The days passed swiftly. The silent night once illuminated by the gentle glow of fireflies had now shifted into a warm morning atmosphere within the Elven settlement. Elisabeth’s mood mirrored that change—she was eager to resume her training with the Grand Elder. After preparing herself, she headed toward the Mushroom Guild, where the Grand Elder Ulrion resided, accompanied by Sveanna and Sasa’.

  Together, the three of them made their way to the dwelling.

  Upon entering the Mushroom Guild, Elisabeth was welcomed by Grand Elder Ulrion, who then invited her to sit cross-legged near a fireplace. The Grand Elder approached her from the front, facing her directly, raised his index finger toward Elisabeth’s forehead, and began to chant a spell.

  “Zeanamamaya Hasyerohi.”

  In an instant, Elisabeth lost consciousness and collapsed onto the floor before them. Seeing this, Sasa’ panicked, but Sveanna quickly calmed her down.

  Gently gripping Sasa’s hand, Sveanna spoke softly,

  “Stay calm, Sasa’. This is part of the Grand Elder’s training. Elisabeth is now entering her subconscious realm to uncover her true identity.”

  “Doesn’t that hurt her?” Sasa’ asked anxiously.

  “No. She was chosen by Mother Earth from the very beginning,” Sveanna replied firmly.

  “Yes, from the start,” the Grand Elder added. “According to my vision as the Grand Elder, she possesses a faint aura that does not originate from this world. That is why I welcomed you all with open arms.”

  With that, the conversation ended as the Grand Elder continued to watch over Elisabeth’s still body.

  Elisabeth felt a profound silence envelop her being. Soon after, she found herself standing before an ancient stone gate with a golden light glowing at its center. Passing through it, she arrived in a place she had never once entered before—a realm shrouded in clouds, with towering golden pillars stretching skyward. At the heart of this place stood a golden throne, its head shaped like a royal crown.

  The atmosphere filled Elisabeth with overwhelming peace and serenity. There was no fear, no anxiety—only a deep sense of nostalgia, as if she had once belonged there. As she looked around, she realized her clothing had changed. She now wore a white garment adorned with golden patterns, with golden ornaments on her wrists and shoulders.

  Suddenly, a gentle voice called out to her from the direction of the golden throne.

  “My child… have you finally returned home?”

  Startled, Elisabeth turned toward the throne and saw an elderly man radiating wisdom. He had a silver-white beard and wore a golden crown adorned with nine precious gemstones, each bearing its own meaning:

  Ruby symbolized the blood of sovereignty, Sapphire wisdom, Emerald life, Amethyst spirit and death, Diamond the element of light, Obsidian shadow, Lapis Lazuli the stars, Moonstone the moon and destiny, and Black Pearl—Onyx—absolute consciousness.

  Upon seeing him, Elisabeth instinctively prostrated herself before the man. Yet she felt no fear—only an overwhelming happiness filled her heart. After a moment, realization dawned upon her: the man before her was Ilio, the God of Life himself.

  With deep reverence, she spoke.

  “Forgive me for realizing it so late, my Lord.”

  “It is alright, my child. Raise your head,” Ilio replied gently.

  As she lifted her gaze, Elisabeth was mesmerized by the god’s elegance. Her voice trembled with joy as she answered,

  “Thank you, my Lord.”

  They gazed at each other for a long moment before Ilio rose from his throne and descended toward her. He gently stroked her hair, helped her to her feet, and embraced her warmly.

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  “Forgive me, my child,” he said softly. “You bear a fate far heavier than most.”

  Hearing this, Elisabeth’s heart shattered. She could no longer hold back her tears as she cried in Ilio’s embrace, returning the hug. A warmth beyond words flowed from him, causing her to sob uncontrollably.

  “You have grown so much, Elisabeth,” Ilio continued.

  “In the past, you chose death for the sake of that young man. I could not stop your fate when I made you the guardian of the Kingdom of Normandia, as promised.”

  “But now, you have returned. You are once again connected to me.”

