257: Hope’s something you grab with your own hands, right?

Me, Persia, Leifan, Jitarou, Eva, Camille, Marilyn, Nobuna, and Chiyome—nine of us leading the charge—step through the transfer gate and move toward the alchemist village’s backside.

An idea was floated earlier to bring in stronger fighters from the kingdom, but the ones who could keep up with us now would be important national figures. Picking them was tough, and we weren’t sure how well they’d coordinate. So in the end, that plan fell through.

Instead, knights are waiting nearby for the purpose of guarding the transfer gate.

Not additional assault troops—just backup, in case we need to retreat.

And if things go south, Raidock and the others are ready to come through the gate, even if it means destroying it in the process.

The king, Van, hesitated to use the precious teleportation gate—knowing it’d have to be sacrificed.

I get it. Orichalcum isn’t exactly easy to come by. There’s a mithril mine, sure—but adamantite? Not so much.

Raidock and the others haven’t even reached the empire yet, so they’re holding tight in a hidden spot, ready to set up the gate at a moment’s notice.

That’s what Nobuna said when she heard.

“We’re taking all the glory, just us!”

Typical Mizuho warrior. Greedy for honor.

If I were an adventurer, I’d think the same. But right now? I’m an alchemist, a member of the production guild. Whatever’s useful, I’m using it.

Besides the knights waiting near the teleportation gate in the alchemist village, there’s also Jabiir-sensei and Ryuko keeping watch.

The communication device my teacher uses can send as well as receive—same as mine. That’s why I’m the联络 liaison. This device uses more magic the farther away the recipient is, so Raidock and the others came here, close by, just like me.

Knight of the kingdom—watch over my teacher. Keep him safe!

Ryuko’s my familiar too, so we can communicate both ways through the device. But unlike my teacher, I’m the only one who can send messages. She’s a liaison, just like him—and also his guard.

In general, the people of Goldendown… the Elixir Domain handle their own affairs. It’s only special because the kingdom’s helping. We’re getting Kyle back—our way!

With resolve burning in my chest, I climbed the final sheer cliff from the ruins of the alchemist village.

We don’t need to take a detour—the ladder’s already been propped up during the prep time. Persia, though—climbing up with those bird legs of hers like she was born to it? Impressive. The beast rider sigil’s no joke.

Climbing up the cliff, we finally saw a bit of vegetation.

Even in the deeper parts, you could spot low shrubs.

Sure, it’s a narrow plateau—on a continental scale. But to us humans? Feels pretty wide.

We hadn’t even reached the plateau when the sound of monsters howling echoed from deep inside. Probably a warning—someone’s just stepped into Neezhegg’s territory.

You two, turn back here...

Woulda left Nizhegg be alone, if it weren’t for the damn thing we gotta do.

Let's go!

“““Ooooh!!!”””

We formed up and took off running.

After a while, a black shape came into view straight ahead.

"That's Neezhegg!?!"

I used the "Far Sight" spell to confirm it—

"A giant tree... a pitch-black giant tree."

Not the lush, green world tree we'd been searching for. A cursed, blackened world tree.

Just as I was about to collapse into despair, Nobuna grabbed me firmly.

"You don't know *anything* yet! Act before you decide!"

Her words snapped me back upright.

"You're right. We don't even know if it's cursed. We gotta check it out properly."

"Exactly. That's why—"

Nobuna pointed at the world tree.

At first, I thought it was just black leaves. But closer look—something massive was inside it!

First, we gotta take that thing down! I summon you—come forth from the underworld! Fire Cart Child!

She pulled out a talisman. From somewhere, a wheel like a burning carriage appeared, rolling forward along a narrow trail of flame etched into the ground, heading straight for the world tree.

Out from the world tree slithered something massive—a giant snake… or was it a dragon?

A creature halfway between dragon and serpent, with tiny wings sprouting from its sides.

Wait—can it fly?!

Likely, Nidhogg’s a kind of dragon. If it can fly, we’re done for.

But no need to worry. Nidhogg twisted its body and dodged the rolling fire cart. Still, the movement was sharp. Those little wings must lighten its weight.

Damn. That’s a real pain in the neck.

The dragon-headed serpent glided just above the ground, sliding like a blade through air. It was Nizhegg.

We barely dodged Nizhegg as it lunged. The sight of its massive body sliding sideways at breakneck speed right in front of us—it felt like staring into the face of death.

In the chaos, Jitarou rolled and lifted himself halfway up.

“Tail’s like an eel! ‘Snow Rabbit’s Gaze’!”

The arrow arced, then struck the undulating tail of Nizhegg. Never seen that move before, but it was clearly a precision strike.

Jitarou with the hunter’s sigil—man, he’s legit!

But the sheer size of the beast meant the hit barely slowed it down.

“Guess it’s tough, huh!”

“Don’t push it! Your job’s just to keep it off balance!”

“Got it!”

I let loose a flurry of arrows at the charging Niedhogg’s face, switching tactics to harassment—classic hunter’s move, if I do say so myself.

Camille shifted into a dual-sword stance, shielding me.

“Craft, plan.”

“O-oh, right. I’m thinking.”

“Hurry.”

Even with a plan, this open field’s no good. How the hell do you take down a beast this big and fast with no cover?

Cutting off its mobility? Impossible. That thing’s gliding through the air like it weighs nothing. Can’t stop it.

Traps? Plenty of them. But they’re floating—can’t set them up, can’t lure it in.

Attack from range, chip away slowly?

No. Jitarou’s arrows barely scratched it. If we go for power, we leave ourselves wide open—end up getting skewered instead.

Don’t forget—Marillin’s the one with the archbishop’s sigil, and her speed-enhancing magic’s layered on top of itself. That’s the only reason she’s barely dodging the attacks.

“Damn it! How the hell do we cut down the enemy’s mobility!?”

I cursed aloud, and beside me, Persia, perched on a chicken leg, fell in step.

“Leave it to me!”

Persia took off on her two legs, and in a flash, she was running shoulder to shoulder with Niedhegg.

“Ooh!”

“Take this! ‘Heaven and Earth Shattered’! ‘Cavalry Raging Demon Charge’!”

Without a word, she lunged forward with the massive riding lance she’d been holding in wait, driving it down like rain at the enemy’s head. Niedhegg flinched, trying to dodge—but moved too slow.

Right. I’d asked Leifan to forge that lance during the prep time. That’s what it was.

Not orichalcum, unfortunately—but hardened mithril infused with dragon material.

The orichalcum I gave the king for the rift gate couldn’t be wasted, and the orichalcum I alchemized was Kyle’s property. So I couldn’t use it.

Still, it’s no surprise the dragon-hardened mithril did some damage to that Niedhegg.

Beastriders’ crest isn’t just for show!

"Hahahaha! Too slow! Too slow, Niedhegg!"

Yeah.

Would’ve been nice if that hadn’t been there.