Episode 35/Chapter 2: Great War (2)

TL: Tsubak

ED: Julsmul

Time passed.

Even though the sound of Gjallarhorn was heard once again after a hundred years, the passage of time was the same as always.

It wasn't faster or slower than usual.

The Gods and commanders were gathered in the front lines.

The God of Thunder, Thor, wore an armor and helmet made with Unts and clenched Mjolnir.

Next to him, the God of Hunting, Ullr, touched his golden bow. It was a strong, magical bow he had received from the Goddess of the Moon, Artemis, and Olympus's God of hunting as a token of their friendship.

The one-armed Tir, who wasn't in the same place but was looking at them from a not too distant land, glared down at the fortress.

The giants had come out of their fortress made with ice and rocks and were marching. There was still quite a distance between them, but it was only a matter of time until they reached the range of Asgard.

The front lines of Asgard were really wide.

And giants and evil spirits were pouring out as if planning to cover it all up.

The frost giants were thinking of doing an all out war.

It was a really sudden march, but at the same time, they knew too well that it would happen someday.

"We are ready."

Thor said. He said that for the warriors and Ullr who were next to him, but also for himself.

And those words weren't only meant to be heard well.

Thor placed his eyes off the front lines and looked at his surroundings. There were already tens of thousands of warriors of Valhalla gathered in the fortress Thor was at.

If one also counted the warriors in the other fortresses, they would amount to hundreds of thousands.

In addition, this wasn't the complete force of Asgard and Valhalla.

The Steel Warriors that were in a deep slumber were waking up.

The warriors that were waiting in Valhalla were hurrying to go to war.

"For Asgard and the Nine Realms."

Thor spoke naturally. He hit his chest twice, and the warriors near him did the same thing. He then addressed all the warriors gathered in the fortress.

"For Asgard and the Nine Realms."

The sound of Gjallarhorn that was heard from far away started to ring.

The time for war was approaching.

A root of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, that connected Midgard and Asgard, also reached Valhalla.

Hermod, who'd returned to the front lines of Valhalla, didn't participate in the conference between the Gods or encourage his warriors but kept riding with his horse instead. It was because he still had something to do as the God of Messages.

Sleipnir, the horse that was born from the God Loki and a female horse long ago, was the fastest horse in Valhalla and also in all of Asgard.

It's eight legs kicked the air and split the wind. Hermod kept riding on top of the World Tree and finally got out of Asgard. He passed the passageway that connected to Midgard and entered the underground.

Below Midgard, the world of the living, was Niflheim, the world of the dead.

That land that was filled with frost had the city of Helheim in it. Helheim was the city of souls that'd died from illness or age and didn't die in the battlefield.

Hermod went towards Helheim and looked at the several places of Niflheim. Fortunately enough, he couldn't see the traces of the giants.

Sleipnir lowered its speed. It was because the residence of the queen, that was surging in the middle of Helheim, wasn't that far away.

There were two entrances in the residence of the queen that looked like a winter tree that had no leaves. Hermod directed to the garden hanging in the air in the peak of the residence instead of going to the entrance in the ground.

The plains that were connected with the second entrance to the residence appeared. Compared to a normal garden that was filled with various colors, this garden was dyed in only one color.

White.

It was cold and lonely but gave a trim feeling.

Sleipnir landed on the garden. White, hot steam gushed from its mouth as it caught its breath.

Hermod jumped down the saddle and took a deep breath. There was a woman wearing black clothes standing alone in the middle of the garden.

"Messenger Hermod of the King of Gods, Odin, greets the queen of Helheim. It's been a while."

Hermod stopped ten steps before the woman and expressed etiquette first. The woman that was looking at the ice flowers that had bloomed in her garden turned around to look at Hermod.

"It has been a while, Messenger God Hermod."

She was a mystical woman. She, who had black hair that seemed like it would gulp down everything, had looks that were difficult to describe.

It wasn't about being pretty or not.

