Lord of Creation (Beginning)

...A-ahem. Are all present and accounted for?

Then let's get this briefing underway. Technical Advisor?

You got it. Okay, let's start with a review of our current situation.

First of all, it's been about twenty hours since yesterday's attack. Thanks to all your valiant efforts, we were able to avoid the worst-case scenario...

...but I'm afraid we're still not doing well, all told.

When Sigurd, whom we believe to be a Lostbelt Servant, broke into the Shadow Border's cockpit yesterday...

...he made off with our Void-Reality Observation Device, the Paper Moon.

That's right! Of all the things for him to take!

Hey, he didn't exactly steal it from us, did he? You gift wrapped the damn thing for him!

Why the hell would you do something like that? Even Sigurd found it weird!

You think I was giving him a present, you fool!? I'll have you know that was me planning ahead!

He didn't look at all like the gentle sort, so I wrapped the Paper Moon carefully to ensure that he wouldn't break or damage it!

...Wait, you did!? Really!?

All right, all right, you can argue all you want later.

Between the emergency exit, attempted emergency dive, and Sigurd's attack, the damage to the Shadow Border is...extensive.

Frankly, it's a miracle that none of us died.

Although...

？！

...I'm worried, too. I haven't spoken to him since that battle. Is he...

It's...not good.

If he pushes himself even a little, he'll die. He has to stay completely still while he recuperates.

He didn't just lose an arm, you know. He also got inscribed with a Primordial Rune of death.

A Primordial Rune...

The lost Norse runes are one of the foundations of magecraft. Mages have partially reproduced them, but they pale in comparison to the original ones from the Age of Gods.

Still, that doesn't mean they're not handy.

They can be chanted very quickly, which makes them very useful in a lot of situations.

For example, we used a whole bunch of them for Fujimaru's Mystic Codes, like Gandr.

At any rate, the Primordial Runes are powerful stuff.

According to Norse myth, Odin made most of the world out of Ymir, with the exception of the runes.

No, the runes were a different matter: Odin discovered them after offering up his own life. Their shapes contain the depths of the world itself.

I guess you could call them the pathways to truth that Odin discovered.

If you inscribe the rune for death, then there's no escaping it no matter what...

...if you're flesh and blood, that is!

Flesh and blood...?

Then, since Holmes is a Heroic Spirit, does that mean he can be cured?

Fou, fooou!

You got it! A gold star for you, Mash! I have no idea what you're saying, Fou!

If you want to lavish me with praise for my genius in putting together a recovery pod for ether bodies on such short notice, you just go right ahead!

You deserve some thanks too, Fujimaru. I'm sorry you had to try to heal him with your Mystic Codes so many times.

But it was thanks to you that Holmes didn't disappear before I could finish the recovery pod.

？！

Well, thanks again. I'm sure he'll want to thank you too once he's back on his feet.

That said, for the time being, Holmes will essentially be comatose. I know you're anxious, Gordy, but

That's Mr. Goredolf to you, Technical Advisor! Need I remind you that we are still in a briefing!

And on that note, let's get down to brass tacks.

Mash Kyrielight, Fujimaru, I have decided on a new mission for you. I trust you already know what it is, but I'll explain anyway.

We have lost both the Paper Moon and one of our Heroic Spirits. Well, temporarily in the latter case, at least.

The situation may be dire, but it's not going to improve by us sitting around twiddling our thumbs. Which means

The goal of this mission is to turn things around and keep moving forward!

Oh, sorry, I stole your thunder, didn't I? Teehee!

What!? I can giggle if I want! All right, moving on!

This mission has three main objectives: recovering the Paper Moon, cutting down the Tree of Emptiness, and finding a path to the North Sea.

Um...I understand why we need to get the Paper Moon back, since we can't continue our journey without it...

...but why is cutting down the Tree of Emptiness part of this mission too?

An excellent question. As you'll recall, Sigurd didn't come here to kill us; he came to steal the Paper Moon.

Why would he do that if he belonged to this Lostbelt? Simply put, he wouldn't. Never in a million years.

The only ones who would consider the Paper Moon a threat are the Crypters, especially now that they've lost Russia.

In which case, it makes sense to assume that he is one of the Crypters' Servants.

Oh... So, this Lostbelt's Crypter already knows we're here, which means

Right, there's no avoiding a fight. And if we're going to have to do that, we might as well take down the Tree of Emptiness while we're at it, yeah?

Correct. Once the Crypter realizes the Tree of Emptiness is in danger, we can be certain they will have some sort of response.

And when they do, that will be the perfect chance for us to take the Paper Moon back. Maybe I'm being a little overly optimistic here, but I'd say this plan is absolutely foolproof!

Fou, fooou.

Anyway, there's a ton of work to do before we get to that. First order of business: we need to conduct a thorough investigation of this Lostbelt.

And since we have to stay here and repair the Border...

...I'm afraid that will fall to the two of you again. You okay with that?

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Still...I'm a little worried about leaving the Border with Holmes in such critical condition...

I get where you're coming from, but it seems pretty clear that Sigurd was only after the Paper Moon.

Both Gordy and I figure he'll leave us alone now that he got what he came for.

I still don't get why he'd want a Void-Reality Observation Device in the first place.

Hmm. To slow us down, maybe?

Wouldn't it have been faster to just kill us all off and be done with it?

Well, yeah, that's true. Honestly, that seemed to be what he wanted to do, too.

But, there's not much point in speculating now.

Heh heh heh. Not to worry! I've already got just the thing in mind for handling them!

