[AN : This is a short story in the same world as Soul Chasers]
Princess Ophelia struggled to hold back her tears. She did not know exactly where they came from. Was it the smoke that irritated her eyes or the despair of losing a new harvest?
She was not the only one crying. Only a few meters away from her, a whole family was caught in dismay. Even the children were sobbing, although the youngest ones did not understand the extent of today's events.
Her attention turned to Mathias, her bodyguard and personal knight. She tried to seek comfort in his eyes, usually full of optimism and confidence, but this time, no spark lit up the gaze of the man in his forties. He could only nod, reinforcing the feeling of helplessness that was seizing the princess.
Unable to hold back her tears any longer, she turned around, pushed aside the curtains of the royal carriage with her trembling hand, and hid inside. There, a young woman who had not yet reached her twenties was waiting for her. Dressed in a simple white dress, her face, delicately framed by her black hair cut in a square, had a slight epicanthic fold that betrayed her more Eastern origins.
She quickly greeted the princess before helping her to climb aboard. Finally sitting across from her, after a short moment of silence, Ophelia couldn't help but seek support.
"Elena... Is there nothing we can do? Are we doomed to burn all our contaminated crops?"
A slight bitter smile appeared on her face. She didn't know what she could say to her, but she had to find something. After all, she was the main moral support of Princess Ophelia of the kingdom of Ortia! If she didn't say anything, then who could help her in these moments of doubt?
"Your Majesty. You are the most powerful mage in the region. Your father is also the wisest king the kingdom has had the honor of having at its head. I am sure he will find a solution. If not, there is always the possibility of buying grain from neighboring kingdoms."
Ophelia struggled to keep calm. She was squeezing her fist so hard that the color of her skin changed. Her voice was wavering and deep. Every moment was a struggle against despair.
"And who do you propose we buy from? The dwarves of Myr-Khandur depend on us, the Higashito's harvest barely suffices for them, and no merchant will dare to cross the Stone Fields. Even if the Rahelinn agreed to sell us part of their harvest, the food would not reach us before the famine is well established."
Elena did not back down in the face of her mistress's rationality and grief. She moved over, sat next to the princess, and gently stroked her back to comfort her. Suddenly, some reminiscences surfaced.
"Not all hope is lost. Today is the expected return of the Higashito druidess following her investigation in the southern woods. Perhaps she has found a clue to the origin of this unknown ailment?"
Finally, a glimmer of hope lit up Ophelia's eyes. This druidess was known for her knowledge and expertise in mystical arts. If anyone could find the origin of this ailment, it was her! She took her servant's hands and spoke directly to her.
"Elena, please go and inform Mathias and the coachman. We are leaving for the palace in search of good news."
Elena rushed out of the carriage, leaving the princess alone, this time with a smile on her face and her eyes full of anticipation.
The fields were very close to Madera, the capital of the eponymous kingdom. Therefore, the journey was quick, and in just a few hours, the carriage stopped in front of the immense palace. Made entirely of marble, these almost immaculate white walls reflected the sun's rays throughout the city.
Exiting the carriage, Elena and Ophelia crossed the main entrance, which was adorned with a row of immense pillars and surrounded by a garden of plants and trees from all over the world. Maintained by the royal gardeners, the evil ravaging the lands of the Madera Kingdom had not yet reached the heart of the capital.
The two young women were instantly received by numerous servants.
"Marco, do you have any news about the Higashito druidess, Kawasaki Chieko? I need to speak with her."
The man was the palace's butler. His white hair and wrinkles lining his face betrayed his advanced age. He stepped forward and greeted the princess before answering her.
"Your Majesty. Ms. Kawasaki arrived a few hours ago. She is currently resting in one of our lounges. I can prepare an audience for you if you wish."
"That won't be necessary, thank you. Lead me. I'll meet her directly." The princess replied with a wave of her hand.
"Please follow me."
Marco, Ophelia, and Elena headed towards one of the palace's many lounges. These living rooms mainly existed for the leisure of guests. Rarely did the royal family go there, as they had their quarters. Therefore, the few individuals who walked the corridors were surprised to see the princess in these places.
Many were charmed by her long blond hair and gentle cerulean gaze. Her gestures were poised, and her noble stature left no one indifferent, which did not displease the princess herself. Her physique was indeed one of her greatest sources of pride as a woman and a princess.
After crossing many corridors, they finally arrived at the salon occupied by Chieko Kawasaki. Behind a white oak door, the room was of a rarely equaled beauty: the marble furnishings were ornamented with gold and precious stones of all colors.
