The Kingdom of Tirheaarn is located directly south of the Empire of Rousse from the northern hemisphere of the planet. From the north, northeast, and west of the Empire of Rousse are all allied kingdom where they already spread their religious belief and already influenced them.

As for the Kingdom of Tirheaarn, they are in good terms with the biggest kingdom in the continent, the Kingdom of Ecklan by the south. However, Tirheaarn Kingdom, as it said, is only in good terms; not allied. The sister Kingdom of Tirheaarn is the Kingdom of Medd by the east. Although it was called sister kingdom, they are allied with no one and their stance is currently at neutral. By the west of the Kingdom of Tirrheaarn is an expanse of woods where they hunt for their resources.

While the Kingdom of Tirheaarn greatly relies on hunting wild animals and the natural resources such as plants for consumption and woodwork, the Empire of Rousse utilizes the great expanses of their land for agriculture throughout their territory. But before these two Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Ecklan has managed to reign over both resources on their own way. The Kingdom of Ecklan is also said to have advanced in regards to a lot of things such as everyday utility and convenient stuff. The Empire of Rousse couldn’t get any connection with the Kingdom of Ecklan as the Kingdom of Tirheaarn is in the way.

The reason why the Empire of Rousse waged war against the Kingdom of Tirheaarn is that of their intervention of the Empire’s influence towards the Kingdom of Ecklan as well as their firm believes that the Gauls, the citizens of the Kingdom of Tirheaarn, are heretical.

The Emperor of the Empire of Rousse, Nazrhal Roma Rousse the Third, together with his five generals, is leading the war head-on against King Cuh Rux’s and his five Elders of Gaul. Despite the expanse and vast field of the Empire of Rousse, the stiff and deep forest of the Kingdom of Tirheaarn became a natural fortress that made it impossible for them to outright invade for many years.

“Little Aster, what’s the point of reading the history and logs between our kingdom and the Empire of Rousse? As we said, we do not intend to use you as anything detrimental for you.” Doiteain firmly said as she leans towards me.

“I’m curious. What prowess does the Empire of Rousse have that the Kingdom of Tirheaarn doesn’t have? What does a Divine Beast’s intervention mean that gave you a huge disadvantage in this war? Also, how were you able to summon me into this world?” Those thoughts have been circulating inside my head for the past week now.

I tried asking the Elder Iarann about the records regarding the Divine Beasts but as they said, there’s only a few of it. They haven’t met any Divine Beasts other than me. They also mentioned that the Empire of Rousse managed to get their hands on a Divine Beast; the same as me.

“Granny, how were you able to summon me into this world? Is there anything I should know about the Divine Beast the Empire of Rousse is keeping?” I ask those lingering thoughts inside my mind to Doiteain.

“First of all, we don’t have any records about the summoning of the Divine Beast, however, we were able to get hold of how the Empire of Rousse did it. Be as it may, it took us twenty years to perfectly imitate the process. The materials are costly and the time allocated to its preparation reckons all of our attention.” Doiteain told me while she took a seat beside me while taking the book off my hands. The wooden chair I was sitting on move a little to her direction as she starts combing my hair with her hand.

“…I see.” I can sense that Doiteain doesn’t want to leak any information to me and just vaguely described the hardship they went through. Of course, I don’t have any rights to pursue the topic so I just reluctantly nodded on her words.

“As for the Empire of Rousse’s Divine Beasts, well, there are vague details regarding that personage but there are indications that it’s because of her, the Empire rose to its power.” Doiteain referred to the Divine Beast of the Empire as her, meaning, it’s also a girl.

“Everything coming out from you and everyone are always vague…” I complained as it leads me to nothing. I desperately wanted to know more about this place and everyone’s circumstances.

“I’m sorry, little Aster. Unless the entirety of the elders actually agrees upon the information to be leaked to you, I cannot say anything. There’s the possibility that the empire might capture you. Intel said that there’s a change in their usual movements. They may have sensed that another Divine Beast appeared.” Doiteain gave me a gaze of anxiousness. For what reason, I do not know why.