Oh, thank goodness. I'm glad you are as skilled as you are cute...

Flatterer! Don't stop now! It's about time somebody recognized just how useful I am!

？！

Anyway, let's start by going over a few things! We need to make sure we're all on the same page for this Lostbelt, after all.

First things first: the Norse mythology we know from Proper Human History.

Scandinavia used to be home to all sorts of gods, giants, and other Mystics, just like the Age of Gods in other areas.

But then in 1000 B.C., about three thousand years ago, Mt. Katla erupted...and Ragnarök began.

It brought an end to that entire realityessentially Scandinavia's own Age of Gods.

The gods, the giants, even the Phantasmals in the region, along with all their myths and legends, were completely wiped out.

At least, that's the conventional wisdom in the mage community.

Ragnarök... The Twilight of the Gods... That was the conflict that brought an end to the gods in Norse mythology, right?

That's right. Loki's mischief eventually begat all sorts of disasters, culminating with Muspel fire giants invading from Muspelheim, the land of flame.

In fact, what most believe to have been an enormous eruption from Mount Katla was actually the fire giants' invasion.

It's said that during Ragnarök, Odin was eaten by Fenrir, the great wolf of ruin, and that many gods died in a fearsome clash with the giants...

...before Surtr, the Fiery King of Giants and ruler of Muspelheim, laid waste to all the land with his flaming sword.

Yup. And once the gods and giants had vanished from Scandinavia, that was when

The Age of Humanity began... That was when most of the Mystic was lost, and civilization rapidly advanced...

Fou fo. Fou fo, fo fou.

Basically, yup.

The idea that the reality texture covering the world disappeared along with Scandinavia's Age of Gods was more of a presumption, courtesy of mages from Proper Human History.

That does differ a bit from regular historical records, though. The oldest known record we have of Mt. Katla erupting goes back to A.D. 930.

There just aren't any records of what happened all the way back in 1000 B.C.

That tracks, if the entire texture was wiped out.

Again, conventional wisdom says that we only have bits and pieces left over now because of this entire texture disappearing.

You really do love your conventional wisdom, don't you, Director?

Wh-what's wrong with that!? Many notable authorities support that theory! I'm told it's all but common knowledge in the Clock Tower's Archaeology Department...in the Meluastea faction, to be precise!

Fo fou, fou.

When you get right down to it, there's still a lot we don't know.

In Proper Human History, we never did get the full picture of the Scandinavian Age of Gods, so all we have are a lot of vague guesses patched together from whatever small remnants we could find.

...But hey, that's pretty much the case everywhere!

However, that is obviously not the case for this version of Scandinavia. Not by a damn sight!

I'm guessing that here in this Scandinavian Lostbelt, the Age of Gods never ended!

Yes. As we've seen for ourselves, giants are very much alive and well in this Lostbelt.

That would seem to follow...

Maybe. Maybe not.

If we are still in the Age of Gods here, then there may well be gods kicking around, too. But at this point, we really can't say for sure.

？！

One of the big questions we need to answer is, when did this Lostbelt diverge from Proper Human History!

The other is, given the giants we've run into, we can be certain that it is still before the A.D. era, and that Age of Gods-level Mystics still exist, but we don't yet know why that is.

So, those are the two big questions: When and why? We should feel a lot better once we have the answers.

So we want to know the time period this Lostbelt diverged from Proper Human History, and why it happened in the first place.

Right you are, Mash!

At this point, I think it could've diverged around three thousand years ago, around the time of Ragnarök in Proper Human History's Scandinavian Age of Gods...

...but as to why that happened, your guess is as good as mine.

Why does this Lostbelt look like this? What are those flames you saw on the northern mountains?

And based on what we've been able to observe from the Border, why does it look like there aren't any towns or cities, like there were in Proper Human History?

Are there even any other humans here? If so did they change into something else, like the Yaga?

...We really do have a lot of unanswered questions.

...That's right. We still know practically nothing. The best we have right now is our estimation that the Age of Gods never ended here.

If only a divine being would have the courtesy to show up and tell us what's going on. Hmph! Stupid Lostbelt!

I don't know... I can't think of many gods that go in for the whole exposition thing.

Fou fou.

Hey, at least you've got the adorable and knowledgeable Da Vinci on your side.

Let's see, speaking of the situation here... Right, I've still got to tell you about the Scandinavian Tree of Emptiness.

But, we weren't able to see it...

I imagine not, particularly since the Border couldn't see it with its sensors either.

So we should assume that this Lostbelt's Tree of Emptiness is being concealed somehow.

Which is why your mission objectives include finding it. Good luck. We're counting on you.

Good. That's what I like to hear. It really raises my hopes for your performance!

But of course. If you see an opportunity to chop it down, go right ahead. No need to wait for my orders in that case.

？！

Fou, fooou!

Let's see... Oh, right. And one more thing...

I really hate to say this, but...it's not possible to summon Servants outside of battle here.

!

Fou!

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Mmm... The Border is running way low on power thanks to all the damage, but the biggest issue is the fact that we couldn't detect any leylines.

I bet it's because of all the magical energy intertwined with the ice and snow at a molecular level. I'm afraid it's also going to interfere with our long-range comms.

Alternatively, the ice and snow's magical energy could be completely controlling both this Lostbelt's mana and history.

So, that would mean...if someone were manipulating the ice and snow via magecraft, then

It'd mean they're incredibly powerful. If we wanna keep hypothesizing, I'd guess that if someone like that exists, they're also this Lostbelt's king.

Of course, it's possible this is just what this Lostbelt is like, but let's at least keep that possibility in mind.

