After dispatching the spirit soldiers blocking their path and passing through the ruined temple, Shiomi and Skadi found themselves in a valley, traversing a rugged mountain trail.
"According to my understanding of mythology, Skadi, the Goddess of Winter, is known as the Bride of the Gods, so…
Could you be the widow of some Scandinavian deity?"
As they climbed a particularly steep section, Shiomi leapt onto a rocky ledge and turned back, extending his hand to Skadi.
"That's merely what you call Proper Human History." Skadi had intended to grasp it, but recalling the earlier sensation of warmth and solidity, she withdrew her hand and chose to float up onto the ledge herself.
"Is that so? Then what's the story here?" Shiomi didn't mind her reaction, naturally withdrawing his hand.
"It's much the same. I was indeed loved by many gods, constantly being proposed to..." Skadi paused slightly before continuing. "But when I came to my senses, before I could make a decision, all the gods vanished after Ragnarök…
I became the last deity remaining in the Scandinavian world."
Shiomi's expression shifted from surprise to resignation. "So that means you never actually got married in the end—"
Before he could finish, a bitter cold wind swept over Shiomi, freezing half of his body in ice.
"Don't you dare say 'didn't make it' or 'missed the marriage window,' got it?" Skadi's expression turned deeply resentful, not at all like a queen, leaving Shiomi utterly dumbfounded.
"Why not just say so plainly? Was all this drama really necessary?" Shiomi pursed his lips as he freed himself from the solid ice.
It was a powerful ice-binding Magecraft—without Skadi personally lifting it, breaking free would have torn his body apart. Yet Shiomi slipped out effortlessly, casually brushing ice shards from his clothes as if Skadi had merely been playfully teasing him.
"What a peculiar man..." Skadi's gaze held a subtle shift.
From this alone, she could tell: either Shiomi's mastery of Runes Magecraft matched her own, or though human, his very 'essence' now stood equal to that of the goddess Skadi herself.
Skadi felt her heartbeat quicken inexplicably.
In her eyes, everything within this remnant of the Scandinavian world belonged beneath her gaze. She had never imagined encountering a human worthy of meeting her eye level.
Odin's prophecy was merely a prophecy. That was how Skadi had always thought.
"Anyway, I didn't mean to mock you. If you felt offended, it's my fault." Shiomi apologized sincerely.
Then he continued climbing upward, hurrying onward.
After all, the interior of this Valhalla wasn't simply built within the mountains; it was like a separate dimension... Or perhaps a peculiar existence akin to a Reality Marble. Its interior could be described as another world.
There were no guides, no signposts. Shiomi didn't even know if time inside synchronized with the outside world. Regardless, he didn't want to waste too much time here.
"Maybe I overreacted."
Skadi reached out her hand to him.
Standing atop a rocky ledge on the mountain path, Shiomi hesitated before extending his own hand and pulling Skadi up. He was curious about the sudden shift in her state of mind, but figured Skadi wouldn't tell him, so he didn't press the matter.
After all, messing around on such a steep mountain path could be troublesome, even if it didn't kill you.
"After all your questioning, it's about time you answered mine... Tenkei Shiomi, right?" Skadi recalled his name.
"Call me Tenkei or Shiomi," Shiomi smiled easily. "Or, like a goddess, you could just call me 'human'."
"Then, Tenkei." Skadi addressed him.
"...So you picked this one after all..." Shiomi chuckled inwardly.
"Ophelia mentioned you're already married?" she asked.
"That's correct. My wife, as you can see, is Morgan le Fay." Shiomi nodded.
Skadi's tone grew increasingly peculiar. "Then, what about that Scáthach over there?"
"She's my master."
"And the King of Knights?"
"Um...Lover, and also my closest battle companion." Shiomi scratched his head.
Skadi finally pointed her wand at Shiomi. "What about that woman named Touko Aozaki I had imprisoned earlier?"
"My... ex-girlfriend..." Shiomi began to sweat.
After all, hardly anyone ever asked him about the women in his life or the nature of their relationships. Everyone maintained an unspoken understanding to not pry into such matters—it was Shiomi's private life, and he never let it interfere with his duties.
Suddenly grilled by Skadi like this, Shiomi was on the verge of breaking.
"I see. So that's how it is." Skadi thoughtfully withdrew the wand pointing at Shiomi, muttering to herself.
This man was honest—she didn't dislike that.
Shiomi shrugged his shoulders. "If you have any grievances or criticisms, feel free to voice them. I don't regret my choices, and they've all accepted this. I won't let any of them down."
"It's not that kind of issue," Skadi denied coolly. "Just some unmet expectations... No, it's more of a sense of dissonance—a mismatch with what I anticipated. The one prophesied by the great Odin... turns out to be this sort of person."
"You really know how to put it. You've got me feeling like my character doesn't live up to the great Odin who's looked out for me so many times." Shiomi pinched the bridge of his nose.
Skadi suddenly raised her voice, her tone filled with authority. "These are mere trifles. The trials Odin set in Valhalla, even if they test your character, have nothing to do with your personal affairs."
"I've already guessed as much," Shiomi said abruptly.
They climbed to the mountain's peak. Standing atop the summit, they could see the land shrouded in dark clouds and ice. Within the thick fog of wind and snow, a massive, shadowy figure watched them.
"It seems Odin's first trial involves Niflheim," Skadi declared, standing firm against the gale. Her beautiful purple hair fluttered in the wind. "And within that thick fog and blizzard lies—"
"Fenrir." Shiomi immediately recognized the mythical giant wolf and gripped the Holy Sword tightly.
Though the blizzard obscured its full form, Shiomi understood its immense size, no less than that of the Goddess Tiamat when she appeared in Uruk.
"Indeed. That is one of the culprits who brought about Ragnarök—the giant wolf that devoured the Concept Sun." Skadi stood firm against the gale. "This is your first trial. Demonstrate your true power. Let me witness it."
Her gaze upon Shiomi held complexity.
Then, like them, be captivated by you.
Skadi silently whispered within her mind.
...
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