Category: Hazure Skill “Alarm”, jitsuwa fūin kaijo no nōryoku deshita. Ochikobore no shōnen wa, nemuri kara sameta megami-tachi to yasashī saikyō o mezasu

Just as Rion and the others had dashed into the side tunnel, their companions were disappearing into the dungeon as well. The dwarf blacksmith, Safi, blinked rapidly. Darkness stretched out in every direction; she could see nothing.

“…Is anyone there?”

She whispered, almost afraid to break the silence—and in response, a dim, hazy light flickered into being before her eyes. And emerging from that glow was a face—pale, with drooping eyes that gave it an unsettling air.

“Hey there!”

“Ahhhhh!”

Safi screamed. Loki, clad in a flowing black robe, laughed quietly at her panic.

“Well, well! I didn’t expect you’d be so easily startled.”

“Lo-Loki…sama—!”

Tears welled up in Safi’s eyes as she glared at him, but Loki remained unbothered. Slowly, he made small orbs of light hover around him, illuminating the area in an instant.

“Looks like everyone else ran off into a different side tunnel.”

“Huh?”

Safi  looked around. All she could see were walls of red earth and scattered rubble. There was no ally in sight—just Loki. Her face paled further when she realized even the boy with the horn—Rion—was nowhere to be seen.

“W-where’s Rion? And…Luisia’s not here either.”

“Don’t worry. Luisia’s being protected by Heimdall as she escaped, and Rion has Solana with him.”

A sharp pang pricked at Safi’s small chest. She shook her head violently, trying to cast out the intrusive thoughts.

“Y-yes! Then… I can relax.”

She forced herself to say. Even the god Loki didn’t tease her this time. Perhaps turning his back was his own peculiar way of showing kindness.

“Everyone’s safe—Mia, Felix, and all the members of the warrior corps. Though… there are a few unexpected guests.”

He added, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.

“But…it appears that they don’t intend to cause a commotion for now. Rion has leveled up, and with so many gods wandering the dungeon, they have to be cautious.”

Loki continued, folding his arms and resting a hand on his chin. A faint, intrigued smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“But to think he’d lock himself in with us! Coordination is clearly not their strong suit. He’s not a monster, so in a dungeon, he’ll be prey as well. It must be difficult for the God of Harvest.”

Safi  tilted her head, puzzled.

“What are you talking about? Unexpected guests… who do you mean?”

“Nothing to worry about. Harmless, for now, I suppose,” Loki replied with a casual shrug.

Then, from deep within the dungeon, a low, menacing growl echoed. Safi ’s face went pale as she stumbled backward.

“There are monsters.”

“Ymir himself doesn’t seem to be here anymore, thankfully.”

Safi  lowered her chin. The Primordial Titan carried a presence all its own—a weight and aura that even she could sense. And yet, that presence was absent here. And precisely because Ymir could not be felt from the outside, they had risked venturing into the dungeon. Of course, there were traps to worry about—but information on Ymir was necessary. Only two weeks remained until the end of the world, and yet they still had no idea how she had managed to send monsters into the Royal Capital.

Loki continued, his tone calm but deliberate.

“If Ymir had been here before, he would have practiced twisting living things to create monsters.”

“Monsters… like the ones that appeared in the capital square?”

“Exactly. Fenrir and Hati, the ones out front, were likely stationed here as guards. But judging by the scene, Ymir no longer considers this place important. Calling us here when he abandoned it was probably just a light reconnaissance—to measure our strength, nothing more.”

Safi  tilted her head, frowning. She had thought she’d die when the vertical shaft collapsed.

And he calls that “lightly”?

“Even if left alone, this was where Ymir first appeared. He probably expected someone would investigate eventually.”

With that, he began walking toward the source of the low, menacing growl.

“Y-you’re going that way? I—I don’t want to!”

Safi  protested.

“Hehe… then trust in the escort of a god, little blacksmith.”

Loki said, his voice teasing.

Before she could react, Loki scooped Safi  up into his arms. Floating effortlessly, he drifted deeper into the dungeon, carrying her into the unknown.

◆◆◆

A glint of steel cut through the dim light. The wolf that had lunged at Heimdall was cleaved in a single strike.

“Grrr—”

The creature’s pained growl lingered for a moment before it collapsed to the ground. In an instant, its body turned to black ash, crumbling away until nothing remained but a small magical stone that rolled across the floor.

“Enemies are cruel indeed.”

Heimdall muttered, frowning. He brushed blood from his blade and spoke deliberately.

“A mere beast… twisted into this form, turned into a monster.”

The wolf had been almost ordinary—except for its bloodshot eyes, its elongated, jagged fangs, and above all, the hateful growl that marked it as something far beyond a natural animal.

“To see my old home so thoroughly despoiled.…”

Heimdall murmured, shaking his head and letting his dark hair fall around his shoulders. Sheathing his sword, the golden embellishments still gleamed proudly even in the dim light.

Behind him, soft footsteps approached. Dressed in her priest robes, Luisia followed hesitantly, keeping her distance as she trailed after Heimdall.

“W…was that… a monster?”

Luisia’s voice trembled. Perhaps this was the first time she had seen even a small magical creature. Heimdall simply nodded.

“Yes. It is a monster—but not an ordinary one.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Most likely, the wild animals that originally lived here have been transformed into monsters.”

The wolf Heimdall had just cut down had already turned to black ash and vanished. Monsters require a flow of magical energy through their bodies. The moment their consciousness is lost, the flesh can no longer sustain itself.

“The Primordial Titan… twists living things into monsters. Even if it has lost the power of creation, it seems that as a creator, it retains the ability to corrupt and distort life itself.”

Luisia gasped.

Heimdall sensed her limits. Kneeling down, he brought himself level with the twelve-year-old girl, his dark eyes calm but serious.

“…It’s frightening, isn’t it? Tell me, will you keep your eyes closed until we reach our destination?”

At nearly two meters tall, Heimdall could easily carry Luisia in one arm as they moved.

Startled by the large hand extended toward her, Luisia shook her head quickly.

“I’m fine. Even you and Oniichan are moving through this place!”

She pushed gently against his hand and added,

“…Freyr is probably somewhere inside the dungeon.”

“You can sense that?”

“Freyja-sama within me tells me.”

Luisia answered, pressing a hand to her chest.

“When I was attacked… if he had been carrying me, it would’ve been… difficult, I’m sure.”

Heimdall was surprised twice in quick succession—first that she had noticed Freyr, and second by the bravery in her voice.

A soft green glow of magical energy enveloped her small frame. Through practice, Luisia had learned to channel Freyja’s power. Her growth was astonishingly fast, as though her consciousness were beginning to merge with the goddess herself.

“Skill Miko….”

Luisia spoke over him, eyes bright with determination.

“The next time that person shows up… I’ll have something to say myself!”

Even so—Luisia seemed entirely serious about scolding Freyr. Her sky-blue eyes shone with unyielding determination.

“Ha… ha ha ha!”

Heimdall laughed, a sound that burst like sunlight through the gloom.

“W-what is it?”

Luisia asked, startled.

“No… it’s marvelous! It seems there is a warrior within your heart as well.”

Heimdal replied, narrowing his eyes with amusement.

Rising to his full height, Heimdall added,

“I apologize. I will not underestimate you again. Please forgive me.”

Luisia returned his smile. Side by side, a young girl and a god began to move through the dim dungeon.

“You were the one who created the ‘Frost Orb’ even in the fertile city of Flocia, and bound Ymir’s hands, weren’t you?”

“Yes”

“…Indeed, you are remarkable.”

A low, distant groan reached them, carried on the wind. The monster’s growl was long and drawn out. Its echoes bounced through the vast dungeon, making it impossible to pinpoint its origin—but somewhere, perhaps, their companions were fighting against it.

“Oniichan.”

Luisia pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the steady thump of her heart—thump, thump—as if to reassure herself.

—If the time comes…

The whispered thought brushed against Heimdall’s ear.

“Luisia…”

Heimdall began to speak, but then shook his head.

Her slender shoulders trembled, a fragile battleground between fear and courage. Her longing for her family seemed to straighten her small frame, giving her a quiet strength. He needed to get her back to her companions—and to her brother—without delay.

“…Let’s hurry to our destination. While the Yggdrasil Water Mirror remains, we should be able to reunite with the other gods.”

And perhaps, at that place, the secret of Ymir’s power would finally be revealed.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com

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A massive wolf. That was the thought that came to me.

From the bottom of the chasm, we looked up at the creature standing on the upper ledge. It was enormous. Its forelegs alone were taller than an adult human, and from its back to the ground, it must have been at least five meters. Fur as pale and icy as moonlight covered its entire body, and its blood-red maw and gleaming white fangs were grotesquely vivid.

Fenrir—the giant wolf who had introduced himself—scanned us with golden eyes that reminded me of the moon.

“I am the chief of the Wolf Bones.”

His voice echoed through the vertical pit like a rolling drum.

There was another monster. A man descended from Fenrir’s back. His upturned eyes and jagged mouth brought to mind the monsters we had faced in the royal capital.

—Wolfbone Skoll.

Though this man from Fenrir’s back didn’t wear armor or wield a hammer, instead clothed in rough robes and holding a staff, he gave the impression of a mage—or perhaps a priest.

He spoke his name.

“I am Hati of the Wolfbones.”

I quickly exchanged a glance with Mia-san. She brushed her red hair back, her mouth twisting in a grimace.

“Damn… relatives of that monster, huh?”

The massive wolf Fenrir let out a deep, resonant howl.

“Well then, I have introduced myself. Gods, heroes… and you? Will you not give your names in return?”

The monsters’ eyes were fixed squarely on me. There was no choice but to stand tall.

“I am Rion.”

And with that, I drew forth the golden coin.

“Alarm!”

A brilliant burst of golden light erupted. From the coin and the horn, every god allied with us manifested. Fenrir squinted, a wicked smile curling his massive muzzle.

“What… a sweet and familiar presence…”

Solana appeared to our right, Heimdall to our left, each taking their stance. As the god of awakening drew his blade, the sun caught it, making it glitter with dazzling light. With the sun goddess nearby, the power of awakening surged even stronger.

Heimdall’s gaze was cool, his lips curved into a calm smile.

“There’s no need for formal introductions between us, is there?”

He chuckled, a low, amused sound.

“Kuku… indeed, you are quite right.”

Fenrir opened his massive jaws and exhaled deeply. Dust and dirt swirled around us, kicked up by the sheer force of his breath. The stench of blood and iron seemed almost to reach us.

“Fenrir!”

I raised my voice.

“…In the royal capital, we heard the distant howl from the west!”

“That was me. I brought you here for two questions I wish to ask.”

The colossal wolf’s voice rolled downward like thunder.

The other monster—Wolfbone Hati —stepped forward, positioning himself to shield Fenrir. Fenrir continued speaking from behind him.

