Chapter 390: Nidavellir
Chapter 390: Nidavellir
Unlike Alfheim, where the Great Forest created by Cyclic Life for the elves and the World Tree that manages it prevented direct teleportation, Nidavellir was different.
Nidavellir is surrounded by mineral mountain ranges created by Clashing Steel, but teleportation isn't blocked there.
The intent behind their creation was different.
The Great Forest was a cradle built to protect the elves, while the mineral mountains were created so the dwarves could hammer away to their hearts' content without ever worrying about materials.
Well, thanks to that, I could fly straight to Nidavellir this time, which was a stroke of luck for me.
Iona is a god, and teleportation is invincible!
"Student Yandel... I'm running low on blood..."
"Here."
"Nom."
Of course, it has the fatal flaw of catastrophic fuel efficiency... but for Iona, that’s not a problem.
She can recover instantly just by sucking some blood.
...Actually, I’ve been a High Magician for quite a while now, and in terms of pure mana capacity, I’m superior to Iona, so I could use teleportation myself.
However, that plan was scrapped due to Iona’s fierce opposition—she really wanted an excuse to teleport a few times and then suck my blood.
Like a baby nursing, I offered my neck to Iona and looked around.
We were in a vast plain, location unknown. Unlike my women, who were either familiarly taking in the scenery or pulling out portable chairs to rest, Baru stood there with his jaw dropped so low I wondered if it was okay.
To a layman, there’s no magic as intuitive and mysterious as teleportation. Even if you don't know a thing about magic, everyone knows that instantaneous travel is incredible.
"By the way, Professor. Has your mana capacity increased? You used to rest after two consecutive teleports, but this time you did three in a row."
"Mmph. Mmph-mmph?"
"Aha? Since my blood has gotten better lately, your power as a vampire has developed further? Then it’s not so much that your mana increased, but rather the efficiency of converting blood into mana has improved."
"Mmph."
Since I give her blood so often, I can pretty much understand her even when she’s just mumbling.
I gave the affirming Iona a casual nod and then turned to Fay, who had been lost in thought for a while.
"Senior Fay."
"……."
"Senior Fay?"
"...Oh? Ah, yes. What is it, Junior?"
"What were you thinking about so deeply?"
"Well, I'm about to go see my father. I'm much better now, but it’s still a bit awkward. ...And more than anything, it’s not like I’m going for a good reason."
True. She has to suddenly face the wounds of her childhood, and on top of that, she’s heard that the man might be dying. It’s only natural for her feelings to be complicated.
I gave Fay’s shoulder a light pat and spoke.
"It’ll be okay."
"How can you say it’ll be okay when you don't know what's going to happen?"
"Because no matter what happens, I plan to make it okay. That’s why it’ll be fine."
"...Junior. You know that sounds incredibly reckless, right?"
"It’s the only way I know how to do things."
I shrugged and replied playfully, but it was the truth.
Ever since I was dropped into this world, I never had any other choice. Either smash through everything blocking my path to see a happy ending... or crumble right there.
Fay pouted for a moment, but soon realized I was serious and let out a small chuckle.
"Thanks. But I won't just stand by and wait for your help anymore, Junior."
"Oh?"
"I’ve been thinking about it ever since the day you started sponsoring me. You raise livestock to eat the meat, and you farm to eat the grain, right?"
"Right."
"Then why did you sponsor me and help me grow my skills? Was it to devour me after all?"
"No..."
Well, it’s true I’m 'devouring' her in a sense, so I didn't have much to say to that, but that wasn't the reason I sponsored her.
I just planned to raise her up and gear her out with a final set.
Seeing my dumbfounded expression, Fay giggled and continued.
"I really thought that at first, but not anymore. Junior, be honest. You saw my potential through the future you witnessed in Fafnir’s arrangement, didn't you?"
"...Well, it’s true that was the reason I approached you at first."
"Hehe. Don't feel too bad about it. Honestly, most of the people gathered here are people whose futures turned out better because of that arrangement, right? I’m actually grateful, so it’s fine. It’s just... I wondered if I could really live up to your expectations. I was worried about that."
"Senior Fay, you’ve always—"
"Been helpful? I know. But I wanted to be more than that. Just as you changed my life, I wanted to lead your life in a better direction too. I am your senior, after all, even if I don't look like it."
Fay said this with a bright grin. Was it because we were out in the light? Or because her heart had found peace in the meantime?
It was a smile that held more playfulness than her usual gloom.
"So, Junior. Leave it to me this time. I’ll show you just how much I’ve grown thanks to you."
"I’ll look forward to it."
Fay and I locked eyes, exchanging a silent gaze.
No more words were needed. That was enough.
"Aaaaah! H-help me, Junior...!"
"……."
Was it really enough?
While Iona was preparing the next teleport, I was checking on the artificial muscle I was cultivating in the meantime, only to see Fay getting attacked by tentacles again. A bitter smile escaped my lips.
