As Odelie stepped out of the perilous carriage, she gently nudged Alicia against the wall. And then, with a resounding thump, she struck the wall adjacent to Alicia's head. "To think you're a lady of decorum, and yet you're quite naughty too, aren't you?"

"I'm s-sorry, Odelie! I was going to report something to Grand Magus Haddock, but come now, ye cannae blame a normal person entirely for wandering around places out of curiosity!" Alicia pleaded.

Still, with a grave countenance, Odelie drew her face nearer to the unyielding Crimsonmane. Alicia had no further retreat, so she descended to a crouching gesture. "It seems you must be punished, Little Crimsonmane," Odelie intoned.

Odelie's mellifluous, deliberate utterances only added to the feeling of discomfort, insinuating their way into the soul of the bespectacled girl. Her legs betrayed her unease, a subtle squirming. "Punished—what? W-with all due respect, Odelie, I didn't touch or damage anything!" Alicia protested.

Each time Odelie Verdandi made a sound, for some reason something within Alicia always churned, compelling her to do something. Tender and affectionate, her voice was, even in her exasperation.

Seriously, what was wrong with this lady? Had she cast some seductive spell upon me or something?

***

Both pairs of feet continued their march towards the carriage's fore where the Grand Magus awaited. Alicia and Odelie walked separately, their hands no longer intertwined. Just a few paces away from the door, Alicia felt compelled to speak up.

"I once again apologise for intruding where I shouldn't have," she expressed.

"That doesn't mean I won't report this to the Grand Magus," Odelie replied.

"It's all right, Odelie. Just go ahead and report it. I simply want to express my regret."

In an abrupt turn, the footsteps halted in the midst of the corridor. Intrigued, Odelie directed her gaze to the impassive visage of the crimson-haired girl.

"Are you absolutely sure, Young Lady? No ulterior motives? No intention of melting my heart?" she queried.

“Odelie, come on. What’s the worst thing that would happen? Got kicked off the carriage? Scolded by the Grand Magus? I’ve just experienced worse treatment from the Necromancer earlier,” the morose Alicia answered.

"Ah, yes, I almost forgot! How foolish of me to overlook such mistreatment from that despicable degenerate!" The astrologist performed something that unsettled Alicia again—suddenly reaching out and clasping her arms. "Forgive me if I seem callous! You've melted my heart, Little Crimsonmane. We'll keep this incident between us to soothe your spirit."

After uttering gentle words laced with affection, Odelie was about to embrace Alicia as a form of consolation. Fortunately, Alicia realised that her face would find itself buried in the astrologist's ample bosom if she succumbed to the embrace. Swiftly, she pulled back in the opposite direction.

"Odelie! Odelie, no need! I'm alright!" asserted Alicia.

The front door of the carriage slid open, revealing Grand Magus Haddock, who had evidently overheard the commotion. Alicia's arms were still clutched, and she was almost fused with the blonde astrologist's ripe frame. Both of them stared at Haddock in silence, exchanging glances.

"Uh, hello, ladies. Am I intruding on your privacy?"

"W-what? No!" Alicia freed herself from Odelie's hands and straightened her clothes with a hint of embarrassment. “J-just… a g-girl’s talk…?”

"That's right, just a girl’s talk." Odelie backed Alicia up while giving her a wink. Alicia's body stiffened immediately. "What's up, Haddock? Wanna join in, too?" added Odelie.

"I don't have time for that," Haddock replied, then ushered them inside. The carriage's interior was positively abuzz with activity, livelier than any conveyance Alicia had ever encountered. Wizards and attendants bustled about their business, with papers and tools whizzing past and various creatures flitting to and fro to deliver messages to desk lines. At one point, a beta thunderbird sped past Alicia, leaving her locks in a slight state of disarray. She and Odelie trailed behind Haddock as he led them down to the deepest, most secluded chamber of the carriage, where the Grand Magus kept his private office.

The private office in the luxury carriage was no less cluttered than the one in Skycastle. But at least there were not any random tools that should not be there like the old room was.

Haddock then leaned against the table. "Okay, with you here, I assume you've read the entire book."

"Of course I have," said Alicia. "Though I'm still a bit overwhelmed by the prophecy. I still can't believe Nostradame’s foretelling about me is fully accurate—"

"Ten percent accurate," Haddock interrupted, "Only the scar on your hand has proven true. We remain in the dark regarding the exact nature of the world's end, your ensuing destiny, and even the means to identify and locate other children! But I understand your feelings. Should this prophecy hold veracity, the Magisterium will definitely help you to fulfil what is written in the book."

