“Enjoying a big sister’s protection is also a little sister’s privilege, though I don’t feel like I’ve done much anyway.”

Erinna released her embrace of Liana. Liana’s words strengthened her resolve.

She was still too weak, always being protected by Sister Liana, always making Sister Liana worry about her. But that wouldn’t be the case anymore.

“Give me a little more time. I’ll prove to Sister Liana that you haven’t trusted the wrong person,” Erinna said.

“You don’t need to prove anything to me,” Liana shrugged. “Just be yourself. I didn’t make you acting lord because I needed you to prove something, but because I believed you could become an excellent Duchess.”

“Mm.” Erinna didn’t say anything more. What she needed to do now was ensure Sister Liana wouldn’t worry anymore.

“I’ll be going then,” Liana waved.

“Alright.” Erinna watched as Liana left.

Sephirena stood at the doorway, silent for a long time.

She had witnessed everything just now, seeing the conversation between Liana and Erinna.

Princess Liana shared similarities with her Sister Tarashil, yet they were completely different.

Sephirena could clearly feel Liana’s affection for Erinna, but Liana’s affection seemed somewhat clumsy, not knowing how to express it.

Liana arrived at the door and saw Sephirena. “What is it?”

“The squad captain and Cain are now being interrogated in the dungeon,” Sephirena said.

“The dungeon?” Wasn’t that where she had died miserably in the original story? Now, it was someone else’s turn.

But what did it have to do with her? They had brought this upon themselves; she hadn’t done anything.

“That’s good,” Liana said coldly, wishing these two would just die in the dungeon and be done with it.

Sephirena didn’t speak, just silently following behind Liana. Indeed, from the conversation earlier, she had learned some things about Cain. Cain was similar to how Princess Liana used to be described, except Cain’s actions were covered up by Countess Rose, who then framed Princess Liana.

That’s why Cain’s reputation wasn’t as bad as Princess Liana’s had been.

Liana arrived in front of Lady Ambis’ room. Two guards stood at the door. “Princess Liana.”

“Step aside, I need to enter,” Liana said.

“...I understand.” They had received word that Princess Liana would be coming to this room, so they didn’t ask further and just let Princess Liana enter.

Besides, even without this message, they had no right or authority to stop Princess Liana from entering her parents’ room. What reason could they have to prevent Princess Liana from entering her own parents’ room?

They entered Lady Ambis’ room. Liana looked at Sephirena. “The books inside are very precious.”

“I understand. I’m already very grateful that Princess Liana allows me to enter this room. I won’t touch the books on the shelves,” Sephirena said.

“Ah, that’s not an issue. What I meant was, if you want to read a book, tell me first.” Liana didn’t mind this, but not all books were suitable for reading. They would need her approval first.

After all, her mother’s bookshelves contained too many strange things, including various peculiar forbidden drugs. It wouldn’t be good if Sephirena saw something strange.

“No need,” Sephirena declined Liana’s offer.

She had already heard about Madam Ambis from Gardenia. She had great respect for Madam Ambis, who could heal the Tree of Life and even transplant it. She was also the first non-elf to be trusted by the elvenkind.

Someone capable of such feats would certainly be regarded as an honored guest by them. Moreover, the Tree of Life could be considered the mother of their kind. How could Sephirena not respect someone who had saved their mother?

“Suit yourself,” Liana shrugged indifferently. “If there’s a book you can’t resist reading, remember to tell me.”

Liana pushed open the study door, looking at the diverse books on the shelves. As a child, reading these books had given her a headache. She had to have her mother take them down and read them to her bit by bit before she could calm down and read properly.

But now she realized these books were priceless treasures. Just taking one book out would cause people outside to scramble for it.

Liana casually picked up a book that seemed familiar.

Opening it, she found it was about gravity magic.

No wonder it was familiar—wasn’t this the book Countess Rose had stolen before?

“Sephirena, how much do you know about gravity magic?” Liana asked.

After all, Sephirena had just used gravity magic, and had even created levitation magic based on what Liana had told her.

“Just the two spells Princess Liana saw earlier,” Sephirena said.

Liana glanced at the gravity magic in the book. Various abstruse terms were piled together, which was quite difficult for Liana.

