They were talking about the Mithril tree, but suddenly, the conversation shifted to abilities. Etienne blinked at the mention of a special ability, thinking it might be referring to Supra Huga’s water ability or her restoration ability.
“If you look at history, there was a person who awakened that ability. He gathered awakeners and established a country. At first, it was a small kingdom, but it gradually prospered and became a large empire that flourished across the continent.”

This time, it’s a story about history. Etienne couldn’t grasp what Leharht was trying to say.

“The person who created those awakeners, the founding emperor, obtained that ability right here.”

“Are you saying…”

“Doesn’t it sound like a story you’ve heard before? Right. It’s the story of Ganiën, the founding emperor of the empire.”

Leharht gathered a few well-known stories into one. Leharht bent his knees, dipping his hands into the lake. His hands were transparently reflected in the clear water.

“The next person who probably set foot in this place…”

Etienne, who had unknowingly immersed herself in Leharht’s story, waited for his next words.

“Obtained the power of water? There was a man who became a noble with that power.”

Etienne looked back and forth between Leharht and Fernand.

“So, the ones who discovered this space were the ancestors of His Highness the Prince and Fernand?”

“That’s right. So Fernand could hear the sound of water.”

Etienne looked at Fernand as if asking if that was correct, and he nodded.

“I saw it in the family records.”

Now Etienne seemed to understand what had happened.
Leharht and Fernand each had their own stories passed down from their families, so they knew about this space and the sound of water. Only Etienne knew nothing.

“Yeah, I was the only one who didn’t know. Only me…”

Without even knowing that and trying to find something about Mitri that seemed familiar from a book, she stayed up all night in the library, hoping to be of some help in the journey.

Knowing the future but not knowing about Mitri, she prepared and prepared, but in the end, it was all in vain.

Moreover, the prince said that the person who knew the future was himself. Etienne, choked with anger, spoke sharply.

“Then why didn’t you two join hands and come together?”

‘Why drag me into this.’

Etienne distanced herself even from Fernand. She didn’t want to be close to anyone.

“But when I fell, catching you was truly a coincidence. Do you know my feelings?”

“I have no idea. Isn’t this just your calculated move?”

“I did have a plan, but this time, it wasn’t.”

Seeing that he couldn’t deny everything, there was definitely something. Etienne gave up saying more. Instead of wrestling here, it seemed better to explore this place more.

“A temple?”

If it was called a temple, it didn’t seem like a space created by mere chance. It definitely had a strong sacred feeling, and if she saw a place like this, she felt like she would never forget it in her lifetime.

“How long does it take to create a place like this?”
The time that was created here was likely well preserved.

Etienne carefully stepped to avoid crushing the flowers, bent her body inward, and closely examined a flower.

“Fascinating.”

Even without light, the flower bloomed, and it was filled with vitality. Etienne slowly extended her hand toward the flower.

She thought it would be okay to touch it for a moment, but then she remembered when Leharht had put his hand in the water a while ago.

“I’ll touch it only to the extent that it won’t get hurt.”

As if seeking permission from the flower, she spoke and gently touched the petal with her fingertips. The feeling of the soft petal was similar to the ones she had touched while arranging flowers.

“The environment is different, but the flowers are the same.”

Etienne, withdrawing her hand, also observed the grass growing around. She gently touched the dew-dappled grass leaves. A refreshing scent of grass emanated. And, belatedly, Etienne realized something.

Looking at Leharht, she saw that he wasn’t holding anything in his hands. It wasn’t as if sunlight was coming in either. However, the surroundings were brightening.

“Mitri tree.”

Etienne stood up and approached the tree that was illuminating the surroundings. Despite being only as tall as her, the Mitri tree was fascinating.

“Is it a sapling? But why plant a sapling here? It’s a place where the sun doesn’t reach…”

Moreover, it wasn’t fully grown, yet it emitted a silvery light, which was astonishing. Etienne reached her hand toward the tree, imagining a rough texture.

As she touched it, she was startled and quickly withdrew her hand.

“Why are you like that?”
Fernando, who had been looking elsewhere, approached. He looked at Etienne’s hand with a worried expression.

“This tree…”

Etienne looked at the Mitri tree with astonished eyes.

It seemed mysterious. Because there were sacred trees on it.

“It’s been a long time.”

It had been so long that she couldn’t determine exactly how long. She only knew that she had lived for an extended period, enough to touch her abilities.

“Perhaps this could be a sacred tree.”

Understanding Etienne’s surprise, Leharht nodded as he approached.

“Just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s young. It might have grown to the most suitable size for this environment.”

“But why did this tree grow here?”

“I don’t know. There were speculations that this might not be the main body of the Mitri tree, but no one has confirmed it. There’s no one who can look into the past of this tree, right?”

Etienne couldn’t take her eyes off the tree after Leharht’s meaningful words. Someone who can look into the past… Was that why she felt a strange sensation as soon as she touched the tree? Restoration ultimately involves bringing back the past.

As Etienne continued to gaze at the Mitri tree, Leharht subtly remarked,

“The three of us coming here, perhaps it’s not by chance, but fate?”