“Why do you fight?”

For a moment, the question didn’t make sense.

“…It’s obvious. If monsters were to overrun the world, that would be the end, wouldn’t it?”

Fenrir’s throat rumbled, clearly unimpressed.

“Yes… hmm, indeed. But you should already be aware of Odin’s schemes.”

A wave of caution rippled between us.

Clearly, even the monsters knew of Odin’s schemes.

I scanned my surroundings carefully. If someone had shared Odin’s plans with them, there was only one person it could be. And that person might still be here.

“…Uru?”

I whispered.

A voice echoed in my head.

『I hear you, Rion.』

『Yes… his presence is here.』

God of Hunting Uru held his bow in the air, eyes sharp and unyielding as he kept Fenrir and the others in check. Only his voice resonated in my mind.

『Other monsters’ presence, too.』

『Something unpleasant is stirring among the creatures around you.』

If the enemies had summoned us here deliberately, danger was inevitable.

I activated my skill to detect the surroundings. Multiple side passages branched off from the chasm’s bottom, leading further into the dungeon. Beyond the darkness, a multitude of red glows shimmered.

The monsters’ magic radiated even to this far point, unmistakable and ominous.

『Still, there was no sign of Ymir.』

『This was likely a former stronghold, once used but now abandoned.』

That alone brought a measure of relief. If Ymir were here, we would have needed to retreat immediately.

Lu touched my back.

“…Oniichan.”

I smiled at my little sister’s whisper.

“It’s fine. As planned, Heimdall will keep you safe.”

“…Yeah! You be careful too, Oniichan.”

While exchanging words with Lu, Wolfbone Hati grew impatient. He slammed his staff into the ground, sending the entire chasm trembling. Stones rained down from the walls.

Fenrir howled.

“We are the Wolfbones! Wolves hunt in packs!”

The massive wolf fixed us with his gaze.

“You are a strong pack. A strong pack could ignore weaker packs and move toward a new world. Why do you not do so?”

Pack… he meant a party, perhaps. The gods, and we, were growing stronger by the day. And Odin had plans to bring the gods and “heroes”—adventurers strong enough to stand alongside them—to a new world.

Fenrir let out a mocking growl from deep in his throat.

“There is such a place, isn’t there? A new lair for the strong.”

I met the great wolf’s gaze without flinching.

“We won’t be going there.”

I would not leave this world—not the world I had lived in with Lu and the gods. Just as my father had handed me the horn, someone had to protect it, and someone else would inherit it in turn.

“…Hmph.”

Fenrir growled. His golden eyes rolled slowly, as if disappointed, though the sound carried a subtle respect.

“Very well, then. Let us proceed to the second question.”

Those golden eyes widened.

We braced ourselves.

Here it comes!

The great wolf lifted his head and howled toward the sky.

—Uooooooooooooh!

The entire chasm trembled with the sound. Beside him, Hati drove his staff into the ground, anchoring himself.

Fenrir bellowed.

“Let us see the extent of your strength!”

Safi leapt up to the level of my head.

“This is bad! They’re trying to collapse the whole chasm!!”

A chill ran down my spine. In an instant, a blade of pure, honed magical energy cut through the air from straight ahead.

“Ugh.”

I met it with my short sword. The blade of magic dissipated harmlessly, but had I reacted a moment later, it would have surely cleaved my neck.

The attack came from straight ahead.

Where there had just been a wall, rubble now gave way to a yawning darkness—and someone stepped forward.

I drew in a sharp breath.

“…Freyr.”

The God of Fertility—and of betrayal—stood there, eyes drifting past me to fix on Lu. A faint, unsettling smile curved his lips.

Lu’s face paled.

Those eyes weren’t looking at her. They seemed to pierce something within her. The gaze ignored Lu herself entirely.

“Heimdall… please.”

I called on the god to protect Lu and positioned myself to block Freyr’s view. All the while, the chasm continued to crumble beneath our feet.

Freyr crouched slightly, ready to strike at any moment.

“…Solana, can you lead everyone out of the hole safely?”

Solana nodded.

“Alright. But if we do that, we won’t be able to investigate the dungeon… or find any clue about Ymir.”

“…Yeah, that’s true.”

If we retreated, we’d gain nothing.

Then… there was only one choice.

The collapsing vertical shaft seemed connected to the dungeon after all. Gaping side tunnels yawned open here and there. Our companions smiled at me, ready.

Mia-san hefted her axe with a clatter.

“Let’s do this, Rion.”

“I’m in too.”

Felix-san, staff in hand, gave a firm nod.

Lu’s voice rang out, determined.

“I… I can’t just keep running away!”

I raised my voice, projecting over the rumble of falling rock.

“Everyone! Follow the gods—take the side tunnels and get to safety!”

It was as if our decision had been the signal. From above, magic rained down like a torrential storm. I caught a muffled shout from Hati somewhere in the chaos.

Ancient spells echoed through the shaft, eerie and oppressive.

Dust and debris swirled, thickening with each moment. My vision narrowed, and through the haze, I noticed movement ahead.

“—!”

Reflexively, I raised my short sword—but Freyr’s blade struck it instead. He had rushed straight at me.

“Impressive reading.”

Freyr had clearly fixed her aim on me.

Through the dust, Lu’s voice reached me, calling out, fading with the distance. So did everyone else’s. This blinding storm of debris and magic—an obstacle meant to scatter us. The gods and our companions had each vanished into separate side tunnels, fleeing the chaos on their own paths.

“Ugh!”

From above, a massive boulder tumbled down. The collapse was accelerating! Between Freyr and me, a streak of golden magic flashed across.

“Rion, this way!”

Solana grabbed my hand.

I tumbled into one of the side tunnels with her, fleeing the choking cloud of dust and debris. We ran deeper and deeper, pressing on through the dark dungeon. In the pitch-black maze, Solana’s guiding light was a lifeline, showing the way forward.

“…Solana, do you think we’re safe once we reach here?”

“Mm.”

The collapse had lasted far longer than I expected. Perhaps Fenrir and Hati had intended to seal off the entire place with their combined power. It made sense—they were blocking what was essentially the shortest path to the heart of the dungeon. Trapping us in there would be tactically sound from their perspective.

Minutes passed, maybe even ten, before the roar of falling debris finally ceased.

“Hoh. You….”

I crouched slightly.

It was the worst possible situation for me—but, fortunately, this meant he hadn’t gone after the others yet.

“…Freyr.”

I spoke, and the god of harvest smiled faintly. From his tall frame, he drew his sword and held it loosely in a ready stance. As always, there was no opening, no flaw in his posture.

“So… you entered the same side tunnel as I did.”

Our swords were raised.

Solana, Freyr, and I stared each other down.

A rustling brushed past our ears.

Solana shouted.

“—Rion, monsters!”

“Yeah!”

A shadow blackened the ceiling above. On closer inspection, it wasn’t a shadow—it was a swarm of countless bats.

“Gigii!”

“Ggiggig!”

“Kii!”

Their screams pierced our ears.

The bats charged. Freyr and I sliced through them in perfect synch, our timing uncanny—perhaps a residue of the times we had adventured together. Once the swarm was repelled, I hastily turned back to Freyr—but he just gave a wry smile and lowered his blade.

“…The monsters Ymir left behind… they’ve awakened at Fenrir’s howl.”

Freyr shrugged.

“What will you do? I’d prefer not to engage in a fight-to-the-death here. Therefore… a ceasefire—and we aim for the exit together—how does that sound?”

I exchanged a glance with Solana.

Looks like this Blood-Red Sunset Dungeon was about to become a very unusual kind of challenge.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com

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Continuing westward from the Royal Capital, the land gradually changed until a vast, barren wasteland stretched before us. The lush, green hills slowly thinned, the grass disappearing, until the earth turned a harsh, reddish-brown.

—The Sunset Wasteland.

It was named for the site of the Blood-Red Sunset, where a monster outbreak and a fierce battle had left the land scarred. We had ridden from the temple in a carriage, taking two days to reach this desolate stretch.

The road had long since disappeared into rough terrain, and the carriage rattled over the uneven ground. We were nearing our destination—the dungeon ruins where the Crimson Sunset had occurred—so no proper path remained.

I peered out the window and muttered.

“To think that a land like this exists so close to the Royal Capital…”

Life itself seemed to vanish here. Not a single blade of grass dared to grow across the endless reddish soil. The sun beat down on the barren earth, reflecting its heat and making the spring day feel like midsummer.

Solana’s voice came from the gold coin.

『This might be the result of the battle between Ymir and Heimdall in the age of myths. This must have been the site of the fiercest battle.』

Heimdall had acted as a sentinel for the gods, blowing his horn and standing on the front lines. The monsters had targeted him first. The walls that were breached long ago had surely vanished without a trace over a thousand years. The dungeon where Heimdall had protected the faithful had already become ruins by the time I was born—and with Ymir’s resurrection, it had been utterly destroyed.

Eventually, the carriage came to a halt.

The reddish earth was scarred with deep craters, and a single thick pillar jutted upward, like a tombstone standing vigil.

“Let’s get out.”

We stepped onto the ground, preparing our equipment with the usual companions: Mia-san, Felix-san, and the Raven Warriors. This time, Safi is with us as well as she might be needed to maintain the sacred artifacts.

But the most unusual presence of all was—

“Here we go…”

Lu, dressed in her priest robes, stepped down from the carriage. I took her hand, steadying her.

“You okay?”

“Yeah…”

She smiled, though her expression remained tense.

“Lu, it’s dangerous to stay outside…”

“I’ll be fine. I’ve been practicing receiving magic from Freyja-sama anyway.”

That was right. Lu would be joining us in the exploration of the Blood-Red Sunset site. Her knowledge of the Freyja’s magic might prove essential. And with me moving into the field, the other gods would have to leave the temple too. Now that we knew Odin was targeting us, it made sense for Lu to stay as close as possible.

We waited for everyone to be ready, then signaled.

“Let’s move.”

We descended into the massive vertical chasm. The hole carved into the wasteland was enormous, easily fifty meters to the bottom. At the base, weathered pillars and crumbling walls jutted out from the earth. If this had once been part of a buried dungeon… it would have been a dungeon over ten layers deep. Had the dungeon’s functions remained intact, it would likely have been far more difficult than Flocia.

Finally, we reached the bottom.

From above, the howl of a wolf echoed through the air.

『…So you’ve come』

Heimdall’s voice echoed calmly from the gold coin.

I raised my short sword and glared upward, positioning myself to shield Lu with my back.

Above us, a massive wolf loomed, and on its back sat a man who looked down at us with unsettling calm.

“Welcome. I am Fenrir, Chief of the Wolf Bones. A pleasure to meet you.”

The wolf seemed to curl its cheeks in a twisted grin. Though the voice came from the man, it carried a disquieting serenity. And yet, it echoed through the gaps between the wolf’s enormous fangs, making the sound all the more unnerving.

