"Telepathy?"
Karl El's heart instantly tightened, his instincts flaring with alertness.
The voice had not traveled through the air. There were no vibrations, no sound waves for his ears to catch. Instead, it had bypassed all physical senses and echoed directly within his consciousness.
In this world, such an ability was generally categorized as an advanced Psychic Probe, a rare and dangerous power. Karl El had encountered similar techniques before, though never on this level.
Dean Hen Gedymdeith had personally gifted him three powerful Magical Artifacts. One of them was specifically designed to defend against mental interference, psychic intrusion, and spiritual probing. Karl El always wore it close to his body, never removing it even while resting.
The artifacts crafted by Dean Hen Gedymdeith were legendary. Their power and refinement were leagues beyond the equipment used by ordinary sorcerers.
And yet—
This mysterious voice had pierced straight through those defenses without the slightest resistance, resounding clearly inside his mind.
Karl El's expression remained calm, but inwardly, a chill crept up his spine.
What kind of existence is capable of this?
Unknown entities meant unknown risks. Acting recklessly in the face of the unfamiliar was foolish, especially when one had too much to lose. After a brief moment of deliberation, Karl El made a decision.
He would ignore it.
Gently squeezing the horse's flanks, Karl El urged Night Wind forward. The black warhorse responded immediately, increasing its pace as they continued along the road, heading away from the outskirts of Vizima and toward the distant village ahead.
If the voice meant trouble, leaving the area quickly was the safest option.
"Wait."
The voice sounded again.
"Messenger of the Goddess, please stay your steps."
This time, the tone was different—soft, feminine, and tinged with a faint urgency. There was no hostility in it, only an earnest plea.
"I have no ill will," the voice continued. "I sincerely ask for your help."
Karl El's pace slowed almost imperceptibly.
The voice paused, as though carefully choosing its next words, then offered something more—information.
"Perhaps you have heard the legend of the Lady of the Lake and the Five Virtues of Knighthood? I am the Nymph from that story."
Karl El's heart stirred.
The Lady of the Lake.
The legends were well known across the Northern Kingdoms—tales of noble knights who embodied the Five Virtues and were guided, tested, or rewarded by mysterious lake spirits. These Nymphs, guardians of nature and water, were said to act as intermediaries between the mortal world and higher powers.
But what truly unsettled him was not her identity.
It was how she had addressed him.
Messenger of the Goddess.
And more than that—she seemed aware of his contact with Meritelli.
That knowledge was dangerously confidential. Aside from Karl El himself, only Nenneke should have known of that encounter.
This Nymph knew far too much.
Karl El slowly eased Night Wind to a slower pace. Turning his head slightly, he looked toward the side of the road, where dense woodland stretched into the distance. Between the trees, faint wisps of mist rose, carrying the unmistakable scent of water.
His eyes narrowed.
Karl El activated his Clairvoyance.
The world before him shifted. Colors dulled, layers of reality peeled back, and solid matter became translucent. His vision pierced through trees, earth, and stone, extending outward with terrifying precision.
Within moments, his sight locked onto a tranquil lake nearly a thousand meters away.
Nestled at its center was a lush, emerald island, untouched and serene. Along the clear waters near the island's edge floated a graceful female figure.
Most of her body rested upon the lake's surface. Her skin shimmered with a pale green luster, as if infused with life itself. Long, smooth hair—of the same unusual hue—flowed freely, cascading down her body.
Her attire was… minimal.
In fact, it could barely be called clothing at all. Only her long hair concealed her most private areas, leaving the rest of her figure exposed in a way that was both bold and strangely natural.
Yet when Karl El attempted to focus on her face—
He failed.
An invisible barrier resisted his vision. Soft, gentle, but impossibly tenacious, it wrapped around her form and rendered his Clairvoyance useless at that point.
All he could perceive was a blurred outline, radiating an aura of purity and ancient nature.
His heart sank.
Even Clairvoyance can't penetrate it?
Karl El had tested his ability extensively. At Ban Ard Academy, even the powerful Protective Arrays could not completely block his sight. He had still been able to discern the silhouettes of students and instructors alike.
But this Nymph was different.
This alone proved that she was no ordinary spirit. She was very likely the true Lady of the Lake, protected by a high-level authority—perhaps even power derived directly from the world itself.
She had made a request.
Her attitude seemed sincere.
And she appeared to be connected to Goddess Meritelli.
Karl El weighed his options carefully.
Avoidance would not solve anything. If she truly wished to intervene, fleeing now might only complicate matters later. Understanding her intentions was the wiser choice.
Finally, he made his decision.
Reining in Night Wind, Karl El turned slightly and gave a calm order.
"Dalton. Turn the formation around. We're heading to the lake."
"Yes, sir!" Dalton responded instantly, without hesitation.
The Knight Regiment shifted smoothly, leaving the road and entering the forest along a narrow, well-worn path. Discipline and trust held the unit together as they advanced.
Soon, the trees thinned.
A lake—clear and brilliant like a sapphire set within a field of green—came into view. The water rippled gently, reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun. The island at its center appeared peaceful, almost sacred.
Karl El halted Night Wind at a safe distance from the shore and raised his hand.
The unit stopped at once.
"You will remain here," Karl El instructed. "Maintain vigilance. No one is to approach the lake without my command."
"Understood, sir," Dalton replied solemnly. "Please be extremely careful."
The Blood Angels spread out, forming a loose defensive perimeter while keeping watch on the surrounding woods.
Karl El dismounted, handed the reins to a nearby knight, and walked alone toward the lakeside.
As his boots pressed into the soft grass, the pale green figure began to move.
She stepped lightly across the surface of the water, each footfall creating faint ripples, as though the lake itself supported her. The water only reached her ankles, as if it were solid ground beneath her feet.
She approached slowly, gracefully.
At this distance, Karl El could feel it clearly—the ancient, pure aura of nature emanating from her. It was gentle, vast, and overwhelmingly serene.
Her appearance was undeniably striking. Almost completely nude, her body was concealed only by flowing hair. Karl El instinctively averted his gaze for a moment, an old habit born of restraint and discipline.
The Nymph noticed—and smiled.
"There is no need for evasion, honored Messenger," she said, her voice light and amused. "To us Nature Spirits, the body is simply a part of nature itself—a gift from the Goddess of Nature. It does not require excessive concealment."
She stopped a few meters from the shore and bowed slightly, performing a courtesy unlike any human gesture, yet filled with natural elegance.
"It is an honor to meet you," she continued softly, "Messenger who bears the favor of the Goddess."
Seeing that she was entirely unconcerned, Karl El let go of his hesitation. He met her gaze openly now, allowing his eyes to trace her form—not with desire, but with the same appreciation one might give a masterpiece of living art.
At last, his gaze settled on her face, still partially obscured by that gentle, inscrutable power.
"You call me Messenger," Karl El said calmly. "Why?"
The Nymph smiled, her voice flowing like water over smooth stone.
"Any being who has directly contacted an Ancient Deity and received their response or mark," she explained, "is regarded by us as a Messenger."
She gestured subtly toward him.
"The faint aura of the Mother of the Trinity lingers upon you. Though weak, it is pure and sacred. I could never mistake it."
Karl El remained silent, but his thoughts churned.
So even the spirits of nature could sense it.
His path, it seemed, was becoming visible to more eyes than he had anticipated.
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