Afterword
Hello, and good to see you again. This is Seiichi Takayama.
As I’m writing these words, I’m suffering from a terrible sore throat. It managed to confuse my editor, who heard my voice and thought I was a different person.
Apparently the hoarse throat version of my voice sounds a bit like the illustrator Yukisan.
That’s an unexpected discovery!
Anyway, I present to you, the readers, the completed Volume 11 of The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar. I hope you all enjoyed it.
This volume marks my twentieth published book.
Twenty books, everyone! Twenty!
Getting this far was only possible thanks to all of you readers who were willing to pick up and buy these books.
Thank you very, very much!
The breakdown is: Seven volumes of Ore to Kanojo no Zettai Ryouiki (Me, and that Girl’s Pandora Box), two volumes of Maou Goroshi no Ryuu Kishi (The Dragon Knight Who Slayed the Demon Lord), and eleven volumes of The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar. In terms of how much I’ve written, if I estimate one hundred thousand written characters per volume, that’s two million characters!
I’ve written quite a lot, if I do say so myself.
I want to keep on striving towards a goal of thirty books, and then forty books after that.
I don’t have anything interesting and new to write about in this afterword, so instead, I’ll let you in on some behind-the-scenes details about the making of this series.
Well, I know there are some people who jump right to the back of the book and read the afterword first (and I’m one of them), so this’ll only cover the story up to Volume 10.
If you’ve bought this book as part of a series set and you’re just going through reading all of the afterwords first, yes, you, please turn back now.
Now then, regarding the true identity of Yggdrasil, as explained in Volume 9: The truth is that I originally planned to reveal this in Volume 1, and the name was even right there at the end of my primary manuscript for that volume. (The primary is a first draft, before the editors have even touched anything. For me it’s pretty much like a springboard for ideas.)
Revealing that world’s mystery so easily and so early on would have just been boring, so I’m glad I ended up cutting that out. (haha)
Going back even further, in the early planning stages for the story and setting, I’d planned to have this take place in an entirely different, alternate world.
In order to really get the most out of the type of story I wanted to write, I thought up two basic world types: “A world set in a Bronze Age civilization of around 1500 B.C.” or “A world of beast people without any civilization or technology.”
I ended up thinking up the stuff in Volume 10 that would tie together Yggdrasil and its true identity, and as a result, I went with the first choice, but the beast-people world is also a setting I’d like to try at some point.
Once I’d decided that Yggdrasil wasn’t an alternate world, but in fact the world of the past, I began looking around for a civilization that would serve as the motif for the culture of Yggdrasil.
Though, speaking frankly, if we’re talking about civilizations in the 16th century B.C. that still have lots of records you can find, we’re pretty much only talking about cultures in the Orient. (haha)
To tell the truth, I’m actually a big fan of Shinohara Chie-sensei’s manga Red River, so I figured this must be fate.
Now then, once the background lore for the world started to shape up, last was the method of transport.
In isekai stories nowadays, apparently you can just have a truck slam into your protagonist and send him off to the alternate world (haha), but back during development, I didn’t know that.
The first possibility I thought of was to have a certain genius character invent a time-space dislocation device.
Using the built-in communication function of that device, the protagonist could send and receive information to and from the modern era.
However, my editor panned the idea, saying that it would be forcing too strong of a link between this series and my previous one.
Well, I guess that’s only natural.
People who hadn’t read my previous series would have a hard time understanding the context, so that would just create nothing but extra risk for the new series.
And with that, I’ve filled up my page quota for this volume, so I’ll move on to the special thanks.
To my editor U-sama, I know that my manuscript submission was right up to the very edge of the deadline this time, and I’m very truly sorry about that.
To Yukisan-sensei, thank you for your wonderful, beautiful illustrations.
And to all of the many people involved in the production of this volume, and who helped make it possible, I extend my heartfelt thanks.
And finally, I extend my deepest thanks of all to you, dear readers, for taking this book into your hands.
And with that, I hope to see you again in Volume 12.
