To transcend beyond one's mortal limit, one needs to truly come to understand oneself and their capacities. It were words she had heard during her imprisonment in Tartaros, and it were words she intended to take to heart in terms of the rite that she was about to carry out today. It was for that reason she had picked the Marchen Mountains as the location for this experiment, far enough from any civilized settlements that the rite would not be interrupted, nor endanger any innocent bystanders.

But Esperia knew she had to be cautious, after all unlike in the past she was no longer content to just succeed no matter the consequences, she had to return alive and well to Hargeon, for her wife and family had been waiting there for her.

As they were at the lowest elevation of the mountains, at the very base of the range she turned toward Manzo and smiled gently at him. "Although I have brought enough food and supplies for us to last for a week or two, depending on the results of the rite we might have to hunt for more."

She paused for a bit, thinking back on the previous encounter with him after which she continued to speak. "Ah~ Right, I didn't explain the nature of today's rite yet, did I? As I mentioned before I currently am possessing the body of a Demigod, but by all means my soul is still that of 'Esperia', a mortal soul in the body of a Demigod, which might to a degree be what is causing my powers to be restrained. Should I desire to truly transcend beyond my current level I need to make this body my own. In simpler terms, I plan to attune my soul, or spiritual self to that of the physical."

She went quiet for a bit, gesturing at the path as she motioned for him to walk alongside her. "Honestly, it's an entire different avenue of research compared to what I experimented with in the past. The possibility is high that I will be locked in a internal struggle of sorts to try to claim ownership over this body, but at the same time it might lead to my physical body to lash out in response. I am not certain what could happen, who know something entirely different than anything I presume might unfold, and that is why I require your help, to keep myself under control~ Don't hesitate to give me a strong wallop on the head in case I go berserk~ I'd rather go home with a headache rather than not at all~"

The beauty of the marchen mountains was something to behold, though there would be plenty of time for sight seeing once their main objective was over. Though honestly he wasn't entirely sure what their main objective here was. He understood it in theory of course, but as far as executing it was concerned, not a whole doing, in his mind.

"Well, if that's the plan, I guess I'd have to ask how you plan on going about it." She did make it all sound very simple, but at the same time, it was still very hazy in his mind. Would he simply be supervising? Or was he to do battle with her. In order to help her maintain control over what he perceived to be the rage of demigod fighting for control. Not the most exciting idea for a man such as him, but he would do what he had to do in this situation.

"We should probably get a move on." He said as he pulled out a cigarette from his coat pocket and put it to his lips. Snapping his finger to light it and began walking toward the beginning of the trail set forth.

Esperia brought a hand to her cheek, seemingly pondering about the question Manzo asked of her. Even now she was not entirely certain how it would unfold. After all, she had never even read any records of a progress like this, so it was all theoretical research to conclude into an experiment of sorts. "I'm not certain, if my assumptions are correct it might be that the rite will be more likely to draw in monsters trying to stop it, rather than me going berserk. Since the rite does involve an attempt to reconcile, or in a way reconnect body and soul, but the nature of the energy used for it might draw in unwanted guests~ Although if I do end up going berserk, I know I'll be in good hands at least~"

As she agreed to Manzo's idea of moving on the Demigoddess started her climb along the path, musing softly. "Although dangerous, I do hope the experiment will succeed~ If it does I might be able to figure out the nature of how one might be able to transcend from their mortal limits. Although, that is 'if' it ends up working~" She chuckled softly as she turned toward Manzo. "I been wondering~ Any particular reason why you smoke?"

"Monsters sensing that much life force being channeled or spent does make sense. Though, I can take certain precautions when it comes to that." Manzo then took the lit cigarette from his mouth and exhaled an expansive smoke cloud. This caused by the temperature outside, it tended to expand.

"I've never seen too much of an issue being a mere mortal. We've over come god and demon alike." Which was true, he took part in both of those wars, and humanity prevailed both times. Even when some of their kind decided to turn their back. Though he did not blame people for wanting more. Though he was content with what he had going for himself.

The conversation being decorated by a light snow fall and the singing over birds, with wind flowing through the trees as a back drop. "No one has ever actually asked why I smoked. Alisa just tells me I should quit." He said with a chuckle, though he assumed most people simply thought it was just a nasty habit. For him it was more than that though. Almost like class symbol.

"In the village I grew up in, commoners smoked cigarettes, the ruling class had their cigars." He said as he took the cigarette from his mouth and stared at it for a moment. Almost entranced by the fiery cherry on the end. "No matter how far I have come, I will never forget where I started." He said putting it back in his lips, taking another long drag.