“I invited you here because I wished to speak with you directly.”

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com

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I left the tower and made my way toward the carriage waiting in the courtyard. When I saw who was waiting, I almost froze.

“S-Solana…?”

The goddess had changed her clothes.

She wore a dress of deep blue, different from her usual attire. The hem fell just below her knees, giving her a mature, refined air. Her golden hair gleamed in the sunlight, loosely tied at the nape of her neck. With her ears exposed, she seemed somehow more lively, more spirited than usual.

Even her feet were different.

Normally, her pale feet were bare, but today they were shod in a pair of charming shoes.

“I-I hope… it’s alright. I was told by all the gods to adjust my outfit. Shaping the body with magic was tricky at first, but—”

I suddenly realized.

Could it be that the gods had been smirking earlier because they already knew Solana had dressed up…?

“You… you look amazing.”

“R-Really?”

Solana’s smile bloomed like a flower.

Her golden hair fluttered in the spring breeze, and my head began to spin.

In a quiet corner of my mind, I remembered that the outfit was partly meant to disguise her from the eyes of the other gods. Yet, the goddess before me—so different from usual—made my heart race uncontrollably.

The coachman cleared his throat.

“Shall we depart?”

He gave me a sly, knowing smile, and all I could do was nod in response.

We climbed into the carriage and set off toward the royal capital. The check of the magical runes that Safi had told me to perform was quickly done.

Passing through the gates of the royal city, our carriage rolled past the temple, and there Solana sensed a trace of magical power.

“Hmm… no issues.”

And that was it. After that—free time.

Safi, truly… thank you for giving me the push I needed.

We descended from the carriage at the North Plaza of the capital.

“Thank you very much!”

I called out. The coachman waved and drove off. We’d be picked up here again in the evening for our return.

Alright, time to focus!

I braced myself, and when I did, Solana’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“…This is incredible!”

The North Plaza had transformed into a bustling market.

Stalls filled the square, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas. Others had laid mats on the ground to sell their wares. People bustled back and forth. Even though monsters had been spilling out of the dungeon, and powerful creatures had appeared in the heart of the city, the market’s energy remained undiminished.

Her golden eyes met mine, shining like sunlight.

“Rion!”

Solana usually floats above everything, so it felt strange—almost refreshing—to be the one she looked up at.

I held up a finger in a small show of pride.

“Today is when the ‘Spring Market’ is held.”

From the vernal equinox to the summer solstice, the royal capital hosted a market like this.

“Spring is when winter ends and trade picks up again, so every year the market in this season is lively.”

“You know a lot. As expected from you.”

“Hehe. I’ve been running around the capital for a long time after all.”

There was another reason we’d come to the northern district. Compared to the east or west, I hadn’t had to make as many trips here as a trouble-shooter. Officially, I was “out of the capital,” so running into someone I knew might be a little awkward.

I glanced at the goddess.

“…Is this really okay?”

Everyone was busy preparing for the decisive battle, and here I was, flustered over what amounted to a date. How could I feel this way toward a goddess? Would the other gods—or even Lu—think it unbalanced, unfair somehow?

I started to worry, but Solana grabbed my hand before I could spiral further.

“C-Come on! I want to enjoy everything!”

“…Yeah.”

I replied, letting myself be pulled along.

To the goddess, the market was like a treasure chest. After all, not long ago, she hadn’t even tasted human food. She lingered at each stall, studying the goods and hesitating over what to buy. We shared a sweet treat of candied apples, eating together as we wandered.

I remembered going to the market back when Lu had been full of energy. But Solana’s radiant smile was different—walking beside her now, my chest sometimes warmed in a way it hadn’t before.

As we browsed a row of stalls, one of the shopkeepers beamed at us.

“Well, well, young man. How about this brooch for your lady?”

“F-F-for her…!”

My face burned crimson while Solana looked on, utterly bewildered.

The shopkeeper laughed heartily.

“Ah, she seems the more decisive one here. Surely she would appreciate a gift like this?”

Before I realized it, I’d bought the brooch, swept along by the moment.

Solana held it up to the sky, delight sparkling in her golden eyes, and immediately pinned it on. Her usual dress already had gold embroidery, so I could tell she liked things that glittered and shone.

“Thank you, Rion.”

“Yeah.”

I replied, smiling back.

As expected, my pace was all over the place. Even now, my head was spinning.

But setting aside missions, strategies, and all that, walking through the city with Solana was… enjoyable. Was this truly me, enjoying myself? Or was it the part of me warning, “You shouldn’t be doing this”?

I didn’t even know anymore.

I stopped in my tracks. From deep within the market, a scream rang out.

“Someone—help!”

At the sound, I stepped in front of Solana.

“…Solana. Behind me.”

“I can protect you.”

“Not now. Behind me.”

Her eyes widened slightly, but she nodded.

“Y-Yes… understood.”

I activated the blessing of the God of Hunting, Wild Heart.

Someone was pushing through the crowd, running toward us. Three of them. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, and small curses slipped from their lips.

“Catch him!”

“He stole something from the shop!”

“The most expensive one—a jewel!”

The situation crystallized instantly.

The lead man surged forward, as if to throw me aside. The royal capital was full of adventurers striving to become “heroes.” Naturally, among them were a few troublemakers.

“Move, brat!”

The lead adventurer reached toward me. I twisted my body, evading his grasp.

“Hah!”

I grabbed his outstretched arm with my right hand. As his balance faltered, I planted my foot and sent him sprawling to the ground.

His companions shouted at me.

“You little—!”

Both of them were sent flying, blasted by a surge of golden light. The adventurer slammed against a wall, unmoving.

Solana, her hand still extended, stared blankly.

“I… didn’t mean to…”

Everyone around us was frozen, their eyes wide.

Of course—if a child just took down three adventurers, it would be hard not to stare.

I glanced at the fallen adventurers. None of them showed any sign of getting back up.

Scratching the back of my neck, I muttered,

“Now… call the guards!”

I grabbed Solana’s hand and sprinted toward another section of the market.

At this rate, the guards who arrived would pepper us with questions, and we wouldn’t be let go for hours.

As we ran, I stole a glance at her.

“S-Sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Because… I can’t make this feel like a proper… date.”

She bounced her golden hair and smiled at me.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I enjoy being with you.”

Those words lifted the weight that had been pressing on my chest, if only for a moment. Without thinking, our hands stayed intertwined, held together for a little while longer as we ran.

◆◆◆

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

We resumed our stroll through the city, wandering among its streets and alleys.

Solana was still captivated by everything—the brooches, the human foods, all the small wonders. Even in the age of myths, it seemed she had little contact with mortals. Every stall, every trinket, every scent of the market was completely new to her.

Drawing on my knowledge of the city from my days as a trouble-shooter, I led her beyond the market as well—through canals, past waterwheels, along charming little shops. I held her hand as we walked. It was a little embarrassing, but somehow it made the distance between our hearts feel smaller.

And then, the time of sunset arrived.

“Solana, over here.”

I guided the goddess to one last place—a secret spot that only someone like me, who had run these streets for years, would know.

We climbed a building near the city wall.

A five-story tower, the tallest in the area.

It had once housed a bell, but since the bell had been removed, it was now simply a high place with a breathtaking view. A quiet, almost secret spot where few people came.

When we reached the rooftop, Solana’s eyes widened.

“Wow…!”

The sunset painted the sky in gold and crimson. I loved sunrises, of course, but after a day of running around and exploring, the evening glow felt just as magical.

Solana and I leaned against the railing, taking in the view.

The city stretched out below the walls, rooftops glowing in the sunset. Smoke began to curl from chimneys, steadily increasing in number as everyone prepared their evening meals.

Solana turned to me.

“Rion, thank you for today.”

I smiled.

“No, thank you. I had a wonderful time too.”

For a moment, our conversation fell silent. The sound of the wind felt strangely loud. We both opened our mouths to speak at the same time, then laughed quietly and let the words go unspoken.

The sky slowly shifted toward night, and the sun’s glow lingered on our faces.

“…Rion, I—”

“I—”

We spoke at the same time. Then we shared a brief laugh before I finally spoke.

“Solana… I love you.”

A simple, straightforward confession. The words carried my feelings naturally, and I couldn’t help but smile.

Solana’s golden eyes softened. She looked both shy and delighted, a look I’d never seen before.

“Yeah… I love you too.”

Today, we had wandered the city together for the first time. But I felt that the change between us had begun long before that.

Solana pressed a hand to her chest.

“…From the moment we first met,” she murmured.

She lowered her gaze. Her long lashes caught the sunset, glimmering faintly in the golden light.

“To be honest… I was full of doubts. The world had changed fundamentally from the one I knew, sealed away as it was.”

Yet she looked at me then, and her gaze was steady.

“You accepted me… as your goddess, as someone to swear to. If it hadn’t been you I met then, everything now would have been different.”

Her eyes softened as she smiled.

“Thank you. To accept me back then… it must have taken courage, I think.”

Her golden eyes met mine. I couldn’t let my voice tremble here.

“I… I’m glad I met you too, Solana.”

Our gazes locked, my chest burning with warmth, and I didn’t know what to do next. Without thinking, I took her hand and drew her close. Our bodies pressed together, both of us as warm as sunlight.

Her words brushed across my cheeks, along with the strands of her golden hair.

“…Let me make a vow too.”

“A vow?”

“Yes. Just as you swore to me to be ‘gentle and strongest.’”

Solana stepped back slightly, meeting my gaze with unflinching clarity.

“I will be with you, in every moment. No matter what happens, I will always come to save you.”

Her words looked ahead to the battles yet to come. We would face Ymir, and we would have to protect the world. If we didn’t, no future—no matter how hopeful—could ever arrive.

“I’ll get stronger too… strong enough to protect everyone—especially you, Goddess. Always, even more.”

So close that our cheeks almost touched, Solana smiled softly.

“You’re warm.” she murmured.

“Mm…”

“Truly, your body is warm and kind.”

Warm? 

My entire body felt like it was on fire. I was determined not to let her see how flustered I was.

A cool breeze brushed our faces, but even through it, I sensed something ominous in the shifting air. My body stiffened instinctively.

Solana’s shoulders trembled slightly as well.

“…Did you hear that?”

“Yeah.”

Through the night wind, something reached us from afar—a howl, or something very much like it.

We instinctively let go of each other.

The goddess leaned over the tower’s railing.

“…It’s a howl imbued with magic.”

I drew in my chin and stared at the sky from which the sound came. The sunset’s red still lingered faintly on the horizon.

“From the west.”

The unnatural howl sent ripples of unease through the city.

A thought crossed my mind—the giant wolf among the revived monsters. Fenrir, if I recalled correctly.

Solana rested a hand on her chin, her golden eyes narrowing in thought.

“It’s very far away… But if it is a monster, why announce its position like this? What intent lies behind it?”

