The Departed Powerhouse, and Nidhogg Still Unconquered

Mr. Haton was right; Ryan showed off quite a bit.

Where can one find the flesh and blood of Dragons, like the banquet last night? That was a noble gathering worthy of being written into history.

No, the nobles have already planned it out. When they return, they will write extensively about it so that their descendants can see that their ancestors were nobles who could eat Dragons meat and drink Dragons blood. Wouldn't their descendants be even more devout in their worship after seeing such a record?

The Dragon Feast is also a means of uniting people's hearts, just as Ryan wanted.

Nobles all wanted to show off and prove their heritage and glory.

Then communication becomes very simple.

for example...

You have no idea what the taste of Dragons meat is like...

What? You've never tried it? Then what's the point of talking to you?

What? You ate there too? In the Frozen Earth Territory? Haha, no wonder it sounded so familiar! Oh, it was you! Speaking of which, that feast was simply...

Nobles are like this, or rather, this is human nature. They may boast to others, but deep down they subconsciously believe that only nobles who have done the same things as them are their kind.

This is cohesion; in other words, it's the power that Ryan can clearly see in his hands.

"So, your territory is on the Path of Dawn?"

Ryan looked at Brendan and his group in front of him. Compared to last time, Brendan's attitude towards Ryan had completely changed this time, and he was much more respectful.

Even Brendan, a nobleman capable of slaying Legendary Dragons, was worried that the other party might hold a grudge against his attitude from dozens of days ago.

Lord Ryan is certainly magnanimous.

"I heard that you secretly bought a lot of weapons and equipment on my territory. You almost bought up all of Zero Crossing City. Without those things, I don't know how I would explain this quarter to the two His Majesty the King in the east and the empire's several merchant guilds."

Ryan looked at Brendan with a calm yet indifferent expression. This emotionless voice put immense pressure on Brendan, who was unsure how to respond.

"I, I... that's why I came here."

Brendan, being a man of some stature, quickly recovered and said:

"Faced with threats from the Church, we had no choice but to purchase some weapons. If possible, I think the bloodline of Ignazio would be willing to help the Florian Empire share the pressure from the Holy Mountain."

"Moreover, all the weapons we purchased were with your consent. Everyone knows that the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild belongs to Baron Ryan."

"We have legitimately registered as adventurers and also purchased at a premium as a sign of respect for your absence from the territory."

"This is a gift from Ignazio to you. It comes from the blood of a Legendary Knight fell thirteen hundred years ago. The shockwave of his blood melted the mountain, leaving behind a unique jewel."

"It can help strengthen the mountain beneath your feet."

Brendan offered a jet-black gem, perfectly round, radiating an ancient and weighty power.

"The Mountain Forest Essence".

Not far away, Grand Mage Macken spoke in an appropriate tone, sounding quite surprised.

These ancient bloodlines indeed possess ancient treasures.

Ryan was overjoyed, and a smile naturally appeared on his face.

"Since it is Ignazio's friendship, Ryan will naturally not refuse. In return, I will instruct the artisans of the Frozen Earth Territory to send a batch of weapons to my friends in the South."

Ryan looked at Brendan, while the butler Pield, poured water for the latter.

"I believe Ignazio will be very satisfied with these weapons, and if nothing unexpected happens, Mr. Brendan, your status will also be elevated."

What Ryan intended to give away were the giant crossbows of Nidhogg that had participated in killing Dragons and were also adept at killing extraordinary knights.

As for the Knight's Greatsword that came with it, it was all of little importance.

"The Church has no right to incite slaughter against any nobleman. They have violated the ancient oath, and they will be Divine Punishment by the great and immortal God of Light for it."

"You will succeed."

Ryan said this to Brendan, who naturally expressed his gratitude.

After these people left, Ryan was left alone with no outsiders.

"The war has begun. Judging from his appearance, the power and terror of the Church have terrified the nobles in the South. Without help, those nobles will soon become dogs that have been beaten into submission by the Church."

"Long-term enjoyment and comfortable living conditions caused them to lose their claws and teeth."

"The cost of rearming is high, but hopefully these ancient bloodlines in the South lands can hold on."

"We also hope that His Majesty the Emperor will support them and will not underestimate our enemies."

After Ryan finished speaking, he looked at his butler.

"The arrival of war means a redistribution of wealth, and this redistribution of wealth presents an opportunity for the Northern Territory Merchant Guild."

"Seize the Brendan connection, feed him well, no, stuff him full, and then use Brendan and his men to open up trade between the Northern Territory Merchant Guild and the South lands."

"Since he wants weapons, then give them weapons. Knight's Greatsword are too unreliable. Send them some armor, and send the armor to the South. How can we deal with the fanatics of the Church without armor that is impervious to swords?"

"The smelting technology in the Frozen Earth Territory has advanced, and the forging efficiency of the blast furnaces is something they have probably never seen before."

Ryan laughed. This desolate land lacked everything except for countless Iron Ore.