...Ahem. If I may?

In short, our situation is highly precarious. We have no choice but to send a mere two-person team to explore further, despite the fact that we currently have no means of defending ourselves.

I hope you can appreciate how difficult of a decision this was to reach.

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Hahaha! Good, good! Very well then, as the expedition team, you will leave first thing tomorrow morning, at zero nine hundred!

While we're on the subject, let's talk about your current destination, too.

Though we don't know where Sigurd went after stealing the Paper Moon, we did detect a group of life-forms approximately one hundred and fifty kilometers northwest from the Border's current location.

I'm hoping it's a village, even though there wasn't one there on the 2019 map...

Aaanyway, I think that'd be a good place to start asking around. I'll make sure to prepare some translation talismans before you leave, of course.

I wish I could do more to help you two. Under normal circumstances, I'd be right there with you in the Border...

But this is the best we can do right now. I'm sorry.

The Shadow Border still needs a lot of repair work to get it mobile again, and of course, Zero Sailing is currently out of the question.

Still, at least you won't have to worry about the Ortinax. I spent the last twenty hours going over the whole thing with a fine-tooth comb.

You shouldn't have to worry about it acting up after getting hit with a demonic sword anymore.

Thank you, Da Vinci. The next time I see him...

Yup. You give him the what for. Don't hold back on Siegfried's account!

Yes, you're right. Though I don't think we need to bring Siegfried into this!

It sucks that we can't count on our comms... I wish we at least had one more fighter we could send with you.

Yeah, having another Heroic Spirit around right now would be real welcome. Especially one who could watch over the Border for me!

Oh no you don't! Don't you even think about wasting our last bit of power on a summoning test.

If you've got time to whine about things we haven't got, then get out there and find them! That's the smart way to go about this!

...Yeah, you've got a point.

All right, Mash, Fujimaru.

We're going to have to count on the two of you to find some help, and maybe even bolster our fighting forces into the bargain.

Maybe there are other Heroic Spirits from Proper Human History here, like there were in Russia.

Exactly. With any luck, there'll be Heroic Spirits the land itself summoned here, like Beowulf and Billy.

All right, let's go over everything one last time.

...For this mission, you two have three primary objectives.

First, take back the Paper Moon. Second, cut down the Tree of Emptiness.

And third, find a path to the North Sea. Of course, those last two are more for extra credit, but the first one is absolutely crucial!

So let's get started with that information gathering and, hopefully, recruiting some fighters!

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Right, Senpai!

Fou! Fo fou!

Very well then, we begin tomorrow morning at zero nine hundred!

Now, if there are no further questions, this briefing is concluded!

It doesn't look like there'll be any blizzard. Looks like today's forecast for the southern Sweden region of this Lostbelt is clear skies.

I'm all set, Senpai.

Me too. I think this is a good sign!

...Maybe I shouldn't say that, given the situation.

But, I still want to stay positive.

True. Getting depressed isn't gonna do anything to help us out of this.

You've got the right idea, Mash! Here, have a Da Vinci Head Pat, on the house.

There you go.

Th-thank you, Da Vinci.

I doubt we'll see many storms as big as the ones in Russia, but this Lostbelt certainly is extraordinary.

We'll need to pay close attention in general, not just to the weather, as we go. Especially since we can't count on much in the way of backup this time...

I know. I really wish there was another Heroic Spirit who could take over for me here...but, since there isn't, we'll just have to make do.

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Technical Advisor! How long are you planning to spend saying your goodbyes!? Get back in here already!

Need I remind you, you're the only operational Heroic Spirit we've got right now, and every second you spend away is another second the rest of us are defenseless!

Aw, what's the matter, Director? Miss them already? Something you want to say to them before they go?

No! I mean, yes!

With the Paper Moon stolen, our position is extremely precarious! Add to that the fact that we have no mobility on land...

...and we're as good as dead if an enemy happens to find us... Therefore! It is imperative you two complete your mission and return as quickly as possible!

Whatever you do, make sure you don't just rush in and get yourselves hurt...or worse!

We absolutely cannot afford to lose any more of our humanor Servantresources!

Really, we can't afford to lose anything else, given the state of things... Anyway, your first order of business is getting the Paper Moon back. The second is returning here safely. Now get on with it!

Hehe. For all his bluster, our new director really does wear his heart on his sleeve.

I'm pretty sure that was his way of showing he's worried about you two. I mean, it's pretty obvious at this point, right?

...Yes, it is.

...

Right, Senpai. We already made him worry a lot during Sigurd's attack...

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Oh, you should've heard him: "Have the Demi-Servant girl's injuries healed yet? Will those two be okay if they run into the demonic sword wielder again?"

Not that he's gonna lift a finger himself, given how he's been even more timid than usual ever since Holmes got taken out!

I must admit, I am a little worried about the Border, with you being the only one who can defend it now...

Hey, I know I'm not much of a fighter. But don't you worry.

I'm pretty sure Sigurd isn't gonna bother the Border anymore...

Plus I've already gone and put up an extra sturdy Bounded Field around it anyway!

And it's not just sturdy. I made sure none of the indigenous life would even be able to tell it's there, especially the giants.

I don't think I've worked this hard on a Bounded Field since I was putting the finishing touches on the Mona Lisa...

(I-I had no idea Da Vinci used to put up Bounded Fields around her paintings back when she was alive!)

All right then, we'll be here waiting for you to come back with good news.

You two be extra careful out there. We still don't know much about this place, after all.

Not to mention that, well...

