Alicia might crown the Vanaheim Station as the most exquisite station ever conceived.

With such a jaw-dropping interior, Alicia might as well be in a world beyond her own. White alabaster walls carved with intricate gold and min triquetras weave span all the way to the station's edge. Each trinity knot interlaced with another, forming a complex pattern that spoiled the beholder's gaze. The ceiling itself projected a breathtaking vista of the motley cosmos expanse, supported by sinewy grey tubing. The polished ebony tiles reflected the dome above; those at the station were staring into the cosmos as if they were treading through it. A flaming desire grew inside Alicia to walk amongst the stars.

Not so much a mishap this time, but Alicia and the others found themselves in a prolonged state of anticipation before being granted permission to disembark from the train. Only Odelie and Haddock were allowed to venture forth, and that was only because they had to deal with the border officers. Even within the confines of the train, Alicia could catch the whiffs of lavender wafting in from outside the carriage. So soothing and redolent, that she could almost lull herself to sleep while observing the passing crowd.

The local civil guards were sure cosy with the astrologer, Alicia noted from the window. Could their proximity to Odelie be due to their involvement in some form of erotic dalliance? Even though she knew well of Odelie's genuine kindness towards all. The spectacled lass' speculations upon them were all too wild, yet she was the one with the blush on her face.

They all suddenly regarded Alicia—some of the station officers, even. Soon they dispersed and the Magisterium representatives returned.

"What happened? Why are they looking at me like that?" Alicia inquired of Haddock and Odelie.

"Oh, dear Alicia, you won't believe what's going to happen!" Odelie became enthusiastic. "Ready or not, you will be worshipped like a goddess here!"

“R-really? Oh no...” A strange feeling lingered within her. She imagined the possible ungainly times when they would bow like servants and commoners, and then recite a prayer for the goddess's blessing.

"Ladies, we don't have time for that," Haddock snapped. "Come, gather your belongings. They shall escort us to our chosen residency."

“Your Honourable Grand Magus, H-how about...” Alicia raised her finger towards the very back of the carriage.

"Ah... Yes, he was also escorted, but to a different place. Rest assured, dear. Our place will be more comfortable than his."

As the engine carriage carried them across the flyover, Alicia had the opportunity to witness the grandeur of Vanaheim up close. Towering acute edifices ruled the cityscape, and their walls were embellished with delicate rune carvings. If compared to the stark cities of Camelot, Alicia could not help but perceive the housing in her birthland was akin to a den of thieves, where every alley was dreary and suffocating the souls. She also saw many unique settlements built on huge trees—giant tree houses! This would certainly be a playground haven for the bairns born in Camelot's settlements.

As far as the eye could see, the city was devoid of homelessness or any discernible social divides. How could they not, almost every one of their homes was filled with woven lines covered in glistening gems and diamonds. And if the dazzling twinkles were not enough, each abode boasted a rooftop botanical garden or cascading vines that formed magnificent curtains for the houses. Remarkably, these vines harmonised perfectly with the opulence of those precious stones.

One more thing; the Crimsonmane girl was probably most amazed by the absence of the term "wild animals" within this urban expanse. Wild boars, wolves, even bears roamed the streets as if they were part of the verdant metropolis. What enchantment could be responsible for such harmony? It appeared that all creatures entering Vanaheim were aware that they had entered neutral territory. No pounces were seen, just the typical navigation of personal affairs and social interactions with inherent common sense. Golden-tattooed Audumbla cows nursing human toddlers in the park was rather a common phenomenon here.

They were transported to a lodging facility within the magical heart of Vanaheim—a towering skyscraper crafted from unadorned concrete, yet adorned with an array of meticulously inscribed runes in varying sizes. Regardless of their scale, each rune found its place in an orderly fashion. What elevated the aesthetics of the otherwise boring grey structure was the ethereal blue glow emanating from these ancient characters.

While she waited, Alicia was leaning against a dark stone ledge, aglow with a cerulean hue, alongside Haddock. What lay in front of her was far from the splendorous landscapes of the diamond-like glimmers of Vanaheim. Instead, the balcony afforded her a view of snowy mountain peaks.

"Even though we're in the middle of the city, looking at this magical scene… It looks so real!" Alicia reached her hand outside the balcony, greeted by the chilling touch of snowflakes. "See, even my hands are freezing, snow’s falling on them. Nae wonder Vanir is one of the leading magic centres in Europa!"

Haddock returned her with a smile. "Don't you think this scene is quite familiar?"

"Familiar? I told you this is my first time jaunting, Grand Magus!"

"Come now, I daresay you've delved into enough books and maps to recognise what lies before your very eyes."

Cold panorama with steep plains and vast frozen seas. In the middle of the sea, a cluster of rocks jutted defiantly, reaching towards the mist-laden ocean until they vanished from sight. Though time had weathered the hues upon these colossal pebbles, Alicia could discern that each long row of stones bore a distinct colour. The undeniable mark of a skilled artist was evident in their arrangement.

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"Why are these stones arranged like a… bridge?" Alicia posed her rhetorical question while pointing at the stones. She squinted, imagining everything she had just seen to match all the scriptures she had read. High mounds enshrouded in blizzards, and vibrant stone bridges. In an instant, the revelation dawned upon her.

"We're looking at the view from the mountaintop of Himinbjörg! And those rocks aren't mere rocks! They're bridge ruins! B-Bifrost? T-Then, the end of the bridge…"

As always, Haddock marvelled at the knowledge of the Crimsonmane girl, though to him, this was nothing more than trivial information. “Yep, the bridge ends in No Man's Land, which used to be The Court of Ans—the flowering land in the middle of the tundra, the sacred city of the extinct Æsir tribe. And if we keep faring, the fog and blizzard will only get thicker. That's where we are in the Land of Giants, which the Children of Syvatogor trod—Magavostok, the Black Alliance nation."

