Wiping the dust off the stone tablet, the runes inscribed by Runes revealed themselves and, sensing Shiomi's Mana, began to glow brightly.
"The first trial tests 'strength,'" Shiomi read the text aloud, understanding the answer.
That's why Odin placed Fenrir in Valhalla.
"Strength, huh..." Skadi stood behind him, speaking quietly. "That Fenrir pales in comparison to the true form that will appear during Ragnarök. You should already know that."
After finishing their conversation outside the temple, the two entered the ruined sanctuary to investigate.
"Of course I know. It's probably similar to the difference between a Heroic Spirit and a Servant." Shiomi turned around and leaned against the stone table, spreading his hands toward Skadi.
"It's best if you understand."
Skadi surveyed the ruined temple, which appeared identical to where they'd first entered, save for the rearranged interior.
"Did the great god Odin say anything else?" Shiomi slowly lowered his hands and asked.
"I've already relayed all the prophecies to you," Skadi stated, eting his gaze. "My role is to serve as the bride, guiding you through Valhalla's trials."
Of course, these two roles were distinct yet interconnected.
"Well, that's... pretty casual," Shiomi muttered.
"Just as I had a choice, so do you." Skadi's slender, beautiful brows furrowed slightly, hinting at displeasure. "But to assu I'm being frivolous because of that is downright rude."
Shiomi shook his head with a wry smile. "No, no, no. I was referring to the great Odin being casual. You didn't know , and I didn't know you before this. Yet that great Odin casually arranged this marriage in prophecy... Even considering the loneliness of a goddess, that approach was still rather... casual."
"The great god Odin is the king of the Scandinavian gods—he's always been a bit casual." Skadi realized Shiomi wasn't criticizing her personally but venting about Odin, and her displeasure vanished instantly. Instead, she found herself resonating with his attitude. "You know very well Odin sacrificed himself for wisdom to obtain the Primordial Runes."
"True enough," Shiomi chuckled. "But what I ant was—did Odin ever ntion the significance of completing this trial?"
"...Not at all." Skadi shook her head apologetically.
Odin hadn't uttered a word about that aspect. She had almost believed he'd deliberately arranged for her to accompany Shiomi through the trial—to foster mutual understanding and help Skadi accept him more readily. But Shiomi's question made her ponder further.
"To beco one's own master, or perhaps to master oneself," Shiomi mused thoughtfully. "Maybe the answer lies hidden within those words on the gate."
"Perhaps," Skadi agreed.
He certainly held many secrets. That a human wielded divine power was extraordinary in itself. Odin's trial might very well be connected to this.
Surveying the ruins of the temple, Skadi remarked, "But aside from the entrance we ca through, there are no other exits here. Should we retrace our steps, search for another path, or—"
Before she could finish, she saw Shiomi lift a finger and point upward.
Looking up, Skadi noticed a large gap in the temple ceiling. Beyond it, winding rock walls were exposed, and a faint light could be glimpsed at the end.
"Upward, then? That is quite the detour."
Skadi nodded, about to suggest flying up, when she saw Shiomi approach.
Caught off guard, Skadi took a half step back.
"Wh-what is it?"
"Your flying is too slow. You've got one last breath left—jump up." Without waiting for a response, Shiomi scooped Skadi up in his arms.
Skadi's body trembled slightly. "You... what are you thinking?"
"Even though I just criticized Odin like that, it doesn't an I plan to refuse," Shiomi stated casually. "As for how it ultimately turns out, it all depends on you."
"...What does that have to do with your current actions?" Skadi asked again.
"I want to hold the bride promised to by the great god. Is that so strange?" Shiomi was surprisingly candid.
Though the truth was sowhat shocking, he didn't dislike Odin's approach. After all, he understood that Skadi had spent millennia alone, fulfilling her duties as a deity. The thought alone was heartbreaking. Yet he couldn't voice this sentint—to do so would insult Skadi's steadfast resolve.
"It is strange indeed..." Skadi raised her hand, intending to push him away and step down from his embrace. Yet as her palm touched his chest, her strength unconsciously drained away. The steady, powerful beat of his heart pulsed clearly through her fingers.
"Then, we're jumping." Without waiting for Skadi's response, Shiomi lowered his body, then sprang upward like a coiled spring. They shot through the gaping hole in the temple ceiling, ascending along the passageway carved into the mountain's interior.
The roar of wind whipping past her ears suddenly flooded Skadi's vision with light. Only then did she realize they had traversed the long passageway and erged above the mountain peak outside the temple. Below lay another temple shrouded in mist; they were descending toward its main entrance. There was nowhere else to land. Odin's barrier surrounded the temple, making direct entry into the courtyard impossible.
Boom—
Shiomi landed smoothly on the ground, not shattering the surface but tearing through the air, stirring a surge of turbulent currents.
"What a reckless man."
Skadi, gently set down, wasn't sure whether to be angry or not, and could only mutter this.
"That's just how the Land of Shadows operates." Shiomi gazed at the new temple. "But this trial didn't feature any enemies like Fenrir. I thought we'd be facing Surtr or Jormungandr next."
"Loki as an opponent wouldn't be so bad either." Skadi felt inexplicably lighthearted and casually echoed Shiomi's jest. "Even if it's an illusion, it could serve as revenge for the Scandinavian gods."
"Huh? Take down the God of Mischief? ?"
Shiomi feigned surprise, pointing at himself with a smile, though the weapon in his hand had transford into Gungnir.
Unable to predict such a bewildered expression from him, Skadi struggled to maintain her smile without laughing aloud.
Not expecting Skadi to be amused, Shiomi ascended the steps first. As he reached to push the door, he paused, turned, and said to Skadi:
"I seem to have forgotten to ask earlier—how exactly did you test what you told the great Odin—"
Thick fog poured out from the newly opened door, engulfing the temple interior. A fierce wind blew, forcing Shiomi to shut his eyes. He instantly lost all interest in asking such questions.
The second trial had begun without warning.
...
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