Shiomi and the others were puzzled by Skadi's matter-of-fact attitude.
"Wait a moment," Shiomi asked. "Doesn't Valhalla require me to undergo a trial?"
Skadi nodded. "Your confusion is understandable, as I hadn't explained the specifics of this trial earlier. As you heard, you won't be entering Valhalla alone. As the last deity of Scandinavian mythology, I will accompany you and assist you in completing the trial."
".....Then why not let them—" Shiomi objected, turning to look at Scáthach and the others.
If the trial turned out to be exceptionally difficult, making it impossible for Shiomi to complete alone, then having companions join him would seem reasonable.
However, compared to Skadi, whom he had only met three times and barely spoken to, Shiomi trusted Morgan, his Master and Artoria—those who had fought beside him through countless arduous battles—and even Touko, the pinnacle of human Casters. Each of them commanded Shiomi's unreserved trust far more than Skadi ever could.
"That's exactly what I meant," Skadi responded, her lips pressing into a thin line, clearly displeased by Shiomi's reaction. "But what Odin left behind was designed this way—even I cannot alter it."
Her tone implied: Take your complaints to Odin himself, if you ever get the chance to meet him.
Sensing Skadi's unspoken words, Shiomi could only inwardly curse. If he had known this would happen, he should have grabbed Grímr, the proxy, and given him a thorough dressing-down. Though the Odin of Proper Human History and the Odin of the Lostbelt couldn't be considered exactly the same.
"Since it's the great Odin's arrangement, we have no choice but to accept it." Morgan reached out to adjust Shiomi's collar. "Originally, we didn't return directly to headquarters but entered this Lostbelt to search for any traces related to Odin. Now that the opportunity is here, any minor unpleasantness must be endured, my husband."
"I get it," Shiomi replied with a wry smile.
"According to mythological tradition, Valhalla is the hall that welcomes fallen warriors. As a living being, my husband, what exactly you will encounter there, we can't predict." Morgan's hand paused, still adjusting his collar. "Please, exercise utmost caution."
Scáthach nodded in agreement. "The members of Chaldea will soon arrive in this vicinity. Should anything unexpected happen, we will immediately rendezvous with StormBorder."
"Just in case, should we prepare another Noble Phantasm?" Artoria considered this, then held out the Holy Sword to Shiomi. "If it's you, you should be able to bear the radiance of the Holy Sword."
Shiomi froze. "You're the one chosen by the Holy Sword. Are you truly sure about this?"
"The Holy Sword is a light born to protect humanity. I now wish for it to become your strength within Valhalla," Artoria said, gazing at him.
She was genuinely worried for him, knowing he was heading to a place beyond their observation, which was why she had thought of this solution.
"Then I shall borrow it for now." Knowing she still held the Holy Lance, Shiomi accepted the offer to borrow the Holy Sword.
Without the "Invisible Air," the blade of the Holy Sword radiated a constant golden glow, as dazzling as hope itself. Holding it in his hand, Shiomi felt as though he could sense the planet's prayers. His Star Eyes stirred in response to the sword's Mana, yearning to manifest.
"Come to think of it, besides us and the Queen's people, Miss Phamrsolone isn't here."
Touko noticed that, besides them, only Skadi and the three Valkyries were present—no one else.
She knew that Gerda had been left behind in the castle to wait safely.
But the absence of Ophelia, the Crypter responsible for this Lostbelt, was truly unexpected.
"Ophelia has no interest in this matter, so I let her do as she pleases." Skadi was clearly unconcerned about Ophelia acting on her own. "Besides, with me and the Valkyries here, the royal capital would be left understaffed. Someone needs to stay behind."
When it came to distrust, Skadi herself was much the same.
She already knew that Shiomi and the others were only the vanguard. As Chaldea's mobile base, that battleship still had yet to reveal itself.
If Chaldea were to take advantage of this moment to launch a surprise attack on the royal capital and seize it, relying on mass-produced Valkyries alone would likely be insufficient.
"Oh? Is that so?" Shiomi said thoughtfully.
No one knew how much Ophelia's Saber-class Servant had recovered, and there was also the Crypter lurking in the shadows.
At that thought, he cast a discreet glance at Morgan, who was still tidying his collar. She immediately returned a knowing smile and lowered her gaze.
The mountain range where Valhalla's gates were located lay to the northwest of the royal capital. From here, looking past the mountains, part of the ice-and-snow-bound city was visible.
Taking into account the interference caused by the royal capital's Barrier, Morgan's Mirror could still be shifted to a location near the city, allowing her to link up with the StormBorder forces once they landed.
"Are you ready?"
On the other side, Skadi had already instructed the Valkyries to prepare to open the gates of Valhalla.
As the beings tasked with welcoming the souls of fallen warriors into this temple, they bore the responsibility of opening the gates and preventing unauthorized entry into Valhalla.
The massive stone gates, wrapped in layers of ice, began to glow under the guidance of three Valkyries, light slowly spilling through the seams.
Above the lintel at the top of the gate, a line of runes lit up.
"'Become the master of yourself'..." Shiomi quietly considered the meaning of the words.
"Or rather, 'take control of yourself,'" Scáthach added. "It means the same thing. Though I do think my dear disciple truly needs to learn how to keep himself in check."
Shiomi immediately looked deflated.
"That's not what it means..."
One after another, the four of them gave his back a light pat in encouragement. Shiomi stepped forward and moved to Skadi's side, waiting together with her for the gates to open.
As the three Valkyries chanted ancient melodies in their soft, resonant voices, the gates began to shift, releasing a deep, heavy rumble.
The ice that had never melted throughout the ages shattered at that moment, crashing down and breaking apart across the ground.
Even as thick pillars of ice slid past their cheeks and slammed into the floor, the three Valkyries remained completely unfazed, faithfully carrying out their duty.
After a tremor that felt almost like the mountains themselves were shaking, the area returned to silence.
The open gate blazed with dazzling light, making it impossible to see what lay beyond.
Shiomi's expression tightened. His senses sharpened instantly, and he reached out his hand toward Skadi.
"What are you doing?" Skadi frowned.
"To prevent us from being separated by whatever internal trial awaits us once we pass through," Shiomi said seriously. "Hold my hand."
"...You're being excessively cautious."
After a brief hesitation, Skadi slowly placed her hand into Shiomi's palm, letting him grasp it.
Together, they stepped forward into the gate.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, the two of them vanished into the light, and the gates of Valhalla closed once more behind them.
...
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