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Elufiel thought for a moment. "Then tell me about the distribution of powers across the continent."

Odovish nodded and took out a topographical map. "As you wish. Let us begin with the nations."

"The three most powerful nations on the continent are the Sith Duchy west of the San Lorenzo Mountains, the Halor Kingdom where we are, and the Podol United Kingdom at the southernmost end of the continent. The Podol United Kingdom consists of several small duchies, with the High Council holding all power while the king is little more than a figurehead."

As the mage spoke, his finger moved across the map, giving Elufiel a fairly intuitive grasp of Kanado. The continent was an irregular quadrilateral surrounded by endless seas, while the San Lorenzo Mountains almost stretched across it from east to west. At the time, Elufiel had yet to realize just how precious the map in the mage's hands was.

"The founder of the Sith Duchy was a legendary hero granted a noble title. Even now, bards still sing of his deeds. Thus, everyone in the Sith Duchy revered martial prowess, making it a paradise for adventurers."

"As for the Halor Kingdom where we are, it was originally a small nation that prospered through its thriving trade. Later, during the War of Light, it became known throughout the continent as the main nation supporting the Holy See. Strictly speaking, its rise began three hundred years ago. At the same time, Halor is also the Holy See's primary stronghold. The monarchy is said to be divinely ordained, and for the past three hundred years, every king has needed the pope's recognition to legitimately ascend the throne."

A faint hint of mockery flashed through the mage's eyes as he spoke of this. Had Elufiel not been watching his face so attentively, she would not have noticed it, for his voice was always detached and calm, like that of a scholar unconcerned with worldly affairs.

"What was the War of Light? A war led by the Holy See?" Elufiel asked.

The mage lowered his eyes and leaned against the carriage wall in silence for a long while. "I do not know how to tell you that story. It was the source and beginning of arcane decline, the Battle of Twilight in the eyes of arcane casters. From then on, our world sank into darkness. It was the ascension and coronation of divine magic, a war of justice in the eyes of the faithful. They crushed evil and brought light and gospel to the world."

"So it was, in fact, an Arcane-Divine Conflict." The elf looked at the mage. "I am sorry, but I still cannot understand why these two systems of magic needed to clash."

"Perhaps it was human greed and ambition. There are arcane casters among elves and dwarves as well, yet they remain members of their races. It is only humans..." The mage ended the subject. He lifted the curtain and glanced outside. "We are almost at Bitter City. We will get out beyond the city walls. You will need a little trick to conceal your ears."

Elufiel rubbed her long ears. Since the mage had told her to keep as low a profile as possible, she had brought no accessories apart from the storage bracelet on her wrist. The dress she wore was local clothing the mage had bought for her. Its brown outer skirt was very thick but somewhat scratchy. Although Elufiel wore an enchanted gauze robe beneath it, the collar still pricked her from time to time.

"How should I do it? Could I not simply cover them with a hat?"

"I am afraid not. We will be staying here for two days. Wearing a hat indoors would still easily arouse suspicion." Odovish took out an earring. Its fiery red gemstone had been cut to perfection, and Elufiel's eyes immediately lit up.

"I have placed a confusion spell on this earring. No one will see the pointed tips that mark you as an elf." The mage held the earring out to Elufiel.

Elufiel picked up the earring. Pure arcane energy traveled through her fingertips and into her mind, and she let out a deep breath. She had to restrain herself, or she might really do something like drain all the magic from the earring. Perhaps she should ask the mage to make some specialized enchanted items to solve her magic addiction problem.

Odovish watched Elufiel put the earring on the tip of her left ear. The fiery red stood out vividly against skin white as snow. For certain reasons, he did not tell the elf that he himself was unaffected by confusion spells. His gaze lingered around her ear for a while. Sure enough, compared with the vibrant green favored by Kanado's native elves, vivid red suited Elufiel far better.

Not far from Bitter City's gates, Odovish and Elufiel got out of the carriage and continued on foot. Elufiel watched Odovish pay the "coachman" as an ordinary employer would, except there seemed to be some sort of note tucked into the payment.

"Do not be curious. Since old Carl entrusted Gelin to me, I ought to guide her studies." As he spoke, Odovish led Elufiel toward the city gates to line up for entry.

They had set out early in the morning, so they arrived well before late. The line at the gates was not short, and judging by their clothes, most of the people were commoners.

"Bitter City holds three-day fairs in the middle and at the end of every month. Most of the nearby commoners come to attend. Local specialties, food, and other seasonal goods are sold at the fairs."

"I see." Elufiel noticed that quite a few people around them carried large bags and bundles. It seemed they were not merely buyers at the fair, but sellers as well.

"Next." The guard soon called for Odovish and Elufiel.

Odovish registered their identities with practiced ease. Elufiel saw him write the names Oli and Ivy in the registry, then take out two plaques and hand them to the guard for inspection. After confirming that everything was in order, the guard let them through.

"Oli?" After they had walked some distance, Elufiel circled the mage once. Odovish merely glanced at her before handing the two plaques to her.