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The space fell silent because of the goddess's mood.
It was as if it had solidified.
The pressure, unlike before, was released.
Chapter 128 The Courage to Make Change [Please Subscribe! Please Give Flowers!]
"Yao, do you understand what this wish means?"
Even after a hundred years, this period of time remains unchanged, just like the first few years after Ragnarok.
This is my powerless world, a world I can only sustain for one hundred villages—my hands can only bear the weight of a mere one hundred villages, a mere ten thousand people!
Skadi's voice turned cold and agitated.
If it allows humans to reproduce and live more freely, how could she, as a mother, not allow it?
The truth is, she couldn't do it.
The fires of Sirte have been scorching the earth.
Skadi is constantly using magic to protect the environment and also needs to create enough resources to support humanity.
This number of 10,000 is the limit she can maintain.
If the number exceeds this, there will be insufficient resources to provide for raising the animals, and the conditions for human survival will not be guaranteed.
Therefore, the number remains unchanged at ten thousand.
Each of them can only live to the age of twenty-five, which is also to avoid the over-consumption of resources.
Skadi didn't want her children to die either.
However, this is a necessary sacrifice to keep the world running.
Making that choice was more painful for her than for anyone else.
Skadi was prepared to kill for the sake of her people.
But what Yao needs her to do now is to break the balance that has been so hard-won and lead the future down a new path.
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She couldn't be sure how much of Yao's words were true, nor did she know if it could really be achieved.
No matter what, this is an experiment on her beloved children.
It's not surprising that Skadi hesitated because of this.
Yao's desire is shaking the foundations of her rule, leading her to take a step that even the gods cannot take.
So, are you scared?
Yao stared intently at Skadi.
In an instant, the frozen space relaxed.
"Scared? What are you talking about? I..."
“Skadi, you are afraid... afraid that the existence you have managed to maintain will crumble. You who once lost everything in Ragnarok, are now afraid of losing your child.”
Yao saw through the vulnerability behind the goddess's cold exterior.
I also saw the timidity she was hiding.
Yes, Skadi acted coldly out of fear.
She would never show a timid expression in front of her child; otherwise, she would be an unqualified mother.
Even now, Yao is still regarded as a lovely child by her.
"I...."
Skadi bit her red lips.
Memories buried deep in my mind began to surface, and a dark, uneasy light flashed in my eyes.
Before Ragnarok, Skadi was just a young lady of marriageable age among the gods.
She has high hopes for the future and longs for true and pure love.
I remember the joyful laughter of the gods as they savored the moment, and the beautiful scene of spring breezes bringing life back to all things.
Those were the happy and fulfilling youthful years of the Ice and Snow Goddess.
However, everything was reduced to ashes by the flames.
"You're right, I am afraid, because this is what I've achieved with everything I've had. So, I won't give up easily."
Skadi met Yao's gaze.
Finally, the goddess admitted her fear and decided to demonstrate the power of the God-King.
Yao expressed this wish not for the sake of humanity.
Instead, it was a decision made for Skadi.
Because we have done everything we could to achieve the current state of the Lostbelt, we need the same courage to make changes.
First, the ironclad rules must be overturned.
At the very least, Skadi needs to be made aware of the need for change.
"Hmm. So, let's give it a try first."
I have been entrusted with the administration of Village Twenty-Three. If anyone dies during this administration, it will be considered my defeat.
On the contrary, if I can successfully run the village without your help, Skadi, that will be my victory.
Yao proposed fairly simple game rules.
Breaking the status quo is not easy.
If she could have done that, Skadi would have wiped away the flames on the ground long ago and allowed humanity to reproduce freely.
Yao has only been giving verbal guarantees so far.
It's normal that Skadi can't be trusted.
After all, there are fewer than ten thousand humans, and each one is a child that Skadi cherishes.
"..."
Skadi fell into deep thought.
At this moment, what comes to mind again is not the gods, but the lovely child living in the present.
The Valkyries, lost in confusion and meaninglessness.
Giants wandering the earth, forced to wear masks, stripped of their fighting glory.
And then there are humans, with their short lifespans.
No matter how much they prayed and loved, they could not change their tragic, predetermined fate.
The Ice and Snow Goddess wept bitterly for the children she loved.
There's a voice crying out inside me.
I don't want to continue like this anymore; I want to change this painful situation.
So the goddess made her judgment.
"...I give my permission. You can do as Yao says first."
During your tenure over Village Twenty-Three, I have granted the children of Village Twenty-Three the privilege of not having to perform sacrifices.
Skadi suppressed her anxiety.
Choose to try to believe in this lovely child who comes from another world and possesses miraculous powers.
"Over the next year, if you can eliminate the flames and change the environment while protecting the village from death, that will be your victory. You will be entitled to a reward. At that time, I wouldn't mind becoming your wife."
"this....."
Yao was surprised by Skadi.
I thought she wouldn't bring up what happened earlier again, but I didn't expect her to use that trick to motivate me.
It has to be said, this tactic is truly effective.
The name "Yaoguang" alone ignites a surge of motivation.
Skadi took what she had just said, which was just an attempt to flirt with the goddess, seriously.
Since that's the case, Yao also intends to get serious.
Skadi was a good woman in his eyes, which is why Yao said he didn't like to force people to do things against their will.
Faced with such a goddess who values children so much and dedicates herself to maintaining the world.
I agree with everything Yao says.
"Hehe, since you've brought it up to this point, Skadi, I'll have to show you my true skills. Otherwise, I won't be able to bring Her Majesty home."
Yao said with great enthusiasm.
His expression was as if he was certain of victory.
"You're really strange... to be able to muster such motivation for such a small thing."
Skadi blushed and was very puzzled.
An indescribable emotion welled up inside me, and I had no idea how to deal with it.
Yao did not respond to this.
After all, men are such simple creatures.
It's perfectly normal to put in the effort and sweat for something you love, even if it requires a lot of hard work.
Chapter 129 Grasping the Miracle in Our Hands [Please Subscribe! Please Give Flowers!]
An agreement was reached with Skadi.
After that, Yao only needs to travel back and forth between Village Twenty-Three and then operate the business in his own way for a year.
Skadi will not provide any assistance during this period.
Even the walls marked with primordial runes will not work; they will have to take care of everything they need for living on their own.
The village itself was the only place they could live.
Of course, Skadi will send Valkyries to keep a close watch on her people to prevent any accidents from happening during this process.
All of this was to verify Yao's words.
Let's see if the other side truly has the ability to extinguish the flames of the gods and revitalize the Lostbelt.
Just as Yao was preparing to travel to and from the village.
Skadi called out to Yao and asked a question.
"Yao, how do you see this world? Not as my child, but as a stranger who came to this world, I want to know how you see it."
Skadi asked with a complicated expression.
Her beautiful eyes held unease, as well as a hint of hesitation and uncertainty.
This is after Ragnarök (the end of the world).
The question she kept thinking about was whether someone else could do a better job in her position.
Is the reason for this situation that I feel too powerless?
However, no one could talk to her.
Now, facing Yao, a person from outside the world, Skadi couldn't help but want to hear his opinion.
"Simply put, this world has no future and no tomorrow, which perfectly meets the criteria for being a Lostbelt."
Yao has lived in the Nordic Lostbelt for over a decade.
As an observer, he has a sufficiently objective assessment of everything he experienced in this Lostbelt.