Meanwhile, in Ye Wei'an's room.
"Master! Master!" Ailian burst into the room like a whirlwind. She didn't even have time to wipe the fine sweat from her forehead before hurrying up to Ye Wei'an, her cheeks flushed. "Do you know what everyone's saying outside?"
Ye Wei'an was poring over the documents and maps they'd captured that day. Without looking up, he chuckled. "Probably that today's sausages were too dry, or that the ale somewhere else tastes better... What else could they talk about?"
"That's not it!" Ailian waved her hands anxiously. "I was eavesdropping behind the campfire for ages. Everyone says you must be a chosen one sent by the gods! Lord Cain said you have mastered the 'Art of War,' and the others are arguing over which god is blessing you. They're saying all sorts of wild things—even that you're so handsome because the Goddess of Magic favors that sort!"
At this, Ailian lowered her head, a little embarrassed, and muttered, "But... I think they're right, too. Ever since you left Suzail, you've grown so powerful, and so many people have followed you. It really does seem like a miracle."
Lina, who had been checking the spoils list with a quill, couldn't help setting it down when she heard that.
She propped her chin up elegantly and teased him with a half-smile. "Listen to them, Master. Your 'followers' have nearly named every god in the pantheon as your patron. So, as the one behind all these miracles, shouldn't you tell your most loyal maid which deity is protecting you? Or perhaps... which goddess favors you?"
"No god." Ye Wei'an sat in his armchair and casually closed the ancient book in his hands. Looking at the two pairs of curious eyes, he smiled faintly. "In this age of silence from