Hands circling behind her neck, she fastened the cool metallic pendant from the back. Feeling a slight weight added to her chest, a familiar sensation returned to Astrid’s heart.

Casually flipping a strand of silver hair from beside her ear, Astrid gazed at the ruby resting quietly against the outer fabric of her dress, a faint, subtle curve lifting the corner of her lips. Even the slender waist beneath her silk gown instinctively straightened.

Seeing Astrid’s genuine joy at the recovery of this precious treasure, Charlotte smiled gently, then spoke.

"But regarding spatial magic, there’s one more thing Little Astr might find interesting."

"Is it about the barrier spell released by Hebrew in White Maple Town?"

"Hmm, exactly that."

Although the Imperial army had managed to breach the [Heaven’s Tremor, Solar Judgment] using the breakthrough of the early tier Arcanist mage Lyra and the spatial chaos created by Astrid’s shattered Spatial Gem, detailed information about this spell remained the most urgent intelligence the Empire sought.

If the Pope of Light could release it once, he might do it twice, even thrice. Such a technique capable of sealing off vast areas of space and forcing opponents into battle was something they couldn’t afford to ignore.

"These past few days, I’ve discussed that spatial barrier with Charles and two other Arcanist mages who were trapped by the Pope barrier."

Charlotte took a sip of tea. Her long, snow-white, flawless legs emerged from her fragrant skirt, knees crossed. The delicate silk folds around her ankles reminded the observer that over her fair skin, she wore a thin, fine pair of sheer stockings.

"During the entire battle, we repeatedly attempted focused magical breakthroughs, concentrating all controllable elemental particles into destructive magic circles, aiming to pierce through the barrier at a single point."

"The results were dismissed. The violent elemental surges had no effect on space at all. Chaotic elemental particles striking the barrier wall didn’t even create a splash."

"Yet every sword beam Lyra released with her holy blade caused the barrier to tremble and crack."

It was as if it were specifically designed to counter [Heaven’s Tremor, Solar Judgment].

Hearing this, Astrid gently propped up her arm, her fingertip resting against her cheek.

"Hebrew should be as strong as the intelligence we previously obtained, extremely powerful, but at most only a peak-tier Arcanist mage."

After Gemini’s revelation as a Divine Being, no human currently exists who could surpass the Arcanist threshold.

"Lyra’s combat report explicitly mentions that Hebrew brought a sacred relic of the Holy Church of Light into the battlefield and used its presence to fully release that spell."

In other words, this power didn’t belong to the Pope of Light Hebrew, but to that fragment of primordial light from heaven and earth.

At Astrid’s words, Charlotte nodded softly, speaking in a gentle tone. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Correct. My opinion and theirs are the same, the Pope must have used the power of a sacred relic to accomplish the spatial seal."

"And I remember Little Astr once said that the Sword of Light in Lyra’s hands shares the same origin as the Holy Relics of the Church of Light. That explains why she alone could shake the unbreakable barrier that leaves everyone else powerless."

"When two energies of identical nature collide, the spatial barrier cannot effectively defend itself. Instead, it gets enhanced by the light elemental particles surrounding the sword beam, losing its original alignment and properties."

That radiant sword shone brilliantly in Lyra’s hands, as if it were a fragment broken off from the sun itself.

"Modern human magical theory lacks concrete principles regarding spatial magic. Our understanding of it is merely gleaned from ancient ruins and orally transmitted legends, meaning we may have misjudged things from the start."

"The spell released by the Pope of Light isn’t pure spatial magic, but rather a derivative effect of an Arcanist-tier light magic, merely disguised with the outer shell of a spatial barrier."

Here, Charlotte placed her teacup on the table, her warm tea-colored eyes fixed on Astrid.

"Still, even so, the origin of that spell remains a mystery."

At least, there was no record of it in the Royal Library of the Valeria Empire, the archives of Elizabeth Academy of Magic, or the war histories of the Kingdom of Velys.

Even if the Church of Light wanted to hide it, after so many years, not a single hint should have leaked.

Listening to Charlotte, Astrid gently tapped her thigh with her free hand, not the one supporting her chin. The thin black stocking and skin indented together beneath her fingertip, like a piece of tender Black Forest cake.

