Bitchy

Since she was in the Sovereignty's capital, naturally, she needed to have a look around. But most of all, she was interested in finding a big library. The Divine Tree was important as well, but it could wait.

But since the library could contain secrets to the world's history, Savine needed to check it out at least.

Asking around, she learned that there was no library to speak of. Books weren't spread enough to warrant a great library. Though, there was the royal library in the Sovereign's Palace. Thinking that it wouldn't hurt to try, Savine headed towards the Palace.

The Sovereign's Palace was located South of the Wisdom Tree. It was the only building that was allowed to be this close to the Tree. On the Tree's other sides, a giant wall kept the eyes of the onlookers away.

Savine decided to steal a glance inside.

She went a few steps away and found a chair to sit on. Eyes closes, she activated her Gift. Briefly, she sensed everything around herself to its tiniest details before she dialed its power down.

Using Areal Omniscience like this was akin to an out of body experience. Her consciousness traveled beyond her body and flew over the walls. She noticed a few runes and magic tools that for intruders, but Savine was not troubled by those. While using her Gift, she was not using any mana, she was using the Divinity etched into her soul.

Sadly, she couldn't use this Divinity for anything else, but at least she always had something to rely on.

Immediately, she saw giant ladders that reached high towards the Tree's branches. There were people dangling from them and harvesting wisdomwood. Blue sparks flew off every time the tree's stone like bark was removed, before they were absorbed by the tree again.

The open area with the ladders was the Harvesting Area. This place was tightly defended.

Looking at its stump that took up a considerable portion of the city, Savine noticed guards lined all around it. There was a guard every twenty steps, and they were all mages.

On the wall itself, people could be seen patrolling dutifully.

Seeing the situation, Savine could only give up on her plans to harvest the Wisdom Tree stealthily. She could reach the tree without a problem, but it was impossible to tame her mana next to the tree as the mages would immediately notice the disturbance of mana. 

Savine had no problems masking her own mana, but she had no way to hide the mana spewing out of the tree. For the same reason, it was also impossible to mine Vasas from the tree.

She thought of trying to dig underground and harvest wisdomwood from its roots, but she was definitely not the first person to think about this. The palace should have their methods to deal with that.

Indeed, a look underground proved her conjecture.

Savine pulled her focus back and approached the palace's entrance.

It wasn't so odd for someone to visit there, as it was possible to request audiences from the king. Of course, it would be hard for Savine to be treated seriously.

"You lost, little girl?" a guard asked, looking at Savine amusedly.

"I have a question."

"Sure, sure," he laughed. "Though, don't tell me you're one of the Sovereign or one of the minister's illegitimate children. I'd have to arrest you and send you to the tombs for torture."

Savine shook her head.

"Is it possible for me to enter the Royal library?"

"What?"

"The Palace's library," Savine said. "I heard it's the biggest library in the country. I was wondering if I could visit it. Should I request an audience with the Sovereign to get his permission or is it available to the public?"

"Whoa, whoa. Slow down there. Why do you need to go there anyway?"

"I'm researching the world's history."

"Why?"

"?"

"Why are you researching the history of the world?"

"Just because?" Savine cocked her head. "I didn't know it was illegal to learn in the Sovereignty."

"…Only His Majesty and his trusted people can enter that library," the guard eventually muttered.

It sounded like a generic excuse. Savine could also see the guard's expressions shifting while he was thinking.

"Really?"

"Really."

"You're not making this up so I'll go away?"

"Definitely not."

Savine produced a gold coin.

"If you admit that you don't really know about how the library treats guests and go ask your superior or someone for more details, I'll give you this coin."

The guard gulped. His greed and pride were battling it out inside him, but it seemed that his pride won over.

"Listen kid, I'm on duty. I'm busy. Stop bothering adults like that."

It really was appalling how quickly people's attitudes changed when their ego was hurt. At least he didn't try to confiscate the gold coin as well, that would've made even Savine angry. She rolled her eyes and decided to stop bothering herself with the guard.

"Alright. Then at least can you tell me how I can request for an audience with the king?"

"I told you, stop bothering the adults."

Savine was this close to hurling insults at the guard but she managed to contain herself.

"I can just make a request and if they refuse, then that's that. I don't think you can stop me from doing that, can you?"

"I just don't want to bother His Majesty with every little thing. How can he live in peace if everyone in the Sovereignty came to the king with their problems?"

"Are you His Majesty's trusted advisor?? Who are you to decide which problems should enter his ears or not?"

"I told you," the guard growled, "Stop bothering the adults. I'm serious this time."

Savine, of course, was never going to lose a battle of words, but she also knew that facts and logic were useless things in the face of overpowering emotions. She only smiled helplessly and raised her hands. She backed off, though she did not fail to shake her head and send the guard a disapproving glance.

She then activated her Gift again and her consciousness entered the palace through its walls.