The Eternal Sanctum (Holy Knight Headquarters)

There was more to Charlemagne's explanation. He apparently had a way to ease her understanding a bit and she was always willing to accept extra thought exercises so he started with a few known and simple facts. He'd previously sworn himself to Angelica but he'd broken that promise even when it wasn't necessary for him to keep himself alive. That wasn't a very logical promise to make in the young goddess's opinion even less so after she'd spoken to Angelica directly. But he was apparently ready to face the idea that it wasn't a logical thing to do and he'd done it anyway. His argument was, that what was logical and what wasn't didn't matter when emotions were being brought into the forefront of focus. He even brought up the idea that goddesses enjoyed being showing the things they made and the idea that they didn't need validation since they knew what they were capable of... maybe but she saw that last part a bit differently. "I can see the logic of this explanation, though not all of it," she said working through it. "I can understand emotions and logic seem not to mix at base. Even decisions based on emotion and lack of logic when mixed together can be rationalized even if they are illogical. But I don't think showing creations is completely a thing of emotional validation, though I fully admit to being happy when my works are appreciated. It is an instinct..." she said. "Creators, or Gods and Goddesses as they are in this world, are literally here just to make things... as I am one without a parent chosen purpose, showing things I make gives me happiness but it also helps me figure out what I like making," she said finally. "Though that does make me wonder if that is a trait of those born as divinities initially. Besides your map you haven't really tried making anything yet, do you feel inclined to?" she thought to ask about it, wondering if the lad would too show such an inclination after doing something. Such logic was why someone like Angelica wanted someone to see the things she'd made even without knowing fully that she was a goddess. Granted this experience could be considered similar to human ones in a specific case, she wouldn't know about that sort of thing as she was far too young.

Beyond this there was the difference between the two battle-oriented friends of Charlemagne. One was apparently good-natured and relaxed while not in a fight but crazy while in one. The other, the woman seemed to fight to make sure people stayed beneath her as he put it. Actually that difference was very understandable. "I actually understand that difference with relative ease," she said seeming to equate one to Sun Wukong while the other one was like her father the Emperor. Yes, the difference between them as well as their personalities at base made much more sense. "They sound fun," she said a small smile appearing on her face. Different sorts of people making friends with each other, establishing connections... this was always fairly interesting to her. She didn't truly understand it, but often really wanted to and now she was getting the chance to more directly study and involve herself with such things... it was pleasing to her.

There was some amount of understanding after Charlemagne's explanation. Even so, Sakura equated the happiness of a goddess when praised for their creations to instinct. If she was going to do that, Charlemagne figured she could make her way toward a full understanding. "Instinct is a good word, I think. Not for the goddess thing, though I'm sure that works, I can't say from any point of experience. In general, though... it's instinct to do what makes you happy, isn't it? Humans don't come with that sort of greater purpose. Humans get to go through life with no guidance, no instinct other than to live. What more is there to do than... whatever makes life good?"

Sakura went on to ask if he felt inclined to create anything. Truthfully, he had no such inclinations, but it also wasn't a foreign concept to him. "Not at all. New things are made every day by so many different people and creatures; I don't feel like it's necessary for me to contribute. Though, it's not like I wouldn't. Creativity is a good expression of self; I'm no stranger to it. The last thing I remember making was my little cabin back home. There wasn't any magic used to spawn it from nothing; the wood was chopped and the glass windows were made. It was tough work, but so satisfying to see finished. Humans get that kind of feeling too, y'know? It's not just god instinct; it's called feeling accomplished."

Never had Charlemagne stopped walking while they spoke. Soon enough, they would be vacating the courtyard and entering a path between two sections of forestry. There were benches at certain intervals, and what appeared to be street lamps of a magical nature ─ ones that seemed to attract nearby luminespires to their posts. As the twilight approached, the luminespires were beginning to collect and offer their light bit by bit. All the while, Charlemagne and Sakura were rambling on about the former's comrades. "They are fun; all of them are. You'd probably like Ivy as well. She's the one you'll find tucked away in the library more often than anyone else. Well... anyone besides Turpin, but he's the Archbishop, so the reasons are a little different."