Gravity magic, even at its most basic, entry-level form, had already reached the level of senior apprentice magic. For Liana, who could only use one or two senior level spells now, it still posed some difficulty.

However, Liana thought of something, but being in the study, it wasn’t a good place to experiment.

“Princess Liana, do you not understand?” Sephirena asked.

Sigh, look at that—this was the difference between a professional maid and an unprofessional one.

Who would directly ask their master if they understood something? Didn’t the master need to save face?

If it were Loraviel, she would definitely say, “Do you need help, Princess Liana?”

“A bit,” Liana didn’t care much about such things and frankly admitted it. “But it’s not like I don’t understand at all. It would just take some time, which isn’t very efficient.”

After all, she wouldn’t stay here for long—at most, she’d stay overnight and then leave. And regarding gravity magic, although it had good effects, it wasn’t essential for Liana.

The time spent learning gravity magic would be better spent looking at other books. Perhaps she would make new discoveries.

“It’s like this,” Sephirena came behind Liana and began to slowly explain the principles of gravity magic.

“Um... alright.” Liana hadn’t originally intended to learn it, but since Sephirena was unusually proactive in teaching her magic, she naturally wouldn’t refuse.

After all, this was a way to improve their relationship, and it showed that Sephirena was slightly lowering her guard toward her.

Liana was smart. Her understanding of magic wasn’t like others in this world who memorized by rote. She quickly grasped the principles and incantations.

“Princess Liana, you’re truly impressive,” Sephirena couldn’t help but exclaim.

She considered herself quite exceptional among the elves, but after seeing Liana’s performance, she was amazed by Princess Liana’s talent.

However, Princess Liana’s only flaw was very obvious—her magic reserves were rather small. But this was probably because Princess Liana hadn’t used much magic.

With more use of magic, her magical reserves should increase.

But Liana didn’t seem to be aware of this. She thought it was just an ordinary thing, like solving a reading comprehension problem.

But being in the study, she couldn’t actually practice. “I’ve only understood the surface level. Whether I can use it is another matter.”

Afterward, Liana moved back and forth among the bookshelves, looking at many books, but couldn’t find what she wanted.

Records about demonkind and records about elvenkind.

These two books might be of some help to Sephirena.

“Sephirena,” Liana softly called Sephirena’s name.

“What is it, Princess Liana?” Sephirena navigated around several bookshelves to come before Liana.

“The gravity magic from earlier—did you learn it just by watching how Cain used it?” Liana asked. Sephirena’s explanation didn’t seem like someone encountering gravity magic for the first time.

“Sort of,” Sephirena nodded. “But I only understand the basics. The effect was entirely due to my magic overwhelming his.”

Simply put, she was a stat monster.

“Is this your talent?” Liana asked.

“It’s more like a talent of our kind. We elves are very sensitive to magic. We can sense the magical fluctuations when others use magic and replicate it in a short time. It’s not a difficult thing,” Sephirena said. “I’m just one of the more talented ones. After all, as a princess, I naturally need to be more exceptional than others.”

What an overpowered ability.

In a world where magic was so important, having such talent and ability made one incredibly formidable. No wonder no one wanted to oppose them. No wonder no one dared to attack Sephirena. The revenge of the entire Elf Forest—let alone these minor nobles—even the Lisat Kingdom might not be able to withstand it.

“But didn’t you say you were cursed by nature? Yet you still possess this ability. It doesn’t quite match what you said before,” Liana said.

“...This doesn’t prove anything.” Sephirena was actually well aware of this point; she just couldn’t accept it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you use nature nagic,” Liana said.

“Isn’t Princess Liana asking what she already knows?” Sephirena didn’t show any sign of anger. “I’ve already been abandoned by nature. Does Princess Liana think I still have the right to use nature magic?”

“What connection is there between being abandoned by nature and this?” Liana raised her clenched fist.

She then opened her hand, and a beautiful flower appeared in it. Liana handed the flower to Sephirena. “Can’t humans also use nature magic?”

“Besides, with your performance just now, you can easily replicate this magic, right?” Liana said. “This is the most basic magic. If you say you can’t do it, that would be a bit unbelievable.”

