Mage struggled, then whatever magic had created those bindings existed on a level far beyond ordinary enchantments. Lucinda found her gaze drifting back toward the tree; the feeling of unease returned.

Alyssia seemed to reach a similar conclusion, though she expressed it differently.

"And Guinevere?" The white-haired spawn spoke almost immediately. "That annoying old woman has been here for quite some time." Lucinda nearly choked at the name-calling while Percival merely blinked once. Alyssia continued as though nothing unusual had been said. "Pester her."

Her tone remained entirely flat and matter-of-fact. As if she had presented the most obvious solution imaginable.

Lucinda resisted the urge to rub her forehead.

Percival, somehow, remained perfectly composed.

"I would rather not." The answer came instantly, in fact, it arrived so quickly that both Lucinda and Alyssia paused.

Neither had expected such a response; his refusal lacked hesitation and contemplation. Lacked even the brief consideration one might normally give.

Percival realized this; a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Lucinda and Alyssia slowly turned toward one another. Their expressions mirrored each other almost perfectly.

Confusion and suspicion.

The same thought passed between them.

("That was quick.")

("Suspiciously quick.")

Percival cleared his throat; for the first time since meeting him, he looked ever so slightly embarrassed.

"Lady Guinevere is..." He paused, carefully considering his wording. "...a very talented woman."

Alyssia narrowed her eyes, and even Lucinda’s suspicion only grew.

Percival continued.

"But asking her for assistance regarding this specific matter would likely result in several complications."

"Complications?" Lucinda repeated.

Alyssia looked unconvinced. "That sounds like a fancy way of saying she and you have history."

Percival’s smile widened slightly.

"Among other things."

That answer only made the situation more mysterious.