It seemed that Sakura's understanding was not yet complete, but that Charles saw an opening to make it so, as such Sakura listened intently as they walked and took in all the information he had to offer. Instinct was a good word, he claimed, though he knew not how the goddess sensation worked, it was apparently instinct to do what makes you happy. Hm, she hadn't considered that, she definitely wouldn't do things that made her unhappy. Humans apparently didn't have an inborn greater purpose they were chasing so they were just making themselves happy, and on top of that only had base survival instinct. Well, the survival part was rather open to interpretation in Sakura's mind but she understood this part of the conversation. In fact, as the thoughts processed a bit of light seemed to dance around her eyes. "Sou ka..." she murmured. "That actually makes sense, I hadn't considered that humans didn't have greater purposes so their driving motivations seemed foreign," she explained of her own thought processes. But if aiming for what made you happy was the base line, then she had a newfound base understanding of behavior. "Arigatou gouzaimasu," she said, knowing it would help her continue to understand the connections between people. It already explained quite a few things.

Meanwhile she'd managed to slip in a question directly about Charles into their conversation. It seemed he didn't feel the need to contribute to works because of all the things that were already being made. He claimed he could but he saw his creativity more as a form of self-expression. He also claimed there was great satisfaction to be gained from building his house and that humans felt it too, as a matter of accomplishment. "To build without magic is an interesting thing... what was it like?" she asked excited on his behalf. The idea of Charles building a house with his hands out of pre-crafted materials or turning those materials into specifically what he wanted them to be was more like Alchemy in her mind. But she wondered what his vision for such a thing was, and fully understood his desire for such a large personal project.

Moving on as the light of the day began to fade, there was a lit pathway between two bits of forestry. Sakura looked at these lights with wonder thinking them quite nice on the eyes and good use of natural entities to accomplish a specific task. "Sugoi, those are nice~" she murmured about the lights as they began their trek down the path. As for his friends he had another called Ivy who was an avid reader. That was interesting she indeed sounded quite agreeable to Sakura but everyone she'd heard about or met did seem so, even Astolfo. Turpin was apparently an Archbishop and that sounded weird she wondered about that next. "People who have imagination or enjoy learning are always interesting... reading but what is an Archbishop and why would he be in the library for different reasons?" she asked Reading, writing, research were about the main uses of written information. Stories for the sake of imagination made sense, for information made sense but what kind of job would have connected to a library.

Surprisingly to Charlemagne, he managed to say something Sakura understood. He'd been wondering if that little speech would have the desired impact. "Really? Huh, I figured I'd have to keep coming up with stuff before you had any idea what I was talking about. No offense; it's just that our values are very different," he said just prior to waving away the girl's gratitude. She had no reason to express thanks so repeatedly, so he thought to say something about it being sent his way. "You don't have to thank me for that kind of thing. That's the point of discussion, isn't it?"

Upon hearing about the building of his cabin, Sakura expressed her curiosity. Of course she would; this was the sort of thing she had an obvious interest in. He doubted she had many things to reference in terms of non-magical building, but he also believed she could find the enjoyment in it as well. "It was a little strenuous. Personally, I feel like there's no beating that kind of satisfaction, though. To do something the hard way and have it all come together as you wanted, well... it's just great. I'm not even really sure how I can explain it. You should try doing something analog and see if you like it too," he suggested, knowing there was no real way in his mind to quantify the experience.

As for his friends, more curiosity was still to come. As it seemed, Sakura really did intend to learn about Charlemagne's comrades. Turpin's job title was now in question. How would he go about explaining that, and what it had to do with Turpin's presence in the library? "A bishop is something of a guiding figure within the church. They, to a religion, are like what your dads are to your homeland I guess. Archbishop is the one above others, of course. Anyway, he's in the library so much because he has to help other people grow and learn. He ends up tutoring a lot, whether that has anything to do with his actual job or not. Honestly, it's probably more because he's obsessed with helping everyone in whatever way possible."

Charlemagne showed surprise at the idea that his explanation had been understood. He claimed he meant to offense but that their values were very different. Sakura looked at the lad strangely and gave only a minor shrug. "I don't think the values we possess individually are very much a problem in this case. The points you made were rooted in logic, even if the topic itself wasn't logical I can follow it," she confirmed. She figured knowing this information might make it easier for them to talk, similar to her own choices in explanation. Beyond this point, he claimed that she didn't have to thank him for what he'd said, it was part of discussions. "Hm, if you say so... information I find useful is kept though and expands my understanding, so the gratitude was legitimate," she explained her own reasons behind why she thanked people that explained things to her.