"Most likely the work of Brennild."

"The Saintess Monica once mentioned that Hebrew revised the new scriptures after receiving divine guidance in a dream. If he can use faith to command the Church of Light to attack the Empire, naturally he’d also have ways to enhance their combat strength."

"After all, Brennild’s mastery of Ancient Language must certainly not be lower than mine. If I can reverse-engineer modern universal magic from Ancient Language incantations, it should be even easier for her."

Were it not for Hebrew being an "ordinary" being born in this era, unable to chant Ancient Language incantations, Astrid couldn’t even imagine the sheer power of releasing an Ancient Language version of [Heaven’s Tremor, Solar Judgment] using both a sacred relic and the mental strength of a peak-tier High Arcanist mage.

Hearing this, Charlotte nodded in agreement, speaking softly.

"The truth should indeed be as Little Astr says."

"It’s truly fascinating, over in the Kingdom of Velys, there’s a transcendent being capable of reading Ancient Language, while here in the Empire, we have Little Astr, a translator of genius. It’s as if fate is perfectly mirrored. Geniuses unseen for thousands of years emerge in waves all at once."

From a human perspective, Brennild was a war criminal deserving of execution by a thousand cuts, but undeniably, the strength He displays far surpasses the legends of this age.

And then there was someone like Lyra, a brilliant new generation of Arcanist mage, within just a few years, miracle after miracle had appeared in the history books.

Reflecting on this, Charlotte sighed softly.

"So many coincidences converging at once, could it truly be the great turning point humanity hasn’t seen in thousands of years?"

Facing an uncertain future, no one knows where the next step will lead humanity.

Hearing Charlotte’s words, Astrid fluttered her eyelashes, slowly speaking.

"Perhaps... fate truly does exist."

From the moment Lyra bought that fragmented magic scroll at a street stall, from the moment Astrid drenched her in red wine at her coming-of-age banquet, from the moment she entered the ancient castle under the name Livia Valeria, the gears of fate had begun to turn.

Charlotte faintly at Astrid’s words. "In any case, after our joint analysis, it’s essentially impossible for Hebrew to release magic of that level again in the short term."

"As for what follows, Charles will actively pursue intelligence operations within the Kingdom of Velys, striving to uncover the Church of Light’s hidden cards as soon as possible."

This will also lay the groundwork for their future military actions.

Astrid nodded. After a while, she spoke.

"Lady Charlotte, there’s one more thing, I just remembered."

"What is it?"

"The ruins of the spatial teleportation magic circle at Elizabeth Academy of Magic, the one recorded in history."

Years ago, after the entrance ceremony at Elizabeth Academy of Magic, the newly initiated apprentices Astrid and Lyra had toured various sections of the school. Besides the classrooms, dormitories, and training towers, buildings they were certain to use, they also visited the small practice field behind the academy for flight magic, as well as the ruins of the spatial teleportation magic circle marked as an ancient human site.

At Astrid’s words, Charlotte’s mind recalled that special stone forest engraved with numerous magical runes. After a moment, she spoke gently.

"What about it, Little Astr? Are you interested in it?"

Astrid gave a slight nod, not denying it.

"Mm. Mother’s notes mentioned that spatial magic exists at a tier above Arcanist mages, below the level of spell creators."

"The ancient humans clearly once mastered this magic. Although we don’t know its exact function, I suspect that somewhere in the world, there might still be another teleportation magic circle connected to it."

It was said that when the first King Valeria chose Imperial City as his capital, this factor was part of his consideration. During the Lorin Empire era, these ruins of the spatial teleportation magic circle had attracted thousands of mages who came to pay homage, hoping to glean knowledge from the remains of ancient magic.

"So, Little Astr, you think it’s a fixed linear teleportation?" Charlotte asked.

Establishing two points in space and using magic for rapid transfer, rather than placing one’s body in a teleportation magic circle and then freely choosing a destination through mental power.

Astrid shook her head, her tone was calm. "Not necessarily..."

"I just suddenly recalled this possibility when Lady Charlotte mentioned these things about spatial magic."

Just like in many games from her previous life, a teleportation magic circle corresponds to one or several locations, transferred via magic.

