Chapter 22 - 22: “I am just hungry…”

Di'Anon and Eu cannot believe the sudden turn of events. Little Eu didn't expect to hear her mother's involvement in the whole scenario.

The Grand Elder barely mentioned Anatolia as it brings back painful memories. This is probably why he agreed to the Divine Lord's request to take Little Eu in years ago.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she bursts out at him as she knit her brows.

She grits her teeth furiously while controlling her anger. She doesn't want to confront and end up in a heated discussion with her Elder.

She requests Di'Anon to stay outside. He nods his head and quickly obliges as he excuses himself. He never saw her angry with anyone as he quietly exits the room.

"I am your Elder. I shouldn't burden you with these matters. What kind of person I'll become if I hand over these kinds of responsibilities to you?" Elder Enoch calmly responded.

His tone has an evident sadness while he looks at her with troubled eyes. He knew that moment she arrived. He needs to give her the map.

"You have awakened, haven't you…?" Elder Enoch continues as he inquired.

He is convinced that Little Eu can't possibly know its existence unless she has awakened to her potential. Oracles resemble normal beings unless they have awakened.

Far from everyone's knowledge, Oracles are mysterious entities. They might be mortals but also not entirely true. Their origin is different and stranger than anyone else in Astra.

"You could at least not left me in the dark. It would save me a lot of time and trouble." the girl responded irritably.

"Haven't you done the same? You are supposed to come home and disclose what you have foreseen…" he refuted calmly.

She doesn't know how to disclose the events to him as the girl purses her lips. Eu refuses to tell him the horrific future during her awakening.

Besides, she doesn't like to engage herself in discussions with the High Council. They tend to talk too much and difficult to reason with most of the time.

"Don't worry. I am handling everything. Please don't tell the High Council that I have awakened. I am the only one who can prevent the events from ever occurring..." Little Eu bows her head as she discloses.

Her early awakening can only mean as a bad omen. Little Eu will inevitably end in a long exhausting debate with the High Council once they find out about it. How can she foresee something none of them has?

The Elder closes his eyes as he resigns to her demands. He knew that getting the High Council to get involved will surely complicate the situation and will restrict her movements. He has to put all his faith in her.

He doesn't want to tolerate her, but he knows that following her suggestion is the best course of action.

If they involve the High Council, Little Eu should occasionally report to them. If she fails to follow the regulations or didn't meet their expectations, the girl will face punishment. They are more technical and process type of people.

"Did the Divine Lord put you up into this task?" Grand Elder Enoch asked.

"He is not even aware I am doing this. You should refrain him from knowing too. I don't want to worry Brother Ravi..." she responded in a low sad tone.

The elderly man let out a wry smile. Little Eu might still be young yet more capable than anyone else. She is indeed a blessing not only to the Oracle Clan but also to everyone around her.

"Very well, little one. I will let you do as you wish. Just be careful and not to worry me too much..." Elder Enoch heaves a heavy sigh.

How can she prioritize and worry about the Divine Lord more? He is her grandfather, and she doesn't seem to care about his feelings.

The elder refrains himself from complaining and airing his grievances. He knew that Little Eu means well from not disclosing the truth about her early awakening.

"Grand Elder, we need to save the Holy Guardian Lord Turtle. Teach me about how the Array Formation of Themis works…" Eu straightforwardly requested.

"Your mother failed this task. What makes you think I will let you…?" the Grand Elder Enoch asked.

"She didn't fail. Fate has other plans..." she refuted.

Anatolia couldn't accomplish this task due to the sudden turn of events. Nobody can tell what happened that fateful night of her passing. Even Little Eu's arrival is an unforeseen event.

The Elder just remained silent as he leans his back to his seat while supporting his head. This girl is too smart and calculating as if she has indeed planned everything to her specifications.

Everything happens for a reason, just as someone carefully placing each piece to its rightful place. He looks up to the ceiling as he organizes his thoughts.

He can ignore and reject her, inform the High Council of her early awakening, or help with her mission. Whatever he decides will result in something...

Grand Elder Enoch closes his eyes as he engages himself in deep contemplation. He needs to think carefully as this point can change the course of events.

She will fail to accomplish anything for not having his support. She needs his guidance with the Themis Array Formation.

The High Council will hinder her advancement from accomplishing her plans due to technicalities and the Divine Order. It will end up in a painful struggle.

He analyzed everything in deep, deafening silence. This little girl knows too much, even if she wasn't aware of remembering them. He has to reconsider...

