Chapter 23

Unique Skills and the Five Elemental Magics

When I asked, the man before me, who seemed to be a scribe, blinked in surprise.

“Uh… well…”

“‘In the sealed room, a sorrowful witch sleeps. None may disturb her slumber.’ That’s the oral tradition in our country. …Have I offended you? If so, on behalf of the nation, I offer my apologies.”

The one who answered was the blond man.
His long hair was tied back, flowing over his chest.

Clad in a white cloak, he stood, placed a hand on his chest, and bowed.
Flustered, I hurriedly responded.

“No, I didn’t mean to accuse you. I just wondered why… Let me introduce myself again. I am Felicia Frenzel, born on December 3, Holy Calendar Year 345, daughter of the Frenzel Duke.”

The scribe jotted down my words on paper with his writing tool.
The blond man—likely His Highness Lian—approached me and extended his hand.
He was offering to escort me, it seemed.
Accepting his kindness, I placed my hand atop his palm.

He led me to the sofa, and I sat across from him.

As he took his seat, he lowered his eyelashes and spoke.

“…The Frenzel ducal house. Based on your words, we searched historical records. It was indeed a family that existed up until five hundred years ago.”

“Five hundred…!?”

I couldn’t help but echo his words.

Five hundred…
Five hundred.

I knew a significant amount of time had passed, but—five hundred years?
It was a bit hard to fathom, leaving me stunned.
Seeing my reaction, His Highness Lian asked, as if to confirm.

“You are the second daughter of the Frenzel ducal house, Felicia Frenzel, correct? The younger sister of Agnes Frenzel, said to have ushered in the Dark Era—”

“You know my sister!?”

I leaned forward instinctively.
At my reaction, Lian and the blue-haired man behind him exchanged a brief glance.
What was that look?

Holding my breath for his answer, I watched as Lian furrowed his brow, speaking hesitantly.

“Your elder sister… Agnes Frenzel is said to have brought about Tsaobera’s ruin… known as, well, a villainess.”

“What…?”

I caught my breath.

(My sister, a villainess?)

I locked myself in my room—and somehow, five hundred years passed.
What happened to Tsaobera in that time?
As I sat in shock, Lian continued.

“Let me explain step by step. And my apologies for the delayed introduction. I am Lian Lumos, second prince of the Lumos Empire. This is my royal guard, Matthew.”

Lian gestured to the man behind him, introducing his guard.
The blue-haired man was named Matthew, it seemed.
Finally knowing his name, I realized something critical.

(…Empire!?)

Not a kingdom!?

My eyes widened in shock, and Lian gave a wry smile.

“First, about five hundred years ago—the collapse of the Tsaobera dynasty was largely due to the rise of the five elemental magics.”

“The five elements…? Oh, the maids mentioned fire and water magic earlier. I thought they were talking about unique skills…”

At my words, Lian smiled, looking troubled.

“…Unique skills have long been obsolete. At present, no one in Lumos can use them.”

“What…?”

“Scholars are desperately trying to revive unique skills, but the texts documenting them were lost. They were all burned during the First Magic War.”