She was seen as a cute girl. But when one saw her again, they could see that there was a beautiful lady standing there. If they blinked once more, they would see that she was an old lady that was in the brink of death.

Her voice was also like that. Every time she spoke, it gave the feeling that one was listening to the voice of different ages.

The owner of Helheim and the queen of the dead, Hela.

Hermod had met her once after the Great War, just like right now.

It was to ask her of a method to bring back the several dead ones that had died in the Great War including the God of Light, Baldur.

But it was impossible. Helheim was only a place where the souls of the dead humans resided for a short time. The soul of Gods didn't reach Helheim. Hela was the queen of the dead ones, not the queen of death. She didn't have the power to control life and death.

Hermod, who had fallen into a great frustration after the Great War, vented his anger on Hela.

He poured out all kinds of curses asking why she wasn't resurrecting the dead ones, and if she wasn't going to do that, why was she in her seat of responsibility.

It was an embarrassing memory. He apologized politely after that, and even though Hela had forgiven him saying that it was completely understandable, Hermod couldn't raise his head properly every time he met her.

And it was even more so this time.

The reason why Hermod had come to Helheim wasn't to ask Hela how she was doing.

"You don't have to worry. Compared to my brothers, my heart belongs to Asgard."

Hela smiled and spoke first as Hermod hesitated to speak.

That dry smile resembled a branch of the winter tree branch.

When the Great War was coming to a close, the God of Lies and Fire, Loki, betrayed Asgard and stood at the side of the giants.

The sons of Loki, the World Wolf, Fenrir, and the Space Snake, Jormungand, were also threatening foes to Asgard.

It was obvious for Asgard to be suspicious of Hela as her father and brothers had all turned against Asgard.

"I'm sorry. I know better than anyone what you think about Asgard."

Hermod said sincerely. Hela had already proved her loyalty towards Asgard several times. Just the army of the deceased that was filling the empty spot of Valhalla was proof of that.

"You don't have to worry as you are merely doing your task."

She answered in a low voice and slowly rolled her fingers. She drew a rune in the air and showed it to Hermod.

"A troop of the deceased is gathering in Naglfar. If Asgard calls for them, I will dispatch them at any time."

The warship, Naglfar, made with the nails of the deceased.

Hermod nodded. He purposely revealed a bright smile and said,

"I'm really grateful. I will certainly transmit to Odin about your unchanging heart."

Hela smiled faintly once again. She formed a fist with her slender fingers and then hit her chest twice.

"For Asgard and the Nine Realms."

Hermod expressed etiquette and then hesitated a bit before mounting Sleipnir.

"Don't leave your residence. You will be safe if you stay in Helheim."

"I will pray for your safety."

Hela said with a gentle voice. Hermod nodded once again and then departed with Sleipnir.

The horse with eight legs kicked the air. Hela just saw the back of Hermod leaving the garden and then looked at an even farther place.

"Father."

The God of Fire and Lies, Loki.

Midgard was at the end of Hela's eyes.

When Freya arrived at the central hall of Valhalla after crossing the fog lake, she got down the cat carriage and walked. The sound of the horn trumpet that was heard outside and inside of Valhalla made her feel complicated.

"Whew, whew. Calm down. Let's calm down, Freya."

Freya looked at the entrance of the conference room of the Gods and mumbled in a low voice. There was nothing good by getting excited. It was important to calm down and think calmly the more urgent the situation was.

'You are already the best beauty in Asgard and the Nine Realms, but you will become an even more beautiful woman if you fix your rash temperament.'

Those were the words her brother had said long ago. She was already the greatest beauty but would become even more beautiful. His words were a mess, but she didn't dislike hearing it. Freya really liked the words of her brother.

'Ah, really.'

She was trying to calm down herself but now she was about to get depressed.

Because her brother, Freyr, wasn't in this world anymore. He had lost his life in the Great War.