"I see. I might as well keep this book a little longer, if you please."

"Yes, of course. It's yours to keep. Anything else?"

Alicia reopened the book. She turned one page in front of the Grand Magus—the last page corcening the prophecy of the Six Children. "However, I'm bothered by this. I understand if the Child of Darkness wants to get rid of me. But… do I need to ‘get rid’ of him as well?"

Haddock looked back at the page closely—just to refresh his memory. "Ah, I understand now. Yes, of course, you should," he affirmed.

A dissatisfied expression marked Alicia's countenance. "But I’m uncomfortable killing someone out of obligation."

"Hey, you're a mage now, remember? You must perform your duty even when they challenge your moral compass."

"I-I know! It's just… cannae there be another way, one that spares unnecessary sacrifice among these Six Children? What if I can free them from the Khaos’ influence or something?"

“I feel certain that the Child of Darkness must have taken many lives before you even meet each other. So I find it odd that you need to sympathise with him.”

The Crimsonmane Girl lost her ability to argue. However, she still could not convince her little heart to accept the fact that one of them must die to determine how the fate of the realm should be. She felt an imperative to stand apart from other Arcane wielders—who, with such divine might, were willing to stain their hands with blood if the cause demanded. Arcane was a might, sourcing from the Divine. Surely, there must exist a path to navigate this contest without taking someone's life!

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The anxieties of the chosen child posed a grave danger if left to fester. Haddock tried to impart solace, offering a few lines of consolation. "Even if sparing Child of Darkness is a possibility, it will hinge upon the circumstances. But since Nostradame's prophecy remains silent on this matter, you still ought to prepare for the worst-case scenario."

"'Sometimes the sacrifice of one person is necessary for the safety of the whole nation'," the lass quoted a line of advice—the one from Eternal Empire, which she was not very fond of. Her gaze shifted to Orb. "I will try my best. No promises, though."

Haddock flashed her a smirk. "Clever girl," he relieved. "And one more thing, Alicia. Albeit Nostradame is the worst astrologist of all time, I've learned that there are other people who are following this Six Children prophecy. Dangerous people, including Agosh Grendi—to Hades with it, they may be the same people behind all the recent ruckuses. Tread this knowledge cautiously."

"I know, I just talked to him earlier," Alicia admitted casually.

"What?" Haddock's voice rose half an octave. "Alas, Alicia! I just asked you not to be careless!"

"I-I'm sorry about that. Really."

"What did you talk to him about?"

"We only talked a little about the prophecy. But he blustered me more with his scorn. Saying that I would rather save the world his way than according to Nostradame's words."

"And you were consumed by all his words?"

"N-no, of course not!"

Haddock sighed and shook his head. "Divine Mercy, Alicia! Never mind, just go back to your place while waiting for the banquet. And please, Alicia, for the sake of Silent Divine, don't bother visiting him again! That person will manipulate you before you even know it!"

"I understand, Grand Magus. I'm so sorry!" Alicia lowered her head and turned toward the exit.

***

The glare of the world altered to the dim moon. A sumptuous banquet should be able to make the wise passengers welcome drowsiness, falling asleep as they hit the mattress. This did not apply to the Crimsonmane girl, who was still contemplating fate. Alicia was enjoying the breeze in the window on the top carriage floor with her ball pal. While gazing at the towering trees, the sound of the sliding door caught her attention. Odelie appeared before her, fresh from Agosh Grendi’s prison carriage.

"Alicia?" she greeted. "Why don’t you go to bed?"

The young lass shook her head. "Am not yet sleepy."

"Bored on the trip, yes? Or... overwhelmed?"

Alicia did not answer, implying an answer for the astrologist. Her eyes were still glued to the offered natural scenery. It was as if she was expecting a monster to suddenly appear so that at least there would be a bit of action on this saturated night.

Odelie then thought of a suggestion. She gently let out a whisper that stimulated Alicia's ears. "Say, Alicia. Would you fancy engaging in something interesting in my room?"

"H-huh?" Alicia leapt up, blood rushing to her cheeks. Again with Odelie's flirtatious sensual charm! Her ambiguous way of speaking made anyone stuck in the wheel of indecision—one could not guess what the lady’s true intentions were! Not caring male or female, who would not go insane when they heard her lenient yet tempting seductions?

