The Magic Academy had resumed its basic functions after some corrections by Ranni. At least, the mages remaining here were safe and secure—until today's changes.
The Junction had undergone a radical transformation once more. The Magic Academy had returned to it from its independent state, now located in the waters of the Western Sea in the modern world.
And the guests from the Island of Fairies, which lay to the northeast of the three Junction continents, had come to visit.
The mages in their pointed hats all temporarily set aside their magical research, curiously observing the familiar and unfamiliar figures among this group of visitors.
Nidhogg, Ranni, and Danan walked at the front of the crowd, heading straight for the Grand Library.
Ranni still wore the Snow Witch outfit, not having changed back into her Carian royal regalia. But the Carian Regal Scepter in her hand and her powerful sorcery confirmed her identity to everyone.
"You truly succeeded." Ranni smiled and said, "Now that Liurnia of the Lakes has returned, we can begin the next step—expanding the power of the Erdtree, the Carian royal family, and the Magic Academy."
Nidhogg glanced back at Guts and the others, then replied, "We'll sit down and discuss this later. Right now, the three main zones of the Junction are full of problems. And Liurnia of the Lakes is no exception."
"You're right." Ranni nodded and pointed towards the Grand Library. "Then let's go there. I've transformed the Grand Library into the administrative core of the entire Magic Academy during this time."
Everyone climbed the heavy stone steps. The magical mechanism of the large iron ball that used to fall from the upper floor had been disabled. It was no obstacle.
Entering the Grand Library, everyone saw the vast sea of magical texts arranged on countless shelves, the huge round table, and a beautiful woman lying on a bed in the depths of the library.
It was the "Full Moon Queen" Rennala. She lay on her side on the soft bed Ranni had arranged for her, still obsessively stroking the golden amber egg in her hand.
The "Carian Knight" Moongrum stood obediently to the side, guarding, until Ranni and the others arrived. Then he stepped forward to salute.
"Rennala is still like this? No signs of improvement?" Nidhogg asked.
"No improvement." Ranni shook her head and said, "I've tried all sorts of awakening sorceries and searched through ancient texts. They are of little use for my mother's condition."
"It's not so much that my mother has lost her memory. It's that she herself has taken the initiative to seal these memories and actively chosen to be in a daze. If that's the case, I want to remove the seal from the outside. I'm afraid it's not so simple."
Nidhogg nodded and said, "It seems the only way to awaken Rennala is from within."
Having said this, he looked at Danan beside him.
Ranni also looked at Danan.
This wasn't the first time Danan had come to the Magic Academy via the Roundtable Hold. It wasn't the first time she had encountered Ranni's mother, Rennala. When she learned of Rennala's condition, she had an idea.
Next, if Ranni exhausted all her methods and couldn't bring Rennala back to her senses, they could try the elven method.
"Since you've thought of this, we elves are naturally willing to help," Danan said. "We will prepare the 'Corridor of Dreams.' Now, the only thing left is to figure out how to safely send Lady Rennala to the Island of Fairies."
Danan's idea then was to extract fragments of memory for Rennala from the illusion through the Corridor of Dreams, just as she had extracted memory fragments for Casca in the original timeline.
But she couldn't guarantee success.
However, first and foremost, they needed to ensure Rennala would be safely transported to the Corridor of Dreams on the Island of Fairies.
Nidhogg and Ranni both nodded. This matter still needed careful consideration.
Everyone sat around the round table and discussed the future of the Junction and the Island of Fairies.
Danan and the archmages focused on the academic exchange between the Island of Fairies and the Magic Academy. Now that they were neighbors, they could travel by boat. This matter was almost realized.
Ranni's next step was to reclaim all of Liurnia of the Lakes, especially the Carian Royal Manor, gather the old troops, and eliminate the Cuckoo Knights and mages resisting in negative corners.
This would be a rather long process.
Nidhogg mentioned the governance of Stormveil City and Castle Morne, as well as Limgrave and the Weeping Peninsula where they were located.
Fortunately, Castle Morne was originally governed by Edgar, and now it was also Edgar. The main problem was a lack of people and resources. When the three castles and the Island of Fairies were connected, these issues could be gradually resolved.
Stormveil City was different. It wasn't like the Magic Academy, where Ranni, a demigod who had regained most of her power, had suddenly returned to control a vast area like Limgrave. Relying solely on the city's own strength wasn't enough.
Roderika and Hewg needed support.
Therefore, Guts, Casca, and other members of the Spirit Tree Company volunteered to go to Stormveil City. They had been traveling for a long time and needed a place to settle down.
Stormveil City, now considered a border territory, was such a place.
This was a great help to Nidhogg. After agreeing, he asked Ranni if there was a map of the Junction here.
"Naturally, there is."
Ranni gently raised the Carian Regal Scepter. A paper tube flew over from a bookshelf and landed firmly on the round table.
Nidhogg opened the paper tube, poured out a rolled map, and spread it out. It was indeed a map of the Junction—and a complete version.
That was normal. After all, this was the Grand Library of the Magic Academy. Collecting a map of the Junction was not surprising.
Many present were seeing this map of the Junction for the first time. Everyone curiously looked around, preliminarily understanding the outline and scale of the Junction. They were secretly astonished.
Next, from memory, Nidhogg told everyone about the dangerous and safe places in Liurnia of the Lakes, Limgrave, and the Weeping Peninsula, so that no one would end up in danger.
Furthermore, he told everyone about the characteristics of dangerous enemies and creatures. Ranni supplemented this with her excellent memory.
Thus, the next basic policies for the Junction were established: reclaim lost territories, suppress rebellions, restore cities, build villages and towns, and strengthen connections with each other.
They expected it would take about half a year to stabilize the current Junction.
By that time, the "Reincarnation of the Holy Eagle" at the Tower of Conviction would likely have already occurred.
This time, Nidhogg decided not to interfere, because the people he wanted to save were already here. Now was the time to seize the opportunity to stabilize and strengthen the power of his own side.