Nidhogg, the murderer of the World Tree…
“Ha, I never imagined that such would be the reason for the World Tree’s current state…”
That was how Luke, having heard the story about Nidhogg from James, could not help but be astonished.
The one who burned the World Tree was a True Dragon.
The ruined form of the World Tree he had seen, which history books merely summarized as a result of war’s influence, concealed such a history behind it?
However, the World Tree is not just a large tree that produces mana.
It is the only ascender that has ascended through the Tower of Ascension, the guardian that protects that tower. It is the last divinity that has been passed down since the mythological age, and thus, it symbolizes infinite life.
Such a being, the Nidhogg that burned the World Tree, could never be just an ordinary True Dragon.
To inflict that level of damage upon the World Tree, a corresponding level of ‘status’ is required.
This means that in order to destroy the World Tree, which is protected by the laws and regulations of this world due to its ascended nature, a destroyer must also possess the necessary authority and abilities.
Then, what kind of being was Nidhogg in the history of the ancient wars?
And what could it possibly hope to achieve by breaking the World Tree?
The feeling that it would not have been an act undertaken simply for the purpose of victory in war seemed to arise within him.
If the World Tree were shattered, then certainly they would have won the war against the Elves, but what exactly would they gain after such victory?
Wasn’t it merely a devastated land and a nation on the brink of destruction?
Although he had more experience fighting against inter-dimensional beings like the demons rather than with humans, it still felt strange to him.
There was something unsettling about it.
“…”
And then there was the doppelganger lich, Seyeo, who was undoubtedly involved in all of this—what exactly was their purpose?
Were they really trying to resurrect Nidhogg using the doppelganger? For what reason?
In Luke’s mind, there was even the suspicion that perhaps that historic great war was merely a means to someone’s ends.
Did they simply wish to destroy this world?
Could there truly be someone who acts for such a simple reason?
It was at that moment.
“Master! Were you waiting for me here all this time!”
Suddenly, a startled voice from the side broke through—Third’s voice.
Luke turned toward the direction of Third’s voice and smiled lightly.
Next to Third was the dwarf girl, Umi, whom he had seen a few days ago during the festival.
“Luke, right? It’s nice to see you again.”
“Yeah, Umi. It’s good to see you.”
Even though he had definitely told her to speak casually since she was ten years old, it appeared that this child was still uncomfortable relaxing around him.
Well, it couldn’t be helped. Some things cannot be forced.
“Ah, by the way, has the Academy finished for today?”
“Yes, it has, but… I never expected you to come find me. If you had contacted me, I would have hurried out sooner.”
If he had known that his master would be waiting like this, he would have run at full speed.
Luke waved his hand as if to dispel the very apologetic tone that Third displayed.
“No need for that. I haven’t been waiting long, so don’t feel too sorry about it.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“However, what were you waiting for Third here for…?”
At Umi’s question, Luke responded.
“Oh, I had something to discuss with Third alone. I’m sorry for the sudden request, but may I borrow Third for a moment?”
“Hmm, just the two of you?”
“Yeah? Just Third and me?”
Reading the confusion and unease in Umi’s voice, Luke smiled reassuringly.
“Well, it’s not that I want to separate you two; I just have a personal question to ask. Please rest assured, there’s no other purpose.”
However, even with his reassurance, Umi still hesitated.
“But, today Third promised to escort me home…”
Oh dear, it seemed she had a prior engagement.
“Did you?”
When Luke looked at Third, he nodded somewhat awkwardly.
It was a difficult situation.
“Hmm, it’s a rather urgent matter,” he said.
To devise a plan, you must understand your enemy. As you know, Luke’s time to deal with an enemy whose identity and motives he does not fully grasp is not abundant.
“Would it be possible to postpone that promise for just one day? Umi.”
“Um, well…”
Umi looked up at Third with a pitiful expression, but Third spoke firmly, as if there was no other choice.
“I’m sorry for breaking our promise, but since the Master has personally come to see me, it seems to be quite urgent. Can you return home by yourself today?”
“…”
“Please.”
At Third’s “please,” Umi’s heart wavered.
Still, Third had asked for her opinion. He could easily have left without asking.
Seeing Third go this far left her with no choice.
“…Okay, I understand…”
The reason Third had asked for Umi’s opinion was merely because “as a Circle Mage marked on the heart, he couldn’t unilaterally break a promise,” but Umi was impressed by Third’s seemingly considerate behavior.
