Long time no see. Judeau was still the same. Rickert's height had practically stabilized, but there was still a hint of childishness on his face.
As soon as Judeau saw Nidhogg, and then Guts and Puck unharmed, he smiled and slowed his horse's pace.
Rickert charged straight ahead on his horse, almost unable to stop. Or rather, Nidhogg reached out and grabbed him, holding onto the horse's head to bring it to a halt.
Rickert, stunned and nearly thrown from his horse, came to his senses and excitedly shouted at Nidhogg: "Nidhogg, you're really back! I knew you'd return at a moment like this!"
Judeau explained from the side: "Schierke and the others led your people back to the camp and explained the situation to us. Casca immediately sent us to respond. Now, it seems we're no longer needed."
Rickert still had to chase after him and ask: "Nidhogg, Guts, have you already dealt with that 'magic archer'?"
"Dealt with!" Puck jumped out to take credit, lifting his nose and saying, "Under Lord Puck's Goblin Dimension Stream, no Apostle can escape!"
Of course, not everyone took Puck's words seriously. But everyone understood their meaning—the "magic archer" Owen was finally dead. Everyone was surprised and happy.
"Great!" Rickert was almost in tears from emotion. "Fortunately, Nidhogg, you returned in time and killed that detestable Apostle. We won't lose any more companions because of him..."
Guts and Judeau listened to this, and both felt a wave of sadness and shame in their hearts.
"Yes, this is revenge." Judeau touched his chest, where he and Pippin had left old wounds blocking the archer's cold arrows aimed at Casca and the child.
The atmosphere became a little sad.
Nidhogg said, "Let's go back to the camp first."
"Alright," everyone agreed.
This was indeed not the best place to talk. The people in the camp were still anxiously waiting for news. They needed to return as soon as possible.
Soon after, the group successfully passed through several open and dark posts and returned to the camp built by the old Hawk Company in the Spirit Tree Forest. But everywhere, traces of the demon archer's arrows piercing through could be seen.
At the same time, Nidhogg saw the dead Spirit Tree, withered and collapsed, no longer shining with its former radiance.
Entering the camp, everyone who heard the news rushed to greet Nidhogg and the others.
Flora was in a wheelchair, pushed by Schierke. Ivalera stood on Schierke's shoulder. Melina walked beside them. It seemed Melina's existence had drawn the most attention from these two witches, master and apprentice.
Casca held a swaddled baby in her arms, in which one could vaguely see a chubby infant. Beside her stood the tall Pippin and the exhausted Corkus, like two guards.
Farnese walked behind, surrounded by Azan and Serpico.
They had just been discussing everything that had happened after Nidhogg left, under the narration of Azan and Serpico. But there were too many things, and everyone was confused, unable to finish it completely.
Now, seeing the safe return of Nidhogg, Guts, and Puck, one could imagine the outcome of the battle with the "magic archer" Owen. Everyone suddenly relaxed, and everyone smiled.
As soon as Nidhogg dismounted, he was hugged by Corkus, who ran up and shouted in his ear:
"You guy! Finally ready to come back! You've been gone for over half a year! I almost thought I'd never see you again!"
This wasn't speculation, but the threat of the "magic archer" Owen loomed over the entire old Hawk Company camp. His companions continued to die. Corkus really thought he was lucky to have survived this long.
Pippin also approached, but without a word, simply patted Nidhogg on the shoulder.
Then, to calm everyone down, Judeau announced that the "magic archer" Owen was dead, causing joy among the people in the camp.
"Welcome back." Casca approached with the baby boy in her arms. As a mother, she was becoming more gentle, but the firmness and courage in her bones remained. "Morgan has been treated. He's resting. He's fine."
"That's good." Nidhogg nodded, then looked at the swaddled boy and met his big, black eyes. "Is he your and Guts's child?"
"Yes. Do you want to hold him?"
"Um, sure." Nidhogg took the boy from Casca. The child didn't cry or cause trouble, just looked at him curiously. "What's this lovely child's name?"
"Not named yet." Guts approached, planted the Dragonslayer in the ground, and said with a smile, "This was an idea we came up with together, Guts and I. We thought that if it weren't for you, perhaps this child wouldn't have been born safely..."
Nidhogg looked at the boy and thought: He was born, but it's hard to say. In the end, he even became part of the 'Holy Eagle' and could only return to his parents during the full moon as a black-haired boy.
Even if that's a way to defeat the 'Dark Wings' body, there's no point in going through that.
Casca and Guts glanced at each other, then followed Guts's words and said with a smile: "We decided together that if you returned here within a year, we would ask you to name our child."
"Now it seems he really waited for you. This child has a connection with you."
"Help us name our child." Guts stood beside Casca, put his arm around his wife's shoulder, and smiled. "We sincerely hope he can receive your blessings."
Casca also nodded approvingly.
Nidhogg thought for a moment, didn't refuse, and said, "Alright, then I'll give this child a name. If you don't like it, you can change it."
"We won't dislike it," Casca immediately smiled.
Nidhogg thought for a while. Many names flashed through his mind. But when he met the boy's gaze again, inexplicably, only one name remained.
"Then call him Frodo."
"Frodo..." Guts chewed on the name. "What does this name mean?"
"It's the name of a legendary figure, symbolizing purity, bravery, humility, determination, and other beautiful qualities." Nidhogg replied. "I'll tell you his story when there's a chance."
Guts and Casca glanced at each other again. Both looked very happy. "Then we'll call him Frodo! Thank you, Nidhogg!"
Returning Frodo to Casca, Flora was pushed over by Schierke in her wheelchair.
Flora was much older. It seemed the death of the Spirit Tree had dealt her a serious blow. "I didn't expect that it would be you who had to return to eliminate the threat of the 'demon archer.'"
"As mages, although we can summon elemental spirits or nearby elves to use powerful magic, we also need preparation. When the enemy goes beyond the ordinary, our magic is difficult to work."
"Of course." Flora turned to Melina beside her and exclaimed, "Melina's instantaneous incantation of 'Grace and Blessing' on Morgan is different from our magic. It opened my eyes."
Schierke also nodded repeatedly, very curious.
Melina wasn't used to getting along with so many strangers and remained silent and indifferent.
Even though Flora had already broken the ice just now, she was the one who had interrupted the "incantation" between them when Nidhogg first came to the Spirit Tree Pavilion. This wasn't their first meeting.
Nidhogg glanced at Melina and had to speak on her behalf:
"The incantation Melina uses is another system of abilities. But she also went through a lot to reach the point of using incantations without complex preparations."
Melina felt Nidhogg had a good answer.
Although the gift was given to her by her mother, Queen Marika, she had spent an unimaginable amount of energy on incantations until she met Nidhogg.
Since the answer was good, Melina didn't care that Nidhogg publicly called her "Mel" or "Melina."
Flora nodded thoughtfully and said, "I'm afraid Princess Sakura was like that back then. I am far inferior..."
"Well, you've come all this way and just experienced a fierce battle with the Apostle. Go into the house and rest."
Soon after, the most steadfast members of the crowd entered the center of the camp, into the hall of the tallest house. Everyone found a place to sit and greet each other.
Then everyone invited Nidhogg to tell everything that had happened between his departure and his return here.
Azan and Serpico had already said something earlier. But everyone was still worried about the safety of Nidhogg, Guts, and Puck, and they understood little of it, so they vaguely glossed over it.
Now that you are relaxed, naturally you need to listen carefully from beginning to end.
They had a premonition that over the past six months, Nidhogg had experienced many important events that they couldn't imagine.
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