“The west… huh.”

“What is it?”

“I just realized… it’s the same direction as the ‘Crimson Sunset’.”

The place where my father had died.

A spark of insight struck.

“The place where Ymir was during the battle at the royal capital… wasn’t it most likely the ruins of a dungeon?”

The site of the ‘Blood-red Sunset’ had also been a former dungeon.

There was so much we still needed to uncover about the enemy.

Where are they now?

How had they managed to tear through space itself to send monsters into the sky above the capital?

I spoke the thoughts rising in my mind.

“If the Blood-red Sunset was at the dungeon ruins, then it’s not an ordinary dungeon. Plenty of people could hide there. And underground… there should be a communication device for the gods, right?”

“The Mirror of Yggdrasil huh… there must be one.”

All the conditions were lining up. The enemy had exploited the Mirror of Yggdrasil during the battle at the royal capital.

We nodded to each other, understanding.

“Then this might be the very place where Ymir was hiding during the battle at the capital!”

“We’ll need to investigate.”

West—the place where my father had fallen, where the Blood-Red Sunset had occurred. It was also where the alarm horn, Gjallarhorn, had been discovered.

I shook my head, clearing it, forcing my focus back to the task at hand.

Back to the fight.

There might be clues to victory at the enemy’s base.

“Solana.”

I held out my hand to the goddess.

“Yeah, let’s go!”

Hand in hand, Solana and I ran toward the stairs leading down from the tower.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com

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How did it come to this?

Since morning, I’d been summoned by Lu and made to sit in a chamber of the Grand Tower.

Inside the room, it was just the two of us—my sister Luisia, and me. Even the gods who usually hovered around the golden coin had been shooed out. In front of me was a desk, and spread across it was a map of the royal capital. Lu stood on the other side, arms crossed, her expression serious.

“…Ready, Oniichan?”

Her sky-blue eyes met mine. I felt something burning fiercely in them.

“Today’s the decisive battle. Today, the decisive battle finally comes for you, Oniichan.”

“E-eeh…? The fight with Ymir is—”

“Not that one! I mean! You’re going on a date with Solana-sama, right?!”

My face heated up instantly. It was embarrassing, standing there in front of my little sister.

“W-well, about that…”

I stammered, utterly flustered.

“I just… I don’t know if I should get too excited. Everyone else is training, preparing for the battle, and here I am, planning to stroll around the city… besides…”

I looked up at Lu.

“Y-you’re busy practicing magic too, aren’t you?”

“That’s totally fine! No problem at all! I’ve been waiting for this!”

Her eyes sparkled brighter than anything I’d ever seen.

“I’ve been planning to cheer you on with Solana-sama all this time! I was surprised it never happened before, but—”

The latter part she said almost in a whisper.

Well, Solana is a goddess after all…

“Anyway, listen up.”

Lu cleared her throat.

“This… is a map of the royal capital.”

“I know that.”

“Look at it.”

“Y-yes…”

There was no way I could say I already knew it all from my courier work. Lu’s face was serious as she pointed to the northern city gate.

“Like I told you yesterday, we start from here. The Warrior Corps’ carriage will take you!”

She made two fists and pumped them with determination. Lu really had gotten bolder since recovering from her illness… My lips twitched.

Time to make my feelings clear.

I’d told that to myself yesterday with resolve, but now a creeping doubt was settling in, like a shadow that won’t leave.

Was this really the time to be fretting over something like this?

If ‘that girl’ hadn’t spoken up, this date—at least in Lu’s terms—would never have even happened.

—Some magical rune traps had also been placed in the Odis Temple in the city.

—Could you go and check if they’re working properly, with the goddess watching over them?

That was what Safi  had said.

The dwarf blacksmith had given Solana and me the perfect excuse to go into the royal capital.

…Yesterday, Safi’s profile had crossed my mind. I hadn’t realized her feelings at the time. Now, knowing she had quietly given us this push, I didn’t want to dismiss it lightly.

Maybe this really is a date.

Lu smiled brightly.

“Then, at the end, why don’t you take her to a special place?”

The image of the goddess’s composed, adult smile flashed through my mind again. My cheeks burned. I shook my head, trying to focus.

“Uh… right. We’ll leave soon, and we’ll be able to enter the city a little after noon. Solana’s curious about human food, so first, we’ll check out the market.”

I was trying to think it through properly. Even though my brain was tired from training, I pictured what kind of places would be good.

“Hehe, that’s my Oniichan!”

While Lu and I huddled over the map, chatting and planning, there was a knock at the door.

In came our mother, dressed in her priest’s robes.

“Oh my, Rion. Looks like you’re going out today.”

Mother smiled.

I was wearing my usual adventurer’s clothes with just my boots, but I wasn’t wearing gauntlets or any other armor. The only equipment I was taking was a single dagger.

She could probably tell something was different about me. And yes, I had even taken extra care to comb my hair.

“Is it really okay for me to be doing this?”

I pouted a little in front of her.

Somehow, it felt like I was just putting on a show for everyone else, and that made me a bit annoyed.

Even the gods had been smirking when I stepped out. Mia-san, on the other hand, felt far more mature. She hadn’t said a word but had helped with the chores, making sure I had time to myself.

Mother narrowed her eyes.

“Rion… what do you want to happen with Solana-sama?”

“What do you mean…?”

Being asked like that made me pause… what do I want?

The relationship between a god and her follower had always been the same since we met. Solana was the first god I’d ever known, the one who had taken me on adventures, my reliable companion, my mentor.

And now… she was more than that.

“…………”

In the mirror, I saw my own cheeks glowing like apples.

I quickly looked away.

“M-My companions are all so busy, and yet… only I get to—”

“It’s fine.”

Mother shook her head.

“Right now, you need to value your own feelings. If you can’t take care of your own heart, you won’t be able to truly care for someone else.”

She reached over and plucked a tiny speck of lint from my neck.

“Go on. If a world could collapse just because a fourteen-year-old boy went on a date with a girl, it would have already fallen long ago.”

“M-Mother!?”

Since Odin’s scheme had become clear, it seemed Mother had let go of her hesitation. Sometimes she said bold things like this.

It felt better than staying anxious, that’s for sure. Somehow, everything felt a little off-kilter. Still… maybe it really would help to go into the city for just one day, to get my thoughts in order.

Whether I’d actually get my thoughts in order, though… I had no confidence at all.

I checked my hair and collar in the mirror.

Then I turned to look at Lu and Mother.

“I-I’ll go now.”

“Yes.”

“Do your best!”

I gave a wry smile at Lu, who was even more enthusiastic than I was, and descended the tower stairs. The goddess should already be waiting in the carriage.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com

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“…Let’s try to organize the situation. I was the first to notice the fluctuation in Solana’s magic,”

Uru, the God of Hunting, began, his tone careful as he glanced at the others.

The two large gods—Thor, the god of thunder, and Heimdall, clad in armor—remained silent, arms crossed, as if to say, this isn’t my problem.

Uru raised a hand, adding quickly:

“By the way, I’ll stay neutral on the matter’s progress. You two are… still young, huh… really.”

A bead of sweat ran down his temple as he realized just how slow the others’ reactions were.

The gods were gathered in a space that resembled a sky of pure blue, floating calmly above the mortal world. Only Solana and Freyja, residing in Luisia, were absent from this council.

With the end of the world approaching in two weeks, every report mattered—and yet, right now, the focus had shifted entirely to Solana’s unusual behavior.

Uru’s mouth twitched as he continued.

“After Safi confessed to Rion, it seems that stirred things up between Rion and Solana too… Honestly, I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but… ‘Why now, of all times, when the world’s about to end?’ That’s my thought exactly.”

He turned his gaze to the remaining two gods.

“Loki, Sigris… you two get these subtleties better, right? What do you make of it?”

Loki, the trickster god in black robes, lowered the corners of his eyes further and pressed his fingers to his brow. Sigris, the medicine god, looked equally perplexed, glancing anxiously from side to side.

Finally, a voice broke the silence.

“W-what should we do…?”

Loki shook his head.

“Do what? Rion and Solana… sure, I was enjoying watching it too, but seriously, it didn’t have to explode right now.”

“C-could it be that Loki provoked it?!”

Before the battle at Flocia, Loki had indeed teased Solana.

He waved his hands in protest.

“That’s a false accusation! But… hmm, maybe it just needed a spark from that little dwarf blacksmith… I guess it was only a matter of time. Still, I can’t deny—it’s kinda entertaining.”

The gods floated in the sky-like space, the tension between the impending apocalypse and a sudden human drama blending into a strange, surreal moment.

All four gods’ gazes snapped sharply toward Loki.

He raised his right hand, holding up his fingers, and waved them dismissively.

“Hey now. Sure, I was enjoying it a little, okay? But… seeing it actually happen, right before the final battle, with the key players—Rion and Solana—getting all awkward with each other? That’s a problem.”

The other gods all nodded in agreement.

All of their eyes kept returning to the spot where Solana would normally stand. In the magically recreated sky, sunlight concentrated in a certain place—this was where the Sun’s Daughter always appeared when the gods gathered.

But now… she wasn’t there.

Her magic was so disrupted that even channeling it into a gold coin had been a struggle.

Once more, the chamber fell into a heavy silence.

Sigris, the only female god, slowly raised her hand.

“Then… this means they both realized they like each other, right?”

Loki twisted his mouth into a crooked grin.

“Judging by the vibe… I’d say they definitely felt it.”

“Wha—!”

“Goddess? You’ve been alive a thousand years! You really don’t need to get all starry-eyed over a fourteen-year-old’s first crush!”

Loki ran his fingers through his black hair.

“Solana too… I mean, she’s the youngest among the gods, and she’s been sealed for a thousand years—so her mental age might be about the same as Rion’s? Ah, just—everyone, think! Really!”

He turned his voice toward the remaining gods, who shifted uncomfortably and exchanged glances.

“But… what can we even do?”

“Shouldn’t we just respect their feelings—”

“Are you kidding!?”

Loki waved his arms dramatically. Normally attuned to the subtleties of hearts, this time the trickster god—Trick-Star—found himself forced into the role of facilitator.

“Listen, everyone! Solana is the Sun Goddess! The reason we’ve been able to resist the seal at all is because of her power—the Sun’s Awakening Light!

Thor lowered his chin heavily.

“…That’s right. Even in battle, most of Rion’s fighting power comes from Solana’s blessing.”

“Yes, that’s it! With the final battle just over two weeks away, we need to get Rion and Solana reconciled as quickly as possible!”

The moment Loki said this, a violent wind tore through the blue sky. It was as if a storm had erupted—so strong that even the gods seemed at risk of being blown away.

“…Phew. Everyone saw that, right?”

After somehow weathering the storm, Loki ran his fingers through his disheveled black hair.

“We’re all residing in Solana’s gold coin. Which means… any fluctuations in her magic affect us too.”