Moving on there was the matter of his little cabin which he claimed to have built himself. Sakura was quite curious about all aspects of it but he seemed quite satisfied by the end result and the stain? It gave him a special kind of satisfaction. He claimed she should try doing something in the analog manner herself at some point. "Hm, I wouldn't know what I wanted to make if I did it analog. It'd require a lot of thought before I was sure... though I still will, maybe I'll do something small first to figure out how it might work," she mentioned. "In the same way... I think you should try eventually making something magically, it's a good exercise in both thought and magical control. I think you'd also be pretty good at it considering your more novel approaches to problem-solving," she explained. "I find it quite satisfying making something I imagined exactly as I imagine it," she explained that form of real satisfaction. Perhaps then he'd understand her general excitement surrounding the extra things that pleased her mentally.

Their conversation seemed to progress with relative ease. Sakura found it pleasant that he was content to answer her questions, about himself, his interests and even his friends. Bishops apparently had similar job functions to her fathers within Munetsuchi. That was interesting... an Archbishop would have been considered a high guiding figure and his friend Turpin was apparently a nice enough person to help others with their studies constantly. "Sou ka, that's really nice and good-natured, though it also sounds a little self-sacrificing," she said of Turpin. She didn't dislike what he was doing, though it did leave her with questions about human sensibilities. "So you have friends how like to fight, friends who like to dominate, loyal friends, helpful friends, educated friends, and kind friends..." she said. It was a wide array of people for a single person to know, but it seemed like it was a nice and balanced group.

Charlemagne's application of logic was something solely presented for Sakura's sake. He didn't have a reason to think of things that way, nor did he believe it was best. "I guess it was logical, but my overall point is that logic doesn't need to be part of anything. I was just trying to think of a logical way to say logic doesn't always matter. A little redundant, but whatever," he meandered, seeking some amount of finality to the point. "Besides, ignorance can actually be bliss if you let it be. Why did I do this thing? Who cares; it was fun. That kind of stuff," he added.

The conclusion Sakura came to was exactly what Charlemagne felt on the other side of the equation. "And I wouldn't know what to make magically. Magic defies human logic, so I guess you could say we're trading places between emotion and creation. Me making something with magic would involve a lot of thinking outside the box," he countered. "Though I agree it would be pretty cool to do. Let's both try something different!" he said, seeming just slightly excited for future experimentation.

One thing was certain: Charlemagne's friends were a varied group of individuals all working in unison. Turpin was among the kinder ones, but Sakura was correct; he was a very self-sacrificing person. "Yeah, but... that's just how he is. Everyone looks out for each other, though, so it's all fine," Charlemagne explained, moving right on to a missing archetype found within his group. "Oh, and then there's people like Bradie, the more... 'wholesome' people. Yeah, I'll call them that. They're hard to explain, but just imagine Astolfo and Annie without Astolfo's... Astolfo-isms."

Emotions weren't always logical and that was something that Sakura could understand. She could leave that part of their conversation happily though she couldn't agree with one thing. Charles claimed that ignorance could be bliss, he had the idea that one didn't need to think about why they did something if the end result was that it was fun. Sakura's mind took a few bits out of such statements. The justification for doing something was then simply because it was fun... one of her fathers would have called it doing what their soul wished, but if humans understood that conceptually then they were going about it a very weird way.

Moving on, Charles claimed that magic defied human logic so he also wouldn't know what to make. That was strange to Sakura s well, given the more magically inclined humans and former humans she decided to help a bit by observation, "Magic might defy human logic but not human imagination... I feel you would have an easier time making something magically if it was something you imagined that your human mind couldn't make work with logic and tools," she explained. "For me it would be like reverse thinking, starting with my end product idea and trying to figure out how to do it without the tool I know to be easiest to use," she mentioned understanding the difference. "Still, it seems like it would be fun so I'll show you what I come up with~" she said happily, knowing the pair would each have something to show for their efforts some time in the future.

And then there was his friends. Turpin as he was called seemed to indeed be the nice, but self-sacrificing type. It was good that they looked out for each other, in such a case, Sakura would assume that Charles's friend group functoined more similarly to a large family. And what was this, he claimed there had been a missing type of person, Bradie? How was apparently wholesome. And wholesome in this concept was described to be like Astolfo and Anais but without the Astolfo-isms? "Sou ka, I think I understand it. The happy but platonic closeness without his non-human personality and behavior?" she said seeming to understand why Astolfo was odd, but not having any problem with it. Anais was also fairly nice and clever which made her want to get to know the other girl as well.

