"My child, you and Ophelia are completely different people. Her purpose has always been to cultivate the Fantasy Tree, nothing more. And you? Is it, like me, out of love for this world?
But I understand, child. This world is not so beautiful. Having seen more beautiful scenery, would you be willing to stay here?"
Scathach-Skadi got straight to the point, leaving no room for evasion.
But her tone was not aggressive; instead, it was like a mother asking her child about their life plans.
Faced with the questioning, Li Mo remained unhurried, his breathing barely changing. He did not answer immediately but asked instead, "Did Ophelia say something?"
"This has nothing to do with the child Ophelia. It is my own thought."
Scathach-Skadi was, after all, a god. Roughly 3,000 years ago, she had encountered the cunning Loki; she was not a naive human.
She knew the world was not lacking in beings who fought for beauty. But Li Mo did not seem like one of those. He was immersed in the ocean of mystery, helping those in trouble only if it was convenient.
She also felt that behind Li Mo's actions... something was hidden...
A god's intuition had long since detected this. It was just that she hadn't paid it attention before.
"Respected Majesty, I summarize your question into one word: 'Why,' right? Thinking about it, as a magus, my actions in the Scandinavian Lostbelt are too noble." Li Mo began.
His actions in Scandinavia, not just among magi, but even among humanity as a whole, could be called good.
He added, "Your Majesty should know what I told Ophelia, right?"
"The legacy left by the Great Gods? I know a little about that claim, but I don't think that's what you truly desire," Skadi said calmly.
Li Mo said, "I can't hide it from Your Majesty. However, my personal affairs are not important; we can discuss them later if you wish. What is important is the modification of the Bifrost."
"Wouldn't it be fine to leave it entirely in your hands? According to what you said, all preparations are complete. Are you still lacking something?"
"No, what I mean is that the modification of the Bifrost should be carried out by you," Li Mo said.
Skadi said, "No wonder I saw traces of Runes on it."
"Your Majesty taught me the Primordial Runes, so naturally I should put them to use. Moreover, Runes are indeed very useful," Li Mo responded.
As early as in the world of A Certain Magical Index, Li Mo had learned Runes. That was knowledge from the "103,000 Grimoires." But the Runes taught by Scathach-Skadi were different from those he had encountered before.
—Although one could tell at a glance they were of the same root and type, in terms of manifested power, they were worlds apart.
Comparing Stiyl Magnus to Scathach-Skadi, the difference in combat power was obvious.
In modifying the Bifrost, Li Mo used this knowledge. Aside from copying, amalgamation was one of his specialties.
As the saying goes, if stitching together one game is called plagiarism and results in a bad reputation, then why not stitch together several?
Call it copying, borrowing, amalgamation. But its effectiveness could be guaranteed. Using the "Pseudo·Simulated Star Chart·Mystery Foundation," Li Mo could judge the feasibility of the plan.
Skadi received the materials from Li Mo. Having inherited the power of the Great Gods, Skadi was no stranger to magecraft. After reviewing the relevant materials, she began modifying the Bifrost.
The castle itself was the terminal of the Bifrost. During the modification process, it would not affect the Bifrost's function. After the Bifrost was reborn through Li Mo's hands, it had never operated at full capacity.
Yes, merely transmitting energy—how could that utilize all the Bifrost's capabilities?
The modification proceeded surprisingly smoothly. The approach to repairing the Bifrost was originally based on Runes. Skadi, who mastered the Primordial Runes, could understand Li Mo's ideas.
In fact, according to Li Mo's calculations, even if he hadn't come, Skadi herself could have repaired the Bifrost. But... the Bifrost was meaningless to the Scandinavian Lostbelt at that time.
What need did the current Scandinavian Lostbelt have for transportation? The only remaining god was Scathach-Skadi. Did she need the Bifrost to attend some gathering?
Maintaining the status quo—that was Scathach-Skadi's thinking. Part of the reason this Lostbelt was pruned might lie in this very mindset of Scathach-Skadi!
Li Mo did not leave the palace. Even standing within this windowless hall, he could clearly feel the changes outside. One end of the Bifrost was connected to this castle. This place was still the control terminal of the Bifrost.
Scathach-Skadi completed the modifications.
As the one connected to the Fantasy Tree, she could clearly feel the increased stability of the Lostbelt. Next, came the resistance from the Fantasy Tree itself.
Even plants have instincts. The Fantasy Tree was rooted in the Earth, supporting the Lostbelt. Now, the modified Bifrost was usurping its function, equivalent to both sides competing for living space.
As Skadi deactivated the Bifrost's function, the Fantasy Tree's agitation ceased. She turned her attention to Li Mo and said, "Let's continue the previous topic. What is your purpose?"
"Can't we just skip that, Your Majesty?"
Skadi shook her head. "No."
Li Mo said, "Before that, I'd like to ask one more thing. Your Majesty, do you know about Ophelia's knight?"
"You refer to Sigurd, correct? The man who wields the demonic sword, beloved by Brynhildr. I am not entirely ignorant of the circumstances of Proper Human History."
From Ophelia, from Li Mo. She could learn about Proper Human History. Scathach-Skadi glimpsed the Norse mythology of another world, a world that proceeded beyond Ragnarok. She yearned for such a world. Even the Age of Man was better than the current state of the Scandinavian Lostbelt.
Li Mo began, "Sigurd... yes, that body is Sigurd's. But its essence is not Sigurd. Respected Queen, Ophelia summoned the Sigurd of Proper Human History, yet he carries the aura of the Lostbelt. Doesn't that puzzle you?"
"Why is that strange?" Scathach-Skadi asked.
She knew about Proper Human History but did not understand Heroic Spirits. Indeed, in this Lostbelt, the soil for spawning Servants never existed; this was a Lostbelt abandoned by the Human Order. It was normal for Skadi to not know much about Servants.
Li Mo began, "No, Your Majesty, it is very strange. As serious as finding poison in drinking water. After some investigation, I found the key. The will within Sigurd's body is not his own."
"It is the will of the Giant King named Surtr."