“Please tell me about this so I know the degree of questions I’ll ask…” I told Doiteain since I don’t want to make her or anyone in the Gaul Elders uncomfortable with my barrage of questions.

“Child, you are still trying to read the mood of people? That’s what children afraid of their parents do. Anyway, let’s go. It’s time for your exercise.” I nodded upon Doiteain’s words.

She slid the chair out of the table and daintily holds my body to support me. I used her strong arms as my support to prop myself up while slowly trying to advance my feet. I can feel my feet pushing onto the ground but I still lack the sense of balance to stand by myself. Despite Doiteain’s age showing on her countenance, her arms are as strong as iron despite its appearance.

She was assisting me in walking since I can’t walk on my own yet. Baby steps they may call it but I am happy just knowing that I have legs to use. It means that not long after, I can walk, run, and jump on my own.

It was all thanks to Doiteain’s support that I was able to slowly learn how to walk again. Domhan comes from time to time to check on me and Elder Iarann occasionally visits to inspect any changes on me. The reason they determined that I am indeed a Divine Beast is that the presence of Faes or nature’s spirits that are gathering around me. I had Doiteain described how the Faes looks like and she said they are like floating cottons of varying colors. The average Faes that will follow a person is only around five or less; Domhan told me that I have more than hundreds.

Doiteain explained to me that Faes are an existence akin to air. They are everywhere but hidden to the naked eyes. Faes acts as a medium for runes and spellcraft as they weave the formation to initialize the spell. She also told me that since Faes rarely attach themselves with anyone, there are limits to one's spell or rune mastery. After all, Faes are the medium for communication with nature and they drew out energy from the caster to perform the basic spellcraft.

The reason the Elders are using precious stones are in fact, to store a spell for ready use, however, there’s also the issue of the availability of the Faes in certain locations, especially outside of Tirheaarn’s territory.

An ordinary soldier of the Kingdom of Tirheaarn at least has two or three Faes with them that gives them various advantages in battles. The Faes are categorized depending on their disposition. They are classified through element such as water, fire, earth, wood, and iron. There are also special Faes that are considered special and they are Faes of the sun, moon, and stars. Their effect on an individual greatly varies because each Faes adjusts to match their hosts.

As for King Cuh Rux, he only has three Faes. However, those Faes are moon, iron, and earth. It was a special combination of Faes that King Cuh Rux was regarded as the strongest Gaul warrior and hunter.

“Granny, do you think I can learn how to use spellcraft?” I abruptly asked while steadying my gait on a handrail along the corridor of the castle while Doiteain still holds my body.

“That depends if the Faes are going to abide by your command. Faes may be attracted to you but think of it like a moth merely flying around a lamp because it’s mesmerizing. If that’s how the Faes sees you, unfortunately, the chances are going to be slim.” Doiteain answered deftly with a little bit of grumbling.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“I shouldn’t expect too much of myself then.” I said while feeling a little crestfallen. Doiteain pats me on the back to appease the growing feeling of helplessness.

While we are walking across the corridor of the castle, the servants of the castle greet us with a bow as we meet on the way. In my life living her for a week, the Elders certainly made it that I am highly respected and regarded as a personage equal to or greater than the king.

The castle itself isn’t something majestic but rather, it was to be expected from the Gauls. It was built like a fortress attached to a large tree. The interior is made out of stone and wood. The woodwork however is astonishing as it’s both smooth and sturdy. The floor is made out of ashen tiles and the walls vary from the trunk of the large tree to the smooth surface of earthen wall. Lastly, the ceiling is made out of wood with several piles of shaven log as support.

Because of that, the scent of earth and wood are mixing together creating a natural harmony that bequeaths an environmental camaraderie.

This was all possible because of the Elders, the Druids of Gaul.

“Granny, there are five Druids, right? I have seen Domhan, Elder Iarann, and you. So, where are the other two? Aren’t you supposed to be fighting alongside King Cuh Rux?” As curiosity pushes me, I once again asked a barrage of questions.

