Once Elfriedden learned about the journal and about Eric's Ancestor, my special magic that allowed me to grow Yggdrasil Trees, and more, he started talking much more than he had ever done before.
"The war is constantly in our favor, but Fafnir had yet to step into the battlefield or move. Some say he is planning something, as he has taken over the Yggdrasil Tree. Those connected with the tree say the tree is screaming in pain, and that it is slowly perishing, as someone malicious is draining its energy…" He sighed.
"I acted so nostalgic while being here because… many of the forests that I used to walk through and explore in my childhood had perished due to the contamination of miasma that has spread across the continent."
It seemed like the elven continent was in more peril than we thought. Fafnir, who we thought could become an ally, might as well be our enemy. He led some sort of revolution with his Dragon-kin, breaking their alliance with the elves and deciding to take things into their own hands.
Not only that, but it seemed as if they were all the puppets of a powerful cult that had formed there since Fafnir's birth, the Cult of the Dark Dragon God, which might be using this name as a mere façade from their true identity, an Archdemon Cult.
"W-What?" Eric asked in shock. "But isn't that tree… the one thing that's keeping the demons afar from your continent? Without the tree, the purification will…"
"I am afraid it might be too late." Sighed Elfriedden. "I came to this continent to study and grow stronger, as I knew the Stronghold Academy was the only place where I could truly sharpen my power and knowledge to help my country… But now, I've realized it was destiny."
Elfriedden's eyes meet my own.
"I'll need your help, Blake, everyone." He said, his eyes filled with conviction. "You're the ones I've been seeking for a while, I had my doubts before but now I am sure…"
"Quite the cocky thing to ask from us out of the blue." Said Chris while crossing his arms.
"You will be greatly rewarded, of course." He nodded.
"Hmm…" I nodded. "I had been considering going there anyways. I did heard that at the end of the second year in the Stronghold Academy, we can travel to another country that has dungeons or a demon tower. If you can convince the director, we could go there through that trip… And get that done."
"Right…" Elfriedden said. "Though, we'll have to have excellent grades for that as well…"
"Of course, are you chickening out?" I asked with a laugh.
"Huh? Of course not, hmph." Elfriedden, who had lost his cool, quickly calmed himself down. "We'll go then, no matter what."
"Heh, I guess you're motivated." I laughed. "Though we've got some other tasks to do in this continent beforehand… Mostly unmasking the traitor among the Academy, raid the other Demon Tower, conquer some dungeons, and destroy the cult of Beelzebub, which is most likely now obeying the rules of other Archdemons."
"A-Are we really doing all of that in the next semester?" Eric asked in shock.
"I-I am a bit afraid now…" Alberta muttered.
"Heh, don't be such cowards!" Erika said. "This is exactly what we should do. Let's clean the mess in our continent first before going to another."
"Well, at most that's what I want to do, there would be many other things to do after that." I said, analyzing the situation. "Such as joining the frontlines in our continent's north and fighting the demon army coming from the north continent, quite possibly, once we're done with the elven continent… Conquering the Dark Continent where the Demon King could be a priority."
"T-That's a bit too far, no way we would be so strong." Said Chris.
"You're doubting too much our leader, Chris." Laughed Erdrich. "You already saw what he did, defeating a Vessel of Beelzebub and then making his entire tower crumble…"
"Right…" Chris sighed. "Well, whatever. I guess we'll have to just level up like there's no tomorrow. I'm getting used to this."
"You should had gotten used to it for a while now, Chris." Elizabeth reprimanded him.
"Well, it still all just a thought, however everything happens to will be left to fate." I sighed. "For now, knowing this information is enough… However, I can't help but wonder, what Demon Towers are there in your continent, Elfriedden?"
"There is only one." Said Elfriedden. "A Demon Tower that emerged in the south of the continent, where most people don't live anymore. Once upon a time, that place used to be the sanctuary of Ice Elves, whom I possess some of their bloodline. Though that tribe no longer lives in that place, as it has become an infested den of demons and monsters."
"I see…" I nodded. "If I ever go there, I'll have to make sure to destroy that tower at all costs. However, as I can already guess, the Cult of the Dark Dragon God might be related to this Demon Tower in specific."
"We've suspected the same in the royal family." Elfriedden sighed, looking at the sky. "If the demons are truly the ones controlling the Dragon-kin, then we need to do something to make them realize they're being fooled."
"It won't be easy." I assured him. "Nonetheless, we'll do our best, whenever that situation finally arrives."
For now, we decided to drop the topic, even if it was a rather urgent thing, we had come here to relax, so we continued relaxing. Once we explored the forest, we picked up some fruits from the trees, and hunted some game, mostly deer, and some gray wolves, before coming back home and butchering them for dinner.
While having a delicious meal with my family and friends, I glanced into the skies, thinking about the many things this world had to offer, and wondering more about the Journal. I do remember, within its scripts, something Elfriedden did not adress… The "Creators".