Seiichi Takayama
Bonus Glossary — Volume 11
The following is a list of locations, titles, aliases, and terms appearing in The Master of Ragnarok and Blesser of Einherjar Volume 11 which are or contain references to Old Norse and Norse Mythology.
In the original Japanese text, they often appear as a descriptive term or phrase in Japanese, with the corresponding Old Norse name in ruby superscript, or furigana. For example, Sigrún’s title appears as the Japanese phrase “Strongest Silver Wolf,” and the furigana above notes that this should be read as “Mánagarmr.”
A helpful guide to the pronunciation of Norse vowels and consonants can be found through public websites such as wikibooks (https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Old_Norse/Grammar/Alphabet_and_Pronunciation). In cases where the term has a commonly used alternative spelling without Norse letters, that has been included in parentheses; for example, Mánagarmr (Managarm).
Álfheimr (Alfheim): A western region of Yggdrasil and home to the Hoof Clan. In mythology, Álfheimr is one of the Nine Worlds and means “Home of the Elves.”
álfkipfer: Otherwise known as “elven copper,” álfkipfer is the mysterious and possibly magical material that is used in objects such as the sacred mirror which summoned Yuuto to the world of Yggdrasil. This seems to be a wholly original term, combining the Norse Álf with the German kupfer.
Angrboða (Angrboda): The goddess worshiped in Iárnviðr and said to be the guardian deity of the Wolf Clan. In Norse mythology, she is one of a race of “giants” known as the jötnar (singular jötunn) and is the mother of the monstrous wolf Fenrir.
Ásgarðr (Asgard): The Holy Ásgarðr Empire is, officially speaking, the ruling power over all of Yggdrasil. The central Ásgarðr region contains the imperial capital, and is the only region which is still actually under direct imperial control and governance. In Norse mythology, Ásgarðr is the realm of Odin and the race of gods known as the Æsir (Aesir).
Aurgelmir (Ymir): See entry for Ymir.
Bifröst Basin (Bifrost, Bivrost): The fertile area of land between two of the three mountain ranges of Yggdrasil, it is the home of the Claw and Wolf Clans, and contains some sections of territory belonging to the Horn, Hoof, and Lightning clans as well. It is a major trade route. In Norse mythology, Bifröst is the name of the rainbow bridge connecting the human realm to the realm of the gods.
Bilskírnir (Bilskirnir): The capital city of the Lightning Clan. In Norse mythology, Bilskírnir is the name of the great hall where the god Þórr (Thor) resides in the realm of Ásgarðr.
Blíkjanda-Böl (Blikjandabol): The capital city of the Flame Clan. In Norse mythology, it is the name of the curtains adorning the bed of Hel, queen of the dead. In Old Norse, the name means “gleaming disaster,” or “pale misfortune.”
Dólgþrasir (Dolgthrasir): “The Battle-Hungry Tiger,” alias of the Lightning Clan patriarch Steinþórr. In Norse mythology, Dólgþrasir is a dwarven name which roughly means “snorting with rage at the enemy” or “eager for battle.”
Einherjar: Said to be humans chosen by the gods, they are people who possess a magical rune somewhere on their body which grants enhanced abilities or mystical powers. In Norse mythology, Einherjar are the chosen souls of brave warriors, taken to Valhalla after death where they feast and fight until the end of days, Ragnarök.
Élivágar River (Elivagar): A tributary river flowing from the Þrúðvangr Mountains into the larger Körmt River. The territory along its banks was the site of two major military clashes between Yuuto and the forces of Steinþórr and the Lightning Clan. In Norse mythology, Élivágar (meaning “Ice-Waves”) refers to a number of frozen rivers flowing through the primordial void before the beginning of the world.
Fjörgyn (Fjorgyn): A goddess worshiped in the village of Stórk in Vanaheimr, and presumably in other places in Yggdrasil as well. In Norse Mythology, Fjörgyn is the name of a goddess of the earth, and the mother of the thunder god Þórr (Thor).