“Yes, a week ago, I was in the zone, fighting against those dastardly Rousse troops. I was commanding a battalion to push them back. I was able to do so but three days after, we lost the battle of attrition and we are forced to retreat. Iarann is Cuh’s aide so he is always with him, even now in the zone. Domhan is responsible for the fortification of our defenses so I doubt he stays in one place.” Doiteain explained it to me. Come to think of it, even now, she is still wearing leather armor under her cape.

“How about the other two?” I followed.

“Well, Elder Uisce is currently venturing towards the Kingdom of Ecklan for another talk of international relations and a union. For the past years, we’ve been trying to gain the favor of the Kingdom of Ecklan but to no avail, we could just increase the commodity that we can trade with them which is still important.” Doiteain said while heaving a heavy sigh.

“Commodities? Is that the reason we have soap and shampoos localized in our kingdom? There are also various items that I do believe that is not from here given the natural disposition of the forest.” I once again asked like a curious child.

“Condiments and such, of course. Our climate differs from one another. The Kingdom of Ecklan harbors a tropical climate that enables them to grow various plants and to continuously cater a large plot of lands for farming. They have advanced further than the Empire of Rousse when it comes to economics and militaristic. Gaining their favors is sure to give us a sliver of hope.” A glint appears on Doiteain’s eyes indicating that she honestly hopes for peace to be brought to her land.

“Then, what about the last elder?” I followed through.

“Elder Adhmad is also on a quest to create internal relations with the Kingdom of Medd. While they are a sister kingdom, the Queen of the Kingdom of Medd is quite persistent in keeping her neutrality. At the very least, we wanted them to cater for our people who might lose their homes; a place they can evacuate at their borders.” She bitterly spat those words, as if she is keeping a hate towards the Queen of the Kingdom of Medd.

“About the Queen of Medd…” I reluctantly tried to throw another question.

“Queen Sifer has the worst attitude in the lands but her people don’t suffer from anything in particular. In fact, because they don’t have anything to boast about but nothing to be berated at, they are targeted less by the Empire. At most, they were offered to become a part of the empire in the past but Queen Sifer slept her way through the discussion.” Doiteain’s anger shows on her face as it feels like it’s fuming with rage. I don’t quite get why she needs to be so enraged by the action of a Queen who literally saved her own kingdom; though the method is questionable at most.

“In other words, Queen Sifer is a slut who offered night service?” I don’t want to assume it knowingly so I double take a question.

“She’s a wench who, despite her misdoings, is protected by four Faes. She has a moon, star, fire, and wood Faes protecting her. She doesn’t have any abilities in battle but she is sided with luck. That’s who she is and it’s frustrating.” Doiteain uttered like she is cursing.

“The real reason you are angry?” I asked just in case.

“She’s married with my great, great, great grandson.” Doiteain, somehow, held herself from spitting profanity.

I knew that Doiteain has an abnormal number of age. I’d be furious too if I heard that my grandson’s wife is sleeping with other men. That could also mean that the Queen of the Kingdom of Medd is an extremely beautiful and attractive woman.

“At least your son is safe with her.” I mindlessly said to Doiteain. Contrary to my expectation that she’ll get furious, she only made a wry smile before brushing the top of my head.

“If you put it that way, I guess I’m a little relieved, thank you little Aster. Although I’m still hoping that they could have a better taste for women, especially on the character.” Doiteain lightly complains. “Yeah, hope they aim for someone sweet like you.” She added.

I don’t think I’ve said something worth getting complimented. It was a reality that if her relative stays in a war-free zone, then he is safe; at least from the war, not from anything else that we may factor inside the border of that kingdom.

Queen Sifer, although Doiteain said that she has a bad personality, doesn’t really seem to despite her. I think it’s like what a doting elder would do their young relatives that they are close with. Queen Sifer is playing a role; a purpose that kept her people safe.

Even if she is essentially different from King Cuh Rux, she is definitely a ruler.

These thoughts are fresh for me and it is really stimulating my mind to create new ideas. However, even with all of this, I want to do something.