“Why didn’t you say that sooner?”

Ignoring Thor’s polite glare, Loki surveyed the other gods.

“You see? If her magic is this unstable, it’s like we’re broadcasting our own unease to the enemy… And by the way, it messes with my investigations too. During the battle in the capital, we still don’t know exactly what Ymir was doing or where.”

Thor swung his massive hammer, Mjolnir, with a roar.

“Alright! I got it! We tell Rion directly. Straightforward approach—he’ll just say ‘I love you’ out loud!”

Loki pointed and burst into laughter.

“You’re telling him to love?!”

“You told me to figure it out!”

“And honestly, it’s monumentally lacking in style.”

“……”

Glared at by the thunder god, Loki fell silent. A slightly awkward tension filled the space.

Then, suddenly, Uru raised a hand.

“…Hm. Is it all right, Chairman?”

“Yes, Uru. Though Loki isn’t really the chairman.”

“I just… I wonder why Rion couldn’t say it clearly back then. In a situation like that, I think it should have been the boy to speak up.”

“Well…”

Loki started to speak, hesitating as if wondering why he even had to. All eyes turned toward him, and with a resigned sigh, he finally said,

“…Maybe it’s because one is a god, and the other is human.”

A silence followed. It felt heavier, stranger than before—almost dark.

Their romance couldn’t unfold like that of ordinary boy and girl. Loki’s words—stating the obvious “premise”—laid bare the barrier between Rion and Solana: that of worshipper and goddess.

The Healing God Siglith shook her blue hair and raised her voice.

“S-still… if there are feelings then….”

“Ah, Medicine God! You’re saying something… surprisingly human!”

Loki buried his face in his hands, but the room erupted in bright, clear laughter. The cheerful laughter went on for a while. Heimdall laughed so freely his face crumpled into amusement. Only after everyone fell silent did he finally stop.

“…Sorry, sorry. I was just… surprised.”

He wiped a tear from his calm eyes and spoke.

“You’ve all changed. Honestly, when I first woke up, I was shocked… but now, compared to the mythic era, you all are unmistakably… human.”

“Well…”

The Thunder God Thor scratched the tip of his nose with his thick finger.

“So that’s what you’re saying… After all that, you’re basically admitting it, huh?”

“Hm. It seems that point helped lead to victory in the dwarf kingdom.”

Heimdall said, nodding with the composure of a seasoned strategist.

“Still, back in the mythic era, we led humans—but we couldn’t really call them ‘companions.’ And now… even the fearsome Thunder God Thor is sticking his nose into a boy’s love life.”

“Shut up.”

Thor muttered, awkwardly brushing back his red hair.

Meanwhile, the Trickster God Loki crossed his arms, intrigued.

“Indeed. In just a few months, we’ve come to understand humans far more deeply. And yet… we’ve been alive for a thousand years.” he said, glancing toward the heavens.

The blue sky deepened in color the higher one looked, and Loki’s mind drifted up, soaring toward the true sky.

“Odin’s proposal was tempting too. To create a new world and abandon humans… newly awakened as we were, perhaps we might have agreed.”

His words cast a chill over the conversation, but no one dared contradict him.

—Gods above.

—Humans below.

It was true that many gods had once regarded reality that way. Heimdall acknowledged it.

“But now….”

No one finished the sentence. There was no need. Their hearts already shared the thought.

Loki let out a soft, amused chuckle, his shoulders shaking lightly.

“At the very least, we will protect this world. I’ve come to… rather like humans.”

The goddess Sigris smiled gently.

“…In that sense, perhaps the one who has changed the most is still Solana. At first, she didn’t even know what human food was, and now—”

The observation was taken up by the God of Hunting Uru, his brown braids swaying lightly.

“Indeed. She’s grown the fastest. A goddess growing alongside a boy… perhaps even love is inevitable.”

He shrugged as he spoke the last part, almost to himself, quietly.

“Well then,” Loki clapped his hands, breaking the reflective mood.

“Everyone! It’s far too early to get sentimental! Let’s switch gears! Right now, what’s more important is that this growing goddess is completely flustered.”

Heimdall cleared his throat.

“Ah, about that, truthfully, there’s no need to worry. The reason she remained silent at first was exactly this. It seems the humans already have a plan in motion.”

“…A plan?”

“Well… whether you can call it that is debatable. But it’s as straightforward as Thor would approve.”

Heimdall raised a hand toward the front.

In the blue sky, a circular gap opened, and through it—beyond the gold coin scattered in the room—one could see the outside.

It was as if opening a window. Even while the gods lingered over the coin, they could see what was happening outside, in the mortal world.

Outside, there was a knock on Rion’s door.

His younger sister, Luisia, appeared, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Oniichan, go on a date with Solana-sama!”

With those words, she grabbed Rion’s hand, her determination shining bright.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com

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When Safi stepped outside, the spring wind rushed over her like a rushing tide. She looked up at the world from her small stature, stretching wide—wide for a Dwerg, at least. Sunlight wrapped around her, and the breeze played through her green hair.

“What a good weather!”

The underground had its charm, but the outdoors… especially in spring, was unmatched. And it was thanks to that horn-playing boy that she could feel this again.

—I have to be useful to him.

Rion was sitting alone on a bench. Safi approached and spoke.

“Rion.”

Every time she talked to him, she ended up saying things she didn’t need to. Just being near him made her head feel hot, flushed. Perhaps it was the nature of a Dwerg—when wielding a hammer she could maintain a calm, even if just a little. That was why most of their conversations had taken place while working at the forge.

This time, too, she relied on “work” to steady herself.

Safi’s gaze swept over him from head to toe. Armor, gauntlets, boots—everything looked intact. No broken plates, no loose studs. Only one thing betrayed the recent battle, a fresh scrape on his cheek.

“…I saw you out there… you took quite a beating.”

Safi pursed her lips at the thought of Thor’s merciless training.

Rion touched the scraped spot, giving her a sheepish little smile.

“Even so, I was still able to fight. Gods are incredible, really.”

Safi chuckled softly. This boy—always marveling at others. He called everyone amazing, yet here he was, a mere mortal, daring to fight alongside gods.

You know could afford to hold your head a little higher…. She thought.

“So… your weapons and armor are all right?”

Rion drew the Blue Crystal short sword from its sheath.

“Yeah. Thanks… without your sword, Safi, I’d have taken even more damage. Ever since you re-etched the magical runes, I feel like my movements are faster.”

“That’s natural. The runes I carve? Even for a black Dwerg, they’re top-notch.”

Safi shook her green hair, a proud smile tugging at her lips.

It was probably the reason their conversation slipped immediately back into the roles of blacksmith and adventurer—she hadn’t dared to say anything else.

After the practical talk ended, silence settled.

Rion turned his blue eyes to her.

“…What’s wrong?”

Her heart skipped. There was no more work to be done—as a blacksmith, she had nothing left to say.

“Ah, um—”

Her mouth opened and closed uselessly. Words circled in her mind, unsure of which to speak or hold back.

Rion tilted his water flask with a concerned look.

—Say it.

Perhaps because of what a companion had said to her earlier, a question slipped from her lips before she could stop it.

“Do you… have someone you like?”

Rion froze completely.

“…Safi?”

The boy’s back trembled. Then, spectacularly, he choked, a sip of water going the wrong way.

“S-sorry… I didn’t expect you to ask something like that…”

“Ah, me neither…”

The words were out. They couldn’t be taken back. They floated between them, untouchable, suspended like clouds in the conversation.

Both their eyes darted around. Rion was bright red. Safi was bright red.

What am I supposed to do?

“W-what’s wrong? All of a sudden…”

“Eh, um…”

Safi mentally repeated the phrase, “Am I an idiot?”, in her head a hundred times.

Rion honestly folded his arms, thinking.

“I-I… I guess… I don’t know.”

Of course—Rion always answered sincerely. Not a lie, not a dodge. That was genuinely how he felt.

“…I see.”

“Yeah…”

But now that Rion had answered, Safi had no choice but to respond. She had boxed herself in, and just at this moment, her resolve wavered.

And then, her mouth moved on its own.

“You… you said ‘I don’t know’?”

Rion nodded firmly.

“…Yeah. I don’t know.”

The spring wind blew past them.

The boy had said he didn’t know. And because he was so honest, if there wasn’t anyone, he would have said, there isn’t anyone.

Rion’s profile was still flushed red. His gaze didn’t clearly fix on anything—neither looking down nor up—but if anything, it seemed as if he were tracing the sunlight streaming from above.

Spring… maybe I don’t really like it after all.

Even now, the scent of flowers lingered in the air. For some reason, Safi found herself smiling.

“Hmph. I like you, Rion.”

Rion turned to her, eyes wide with surprise. Safi grinned mischievously.

“…Eh? Eh!?”

“But it’s okay.”

She gave a firm pat to Rion’s back.

“It’s okay. I’d already noticed, more or less… just take care of the goddess, okay?”

Safi strode off, leaving the training grounds. As she passed, the thunderous figure of Thor gave her a puzzled look.

Near the cathedral, golden light descended from the sky.

“Hm? Safi, is that you?”

Wrapped in sunlight, Solana appeared, radiating divine presence.

She, too, probably noticed that Safi was acting differently than usual—her eyes slightly glistening, cheeks still flushed.

Safi fumbled for an excuse.

“What’s wrong? Not by Rion’s side?”

“Hm… the sun caught my attention a little. I stayed away for a moment.”

Solana looked up at the sky, then bent slightly, concern etching her expression.

“Are you in any pain?”

Her large eyes and the straight line of her nose—She really was a goddess, Safi thought.

“I can heal minor things with my blessing.”

Solana added.

Safi shook her head. The shadows of the cathedral hid them from anyone else. Here, it was just Solana and herself.

With her dark eyes fixed on the goddess, Safi asked boldly,

“…Goddess, do you like Rion?”

Now it was Solana’s turn to be stunned.

What Safi had said before—well, perhaps it was more of a venting than retaliation—was now thrown straight at the goddess herself.

Solana froze for a moment. Her golden eyes flickered, her cheeks flushed. She touched her face repeatedly, as if confused by the strange sensation spreading through her chest.

“Uh… uhm… what is this… it’s hot… and my chest feels… fuzzy…”

The radiance around her shimmered, waxing and waning.

Safi couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

The Rion who had saved her back then had been unmistakably a hero. And she herself… had probably fallen for a hero. And a hero—well, perhaps only the gods could truly notice such a person.

“I said it, you know.”

“Huh? Eh…?”

“It feels a bit clearer now. Well, it’s not perfect happiness, but… not bad at all.”

Safi waved goodbye to Solana.

“God should hurry too. The end is near.”

With those words, Safi turned the corner. She started running. So that regret, doubt, and all those other things wouldn’t catch up to her.

She ran and ran and ran. She bumped into someone.

