Beyond the World Tree

Valkyrie sensed that something about the atmosphere inside the tavern was off.

Instinctively, he began looking around.

For a moment.

That strange feeling made him suspect that some member of the Scoti Pantheon was searching for him nearby.

So.

He immediately lowered his head deeply.

Putting on the standard look of a disgruntled drunkard.

He also used the divine power of the God of Lies to disguise himself once more, ensuring no one would spot anything amiss.

Completely unaware that the strange sensation he felt actually came from Tibalt and the tavern keeper not far away.

Those two.

One was a twisted, antisocial madman.

The other was a gay man.

Their combined scrutiny sent chills racing down Valkyrie's spine, making him deeply uncomfortable!

Meanwhile, everyone else in the tavern noticed nothing and acted as usual.

Those who drank kept drinking, and those who chatted kept chatting.

Only one northern bard of the Dwarf Race drew particular attention.

He was an old man who was somewhat short compared to the surrounding Fairy Race, yet the muscles packed across his body made him look exceptionally sturdy.

Ordinarily, as a dwarf, if he dared venture into Fairy Race territory, he had better be prepared to receive a beating first.

After all, Gedrimay—the divine axe that had destroyed the Enir Pantheon's glory and former splendor, splitting their entire race in two—had been forged by dwarven hands!

Thus, the enmity between the two sides, accumulated since ancient times, was anything but light.

But this dwarf was different.

He was a northern bard!

Within the World Tree, northern bards of the Dwarf Race were the finest storytellers and record keepers.

More often than not.

Information and legends from every region could only be preserved and spread through their existence.

That made their status particularly special.

Hardly