Wind's Tomb (1)

After pulling our camp back a bit, I gathered everyone together.

For reference, I’d already explained the situation to Línea on our way back, so she’s busy preparing our meal.

“Starting tomorrow, we’re going to change course and take a big detour.”

The <Wind Witherer>

Vedrfolnir.

This massive monstrous bird controls the windless state among various wind elements.

It might seem strange to call a windless state “wind,” but I consider this ability the most troublesome.

That’s because wind, simply put, refers to the movement of air.

Controlling the windless state means controlling the flow of air.

In other words, if this creature deliberately exercises its powers, it could even stop us from breathing.

Moreover, while we might be able to escape from Nidhogg, fleeing from Vedrfolnir would be difficult. Nidhogg, whether described nicely or not, is at least straightforward.

That’s why devising an escape plan wouldn’t be impossible.

But Vedrfolnir isn’t so simple. It’s holding its own against the other two monsters despite not having a seasonal advantage.

That alone is enough reason to be wary.

Nothing is more troublesome than someone who knows how to survive against the strong.

“What do you think, Master?”

If Master were to say, “Let’s just deal with it and move on!” I’d seriously have to consider it.

It wouldn’t be an outlandish suggestion, after all.

Despite sparring with Master repeatedly over the past few days, I still haven’t seen the full extent of his power.

Moreover, Master himself is one of the trials known as <One Who Strings the Blade>.

He’s recorded as the second trial, so he must definitely be stronger than the <Wind’s Tomb>, which is recorded as the seventh.

“I don’t particularly care. Just do as you planned.”

“Then that’s what I’ll do.”

But Master’s expression seemed to say, “Go ahead and try if you want.”

It seems he wants to see how my choices play out and how I’ll solve the problems that arise.

That’s Master’s teaching style too. Never explaining or helping, just letting you figure things out on your own.

It can be tough sometimes.

But in situations like this, when I can’t fully trust Master, that approach might actually be better.

*     *      *

“I know this situation. We’re screwed, right?”

“…”

The season is already winter.

Yet the first wind we felt was a hot wind.

Considering it’s winter, the warmth might feel pleasant, but when I think about our original plan, it’s a headache-inducing situation.

“What are you going to do?”

Claire asks while sitting in the carriage, gnawing on jerky.

This kid is getting more impudent by the day.

Her expression is so irritating that I wanted to smack her, but I held back.

I’m letting her off easy because I’m thinking about sending her to the front later.

“Are we going back? Or are we going to go around?”

“Well, let me think about it. Going back isn’t an option.”

Going back to the windless state zone would be worse than heading deeper into the hot wind zone.

After all, if Hraesvelgr, who controls the biting wind, becomes stronger in winter, it also means Nidhogg, who controls the hot wind, becomes weaker.

Moreover, Nidhogg is so straightforward that escaping wouldn’t be impossible. They say he’s too arrogant to seriously pursue those who flee, so it might be worth attempting.

“Should we continue forward to find the biting wind zone, or should we advance sideways as we move inward…”

As Claire pointed out, if we just go around, we might reach the biting wind zone only after winter has ended.

Furthermore, since the monsters don’t always stay in the same place, this position could change anytime.

Even if we’re lucky enough to enter the biting wind zone early, if the seasons change and the monsters start moving in the meantime, it would be catastrophic.

“This… did you know this would happen, Master?”

“Who knows.”

Does that mean he knows or doesn’t know?

No matter how much I stare at Master’s expression, I can’t figure out what his “who knows” means. He remains as inscrutable as ever, which only adds to my discomfort.

“Then, though it’s risky, let’s move deeper into the hot wind zone while…”

“Oh? So you’re thinking of going in.”

“…Or we could play it safe and go around the outskirts, just like before…”

“If that’s your choice, I’ll have to prepare accordingly.”

Which is it?

I can’t figure out Master’s intentions.

What’s the right answer? Continue forward? Or find a safe zone by circling the outskirts?

I don’t know. Perhaps both options will lead to major problems.

Yes, let’s think of it that way.

“Then let’s just go in.”

“Hmm, so you’re going in?”

“Yes, we’re going in. So stop creating this weird atmosphere and just pack your things quietly.”

“If you say so.”

That makes the decision easier.

If both paths are fraught with dangers, the clearer option is better.

And even if something unexpected happens, it shouldn’t be a major issue.

“I’ll trust you, Master.”

“As you should.”

After all, Master said he came to help us at Teacher’s request.

While there’s still some anxiety in fully trusting that, in situations like this, the worst thing we can do is nothing.

*     *      *

Boom!

A desolate land. Every corner is scorched, with embers still burning—this is where the <Mocking Slaughterer>, Nidhogg, resides.

“I sense an irritating wind.”

None of the three trials that make up the <Wind’s Tomb> can escape feeling the wind. That’s why Nidhogg could detect the subtle flow of air approaching him.

Judging by the direction the lesser creatures were moving, they were passing through his territory toward the biting wind zone.

This was irritating.