“Huh? Safi?”

It was Mia.

Tears came belatedly, and Safi clung to Mia, crying for a while.

◆◆◆

I must have frozen for a while after Safi left. Hearing the words “I like you” directly from her mouth hit me like a hammer—no, like someone had pounded my chest instead of my head. My heart throbbed violently.

“Huh… what… does this mean…?”

Safi had walked away laughing, but she had seemed… a little pained. Thinking that way made my chest ache all the more. At the same time, even with my muddled thoughts, I knew one thing—I shouldn’t chase after her. It felt like it would be dishonest otherwise.

Then the edge of my vision brightened. Solana descended beside me, floating lightly.

I noticed something unusual about her too. Normally, she would look straight at me—but now, she kept her gaze lowered. Her cheeks were strangely flushed.

“Hm. Rion.”

“…What’s wrong?”

I felt… odd. My words wouldn’t come out right.

The goddess spoke.

“Nothing.”

—Solana sometimes answered like that. It had become a habitual phrase, repeated over and over, and somehow, it had become my escape route in conversation.

But now, I clenched both hands on my knees.

It was time. Time to face her properly.

“…It’s not that there’s nothing wrong… there must be something.”

Solana’s eyes snapped up at me.

In terms of a battle, it felt like a frozen front line suddenly taking a cautious step forward.

We were both bright red, trying to hold each other’s gaze—but even that lasted only a few seconds before we both looked away. There was no way it could be “nothing.”

This… this had never happened before.

“…Yeah.”

The goddess lowered her chin, and the smile she gave me was faint, almost strained—a subtle contrast to her usual radiant, confident smile. My cheeks flushed even hotter.

“I… I’ll face this properly too. How to handle this kind of moment… actually, I heard about it from your sister.”

“Lu told you?”

“Mm.”

Then, with a raised finger, the goddess made a suggestion that left me completely stunned.

Lu… thinking about something like this…?

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com

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The dwarf Safi had a much longer lifespan than humans. Though she looked like a five or six-year-old girl, she had lived many times longer—decades, even over a century. Such long experience had taught her that time never flowed the same way twice. Sometimes it surged past in an instant. Other times, it dragged on leisurely. The perception of time itself changed with circumstances. Lately, she realized, time was clearly passing faster.

“Ah-choo!”

Safi sneezed softly, but the sound echoed oddly through the silent cathedral.

She checked from the second floor to see if anyone else had heard—thankfully, the building seemed empty.

Today, she had to carve defensive magical runes throughout the cathedral.

“Gotta rush… all right!”

Seven days had nearly passed since the royal capital had been attacked by monsters.

There was a mountain of work to do. Safi set traps and protective measures across the base to keep Rion’s sister, Luisia, safe. The reinforcements from her homeland, the dwarf kingdom of Alfheim, were a great help. With more hands to help and being an expert blacksmith, Safi could focus on the most critical points.

“All right… there!”

Safi struck the wall one final time with her golden hammer. The magical rune she had carved shimmered into view, and the cathedral walls gained the hardness of steel.

“Well… if the enemy ever reaches this far, it’s already a dire situation—but better safe than sorry. Please, work properly.”

She spoke softly to the rune, a kind of wish, even though it had no consciousness.

“Now, what’s next?”

Before she could decide, a loud, charged voice came from outside.

“Hah!”

Her shoulders jerked involuntarily. Safi opened a window on the cathedral’s second floor and looked down at the training yard. Inside the castle walls, the space was tight, and the buildings were close together. Directly below the window was the training area. 

And there he was—Rion, locked in combat.

His opponent was the towering, muscular form of the god Thor, wrapped in rough cloth. Red hair streamed in the wind, spreading out with an almost oppressive presence. Just standing before him, Safi thought, she might lose her footing from the sheer intimidation.

“…He’s really going at it.”

It was a serious duel. Rion gripped his dagger tightly, his breath already ragged, his body marked with cuts.

And Thor—

“Here I go!”

The massive hammer swung in a wide arc. Rion was sent flying, crashing into a pile of firewood against the wall. He sank into it as if he had plopped into a deep sofa, half-buried by the logs.

Safi instinctively covered her eyes.

Thor’s gaze, however, was calm, almost teasing, as if he were smiling at her.

“What’s wrong?”

She wanted to shout, “What’s wrong? You’re taking this way too seriously!”—but of course, it wouldn’t reach him.

Rion himself rose to his feet.

“I… I feel more awake now.” he said.

He stepped out from the pile of firewood and readied his sword again. He had recovery skills, no doubt, yet he made no effort to heal his wounds.

“…So, they’re pushing him to the very edge of his limits, huh.”

Having survived countless fierce battles, Rion’s level had skyrocketed. And only an ultimate power could push him this hard—someone like a god.

Safi let out a quiet breath of relief.

Ever since Heimdall had joined our ranks, the gods’ activity had increased dramatically. Uru, the God of Hunting, was using surrounding wildlife to scout for any suspicious movements. Loki was investigating Ymir’s power—a task of utmost importance, for no one yet knew exactly how Ymir would attack the royal capital, or what spell had sent massive monsters into the city. Meanwhile, Sigris, the Medicine God, was teaching the priests how to craft potions.

It was, quite literally, a rerun of the myth itself. And in a sense, Rion had already earned the title of hero. For Safi, that had been true long ago—ever since he had rushed to help the dwarf kingdom of Alfheim.

—I believe in you!

Those words rang in Safi’s mind as Rion had once stood against the flame-bone Surtr to protect her when she was truly in danger. He had persuaded hesitant companions, too. The black dwarves Dwerg are considered close to a monster. That prejudice had existed even in the age of myths. Even Safi herself had given up hope that anyone—let alone someone like Rion—would ever help her.

But he had believed.

“—Ah.”

Her cheeks flamed hot.

This is bad, Safi thought. The work was done, yet she couldn’t step outside like this. She would have to hide upstairs for a while, waiting for her blush to fade.

“…I really messed up, didn’t I?”

Experience had taught her well.

Safi knew the truth—she liked Rion. But… there was no changing this feeling. Which meant, in a way, she had failed from the start. She raised one finger, as if making a solemn point to herself.

“The mistake was… falling for him in the first place. We’re different races. Different lifespans. Everything’s different—”

Sunlight passed over her chest, and a sharp pang of longing tightened Safi’s heart.

At that moment, she heard footsteps climbing the stairs.

“Safi-dono…?”

It was her apprentice, the one she had brought from Alfheim.

Though the Dwerg’s face, if human, might seem like someone in his forties—making the contrast with the youthful Safi striking—he was indeed her student. In appearance, they could almost pass for parent and child, but in reality, Safi was the master, and this little black dwarf was the apprentice.

Now, they were known collectively as the “Safi Group,” a small team of Dwerg engineers, and this one served as the de facto vice-leader.

“Oh? What is it?”

“The outer magical rune setup is finished as well.”

“Thank you. That helps a lot.”

Safi smiled, but at that instant, another loud boom sounded from outside.

She hurried to the window. The massive hammer, Mjolnir, had struck the ground. As the smoke cleared, Rion appeared to have escaped the blow from the earth-cracking weapon.

“…Thank goodness.”

“Rion-dono, you mean?”

Her heart leapt.

Safi shot a sharp glance at the little Dwerg, only to have their eyes flit away.

“…Well, you were staring out the window for a while just now.”

He mumbled, offering what sounded like an awkward excuse.

“From down in the atrium, I could see…”

“I was watching.”

“Yes. Well… when Safi-dono makes that face, it’s usually easy to guess who she’s looking at.”

The little Dwerg gave a wry smile.

“…I think it’s fine, you know.”

“Fine? What’s fine?”

“We’re blacksmiths. We strike iron. If I may speak with the concern of an old hand… it looks like you’re trying to forcibly cool down a glowing red iron.”

Safi pursed her lips and said nothing.

“…We live long lives. If you fail to express your feelings, it can be painful for a long time afterward. That’s my old-person worry.”

With that, he bowed repeatedly and departed, leaving Safi alone in the quiet cathedral.

Even the sounds of training from outside had ceased. Peering down from the window, she saw Rion taking a break, looking momentarily at ease.

—For now… I’ll keep my feelings hidden.

She resolved this, at least temporarily. Yet he had been training hard, and some of his gear might be worn or in need of repair.

—Maybe I should at least call out to him.

With that kind of resolve, and crushing her true feelings with the hammer of reason, Safi left the cathedral.Even at a time like this, the spring breeze carries the scent of flowers.

Chapter 160: Safi’s feelings

The dwarf Safi had a much longer lifespan than humans. Though she looked like a five or six-year-old girl, she had lived many times longer—decades, even over a century. Such long experience had taught her that time never flowed the same way twice. Sometimes it surged past in an instant. Other times, it dragged on leisurely. The perception of time itself changed with circumstances. Lately, she realized, time was clearly passing faster.

“Ah-choo!”

Safi sneezed softly, but the sound echoed oddly through the silent cathedral.

She checked from the second floor to see if anyone else had heard—thankfully, the building seemed empty.

Today, she had to carve defensive magical runes throughout the cathedral.

“Gotta rush… all right!”

Seven days had nearly passed since the royal capital had been attacked by monsters.

There was a mountain of work to do. Safi set traps and protective measures across the base to keep Rion’s sister, Luisia, safe. The reinforcements from her homeland, the dwarf kingdom of Alfheim, were a great help. With more hands to help and being an expert blacksmith, Safi could focus on the most critical points.

“All right… there!”

Safi struck the wall one final time with her golden hammer. The magical rune she had carved shimmered into view, and the cathedral walls gained the hardness of steel.

“Well… if the enemy ever reaches this far, it’s already a dire situation—but better safe than sorry. Please, work properly.”

She spoke softly to the rune, a kind of wish, even though it had no consciousness.

“Now, what’s next?”

Before she could decide, a loud, charged voice came from outside.

“Hah!”

Her shoulders jerked involuntarily. Safi opened a window on the cathedral’s second floor and looked down at the training yard. Inside the castle walls, the space was tight, and the buildings were close together. Directly below the window was the training area. 

And there he was—Rion, locked in combat.

His opponent was the towering, muscular form of the god Thor, wrapped in rough cloth. Red hair streamed in the wind, spreading out with an almost oppressive presence. Just standing before him, Safi thought, she might lose her footing from the sheer intimidation.

“…He’s really going at it.”

It was a serious duel. Rion gripped his dagger tightly, his breath already ragged, his body marked with cuts.

And Thor—

“Here I go!”

The massive hammer swung in a wide arc. Rion was sent flying, crashing into a pile of firewood against the wall. He sank into it as if he had plopped into a deep sofa, half-buried by the logs.

Safi instinctively covered her eyes.

Thor’s gaze, however, was calm, almost teasing, as if he were smiling at her.

“What’s wrong?”

