Chapter I, Act III, A Fateful Encounter
Yggdrasil Year 1642, Month 1, Day 7, Dawn's Bedroom
"How's your preparation, Princess?"
One of the Palace servants looks at Dawn as she's packing her stuff. She looked confused and did not know what to do.
"I don't know…. Every time I pack things up, a nightmare comes to my mind…. I can't rest at ease if they come to find me."
"Rest assured, Princess. I thought Your Majesty and Madam Prophet already told you before that there were few people who were kind enough to accompany you on the journey."
"Is it alright for me to trust them?"
"Not immediately. You build trust bit by bit. I think you already taught that by Madam Prophet, right?"
"Yes. But…. After what happened a couple of years ago…."
"Don't worry about it, Princess. Going on the journey means you'll encounter a lot of people. I'm sure you'll find someone you can trust. You look at who they are first. Nobles, commoners, merchants, even outlaws."
Luciana would dispatch Dawn in two weeks or a day after her birthday party. She would travel on her own and without any escorts with her. Luciana trains Dawn to survive in the wilderness using her own ability, and Shina gives her a passing mark after conducting a trial a couple of months ago.
Dawn still remembers the incident that caused her to gain the attention of the surrounding Kingdom. Many desire to court her, regardless of their nobility rank. Dawn loathes all of them, as their main purpose for coming is to have her as their bride.
"I still feel uneasy when mother told me to go on a journey."
"Her Majesty also did a journey at least once. Don't you think why she has more openness to the public? Through the journey itself, you would gain a lot of perspectives. There were good and bad ones, and the knowledge obtained is irreplaceable."
"However, I do not know if I can learn something from it."
"You will learn something. I'm sure of it."
As Dawn continues to pack necessary equipment, the Kingdom of Scharlwarltz is preparing for her seventeenth Birthday.
Scharlwartlz Palace, Luciana's Office
"My daughter is two weeks away from departure. What do you think, Shina?"
Luciana looks at the map of the possible location. On the North of the Arteria Continent lies a Valkyria Continent. The Valkyria Continent is off-limits since it's the gateway to the Kingdom of Scharlwarltz. West of Arteria Continent is a Draconia Continent, and it's also not suitable to deploy Dawn due to the discovery of her power. Every Kingdom was the vassal of the Draconia Empire, so the information would flow fast to the ears of the Draconia Emperor.
South East of Arteria Continent is the Einhalzen Kingdom, and on the neighboring island is the Udines Aqua Kingdom, home to the mermaids of Undines, with its second Kingdom, Atlantica Sovereignty is at Valkyria Continent, serving as one of Scharlwarltz's protectorate. Klendiana disappeared at the Einhalzen Kingdom, and Luciana didn't want Dawn to get trapped on the first day of the journey.
On the East of the Arteria Continent is the Yggdrasil Continent, the center of the Yggdrasil Tree. The Holy Kingdom of Elendia and the Riviera Kingdom. By agreement, the Valkyries were stationed there to ensure the security of the Yggdrasil Tree. Due to the close relationship with Scharlwarltz, it's also not a suitable option.
The South of Arteria Continent is a Demon Territory. The Einhalzen Kingdom and Draconia Empire constantly expand their territory, although none of the countries manages to gain ground due to the demon's solid defenses.
Between the Valkyria Continent and the Yggdrasil Continent, there is a Country named Gra Exousia, which aims to conquer the Valkyria and Yggdrasil Continent, aiming for the Yggdrasil Tree as the main prize.
"If it comes to Arteria Continent. I think it's the safest place."
Luciana looks at the destination itself, and she finds a suitable place to set her down. As she marks the location, she remembers something.
"I want to ask you something, Shina."
"What is it?"
"Is this a fate, or is it a coincidence?"
Luciana shows the location where to set Dawn down to adventure. As Shina looked at the map, she was surprised.
"How could this be….? Is this a coincidence?"
It's close to Crossroad Village, which would be the next destination of Reynes Lexington's Journey before deciding to Aschtein or Vostok. Now, Shina had discovered another piece of the puzzle. The first puzzle she found was at Aldenbourne, and now, two weeks before Dawn goes on the journey, Dawn's starting point location would be the second piece of the puzzle.
"I don't think this is a coincidence…. It must be a fate, don't you think?"
"Just how is this possible?"
Shina can only think that fate may want to have Dawn participate in Reynes' journey. But Luciana may think differently.
"Let's get along with it."
"W-what did you say!?"
"I said, let's get along with it."
