Chapter 84: The Cipher of Yubrita

"Gasp!"

Rohan awoke, gasping for breath.

In front of him were the branches of the World Tree, and his hand was still gripping them.

"Rohan."

Retina, along with Nas and Arabelin, hurried over to him.

"Were you able to speak with Yggdrasil?"

At Arabelin's question, Rohan nodded.

"I saw and heard many things."

It felt just like waking from a pleasant dream.

His body felt light, and his mind was clearer than ever before.

Rohan immediately took off his upper garment.

"W-what are you doing?"

Retina looked flustered, but Rohan paid no heed.

"This..."

Rohan stared at the left side of his chest, startled.

"This is..."

Nas was equally surprised.

"It's the Blessing of the World Tree. How did you obtain this? Did Yggdrasil grant you protection personally?"

Rohan gave a small smile at his reaction.

"This is a gift you once gave me in the past."

He hadn't known it then, but now he understood.

---

Someday, my story will come to mind.

---

He now knew what feelings had driven Nas to engrave the blessing on him back then.

"I can't quite believe it. To have planted the World Tree's protection within a human... it's unbelievable."

He shook his head slightly.

"But I'm the only one who could engrave the World Tree's blessing, so I can't deny it either."

There was no wariness or suspicion in his gaze.

Only acknowledgment—as one who had confirmed a fragment of destiny.

"Did Yggdrasil say anything?"

"He told me I must head north. My archenemy is coiled there."

"So the forces of darkness are located in the north."

"I'm worried that something may have happened up there."

At Rohan's worried expression, Nas spoke up.

"May I offer some assistance from Silvaren?"

"Pardon?"

"The north is right on Silvaren's doorstep, and if it's connected to the power of darkness, there's something I need to check."

"Very well."

"Then I'll dispatch some Elphyrians right away..."

Having Elphyrian warriors sent along was more than Rohan could ask for.

"Before that, Lord Nas. I have something to ask."

"What is it?"

"Are you familiar with the Yubrita script?"

Rohan took out a small book he had been carrying.

It was the ancient book 'Wildflowers'.

A glint appeared in Nas's eyes.

"Where did you get this?"

"I believe the strange power wielded by the deposed Kazine Fabian is linked to the Yubrita script. I borrowed this book while looking into it."

"May I have a look?"

"Of course."

Rohan handed over the book, and Nas examined it carefully.

"Who does this book belong to?"

"Guffy Monterjack."

"Ha."

Nas let out a quiet laugh.

"...? Why are you laughing?"

"A long time ago, I once told a human child the name of this book."

"...!"

Could it be? Was Guffy's 'Elphyrian friend' really...?

"That child must have grown up well by now. I remember his plump figure and curly hair vividly."

"Then, Lord Nas, you know the Yubrita language?"

"Yes, I do. Though this is the first time I've heard of the forces of darkness being related to the Yubrita script."

Nas started walking, glancing back at Rohan.

"Follow me. I have something for you."

---

After climbing a long set of stairs, they returned to Nas's office.

Nas retrieved a book from a huge shelf in one corner of the office.

More precisely, a slip of parchment that had been placed inside the book.

"This is a cipher for interpreting the Yubrita script. Since I already know the script, I have no more use for it."

"...!"

It was exactly what he needed.

"If this cipher can help you track down the Dark World Tree, all the better."

It was an unexpected gift.

Rohan carefully accepted the parchment.

Such ancient knowledge could only be found in Silvaren—it was a rare and precious item.

"Thank you very much, Lord Nas."

Rohan bowed his head in gratitude.

"Now that you have this, the truth behind the Yubrita script will start to come to light, one by one. But remember, that truth may not always lead to hope."

"I'm prepared for that."

Rohan nodded as he tucked the parchment away.

"If the Dark World Tree is as powerful as they say, mere force alone will not be enough to defeat it."

"I'll look into this matter further myself as well."

The two shook hands willingly.

"I'll send four elite Silvaren warriors to accompany you on your journey north. Among the Elphyrians, they're particularly skilled at detecting magic."

"That will certainly help."

"This time, I hope you can catch those connected to the Dark World Tree and block their steps. May the World Tree's blessing be with you on your path."

With Nas's final words of advice,

Rohan soon left the building together with Retina.

"Your Highness, Retina."

Martin, who had been waiting, greeted them warmly.

Retina's face was still filled with joy, even after coming outside.

"Ha, that was a truly meaningful experience. Meeting the World Tree as an Elphyrian—it's a once-in-a-lifetime honor."

"Really?"

It made sense.

The World Tree was considered the sacred origin of the Elphyrians, after all.

"By the way, Retina. Did you ask about the 'Oblivion Herb'?"

"Of course."

Retina nodded.

"I mentioned it while you were communing with the World Tree. Lord Nas said he'd look into it right away."

"That's good."

Retina stretched, arms raised high.

"Haah, I'm exhausted. So, Rohan, we're heading back north, right? It's already dark, so we should set out tomorrow."

Martin asked at those words.