She wanted to shout, “What’s wrong? You’re taking this way too seriously!”—but of course, it wouldn’t reach him.

Rion himself rose to his feet.

“I… I feel more awake now.” he said.

He stepped out from the pile of firewood and readied his sword again. He had recovery skills, no doubt, yet he made no effort to heal his wounds.

“…So, they’re pushing him to the very edge of his limits, huh.”

Having survived countless fierce battles, Rion’s level had skyrocketed. And only an ultimate power could push him this hard—someone like a god.

Safi let out a quiet breath of relief.

Ever since Heimdall had joined our ranks, the gods’ activity had increased dramatically. Uru, the God of Hunting, was using surrounding wildlife to scout for any suspicious movements. Loki was investigating Ymir’s power—a task of utmost importance, for no one yet knew exactly how Ymir would attack the royal capital, or what spell had sent massive monsters into the city. Meanwhile, Sigris, the Medicine God, was teaching the priests how to craft potions.

It was, quite literally, a rerun of the myth itself. And in a sense, Rion had already earned the title of hero. For Safi, that had been true long ago—ever since he had rushed to help the dwarf kingdom of Alfheim.

—I believe in you!

Those words rang in Safi’s mind as Rion had once stood against the flame-bone Surtr to protect her when she was truly in danger. He had persuaded hesitant companions, too. The black dwarves Dwerg are considered close to a monster. That prejudice had existed even in the age of myths. Even Safi herself had given up hope that anyone—let alone someone like Rion—would ever help her.

But he had believed.

“—Ah.”

Her cheeks flamed hot.

This is bad, Safi thought. The work was done, yet she couldn’t step outside like this. She would have to hide upstairs for a while, waiting for her blush to fade.

“…I really messed up, didn’t I?”

Experience had taught her well.

Safi knew the truth—she liked Rion. But… there was no changing this feeling. Which meant, in a way, she had failed from the start. She raised one finger, as if making a solemn point to herself.

“The mistake was… falling for him in the first place. We’re different races. Different lifespans. Everything’s different—”

Sunlight passed over her chest, and a sharp pang of longing tightened Safi’s heart.

At that moment, she heard footsteps climbing the stairs.

“Safi-dono…?”

It was her apprentice, the one she had brought from Alfheim.

Though the Dwerg’s face, if human, might seem like someone in his forties—making the contrast with the youthful Safi striking—he was indeed her student. In appearance, they could almost pass for parent and child, but in reality, Safi was the master, and this little black dwarf was the apprentice.

Now, they were known collectively as the “Safi Group,” a small team of Dwerg engineers, and this one served as the de facto vice-leader.

“Oh? What is it?”

“The outer magical rune setup is finished as well.”

“Thank you. That helps a lot.”

Safi smiled, but at that instant, another loud boom sounded from outside.

She hurried to the window. The massive hammer, Mjolnir, had struck the ground. As the smoke cleared, Rion appeared to have escaped the blow from the earth-cracking weapon.

“…Thank goodness.”

“Rion-dono, you mean?”

Her heart leapt.

Safi shot a sharp glance at the little Dwerg, only to have their eyes flit away.

“…Well, you were staring out the window for a while just now.”

He mumbled, offering what sounded like an awkward excuse.

“From down in the atrium, I could see…”

“I was watching.”

“Yes. Well… when Safi-dono makes that face, it’s usually easy to guess who she’s looking at.”

The little Dwerg gave a wry smile.

“…I think it’s fine, you know.”

“Fine? What’s fine?”

“We’re blacksmiths. We strike iron. If I may speak with the concern of an old hand… it looks like you’re trying to forcibly cool down a glowing red iron.”

Safi pursed her lips and said nothing.

“…We live long lives. If you fail to express your feelings, it can be painful for a long time afterward. That’s my old-person worry.”

With that, he bowed repeatedly and departed, leaving Safi alone in the quiet cathedral.

Even the sounds of training from outside had ceased. Peering down from the window, she saw Rion taking a break, looking momentarily at ease.

—For now… I’ll keep my feelings hidden.

She resolved this, at least temporarily. Yet he had been training hard, and some of his gear might be worn or in need of repair.

—Maybe I should at least call out to him.

With that kind of resolve, and crushing her true feelings with the hammer of reason, Safi left the cathedral.

Even at a time like this, the spring breeze carries the scent of flowers.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeneijiworks.com

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I returned from the dungeon to the warrior corps’ outpost together with my companions. By the time we arrived, the sun had begun to dip toward the horizon.

—Three weeks remained until Ymir and his forces would attack.

Part of that time had already passed, but there was no point in rushing.

A bridge was built across the moat. Seeing us, the bridge was lowered and the gate opened. As our carriage entered the courtyard, five other unfamiliar carriages were already parked there.

“…What’s going on?”

They were the kind of carriages used for long journeys—“box carriages,” sturdy and spacious. If people had come in these, it would mean a sizable entourage.

Mia-san and Felix-san both spoke at once as they stepped down from their own horses.

“Hm. This type is commonly used by the warrior squads…”

“So, reinforcements, huh?”

Indeed, adventurers, knights, and soldiers were gathering in the royal capital. Since Ymir had already collected monsters from dungeon across the world, he would no longer be rampaging alone.

It would be a clash of numbers—monsters against humans—a full-scale battle.

Pauline-san had been gathering soldiers, knights, and adventurers across the surrounding plains to protect this outpost where Lu is stationed. Soon, tents might be pitched around the walls, forming a temporary “market outside the castle” like we had seen once before.

The gold coin vibrated, and Solana’s voice cut through.

『…This presence…』

Heimdall responded with a question.

『What is it, Sun God?』

Solana said it with a hint of amusement.

『I see… Heimdall does not know. Fufu… you will be quite surprised.』

『What’s that supposed to mean? You sound awfully pleased with yourself… oh—』

I walked over to check the box carriages.

I had a feeling the “visitor” the warrior corp mentioned was inside these carriages.

As I approached, the five carriages suddenly rattled violently. Before we could react, the door of the first carriage burst open.

“Woah!”

Mia-san jerked back in surprise.

Small shadows leapt out of the carriages one after another. They bounced lightly as they surrounded us.

“M-monsters…?”

The area was soon filled with tiny human-shaped figures. All of them kept their faces lowered, so their true identities were a mystery.

Then, as one, they stood up.

“—”

Against us, frozen in shock, they all dropped to one knee simultaneously.

“““Long time no see!”””

We froze.

Around forty shadows encircled us, each barely the height of a five- or six-year-old. From a distance, it would have looked as if we were surrounded by children.

But their faces told a different story. Most had the features of adults. Even those with youthful faces carried a calmness far beyond their apparent age. I shifted my gaze to their backs. Proudly, some had wings that pushed against their cloaks as they stood.

Not all of them had wings, roughly half did.

“D-dwarves!?”

They were beings from the mythic era, hidden away in the far northern mining towns.

The black dwarves, Dvergr, and the winged white dwarves, Aarlv. The dwarves relaxed their faces in response. A small one with delicate wings stood directly in front of me and bowed deeply once more.

“That is correct, Hero,”

The white dwarf looked up at me and smiled quietly. Though he appeared like a young boy, he was surely far older than me. With a graceful gesture, he placed a hand over his chest.

“I am Bari, one of the Ten Smiths of Alfheim.”

The Ten Smiths—an honor granted in the dwarf kingdom of Alfheim, which we had once saved, to the most exceptional blacksmiths.

“By the command of the King of the Dwarves, I have come to lend you aid. Hero, please allow us dwarves of Alfheim to join your battle.”

His lofty words made my cheeks burn.

“You defeated the Flamebone Surtr and saved Alfheim. Now, it is our turn to protect you.”

This time, my chest felt warm with gratitude. I had to thank him.

“Thank you very much.”

Mia-san glanced at the carriages still standing in the courtyard.

“You arrived awfully fast. Even for adventurers, it normally takes six days from Alfheim to the royal capital.”

“We were made to hurry.”

Bari answered.

As he spoke, light began to spill from my pocket. With the glow, Solana leapt out. The sudden appearance of the goddess sent the gathered dwarves into an uproar. In that moment, they really did seem like children.

“Goddess!”

“Goddess!”

The calls made Solana nod with a faintly proud air. Her shimmering golden hair swayed happily with her movements.

The goddess cleared her throat deliberately.

“Ahem. It seems everyone is resisting the seal fairly well.”

Dwarves were even more vulnerable to the seal than monsters—or even gods. They did not carry magic stones like monsters, and their power was far weaker than a god’s. Normally, even with an awakening like this, they would soon fall back under the seal. Their bodies would be petrified, turned into stone statues.

But Solana’s blessing protected them.

The Light of the Sun’s Awakening kept the seal’s hold on them broken permanently. The sunlight pouring down granted them the magical power to resist the seal, sustaining them in freedom.

“Goddess!”

“Goddess!”

“You’re the best!”

“You shine so brightly!”

“Mm, mm… though, I must admit, it’s a little… embarrassing,”

…Could it be that Solana actually liked being praised?

The goddess seemed to squirm slightly, pleased yet bashful.

As I reflected on a god’s pride, Heimdall let out a wry chuckle from the horn.

『So, dwarves, huh. To have dwarves, gods, and humans all working together… haha, that certainly didn’t exist a thousand years ago.』

Felix-san stroked his chin. His narrow eyes made it hard to read, but he was surely surprised.

“This is a truly remarkable reinforcement.”

“Yeah—”

According to Bari, the white dwarf, they had brought weapons crafted by the dwarves themselves, along with Golem Cores capable of producing golems.

Felix-san whistled in astonishment.

“This might equal the strength of a hundred soldiers.”

The dwarves puffed out their chests proudly.

“If our tools can help resist the end times…”

Their pride was contagious, swelling something warm in my own chest.

A voice rang down from the second floor of the tower.

“Ah! You all!?”

It was Safi , her high-pitched voice cutting through the courtyard.

A flash of green hair appeared over the building’s edge before she bounded down the stairs, eyes wide as saucers, running straight toward us.

“Safi!”

“Long time… no see!”

The dwarves shared in the joy of reunion. Surely, they all cared deeply for their companions—perhaps because they were fellow blacksmiths. I remembered how happy Safi and her friends had been when Alfheim had awakened, and it made my heart feel warm.

Solana floated gently over to my side.

“That’s good, isn’t it?”

“Yeah!”

“…Because you were a kind and strong boy, so many reinforcements came when trouble struck.”

The goddess’s golden eyes sparkled. Her straight, earnest smile made my chest flutter for some reason.

“A kind strongest… is surely stronger than a strongest who is not kind.”

As the end approached, our allies gathered one by one.

Indeed—after everything we had been through, it finally felt like our adventures had borne fruit.

I sensed someone behind me and turned around.

“Hey.”

A tall adventurer stood there, a man with a scarred face, carrying a stone hammer on his back.