...the fact that we won't be able to communicate is going to be a serious issue. I wish I could have done something about that, but we're past that now.

The ice and snow here are infused with magical energy, which'll get in the way no matter what, so we won't be able to talk to each other once you're more than a few kilometers out.

But that doesn't mean I'm giving up. I've still got a few ideas I'll try when I get the chance.

？！

With the Border immobilized...

...we effectively won't be able to share what we each learn until you make it back to this Norrköping area.

This'll be the first time you two are entirely on your own. Make sure you're especially careful.

Don't go out of your way to save any cute girls asking for help unless they're at least as cute as me, okay?

We won't. And please, you take care of yourself too, Da Vinci.

Ugh, you guys are too damn nice for being so young. ...Then again, I guess I'm younger than you now, aren't I!

Okay, I'll be careful too. Oh, and one more

Fou!?

Fou fou, fooou! Kyuuu!

Whoa!

When did you sneak out here!? Aha, you were hiding out in my shield again, weren't you?

Fou fou fou, fo fo fo.

...Okay. It looks like Fou's coming along with us, too.

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Yes. Going from two to three means fifty percent more resources! Thanks for coming along, Fou.

Fou fooou.

So even Fou's trying to help make up for our lack of personnel now... Well, he has great instincts, at least... Isn't that right, you little fur ball, you!

Fou!

Hehe. Yes, Fou is more than capable in his own right. Having him along will be a big help!

I think we'll be able to effectively fight as a group of three now.

Fou fo, fo fo fo.

Yes, I mean that.

Fo, fooou. Fou!

You want to sit on my shoulder? Not Senpai's?

Looks like he really likes you, Mash. Okay, this two-person team is now officially a three-person team!

And on that note...it's finally time to show off my latest invention!

This little beauty is something I came up with while I was trying to figure out a way to stay in touch.

Sadly, they won't help us communicate, but they will help you get around this Lostbelt a lot easier! I give you...

...the Ortinax Ollerus Board attachments!

What the...!?

Are these some kind of additional equipment for my exoskeleton? When did you even have time to make these...!?

？！

Fou, fooo fo!?

Never underestimate a genius! Hehehehe, that's right! These are basically super awesome skis!

Thanks to their magical energy thrusters, you'll be zipping around like nobody's business! Not even Ollerus, the Guardian Patron Saint of Skiers, has got anything on these babies!

Don't worry, they come with wards and gyro sensors designed to help you keep your balance.

I've got a set for you too, Fujimaru. With these, you three should be able to make your way around the Scandinavian snow plains in the blink of an eye!

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Hehehe. That's right, you should damn well be impressed!

Oh, be aware that if you want to go really fast, you should fold yours up and just hang on tight to Mash.

...Thank you, Da Vinci. I appreciate this a lot, but this isn't taking care of yourself.

Hehehe. Hey, if you're going to stay up all night working, best to do it when you're young☆

Besides, I asked way too much of you two the day before yesterday. It's the least I can do to make up for that.

I'm sure Holmes would say the same...

...but then again, given what our great detective is like...maybe not...

...I know it's my fault you two keep having to shoulder so much responsibility.

So at the risk of sounding like a broken record: be careful out there.

I filled the storage space in Mash's shield with camping gear, water, and a few days worth of food, so make sure you rest up when you need to.

Remember, it's gonna be just the two of you (and Fou), so you need to be extra, extra careful!

Right!

？！

...Bye! Have a good trip!

...Snow, ice, and fire.

So this is the Scandinavian Lostbelt... Looking at it again, it's all very...

Yes. I think so too.

Ice and snow need extreme cold, but fire is one of the hottest things in the world. Yet somehow, here they are, coexisting.

To see two such fundamentally different things mixed together like this... I don't know what to call it other than strange.

There doesn't seem to be anything here that can burn, but there's the fire, floating above the mountains...

If this isn't from Mystics, I don't know what is!

Fou!

Yes...that's true. It's definitely a beautiful landscape.

Ice and snow need extreme cold, but fire is one of the hottest things in the world. Yet somehow, here they are, coexisting.

I've never seen anything like it before.

But, at the same time...it's kind of bizarre.

There doesn't seem to be anything here that can burn, but there's the fire, floating above the mountains...

This scenery may be beautiful, but it's also incomprehensibly Mystic...

Fou...

？！

...The Ollerus Boards are great at getting around, since they can even go up inclines, but when you move at high speeds, you really won't be able to take stock of your surroundings as much.

Now that we're taking a break to look around, there are several things I've noticed.

For example, the amount of fallen snow. I read that Scandinavia actually isn't all that snowy, except for Norway.

But here, in this Lostbelt... The mountains are frozen over, even the trees are...

No, wait... Not trees, just ice shaped like conifers...?

？！

It certainly seems that way. At least, at this point...

... ...

Maybe this means there's a different force at work here. Something very different from what caused Russia's ice age.

I remember hearing these Lostbelts are alternate, hypothetical versions of history.

What must this world's history have been like for it to have this sort of scenery...?

Ah...

Fo, fooou! Kyaaau!

Look, Senpai! Birds!

That must mean this Lostbelt has other, normal animals and not just giants and Demonic Beasts!

Right. The fact that birds can survive in this world is a good sign.

？！

Fou, fooou!

Fou? Is there something about those birds that bothers you...?

Fou fou, fou.

?

Um, anyway, we should get back to our journey. Fou, you stay inside my shield while we use the Ollerus Boards, okay?

We don't want the wind blowing you away while we're on the move, after all.

Fooou.

But first...