"Are we returning to the north soon?"

"Yeah, that's the plan."

"Understood. I'll start preparing."

He nodded, a hint of regret on his face.

He'd expected they would stay longer, but never imagined they would leave after just a day.

"It'll take at least two days just to travel back..."

That meant they would return only five days after leaving the north.

'Something feels off.'

Was it because of what the World Tree had said, that Kazine was coiled up in the north?

Rohan's heart began to race for no reason.

"I hope nothing has happened to everyone."

"Hm?"

"Retina. Couldn't we depart tonight?"

"Uh, well. It's not impossible... but the warriors coming with us will need some time to prepare, at least."

Rohan nodded.

"Could you go and ask them? See if we can leave today, as soon as possible."

"Sure, I can do that."

Retina gave Rohan a curious look, then quickly disappeared.

In the meantime, Rohan took out the Yubrita cipher Nas had given him.

He needed to decipher the script and uncover the secret of the 'Ring' entrusted to him by Lucretia.

And...

'That pocket watch.'

He also had to learn about the language inscribed on the watch, which surely held some power.

"At least I'm lucky to remember all the patterns."

A smile tugged at Rohan's lips.

In his previous life, right before he died at the tower, it had been too dark to clearly see the script on the pocket watch.

But this time was different.

'Maybe Yggdrasil gave me a hint.'

That vision of his final moments.

Back then, Rohan had studied the pocket watch Kazine held very closely.

The ring of letters, the tiny notch at the center.

He remembered every detail.

Rohan began to mentally match the Yubrita cipher with the markings on the pocket watch, one by one.

'There were six letters. The symbols were mostly curved... and a star shape spreading from the center.'

He unfolded the parchment and drew simple diagrams on it to organize the structure of the script.

'The first letter is "Nir", the second... "Nor", the third... "Gras".'

Piece by piece, the puzzle came together.

"...'Nir-Nor-Gras-Nighod-Rudi-Era'..."

He murmured softly under his breath.

"This is..."

It took him a moment to figure out the meaning.

But by following the tiny translation notes at the bottom of the Yubrita cipher, a meaning revealed itself.

At that moment.

"Rohan."

Retina appeared before his eyes.

"The Silvaren warriors are almost ready. We can leave soon."

"Great."

"So, what were you doing?"

When Retina asked, Rohan showed her the parchment.

"I saw Kazine's pocket watch before I died. It had Yubrita script on it. I'm working on translating it."

"Oho."

A glint shone in Retina's eyes.

"So, have you finished translating it?"

"Well, I think I got the gist of it, but I'm not certain."

Rohan wrote the words on the ground with a stick.

To eat death. To open the gap of the sleeping world of Nighod. He will.

"This... that's what was written on the pocket watch?"

Retina tilted her head, repeating the words.

"To put it more naturally, it means, 'He who devours death will open the rift to the sleeping world of Nighod.' Something like that."

"Wait, Nighod? What's that?"

Retina asked, and Rohan stroked his chin.

"Well, I'm not sure..."

In that instant, all the pieces began to connect.

'The pocket watch isn't just a tool. It's... a key to awaken something sealed. And Kazine is involved with the Dark World Tree.'

Rohan lifted his head sharply.

"The Dark World Tree. That must be its name."

"What?"

"The World Tree we met earlier is called 'Yggdrasil'. There's no reason the Dark World Tree wouldn't have a name, too."

"Yeah, that makes sense."

Martin agreed from beside them.

"I've never heard of it before. But the context fits."

Retina also nodded.

"Sis! Sis!"

As they were talking, a familiar voice rang out.

"What, you're already here?"

"Of course! I greeted my family and came right back, hehe."

Shakan scratched the back of his head with a grin.

"Your parents? Bet they were shocked."

"My back's still sore—I thought they'd break it."

Retina chuckled at his words.

Blood Elphyrians were a minority among the Elphyrians.

There was no one who didn't know them, and Shakan's parents were no exception.

"But why are you back so soon? Wouldn't it be better to have a meal and spend some time with your family?"

"They said that since I'm going with you, I should hurry back and try to convince you."

"Huh?"

"Uh, they told me to try anything to persuade you to stay..."

Shakan averted his eyes, mumbling, and Retina's gaze narrowed.

"That won't happen, Shakan."

"Yeah, I know! I get it. But they made such a fuss, what could I do?"

"Hmph."

She was suspicious, but let it go for now.

Just then, the Elphyrian warriors arrived.

"I heard we're leaving right away."

"That's right. Is everyone ready?"

At Retina's question, the warriors nodded.

"Let's hurry. We need to go as far as possible before sunset."

"Yes, Lady Retina."

"Eh? Where are we going?"

Shakan asked, surveying the situation.

"Perfect timing."

"Eh?"

"I thought it would be good to have an archer with us. You're coming, too, Shakan."

Retina gave a fierce grin and grabbed him by the collar.

"Let's hurry."

At Rohan's words, everyone mounted their prepared horses.

"Let's go. To the north."