“Phew, thank you, Umi. Then let’s go, Third.”
“Yes, Master.”
Umi silently watched Luke and Third’s retreating figures, feeling a sense of emptiness as they walked away.
Then suddenly, Luke turned his head and spoke.
“Oh, Umi. I’m sorry about today. As compensation, I’ll tell you something later.”
“Eh?”
At Luke’s words, Umi was flooded with thoughts.
To me? What on earth would he tell me?
As she pondered this, Luke put his hand to his mouth so Third wouldn’t hear and whispered, pointing at Third with his other hand.
“Things that Third likes or finds interesting! Hehe, I’ll help you two become friends quickly.”
“…T-That’s!”
Umi blushed, feeling as though her heart had been exposed.
———
At that time, in a corner of the Academy, two boys were having a conversation.
“Tenna, no matter what, ending it in one blow is a bit much, don’t you think? I even gave you a down payment.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Tenna had no words in response to Jack Ruselka’s comment.
No matter how quickly that guy moved, it was indeed disgraceful that he fainted without being able to react when he, preparing for an amateur fighting tournament, couldn’t do anything at all.
But what could he say about that Third, who was so out of the ordinary?
“Anyway, you said you’d stay away from violence, but you’ve completely lost your cool. Well, it’s fine. I won’t ask for the money back. Third might have lost, but I might need his help later.”
“…I appreciate that.”
Given that he couldn’t work because of his injury, things were tight financially.
If he had been forced to return the money he received, it would have been quite troublesome.
Just then, Tenna suddenly realized that Jack’s hand, which was in a cast, was different from earlier, and he pointed at Jack’s cast and asked.
“…By the way, Jack. Didn’t you have a cast on the other side?”
Jack frowned as he looked down at the cast and replied.
“Oh, this? I got hurt at the Tigr Academy festival the other day.”
“What? How did that happen?”
“A girl asked for my number and twisted my arm… Ha, I swear, when I see her again…”
At that moment.
“…So, you thought that person would be helpful?”
“Indeed, I’m happy that I can finally be of help to my Master.”
Jack exclaimed in surprise at a figure passing by him.
“Oh! That girl!”
“Eh? What? Do you know her?”
“Oh, of course! That girl!”
“What girl?”
“She’s the one who broke my arm!”
They say when you talk about a dragon, it appears. How could she appear so perfectly at this moment?
The only problem was that the girl was with Third…
“By the way, why is she with Third? Do they know each other? Damn, if only Third weren’t there, I would just go over and knock her out…”
As he was thinking this…
“Jack, is that the girl who asked for your contact information at the festival the other day and ended up breaking your arm?”
Tenna asked with a slightly tense voice.
Not understanding Tenna’s reaction, Jack answered huffily.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“…You really.”
Tenna sighed.
“No wonder, she gives off a similar vibe to Third.”
“What are you talking about? Do you know that girl?”
“Idiot, she’s the daughter of a senior I know, and she’s ten years old.”
“…What? Seriously? I thought that was just a joke.”
But that wasn’t the shocking part.
“And that girl almost made me a paraplegic, how could I forget?”
“Eh?”
In the past, Tenna and a few delinquents had simultaneously ended up hospitalized.
The violence was so merciless that, despite sustaining injuries that would require ten weeks of recovery, they never revealed the perpetrator’s appearance or the exact details of the incident to anyone.
So ultimately, it ended without a proper investigation, as he recalled.
Even after that, seniors had pressed them several times about “who were the idiots responsible?” and “was it those Strell Academy kids?” but they kept repeating that they “fell down the stairs,” causing their plan to invade Strell Academy to fall through.
But could it be that the perpetrator back then was that girl?
In disbelief, Jack wore an expression of shock.
“It’s true. They didn’t say anything out of embarrassment for being taken down by a girl.”
Tenna elaborated on his story about that girl, Luke, for a few more sentences.
He shared how her father and mother were one of the respected Forest Keepers in Luke Forest, and that she lifted a bench that weighed around 100kg without breaking a sweat in the gym, and how she destroyed a punching bag by hitting it, not leaving it intact…
“Ha.”
Jack, after hearing one unbelievable anecdote after another, sounded astonished.
It was truly a remarkable sight.
It occurred to him that he had never seen Third smile before.
No way.
“…Well, if that’s true, those two make for one hell of a couple.”
“…Yeah, it does seem that way.”
Both seemed to possess an incredible amount of strength, and they both appeared older than they actually were.
