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Flamebone Surtr’s defeat had a secondary effect on the entire monster side. Serpentbone Jor was the one most affected.
――Damn it!
Its massive body writhed in rage. The heat emitted by Flamebone Surtr resisted the seal that froze monsters. Now that that heat was gone, the cold from the seal was closing in on the Great Serpent Jormungand.
――I can’t maintain my body. No! I’ve come this far…!
Leaving a roar in the pale sky, the World Serpent Jormungandr vanished.
◆◆◆
The instant Mjolnir crashed down upon Surtr’s head, a sharp cracking sound rang out. A fracture split across the titan’s molten face, then spread in jagged lines across his blazing body. Heat shimmered from the cracks like escaping spirit of fire.
With a death cry that shook the cavern, the Flame Titan began to crumble.
――Impossible…. impossible!
His massive throat released one final roar, so loud and violent it felt like a wall of air slamming into me. I instinctively shielded my face with my hand covered with gauntlets. I felt like I was being blown away.
――Oooooooohh!
A cry of pure hatred and fury echoed as Surtr’s body shattered. Along with Surtr, who was collapsing, I fell from the height of the attack.
“Sorry, but we can’t let ourselves be burned again!”
From the wall, a white dwarf darted through the air, catching me before I could crash to the ground. Together, we drifted down in a slow, controlled descent.
With the defeat of Flamebone Surtr—the keystone of the battle—the tide shifted instantly.
The monsters that had flooded the dungeon were cut down one after another by the combined might of the dwarves and the gods. Even the colossal serpent outside seemed to shine with a burst of light and vanished altogether.
“Let’s push through!”
What happened after that—to be honest, I can barely remember.
I just knew we fought. Gods, dwarves, and us—all together—we dealt against the remnants of the monster horde. With Surtr gone, no more creatures poured through the gates. The onslaught had ended and only cleanup remained.
I fought on in a daze—summoning the spirits, shielding Safi, driving myself forward even after the golden flame finally flickered out.
Then finally, I collapsed onto the stone floor. And only then, only as I lay there, staring up at the rift in the ceiling, did I realize it was over.
The sky beyond had grown pale—morning light is now shining through. It seemed as though time had passed without me noticing.
I tilted my head and looked around.
Felix-san, Mia-san, and Safi were all collapsed in a similar position. None of the gods were left the room. Remnants of magical power sparkled in the air, as if floating in the starry sky.
“…Awake?”
The words came from a small, delicate figure at my side. My vision was still blurry, but as my eyes cracked open, I caught the faint shimmer of thin, translucent wings. One of the white dwarves was watching over me.
――Take them to the surface.
The voice of the Dwarf King echoed faintly, and at once, the white dwarves began carrying us upward. Before long, they set us down on a platform overlooking the main square. Most of the colossal ballistae had been shattered. Only wreckage remained line up across the stone platform.
In the pale light before dawn, countless small figures stood there, gazing at us in silence.
The white dwarves, with slender frames crowned with delicate wings and long, pointed ears, stood there barely chest-high to me. Beside them were the black dwarves. They are of similar height, yet stockier and more solidly built.
All of them are small, but their appearances varied—their clothing, age, the tools they carried. One wore a blacksmith’s apron, another a cloak, another in gleaming armor.
On the platform where we stood, there were perhaps thirty of them. Yet as I glanced around, I saw more of them. They are watching from balconies, ledges, and stairs carved into the cavern walls. There must have been a hundred of them—or maybe more.
“Kingdom… of dwarves…”
I couldn’t help but murmur.
“…Mm.”
Safi stirred as well, slowly rising from where she had been laid, her gaze turning toward the gathered dwarves.
For a moment, she said nothing—her reaction caught somewhere between disbelief and awe.
A chill morning wind slipped through the rift in the ceiling, stinging my skin, still raw from the heat of battle.
“…E-everyone…”
Safi’s voice faltered again and again, as though the words simply wouldn’t come. Safi, the dark dwarf blacksmith, was surely older than me—yet in this moment, she looked like nothing more than a child.
“…Has it been so long? No, wait—”
One of the dwarves stepped forward, standing directly before Safi. His face was older than hers, far more weathered. If he were human, he might have been around forty.
A trimmed beard framed his jaw, his skin was tanned, and a burn scar ran along his cheek. He wore a blacksmith’s apron, and though small, his limbs were thick and sturdy. He’s another dark dwarf blacksmith, just like Safi.
…Is he her mentor?
Suddenly, the man dropped to his knees with a sharp motion.
“Uuh… Forgive me, Safi-dono!”
Safi scratched her cheek, looking awkward and unsure how to respond.
