Passing through layer upon layer of mistlike transparent curtains, the small boat carrying "Hermit" Cattleya gradually entered warmer waters. The drastic change in temperature left a thin mist on her glasses and coated the unmanned boat in a slippery film of water.
Within this space, enclosed by an invisible curtain and completely cut off from the outside, an island covered in dense vegetation stood amid seawater as warm as an equatorial current. The boat slowly docked at the pier, and Cattleya followed a woodland path perpetually shrouded in mist deeper into the island.
Throughout the journey, she kept feeling a concerned gaze cast upon her from deep within the Spirit World. Shadows also occasionally flashed across the lenses she had wiped clean again, but within the isolated Ideal Land, perhaps these were all illusions.
Since they were dealing with a group of "Warlocks" proficient in prophecy, neither the respected Mr. Fool nor the powerful Miss Empress would make any actual attempts to probe or protect her before Cattleya truly requested help, lest they alert their enemies.
My task is to get as close as possible to the core area, to the member of the Ten Pillars on duty this month... Cattleya swiftly concealed her thoughts and swept her gaze over the lush trees lining the path. Their branches were laden with golden apples that made her mouth water.
Before long, she arrived at the foot of a black tower deep within the forest.
This stone tower, whose arrowlike tip soared into the clouds, was the true "headquarters" of the Moses Ascetic Order. The doors at its base stood half open, and a group of expressionless people in Warlock robes was walking out. Upon seeing Cattleya, a newly appointed member of the Ten Pillars, they nodded in silent greeting.
They were