When Nidhogg got up, raindrops were pattering outside the window.
He had slept very late the night before. Everyone had welcomed him with a great banquet, and everyone was very curious about what he had experienced over the past six months.
There was nothing strange about another space. After all, for over half a year, the part of the Spirit Tree Pavilion where they lived and moved was half another space. But Nidhogg's and the others' journey was still astonishing.
Rickert, Puck, and Ivalera sat closest, either attentively or delightedly listening to his story, sometimes exclaiming like children.
"Alas." At the end of the story, Guts slapped his fist into his palm with regret on his face. "Before you left, I said we would catch up sooner or later. I didn't expect that not only did we not catch up, but we missed such an amazing adventure."
Casca had just returned from breastfeeding Frodo in the room. Hearing this, she couldn't help but slap Guts on the back, then made a fierce but playful expression.
She knew that although her husband had changed a lot after the child was born, the aggressiveness in his bones had never been completely eradicated.
It's just that she never wanted Guts to eradicate it. It was precisely this part that was the reason she fell in love with Guts.
Almost everyone in the camp gathered at the banquet. The bonfire burned until the second half of the night, after which everyone gradually dispersed.
Nidhogg got up early in the morning. He first knocked on the door of the adjacent room. The door creaked open, opened by his Finger Maiden, Melina.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Quite well." The blanket on Melina's bed was certainly not luxurious, but she had never needed it. At this moment, an idea struck her, and she asked abruptly, "Have you thought about it?"
"Thought about what?" Nidhogg blinked.
Melina knew he was asking knowingly, teasing her. She had known him for too long. Although she was reluctant, she could always quickly guess many of Nidhogg's personal habits and thoughts.
What a hateful, silent understanding.
"The Minor Erdtree," Melina noted. "Where do you plan to plant it? Have you thought about it? This is the future Junction. It needs to be handled carefully, but a decision must be made as soon as possible."
"Thought about it," Nidhogg said. "As it happens, let's discuss it with them."
"You're going to plant the Minor Erdtree next to this dead Spirit Tree?" Melina asked suspiciously. "That's a bad choice. It's not safe here."
"Of course not. We should continue west, to the Western Sea. As for everyone's fate, I need to discuss it with them."
Melina nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. Then let's go find them."
Nidhogg and Melina walked towards the center of the camp. Everyone they met greeted them with smiles, as if they were newlyweds.
Last night, this group of Nidhogg's companions had also planned to arrange for them to live in the same room.
Obviously, Nidhogg had put the Dark Moon Ring on Ranni at that time. He was Ranni's lord. For some reason, this group always thought I would have something in common with him. We were just comrades and companions.
This misunderstanding was really troublesome and hard to explain.
Although, in a sense, I gave the ring to Nidhogg much earlier. The meaning of the Spirit Steed Whistle ring was definitely inferior to that of the Dark Moon Ring...
Suddenly, Melina realized she had fallen into a confusing session of self-evidence and had almost convinced herself. So she immediately came to her senses and shook her head, as if wanting to erase all these absurd thoughts.
Nidhogg noticed Melina shaking her head. He didn't know what she was thinking about and just looked at her curiously.
When they found Guts, Casca, and the others, Flora, Schierke, and Ivalera were there. It was worth noting that the core of the entire camp happened to be here.
It turned out that Flora and Schierke, master and apprentice, were repainting the talismans on Guts, Casca, Pippin, Judeau, and Corkus, who bore the branded marks. Rickert was watching.
These talisman marks significantly reduced and resisted the pursuit of vengeful spirits. Otherwise, the nights would be very lively. But the talismans needed to be repainted from time to time, or they would become invalid.
Before Frodo was born, Casca was still worried that Frodo would be cursed because of the Eclipse. But fortunately, after Frodo was born, after Flora's examination, nothing unusual happened. She felt relieved.
When Nidhogg saw everyone gathered, he didn't beat around the bush. He directly explained his intentions.
