The Ice and Snow Royal Capital.
"Ophelia, how is the Sir's recovery progressing?"
As usual, Skadi, seated upon the throne, inquired of Ophelia.
"He is out of immediate danger. He remains in spirit form to heal, and should be fully recovered within another day," Ophelia's expression turned serious. "Additionally, I attempted to request that Caenis immediately return to Kirschtaria's Lostbelt, but she refuses to leave. I leave this matter to Your Majesty's decision."
"It matters not. If she wishes to linger here, so long as she does not violate my rules, let her act freely." Skadi paid little heed to such matters.
That Caenis may act somewhat independently, but in terms of results, not only did she cause no harm, she effectively tested the approximate combat strength currently possessed by the entire Chaldea expedition. What surprised Skadi most, however, was the man leading them—the fact that he possessed the Gungnir. The appearance of Odin's Spear had left Skadi no time to delve deeper into the matter of Scáthach's presence in the Chaldea, which was part of the Proper Human History.
"Yes, thank you for Your Majesty's understanding," Ophelia explained. "But there is one thing I do not understand. Chaldea is undoubtedly the enemy of this Lostbelt. Are you truly willing to..."
"Of course. The prophecy Odin left behind was the great god's final plan for this world's future, crafted with that eye that pierced countless dimensions before his disappearance," Skadi stated. "Therefore, until I confirm that man's choice, we must not initiate hostilities against the Chaldea team."
"I understand..." Ophelia's expression sharpened as she murmured her response.
Then, Skadi lifted her head slightly, gazing toward the palace gates.
"They're remarkably swift. Barely a day has passed, and they've already reached my royal city," Skadi murmured to herself. "It seems that man places great importance on Odin's prophecy."
"Has the Chaldea already arrived?" Ophelia asked, her voice trembling with tension.
"No, only those few we saw two days ago, plus a girl from the 23rd Village." Skadi said, "Why bring a child from the village specifically? Could it be they intend to use that child as a hostage to blackmail me?"
"I believe it's simply because the incident at the 23rd Village led Mr. Shiomi to think you might order the Valkyries to punish that girl after they left the village." Ophelia offered her perspective. "I believe this assessment was made by Teacher Shiomi and his companions."
"Oh?" Skadi offered a faint, amused smile. "Come to think of it, before arriving here, you and that man knew each other, didn't you? Even now, standing on opposing sides, you still address him as 'Teacher.'"
"While I have confidence in my own abilities, I am well aware of my limitations when facing Teacher Shiomi," Ophelia stated.
"That much is evident," Skadi remarked. "Had that man been the Master of Saber, he likely wouldn't have needed to expend a Command Spell to command his Servant."
"Indeed," Ophelia agreed.
Within Saber's body, that soul—at least while bound by the Spirit Origin—Shiomi would absolutely grind away every trace of arrogance and hubris.
"Tell me more about that man. I know little of him, and for future situations, it's necessary to understand more." Skadi urged Ophelia to elaborate further on Shiomi.
Ophelia appeared troubled: "Even if Her Majesty says so, I cannot think of what to tell you at this moment."
"It matters not. Anything will do," Skadi said. "Consider it a trifling diversion before his arrival here."
"A pastime...?" Ophelia began to ponder. "Ah, yes. The individual currently imprisoned in your dungeon appears to have a master-disciple relationship with Shiomi. However, given his claim to be Scáthach's disciple, it's likely this master-disciple connection is merely a cover."
"But she does possess a mastery of the Primordial Runes," Skadi mused. "Did that man teach her instead?"
"I have no knowledge of that," Ophelia replied truthfully.
Skadi pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised her voice: "Thrúd! Bring Thrúd here—!"
After she spoke, a brief silence fell over the palace. A golden-haired Valkyrie approached the steps leading down to the throne before Skadi.
"Valkyrie Thrúd pays her respects to Your Majesty. May my goddess Scáthach-Skadi be well, and may the divine ally Lady Ophelia also be well."
"You won't call me Mother? Really..." Skadi murmured with slight displeasure.
"Yes." Thrúd merely responded thus, "Enter your command. Whatever it may be, we shall obey. Scáthach-Skadi, our master, is you."
"No matter how many years pass, will you never face me as a daughter? How admirable you always are." After a moment of wistfulness, Skadi said, "Go to the dungeon and bring the Caster from the 23rd village here."
"Your Majesty?" Ophelia was puzzled. "You mean—"
"As a goodwill gesture for the upcoming negotiations, returning that person to them would be highly significant." Skadi asserted, "What do you think, Ophelia?"
"But that would undoubtedly be like releasing a tiger back into the wild, strengthening Chaldea's power. Once they become enemies—"
"We'll deal with that when the time comes." Skadi seemed somewhat bored. "Keeping that person locked up serves no purpose. She neither cooperates with us nor resists. Like the winds of this Scandinavian land, she adapts to her surroundings. So, let her depart from here like the wind."
"Understood." After accepting the order, Thrúd turned and headed toward the castle dungeon.
Skadi lowered her gaze slightly, gauging the progress of Shiomi's group through the castle's barrier before continuing to ask Ophelia:
"What else? Regarding that man, is there anything else worth mentioning?"
"...Other than that, perhaps only that Teacher Shiomi is already married, and has two daughters...
"...No, is Miss Gray actually his disciple or his daughter?" Ophelia's voice trailed off as she spoke, unsure even to herself.
After all, when they met at Chaldea, she had never inquired about such matters.
"Married?" Skadi's expression finally shifted, rare surprise evident. "And daughters?"
Upon reflection, she realized she shouldn't be so surprised—after all, Shiomi's companions were all unforgettable women.
If that were the case, then Odin's prophecy...
Just as Ophelia wondered why Skadi had suddenly lowered her gaze and fallen into deep thought, a series of measured footsteps approached from the palace gates.