Here's a map of where we would be in Proper Human History. There's definitely some margin of error, since there aren't any GPS satellites to sync it up with, but it should still help...

There we go. We're currently on the Scandinavian Peninsula, right on top of what used to be Lake Vättern in southern Sweden.

... ...

...Yes, that's right. At least, we would be in Proper Human History...

？！

Lake Vättern is an enormous lake believed to have taken shape after Earth's most recent ice age. It's said to be almost two thousand squre kilometers.

But, in this Lostbelt, we're obviously standing on a mountain range covered in snow...

Fooou, fou fou. Fou...fo?

...It's not just the ice, snow, and fire... This Lostbelt differs from Proper Human History in a lot of significant ways...

I thought I'd learned that in Russia, but after seeing all this, I feel like I'm learning it all over again.

Fou fou fou. Fo fo fou fo, fou!

Fou, kyuuu!

Ah! Fou!?

Kyau, kyuuu!

Wh-what is it, Fou? Did I do something to

Ah!!!

I'm so sorry! I should have noticed sooner! There are large magical energy signals nearby... They look to be giants!

But, why now? We didn't run into a single one on the way here...

Maybe they only approach you if you stay in one place for a long time?

No, never mind. I'll worry about that later. Right now, we need to take care of the immediate threat.

？！

Understood. Ready to begin battle once the giants are in range!

...The battle is over. There are no other magical energy signals within thirty meters of our position.

I have to apologize again, Senpai.

Even after all of Da Vinci's reminders to be careful, I still let my guard down.

I know I need to be extra vigilant in watching for magical energy signals and Servants, especially since we can't contact the Border...

...and yet, I completely failed at that task...

...Thank you, Senpai.

Right. I promise, I won't make the same mistake again!

？！

Fou! Fou! Fooou...

...Thank you, Fou, but it's not your fault. You have nothing to apologize for.

If anything, I should be thanking you for alerting us to the danger. So, thank you.

Fou fou.

Given that we're unable to contact the Shadow Border, we're effectively cut off from Chaldea itself. I need to keep that in mind.

In accordance with the Chaldea Personnel Code, Article 23, Paragraph 2...

...it's imperative that I remain calm, and proceed with caution.

In other words...I'm free to make decisions, act independently, and return to base at my own discretion!

...And then make an official report, of course.

？！

Yes, it is. Dr. Roman added Paragraph 2 when no one was looking.

Yes... All right, let's resume our expedition, Senpai.

Yes. It is, isn't it?

？！

I've confirmed that the Ortinax Ollerus Board attachments have been safely shut down and stowed.

Initiating standard Ortinax movement mode.

Since there are a lot of trees in this area, I think it would be better to put the Ollerus Boards away and move around on foot for a while.

Okay, Senpai.

...They're not really just frozen trees then, are they?

？！

...Trees actually made out of ice...

I can't tell if they were carved from ice, or if all these tree-like formations were stuck in the ground...

Either way...I can't imagine there would be much wildlife in an place like this.

Fou...

That said, I don't know if this is a good thing or not, but...

...based on the magical energy signals I'm sensing, it looks like there are more giants past the ice trees.

There are more of them gathered together there than anywhere else we've seen so far.

Maybe the path we took to avoid the fiery mountains ended up bringing us to their territory.

？！

Good point. I'll keep that in mind, Master.

Fou, fou fou? Fau?

Yes, Fou. That means we'll be walking from here on.

Fou!

Fou!

I can't believe he's already gone that far ahead...

Please don't run off too far on your own, Fou. We don't want a giant spotting you.

Oh, but then again, maybe it would be okay.

You're so cute that even a giant might want to keep you as a pet instead of eating you...

Fou. Fou.

... ...

...Senpai, can I talk to you about something?

Thank you.

...Yes, it is.

？！

Something has been bothering me about him.

Sigurd is one of the greatest heroes in all of Scandinavia.

He reforged King Sigmundhis father's demonic sword, Gram, after the divine spear Gungnir shattered it...

...then went on to defeat the dragon Fafnir and gain its wisdom. That all fits with what Holmes told us.

Later, he and Brynhild the Valkyrie fell in love, but their relationship was poisoned by hate, and ended with his death...

He has many of the same roots as Siegfried...so much so that some believe they were actually the same hero.

And yet... I don't know why, but...

...I didn't get that sense at all from that masked Heroic Spirit...

...Thank you, Senpai.

Something keeps nagging at the back of my mind. It's hard to put it into words, but

？！

Senpai, I think I hear some

...Eeyaaaaaaaaah!

？！

Right! It came from the north-northwest! Let's go!

O-ohh no...

They saw me... Now what do I do? It was going so well, too...

I don't understand... Why do things never turn out well for me!? I'm such an idiot!

Ahhhhhh...! No, no... Please, no...!

Eep...!

We made it, Master!

Please focus on keeping her safe! As for me

...I'll handle these giants. You get back too please, Fou!

Fou fou!

Wh-wh-what the...? Who are you two...?

No! No, no, no, no, you can't! Any child the Bergrisar find is doomed!

S-so...so you have to run away if you see a child being attacked by one of them!

I-I don't understand... Why are you doing this!? Go on, get out of here!

？！

H-huh...?

Eeyaaaaaaaaah!!! You idiot! Now they're going to squish all of us...!

No they won't! We won't let them! Ortinax is holding steady at maximum output. I can do this. Master!

Right!

？！

...The battle is over. I don't detect any other magical energy signals within thirty meters.

We defeated the giants and ice creatures...but that was the first time we've come across a mountain giant.