Especially since they seemed to be timing it deliberately, making it an almost blatant provocation.

“Damn brat.”

Nidhogg gritted his teeth, thinking of Hraesvelgr.

Along with Vedrfolnir, they were the monsters he was determined to kill.

Only then could he eventually devour the World Tree.

“I don’t see why I should tolerate such petty machinations.”

He knew that Hraesvelgr was connecting humans and elves.

That’s why Hraesvelgr was someone Nidhogg had to eliminate before he could attack the World Tree.

Though he wanted to shatter the barrier and covet the World Tree inside right now, Hraesvelgr’s interference prevented him from doing either.

The season was winter—a time when Hraesvelgr’s biting wind grows stronger.

Normally, even Nidhogg would have to stay quiet during this time, but today was an exception. He decided to personally walk outside and slaughter the humans who had the audacity to cross his territory.

Thud!

Yellow eyes and a gray body.

The hot wind, sometimes called a dragon, that slithers on the ground began to move.

*     *      *

Yes, I knew this would happen.

It was clear from the moment I asked for opinions.

From the moment Master looked at me with that intrigued expression, Nidhogg’s attack was already predetermined.

Since I expected it, I’m not surprised.

Of course, seeing that massive body visible even from a distance makes my knees weak, but still.

“Good, let’s stick to the plan.”

It’s surprising that Nidhogg would crawl all the way out to kill us personally, but it’s not a major issue.

Believing that Master would help if necessary, we just need to execute the strategy we prepared.

“Claire.”

“Does it really have to be me?”

“There’s no one more suited than you.”

Has she been frightened by the monster’s appearance? Claire is backing away, sweating cold bullets.

But with a gentle push on her back, she sighs deeply and faces forward.

Yes, despite the unexpected situation, the stage for Claire’s performance has finally arrived.

“Hey! You lizard over there!”

Why do you think I’ve been letting Claire be the way she is until recently?

Claire’s expression has something primal about it that really gets under people’s skin.

Standing with one leg akimbo, chewing deer jerky, Claire points at Nidhogg provocatively.

“How do I get to Alfheim? Give me some directions!”

“…”

“What, you can’t understand? I said give me some directions.”

The epitome of a street thug.

I have no idea where she learned this from. I’ve intimidated a few people in my time, but never in such a distasteful way.

To be honest, just looking at her words, they’d be considered third-rate provocation.

But the crooked expression and posture that accompany those third-rate lines.

Everything about her is screaming contempt for the other party.

“What… is…”

Even Nidhogg is rendered speechless, unable to comprehend the situation in the face of such a perfect performance that doesn’t even look like acting.

“…She must be a natural.”

“Indeed.”

Even the kind-hearted Línea has given up trying to excuse Claire’s behavior, her eyes cloudy with disbelief.

Honestly, I’m surprised too.

There was nothing like this Claire in any of my memories.

“And this lizard jerk has been holding his head up stiffly the whole time, like he’s something special…”

“Claire, that’s enough.”

“But I was just getting started!”

I know.

But there’s no need for more words. That expression and posture alone have already pushed the opponent to the brink.

“…See? The objective has already been more than achieved.”

Whooooosh!

The wind surges. The hot air changes to cold in an instant.

It’s not blowing from inside but pushing in from outside.

Seeing the cause of this phenomenon, I realized that Claire’s provocation had been even more effective than anticipated.

I didn’t think he’d go this far just to catch us. He must be really angry.

With that huge mouth wide open, he’s inhaling air.

Hot wind swirling like flames from inside his throat. When that’s fired, everything around here will melt.

The signature move of the only existing dragon in the records, the <Mocking Slaughterer> Nidhogg.

A breath attack.

“This is all Lost’s fault for making me do this.”

“We can discuss blame assignment later. And this is 100% your fault, Claire.”

I told her to provoke him enough to keep following us, not to challenge him to a life-or-death battle without thinking of the consequences.

Though I admit I didn’t expect Nidhogg to thoughtlessly unleash his breath attack like this.

His threshold seems lower than expected.

“Master, just in case, can you block that?”

Nidhogg’s breath will sweep away everything in sight.

A widespread storm that makes the very thought of dodging meaningless.

Get caught in that, and there won’t even be bones left to collect.

So we need to block it somehow…

“No, there’s no need for that.”

“What?”

At that moment, the sky darkens.

We deliberately chose nighttime, but with the moon and stars out, it shouldn’t be this dark.

“The wind is faster and more intense than you thought.”

A massive shadow covers the sky.

Occasional hot winds and biting winds. And air so heavy it’s hard to even breathe.

“How annoying.”

“This asshole is acting up again.”

A provocation to draw out the other two trials who had been keeping a tense truce.

In an instant, the world is plunged into darkness.

Two gigantic birds with enormous wings descend, obscuring the starry sky.

The wind was indeed faster than I thought.

<Corpse Devourer>

Hraesvelgr

<Wind Witherer>

Vedrfolnir

And more intense.

“…Good, this is according to plan.”

Though the process is different from what I thought, at least it’s still part of the plan.