It was strange how Emilia had no knowledge of the two figures. Python and Phillip seemed like hidden characters, shaped for a larger plan of world domination, and the girl had never encountered them in the most famous or widely-read books of that world.
She let out a long sigh and began to flip through the pages of the red book in her hands. Her eyes skimmed quickly across the pages, and a golden light enveloped her as she did so.
"Incredible," Arthur said in awe as the girl closed the nine-hundred-page book in just five minutes.
Emilia smiled and mentally recapped the story. Martri was a desert kingdom, and its people were known for their cruelty, like true sand scorpions. It was the only kingdom where slavery still existed, along with constant intrigue among the tribes.
Python was the queen of Martri, a young elf with pale skin and long blonde hair. Her primary magic was control over the weather. She had been on the throne since she was ten years old. Her parents had died young—her mother during childbirth, and her father had taken his own life years later. This left the girl with enormous responsibilities from a very young age.
Dracondia had been an ally of Martri, but after the king's death, the alliance contract needed to be renewed. Political leaders had agreed that Python would marry Edward when they both turned twenty, thus uniting the kingdoms once again.
At twenty years old, after his father's death, Edward traveled to Martri to request the annulment of the marriage, but Python herself denied his plea. This led him to brandish his sword against the official document, thus breaking the written contract. In this world, documents held a life of their own; whatever was written on them had to be fulfilled. However, if they were damaged by a golden or steel blade, the magic of the enchantment would be lost, and the agreement would be nullified.
Perhaps it was merely a careless mistake by Queen Python to flaunt the document so openly, or perhaps it was her inner desire that the contract be broken. But none of that mattered anymore—once the document "died," a war between the two nations was set in motion.
"So, it was during this battle that he took my hair ornament…" Emilia thought, running her fingers over Edward's gift. "Alright, now I need to learn more about Phillip."
Emilia picked up another book, this time a blue one with golden lettering. Its title read: Modern Londrin.
Londrin was a province known as a fisherman's paradise due to its vast lakes and rivers. The climate was rainy, but quite warm. The current king was Phillips... but there was no further information beyond his name.
"You've increased your reading speed," Arthur remarked, thoughtfully.
"I had to learn over the years," Emilia replied, thinking of all the people she had to save.
"You've matured, Emilia," Arthur said, pulling her face closer and gazing deeply into her eyes. "But I still feel like your eyes are hiding a great secret."
Emilia pulled away and shook her head.
"It's just your imagination."
"I don't think so," Arthur retorted. "Anyone in your place would be furious with me and the kingdom after what my father did. You... I feel like you're using me to achieve something."
Emilia bit her lip. It was true. She was using the elf's power and influence to save everyone.
"Grab that book for me," she asked, deflecting the conversation as she pointed to a book on the upper shelf. Arthur furrowed his brow as he handed it to her.
"Are you avoiding the subject?"
"Maybe," Emilia replied, and resumed her search for information on the new king of Londrin. After reading through five volumes, she gave up.
"I've gone through all the books, and there's no information on Phillip," she finally said. "All I've managed to learn is about Queen Python. She controls the weather."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's raining," Emilia noted. "Why would it be raining when she commands an army of sand soldiers?"
Arthur paused, his eyes widening.
"You mean… the army of Londrin is approaching," Arthur began. "And since they outnumber us, and we're accustomed to water…"
"Yes. Phillip will win if Python continues this rain."
"We have to hurry and warn the king," Arthur said, and Emilia nodded. Together, they needed to find Edward before the army caught them by surprise.