If it weren't for Ryan's control and the scarcity marketing, even ten Brendan wouldn't be able to buy out Zero Crossing City.

Ancient bloodlines of the South, a noble lineage with a long history.

Ryan played with the Mountain Forest Essence in his hand. Once they had the first one, they would have the second, and the third one would be delivered to Ryan.

The essence was entrusted to Grand Mage Macken, Grand Mage naturally had a way to integrate it into Rhino Horn Mountain.

"The Nidhogg affair is nearing its end; you are now free to visit."

Ryan spoke to Avril beside him, bringing up her brother again.

Gabriel was furious.

He had heard that Dragons flesh and blood had appeared at the banquet, and he had not been able to eat or drink a single bite.

He grabbed his weapon, intending to confront Ryan, but his Knight's Greatsword was easily melted.

"Brother Gabriel, your father, Viscount Melendez, asked me to pass on a message to you, hoping that you will gain something from this journey and become a responsible member of the noble family."

"Your mother, Viscountess Melendez, is helping you plan your future livelihood and marriage."

"Damn it! How dare you imprison Melendez Family's servant!"

Gabriel was furious, and Ryan didn't explain anything. He simply dragged the shipwrights who had been brought out of Nidhogg to Gabriel's front.

"You've signed a contract. Remember, you're not allowed to reveal what you've seen."

"I hope you will keep your mouths shut. Now you may go back with Mr. Gabriel."

"I'm not leaving!"

This time, Gabriel was unhappy. Ryan smiled; this guy had looked down on the Frozen Earth Territory a hundred times back then.

"Where is Avril? I need to see her! What right do you have to drive me away? And the Dragons meat! As a distinguished guest of the Frozen Earth Territory, how dare you refuse me entry to a noble's banquet!"

Gabriel yelled. He wasn't so vulnerable before, mainly because dragon blood and Dragons meat were things he would probably never encounter in his life. To have missed them so easily had made him lose too much of his rationality.

"Avril is meditating, on an adventure, Mr. Gabriel."

Ryan said with a smile that the hierarchy of legitimate and junior members in this world is still very direct. If they meet, Avril will find it hard not to give this older brother some local specialties. Otherwise, the gossip among the noble ladies will affect the education of the Ryan Family and the Melendez Family.

The best solution is to drive them away.

"See a visitor out."

"Mr. Gabriel said it was a noble banquet, so it's normal that people of non-noble blood cannot attend."

The annoying guy finally left the Frozen Earth Territory, and Ryan finally had time to head to Nidhogg.

The ship continued to drift quietly on the sea, but the burning, glowing substance beneath it prevented the ocean from remaining calm on the surface.

"Many lives have already been lost; those deep-sea monsters seem to crave Surtr's flesh and blood."

Rose ultimately defined those bone-like substances as flesh, flesh of non-human flesh.

"What do they crave? What's inside?"

Standing on the shore, Ryan didn't have any particularly good containers to hold these parts of Surtr's body.

"It's probably the power of divinity that can bless those unique Deities."

Rose said that he hadn't been idle during this time either, and he always managed to come up with something new.

"Similar to that wild boar?"

Ryan was surprised, thinking of the wild boar in the Mountain Forest World. That old man was still running rampant in the Mountain Forest of the Frozen Earth Territory, surrounded by a swarm of his offspring like locusts.

"There are differences, but they are essentially the same. It is the Divine Essence of the Deities and their care for life in the world."

"They will become His retinue simply because Surtr is alive."

"Is that so? No wonder Surtr didn't care about the flames splashing from his body. When he was injured, there must have been at least a thousand or eight hundred pieces of his remains scattered around, right?"

"In other words, there are at least a thousand more beings in this world who are favored by Surtr, and they will become very powerful."

Ryan thought about it and realized he wasn't particularly interested in these subjects of Surtr.

"I will have Brock find a way to forge the vessel to hold this flesh and blood."

Ryan glanced reluctantly at the few Eternity burning pieces of matter, then turned and headed north.

His army is still there, and of course, the key thing is that there are still two big guys in this world.

"Those Dragons won't come near anymore. Too many Dragons have died here, and the battlefield formed by their corpses will repel Dragons."

"And the snowstorm has already begun, blanketing the Northlands from the sky."

The Frost Giant Raglov and the Frost Dragon Arryris have adapted exceptionally well to the environment of this land during this period, simply because the wind and snow drifting in the sky are icy cold.

"Are you going back?"

Ryan asked Raglov, the tall Frost Giant who was evolving into the Frost Giant King, and he hesitated.

He was looking the North.

Beneath the gradually freezing ocean, there still lie the Frost Giant, even though they have become the berserk twin Giants, puppets sacrificed to the gods.

However, in the end, Raglov regained his composure.

We're leaving.

The population of a Frost Giant tribe is already pitifully small, and he needs to consider the well-being of these living Frost Giant, but as a new king, he will not give up so easily.

"I will lead the tribe deeper into the Northlands to search for any Frost Giant that may still exist."