“Lloyd-san…?”

A veteran adventurer I had fought alongside in Flocia. For a moment, I was confused.

Why was he here?

Lloyd-san’s scarred face broke into a broad smile.

“We’ll be joining you too.”

His face, as I look up, is a little dazzling with the sun behind him. Behind him were other familiar adventurers. All of them were people I had fought alongside in the Flocia dungeon with the Raven Warrior Corps.

Lloyd-san raised two fingers in a casual wave.

“Even the Flocia Adventurers’ Guild managed to gather reinforcements for the royal capital. Everyone here volunteered, and we rushed to join you.”

It seemed they had hurried their carriages all the way from Flocia just to reach the capital.

I realized something.

“…Ah, I see.”

Originally, I had probably been called back from training to meet Lloyd-san and the others. Adventurers allowed into this temple were carefully selected. Allowing someone I knew inside was likely a way of confirming my presence first.

Lloyd-san shrugged.

“They stopped us at the gate, but the warrior corps—and, well… the gods—remembered us. That’s how we were allowed in.”

“I see…”

Lloyd-san glanced around the courtyard. His gaze lingered on the dwarves, and he let out a wry laugh before speaking again.

“…You really were hiding some extraordinary secrets, weren’t you.”

I felt a rush of nervousness.

Indeed, we had left Flocia without revealing any of the secrets of the myths. By now, though, these people must know the truth. Surely the temples across the lands had begun spreading the knowledge of the real myths.

“Ah… at that time—”

My words faltered, but a large hand gently stopped me.

“Don’t worry about it. Back in the mythic era, the gods weren’t winning against the monsters. They were on the verge of defeat—I probably wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it in Flocia myself.”

Lloyd-san’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Solana and the dwarves.

“The strength of your allies—that’s the strength of an adventurer. You’re a good one.”

Perhaps because he knew about my father as well, his words carried weight I could feel deep in my chest.

“From Flocia, there are twenty of us, myself included… Let’s win this, boy.”

“…Yes!”

Within the temple, the power to protect Lu was gathering.

Their thoughtfulness and kindness ignited a warmth in my heart, bolstering my resolve.There was no way we could afford to lose.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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The message from the chief god had reached us, announcing that it’s only three weeks until the beginning of the apocalypse. There were still so many unknowns, so many challenges.

But ultimately, I’m just an adventurer. And that meant that what I can do is clear.

“Hah!”

I let out a shout and swung my short sword. The blue-crystal blade gleamed, the magical runes etched along its surface shining like jade. It left a shimmering trail of the same color as it cut through the air.

My opponent was a giant, at least three meters tall. The translucent humanoid figure was deeply slashed at the waist and it fell to its knees. It collapsed face down just as I jumped backward.

“G-Gah…!”

The fallen giant shattered into a burst of light. I wiped sweat from my brow. The remnants of the enemy, the tiny motes of light, quickly disappeared from sight. The floor glowed faintly, and the entire ceiling illuminated us with a bright white light. The brightness filled the space as if we were swimming through light itself.

“Phew…”

I glanced around.

In the wide-open hall, my companions were fighting just like I was. Each faced a translucent humanoid about three meters tall, mirroring the scale of my opponent.

Mia-sa stood opposite a sword-wielding giant, Felix-san across from an axe-bearing one. Soon, the two moved simultaneously. Though they were separated by twenty meters, perhaps their breathing and timing had synced without conscious effort.

Mia-san and Felix-san struck in perfect unison—one sending a fireball, the other swinging an axe with brutal force. Each enemy shattered into light. The pair exchanged glances and smiled faintly at each other, as if their previous clashes had never happened.

“Fufu…”

I allowed a small smile myself.

Then, from above, a goddess began to descend.

“Impressive, Rion.”

Solana smiled at me warmly. I returned her smile, feeling a subtle shift within ourselves—a change we hadn’t quite noticed before.

We were in the lowest level of the dungeon.

Until recently, the sealing magic had been so strong that even the gods could only manifest for brief moments. But now, everything was different. Solana’s Light of the Sun Awakening illuminated the chamber, and Heimdall had amplified the power of Alarm.

The gods could now wield their full strength, even within the dungeon. And thanks to that, we could train like this.

I tilted my head back and gazed at the high ceiling once more.

So this… is the power of a divine artifact—

Pure, unwavering light rained down evenly across the hall. I took a swig from my canteen during a short break. A few droplets glimmered on its surface, sparkling in the divine light.

“Rion, shall we move on?”

Solana asked.

“Yeah!”

From the floor, tiny motes of light began to rise, coalescing into a humanoid figure about three meters tall. Its size was roughly that of a mid-tier monster—similar to an orc—but its presence was far more commanding. It wore armor crafted from layered furs, carried a sword, and atop its head was a crown woven from wood. Its body was lean and muscular, every line honed for battle.

It seemed to be a type of giant that had existed in the age of myths.

Compared to the fire giants that dwelled in Alvis’s mines, this one was considerably smaller. Probably only as tall as a fire giant’s waist. Yet its strength was not to be underestimated. Even to me, it was overwhelmingly large, and it wielded its sword with precision. In the mythic era, the giants that ventured into dungeon and struck down humans were likely these comparatively smaller ones.

“‘Giant Soldiers’”

The semi-transparent colossus did not move forward yet.

It wasn’t a physical being, but an illusion shaped from raw magical energy—and even knowing that, the sense of intimidation was undeniable. Solana floated lightly, raising a single finger.

“She is manifesting the memory of the gods through the divine relics here. With this, you can face monsters from the mythic era without having to traverse dungeon scattered across the lands.”

I lowered my chin, feeling sweat prickling my skin.

Heimdall, stationed at the horn, kept silent, perhaps letting me focus on my training.

“So… this is a kind of preparation.”

“Yes. Ymir has loosened the seals in many dungeon. Soldiers like this from that age will inevitably appear.”

Images flashed through my mind—the scenes I had witnessed when the horn sounded. Giant wolves, monsters that reminded me of Skoll, emerging from dungeon into the outside world. How many had escaped the gods’ counterattacks and reached Ymir’s side was still unknown. But the enemy had undoubtedly strengthened its forces.

Solana’s golden eyes shimmered.

“That’s where we come in. We’ll recreate the monsters from the mythic era that need to be watched for, right here. As you said, it’s a matter of preparation.”

“…Yes!”

Alright, break’s over.

It was time to face the Giant Soldier again—and once more, I would use speed to throw it off balance.

I circled behind it, leapt up its back, and struck the unarmored neck. Solana clapped her hands, cheering me on.

“Guh…”

With a final groan, the semi-transparent Giant Soldier collapsed. Its sword clattered to the ground and shimmered back into a scattering of light particles.

“Exactly! Amazing work, Rion!”

Solana praised me head-on, and I felt a little embarrassed…

And I couldn’t help but think just how incredible the divine relics really were. I muttered softly,

“S-still… the Water Mirror of Yggdrasil can really do anything, huh.”

The Water Mirror of Yggdrasil—the divine tool we’d been using for our training—was the same one we had used before to communicate with Alvis and Flocia.

This place was actually the West Dungeon of the royal capital. At its deepest point, the relic could draw a map of the kingdom in light and allow conversation with any marked point—a communication device from the age of myths.

Now, the gods were using it for training purposes. They had taken its function of “shaping things out of light” and adapted it to recreate monsters.

“Indeed. This is why it’s no surprise coming from Loki… and the dwarves of Alvis.”

Solana said, somehow looking proud of herself.

While we spoke, the divine relic shaped the next opponent.

It was a Giant Soldier swinging a spiked iron ball on a chain—a truly troublesome-looking foe.

“Gah!”

The iron mass flew through the air. If it hit, I wouldn’t die—but the sheer density of magical energy in it would knock me out cold. I had no intention of testing that though. I dropped low, sliding under the swinging ball. The gust of wind overhead whooshed past like it belonged to a real, massive weapon.

Clang! The chain rattled.

“Whoa!”

The enemy yanked the chain, sending the iron ball hurtling from directly behind me.

I leapt left to evade, then rolled forward onto my right hand. When it tried to stomp me, I jumped left again, narrowly escaping.

Look at the enemy.

Don’t look away.

If I face it head-on, with my current speed… no attack can stop me!

“Wake up!”

I called forth Undine, the water spirit dwelling in the crystal of my right gauntlet. The mermaid-shaped spirit materialized before my eyes. I unscrewed my water flask, and she conjured a tiny jet of water that struck the Giant Soldier squarely in the face.

The enemy raised its head in defense.

I activated my skills—Blessing of the God of Hunting, Hunter’s Step. I melted into the shadows, moving silently into its blind spot, and slipped toward its unarmored side.

“Wake up!”

This time, it was Sylph, the wind spirit.

“Woof!”

From point-blank range, I slammed the dagger wrapped in blades of wind. The Giant Soldier was cleaved in two. The moment its upper body hit the ground, it dissolved into light.

I wiped the sweat from my brow.

“…There were so many kinds of soldiers, huh.”

Solana nodded in agreement.

“Magic is the power of imagination. The power for thoughts to take shape.”

Thoughts taking shape… I couldn’t help but recall Lu’s power of creation for a moment.

“The Water Mirror of Yggdrasil uses Yggdrasil itself—the World Tree woven of magical energy. The World Tree stores memories and thoughts that once existed as magic.”

Solana continued, spreading her hands to indicate the vast space around us.

“With this relic, connected to Yggdrasil, it’s possible to trace the memories of humans and gods alike, giving former monsters a form. It’s not true creation, though, so they have no real substance and vanish the moment the magic ends.”

“Uh… yeah…”

I blinked rapidly, my lips twitching. It felt like she had just said something incredibly important—but, sorry, I didn’t quite follow the second half…

I wondered again if I simply lacked any talent for magic.

A loud voice echoed from the distance, making me jump.

“Take this!”

Mia-san sent a Giant Soldier flying. After returning from Flocia, it seemed her strength had increased even more.

Felix-san, swinging his staff, casually froze another giant that tried to pass him. While fighting, he seemed to be testing which element—fire, ice, earth, or even lightning—was most effective.

Everyone in the party is growing stronger. I had a feeling of it, deep down. If other warrior squads or adventurers protecting the temple came here, they could make use of this space in the same way.

“…Everyone’s amazing.”

“Indeed!”

Solana nodded firmly.

“Then we’ll prepare as much as we can! And when Ymir comes, we’ll face him at the temple.”

I lowered my chin, though a fleeting doubt crossed my mind.

Why… had it been three weeks since that battle? It was such a precise, clear-cut interval.

A member of the warrior squad arrived, interrupting my thoughts.

“Rion-san! There you are!”

He ran toward me as soon as he spotted me.

“You have a visitor.”

“…Me?”

“Yes. They are eager to meet you.”I left the dungeon training grounds, tilting my head in confusion, wondering who it could be.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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