Fólkvangr (Folkvang): The capital of the Horn Clan. Like the Wolf Clan capital Iárnviðr, it is located next to the Körmt River. In Norse mythology, Fólkvangr is a plane of the afterlife similar to Valhalla, ruled over by the goddess Freyja.
galdr: A type of magic spell practiced in Yggdrasil, where power is woven into music to create various magical effects. Also spelled galldr (plural galdrar), it is a pagan rite with historical roots reaching back to at least as early as the Iron Age.
garmr: A giant species of wolf native to the Himinbjörg Mountains, and one of the apex predators of the world of Yggdrasil. In Norse mythology, Garmr is the name of a huge hound (sometimes depicted as a wolf) guarding the gates to Hel, one of the realms of the dead.
Gimlé (Gimle, Gimli): The capital of the Steel Clan, a populous riverside city surrounded by fertile land. It was once a Horn Clan city, but Yuuto captured it while he was patriarch of the Wolf Clan. In Norse mythology, Gimlé is a heavenly place where the survivors of Ragnarök are said to dwell. It is described as a beautiful hall or palace on a mountain.
Glaðsheimr (Gladsheim): The capital of the Holy Empire of Ásgarðr. It is part of the realm of the gods in Norse mythology, said to be where the hall of Valhalla is located.
Helheim: A southern region of Yggdrasil, far to the south of the Lightning Clan territory. In Norse Mythology, Helheim is one of the Nine Realms, a land of the dead deep underground also called Hel. It thus shares the same name as the goddess Hel who rules over that realm.
Himinbjörg Mountains (Himinbjorg): One of the two mountain ranges that border the Bifröst Basin. Known in Norse mythology as the place where the god Heimdallr keeps watch.
hörgr (horgr): In Yggdrasil, a hörgr is a sanctuary hall containing an altar, where religious rites are conducted. Historically, hörgr has been used to refer to an open-air holy site, like a shrine or altar, sometimes even something as simple as a heap of stones.
Iárnviðr (Iarnvid, Jarnvid): The capital of the Wolf Clan, located on the eastern side of the Bifröst Basin. It is also often spelled as Járnviðr and roughly means “Iron-wood.” It appears in Norse mythology as a forest east of Miðgarðr which is home to trolls and giant wolves.
Jötunheimr (Jotunheimr, Jotunheim): A region in eastern Yggdrasil not shown on the regional maps so far. In Norse Mythology, Jötunheimr is one of the Nine Worlds and home to the race of “giants” or Jötunn (plural Jötnar), enemies of the gods in Ásgarðr.
Körmt River (Kormt): One of two great rivers running through the Bifröst Basin and most of the clan territories within it. The other is the Örmt River. In mythology, they are the names of two rivers the god Thor wades through every day to visit Yggdrasil.
Ljósálfar (Ljosalfar): “The Light Elves,” a rune held by the Einherjar Haugspori of the Horn Clan, which grants superior archery abilities. They are one of several races of elves referred to in Norse legends, and are said to reside in Álfheimr.
Mánagarmr (Managarm): “The Strongest Silver Wolf,” Sigrún’s title, given only to the fiercest, most skilled warrior of the Wolf Clan. In mythology, this is also another name for the wolf Hati, who chases the moon across the night sky. In Old Norse, the name Mánagarmr means, roughly, “moon-hound.”
Miðgarðr (Midgard): A northern region of Yggdrasil beyond the Himinbjörg Mountains, where the Panther Clan originally hails from. It is the realm of humans in Norse mythology, commonly known as Midgard.
Múspell Special Forces Unit (Muspell): Múspell Unit for short. The name given to a force of elite soldiers led by Sigrún. The special forces deploy as armed cavalry under her command in wartime, and also function as an elite palace guard in the Wolf Clan capital. The name is a shortened form of Múspellsheimr (commonly spelled Muspelheim), one of the Nine Worlds in Norse mythology.
Náströnd (Nastrond): A region of the northwest Horn Clan territory, wet marshlands stretching along the route between the cities of Sylgr and Myrkviðr. It was the site of a great battle between the Wolf Clan and Panther Clan in Volume 4. In mythology, it’s a place deep in Helheim where the dark dragon Níðhǫggr lives, chewing on corpses. The name means “Shore of Corpses” in Old Norse.
