Sometimes, Renjiro couldn't help but feel a little wistful about the events happening around him.
For instance, even though he was technically a member of the Freya familia, if he counted carefully, he ended up spending more time with the Loki familia, and got along better with them.
In this sense, he really clicked with Welf.
Of course, this time, when arriving at the border defense military camp, Lumine wasn't trying to stand out or make connections outside her own familia.
After all, this was a true external mission, far from Orario, and she didn't want idle gossip or unnecessary conflict with other members of her own familia.
So, her first priority was to head straight to the tent of her familia: the one with the peaked flag bearing the totem of a Pegasus-feathered crown with a human face.
That totem symbolized the Valkyries who rode Pegasus into battle.
Renjiro knew that the gods and their familias in this world, though given unique designs, largely drew inspiration from Norse mythology on Earth.
For example, in the Loki familia, there were:
Bete the Fenrir
Tione the Jormungand
Riveria the Nine Hell
These corresponded to Loki's three children in Norse myth: Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel.
Even Riveria's first spell had three chants corresponding to the three stages of Ragnarök:
Ecstasy – Fimbulwinter: Signifying the impending doom.
Superior – Sword of Victory: During the chaos, Surtur, the Fire Giant King, destroys the world with his flaming magic sword, Leivothin.
Ves – Windheim: Representing the new world after Ragnarök.
Looking at Freya's familia:
In Norse myth, Freya had a close boar companion named Hildisvini.
Thus, the familia leader of Freya's familia, Ottar, a pig-person, named his awakened magic after it.
Legend also described Freya not just as the goddess of beauty, but as a warrior goddess and magic deity, commanding a chariot drawn by two cats:
Vana Freya – Allen Fromel
Vana Alfi – Anya Fromel
This cat-person brother-sister pair belonged to her retinue.
Then there were the Gulliver Brothers, corresponding to the four dwarves who gifted Freya a gemstone necklace in Norse myth: Alfrigg, Dvalinn, Berling, and Grer.
Plus, the Hildrsleif represented the Elves, and the Dainsleif the Dark Elves.
Now, Freya's retinue in this world had gathered: boar, twin cats, four dwarves, and light and dark elves.
Only two symbols remained:
The goddess's partner, Odr.
The summoner of heroic spirits, Valkyria, the Valkyrie.
When Lumine arrived at Freya's familia tent alone, Riveria happened to meet Gareth.
Not even counting what their comrades had discussed, on Lumine's side…
She had just pulled aside the tent flap when…
"Thud-thud~"
Her enemy-sense triggered.
Years of reflex from continuous battles kicked in. Lumine pulled back sharply, and her right hand drew the Dawn Divine Sword, Refined 5, Lv.40, ready for battle.
Then…
"Bang~"
A pure black blade, lightning-shaped at the tip, clashed against the Dawn Divine Sword. Sparks flew; Lumine felt her palm tingle…
The force she faced was overwhelming. Speed too.
But…
"Shhh~"
The follow-up force was insufficient.
Unable to continue a coherent assault, Lumine retreated with the opponent's sword pressure guiding her. Upon landing, she saw the black blade expand once again.
She was getting annoyed.
Just as she prepared to retaliate…
"CLANG~"
A silver-white blade cut across, blocking the black sword's next strike.
"Hogni, what are you doing?"
Stepping beside her was a golden-haired elf with glasses. Though appearing refined, his gaze betrayed a wild madness.
Hedin Selland – Hildrsleif
He, along with the black-elf male in front, were known as Freya's White and Black Knights:
Dainsleif – Hogni Ragnar
Hildrsleif – Hedin Selland
Both Lv.6, first-tier adventurers stepping into the Heroic Realm.
Hedin glared at Hogni, his tone sharp:
"Did that damn scorpion fry your brain too? You attacked without even identifying the target?"
The black-haired elf only now noticed Lumine's slightly frowning face.
Then…
Without a word, he sheathed his sword and walked into the tent, showing no sign of apology.
Faced with this…
"Lumine, Freya-sama's younger sister, right?"
Hedin ignored his colleague and focused on Lumine:
"Sorry, wait here for a moment."
After saying this, he entered the tent alone.
Honestly, most would think the White and Black Knights were cold and aloof, impossible to approach.
But in reality…
What do I do? Hedin, I almost hurt Freya-sama's beloved sister. My first impression is already terrible… I'm useless…
Cold? Ha! Not a chance.
It's rare to hear you speak without that annoying tone.
Hedin, not the "involved party," calmly pushed up his glasses, reflecting the light:
"Also, can you not embarrass yourself? Speaking this loudly, people outside can hear."
"!"
The tent instantly quieted. Lumine twitched at the corners of her mouth.
Huh?
Glancing down, she noticed faint fresh blood on the ground, just dropped.
A faint metallic scent… Was the Dainsleif's strike underpowered because he was injured?
And judging by what Hedin just said, they've already encountered the "Kaios Scorpion"…
Short thoughts ran through her mind…
"Lumine, come in."
Hedin's calm yet infinitely wild voice reached her ears.