Alicia would probably crown the Vanir border station as the most beautiful station in the world.
Its interior was beyond attractive, Alicia thought she was in another world. White marble walls were carved with woven gold and mint triquetras running all the way to the end of the station. One trinity knot connected with another triquetra to form a complex pattern that spoiled the eyes. The ceiling itself was a projection of radiating cosmic expanse, sustained by grey metal tubings. The glossy black tiles reflected what was above the dome; those at the station seemed to be gazing at the cosmos as well as treading it. A flaming desire grew inside Alicia to walk among the stars.
It was not a heaviness this time, but still, Alicia and the others had to wait a bit longer before they were allowed to get off the train. All Magisterium personnel were stuck while Odelie and Haddock head out to talk to one of the border officers. Even inside the train, Alicia could smell the lavender aroma coming from outside the carriage. So fragrant and calming, she could find time to fall asleep while watching the people's passing.
The station's civil guards appeared to be familiar to the astrologist, according to Alicia, who was observing them from the window. Could it be that they were that close because each of them had played erotic games with Odelie? Even though the woman was actually kind to everyone. Alicia's speculation about them was too wild, but it was her face that was blushing instead.
They all suddenly regarded the girl—some of the station officers, even. Soon they rushed away and the Magisterium mages came back.
"What happened? Why are they looking at me like that?" asked Alicia to the two magicians who had just entered the carriage.
"Oh, dear Alicia, you won't believe what's going to happen!" Odelie became enthusiastic. "Ready or not, you will be worshiped like a goddess here!"
"R-really? Oh no..." A strange feeling lingered within her. She imagined the possible ungainly times when they would bow like servants and commoners, then recite a prayer for the goddess's blessing.
"Ladies, we don't have time for that," Haddock snapped. "Come, bring your belongings. They will escort us to our chosen residency."
"Grand Magus, H-how about..." Alicia raised her finger towards the very back of the carriage.
"Ah... Yes, he was also escorted, but to a different place. Rest assured, dear. Our place will be more comfortable than his," Haddock answered.
When they were carried by the engine carriage across the flyover, Alicia could clearly witness how the city of Vanaheim looked up close. There were many towering, sharp buildings, and all of them were filled with beautiful rune carvings. When compared to the cities of Camelot, perhaps the housing in her birthland was akin to a den of thieves, where every alley was dreary and suffocating the souls. Alicia also saw many unique settlements built on huge trees—giant tree houses! This was certainly a playground haven for children born in Camelot settlements.
As far as the eye could see, there was no homelessness or any kind of social gap in this big city. How could they not, almost every one of their homes was filled with woven lines covered in gems and diamonds! Not to mention, apart from the beautiful twinkles, almost all of them had a botanical garden on their roof, or vines that become an immense curtain for the houses. Surprisingly, the vines matched all the opulence of the precious stones on the walls.
One more thing; the Crimsonmane girl was probably amazed to find that there was no such term as "wild animals" here. Wild boars, wolves, even bears roamed the streets as if they were part of the green metropolitan! No one would tell what spell was instilled here; all creatures that entered Vanaheim seemed to know that they were entering the neutral territory. No pounces, just dealing with personal problems as usual and socialising with common sense. A golden tattooed audumbla cow nursing human toddlers in the park was rather a common phenomenon here!
They were brought to a lodging facility in Vanaheim's magic headquarters—a skyscraper made of unpainted concrete but filled with runes of various sizes. Big or small, all the runes were neatly attached. Not only that, the blue glow that came out of the characters added to the aesthetics of the grey construction, which was actually quite boring.
While she waited, Alicia was leaning against a dark stone ledge glowing blue with Haddock. What lay in front of her was anything but the majestic landscape of Vanaheim, full of diamond glints. The view on the platform offered a perspective from the snowy mountain peaks.
"Even though we're in the middle of the city, but looking at this magical scene…. It looks so real!" Alicia tried to stretch her hand outside the balcony of the snowy mountain. "See, even my hands are freezing, snow's falling on them. Nae wonder Vanir is one of the leading magic centres in Europa!"
Haddock returned her with a smile. "Don't you think this scene is quite familiar?"
"Familiar? I told you this is my first time jaunting, Grand Magus!"
"Come on, I bet you've read enough books and maps to recognise what's before your eyes."
Cold panorama with steep plains and vast frozen seas. In the middle of the sea, a collection of rocks stuck out, craning until they disappeared into the misty ocean. Albeit the hues on the giant pebbles had faded, Alicia could see each of the long rows of stones had a different colour. It was undeniable that these rocks were the works of an accomplished artist.
"Why are these stones arranged like a… bridge?" the girl's rhetorical question while pointing at the stones. She squinted, imagining everything she had just seen to match all the scriptures she had read. High mounds full of blizzards, and colorful stone bridges. In just an instant, she found the answer.
"We're looking at the view from Himinbjörg mountain! And those rocks aren't mere rocks! They're bridge ruins! B-Bifrost?? T-Then, the end of the bridge…."