“Granny, it’s been a week now but I still haven’t done anything yet in particular.” I uttered bitterly while grasping the railing on the corridor.

“Don’t be in such a rush. It’s only been a week since you came. Don’t make it sound like you are wasting time here with me. Studying what culture we have and our affairs on your own is already commendable.” Doiteain rebutted; almost like she is scolding me.

“There’s no real achievement to that unless I produce some kind of result…” I talked back while looking down with a crestfallen countenance.

“You sure are a difficult child. Domhan would actually be scratching his nose if he heard that.” Doiteain grumbles as she scratches her cheeks with an extremely troubled face. It doesn’t look good.

“I’m sorry. On top of becoming needy, I am causing you more trouble; far from the worth of your time.” I apologized since it’s an unbecoming behavior that I showed.

Upon my words, Doiteain widens her eyes in a perplexed and flabbergasts emotion as she placed her hand on her hip.

“A woody hag like me making a little lass like you to be worried over nothing. Tsk.” She said before picking me up with one hand and cradle me like a princess.

“Ah—“ From her sudden action, I let out a small gasp as my body rests on her strong and firm arms. I finally noticed that Domhan wasn’t the only tall one; Doiteain also got a perplexing height that I literally feel like I was lifted into the air.

“Then let’s put it like this from now on since you are calling me granny and all, just act like my grandchild and let me spoil you for all my heart cares.” Doiteain smiles as she started walking at a fast pace.

Back in my world, even my grandmother wouldn’t smile for me like this. There was a huge discrepancy between her and Doiteain that couldn’t react properly as I am unfamiliar with it. From that start, calling Doiteain as granny was something she said so herself but honestly, how do I act like a grandchild?

“That won’t pass. It still feels like I have achieved nothing.” I insisted.

“Hoho? Achieved nothing?! You invigorated this old fool’s merriness! I, a Druid of the Gauls, become so relaxed around you. Won’t you give me the proper treatment I deserve as your granny?” Doiteain spins around happily and momentarily burrows her face between my ears. “These are so fluffy too.” She added.

“It tickles…Also, I don’t know how I should treat you. Do I need to prove something to you?” Doiteain shook her head while her face is still burrowed on my head.

“You don’t need to prove anything. Just become the grandchild that is dear to me. I believe you are a sincere and honest child and that makes me value you more than ever. Divine Beast or not, I think you deserve a lot of things you didn’t get from your previous life.” She said as she pushes my head towards her in an embrace. A gentle and warm shock flows throughout my body.

It was awkward, deep, and a little bit stingy and scary. Despite all of those complaining words, I didn’t feel a single strand of loneliness biting into my heart.

However, there was still something nagging in the corner of my mind. Was this really okay? Is this really all I can do? Is this all the worth I can become? Not only to Doiteain; not only to Domhan; but also to everyone.

Since I was in Doiteain’s cradle as we traverse the corridor, I couldn’t do any exercise to walk, however, I do feel like I gained something important.

But not long after that…

“Elder Doiteain. I have a message from Elder Iarann from the main zone.” A soldier carrying a parchment met us on the way. He deftly handed it to Doiteain and bowed down before leaving.

Since she can’t read it with me hindering her, she needs to put me down so she walks a little bit more to find a chair for me. As she found that I am comfortable on my seat, she started to unfurl the parchment and read it as fast as lightning.

I immediately saw it in her eyes; the shock, the terror, eyes tinged with anxiety and fear. I can only go with the assumption that the situation is way worse than we expected.

“Granny, what’s wrong?” I asked just to confirm what she had read.

“The empire made recourse on their ranks and starts piling up a huge army. I need to return to the front as quickly as possible. It is as we suspected, little Aster. Your existence stirred something in them and they are now in panic…” Doiteain bitterly said while gritting her teeth.

At this rate, I am going to be left alone here at the castle. The Elders of Gauls are one with its force and King Cuh Rux leads them. They said that I don’t need to do anything but I can’t sense anything fulfilling with my current situation.

I shall not let that…

“Granny, please take me there, to the front line.” I said to Doiteain with eyes filled with seriousness.