Mythshaper

Chapter 73: Influential Artifact

The new piece had similar enchantments to the painting I made for Mum, but instead of Mental Rehabilitation, the painting of the elven woman, Veiled Dream, seemed to confuse the observer within its illusions. Although its power was weak, barely keeping a low-class Awakened imprisoned for a few minutes, it baffled me how this enchantment came to be.

Mum’s words came to mind, that an artisan’s emotions and mood played a great role in shaping their craft. It usually never happened to me while crafting common fabricators, and yet the two paintings I had made possessed a function I hadn’t even intended for.

“I have studied it all my life and am still not proficient in channelling it,” Mum said, patting my head. Her eyes darted to the new painting, considering. “Is this Saint Irielle you drew?”

Instead of answering, I asked, “Who is Saint Irielle?”

Magus Prisca was bemused at my question. “You don’t know who Saint Irielle is, so how did you draw her?”

I could only shrug, unsure if the elven woman I had drawn was even the saint they were pointing at.

Thankfully, there was someone to answer my question. Surprisingly, it was my father.

According to him, Saint Irielle was a legendary figure who led the war against the Dreadlords two thousand years ago. Back then, the fairies used to walk the earth with humans, and fought together for the future of our race, the future we are living now.

“I have seen grand statues of her,” Father had said. "All of them possessed that regal aloofness typical of the faires, a demeanour far removed from the warm, homely feel of your painting, which was why I wasn't even sure if it was Saint Irielle you drew."

Is she alive? I wondered, though I could already guess the answer. A legendary figure’s lifespan stretched to around five centuries, unless she’d advanced to Mythic class. . .

The very thought sent a quivering ache through my chest.