...A Bergrisi...

In Norse mythology, the Bergrisar were a race of mountain giants that were on friendly terms with the jötunn, the frost giants.

But, I don't remember reading anything about them banding together and attacking humans like that...

Thank you, Master.

Yes, everything's fine. Not to worry!

？！

I managed to fend off the attackers without sustaining any injury, all thanks to your support, Senpai.

The load on the Ortinax is well within its tolerance. ...Da Vinci did an amazing job tuning it up.

Fou, fou fou. Fooou.

Oh! That's right.

Senpai, is that girl

Bergrisar, Bergrisar, Bergrisar...

O Heavenly Mother, O merciful Goddess... Please, I beg of you.

Even if the giants do smoosh me flat, please let me stay with everyone else after I die...

... ...

Umm... Excuse me...

(Is she speaking Swedish? The talisman doesn't have any problem translating conversation, but it's still a little hard to make out what she's saying.)

(It might just be me, but it kind of sounds like she has a strong accent too?)

... ...

？！

That's right. We're not going to hurt you. I promise you're safe for the moment.

...

...I-I'm alive...? There's no more Bergrisar around?

That's right. You have nothing to worry about. There are no more giants around here.

...(Looks around)

...(Relieved sigh)

That's amazing!

I can't believe it! The Goddess must have sent you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You two saved my life. That's so amazing!

How did you do it!? Usually, anyone the giants see ends up getting pancaked...

...but none of us are even a little bit squished! Oh, uh, I'm sorry.

...Ahem. You're supposed to introduce yourself when you first meet someone, aren't you. I remember learning that.

My name's Gerda!

Hello, Gerda. That's a lovely name you have. It has a wonderful Nordic ring to it.

Thanks! Hehe, I like the way it sounds too.

It's very nice to meet you both, Ms. Black Armor, Mr. Black Hair.

What are YOUR names?

And I'm Mash Kyrielight.

Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight, huh. Got it!

Thank you, Master. And this nice boy is Fujimaru.

He's my senpai.

Senpai...?

？！

You two are incredible. I can't believe you really saved me!

What village are you from? You don't seem like you're shivering... How can you not be cold with so few layers?

I'm nice and warm, thanks to my fur coat. I knew I'd have to be ready for anything once I decided to go out on my own.

The grown-ups won't help 'cause they're busy getting everything ready for tomorrow, so I have to do it all myself.

That includes the cooking, and tending to the children who have come down with terrible fevers!

O-oh, right, a reward!

When someone does something nice for you, you have to repay them.

Oh, umm...I don't have anything on me right now. I'd have to go back to the village...

B-but I also have to find the medicinal herbs before I go back...

...Hmmm. What should I do...

...

(Senpai, Senpai. This is the first Scandinavian we've met! This must mean there are human villages here.)

(And they don't seem to have mutated to adapt to this environment, like the Yaga had. Maybe that means their culture is closer to Proper Human History.)

(Although...for some reason...)

(...her outfit doesn't seem like anything someone would wear in 2020...)

(Regardless, I think she'll be willing to take us to her village. Once we get there, we can ask around...)

...Senpai?

... ...

Ah!

...Yes.

Once it's gone, all life in this Lostbelt will most likely...well...

But, if we're going to restore Proper Human History...

？！

？！

...Yes. I feel the same way.

I think I would have fought off those giants even if you hadn't said anything, Senpai.

... ...

No...there's no way you would have just stood by, Senpai. That's just not who you are.

You would always be the first to try and rescue her.

？！

Fou fou, fooou!

Fo, fo, fou!

Aww, you're adorable! Come here! It's okay!

Fou, kyaaau!

Oooh, that looks like fun. Let me try...

Hop!

Foooooou!

Teehee! You're too pretty to be a mouse. Maybe you're a dog? Or a cat!

Oh, I know. You must be a horse!

Forse!?

I've never seen any animal besides sheep this close before!

You're so beautiful...

Oh, but I did see something else beautiful just a little while ago.

It was a rainbow! A huge, seven-colored rainbow that stretched all the way past the mountains!

Nobody else saw it, but I did. Isn't that amazing? Hehe!

Fo fou.

Hehehe. Yeah, I wish you could have seen it, too!

Fou!

I wonder why Fou is in such a good mood. Could it be the weather?

Maybe he likes it cold like this?

There, look, Senpai. We've only just met Gerda, and Fou has already taken to her.

Oh, wait. Maybe it's the other way around, and Gerda's actually the one who's taken to him?

？！

Yes. She's very cheerful.

And it sounds like she came all this way to find special medicine for a friend back in her village...

She must be very responsible, too.

There's something I'm wondering about, though...

She said she was looking for medicinal herbs, right? Does that mean plants can grow around here?

Not to mention that, if this is an emergency...

...why is she out here all by herself?

I don't know about other regions in this Lostbelt, but it's no secret dangerous giants roam around here.

And of course, there's no way an ordinary human could fight a giant alone. They'd be dead for sure.

If someone needed to come out here...

...shouldn't it be an armed group of adults who know how to fight...?

？！

Are you guys talking about me?

That's right. I left my village to look for medicinal herbs! The grown-ups are too busy getting ready for tomorrow, so we kids have to take care of ourselves.

And since I'm the big sister, I have to do my best to pull my weight.

That's pretty mature of me, right? Hehe.

Fou fou, fou!

Ahaha, is that a compliment? Thank you, Fou. You're such a good boy!

Your fur is so pretty, too! It's so soft and smooth!

Fou fou, fooou.