It seemed Sakura had nothing more to say about their starting topic. That was fine with Charlemagne; he'd never been a fan of such scholarly topics anyway. Ah, but they'd never be quite done, would they? She did have something to say about his effort at creation. Perhaps she was missing a few details, hence her belief that it would not be so difficult for him. "It's not so simple. The problem is not thinking about the would-be mechanical side of things. Besides that, I'd have to think of something that isn't just based on something else. Inspiration doesn't just happen," he countered.

Regardless of their differing opinions and the finer details of his friend group, Charlemagne found himself thinking about the future. Sakura was along for the ride now, and would presumably remain for quite some time to come. What was actually in store for him, even them? Charlemagne couldn't be sure, but he determined it was not worth too much concern right now. As such, he instead nodded to confirm the behavior of those like Bradamante. "Yeah, something like that. Those are all terribly weak descriptions of who those people really are, but I think it's a solid gist for their personalities. You'll have to meet them for yourself though... in about two years─"

According to Charles his problem with magical creation would be not thinking about the mechanical aspects. "Hm, that is a strange problem... I'll think about it for a while and see if there is a good way to explain it," she said giving it a fair bit of thought. When she wanted to create something she simply made it and because of how magic worked it did so with the intention. "No, wait, I got it... you said it a minute ago. You should use the emotional part not the logical part to create with magic, which I guess means I should be using the logical part not the emotional part to try something analog," she said finally. Yes, that would work, she could do something with that. "As for inspiration it is much easier to come by than you might think," she said with a casual shrug. She understood that inspiration could be sparked by many things including and not limited to sexual activity but she was beginning to wonder about the nature of human interactions that they had sex for fun, but tied themselves to a single partner, but also didn't use sex for the extra mental clarity it could bring. It was quite the disharmony of thought but she'd decided that such a lack of equilibrium was innately human.

Moving on from this point apparently Charles had given her a bit of a generalization about his friends. He claimed that it was a simple way to think about it, but if she really wanted to understand she'd have to get to know them, when they met up again in two years. "Two years isn't so long a time, I do like the idea of knowing them and we'll be out with two of them anyway so I can get to know them too..." she said seemingly pleased by the prospect. She'd never really made friends before, she'd have to tell her father about this, Ailen was the most concerned about her social development.

For some reason or another, Sakura was content to continue seeking the answer to a problem Charlemagne didn't consider very problematic. No matter; she was consistently behaving in such a way regardless. This time, she came to the conclusion that he should apply emotion to creation, while she should employ logic when crafting. Despite how strange Charlemagne thought her harping was, the conclusion did make sense. "Yeah, that should do the trick. Making something manually isn't all logic, though. Put some emotion in it too; it'll help. Projects of passion are always better," he declared. Speaking on the topic of inspiration, Sakura claimed it wasn't so difficult to find. She would say that. "Sure. Whenever it's time to decide what I'm making, I'll just pull my junk out and fix all my problems," he said sarcastically. He still couldn't fully grasp why sex was an answer to so many things, but he'd come to learn how it brought inspiration from nothing at all. One would assume that was the primary factor behind Sakura's assertion.

Still on the path, the pair would eventually stumble upon a location Charlemagne never saw the completion of. Nestled within the castle grounds, there existed a serene garden. It was a place of understated beauty and contemplation. As they entered through iron gates, a sense of tranquility embraced Charlemagne. Neatly arranged rows of vegetables, herbs, and fruits painted a vibrant tapestry of life and sustenance. Leafy greens stood tall alongside sturdy tomato vines. Fragrant basil and rosemary bushes released their aromatic essence with every passing breeze. Plump strawberries peeked out from under their protective leaves, inviting a sweet indulgence. The garden's pathways, lined with mulch, were well-tended and easy to navigate. Bees and butterflies danced amid the blossoms, contributing to the garden's harmony. Wooden trellises climbed skyward, heavy with plump cucumbers and beans, showcasing the thriving abundance. A small water feature provided a gentle, soothing soundtrack as it nourished the plants. This garden was a thing Charlemagne knew of ages ago during its inception, but... apparently Jeanne had that magic belt from Gilgamesh for far longer than he assumed. "Oh, wow... I never saw this place finished. It's a lot more vibrant than I thought it would be. Magic is awesome. . ."