“I knew they’d accused you… that they’d put you to sleep! But I thought—if it was to protect you, then maybe….. And so, I went along with it…”
H-hold on. He looks older, clearly experienced—yet Safi… outranks him?
“I-it’s fine.”
“But still…!”
One by one, both the white and black dwarves lowered themselves on one knee before Safi. Not with the same intensity as the first one, but their words all carried the same weight.
“We heard everything from His Majesty.”
“We should’ve trusted you. But in the end… after sealing you away, we carved the protective runes with our own hands. We swore we’d guard you till the end.”
“Yeah… you’re incredible.”
“Not only did you preserve our technology, but you even brought gods to our aid…!”
Safi blinked rapidly, her dark eyes darting from one dwarf to the next.
“Eh? Eh…?”
Her lips quivered with confusion, as if she didn’t know how to handle such praise.
Watching her, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Then, Mia-san broke the heavy air with a bold voice.
“…So, what was actually going on here?”
“Ah! Uhm, well…”
Safi’s green hair bounced as she turned toward us. It was clear now that the dwarves hadn’t truly betrayed anyone, but the details were still a mystery.
“The truth is… the dwarven kingdom of Alfheim didn’t betray anyone at all. They only pretended to submit—to lure the enemy into a trap.”
Safi began explaining the path her people had chosen.
As it turned out, the dwarves had never truly turned their backs on the gods or on humankind. They had only feigned allegiance to the enemy, drawing them deep into the palace where the tables could be turned.
Mia-san’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Heh…. No, wait. So, the first floor of the dungeon being buried under all that soil—that was part of the plan back then?”
Even I hadn’t thought that it went that far. My jaw dropped open in surprise as well.
“Amazing….”
“The slope above the mine felt strangely steep, didn’t it? That was because the soil and rock from there were used to seal off the palace entrance.”
Safi puffed out her chest, clearly proud of her homeland’s ingenuity.
“But….”
This daring plan had been set in motion ages ago—a desperate gamble by the dwarves. Yet, the fact that Safi had been locked away alone…. that part had been born from their lingering doubt.
The title of Ten Blacksmiths was granted only to the most exceptional craftsmen. Safi, the sole dark dwarf among them, was mistrusted. They feared that she’ll betray their kind.
Thoughts like,
If her unparalleled skills were to fall into enemy hands….
If the plan to lure the titan were to be exposed….
Both risks were simply too great for them. Thus, they put Safi to sleep.
The fact that Safi had studied even the techniques of the white dwarves, striving to become one of the Ten Blacksmiths, had not been in vain though. For when the monsters truly drew near and all of Alfheim rose to fight, everyone united—this time, to protect Safi.
The gold coin trembled, and the voice of a god echoed forth.
『I see.』
“Loki…?”
『Fufufu. Don’t worry. Gods will be resurrected once their magical powers return. As you see, I’m already fine now. Solana’s existence is in no danger as well. 』
Relief washed over me, and I let out a sigh of relief.
But the god’s voice continued.
『There’s a protective magic at work here. Originally, it was meant to guard against titan….yet it also shielded the dwarves through their long slumber. Some, like Safi, must have awakened under Surtr’s heat. However…』
I could already imagine the rest of what he was about to say.
『They lacked the awakener spell and the horn. Nor did they wear a ring, one that could resist the seal, like Safi. Most of them should have turned back to stone almost at once. But…. I guess a small group awakened early and used the water mirror to call for us. 』
Loki’s explanations could be difficult to follow at times. Perhaps it was because he was the god of mischief, but when he wasn’t being playful, his thoughts always seemed two or three steps ahead of mine.
Then his tone grew thoughtful.
『However, if that’s the case—』
『Rion.』
This time, it was Solana’s voice that came from the coin.
Warmth flooded my chest in an instant. I pulled out the coin case. The goddess engraved upon the gold coin that’s catching the pale light of the whitening sky smiled softly.
“Thank goodness. Are you all right now?”
『Yes. Not quite at full strength but the air here is thick with magical power. We should be able to step outside again. 』
Of course, I had no reason to hesitate. I held my hand over the gold coin.
“Wake up!”
Light flared, and the divine presence sealed within burst forth.
Solana emerged first, her hair and eyes glowing with the brilliance of the sun. Beside her, Thor shook out his crimson hair and stood tall, while Loki in his black robe offered a graceful bow. Uru leapt lightly atop a ruined great ballista, his brown braids swayed as he moved. Lastly, Sigris planted her spear on the ground and bent her waist with a far deeper courtesy than Loki.
“Gods!”
A ripple of awe spread through the gathered dwarves.
“They truly fought alongside us!”
“White dwarves, black dwarves…. and even the gods themselves…”
Amid the rising voices, another one resonated—not through our ears, but directly within our minds.