The girl's eyes slowly opened wide. Her mouth gaped as her eyes moved. The first time she explored a region outside of her homeland, she was literally brought right to the front lines of the Great War! From the vast sea to the No Man's Land, the region was once the centre of the massacre between the Allies of the Eternal Empire and the Black Alliance, not long before the girl was born into the world. As long as she lived, this dark period had been on hiatus. It had not been seen either side deploying troops in over a decade.

However, this did not mean that the two factions entered a truce. No, there was no peace treaty between them. The two of them were on their furlough while waiting to see who threw the warhead first. Alicia could not fathom why the Vanirs could still relax at the forefront. She hoped that Divine would not be too mean to her to receive a mana bomb as a gift from another country.

Before Alicia could say anything else, a pair of giant doors behind them creaked. The glaring light that spilled forth from the opening was obstructed momentarily by the silhouette of a figure clad in white and green ceremonial garb, with long braided pale yellow hair.

"The Order of Edda, protectors of the realm of Vanir, would like to welcome you all upon the hallowed grounds of the Tree of Knowledge!" declared the individual, revealing himself to be a man.

The man turned and Haddock placed a guiding hand on Alicia's shoulder, leading her and the others inside. Passing through the gigantic door, Alicia was again struck by all the splendour of the Tree of Knowledge's grounds. The colossal ash tree in the middle of the building, its branches reaching towards the sky unhindered by a roof, already stood as a sight of grandeur. Noteworthy was the reverence bestowed upon the tree, evident in the surrounding park adorned with terraces bearing intricate wall patterns reminiscent of the station's walls. The field was sprawled with vividly coloured wildflowers, accompanied by a myriad of dark butterflies that provided a striking contrast. As the proverbial icing on the cake, the upper sections of the walls were embellished with golden paintings depicting the sagas of the Vanir, each panel seamlessly interconnected until they culminated in a monumental artwork directly behind the Tree of Knowledge—a portrayal of Njord and his two children, Frō and Fruowa, Vanir's revered patrons.

Meanwhile, before Alicia and the others, a gathering had assembled, comprised of Vanir magi and elders (and a few bears), engaged in animated conversations amongst themselves. Clad in verdant robes, their heads mostly veiled, they represented the esteemed Order of Edda, which turned out to be filled with activists of Druidism—a mystic art rooted in nature and fertility, which the Vanir held in high esteem.

One of the elders presented his face to the Magisterium, his face defined as if carved by a sculptor, with a prominent chin, and a chain-woven tattoo carved around his right eye. Displaying a newfound firmness, he extended his greetings. "So, the Magisterium of Arcane Plane has arrived," he stated. "Please, reiterate once more, what brings you to seek the waters from the Tree of Knowledge?"

"Should I say it?" whispered Odelie to Haddock.

"Let me," replied the Grand Magus. The Master of the Magisterium stepped forward, facing the druids. "Greetings, Elder Broin. Greetings, dignitaries of the Order of Edda. I represent the Magisterium of Arcane Plane, and would like to beg your compassion for a sip of the Tree of Knowledge's holy water for this girl, in order to find the whereabouts of those mentioned in a prophecy."

Elder Broin studied the crimson-haired young woman with an unwavering countenance. "So, you're the one chosen by the Arcane outside the Eternal Empire? The one that stopped the plague of the undead in Eidyn?"

Haddock leaned close to the girl's ear. "Show them Orb."

“Really? A-alright...”

Alicia opened her bag and raised her radiant Arcane globe. Twinkling stars overflowed the botanical gardens without exception!

Nothing could ever rival the divine radiance of Arcane. Not even the splendour of gold or shimmering diamonds. All the druids fell down. Some, like Broin, even had tears in their eyes. Never before had they felt Arcane's presence so intimately, right within the very place they were born and raised. It was as if the childish hearts of the Vanir longed for this sacred blessing to return home to them.

"This child is a godsent from Ygaldin!"

Nothing could explain the feeling of deep joy between them. A whole host of members of the order—including the bears—prostrated, their lips touching the ground in humble reverence. All worship to Orb and its chosen one. That was all they could express to the gods for answering their ancestors' prayers.

Alicia took a step back, overwhelmed by surprise, touched by their devotion, and humbled by their flattery. Yet, she could not accept such excessive adulation when she felt she had done nothing to deserve it. With great discomfort, Alicia implored the druids, "G-good sires, please stand up! Please, there's no need to prostrate like that!"

Broin rose from his prostration with moist eyes. "We appreciate your humility, Young Lady. But this joy cannot be contained. For centuries we have prayed for Ygaldin's Light, warmer than the sun, to grace the land of the Vanir once more. And it feels like the prayer has come true. Ygaldin is pleased to visit us through you!"

"I understand if you worship Orb, but I am unworthy of such praise. I've never delivered to you any merits."

The old druid walked with his cane, up the steps, and held out his bony hand to the girl.

"Bringing pure Arcane to us is your greatest merit, Lady...?"

"Alicia Crimosmane, sir."

"Lady Crimsonmane. And we trust you to return to great service. Bringing peace to the Vanir, and to the world of thaumaturgy. We shall lend aid in whatever manner possible to aid thee in fulfilling your obligations."

The Grand Magus nodded to Alicia to accept Broin's invitation. She dared to hold the elder's hand, allowing herself to be guided one step closer to the Tree of Knowledge. []