Freyr wasn't the only one that had disappeared. Freya's husband, Odr, had also died in the Great War. He was a really heartless and foolish man. He had the most beautiful woman in Asgard and the Nine Realms as his wife and roamed the worlds with the desire to travel.

'It's all in the past.'

Freya closed her eyes and opened them. Instead of becoming a woman that cried for tragic love, she acted confidently as the landlady of Asgard.

The warriors that were protecting the door of the conference room grew enchanted by Freya's beauty even in this urgent situation. They opened the door only after being urged by the representative Valkyrie of Freya's legion, Aherid, and when Freya entered the room, she could feel the Gods concentrating on her.

"Freya."

There were both male and female Gods, and all of them were trembling in fear. It was understandable as the one in this place had a long distance from battle and war.

The Gods that had legions and were capable of battling were already out in the front lines.

Half of the Gods didn't come to this place as they were busy taking preparations for leading the reserve corps that were in Valhalla, and the other half remained silent.

Freya remained silent.

She just looked at the various places of the conference room instead of facing the weak Gods that wanted to hear words of comfort from her.

Excluding the few Gods like Idun that couldn't get out of their residence, almost all of them were gathered here. If only the King of Gods, Odin arrived, they would be able to start with the conference.

"It's fine. There are no problems. We prepared many things after the Great War."

Freya sat in the second highest seat and said some words of comfort towards the scared Gods.

She was inwardly saying so to bless their warriors at least one more time instead of crying like this, but what came out of her mouth were gentle and beautiful words.

'And why isn't this man coming?'

It was when Freya was battling against her patience and anxiousness that the King of Gods Odin finally arrived the conference room. All the eyes that were looking at Freya moved to Odin.

The King of Gods, Odin, had several nicknames.

He was the God of Magic and Prophecies and was also a wanderer God that roamed the world endlessly.

But right now, the one that stood in front of them was the God of War. He'd armed himself completely with equipment made of Unts and there was the Absolute Spear, Gungnir, in his hands.

The Gods stayed silent. They couldn't say their worries just like they had done with Freya. They just shut their mouths and remained still.

Odin passed over that silence. He sat on the seat that was next to Freya and then said shortly,

"The Great War has resumed."

Odin claimed. Some of the Gods put pained expressions at his words.

It was because they thought that it was in its early stages, but they weren't able to correct it.

The giants had started to move in the front lines, and droves of them were appearing in several places of Midgard, but it wasn't that they had clashed yet.

But that was only a dream, for the King of Gods, Odin, had claimed that the Great War had resumed.

"A bunch of Garmr's soul fragments appeared in the front lines. We can also see that several of them appeared in Midgard."

Odin kept explaining the situation.

"A battle will soon occur in the front lines, but that isn't our battlefield. We can't ignore Midgard. We can't let the giants put their hands on the soul fragments and awaken the World Wolf. We can't permit them trampling on the humans of Midgard."

Someone gulped dry saliva and another wanted to speak about the Great Barrier of Midgard.

Odin stayed silent for a moment. He gathered the eyes of the Gods and then said briefly,

"We are removing the Great Barrier of Midgard."

The great barrier had already a lot of holes in it, but of course, an enormous difference existed between opening it up completely and merely having holes in it; however, Odin decided to do that. It was because the existence of the Great Barrier was interfering in the deployment to Midgard.

"We will dispatch forces composed of mainly superior-ranked warriors to retrieve all of the soul fragments in one go and sweep up the giants that appeared in Midgard. After that, Freya will install the Great Barrier once again."

Regardless, the giants of Jotunheim wouldn't stay still watching.

But that was also the same for Asgard and Valhalla.

The eyes of the Gods moved to Freya. She flinched for a moment but then smiled as if telling them to relax.

"I have already prepared long ago. I can do it plentily."

With some meaning, her words were more comforting than the words of the King of Gods, Odin.

Freya smiled brightly once again to calm down the Gods and then glared at Odin slightly. Odin then spoke to her with his mind.

'We will debate about the specific details when the organization finishes. