Three days later, the agreed-upon "Day of the Golden Tree" arrived.
A small dispute arose over where to plant the golden tree.
The "Heavy" Ginnar felt it should simply be planted on the side of the Dark Valley. But Nidhogg and Danan quickly objected.
They both agreed that the Dark Valley needed to exist as it was. The heavy elemental spirits and some dark elves lived there, as well as outsiders like Hanar and Grandmother Vole.
The vitality of the golden tree was extremely strong. If planted there, it would soon transform the Dark Valley and fill it with life. This would cause some of the original dark elves in the valley to lose their place.
This would not suit the golden tree, nor would it suit the style of the Island of Fairies.
After discussion, everyone chose another place—the meadows where Nidhogg and the others had first stepped foot when they landed on the island.
The magic circles placed there were originally used to confuse and prevent accidental intrusion by humans. Now they were all removed. From this moment on, the existence of the golden tree would become a buffer zone.
The Island of Fairies faction, represented by Danan; the Spirit Tree Company faction, represented by Guts; the mermaid faction, represented by Evelyn and Isma; and the human faction, represented by Nordic and Manifico, all witnessed this scene together.
Nidhogg planted the golden tree in the hole that had already been dug. He filled the soil back in. Then he slowly stepped back, quietly waiting for a change.
However, everyone waited for a while, and nothing happened. Just as everyone started whispering in confusion, a loud noise suddenly erupted, like muffled thunder.
RUMBLE—!
Everyone looked up. Sure enough, they saw the sky rapidly darkening. Dark clouds gathered, covering the sky and the sun. Silver serpents of lightning moved between the thick, heavy clouds.
The golden light emanating from the entire golden tree grew more and more dazzling under the dark sky. Its branches began to spread. The wind roared from the sea, blowing the branches and leaves, but the trunk of the golden tree remained unmoved.
The first to notice the change in the sea water were the mermaids in it. They informed everyone in advance.
Everyone walked to the shore not far from the golden tree and looked at the sea in the distance. They saw clusters of white mist rising on the horizon.
After that, they saw a black line that gradually grew and transformed into a huge wave, crashing against the coastal reef, foaming!
RUMBLE—!
Suddenly, an earthquake began across the entire Island of Fairies. It was noticeable, but not to the point of shaking and splitting rocks.
After the trembling subsided, a torrential rain caught many by surprise.
Fortunately, many great archmages were present. As magic was cast one after another, layers of shields covered the falling raindrops.
The sea mist in the distance slowly dissipated after the rain, revealing the dark outline of land. It stretched out very long, with no visible end at first glance.
"Is this the Junction?" Danan asked, echoing the doubts and surprise in everyone's hearts at that moment.
"Yes," Nidhogg felt it. There was no doubt. The Liurnia of the Lakes, Limgrave, and Weeping Peninsula of the Junction had appeared in this world.
The current location of the Island of Fairies was slightly northeast of the Junction. It was almost the same place where the golden tree was located at the Junction in the game.
"Shall we go by boat and see?" Nidhogg suggested again.
In fact, the fastest way for those with the "Guidance of Blessing" was to arrive at the Blessed Lands via the Roundtable Hold, and then step onto the Junction from the Blessed Lands. But Nidhogg still insisted on sailing southwest.
This way, more people could step onto the Junction and perfectly complete today's "Day of the Golden Tree."
Danan and the others naturally agreed. There were quite a few people willing to sign up.
So the Sea Horse, Knight, Smith, and Maiden came in handy. They transported many people who wanted to see this miracle and sailed southwest.
Half a day later.
The mermaids arrived on land faster than them. At this time, they curiously swam between the coast and the harbor.
The four ships arrived late, but safely docked in the harbor. Most of the people on board stepped onto the land called Liurnia of the Lakes for the first time.
Soon, they understood why it was called Liurnia of the Lakes. Because looking from the cliffs towards the interior, one could see a huge lake. This was just a corner of the lake.
From this coast going west, in the center of the lake, was the Raya Lucaria Academy. Then from the Magic Academy, going southeast, you could reach Stormveil City, which was the official entry into Limgrave.
Then go southeast from Stormveil City, cross the Sacrificial Bridge, and you could reach the Weeping Peninsula. Then go southwest to the end of the Weeping Peninsula, which was Castle Morne.
In the game, the area of Liurnia of the Lakes, Limgrave, and the Weeping Peninsula seemed small.
At least, it wouldn't take Nidhogg long to ride Torrent from the Raya Lucaria Academy to Castle Morne.
However, that was a gameplay matter. It couldn't make the massive Shattering war between the demigods plausible.
In reality, the Junction was quite huge—almost the area of the Kingdom of Denmark (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands), that is, 43,100 square kilometers.
The reason for comparing it to the Kingdom of Denmark was that the outline of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Junction were somewhat similar.
When they reached the shores of Liurnia of the Lakes, Nidhogg didn't let the crowd go further. Because it wasn't safe.
There were scattered and rebellious mages and Cuckoo Knights, fierce demi-humans, warrior jars seeking battle, Miranda flowers spewing poisonous pollen, and rats crawling in the shadows...
There were also fierce mountain troll knights, cunning giant finger creepers, Carian Knights and Raya Lucaria soldiers who considered any stranger an enemy, and most importantly—flying dragons...
Nidhogg didn't let everyone go further. He had most of them return to the three ships on the Island of Fairies first. There would be plenty of opportunities to cross back in the future, provided that all the threats in Liurnia of the Lakes were eliminated first.
The only ones who stayed here were Nidhogg, Danan, several archmages including Flora, Guts, Casca, and others. They would go to the Raya Lucaria Academy to join Ranni.
After a long trek, everyone finally crossed the mountains and lakes to the barrier gate of the Magic Academy, instead of teleporting here via the Roundtable Hold as before.
Ranni, Moongrum, and Thops knew that today was the Day of the Golden Tree, so they were naturally prepared.
After the Magic Academy felt the vibration, they quickly came out to check and confirmed that the Magic Academy had returned to its original location in Liurnia of the Lakes. This confirmed the success of Nidhogg's side.
Ranni also calculated that Nidhogg and the others would soon arrive here. So she led everyone from the Magic Academy to wait at the barrier gate. In the end, they successfully reunited with Nidhogg and the others.