It was the voice of the Dwarf King.
――Thank you, Safi. And my gratitude as well to the god…. and to the boy who wields the horn.
A faint radiance began to gather in the air. Slowly, a figure took shape, suspended as though floating above the platform. The Dwarf King appeared.
Just like when I met him in the throne room, he looked like a beautiful young boy. His white hair and thin wings were divine. However, perhaps because he was created by magic, his figure is transparent, the scenery behind him was visible through his appearance.
――Thanks to you, I was able to fulfill my final duty.
The dwarves around us spoke in turn.
“…We’ll have to part ways for a while.”
“Yeah. But if the gods will watch over Safi, we can rest easy.”
A chill of unease rippled through me.
Their tone… it sounded far too much like a farewell.
Safi blinked her dark, wide eyes. Startled, she hurriedly asked,
“…Your Majesty, everyone… what do you mean? We finally drove off the monsters and reclaimed the palace after a thousand years. From now on, we can stay together—!”
The Dwarf King chuckled and stroked Safi’s head. But his hand slipped through, never touching Safi.
――Safi. There’s a “seal” that covers the world, right?
Safi looked up in surprise.
With the “Alarm” and the horn, I can get the god out of the gold coin. But even such a god cannot stay awake for long. Now, the dwarves have awakened, freed from their long seal. But just like when we had first found Safi, they were in the form of a stone statue….
“We will eventually turn to stone again.”
“Mm. The cold is already setting in. We won’t be able to resist it for long.”
――Even though the seal has been lifted, my body, which was on the throne, has long since turned back to stone.
――I cannot return to a body that has become stone.
――My consciousness, my very magic, has been transferred entirely into this mechanism’s jewel.
The Dwarf King gave a faint, wistful smile.
I reached into my pouch and drew out the awakening horn—Gjallarhorn.
“Uh.…”
I regret having taken it so lightly.
A seal covers the whole world. Even an awakened god must eventually return to the gold coin. If a dwarf can no longer withstand the seal, he will turn to stone. Even my Alarm skill isn’t omnipotent.
Safi stepped forward and raised her voice.
“W-wait a moment! Then why am I okay…?”
The red jeweled ring on Safi’s finger sparkled, scattering a sharp glint across the cold air.
“I see…”
A ripple of realization spread through the gathered dwarves and gods alike.
“That ring…”
Loki murmured. His eyes narrowed with keen interest.
“It is no ordinary trinket. Perhaps it’s a relic. One crafted to shield its bearer from the sealing magic itself.”
Safi looked down at her hand, then back at the Dwarf King, her voice trembling.
“T-then… that means I can stay awake because of this ring? That’s the only reason…?”
The Dwarf King nodded slowly, his form already faint at the edges like mist.
Safi stared at the ring, and the Dwarf King quietly lowered his chin.
――The Ring of Protection.
――A ring of such power could ultimately be made for only one person— for you.
The dwarves exchanged glances, wry smiles tugging at their lips. A mixture of resignation and pride shone in their eyes.
“The craftsmanship is the work of the white dwarves, though the black dwarves lent their hands as well.”
“To keep the gem secure, we first had to refine the alloy properly.”
Another dwarf added.
“…If only we had joined our efforts sooner…”
This ring, brimming with power, had been entrusted to Safi by these people. They wanted to believe in her even though a small doubt lingered that she might betray them. Yet beneath it all was the truth—their desire to protect her, their genuine intent to keep her safe.
Conflicted feelings. As Loki had once said, even the gods and dwarves were a little complicated.
The dwarves gathered around Safi, who stood frozen in disbelief. One by one, they shook her hand, patted her shoulder, offered words of encouragement. The embraces seemed reserved for those closest to her.
I watched the scene alongside Mia-san, Felix-san, and the gods. My chest tightened painfully, and I realized I was gripping the armor around my torso. There had barely been enough time to say proper goodbyes to so many.
Soon, the morning sun streamed in through the rift in the ceiling. Normally, I would have cherished this hour—the sun rising to banish the night and begin a new day. But now, it only served as a cruel reminder: time is running out.
“Mm…”
The dwarves began to slump, one by one.
“…It’s time, isn’t it?”
Gradually, their arms and legs turned to stone.
Safi pressed her lips together, tears pooling in her eyes, yet she continued to look forward. Even the small smile of the Dwarf King began to fade.
――Farewell, master blacksmith of the black dwarves. You’ll be parting ways with me forever, but with the others, it will only be temporary.
But that won’t change anything for Safi. She’ll be left behind again.
“.…Isn’t there any other way?”
I thought deeply.