Luciana's calm response makes Shina frustrated. She can't imagine that Luciana would go along with this fate. But matters of life and death would be in Reynes's hands if Dawn chose to travel with him.
"I guess…. I have to observe them for a while. Regardless of what I did every day to read our fortune, I can't read our future."
"Then it's worth a shot. I'll keep the observation team around."
As Dawn was frustrated about these sudden findings, Luciana continued to devise a plan for her.
Yggdrasil Year 1642, Month 1, Day 20, Juno Palace
People were flocking to attend Dawn's seventeenth birthday. Because tomorrow, she would depart from Scharlwartlz to conduct a journey.
Many gifts were presented to her, such as a golden statue, platinum ornament, diamond accessories, and even a rare gemstone, along with other fabulous presents. Dawn feels uncomfortable with the gifts as she loathes fancy gifts.
Like other Valkyries, Dawn wants simplicity and usefulness. One of the emissaries of Aldenbourne gives her a bottle of water imbued with water, ice, and fire elements. Other emissaries mock him and belittle him, such as giving a bottle of water is not a noble fashion.
"What is this?"
"I've heard you want to go on a journey after this birthday. His Majesty wishes to give you this so you can survive in the wilderness. Princess must channel magic whether you want to drink it cold, warm, or hot."
"Thank you. In fact, I've been looking for this."
Dawn gratefully accepts the gift, and she channels some magic into it. She pours it into a glass and channels her magic while pouring it into a cup. She takes the glass and drinks it.
"Mmm…. It's a convenient thing to have this bottle. Thank you for the gift."
"I'm flattered, Princess."
"Someday, I will visit your Kingdom."
"That would be an honor."
The other emissaries and nobles fell silent as Dawn accepted the gift and immediately put it on her right waist.
"Oh, this is wonderful."
They feel shame when Aldenbourne leaves with joy and receives a reward of ten Platinum Coins from the Finance Minister after bringing the gift that fits her criteria.
Although the party was a banquet, Dawn didn't enjoy it much since she refused every offer from the princes and nobles who wanted to dance with her.
"From those eyes. I know they want a piece of my power…."
It makes Dawn lose interest in interacting with nobles. Even when the person she meets is ordinary, she will lose interest once they begin to rely on her for some errands that shouldn't be her.
After the party, Dawn takes a rest inside the inner palace.
Knock knock
"Come in."
The door opens, and Shina enters the room.
"Are you ready to go tomorrow, Princess?"
"Yeah. I've stored what I need for the journey. How much money should I bring with me?"
"Here."
Shina gives her a pouch of coins. When Dawn checks and counts it, she looks at Shina.
"Fifteen small and five medium Gold Coins, fifty small, twenty medium, and ten Silver Coins. What about Bronze Coins?"
"I don't think it'll be necessary. You'll get a lot of changes from that."
"But, I'll need it."
"Fine. Then take this."
Dawn gave her twenty large Bronze Coins, which should be enough as starting money for small changes.
"Are you ready for tomorrow, Princess?"
"I'm not sure, but…. I know I can't stay here for a while."
"Take your time, Princess. You may know this location, but your journey would be meaningless if you always teleport back here. Instead, try to travel around while returning here. I'm sure you will receive a different perspective when you return here."
"I'll do what I can, teacher."
"I'll send you off tomorrow, Princess. Make sure you keep your identity concealed."
"I will."
Dawn intends to conceal her true identity unless she trusts them. She also has her adventurer's suit ready tomorrow, as she wants to make it as normal as she can.
The Next Day, Kingdom of Arminia, Near Crossroad Town Between Aschtein, Lucentyr, and Vostok
Luciana and Shina agree to settle Dawn in this area. Somehow, it feels like fate is guiding Dawn to meet Reynes on her journey.
Why fate has brought them together remains a mystery to Shina. Does she miss something, or is it the handiwork of a god that wants to create a new era?
As Dawn gets off the carriage, other Valkyries keep an eye on the surroundings to make sure that no one knows that Dawn is being transported here by a small Royal Guards.
"Here we go, Princess. Once we leave, you're on your own."
"Yes. Thank you for your help, teacher."
"Stay safe, Princess. Let me know if you can't stand this journey."
"Uh, no. I can take care of myself."
Shina doesn't feel convinced that Dawn will take care of herself. If her power goes out of control again, then it would be another problem.
As soon as the carriage leaves for Scharlwarltz, Dawn begins her adventure. However, despite the decision of where she would deploy wasn't told, some countries begin sending spies and hiring mercenaries to capture Dawn when she descends to the ground.
On her first day of the journey is where fate brings her to someone, and she becomes involved in his journey.