"When I find them, I will return. If this world is still alive then, I hope you can help me open the passage, my human noble friend."

"Of course, Ryan is happy to help."

Ryan performed a noble ceremony, then put on the Dragon Emperor Crown, opened a huge spatial passage, and sent the entire Frost Giant tribe to the Mountain Forest of the Frozen Earth Territory.

"This place is still some distance from your tribe."

Ryan said somewhat embarrassedly that he was not yet able to handle the Raglov very well.

"It's okay, we can walk back."

Raglov said nonchalantly, then stomped down with one big footprint after another.

Looking at the mountains that had been flattened by the Frost Giant' massive feet, Ryan smiled happily. This was much simpler and more direct than having human slaves clear the land.

"That's great."

Ryan glanced at them enviously, but unfortunately he couldn't tie ropes to the Frost Giant so they could keep leveling the land for him.

Human land still requires human effort.

Back in Nidhogg, Ryan went to see Arryris, the Frost Dragon who was reminiscing about the world he once knew.

"This place is very different from before; it's not what I remember it to be."

In Arryris's memory, the the North Snow Mountain, the place where Ryan once climbed the Snow Mountain and saw Snow Mountain Dragons flying in the the North, was not an ocean, but the same the Mainland further the North.

There are many, many places that are not covered by the ocean; they should be the Mainland.

"The world is no longer the same."

Arryris was saddened for a while before returning to her lair, located on the mountain peaks of the Northlands Snow Plains in the the North of the Frozen Earth Territory.

As usual, Ryan opened the passage, Dragons Arryris roared, showing no lingering attachment to this world.

However, the next moment—Longyin became extremely angry.

Because an invisible ripple, like a wave, stretched between the man and the dragon, Ryan saw nothing, but the Frost Dragon was awakened to long-forgotten memories.

"Isabella!!!"

Arryris roared, and Ryan, who had just left Nidhogg with the Dragons, heard Arryris's maddening dragon breath destroying everything around them.

"What happened?"

Ryan asked.

"Isabella, that damned woman, she actually followed me out; she entered this world!"

Arryris roared frantically, but no matter what it did, it couldn't find any trace of Isabella.

In the void, the blurry shadow became clearer and clearer. Ryan turned his head and saw the Legendary Space Mage Ophelia standing above him.

"Lady Ophelia, what brings you out here?"

Ryan asked curiously, but he already guessed the answer.

"That dragon girl is in a truly miraculous state."

Ophelia watched the roaring Frost Dragon. He was almost able to find it, but in the end, he didn't have the chance. Once he left Nidhogg, that Otherworld monitored by his Space Magic, he would not be able to find that Demigod- level Tidal Dragon.

"He's been waiting for you to open the door; this Dragons is her only chance to escape."

"She is strong enough."

Ophelia felt a little regretful, but not very angry. His reverence for the Deities also made him respectful of Demigod- level beings. Although his opponent was seriously injured, Ophelia was still not sure how he could do anything to him.

The Legendary [The Eternal One of the Void] has left, without even giving Ryan a chance to take advantage of the situation.

"Speaking of which..."

Ryan looked at Arryris.

"How did you leave Nidhogg in the first place?"

Ryan had always been curious about how Nidhogg Nidhogg so incredibly xenophobic before he entered Nidhogg and before Surtr had even managed to carve a hole in it with his own weapons.

At that time, even the Spirituality Panel had difficulty squeezing in, yet Arryris managed to escape from it.

None of the three keys are in Arryris's possession.

Arryris, after all, did not possess the tyrannical and greedy nature of other Dragons, and quieted down upon hearing Ryan's words.

He had no lingering affection for Nidhogg, so there was no need for him to hide it anymore.

"I was sent out by a human. At that time, I was still weak. The blind human told me that there was a cave passage leading to a safe place."

"I believed it, and that's how I ended up here."

The passage beyond the three keys?

Ryan frowned, then looked up. Perhaps, it wasn't the passage outside the three keys.

Ryan bid farewell to Arryris and returned to Nidhogg once again, quietly feeling the control over his Spirituality Panel.

A long, long time later, the Spirituality Panel remained unchanged.

"I... still haven't completely conquered this world."

The great beings have all been banished, the Dragons of this world have been decimated, Muspel's Dragons army has been wiped out, leaving only Isabella, who may have been free, but she has already left.

The skies and seas of Aesir's world have been covered by the Northlands, and the Dragons that were killed or fled are no longer enough to threaten Ryan's control.

As for this land nestled between Muspel and Aesir, the world where humans live, all its inhabitants have become subjects of Ryan.

The long balance of millions on the Spirituality Panel doesn't lie.

However... Ryan still hasn't completely conquered this world.

What other force is preventing him from asserting sovereignty over this world and hindering him from successfully opening the next dimension?

Blind humans.

"Does the Dragon Emperor's authority still remain?"

Ryan could only guess at that.

Or is it that angel with many wings?

(End of this chapter)