In the middle of the room, sitting on one of the many chairs that surrounded a round table, the druidess was enjoying a cup of tea. Surprised by the arrival of people, she put down her cup and welcomed the newcomers, whom she recognized instantly.
"Princess. I hope you are well. What brings you to visit a lady like me? Is it about my report on the contamination of the southern woods?"
Ophelia smiled at the woman in front of her. She was not like any other sage, whether a Higashito druid or a mage who graduated from a prestigious university. At only thirty years old, her understanding of magical energy was unrivaled in the eastern lands of Artharys. Although she herself was the greatest magician of Madera, she could not afford to offend such a luminary.
"You are too modest, druidess. Your reputation extends far beyond your borders. Far beyond our borders as well. Even here, you are at least as famous as I am! But you are right. I am here about your investigation in the woods. Have you found a way to dispel the curse that afflicts our lands?"
Chieko's cheeks distinctly reddened. Although true her reputation was great, she was not used to such praise, especially from a princess. However, she couldn't help but sigh.
"I'm sorry. This long journey has exhausted me, and I haven't finished writing my investigations yet. I have already informed the king that he will be informed of my findings no later than tomorrow."
Ophelia was deeply disappointed. She had hoped for good news to ease her heart, but now she was condemned to suffer another evening.
"I understand your fatigue. But please, tell me at least what we can do. Are we doomed, or do we still have a chance to save our fields? Just this morning, we had to burn another portion of our crops to prevent the spread of the curse. Famine is already at the castle gates: our reserves have already been depleted, and the annual harvest is dwindling day by day. Please, there is only you who can help us."
Finally, she bowed to the druidess. In front of so much politeness from the royalty, she could only accept.
"Come, sit down, both of you. There is enough tea."
Ophelia approached the table and sat facing her interlocutor. Elena also neared but waited next to her mistress.
"You can also sit, Elena. You may be my servant, but above all, you are my friend." Ophelia turned to her and took her hands to caress them. "I would like you to act more as such."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Elena sat next to her mistress. But the latter did not let go of her hands.
"Ophelia, please. How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Ophelia."
Elena's cheeks blushed slightly. She replied in a higher and louder voice than usual.
"Yes, Princess Ophelia!"
Ophelia smiled at her. It wasn't exactly what she was hoping for, but she judged it was enough. She took two cups while Elena borrowed the teapot and served her mistress, then herself.
"Well, Lady Kawasaki. What have you discovered?"
The druidess played with the handle of her cup, searching for her words.
"Firstly, the situation in the southern woods is much graver than here. The disease has spread to a large majority of the vegetation. The oldest trees, as the patches of flowers are dying. However, I found no trace of any known disease. Only after analyzing the energy flows of certain trees that I understood the situation: the vegetation is being deprived of its mana."
Chieko took a sip of tea before continuing.
"After studying several trees, I finally understood the source of the problem. An unknown energy has contaminated the forest. It has the power to disturb the circulation of mana in a living body and corrupt it. I decided to call this energy Anima. It doesn't seem to be a direct threat to life, but it interrupts the flow of mana by its incompatibility with it, leading to death. Even we humans must be careful."
Ophelia was stunned, almost paralyzed by these discoveries. She did not expect an energy previously unknown to be the cause of all their troubles.
"But what could be the source of such energy? Is there a way to counter or eliminate it?"
The druidess smiled slightly before answering. She expected these questions.
"I'm sorry, despite my thorough investigation, I couldn't find the origin of it. However, I know how to counter it. Although it cannot be completely dissipated, an overload of mana should be able to seal its advance, or even dissipate its effects. The only reason why it is spreading so widely is that plants have very little magical energy. If we overload them, we can not only save the forest but also give it the weapons to fight this scourge."
At these words, the princess stood up. She slammed her hands on the table, causing it to shake slightly.
"Very well, I will inform my father! Tomorrow we will depart for the southern woods! You will accompany us, Lady Kawasaki, won't you?"
Chieko was taken aback by Ophelia's reaction. She couldn't help but sigh. She had barely returned from a long journey and was already being asked to go back. Despite her reluctance, she could only nod in agreement.
The princess, visibly pleased, took her servant's hand. Although it was too familiar for her taste, Elena couldn't help but be happy today, seeing such a smile on her mistress's face.
"Elena, prepare your things, too! You're coming with us!"
She squeezed her mistress's hand and nodded, a broad smile on her face.
"Yes!"