Örmt River (Ormt): See Körmt River.
Ragnarök (Ragnarok): Used in the original Japanese text with the phrase “The End Times,” it is a great disaster foretold in a prophecy which has been passed down in secret since the time of the first divine emperor. In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of fateful events culminating in a great war, and the eventual destruction and rebirth of the world.
Reginarch: This is Yuuto’s new title as lord of the Steel Clan and all of the clans below it. It means “Great Lord” or “Greatest Lord” in the language of Yggdrasil. It is composed of the Old Norse regin, meaning “great, powerful, of the gods,” and the ending -árk, which carries the same meaning of “ruler, sovereign” as in the previous title, patriarch.
seiðr (seidr): “Secret arts,” a subset of runic magic. seiðr is a type of magic spell much harder and more complicated to perform than a galdr, but capable of more powerful results. Felicia’s Gleipnir is one example. Historically, seiðr was a type of sorcery practiced in Old Norse society during the Late Scandinavian Iron Age, and makes frequent appearances in mythology.
Skilfingr: “The Watcher from on High,” alias of Hárbarth. In Norse Mythology, it’s one of the many names for Odin, and scholarly guesses are that it means either “Trembler” or “The one who sits at the high seat/throne.”
Sköll (Skoll): An insulting nickname given to Yuuto, it means “Devourer of Blessings,” or in other words, “a good-for-nothing who only wastes food and resources.” In Norse mythology, Sköll is one of the two great wolves, children of Fenrir, who chase the sun and moon through the sky. Sköll chases the sun, while Hati chases the moon.
Úlfhéðinn: “The Wolfskin,” Hildegard’s rune. In Old Norse, Úlfhéðinn means “(clad in) the fur pelt of a wolf,” and it is thought to refer to a class of fearless warriors, similar to the term “berserker” (which is now thought to mean “clad in the skin of a bear”).
Vanaheimr (Vanaheim): A region of Yggdrasil south of the Bifröst Basin along the western coast of the continent, beginning south of the Körmt River. In mythology, it is one of the Nine Worlds and is home to a group of gods known as the Vanir.
Vindálfs (Vindalfs): “The Band of Wind Elves,” an organization of trained performers and entertainers established by Yuuto and managed by Kristina. The name Vindálfs is derived from Vindálfr, the name of a Dwarf in Norse mythology, with the meaning “wind-elf.”
Vingólf (Vingolf): Vingólf Garden is a small enclosed garden located in the city of Gimlé. In Norse Mythology, Vingólf is another name given for Gimlé, a beautiful sanctuary hall where the survivors of Ragnarök are said to dwell after the final battle.
þjóðann (theodann, thiudans): In the world of Yggdrasil, this is the title of the ruler of the Holy Ásgarðr Empire, meaning “Divine Emperor/Empress.” Historically, it’s a Norse translation of the Visigothic word þiudans, which roughly means “ruler/king.”
Þrúðvangr Mountains (Thrudvang): One of the three great mountain ranges forming what is known as the “Roof of Yggdrasil,” the Þrúðvangr Mountains form the southern border of the Bifröst Basin, and the eastern border of the Vanaheimr region. In Norse mythology, Þrúðvangr is the name of the area of Ásgarðr in which the god Þórr resides in his great hall, Bilskírnir.
Þrymheimr Mountains (Thrymheim): One of the three great mountain ranges forming the “Roof of Yggdrasil,” the Þrymheimr Mountains lie to the east of the Himinbjörg Mountains. In Norse Mythology, Þrymheimr is a location in Jötunheimr, the realm of the giants, home to a giant named Þjazi (Thiazi) who famously kidnapped the goddess of youth, I?unn (Idun).
Ymir (Aurgelmir): Aurgelmir or Ymir is the name of one of the gods worshiped in Yggdrasil, the primordial “Giant God” whose body is said to have formed the land itself. In Norse mythology, Ymir is the ancestor of the jötnar (“giants”), and after his death by the hands of the first Æsir gods, his body likewise becomes the foundation of the world.
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