The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 144
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
“Wait, my son. It’s just unfortunate that I must pass this position to you.”
Thud, thud, thud!
Her heart raced wildly, as if it would burst from her chest.
‘No way, no way…’
Did that mean Nidhogg was something that passed through generations?
So, had it continued unbroken all this time?
Even… had the past Grand Dukes been Nidhogg’s incarnations?
‘This can’t be true!’
She shouted in denial, but the situation was already unfolding that way.
Creak!
A strange sound like breaking bones echoed, and the Grand Duke’s back arched painfully. Militta gently embraced the suffering Grand Duke and began to sing.
“Krraaaak!”
As the Grand Duke let out a horrific scream, his back split open, revealing leathery wings. In an instant, his body swelled and transformed into a massive dragon.
Finally, Nidhogg, now fully a dragon, cried out.
It was the same cry that Amber had always feared…
“You’ve become a magnificent dragon, my love.”
Militta, embracing the dragon, smiled brightly. Gradually, she too began to transform into a tree.
Roots extended from her legs, and branches sprouted from her arms.
At the end of this bizarre spectacle stood a white tree resembling Militta and a black dragon coiled around it protectively.
The Grand Duke, now Nidhogg, opened his mouth.
Go, my son. Go and protect the North.
How could this happen?
How…?
Amber watched the departing figures, then closed her eyes, exhaling a long breath as she looked at the panting Nidhogg, before gazing up at the swirling black sky.
Monsters were falling from the heavens.
But it wasn’t enough to destroy the North.
‘Ah… now I understand. Finally.’
Nidhogg was not an enemy. It had merely made her think of it that way.
Its origin ultimately served to protect the North.
A wave of emptiness washed over her, accompanied by a creeping fear.
‘Then… what about my baby?’
And what about Igmeyer?
Did that mean one day Igmeyer would become Nidhogg?
‘This isn’t even a curse. Is there a way to break free from it?’
She wanted to escape. She didn’t want to see or know any more.
But she understood that wasn’t possible.
As the surroundings darkened again, what she saw this time was the heir and the retainers.
“So… according to the witch, there are five possible scenarios.”
- If there is no way for the North to sustain itself.
- If a way for the North to sustain itself emerges.
- If Nidhogg’s cries lead to irreversible destruction, making it impossible for the North to regenerate.
- If a way for self-sustainability arises but a descendant with the blood of Niflheim is born.
- Or, if a human can forsake their heart and cherish only the North.
As Amber stared blankly at the parchment the retainer had written on, she felt goosebumps rise on her arms.
“If there is no way for self-sustainability, the Grand Duke must have heirs only with women he does not love,” said the elderly retainer with a look of regret.
The young man, who had just become Grand Duke, quietly murmured in response.
“Indeed. To love a child with all one’s heart and die… that must not happen with this generation.”
In the somber atmosphere, the young man spoke again.
“When the son grows up and becomes an adult, the Grand Duke, who has been driven mad, must cross the sea on his own. He will devour the aging Nidhogg and be reborn as the new Nidhogg.”
“…Yes.”
“The North will be passed down to the adult heir, and this cycle will repeat. Nidhogg will send monsters to ensure the North survives… And all of this will be seen as a dream on the day the Grand Duke passes his title down.”
It was cruel. How could it be so merciless?
Amber was at a loss for words, looking utterly stunned.
Her mouth might have been shut tight, but was this really sane?
Yet, despite her thoughts, the conversation continued.
“If by any chance, one of our descendants finds a way for the North to sustain itself and the reigning Grand Duke kills Nidhogg, then this curse will be lifted.”
“Yes.”
“And it must be in a state where there are no children.”
As soon as the mention of children arose, Amber focused even more intently.
Wasn’t the most important thing right now the matter of children?
“If a child with the blood of Niflheim is born, the curse will immediately prepare to pass to the next generation. And once the baby is born, the curse will become irrevocable.”
The Grand Duke nodded at the words of another retainer.
“If the curse is activated, the madness brought on by the power accelerates.”
“Exactly.”
“Then I will delay having children for as long as possible. The North needs to be stable to some extent first.”
Amidst the calm discussions of the others, it was only Amber who felt utterly confused.
Did they truly believe this made sense?
Why was there no one trying to stop them?
What about the child destined to become Nidhogg, the heir… and what about Igmeyer!
What crime had been committed?
‘My child, our child… what sin have they committed? Why must it be this way? Why should they bear the burdens of the past when they haven’t even been born yet?’
It was hard to maintain her composure.