  Confused and overwhelmed, Elisabeth wiped the tears from her cheeks and looked up at him.

  “Me… fate…? Forgive me, my Lord, but what do you mean?”

  “When you sacrificed your life by exchanging your Chalice of Life for that young man’s, I could do nothing,” Ilio explained. “I could only allow you to be reborn. However, you could no longer remain here. Thus, I commanded Sar’el, one of my messenger angels, to leave you before the gates of the Holy Crusader Order.”

  “You were burdened with sin and chose to be reborn as a human—one destined to bear the great responsibility of protecting the Kingdom of Normandia.”

  Elisabeth stood in stunned silence. At last, she understood her origins and how she came to be within the Holy Crusader Order. Yet one question lingered in her heart.

  “My Lord… who was the young man for whom I gave my Chalice of Life?”

  Ilio met her gaze.

  “He was the Crown Prince of Normandia, son of the kingdom’s first king—Maximilian I. You met him during one of his missions. Before becoming human, you were the Goddess of Prayer and Blessings. But as you watched over him, you fell in love and would do anything for his sake.”

  “When he nearly died in a great battle involving the spirits of death, you could not bear to see him suffer in the afterlife. So you exchanged your Chalice of Death for the Chalice of Life and gave it to him.”

  The truth satisfied Elisabeth’s heart. She never imagined that in the distant past, she had been a goddess who watched over humanity. Yet her curiosity about the young man’s fate remained.

  Moments later, she felt herself pulled backward, away from Ilio’s presence, and suddenly awakened once more within the Mushroom Guild.

  She slowly opened her eyes and rose from the crimson carpet before the fireplace. Grand Elder Ulrion greeted her with a warm smile.

  “Have you learned everything now?” he asked.

  “Yes, Grand Elder. Thank you very much,” Elisabeth replied, smiling back.

  Sasa’ ran to her and hugged her tightly.

  “Are you alright, Elisabeth?”

  “Thank you, Sasa’, and you too, Sveanna, for worrying about me,” Elisabeth said, glancing at Sveanna, who stood behind the Grand Elder.

  Sveanna helped her up and gently stroked her hair.

  “I can feel an extraordinary aura radiating from you now.”

  “Indeed,” the Grand Elder added. “Your aura has changed significantly. Your talent has grown as well.”

  When Sasa’ asked what Elisabeth had experienced in her subconscious, Elisabeth told them everything.

  After hearing her story, the Grand Elder spoke softly,

  “Remember all of this, Elisabeth—your origins, what has happened, and what may cause you to repeat past mistakes. You are destined to atone for everything in this life.”

  “I will remember, Grand Elder,” she replied.

  Later, Elisabeth and Sasa’ returned to the Leaf Tower House. After walking some distance from the Mushroom Guild, Sveanna spoke to the Grand Elder.

  “Does the young man she saved in her past life still await her?” she asked.

  “Fate always finds its way,” the Grand Elder replied. “Whether we run from it or accept it wholeheartedly, those destined to walk beside you will remain—until time itself answers all doubts.”

  Back at the Leaf Tower House, Elisabeth and Sasa’ recounted her experience to Lula and the male knights. Isac Galeon, leader of the VORNAHURD hunting party, listened carefully.

  “Do you have any connection to the Cursed Dragon and VORNAHURD, Elisabeth?” he asked.

  “I do not know yet, Hersir,” she replied. “But from what Lord Ilio told me, I believe the answers await me in the future.”

  “I feel more determined than ever,” she added. “This time, I will not repeat the mistakes of my past life.”

  “So your talent level has increased?” Monci asked.

  “It seems so. I feel more connected to my subconscious than ever.”

  “That’s good,” Monci said with a laugh, joined by the other knights. “Our journey ahead should be easier.”

  Life is filled with mysteries. From the moment we are born, we are given a mission that cannot be explained by science alone. Yet those with deep empathy may sense it while searching for their true selves. It is the calling of the soul—woven from destiny and hope—carried by prayers that soar into the heavens, waiting to be revealed by time itself.