I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'm afraid it's dangerous here. This area seems to be frequented by giants...

...Yeah, I guess you're right.

We only see them occasionally near the village, but I know there's lots of giants around these mountains.

Still, there's nothing else I can do... The only one who knows how to use runes is the envoy, and she isn't coming until tomorrow.

Her runes of healing can cure people who are sick in no time...

...but Laura probably won't survive through the night without those herbs...

(Runes of healing...? Envoy?)

That's why I came all this way. Someone told me that there were amazing healing herbs near here.

They said they can cure anything, and that they're especially good for fevers!

...So, um, well...

I know it's reckless of me to be out here. We're not really ever supposed to leave the village...

Really?

Well, yes. Nobody's ever supposed to leave. Isn't it like that in your village, too?

The only ones permitted to go outside the village are the envoys chosen to be servants of the gods.

(God...)

Um, I'm sorry, but can you explain what you mean by "the gods" and "envoys"?

Hehe, nice try! But you won't trick me that easily!

Lady Mash, girl in black armor.

People have always told me that only envoys of the Goddess have swords or spears...

...but I didn't know you used shields, too! That's amazing, Lady Mash!

Wait. Me...an envoy...?

S-Senpai?

...!

C-come on, Master. This is no time to be joking around...

？！

？！

Hooray! I was hoping you might offer to help me! Ooh, does that mean you can read my mind?

Even if you don't have any weapons of your own, Mr. Black Hair...

...you must be an envoy of the gods, too!

Tree of Emptiness? The sun?

Fou fou, fou!

That's right. The Tree of Emptiness is like a huge tree that stretches all the way up to the sky. Have you ever heard of anything like that?

As for the sun, we were hoping you might know something about why it's so big here...

Sorry... I don't know what you mean... I don't know anything about either of those...

I've never heard any legends about a big tree like that, and the sun's always been that size.

It's just like mountains always being made of fire or ice. That's just how it's always been! Nobody asks why!

I see...

Ah.

Oh no, did I say something to offend you, Lady Mash? I'm so sorry if my answer didn't satisfy you.

No, no, its fine! Please don't worry about it.

You have nothing to apologize for. Right now, let's just focus on finding those herbs.

Are you sure? Okay, thank you! They should be pretty close by!

Fou, fou fooou fooou.

(Senpai...)

(In Norse mythology, the world tree Yggdrasil played a very important role.)

(I know she's young, but it seems a little strange that Gerda wouldn't know ANYTHING about it...)

(Right.)

(Th-that seems unlikely...)

(...but I suppose we can't completely rule it out...)

？！

(Given that Lostbelts, by definition, are alternate histories that differ from Proper Human History... Worlds where the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon continued to take place to the present day...)

(...it is possible that the Norse mythology we know was altered somehow.)

(Mountains of ice...mountains of fire...)

(...a strangely large sun...and giants...)

(I wonder if all these things that seem so strange to us might have something to do with some different version of Norse myth...)

(...assuming that the myth here was actually historical fact here.)

Fou, fou!

Fo... Fo fo... Fo... Fooou...

Senpai, Gerda! I'm sorry, but please stay still for a bit! Try not to make any sound...

(Eep. Giant footsteps!)

(Fou was the first to notice again. He must have sensed the giant's presence before we did.)

(???)

(I'm sorry, Gerda. This must be a lot for you to take in all at once. How can I put this...)

(Um, basically...Fou's got very good instincts!)

(Fou! Fo fo fo.)

(Oh, I see. He looks very proud of that, too.)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(...)

(Those footsteps aren't getting any quieter... It looks like the giant isn't about to leave.)

(Well of course not. We're almost there, after all.)

？！

(This way. Follow me, but be very, very quiet.)

(Activating Ortinax's stealth mode. Its silencing talisman should muffle the engine and exhaust noise...)

(There, that should do it. Let's go, Master.)

(This is the place!)

(There, look. See all the grass? There's even flowers, too!)

(They say that long ago, there used to be places like that outside our village, too. Places where animals and flowers could grow and thrive.)

(They say it happens waaay up high in places between fire and ice mountains all the time.)

(So I thought about it, and decided to climb the ice mountain side.)

(Not that it was much of a choice, since humans can't climb the fire mountains, right? We'd get burned up.)

(I see. That does make sense...)

(Maybe it's because we're relatively high up near the fire that the ice and snow have melted here...)

(The air is nice and warm, and you can see the land. That must be why plants and flowers can grow here.)

(It's almost like a garden...)

？！

(Y-yes, there are giants walking around here, too. But that has helped us learn something, Senpai!)

(It looks like Norse giants can live in all kinds of environments, not just cold ones!)

(In fact, judging from the way they're gathered here, they may even prefer warmer climates.)

(...I guess they don't like the cold, either.)

？！

(...That's true.)

(I suggest we whittle the giants' numbers down a bit, collect the herbs we're after...)

(...then quickly activate the Ollerus Boards' thruster mode to make an emergency getaway.)

(Fo fou.)

(So far, our path has been through the eastern ice forest, but the west looks to be a steep, snowy slope.)

(So if we can just get to that slope, and ski down the rest of the way...)

(Yes! If you're good skiers, that will work! I think.)

(But how can we? We don't have any skis...)

？！

Huh? You brought skis with you!? Where are they?

...Oops. I'm so sorr

Fou faaau! Kyau!!!

It's okay, Gerda! We'll just, um, start the operation sooner than we expected!

Senpai, requesting orders and support!

？！

Understood, Master! Switching Ortinax from stealth mode to combat mode!

