Today is the day I've long awaited—the day I'll finally visit the Current Lady, the Maiden of the Barrier.
They say the Current Lady of the Emmental Territory took her sacred office about two years ago.
Only a chosen few may meet her face to face—the Imperial Family, the family of the lord who guards the resting place of the Present Head, her own kin, and high-ranking members of the church. It's natural that one cannot enter such a critical location for national defense without strict control.
Still, I can't help but wonder if the maidens serving alone ever feel lonely. I wish I could at least thank her—for protecting our nation as its living talisman.
Fortunately, as a lesser member of the lord's family, I received permission to meet her without delay.
But before the audience, several rituals must be performed. Since I'm a young girl, there's a risk I could be mistaken for the next Maiden of the Barrier, which might disrupt the barrier's stability. Because of that, the procedures are more elaborate for me.
That morning, they purified me in a bath of holy water.
Breakfast was simple—black bread, grape water, vegetable soup, and a few nuts—shared with Father and my elder brother, Cain. The priest said it was the same fare served daily at the church and had cleansing properties.
Afterward, I changed into a pure white church robe, like a sacred garment, and we made our way to the church.
The church in the territorial capital stands just beyond the lord's manor—so close that stepping through one gate brings you almost immediately to the next.
Before the main gate, a dozen people waited to greet us.
"Welcome, Lord Emmental. I am Salvatore Etoile, High Priest of this church. Thank you for joining us for today's prayer meeting."
He stepped forward and bowed. He was older than Grandfather, slender, and wore a scarlet sacred robe longer than the others'. A gold-and-silver embroidered sash rested on his shoulder. His expression was gentle, yet there was an aura of distance that made him difficult to approach.
"Raise your head, Cardinal Etoile. We thank you for opening the gates for us today," Father said, then gestured to his retainer. The man presented a heavy leather pouch on a tray to one of the Cardinal's attendants.
I didn't understand what was happening at first. Later, Elder Brother explained that it was an offering—a duty of nobility. The "prayer meeting" was merely a formal reason to request an audience with the Current Lady. Outwardly, it was just a visit to participate in church service. Only later did I realize how naïve I had been, thinking only of meeting her.
After the greetings, we were led to a guest chamber.
Inside, polished oak floors gleamed beneath short rugs. Two sets of three-seat sofas faced each other. Paintings hung on the walls—not landscapes, but religious scenes drawn from sacred texts, likely depicting a saint blessed for good deeds.
The Cardinal sat with the painting behind him; Father took the opposite seat, and we sat beside him.
"Lord Emmental, we thank you for your continued devotion to the church. I see your heir and young lady are both in good health," said His Eminence.
Our eyes met briefly. His gaze felt... searching, as though he were measuring something unseen.
"Today's visit is not political, I trust?"
"It's purely a visit of consolation," Father replied, his tone firm. The air tightened for a moment.
"Please don't be on guard. I ask only for confirmation. As part of the preparation, would you drink this holy water?"
With a soft clap, he summoned an attendant carrying cups filled with shimmering liquid.
Father exhaled and downed his cup in one go. My brother and I followed. I couldn't drink it all at once, but I managed to finish. Then, they placed a white veil over my head and led me to the sanctuary.
The sanctuary truly embodied the word church. The triangular roof arched high overhead; the white walls were spotless. A crimson carpet ran straight down the aisle, flanked by rows of wooden benches. At the far end, three steps higher, stood the pulpit. Behind it, a vast stained-glass window of saints bathed the space in a soft, mystical light.
We sat in the front row and listened to readings from the sacred text, then sang hymns and offered prayers. The ceremony seemed no different from a normal prayer service—until they blindfolded us.
Unease stirred within me, but a kind female voice whispered, "Do not be afraid. I will guide you to the Current Lady's sanctuary. Please, take my hand."
I nodded and took her hand.
We walked carefully. The carpet gave way to cold stone beneath our feet. We climbed and descended stairs several times before reaching a small stone chamber lit by candlelight. There were no windows. Circles were carved into the floor—magic symbols, perhaps. My brother studied them intently.
"The Rite of Selection begins now," said His Holiness. "Those who harbor malice toward the Current Lady will never find the door open. But those who seek to be with the Saint will find the path revealed."
He pressed his hand to a stone tablet on the wall. A faint yellow-white glow spread, and the symbols on the floor shone brightly.
The light was blinding. I shut my eyes, and when I opened them, a path of light stretched before us.
Guided by His Holiness, we stepped forward.
At the end of the path lay a room of stone, windowless like the last. Two massive coffins rested at its center.
No—they were coffins.
The one on the left was dark, but the one on the right gleamed brilliantly.
"Please, greet the Current Lady," said His Holiness.
Drawn by instinct, I approached the shining coffin.
As I neared, I realized its lid was made of crystal—I could see inside. Just as I leaned closer, His Holiness spoke:
"My, you noticed that the Current Lady rests in that bed?"
He hadn't moved from the doorway, merely watched us. I tilted my head in confusion.
"Well, it's glowing so beautifully. It feels natural to think she's resting there, doesn't it?"
Father, my brother, and His Holiness all looked startled.
"The Current Lady is glowing, you say?"
I shook my head.
"No, I haven't yet seen her face, so I can't say that. But the bed—it's shining so brightly."
I didn't understand why, but I simply spoke what I saw.
"How does it appear to you, Spica?"