Safi had struggled so much to get here, and now she’s finally meeting her companions. Even after using the Alarm, for them to part ways now felt unbearably sad.
“Rion”
Solana touched my hand.
“You think so?”
I nodded my head.
The goddess’s aura was different from before. Her voice was stern, and the dwarves who were turning to stone, Safi, and the Dwarf King all looked at Solana.
“Then… I want you to rely on me. You’re my believer, and we’ve made a vow to be the ‘kindest’ and ‘strongest’.”
The goddess closed her eyes tightly. She gripped my arm so tightly that it seemed like it would leave a mark.
“Even in the battle with Surtr just now… I couldn’t truly protect you—”
Golden light began to wreathe Solana’s body.
“And even before that, in that frozen forge… In front of the dwarves turned to stone, I could not be the strength you needed…!”
I recognized that light immediately. It was the same radiance that had poured from Solana when she was gravely wounded by Surtr’s flaming sword. Back then, that light had entered me, strengthening my protection.
“I want to be a god worthy of you as you grow. So I…!”
Solana closed her eyes, so tightly it seemed almost painful.
“That’s why, me too!”
It wasn’t only me who regretted having no power. Even Solana felt that frustration. And in that moment, I cherished her—our goddess—far more deeply than I ever had before.
“Understood, Solana.”
She was trying to answer me, and just that intention warmed my chest, compelling me to speak my wish aloud.
“Solana! A mere Alarm won’t be enough against the seal. So… please, lend me your power…!”
I had defeated Surtr. But that alone… defeating him with sheer strength wasn’t enough. I had come here to save my comrade, to save Safi.
A golden light shone within both Solana’s chest and my own. It was the same light that had appeared when I fought Skoll in the Royal Capital and received the Sword of the Daughter of the Sun.
“Hoh… the bond between Rion and Solana… has grown, hasn’t it?”
Thor stroked his jaw as he spoke.
“…Is it just me, or has Solana’s bond grown faster?”
“Right?”
“It’s heartwarming.”
While Uru, Loki, and Sigris exchanged words among themselves, the goddess seemed to flush a deep red.
“Mm… ugh… this feels… weird.”
Solana murmured. She cleared her throat, still glowing as she did so.
Thor folded his arms and chuckled.
“Haha! Solana is the youngest, and she does not yet wield the power of a motherly god. But… that only means she can grow faster.”
Those big eyes looked down at me, as if to say: Rion, join her.
The awakening horn, the Gjallarhorn, that I had taken out of my pouch was glowing faintly.
“Rion?”
I smiled at Safi, who looked anxious.
“Wait for me.”
I blew air into the horn. Let’s sound the horn of victory at dawn in Alvis. Together with this morning sun!
| Skill, 『Sun’s Divine Protection』was used. ————————————————————— 【Sun’s Awakening Light】 ……Use the power of the sun to make the seal permanently removed. |
“Hoh? This is…”
Loki’s eyes widened.
“Interesting! A combination of 【Alarm】 and 【Sun’s Divine Protection】huh. An ability based on my 【Duplicity】skill! The target might be limited, but still… this is remarkable!”
Sunlight streamed in through the rift in the ceiling, filling the entire hall. The light enveloped each dwarf, restoring their bodies that had begun turning to stone.
Each of them stared in awe as flakes of stone fell away from their hands.
“Rion.”
Safi looked at me, tears welling in her eyes.
Cheers erupted all around. This wasn’t a reunion shadowed by the expectation of parting, like before. This was truly, genuinely, a reunion.
Safi was caught up in the throng of crying and laughing of the dwarves. As they patted her on the shoulders and stroked her head, the dwarf blacksmith also began to cry loudly.
A smile tugged at Mia-san’s lips. She wiped her eyes and then she gave a hearty slap to Felix-san’s back who stood beside her.
The light of the skill “Alarm” spread. Golden magic flowed throughout the mine. Even the dwarves hidden deep underground would awaken before long for sure.
“—I never imagined you’d be awakening not gods, but the entire kingdom of dwarves.”
Felix-san smiled at me as he patted my back.
“…Rutger-san would be so proud if he could see you now.”
The morning wind swept through the vast chamber. Seeing the cheers of the dwarves who had survived a thousand years, and the smile of Safi, the dwarf blacksmith, I felt a warmth of happiness rise within me.
Lu… Mom...
Maybe… I’ve become a somewhat worthy adventurer.
I’ll definitely tell my family about this adventure when I get home!
“Rion.”
“Un…!”
Solana and I nodded to each other.
“The gods’ awakener… your first job was a success.”
We continued to watch the demigod dwarves that come back to life.
In the dungeon, now free of monsters, the voices of joyful reunions echoed continuously.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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