Guts, Casca, and the others were a little moved. The barrier between the Spirit Tree and the surrounding enchantment had been destroyed. It was no longer safe here. Although they had to leave the camp they had built, now was indeed the time to find another place to camp.
Moreover, after the Eclipse battle, everyone was convinced by Nidhogg's words. Now, many of the decisions made by Nidhogg had never been missed.
Guts, Casca, and the other old Hawk Company members had no objection. Schierke and Ivalera didn't make decisions. So everyone looked at the last person here—Flora.
After Flora easily drew the talisman for Corkus, she was silent in thought for a while, then sighed. "I already understand your thoughts. You're planning to go to the Island of Fairies, right?"
"Yes," Nidhogg said calmly.
Flora nodded, then looked up again. "May I see the Minor Erdtree?"
"Of course."
Nidhogg spread his palms. A flash of light appeared in them. A tree, from fingertip to elbow in size, compressed by golden light, unfolded its branches and appeared before everyone.
The mere soft golden light made almost everyone stare intently. There was an inexplicable feeling, as if the soul was completely cleansed. The sense of holiness was even better than that of the Spirit Tree.
Flora was one of the few who could not be seduced by it. She blinked and said, "I think if you show this to the 'Snow King Hanafubuku' on the Island of Fairies, she won't object."
"Although the Island of Fairies is independent, it does not exclude friendly or neutral gods. On the contrary, it unites many primitive faiths that exist to this day."
Nidhogg calmly put away the Minor Erdtree. Many in the hall sighed with regret and disappointment.
"Then, please introduce us, Miss Flora."
Flora was stunned. Her face flushed with shame. "I'm afraid I can't help you... Perhaps the skeleton knight told you, right? About the 'Princess Sakura Miko'..."
"He did mention it."
"Before, I was a witch who followed the 'Princess Sakura Miko' and served her wholeheartedly. She was friendly, and we had a good relationship. So, when she perished during the Eclipse a thousand years ago, I couldn't forgive myself, just like the skeleton knight."
"Please, mourn."
Flora sighed heavily.
"This grief is not easy to control. I even made a great mistake, breaking the taboo on evil magic. In the end, it was not only in vain, but I was also exiled from the Island of Fairies."
"I took the initiative to come to one of the many Spirit Trees and decided to use my life to protect the Spirit Tree and prevent it from returning to the real world. But unfortunately, this long-cherished wish was not fulfilled..."
"Teacher Flora..." Seeing her teacher so sad, Schierke couldn't help but be infected. Her eyes reddened slightly, and she held her teacher's sleeve.
"I'm fine." Flora smiled at Schierke, but her brows did not relax.
"The residents of the Island of Fairies might not hate you," Nidhogg interjected. "It's just that the 'Snow King Hanafubuku' had to set an example and give you a punishment. After a thousand years of such punishment and atonement, it's enough."
"Besides, we are going to the Island of Fairies. But after the Minor Erdtree is planted on the island, it will create a patchwork of territories. You don't have to live on the Island of Fairies. You will have many choices."
"Furthermore, you should know well why the God Hand sent the 'magic archer' Owen to destroy the Spirit Tree while the skeleton knight and I were away... The World Tree will inevitably return to the real world."
"You don't want to just let it go and allow your apprentice Schierke to face this situation, do you? Don't you want to take revenge in the true sense and free the soul of the 'Princess Sakura Miko,' sacrificed in the Eclipse?"
Nidhogg's words reminded Flora of the beautiful face of the "Princess Sakura Miko," the terrible night of the Eclipse, and the pain and torment she might have endured. Her heart felt like a knife.
Looking down, Schierke was also lying on her knees, looking at her with hope and pleading.
She closed her eyes, finally sighed again, and opened them.
"Can I trust you? Can I truly see that day?"
Nidhogg said firmly, "I will let you see that day. I promise."
Flora's shoulders noticeably relaxed. "This... Alright. I will abandon this face and go with you."
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