Touched on her most sensitive point regarding magical theory, Charlotte seemed instantly more excited.

"So, Little Astr, where do you think we should begin if we want to research spatial magic?"

"The arcane factor. Regardless of manifestation form or magical similarity, there’s no better choice than that."

"Hmm, I think so too."

Naturally, Charlotte refilled Astrid’s empty teacup. The two sat before the desk, continuing to discuss hypotheses about spatial magic until mealtime, when they finally stopped.

...........

Three days later, in the Capital City, Amalia received the Regent’s letter sent at top speed through efficient transmission by an Arcanist mage from the capital.

After feeding a few small dried fish to Auri beside her, Amalia used water magic to clean her hands, then walked in little leather shoes to her seat, opening the envelope with eager anticipation.

Everything was as reported from the frontlines, the Empire had achieved a great victory, driving the Kingdom of Velys out of their borders, leaving only a small number of prisoners still detained in Losterling City.

Quickly reading through Astrid’s handwritten battle report and fully understanding the frontline situation, Amalia slightly narrowed her green eyes and continued reading the subsequent news bulletins, as well as her favorite section, personal letters from home.

["Losterling City has recently seen a sudden drop in temperature, with snowfall, likely a precursor to the arrival of the cold front. Although the capital lies in the heart of the nation and enjoys relatively warmer seasons compared to the northern border, winter is approaching and cold will inevitably arrive. Amalia, remember to wear more clothes and don’t catch a cold."]

["As a ruler of a nation, you must first take care of your health planning before others matter. Please truly take to heart what I’ve told you before."]

Looking at the elegant handwriting on the paper, imagining the silver-haired beauty who wrote these caring words, Amalia unconsciously closed her legs together, her little leather shoes dangling above the ground, revealing the pale pink soles beneath her white stockings.

["Calculating the days, it’s been quite a while since we last saw each other."]

["When the cold front arrives and the roads between Liya Tower Fortress and Losterling City are completely blocked by blizzards, I’ll return to the capital to govern alongside you."]

Is my sister coming back?

Seeing that final line, along with the signature at the bottom right corner of the parchment, ["Love, Astrid"], Amalia’s gaze involuntarily trembled. The usually majestic and imposing emerald eyes, which hold the aura of an unchallengeable sovereignty, were now filled with tenderness and longing.

Counting since the letter was written, that meant... just one or two weeks more...

At most, no longer than three weeks.

Wait... if traveling by carriage from Losterling City, the time will be delayed by at least another week.

"..."

If she didn’t know when Astrid would return, Amalia might have been able to suppress her emotions and restrain her longing. But now, with a definite return date, the desire to see her only intensified.

She wanted to embrace her sister, sleep beside her, and share everything that had happened during this time.

From drafting legislation to negotiations with nobles, to personnel appointments during the weekly meetings, every aspect of her governance that couldn’t be properly conveyed in letters, she wanted to tell Astrid.

Auri seemed to sense his master’s emotional shift, his bite on the dried fish becoming gentler, not disturbing Amalia as she lost herself in memories.

Before the desk, the golden-haired little princess in an elegant dress bit her pink lips, her soft calves pressing against the wooden bar beneath the chair, gently indenting the delicate surface of her white stockings like cream pudding pressed by a silver spoon.

The war was won. It was nearly impossible for anything significant to happen in the capital, no matter how foolish a noble might be, they wouldn’t dare challenge the authority of the new empress during this period of positive publicity following the Empire’s great victory.

Closing her eyes, she carefully considered the recent topics of the Council of State and the matters requiring her personal attention. After a while, Amalia raised the Imperial Scepter and slightly tapped the floor.

The next second, a maid stepped forward to receive orders.

"Tell all the ministers that tomorrow’s morning meeting will be moved forward. In two days, I will personally travel to Losterling City to celebrate and reward the troops returning victorious from the border."

"Also, deliver my decree summoning Lord Anthony for an audience."

The maid nodded, replying respectfully.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After the maid left, Amalia sat at her desk, deep in thought for a long time. Convinced that this course of action was appropriate, the golden-haired, Blue eyed little empress stood up and headed toward the imperial bedroom.

To meet her sister, she should bring more beautiful clothes.