I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I see pale yellow light forming words—like glowing ribbons wrapping around the bed. They stretch upward, as if reaching the heavens."
"Words? Can you read them?"
"Not all. They're written in an old script. But I recognize parts—they match passages from the sacred text."
Elder Brother's eyes shone with wonder.
At that moment, I realized I was seeing something others could not—just like Alex-nii-sama, who once told me of his own visions. I'd promised to keep it secret. I'm sorry, Alex-nii-sama... I broke my promise.
"Hmm... it seems the young lady possesses the Mystic Eye," His Holiness said, stroking his chin. "A gift from the Lord, bestowed upon one in a million. Treasure it well."
So it was true—my eyes were the Mystic Eye. The burden I'd carried for years suddenly felt lighter, now that I understood why I could see what others couldn't.
Cain-nii-sama, however, was far from calm. He fired questions faster than I could answer—what the letters said, where they came from, how far they reached.
Father placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm yourself. We stand before the Current Lady. Pay your respects first. Curiosity comes later."
Brother nodded awkwardly, murmured an apology, and took my hand. Together, we stepped toward the resting place of the Current Lady.
The bed stood on a raised stone dais in the center of the chamber. A wooden structure shaped like a long hexagon—its surface glimmered faintly under the candlelight. From the entrance, her feet were closest; her head rested toward the back wall. I had peered too hastily before, driven by curiosity. That was rude. Father was right—greetings should come first. I bowed my head in shame.
Father and Brother performed the knight's salute. I knelt, resting both knees on the cold stone before the bed, and prayed. Somehow, a lady's curtsey felt wrong for this moment. As a citizen of this land, I wanted to offer my deepest gratitude to the one who protected our peace—so I used the same posture one would use before the Lord.
"Current Lady, my name is Spica von Emmental, a humble daughter of the Emmental lord's family. We live peacefully thanks to the devotion of the Maidens of the Barrier. Truly... thank you."
I whispered the words in my heart.
"Thank you, Spica. Come closer."
A voice echoed in my mind. It didn't frighten me. It felt... warm.
Guided by that voice, I stepped forward, ascending the dais. I faintly heard Father calling out behind me, but I couldn't stop. I had to see her.
When I reached her side, I saw a beautiful woman lying there, dressed in white. Her long hair framed her face like sunlight through silk.
"Spica, I have a favor to ask. Please share a little of your holy power with me."
"Why?" I asked softly.
"This land, Emmental, holds great water power. But my own is yellow—an earth attribute. My strength blocks the flow instead of balancing it. Your power is blue and white—water and light. It harmonizes with this land. Will you lend me a little?"
So that's what those faint colors I always saw meant—each person's power had its hue. But how was I supposed to share mine? Would I need to take her place and sleep in her stead? Before I could panic, her voice returned.
"You need not sleep, Spica. Have you ever made a sacred stone?"
I shook my head.
"Clasp your hands and think of what you wish to protect. Pray until a sacred stone forms."
I knelt again and did as she said. I closed my hands tightly, imagining Father, Brother, and everyone in the territory—safe and smiling.
Heat bloomed in my palms. I focused harder, and soon I felt something small forming between them—a tiny bead.
"You're doing wonderfully for your first time. A little more..."
Her voice urged me on. I kept praying until I realized something smooth and round rested in my hands—a small blue-tinged stone, like sea glass.
"Place the sacred stone upon my hands."
A problem—her coffin was sealed with what looked like crystal. Still, I reached out. The surface rippled like water, letting my hand pass through. Carefully, I placed the stone onto her folded hands. It sank slowly into her chest, vanishing in light.
"Thank you. This will sustain me for several more years. If possible, please bring more sacred stones—it will extend my service a little longer. And... time is short, so I must tell you this: the Southern Maiden's strength is fading. Like me, her holy power conflicts with her land's nature. Please help her, Spica. I have no one else to rely on. Tell my father not to overwork himself. We all felt your pure heart, Spica. Truly... thank you. Goodnight."
Her voice faded away.
When I opened my eyes, Father stood below, his face pale with worry. Elder Brother looked frantic.
"Father, Brother... what's wrong?"
They rushed forward and embraced me tightly. Father's tears wet my shoulder.
"Thank the Lord! You're safe! We called to you again and again, but you wouldn't respond. We couldn't reach you—no matter how hard we tried!"
Brother peered at me, his eyes trembling. "Can you tell us what happened?"
"I... heard the Current Lady's voice," I said. "She told me her holy power doesn't match the land's. She asked for my help, so I gave her some of mine. She'll endure for a while, but the Southern Maiden's power is almost gone. And she asked me to tell her father—His Holiness—not to overwork himself."
"Her father?" His Holiness gasped. When I nodded, tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Alicia... she said that?" he whispered, staring at the glowing bed. His yellow holy power shimmered faintly, matching hers.
As I watched him, a wave of drowsiness swept over me. I wanted to tell Father more—but sleep pulled at my mind, heavy and irresistible.
Notes:
• Cain - Eldest step-brother, eight years older. A magical genius, often traveling between home and the national academy. The heir.
• Etoile - High Priest (Cardinal) of the Emmental church, father of the Current Lady Alicia. Guides the Rite of Selection with measured authority.
• Alex - Second step-brother, seven years older. Suffers from the rare Monaza Disease, which robs both sight and holy power, but shines as a gifted musician and artist.