“...So this was Princess Liana’s intention?” Sephirena hadn’t realized she had unwittingly fallen into Princess Liana’s trap.

Sephirena waved her hand. Without even using magic, a flower appeared in her hand. “I can indeed use nature magic, but it’s limited to human magic. I truly cannot use the elf race’s illusion magic.”

“But that’s just illusion magic, isn’t it? Many elves can’t use illusion magic, right? This alone doesn’t prove you’ve been cursed by nature,” Liana said.

“Princess Liana, you wouldn’t understand,” Sephirena didn’t want to explain her situation further to Liana.

“I indeed don’t understand, which is why I’m raising these doubts. If you were truly cursed by nature, wouldn’t you be unable to use even human nature nagic?” Liana continued. “Clearly, the things you’ve said, you can’t even explain reasonably yourself.”

“Because I am an elf princess. In this world, there has never been an elf princess who couldn’t use illusion magic. As a princess, one should be the best. Otherwise, one doesn’t deserve the title of princess and ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) disappoints the subjects’ expectations of a princess,” Sephirena’s tone noticeably changed.

Liana sighed. “So that’s how you think? My status isn’t bad either, right? The only daughter of the sole duke in the Lisat Kingdom. If someone like me is considered worthless, wouldn’t someone like you not even have the right to live?” Liana said.

“Princess Liana can use magic now, can’t you?” Sephirena countered.

“Indeed, but my previous inability to use magic is also a fact. It was only after resolving Countess Rose’s matter that I could use magic again,” Liana said. “You could use illusion magic at the beginning, right?” Liana continued to ask.

“Yes,” Sephirena nodded.

“Isn’t that similar to me? I could also use simple magic at first, but later, due to special reasons, I couldn’t use magic. But now, can’t I use magic again? Does losing something mean losing it forever? Is there no chance of getting it back?”

“...” Sephirena fell silent because Liana was speaking the truth. “Fine, fine, fine. Even if it’s as Princess Liana says, that I’m not cursed by nature and I might be able to use illusion magic later, so what? It doesn’t change my desire to die.”

“I never mentioned anything about that. Whether you live or die is your business, something you want to do. I only care whether my guard is strong, whether she has the ability to protect me,” Liana said. “If you can use the elf race’s magic, that’s a good thing for me, isn’t it?

“The stronger you are, the safer I am. Don’t forget, in the near future, I have a very dangerous task to undertake. At that time, only you will be there to protect me. I can only trust you,” Liana looked at Sephirena as she spoke.

Liana wasn’t in a hurry. Making Sephirena aware of this now was enough. Everything should be taken step by step. Being able to make her gradually accept the power of elves, gradually accept the power of nature, was already a good outcome.

“Rest assured, Princess Liana. I will do as I say. If you truly face a life-threatening danger, I will certainly die before you,” Sephirena said.

“A fine declaration. I don’t dislike it,” Liana’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Your life is in my hands. So, for my sake, become stronger.”

“Yes, protecting Princess Liana is my duty,” Sephirena didn’t dislike Liana, as Liana was recognized by the Tree of Life.

A person recognized by her mother—Sephirena naturally would protect them, using every last bit of effort to repay her mother.

Besides...

Sephirena had never had the chance to give that flower to her.

“Princess Liana, I have a...” Just as Sephirena was about to explain this, Liana suddenly interrupted her.

“Right!” Liana suddenly thought of something. If she couldn’t find it herself, why not use the first magic her mother had taught her!

Although Sephirena hadn’t taken any books from these shelves, and she didn’t know which books were about the elf race, if she modified that magic, she should be able to search for books about elves.

“What is it, Princess Liana?”

“I’ll teach you a magic spell!” Liana said.

“What magic?”

“But this magic requires a strand of your hair.”

“Huh?” Sephirena took a cautious step back. “Princess Liana, what are you planning to do?”

Suddenly asking for someone’s hair wasn’t a particularly polite thing.

Liana also realized that suddenly requesting someone’s hair was a strange and quite impolite thing.

“Um, it’s just a material needed for this magic. It’s like a search magic. Using the corresponding item as material, you can find related things,” Liana explained.

