Game of the World Tree
chapter-420

The blond elf—no, Platinum Dragon King, Reinhardt—raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Have you’ve met me before? I’m certain this should’ve been our first meeting, and I’m quite proud of my transformation magic.”

He seems to had deliberately transformed into an elf and even concealed his aura, yet Evé had still easily seen through the disguise of the other party.

Seeing the surprised look upon his face, Eve’s lips curved into a slight smile.

Actually, although Reinhardt had changed his appearance and hidden his aura, there are some things that still couldn’t be fully concealed.

Especially for someone like Evé.

But what gave him away the most in her opinion was the fragment of the Scepter of Life he’s carrying along with him.

Reinhardt’s fragment had instantly resonated with the Scepter of Life causing it to vibrate the moment he step foot within the Elven Forest.

Upon noticing this, she quickly checked who had caused this resonance was and after seeing his appearance, Evé immediately identified his identity.

This was because during the operation to devour Nidhogg, the Dragon of Despair, Evé had also glimpsed from Meryer’s mental world some of his fragmented memories regarding these fragments.

Specifically in one of those fragmented memories, the very image of Platinum Dragon King Reinhardt had clearly transformed into an elf.

Moreover, silver dragon’s like him also had a tendency to shapeshift and take humanoid forms to mingle around mortals.

So Evé quickly recognized him upon seeing him this time.

—But of course, she don’t had the intention to explain any of this.

Instead, she simply smiled and said nothing.

Upon realizing that she won’t provide any explanation, Reinhardt could only touch his nose ruefully.

At that moment, a loud roar suddenly echoed from the sky.

Then a massive black dragon, with a wingspan of nearly seventy meters, appeared on the horizon.

Meryer circled leisurely in the air, letting out long and loud roars, of which he typically does during his casual “strolls.”

Reinhardt’s gaze was quickly drawn towards the black dragon. His eyebrows rose slightly, as a soft gleam flickered within his eyes, before his expression turned somewhat dazed.

Nodding lightly, he muttered, “I see…so you’ve taken him in.”

“I suppose, the black dragon rumored to have appeared underground must have been him too.”

Evé didn’t gave an answer and merely glanced at Meryer, flying above, knowing that he was out for his usual post-meal flight routine.

Seeing Reinhardt’s thoughtful expression, Evé figured he had likely by now already pieced together how she recognized him.

Perhaps the details of his assumptions were somewhat fuzzy, but the main source is basically the same.

Naturally, Eve wasn’t going to explain further.

She simply smiled and asked, “Aren’t you going to go see him?”

A look of affection flashed across Reinhardt’s eyes at Eve’s suggestion.

But in the end, he still shook his head.

“No need.”

“He’s now a strong individual who can stand on his own. And he looks quite happy too. It seems…that child had already found his own path in life and no longer needs outside forces to interfere with it.”

After his explanation, Reinhardt then turned towards her and smiled.

“I must say, you, have truly surprised me for I have seen so many unexpected sights within this land of yours.”

Eve’s heart stirred.

“You came specifically to find me?”

Reinhardt nodded first, before gently shaking his head.

“Yes, and no.”

“You see, I became curious about you, Lady Evé, after your reputation has spread following the war that happened underground.”

“Especially moreso after I heard that you somehow recaptured and successfully sealed Azazel, the Seventh Demon Lord. I must say, that’s truly remarkable feats.”

He then looked towards her again, sporting that mysterious smile of his.

“Lady Evé, you’re far more powerful than I had imagined, and your growth is much faster as well. It really reminded me of an old friend of mine, you see.”

“Furthermore, your endeavor to gather all the scattered elves and even rebuilt Florence has truly astounded me.”

“I also heard that you have built a miraculous city called the Chosen City, which is now the official designated holy city of the Church of Life? I wonder if I might have the chance to visit it…”

At this, Evé smiled faintly in response.

“Would you like to be my guest then? It’s just up ahead.”

At her suggestion, Reinhardt took a brief pause.

A couple of seconds passed but he eventually shook his head with a wry smile.

“Thank you for the invitation, but I don’t particularly enjoy entering the divine realms of other gods, so I’ll have to pass.”

Evé raised an eyebrow upon hearing his response, surprised that Reinhardt could sense her divine realm.

Seeing Eve’s expression, Reinhardt smiled slightly and explained, “You see, I also investigated the war that happened between you and the orcs.”

Evé suddenly understood his underlying meaning.

For those who were privy about certain details about that war, it wouldn’t be too difficult to surmise that she had the ability to manifest her divine realm within the vicinity of the Elven Forest.

Therefore, since they were not allies per se, it would be natural for him to be cautious of entering Chosen City.

After a brief lull within their conversation, Reinhardt broached another topic.

“In truth, the main purpose of my visit this time is regarding to an old adversary of mine. Surely, you must have heard of the name—Nidhogg, the Dragon of Despair.”

“I sensed the seal that’s imprisoning him had loosened and I’m positive that he has already awakened by now…”

“Nidhogg is an malevolent dragon deity with destructive power rivaling that of the demon lords. I fear his revival will bring chaos within this realm…”

After finishing, Reinhardt looked at Eve once more and asked gently, “Lady Eve, since you possess the Scepter of Life, can you perchance tell me where Nidhogg is currently right now?”

His expression showed a totally serious look.

As Nidhogg’s long-time enemy, Reinhardt had always hoped to kill this evil dragon for good.

Alas, time and time again this cunning and elusive archenemy of his had always somehow managed to escape in some way or another…

Evé sighed softly upon hearing this.

She gazed into the distance and quietly said, “There is no longer a Dragon of Despair named Nidhogg in existence.”

Reinhardt was stunned.

“…Nidhogg’s no longer in existence?”

Reinhardt abruptly turned towards Eve, as though trying to see through her, his eyes filled with doubt and shock.

Evé equally met his gaze, sporting a serene smile.

After a moment of silence, Reinhardt averted his eyes.

His expression then grew somber and solemn.

Letting out a deep sigh, his eyes flashed with a myriad of complex emotions before settling into a sense of relief.

With a soft sigh, he smiled wryly once more.

“It seems you are truly even stronger than I initially imagined…”

“Can you tell me how he fell?”

Evé nodded.

“He tried to take over Meryer’s body, but eventually was defeated by me, leaving his soul completely destroyed.”

Technically she didn’t destroy but actually devoured Nidhogg’s soul but saying she “devoured” him might lead to some misunderstandings, so Evé chose her words more carefully.

Reinhardt only let out a sigh after hearing her response.

“I see…”

After a brief silence, he seemed to come to a decision.

He reached into his cloak and retrieved a small pouch which contained several shimmering fragments.

These fragments glowed softly under the light and trembled as if drawn towards something unseen.

Seeing these fragments, Eve’s expression grew serious.

These were the remaining fragments of the Scepter of Life.

She then looked at Reinhardt, who also met her gaze.

The other party smiled slightly and said, “Lady Eve, would you be willing to make a deal with me?”

Eve raised an eyebrow, though she already had some guesses.

“What kind of deal?”

After a moment of thought, Reinhardt said, “You see, these fragments are of no real use to me. Honestly… the only reason I kept them with me was to prevent Nidhogg’s resurrection.”

“But they hold no further value for me now that Nidhogg’s been eliminated by you.”

“For someone like you, who controls the Divinity of Life, I imagine these fragments would be far more useful.”

“And I believe you would be quite eager to acquire them as well.”

Hearing this, Eve’s heart stirred.

“What is the price?”

Reinhardt smiled.

“—A promise.”

— 420 —

【 YOU’RE FAR MORE POWERFUL THAN I HAD IMAGINED 】

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