*
Despite a minor accident involving the loss of the cultivated tentacles—no, artificial muscle—we managed to arrive safely at the teleport plaza in the capital of Nidavellir.
The massive Black Iron Castle visible in the distance was quite impressive... but the person we were here to meet wasn't the King of Nidavellir, but Fay’s father, Lokan Yarl.
We only stopped by because this was the only coordinate in Nidavellir that Iona knew, and we had to go through some simple procedures. We couldn't exactly enter the country illegally.
And I calculated that if we were lucky, we might be able to find the teleport coordinates for the Yarnshard territory.
As a nation where magic plays a minor role, Nidavellir doesn't have teleport plazas even in most major territories. There’s only one in the capital.
Instead, they have a national railway and trains that boast the fastest speeds on the continent... but they aren't as convenient as teleportation.
During the entry process, once we revealed our identities and destination, a stiffly formal official provided us with the coordinates for the Yarnshard territory.
Fortunately, as we expected, the capital kept track of basic information for each territory.
Well, they keep track of it, but it’s not information they give out to just anyone... but our party wasn't just 'anyone.'
And so, after the final teleport, we arrived at the Yarnshard territory.
More accurately, the moment we stepped onto the wilderness a short distance from the Lord's Castle, Baru, who was supposed to be our guide, muttered with an expression as if he’d seen a ghost.
"...We really arrived in just a few hours."
"Ah, yes. This is the convenience of magic."
"However, it is a convenience that only a chosen few can enjoy. Technology is a convenience that everyone can eventually enjoy as time passes. Teleportation is grand, but personally, I believe the train is more magnificent."
I’d only said it half-jokingly, but the response I got was dead serious.
Since I knew what life was like on Earth, where science was far more advanced than here, I couldn't deny his words.
"Perhaps. I feel like we could debate this all day if we dug deep... but we have more important things to do right now, don't we?"
"Now I can finally fulfill my original role. It is a short distance, but I shall guide you properly to where the Yarl is, so please follow me."
With those words, Baru took the lead.
His legs were short, but his body glided forward faster than his movements suggested. It was likely the walking assistance performance of the boots he was wearing.
Thanks to that, we could follow him without having to slow our pace.
As the Yarnshard Lord's Castle drew closer, Fay, staring at its outer walls, spoke with a slightly stiffened face.
"It’s been a long time. But nothing has changed since the last time I saw it."
"Senior Fay, it hasn't even been three years since you entered the Academy. How much could have changed in that time?"
"...Right. So much has happened to me that I didn't realize it’s only been that long."
While Fay let out a hollow laugh, we finally passed through the castle gates and entered the interior.
The buildings were generally small, perhaps to match the height of dwarves. However, curiously, most of them were made of heavy metal.
I knew the scenery through H&A, but seeing it in person was even more impressive.
"It’s fascinating. Even the ordinary houses look like fortresses."
"Hehe. Right? I thought the same thing when I first came here after living with my mom. There’s a reason for it... though it’s a bit funny."
"What is it?"
"Nidavellir is cold, but it’s a country with the best mineral veins on the continent, right? So iron is cheaper than wood."
"Huh...?"
"When you have cheaper and sturdier iron, there’s no reason to use wood."
That’s ridiculous.
But nothing could represent the nation of Nidavellir and the dwarven race better than that.
Iron is common, and craftsmen who handle iron are common. It’s no wonder a mindset developed where they don't just take pride in their skills, but believe blacksmithing is the ultimate craft.
...Fay intended to surpass blacksmithing with alchemy and take over that domain in a place like this?
I couldn't tell if she was oblivious or just incredibly stubborn.
Either way, it wasn't something Fay deserved to be treated as a non-person for.
Fay smiled as she explained the surrounding scenery one by one, but the residents of the territory only cast cold gazes at her or looked away as if they hadn't seen her.
...Seeing this in person is actually making me pretty pissed off.
Fay might be an illegitimate child, but she’s still the Yarl’s daughter, isn't she? And they ignore her like that? Aren't they just commoners?
I held it in for now since Fay seemed okay. The problem, however, was after we arrived at the inner castle.
"Welcome. The Yarl welcomes you guests."
"What?"
The head steward bowed his head toward Fay, saying the Yarl welcomed the 'guests.'
In a way, it was just a standard greeting, but having rubbed shoulders here and there and gotten used to 'aristocratic conversation,' I knew better.
He was subtly insulting her, saying, 'I don't know why the Head of the House called you, but you don't belong in this house.'
Thinking that dwarven culture might be different from humans, I glanced at Fay just in case.
She was biting her lip, her face clouded.
...Fay told me to leave it to her, but doing this once should be fine.
Sssssss.
I took a deep breath. Then, I shouted with a voice consciously laced with Dragon Peer.
"SILENCE—!!!"
I won't forgive any stubby little brat who tries to tear at Fay’s heart!