Chapter 19 — Is Choosing King Solomon a Trap?
As Thor's figure vanished from sight, Brünnhilde finally exhaled and wiped the cold sweat from her brow.
She had appeared calm, but inwardly, she'd been tense the entire time.
"Phew… I thought I was going to die," muttered Gray, slumping to the floor. "Brünnhilde, do you think Lord Thor will participate? If he does… there's no way we can win against a god like that."
Though Gilgamesh had slain the sky god Anu, Gray couldn't imagine anyone defeating the terrifying Norse thunder god.
"He will. Without a doubt. And he'll be the gods' vanguard."
Brünnhilde knew the gods well enough to be certain: Thor would be the first to enter the arena.
Gray's face went pale. If that was the opening match, humanity was doomed from the start.
The sisters returned to the Akasha system.
"What's wrong, sister?"
"Someone's been here."
Brünnhilde had intended to continue searching for humans capable of fighting the gods. But something felt off. Someone had accessed the Akasha system while they were away.
Who? Could it be someone from the Babylonian pantheon?
She didn't know. But the surveillance footage would tell her.
In a hidden corner, Brünnhilde retrieved a pinhole camera.
The gods, arrogant and dismissive of human inventions, had overlooked it—allowing her to capture everything.
She inserted the memory card into a tablet. Sure enough, someone had entered. But it wasn't a Babylonian god—it was someone from another mythological system.
They had tampered with the Akasha records.
Were they trying to prevent her from finding someone?
Interesting.
The intruder was one of the Supreme Four Pillars of the seventy-two demon gods.
Chapter 20 — Is Solomon a Decoy?
The Supreme Four Pillars were the rulers of the seventy-two demon gods, each commanding a cardinal direction:
Baal — Ranked 1st, King, commands 66 legions, ruler of the East. Paimon — Ranked 9th, King, commands 25 legions, ruler of the West. Astaroth — Ranked 29th, Duke, commands 40 legions, ruler of the South. Asmodeus — Ranked 32nd, King, commands 72 legions, ruler of the North.
The surveillance had captured Astaroth, the southern ruler.
Brünnhilde's interest was piqued.
Why would a Supreme Pillar want to hide something? Was it similar to the Babylonian gods' secrecy?
Who were they trying to conceal?
It had to be a human. Someone connected to the demon gods across humanity's seven-million-year history.
Only one name came to mind.
"Hehehe… HAHAHAHAHA!"
"Brünnhilde?" Gray stared at her sister, who was laughing maniacally, her composure shattered. It was terrifying.
The pressure must be getting to her.
"This is perfect. They've handed me the ideal candidate."
Brünnhilde clutched her face, trembling with excitement.
First, the Babylonian gods had slipped up and revealed Gilgamesh.
Now, the Supreme Pillars had led her to another.
She opened the Akasha system and typed in the name of a human king. She wanted to see how the records had been altered.
The results appeared instantly.
"What—?!"
Brünnhilde's blue eyes widened in disbelief. Her flawless face twisted in shock.
Something was very wrong.
She had expected the records to portray this king as ordinary—perhaps wise, but not battle-worthy. A ruler easily overshadowed by others in history.
The data should have downplayed his significance, making her dismiss him as unfit for the Ragnarok roster.
But instead, the records revealed a legend.
If the information was accurate, this king was more than qualified.
Aside from Gilgamesh, Brünnhilde couldn't think of anyone more worthy.
She had to summon him from history.
Gray, curious about her sister's reaction, peeked at the screen.
"Isn't this a bit… exaggerated?"
The profile was as outrageous as Gilgamesh's—maybe even more so. Gray doubted its authenticity.
"Brünnhilde… this could be a trap!"
Brünnhilde nodded. It was possible.
They might have fabricated an over-the-top persona to lure her into choosing him—only for him to fail miserably in battle, costing humanity a match.
But if she summoned him, she could question him directly. The truth would come out.
If the data was fake, it would be exposed.
Still, there was another possibility: this king might be a narcissist. A braggart who exaggerated his greatness.
If so, the Supreme Pillars were trying to sabotage her selection.
Such a scheme would be vile.
But would the gods stoop so low?
They were proud beings. Normally, they wouldn't bother with petty tricks.
Unless—like the Babylonian gods—they had something to hide.
Was this king a distraction? A smokescreen?
Brünnhilde couldn't unravel the mystery.
So she chose the old method: travel to his era and witness the truth firsthand.
The data could be faked—but the Akasha's holographic records couldn't.
Still, if they were going to forge records, couldn't they at least do it properly?
She recognized the source—it was copied from a book.
The Key of Solomon.
Despite the title, the book had no direct link to Solomon. It was written in the Middle Ages by mystics who romanticized his legend.
They embellished his story with mythological flair.
In short, it was human vanity—an attempt to prove that gods weren't invincible.
Fine. She would uncover the truth.
She calibrated the system and set course for the 9th century BCE.
Chapter 21 — One-Time Skill: Revelation
In the 9th century BCE, on the Mediterranean coast, a Jewish royal family produced a man of immense historical significance.
King Solomon, the so-called King of Wisdom.
His reign marked the kingdom's golden age. His armies were strong, commerce flourished, and the divine temple and royal palace were built in splendor.
At age 17, Solomon inherited the throne. Ambitious and strategic, he strengthened his rule through political marriages—including one with the Egyptian Pharaoh's daughter.
His alliances made the kingdom powerful.
Under his rule, the territory expanded: northeast to the Euphrates, southeast to the Gulf of Aqaba, southwest to Philistia and Egypt.
But were the legends true?
"Progress: 50%. One-time skill acquired: Revelation."
The message appeared before Solomon (White Moon) as he sat in a council chamber. He blinked.
He remembered this skill—it allowed him to hear the "Voice of Heaven" and take the most optimal action.
For example, if he were traveling, it would guide him to the best route.
In short, it led him to the best possible outcome.
Suddenly, his vision blurred. The chamber twisted around him.
He now stood in a vast white temple.
Before him loomed a colossal throne. Upon it sat a giant figure in white robes, radiating divine light.
Surrounding him were graceful, winged women—angels.
They clung to the figure, gazing at him with adoration.
This was clearly the chief god of the heavenly pantheon.
"Solomon," the god said, resting his chin on one hand and holding a book in the other. "What is your wish?"
His voice was gentle, almost warm—but Solomon felt only cold detachment.
The god's gaze was like one cast upon a roadside pebble.
Solomon answered calmly.
"Wisdom."
His demeanor was too composed. No awe, no reverence—just neutrality.
The god's expression flickered with mild displeasure.
"A fine choice. Then I shall grant you unmatched wisdom."
To others, it sounded like praise. A divine blessing.
But Solomon sensed only mockery and malice.
Malice…?