"Very well…" he began, "Prepare yourself. I'll tell you everything you need to know."

The ancient parchment shimmers with a golden radiance. It is the same map he had shown the Divine Lord Foeni, but Oracles are the only ones who can decipher it.

The Secret of Themis Array Formation requires a special ritual involving the seven elemental kingdoms. Unfortunately, they don't exist for almost ten thousand years.

It seems like the Holy Guardian Lords are the substitutes for the said power source. Their downfall two hundred years ago also made way for Celesea's demise.

The Division of Realms forbids such a connection. How come two separate Realms support and connected in such a way? She thought the Divine Lord only took them in out of gratitude from saving them. Does he know about this?

"Themis is the center of all known Realms of Astra..." Grand Elder Enoch said as if responding to her long train of thoughts and continued, "Little one, this place is better known to us as Lower Astra..."

He can tell the confusion on her face as she sees the map of Themis. She knits her brows as she looks at the array formation. Why is everything so strangely familiar?

Grand Elder Enoch is not truly familiar with how it works. It is already a forgotten art, and he barely understands it himself. Aside from the entire process, he really can't tell her anything else.

Little Eu starts to recall the supposed to be foreign formation. It's like a forgotten memory coming back to her.

Her seven-layered elemental magic is related to the ancient kingdoms. She starts to realize that she is wielding the forgotten arts.

'How is that even possible? Who am I? What am I...?'

"Do you want to rest?" the Grand Elder noticed her confused and wary eyes as he paused.

He started to barrage her with questions out of concern. It took a while before he could break through her train of thought.

"No need, Grand Elder. I am just surprised..." Little Eu responded.

She didn't disclose her strange discovery. She needs to focus on learning everything about the formation and save Lord Turtle.

The Grand Elder insisted that she should rest. Even if Little Eu is capable, she is still a child. She shouldn't stress her mind and body over these things.

"We will resume this lesson after you have eaten a decent meal. You look thinner than the last time you visited. How could that Divine Lord maltreats you? I should have beaten him up, the last time he was here!" the Elder waves his hand and keeps the map in a secure, sealed place.

"I knew it! You are planning to harm the Divine Lord! That is treason by the Divine Order's laws!" the little girl glares at the Grand Elder.

"And I should have suspected your impeccable timing for saving him! You unfilial child!" the Grand Elder argued back.

His lips involuntarily twitch as he glares back. How can this child so focus on protecting the Divine Lord Foeni?.

How could he have missed such a crucial change on this little girl? How many more secrets is she hiding from him? There so many unanswered questions in his mind.

"Grand Elder… I'm really, really hungry…" she broke his train of thoughts.

Her eyes amethyst eyes sparkle before him pleadingly. How can he even ignore her?

Meanwhile, she knows that Grand Elder Enoch is in deep thought, trying to figure her out. She has to distract him before he changes his mind from helping her.

He could only sigh in resignation as he leads her out of the study. He cannot win with this child's strategic mind. He also knew she is distracting him and using his weakness— herself.

As precautionary measures, Grand Elder Enoch sealed the room. Their meals are already prepared, so they decided to head straight to the dining area.

The Cardinal Hall is only a fraction of Limes Temple. It is a small two-story structure with only eight rooms.

Everything is heavily reinforced with magic, and eavesdroppers or trespassers can't just wander casually. Elder Levi ensures everything is well and in order.

Di'Anon is waiting patiently in the lounge area just beyond the dining hall. He straightened up as soon as he saw them come.

"Sorry for not being a proper host. Have you eaten yet?" Grand Elder Enoch asked.

"No trouble at all, Grand Elder…" the handsome nine-tailed fox politely smiles as he responds.

He rarely smiles, and his deep dimples appear. If he shows this side of him more often, he will be more popular than Haru.

"Join us for a late lunch. Let us discuss the situation over meals." Eu invited him.

He gently nods as he accepts their invitation and stands up to join them.

Simple homemade meals were served to them in the dining hall. Little Eu looks at the heartwarming spread of delicacies. A smile forms on her face as she looks at Grand Elder Enoch.

She rarely eats homemade meals since she left. Little Eu starts missing home and the Oracle Village as she hopes she can come back often.

"Let's eat. We will resume after you are satiated." the elder chuckles.

He can't believe this little girl can switch to a different persona depending on the situation. She is honestly acting like a glutton.

"Well, then. Thanks to the Goddess for the meal!"