บท 138: The Culprit

Arkhan gazed at the vast and desolate land before him. The barren surface revealed no traces of life, and the murky sky hung heavily overhead, creating a sense that it could collapse at any moment.

The air was filled with a strong 'True Ether', an energy that could be found anywhere in the Age of Gods. For the people of the current era, it was akin to the most potent poison. However, due to the flow of Nidhogg's power within his body, Arkhan not only felt no discomfort but rather a comforting and soothing sensation, akin to soaking in a hot spring.

However, this physiological comfort couldn't dispel his psychological frustration.

Arkhan turned to look at Artoria behind him with a look of helplessness on his face.

"Can you explain this to me, Lily?"

He never expected his usually obedient student to suddenly do something like this. Honestly, he couldn't comprehend her intentions.

Artoria, with a sheepish expression, lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, Teacher. I felt like you were about to leave, and I suddenly had this 'Intuition' that you might need my help, so..."

"So, you decided to come in with me?" Arkhan couldn't help but smile wryly. Perhaps only Artoria would dare to use 'Intuition' as a reason. If anyone else said such a thing, he would have kicked them in the ass long ago.

"But Lily, have you thought about the trouble our disappearance might cause for Kay and the others?" Arkhan massaged his temples in frustration.

Initially, he had planned to leave her behind to inform Pallas and the rest about his situation, avoiding causing too much chaos. However, to his surprise, this girl followed him inside.

The disappearance of a king in broad daylight was already a significant event that could alarm the entire nation!

Arkhan could already envision the chaos at Hadrian's Wall, and he guessed that Pallas and the others were probably going crazy searching for them.

Artoria felt even more embarrassed, burying her head lower.

After contemplating for a while with a furrowed brow, Arkhan decided to send her back. Given the critical state of the ongoing war, any disturbance at Hadrian's Wall could lead to unforeseen consequences.

He began to write 'Primordial Rune - Space' again, intending to establish a connection with the outside world. However, he suddenly felt a strange force blocking the Rune!

Surprise flashed in Arkhan's eyes. Primordial Rune were actually intercepted?

"Nidhogg, is there some kind of rule in the Norse Realms that allows entry but prevents exit?" Arkhan inquired in his mind.

"Hmm? No, there's nothing like that. This place has been abandoned for thousands of years. Besides the suppressing rules against my true body, there are no other rules here." Nidhogg replied with a puzzled tone.

Arkhan furrowed his brow. If it wasn't due to the Norse Realms itself, then it meant the force came from somewhere else.

He was almost eighty percent certain that the one responsible was the one who invaded the Norse Realms before them and sought to erase its coordinates.

But how did they do it?

Primordial Rune was already at the pinnacle of magecraft, on the verge of True Magic. Yet, this force could block it, indicating a level higher than the Primordial Rune.

'Could it be Zelretch?' Arkhan thought to himself, shaking his head afterward. 'No, it's impossible. With that old man's temper, he wouldn't bother with such tedious matters.'

He pondered silently on the possible culprit, his thoughts boiling like molten lava, yet no clues emerged.

'Looks like I'll have to try something different.'

Arkhan closed his eyes, harnessing the power of Fenghuang Down to create a personality devoid of any distractions and emotions, maintaining absolute rationality. He meticulously recalled every detail of the incident, aiming to unveil the hidden truth.

The entire process resembled a calculation—establishing formulas, inputting data, setting variables, and iterating.

After numerous failures, Arkhan finally identified an unusual variable.

Time!

'That mysterious person's timing for entering the Norse Realms is too coincidental. It coincides perfectly with the war against the Northern Alliance. Through deduction, the probability of these two events colliding is only 37.34%.'

'The likelihood of Kent, Sussex, and Wessex betraying Vortigern, secretly attacking Hadrian's Wall, is only 2.13%. The remaining 97.87% suggests these three kingdoms launched the war following Vortigern's orders.'

'Assuming Yulina didn't inform me in advance, considering the strengths of both sides, the probability of the Northern Alliance successfully breaching Hadrian's Wall is 26.34%; total annihilation is 3.73%; a stalemate until my reinforcements force a retreat is 69.93%.'

'In summary, there's a 73.37% probability that Vortigern initiated this war not to breach Hadrian's Wall but to distract me.'

'Integrating these conclusions, the probability of Vortigern being the one who invaded the Norse Realms is 20.73%.'

'Introducing the variable 'Restoration of the Age of Gods', the probability rises to 35.73%.'

'Introducing the variable 'Nidhogg', the probability increases to 50.64%.'

'Introducing the variable 'Possessing a mysterious power capable of reviving Nuada', the probability rises to 73.29%.'

The cold thoughts gradually faded, and Arkhan slowly opened his eyes. Looking up, his profound black gaze seemed to penetrate the heavy, leaden-gray sky, glimpsing the cage shrouding the divine realm.

"I didn't expect it to be you manipulating all of this, Vortigern..." Arkhan murmured softly. "Could it be that you came for the Dragon of Despair...?"

"That bastard covet my body?!" Nidhogg shivered with a sudden chill.

Arkhan nodded slightly.

"You are the Dragon of Despair, the one who ended the Age of Gods in the Norse Realms. Vortigern's goal is precisely the restoration of the Age of Gods. His presence here does indicate a significant possibility that he's after you."

Nidhogg started to panic.

"What are we waiting for?! Let's go! If that bastard succeeds, this dragon won't live anymore!"

"Don't worry; I won't let that happen." Arkhan reassured her, full of seriousness.

He turned to Artoria, still looking dejected beside him.

"Hahhh..." Arkhan sighed and then made a serious expression. "Alright, since we're here, pull yourself together. Let me remind you, this used to be the Norse Realms. Although it's now in decline, it's still very dangerous. So, remember, obey my orders and don't go wandering around by yourself, understood?"

Artoria's eyes lit up and a sweet smile tugged at her lips.

"Yes, Teacher!"