The three women left the sitting room and went about their business. Ophelia, in particular, informed her father about the recent discoveries and her intentions to venture into the heart of the forest. He granted her the rights to an army of a hundred mages from the kingdom to accompany her in her endeavors.
Hours passed. Ophelia had to prepare, not only as a princess but also as the most powerful mage in the kingdom. She gathered and warned the concerned armies. Everyone prepared as best they could to protect their lands.
She prepared her dress and staff adorned with numerous mineral rocks that served as mana catalysts.
The night passed, and before they even realized it, Ophelia and Elena were sitting on their horse heading toward the southern woods. Quickly, the usual green landscapes gave way to nightmarish views of degenerating vegetation. Green shades gave way to grayish shades, and these places that once housed flourishing life were now only shadows of what they were.
It saddened them all, reinforcing the determination of these hundred individuals to save their withering lands. A week of travel was necessary to reach the heart of the woods, near the Meropian coast.
There, everything was dead. Not a single flower survived, not even the slightest leaf. The men dismounted their horses, surrounded by a dull landscape. Not a sound was heard until Ophelia gave her orders.
"Listen to me carefully! Everyone should separate from each other by about fifteen meters! When the circle formation is ready, I will send a signal. At that moment, everyone will inject his mana into the ground around him. The more mana circulation, the better!"
All the mages nodded in agreement and got to work. In just a few tens of minutes, the formation was established. Ophelia ordered her knight, Mathias, to blow a horn to give the signal. The sound echoed through the dead trees.
Quickly, a thin blue aura enveloped the region. The flow of mana could be felt, even for someone with little control over it, like Elena.
Slowly, the vegetation seemed to be taking over the anima. Buds appeared on previously bare branches, and flowers appeared as if resurrected. Amazed, Ophelia looked up, caressing with her gaze the phenomenon surrounding her. She had never witnessed such a beautiful event.
However, enchantment and fascination quickly gave way to disappointment. The growth of the vegetation slowed down, and although the woods were more flourishing than just a few moments ago, the anima regained the upper hand. Unfortunately for them, the mana concentration was not enough to push back all the energy consuming the forest. Even the mana of a hundred experienced mages gathered was not enough.
Seeing this, a strange feeling overtook Ophelia. She was disappointed and enraged, yes, but also saddened. She didn't know why, but she had expected that it wouldn't be enough. After all, a mage's magical energy evolved exponentially. Even if all the mages present could be considered experienced, her strength surpassed all the others combined. If Chieko couldn't handle the problem alone, then who were they to believe they could? The result was there: even with the support of the druidess and the vast majority of the kingdom's mages gathered, they were unable to push back the evil that was consuming the kingdom.
Ophelia, however, didn't lose hope. From her bag, she took out a large box made of elm wood. She opened it, revealing a gigantic agate. The sparkle of the stone was so intense that it attracted people nearby.
"Princess... That stone! You don't plan on..."
Ophelia gestured for the druidess to be quiet. After all, Elena was there as well, and she didn't want to worry her.
"Your Majesty, what is this?"
Ophelia's face showed a bitter smile.
"Elena, how many times have I told you that you can call me Ophelia." She said, nodding. "It's an agate. A stone that symbolizes divinity, but also the integrity of the body and spirit."
Ophelia couldn't hold back her tears. Although she tried to hide them, she couldn't escape the vigilance of her maid. Although the latter wished to approach, she was stopped by a magical barrier.
Elena was not the only one to notice the strangeness of the situation. Many mages and knights approached. Despite the commotion, the princess only had eyes for her friend.
"Please, Elena. Don't forget me."
Unconsciously, Elena understood what her mistress was about to do. Tears began to flow despite herself, and she began to pound on the barrier, only to be pushed back.
Ophelia began to chant an incantation. Elena didn't understand a word of it, but soon, the princess's body began to shimmer. Like a star, her body began to burn, releasing violent waves of energy into the forest. Elena, seeing her friend disappearing in flames, burst into tears. She tried with all her might to cross the barrier but to no avail. She collapsed on her knees.
In her sobbing, she could only mutter a few words.
"Ophelia... Please. Don't leave me."
The princess's body was now consumed. Nevertheless, a voice resonated from the depths of the forest.
"Don't cry, Elena. I'm happy to have met you. Please forgive me for my selfishness. But I have to leave you alone."
From then on, only Elena's lamentations could be heard in the forest, as the other mages were held back by Chieko. The phenomenon that had stopped then resumed its course, and soon the vegetation reclaimed its rights over the anima. All thanks to the sacrifice of the one who would later be called the First Saintess: Ophelia.