Esperia nodded her head sheepishly in response: "I see~ That makes sense, in a way you're smoking cigarettes instead of cigars to remind yourself of your 'origin'. Sure, one might say that it isn't healthy but then again, a lot of things can kill a person anyway, and by definition if you smoking these helps you recall your origin, I don't think it's a bad thing~" She smiled kindly at him as she continued onwards. "Indeed, in that regard my search for more is similar~ Not because I desire more power. If anything I always been curious~ I want to find out the answers not written in books~ But in regard to my obsession with Transcendence, it is because I want to prove to the world that the distance between us and those beings worshipped as gods is not infinite, that under some circumstances we can enclose, or even surpass that distance. If anything I want to show humanity's potential~"

She chuckled softly, stretching her arms high into the air as she gazed around. "I never desired to be a hero, or a champion of the people~ Nor do I seek to be a leader~ If anything I want to be a guide, someone who will help encourage people to continue stepping forward, to walk along the paths they decided to walk. To help draw forth their true potential."

And why? Why would she desire to do such a thing? "Because~ Isn't it exciting to imagine the limitless possibilities that might be born from the efforts of others? I want to see it~ Those myriad miracles, those adventures that become the stuff of legends~"

A hearty chuckle followed as she nodded her head lightly. "Although my origin isn't anything fancy either~ I was born to a family of exorcists, my ancestors worked for the Church of Illumin, for ages they tried to protect people from various threats that preyed on the weak and vulnerable~ Not that I was a part of those adventures~ My family got murdered when I was still little, so if anything it are just memories and old records I read about."

"Curiosity killed the cat, or something along those lines. I guess I'd just tell you to be careful." He said with both hands in his pockets as they continued their trek. Though she made valid points, he could only think of the oppression that came with such advances. The haves and the have nots, it was always a war, even during times of peace. He could only hope she'd keep her head on her shoulders. This espie didn't seem to have much in the world of ulterior motive, unlike her counter part that he had met before. That espie was on his hit list.

"Alisa and I were exorcists of sorts. Well, we slaughtered cultists. I ended up doing a bid in prison for that, but all in all, it was worth it. Had I not, she would not be in the position she's in now. Which for me is worth it, every time." He said as he stared off into the distance, marveling a bit at the plant life that was able to survive all the way out here in the cold. Maybe not the worst place to set up a winter lodge for a get away. Though that was a ways away in being do-able. At least for now.

Esperia nodded her head sheepishly in return, a soft hum following her lips. "Of course~ Some knowledge can be dangerous when it falls into the wrong hands, which is why exactly I asked you to accompany me~ Should this experiment prove to be with merit, I know you wouldn't misuse it."

As her gaze drifted along the landscape one could see Esperia's gaze fixate on something, as she wandered off the beaten path, just a few steps and suddenly crouched down next to a lone flower that was blooming there. "Say~ Do you know the name of this flower Manzo?"

Giving him a moment to respond her lips curved up into a bright smile as she chimed cheerfully. "Esperia! And that means that somewhere under that blanket of snow you'll find buds of the Aseria flower~ Me and my sister were named after those flowers, ironic since Aseria is the name of my elder sister, and just like the flowers we were always together~"

At least until her sister was murdered... Climbing back onto her feet she nodded her head lightly in return. "I remember hearing about that when I was in prison myself, handed in myself to Ali peacefully in the hope I could prevent certain things from happening~ Perhaps they did, although you did make a name for yourself during your stay~"

She chuckled briefly and gestured at the spacious cave that came into view further ahead. "We should be almost there~"

The tone of conversation shifted to the subject of plant life. Something he cared for very much. Something he himself could not bare to live without. Though he did have a very fun parlor trick up his sleeves for times such as this. As they walked by the snow packed banks he sent a bit of his magic to his feet. What followed after could only be described as an act of god. Which well, he was the god of life when it came to being a green mage.

As they walked an entire bank of esperia began to bloom out of thin air. Once they were done walking they would go back into their hibernation. But until then, a full bloom of purple carnations would decorate their walk.
"I'm sure they still remember me in the box." He said with a small chuckle to himself.

"Though truthfully if you had not turned yourself in, I did have orders for your capture. Not something I wanted to do mind you." He said quite casually. Though the difference of their power was great, it wasn't something he would have given too much thought to in actuality. In his heart he knew Espie would not lay a hand on him, nor he her.