Sephirena now understood what kind of magic it was. “So, Princess Liana wants to find books about elves?”

“Yes,” Liana nodded. “After all, the stronger you are, the safer I am. Besides, my mother seems to have done some research on elvenkind. If we can find a way to let you use illusion magic, that would be a huge improvement.”

“And if you can master the natural forces protecting you, wouldn’t that be like having a High Executor guard by my side?”

“Whatever makes Princess Liana happy,” Sephirena had accepted this matter. She couldn’t out-talk Princess Liana, and even if she could, she didn’t think Princess Liana would give up on this idea. She would probably find other excuses to make her look.

Sephirena also wanted to see if Princess Liana truly had a way to help her use illusion magic again.

Sephirena plucked a strand of her hair and handed it to Liana.

“No need to give it to me. You do it,” Liana’s magical power was certainly not comparable to Sephirena’s. It would be better to let Sephirena do it directly. She might find many things Liana couldn’t see.

“Alright,” Sephirena nodded.

[O Omniscient God of Wisdom, please guide your devout follower. Please point out what your follower needs.]

Sephirena held a white hair in her hand, and then the white hair emitted a sacred light. Several bookshelves glowed with white light.

“There are this many?” Liana looked at those light sources—there had to be at least a dozen books.

It seemed that her mother had done quite a bit of research on the elf race.

Liana casually took down one of them. It was indeed a book about elves. Liana hadn’t chosen the wrong direction, but the content of this book was rather plain.

It talked about many things Liana already knew—basic introductions to elves.

Liana put the book back and continued searching.

“Come and look too. You’re an elf—your understanding of these things must be greater than mine,” Liana called out.

“I know,” Sephirena didn’t show much interest, though. She didn’t care much about whether she could use illusion magic.

She casually took a book from the shelf. The first page she opened read, “On Elves’ Illusion Magic.”

“?” Sephirena immediately closed the book.

Then she looked at Liana. Liana had looked through many books without finding anything, but she found it on her first try. Was this Princess Liana’s deliberate doing?

Deliberately making her find this book, deliberately making her see these words?

“What’s wrong, Sephirena? Did you find something?” Liana approached at this moment.

“...Princess Liana is truly thoughtful,” Sephirena opened the book.

“What do you mean?” Liana looked puzzled, though she hadn’t said anything wrong. She had indeed tried her best for Sephirena.

“Nothing,” Sephirena shook her head. She had already assumed this was Princess Liana’s deliberate intention to make her see this.

Sephirena opened the book, and Liana immediately saw the line of text. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

“Look! I knew there would be something!” Liana said happily.

Liana continued reading.

“The elf race’s illusion magic is extremely ingenious. Even humans with the strongest magical talent cannot perfectly replicate it.

This is because the magic used by elves is very special compared to humans. Although some elf magic is similar to human magic, illusion magic is more like a command, a form of supplication.

Beginner-level illusion magic creates an illusion using magic, making others unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Intermediate-level illusion magic builds on the beginner level, using natural forces to set traps, turning some things in the illusion into reality.

Those who can achieve this are almost capable of becoming independent elves.

The pinnacle of illusion magic is to make illusions become reality. Even when the magic is dispelled, the illusion remains.

But those who can do this are rare even among the elvenkind. Many can only stop at the second level. To turn illusions into reality, one must be protected by nature and also possess extremely powerful magic.

The illusion magic of those elves favored by the Tree of Life is even more special, very different from normal illusion magic.

Fighting an elf who has mastered illusion magic is like fighting all the natural elements around them. They can perfectly utilize everything around them to fight and replenish. Trying to outlast an elf in magical consumption is simply impossible.

To break illusion magic, one can only find the caster within the illusion. But the magical frequency of the elf race is very similar to nature. Finding an elf in nature, if they intentionally hide, is almost impossible.

As for how to break it... if I wrote it down, the elf queen wouldn’t let me off, hehe!”

“...” What kind of ending is “hehe”?!

It seemed her mother had found a way to break it, but if she had recorded it, the elf race would absolutely not allow it.

“It seems Princess Liana hasn’t found a solution,” Sephirena said.

This book only recorded the principles of illusion magic, not a solution for being unable to use it.