After the Envoys departed, the villagers were deeply unsettled. Shiomi had to spend some time reassuring them that everything was fine and that tomorrow would proceed as usual. Fortunately, his "special status" as a guest of Skadi still proved useful. Only after Shiomi's comforting words and encouragement did the villagers finally return to their homes, even the children staying indoors.
After all, the envoys had only just left, and the events that unfolded so rapidly had shaken the children even more profoundly. They needed to stay home and process it all.
"Are you sure... Is it really okay? I should be going with the envoys to face the gods and await punishment..."
Back home, Gerda remained deeply unsettled.
"Don't worry. We also want to get to the bottom of this," Scáthach crouched down to comfort Gerda. "If you're truly uneasy, come with us. We'll personally ask that goddess to forgive you."
"Master intends to take Gerda to Skadi's royal city?" Shiomi froze in surprise.
"After all, we can't be certain Skadi truly intends to spare this child," Morgan leaned back in her chair. "If we leave now, the Valkyrie will return tomorrow. Wouldn't my husband's intervention have been for naught?"
"Moreover, judging by their earlier reactions, they appear to be divine-made weapons that strictly follow orders," Artoria said. "For such entities, when conflicting orders arise, they will only calculate and choose to obey and execute the command with higher priority." She spoke these words with a tone of deep empathy. During the Sixth Singularity, when she served as the Lion King, Artoria knew she shared some similarities with these Valkyries, yet she was far more autocratic than they were.
"Well, there's no helping it. It's just looking after a child—no big deal," Shiomi said. "Besides, by tracking the Mana residue left by those Valkyries, we can already determine the general direction to the royal capital."
He also agreed to take Gerda there, allowing Skadi to personally absolve her of the violation of regulations. Only then could they avoid being held accountable again by those mechanical Valkyries. Otherwise, merely guarding this location and forcing the Valkyries to keep their distance would only hinder Shiomi and the others' progress.
"I'm going... to meet the Gods?" Gerda stared in utter disbelief, unable to process the situation. In her less than thirteen years of life, Gerda shared the village folk's understanding: the gods were distant, absolute entities. Though unseen, through the envoy who regularly appeared to deliver divine decrees, Gerda and the villagers understood the gods were always present, watching over the world from beyond their sight. The gates and walls that even giants dared not approach were proof enough.
"Are you afraid?" Scáthach asked.
"....No, I'm not afraid." Gerda fidgeted with her skirt hem, her smile strained and uncertain. "I'm just... nervous and excited. Because, because... none of the adults in the village ever get this chance!"
This pure, innocent mix of joy and unease left Shiomi and the others at a loss, able only to respond with gentle smiles.
Originally, Shiomi and the others planned to stay just one night before bidding farewell to Gerda and the villagers, continuing their search for the path to Castle Skadi. But now, the appearance of the Valkyrie had disrupted their plans while also making their destination easier to pinpoint. The only difference was that they were now accompanied by Gerda, this newly met young girl.
Just as Shiomi and the others finished their meal and helped Gerda pack her simple belongings to depart, Storm Border contacted them. They planned to arrive at the coordinates Shiomi had sent that day to rendezvous with the group.
Shiomi briefed the Chaldea members on the current situation, informing them they would continue toward the stronghold of the King of the Lostbelt. He instructed Storm Border to proceed northwest, promising to leave Magecraft markers along the route for the warship to scan and track.
"So you're saying Skadi ordered the Valkyries to halt the battle not because of any regard for you, or to repay some past favor, but simply to avoid further losses?" Scáthach smiled.
On the way, Shiomi had voiced this perspective, and it made sense.
As individuals, those Valkyries possessed strength rivaling that of top-tier Servants. Coupled with their Spiritual Rank, which could be called semi-divine, a coordinated assault would indeed cause Shiomi considerable trouble.
The issue was that even if Morgan and the others only protected the villagers without aiding in the battle, Shiomi could still eliminate every Valkyrie present. It would merely take a bit longer.
"After all, without Odin, no one can create new Valkyries. Speaking of which, Master, did you know? Back in the 1980s, the Curse Lord of the Mage's Association submitted a report stating that by the time the war between the gods and giants known as Ragnarök began, half of the Valkyries had already vanished," Shiomi remarked.
"Though I haven't seen the magician's report from that era, I know the gist of that incident," Scáthach calmly interjected. "The eldest Valkyrie, Brynhild, after meeting Sigurd, gained intense emotions and individuality—yet that very moment became the turning point in the Valkyries' decline."
"Indeed. Seems that report from the Department of Curses wasn't entirely unfounded after all," Shiomi chuckled. "When the opportunity arises, I'll inform the Curse Science Department that the Queen of the Land of Shadows has confirmed the authenticity of your Lord's report."
"What else did that report say?" Scáthach was more interested in this aspect, eager to see how far modern magicians could delve into the affairs of the Age of Gods through research and investigation.
"It also mentioned that, starting with Brynhild as the turning point, more and more Valkyries began to decay from their semi-god-level Spiritual Rank. While gaining individuality, they also forgot the Great God's decree and departed on their own." Shiomi paused to recall, "And as mentioned earlier, only half remain."
"Essentially matches what I've heard," Scáthach nodded. "In this Lostbelt, where she stands as the sole deity, these remaining Valkyries must be invaluable combat assets—essential tools for maintaining her rule. If I were in her position, I too would see no reason to sacrifice them to you—someone who hasn't even become an enemy yet."
"Tools, huh." Shiomi mused. "So which is truly happier? Continuing to exist mechanically as a demigod Spiritual Rank, or becoming human like their eldest sister—gaining personality and emotions, even if it means demotion?"
"I think it's the latter," Artoria, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly answered.
Exchanging a smile with her as she turned her head, Shiomi suddenly understood the answer and nodded in agreement.
...
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