Thinking the Crimsonmane girl would decline, she said again, "Is it too far? Hm… or we can just do it in your room—"

"O-Odelie, that's enough!" Alicia rebuked her aloud that even Odelie was petrified in a gaping state. "With all due respect, Odelie, I don't mean to snap at a senior. But please, stop talking to me like that! You make me feel weird, and this is absolute wrong!"

"But I just—" Odelie paused, pondering. Then her laughter rang through the aisle, growing louder as she saw the confusion on the poor lass' face. "Oh, kids these days. Boys, girls, they are all the same. Their minds always branched to unnecessary thoughts. I didn't mean anything, dear. Unless…"

"No!"

Her desire was to toy with Alicia's emotions further. But she suppressed the desire. "Sorry, Alicia. That's not what I meant. I wanted to invite you to read your destiny on tarot cards!" Odelie presented a small white box that appeared to contain a set of cards. "Thought you might appreciate a glimpse into the realm of Astrology."

Alicia had not dared to respond to the offer. Perhaps because Odelie’s exaggerated attempts scared her.

"Maybe you're not interested yet. That's okay, Alicia. Sorry to interrupt your night."

"W-wait…!" cried Alicia when Odelie turned away. Her smooth complexion was still full of hue. "I'd like to see it. In my room. But no funny business!"

Odelie grinned with contentment. Maybe a little teasing—just a smidgen—would not hurt, would it?

"Agreed, no funny business. That, unless you ask—"

"Nae danger!"

Together, they went down to Alicia's room. Odelie settled on the floor and laid the cards out of the box. Alicia was not to be left behind; she retrieved her notebook and stationery from her bag. The magical experience demanded to be documentation. A first step in filling the page of her cherished book.

While shuffling the cards, Odelie posed a question to the petite Crimsonmane, "You often hear of the mystical art of Astrology receiving whispers from the stars, don't you?"

"Mama used to say that. She once said that every astrologist has a star as a friend," Alicia answered.

"Aw, Ailsa's words are really cute! But it's true, we astrologists sometimes tend to think that we have one star guiding our lives. Even though the stars are not that familiar in reality."

Alicia became curious. "Then how do you communicate with the stars?"

"Technically, we don't." After saying that, Odelie closed her eyes. She was still shuffling the cards just before arranging them on the wooden floor. All their visible surfaces were just a blank white mini canvas.

"We use our mana in order to connect with its greater owner. Greater than the order of the universe, even gods themselves—The Existence. We can feel it even though we don't see it. We know it is because we exist. And because we exist, then that's where The Existence is. We believe that The Existence transcends any deity, for it possesses something gods cannot do: writing destiny."

"Hold on…," cut Alicia. “Is this Existence basically a Silent Divine?”

“Lots of theories are floating around about that, indeed. It can't be helped. The worship of Westerners like Camelot and the Eternal Empire is as abstract as the concept of The Existence entity. But we don't uphold those theories yet. I believe in Divine Solitude, but Existence is more than a god…"

"Hm… Because you don't regard The Existence as an idol?"

“Smart girl! Gods may be omniscient about fate, but it is The Existence that creates destiny. Gods rule and reign, but The Existence, it thinks and watches. Its mind creates storylines about branching universes, and The Existence watches how the course of the history of a universe goes according to the branches traversed like an experiment without a final conclusion."

Alicia's room had only one light near the desk and another near the carriage door. However, their spotlight must be seized by a sprinkling of stardust full of colours that appeared from nothing—the work of Odelie from a kind of meditation she did. It was impossible for Alicia not to show a wide grin and her eyes beaming at this phenomenon.

While Alicia was astonished, Odelie continued, "Astrologists attempt to connect to The Existence, not to unite with it—for we ourselves are part of The Existence—but to share in witnessing the path of destiny through The Existence's lens. By knowing what creative stories The Existence tells us, we gain a glimpse inspiration of what has happened, is, and will happen to a person or an event. All inspiration is described by the human senses through the signs around us. Through the ground, the stars, even on this blank card."

Like an excited child, Alicia exclaimed, "Ergo, divination!"

The golden specks enveloping the room descended onto the card like ethereal snowflakes. The flakes covered the deck of cards before disappearing into a golden mist that diffused throughout the room.

Alica asked once more, "So what are we going to do with these cards?"

Odelie grinned and responded, "We're going to get a glimpse of your future, of course!" []