"As promised, we have arrived."
With measured steps, Shiomi and his companions entered Skadi's royal city. Upon seeing Skadi seated upon the throne, he offered this greeting.
"You've arrived at the perfect moment."
Skadi gave a slight nod, temporarily setting aside the matter she had been discussing with Ophelia, choosing not to press further. Rising from her throne, she descended the steps with light, measured steps, approaching Shiomi and his companions.
"After Ragnarök, all the gods vanished. I alone remain as the last deity of this Scandinavian world... This I need not conceal." Skadi met Shiomi's gaze. "However, in the final prophecy left by the great god Odin before his disappearance, he instructed me to guide you."
"More precisely, it's to guide the one who has been granted the divine spear 'Gungnir,' correct?" Shiomi countered with a question of her own.
"Your understanding is correct. In Odin's prophecy, 'Gungnir' is the crucial token." Skadi nodded slowly. "And since you have demonstrated the existence of that spear, you are undoubtedly the one foretold by Odin."
"Then, as the King of the Lostbelt, you who are naturally at odds with the Chaldea of Proper Human History—how do you intend to guide my beloved disciple who stands on a different stance?" Scáthach asked at this moment.
Skadi's gaze shifted to Scáthach. "Being asked such things by someone who looks exactly like me... I really can't get used to it. But ultimately, you and I share the same fundamental essence. Calling us sisters wouldn't be inaccurate, would it, Scáthach of the Celts?"
"It matters not." Scáthach's tone was remarkably amicable. Rather, she was intrigued by the unfolding events, eager to witness firsthand where Skadi's chosen path would ultimately lead.
"Then let us return to our earlier discussion." Scáthach nodded slightly before turning her gaze back to Shiomi. "This guidance is nothing more than trials left by the great Odin for those who would visit in the future."
"Trials?" Shiomi raised an eyebrow. "You wouldn't be suggesting—"
"The entrance to that trial lies within Valhalla." Skadi affirmed his conjecture. "My task is to lead the three true Valkyries left by Odin to open Valhalla's gates for you."
Valhalla, also known as the Hall of the Slain. In the Scandinavian Age of Myths, it is the hall where fallen warriors are welcomed by the Valkyrie. There they feast endlessly. When sated, the warriors rise to battle one another, preparing for the conflicts to come after Ragnarök.
"I never imagined Valhalla still existed. I thought it ceased to be after Ragnarök," Artoria remarked, her surprise evident. Of course, Shiomi was even more astonished that she needed to enter Valhalla to face the trial left by the great Odin.
"After Ragnarök passed, Valhalla lost its original purpose and was sealed shut," Skadi said. "Over three thousand years have passed since then. I never imagined the day it would truly reopen would come."
"Hmm..." Shiomi murmured softly.
Regarding the entire matter, Shiomi's inner belief and doubt were evenly split. The doubt was self-evident.
Shiomi's belief stemmed from Odin. One reason he had agreed to alter the route with Olga Marie—to investigate the Scandinavian Lostbelt before returning to the Wandering Sea and complete its eradication—was precisely to use this Lostbelt to gather intelligence related to Odin. Gungnir and the Needle—Odin had already entrusted these two treasures to Shiomi through proxy Servants.
If Valhalla was Odin's preparation for Ragnarök, then what purpose did bestowing such vital Noble Phantasms upon a human serve? A crisis surpassing the scale of Ragnarök? Something like the current Bleaching?
"Sounds like a trap," Morgan interjected. "After all, you're the only one who knows about that so-called divine prophecy. If there were any Stone Tablet or monuments left behind, perhaps its credibility might be a bit higher."
Of course, this was merely verbal maneuvering.
"If you refuse to believe, you may return now. When we meet again, you and I shall become enemies." Skadi's stance was unambiguous. "Therefore, there's no need to strain those special eyes of yours here, fairy of the Garden, to scrutinize the truth of my words."
"It's not something I can choose to ignore or not." Morgan averted her gaze, a smile playing on her lips. "I didn't expect you to uncover my identity. The Primordial Runes truly hold formidable intelligence advantages over the fairies."
Then, she raised her hand to rest it on Shiomi's back. "What do you say, my husband? On this matter, our stance aligns with yours. You need only follow your own judgment. Should true danger arise, even if it means defying the rules of the Scandinavian world, we will storm into Valhalla to welcome you."
"It's not that I'm worried about danger," Shiomi said with a calm smile. "It's just that the trials left by Valhalla are a bit unpredictable, so I gave it some extra thought."
This was the outcome he had chosen, the fate he was bound to face after accepting Gugnir. Moreover, Odin had repeatedly offered his help, and out of gratitude for that kindness, Shiomi felt it was necessary to face this trial filled with uncertainties.
"From your tone, it seems like you've already made up your mind," Skadi remarked, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Although they had only met twice, she could already understand the essence of Tenkei Shiomi's character.
He seemed soft on the surface, but was strong at heart—decisive and confident at his core. Yet, he tempered his excessive confidence with humility and caution, maintaining a careful balance in his actions.
"Of course. When do we depart? Or is Valhalla somewhere within this royal city?" Shiomi responded, turning the question back to her.
"Certainly not here, but it's not too far either," Skadi replied, pointing her wand at him. "As a gesture of respect for your resolve, I've decided to release someone imprisoned here as your reward."
"...Huh?" Shiomi blinked in surprise.
No sooner had they entered the palace than the conversation turned directly to business. While Shiomi had been looking for a chance to shift the topic, Skadi, as effortlessly as flipping a switch, extended a considerable gesture of goodwill.
"Goddess Scáthach-Skadi, I have brought the prisoner held in the dungeon," Thrúd's voice sounded, flat and matter-of-fact.
Immediately after, another voice, mature and slightly lazy, added, "What's going on today? We can talk about magecraft if you'd like, but I'm not planning on helping—"
The voice abruptly stopped when the person in the Ice Palace hall came into view.
"It really is you... Touko..."
The words escaped Shiomi's lips, barely able to contain his shock.
...
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