...Moving to intercept the enemy now!

The first wave is down! Auto-tuning Ortinax for consecutive battles. Releasing exhaust, now!

Output values remain stable. I'm still good to go.

Fou fou fou! Kyuuu, kyu!

Don't worry, Fou! I'm conserving energy for our escape!

Resuming battle, Master!

...Second wave defeated. Da Vinci really is amazing. I can keep going, no problem!

Fooou, fo fou!

Uh, yes, I'm pretty sure I'm not pushing it too far! The Ortinax's output is down by about twenty percent, but it should be fine for another battle, at least.

Don't worry about me, Senpai! Just tell me what you need me to do...!

？！

Fo... Fo fo fo, fou!?

Huh...?

Fou! Stop Gerda! She's trying to run off on her own!

I'll be right back! I can't just sit around and do nothing while you guys fight!

Gerda!

Khh... You're not going...anywhere!

Expanding the Ortinax's functionality! Temporarily boosting output! ...Amalgam Goad!

I will! Don't worry, I'm fine!

？！

I got the herbs!

(Huff, huff, huff)... (Gasp, gasp)...! I did it. I really did it!

？！

Understood!

Wooow...! You're so amazing, Lady Mash!

Those giants are huge, but you fought them like they were nothing. I didn't think that was possible...!

I knew you envoys weren't scared of giants!

I bet they could never catch and squish you like they do with all the grown-ups.

？！

Senpai, hang on tight to me! You too, Gerda and Fou! ...Okay, here goes!

Eee!

Fou fou, kyaaau!

Equipping the Ortinax Ollerus Board attachments now... Activating emergency booster!

The wind pressure will be incredible, so make sure to keep your eyes closed! My visor will protect me!

Switching over from stage three thruster to emergency booster. Ollerus Boards, standing by. Three, two, one...

...Ignition!

Hellooo, Opheliaaa☆

It's you...

Welcome to this wonderfully wintry snow-and-ice guest room, fit for a princessOh, right, this isn't your first time here, is it?

I hope you don't mind that I got started without you? I have to say, this vodka on Scandinavian rocks is better than I expected☆

... ...

Oh my, I can see you don't approve of drinking on the job. Indeed, I couldn't agree more.

But it's not MY fault; it's this castle. Just when I thought I'd get a reprieve from Russia's cold, too...

I mean, a palace made entirely of solid ice? Talk about overwrought. They even say it's cold enough that I'd frost over without a Mystic Code.

I do prefer the cold to heat, but this is overkill! Don't you agree, darling Ophelia?

You ARE Scandinavian yourself, after all, aren't you?

...It doesn't bother me.

I'm surprised you're still here, Koyanskaya. I'd have thought you'd be long gone to another Lostbelt by now.

Don't you have your own job to do, just as Lord Kirschtaria gave me one?

Oh, don't you worry about that. My work here in Scandinavia is just about done.

The Tree of Emptiness is coming along nicely, and this Lostbelt's king has been very cooperative.

Now that I've made some nice additions to my personal collection, I'll be moving on to the next Lostbelt soon.

Honestly, this has me feeling like I should have spent more time in Russia helping Kadoc a little more, seeing how smoothly things have gone here.

Still, if I'm going to worry about anyone...

...it'd be you, since Kadoc doesn't matter anymore, and you have a lot of work left unfinished.

Besides, we girls have to look out for each other, don't we?☆

I don't recall asking for your help, Koyanskaya. If you're saying that you're worried about me, then I'll put this simply: don't be.

Aww, really? Are you sure? Suuuper sure?

We all know you're an earnest and highly capable mage, but there's just something about you that makes you seem...consumed by ennui. Like you're not quite in the moment, you know?

It kicks my maternal instincts into overdrive.

Not that I really know anything about how a mother would feel.

Can't you take a hint...?

My loyalty is with Lord Kirschtaria Wodime, and him alone. You don't have to worry about me.

I'll never waver, nor will I fall for anyone's deception. My Mystic Code has a talisman designed explicitly to protect my mind.

Oh? Since you went to aaall that trouble of shoring up those defenses, doesn't that suggest you see that as a weakness of yours?

Oopsies. I guess that's what they mean by "let sleeping dogs lie." Or maybe "silence is golden" would be more apt?

All righty, let's just pretend I didn't notice that and try this again!

Come on Ophelia, have a drink with me! We can hang out and live it up till the sun comes up!

...(Sigh)

Awww. Why the sigh?

...Looks like I'll just have to spell it out.

We don't need you here. Find another Lostbelt to visit if you're just here to indulge your hobbies.

Oh, I will. I'll be on my way just as soon as I get bored with my little Scandinavian vacation.

So let's get along until I do, hm? After all, you and I are both human haters!

Hehe... It's okay, Ophelia Phamrsolone. Poor, poor little rich girl.

Nobody will pressure you here. You'll never have to dread Sundays again.

Huh...?

What did you just

...What do you know?

Oh, don't be so surprised. We're both women, and neither of us has many other friends. Why would there be any secrets between us?

It's okay, Ophelia. You don't have to worry about anything anymore.

There's nothing to be afraid of, and nothing to feel guilty about. You can dedicate your whole being to following your beloved's orders.

The whole world has been wiped clean; now it's nothing but endless white. It's only a matter of time until these Lostbelts fall apart too.

We're all just killing time until the Foreign God graces us with their presence. So why not enjoy ourselves while we wait?

...You

So relax. Don't worry about aaanything anymore.

...Let's just sit back and enjoy our never-ending WednesdayOdin's daytogether, shall we?