As always, Haddock marveled at the knowledge of the Crimsonmane girl, though to him this was nothing more than trivial information. "Yep, the bridge ends in No Man's Land, which used to be Asgard—The flowering land in the middle of the tundra, the sacred city of the extinct Aesir tribe. And if we keep faring, the fog and blizzard will only get thicker. That's where we are in the Land of Giants, which the Children of Syvatogor trod—Magavostok, the Black Alliance nation."
The girl's eyes slowly opened wide. Her mouth gaped as her eyes moved. The first time she explored a region outside of her homeland, she was literally brought right to the front lines of the Great War! From the vast sea to the No Man's Land, the region was once the centre of the massacre between the Allies of the Eternal Empire and the Black Alliance, not long before the girl was born into the world. As long as she lived, this dark period had been on hiatus. It had not been seen either side deploying troops in over a decade.
However, this did not mean that the two factions entered a truce. No, there was no peace treaty between them. The two of them were on their furlough while waiting to see who threw the warhead first. Alicia could not fathom why the Vanir citizens could still relax at the forefront. She hoped that Divine would not be too mean to her to receive a mana bomb as a gift from another country.
Before Alicia could say anything else, a pair of giant doors behind them creaked. A glaring light from behind the doors, blocked by a human figure dressed in white and green state clothing, and long, pale yellow hair in braids, caught the attention of the mages.
"The Order of Edda, protectors of the realm of Vanir, would like to welcome you all to the grounds of the Tree of Knowledge!" said the person who turned out to be a man.
The man turned around. Haddock took Alicia by the shoulder and guided her in with the others. Passing through the gigantic door, Alicia was again struck by all the splendor of the Tree of Knowledge's grounds. The colossal ash tree in the middle of the building, exposed to the sunlight from the sky without a roof, was already magnificent. Not to mention that the officers here really appreciated the tree, the park was surrounded by terraces with complex wall patterns more or less the same as the station walls. The expanse of the field was full of brightly colored wildflowers, complemented by hundreds of dark butterflies in contrast. To put the cherry on top, the upper sides of the wall were golden paintings depicting the saga of the Vanir, which were connected to each other until finally led to a giant painting, directly behind the Tree of Knowledge—depicting Njord and his two children, Frō and Fruowa, the former patrons of the Vanir.
Meanwhile, in front of Alicia and the others, had gathered the magi and elders of the Vanir nation (and a few bears), chatting among themselves. They were all wearing green robes and almost all had their heads covered. They were part of the Order of Edda, which turned out to be filled with activists of Druidism—the mystic art of nature and fertility that the Vanir prided themselves on.
One of the elders, who was firmer than before, greeted them. "So the Magisterium of Arcane Plane has arrived," he said. "Say one more time, what is your need to taste the water from the Tree of Knowledge?"
"Should I say it?" whispered Odelie to Haddock.
"Let me," replied the Grand Magus. The Master of the Magisterium stepped forward, facing the druids. "Greetings, Elder Broin. Greetings, dignitaries of the Order of Edda. I represent the Magisterium of Arcane Plane, and would like to beg your compassion for a sip of the Tree of Knowledge's holy water for this girl, in order to find the whereabouts of those mentioned in a prophecy."
The elder named Broin saw a crimson-haired young lady with a straight face. "So you're the one chosen by the Arcane outside the Eternal Empire? The one that stopped the plague of the undead in Eidyn?"
Haddock leaned close to the girl's ear. "Show them Orb."
"Really? A-alright..."
Alicia opened her backpack and held up her glaring Arcane globe. Twinkling stars overflowed the botanical gardens without exception!
Nothing could ever compete with the holy light of Arcane. Not with all the glittering gold and diamonds in the outer hall. All the druids fell down. Some, like Broin, even had tears in their eyes. They had never felt Arcane's presence this close—right where they were born and raised. Just as the Vanir's childish hearts yearned for that sacred blessing to return home to them.
"This child is a godsent from Ygaldin!"
Nothing could explain the feeling of deep joy between them. A whole host of members of the order—including the bears—prostrated, letting their lips touch the ground. All worship to Orb and its chosen one. That was all they could express to the gods for answering their ancestors' prayers.
Alicia pondered for a moment before walking backward. She was shaking, surprised, touched, and flattered, too. However, she could not accept that excessive adoration when she herself felt like she had not done anything for them at all! With great discomfort, Alicia pleaded with the druids. "G-good sires, please stand up! Please, there's no need to prostrate like that!"
Broin rose from his prostration with moist eyes. "We appreciate your humility, Young Lady. But this joy cannot be contained. For centuries we have prayed for Ygaldin's Light, which is warmer than the sun, to accompany the land of the Vanir once more. And it feels like the prayer has come true. Ygaldin is pleased to visit us through you!"
"I understand if you worship Orb, but I'm not worthy of all this praise myself. I've never delivered to you any merits."
The old druid walked with his cane, up the steps, and held out his bony hand to the girl.
"Bringing pure Arcane to us is your greatest merit, Miss...?"
"Alicia Crimosmane, sir."
"Miss Crimsonmane. And we trust you to return to great service. Bringing peace to the Vanir, and to the world of thaumaturgy. We will assist you in any way we can to fulfill your responsibilities."
The Grand Magus nodded to Alicia to accept Broin's invitation. She dared to hold the elder's hand, allowing herself to be guided one step closer to the Tree of Knowledge. []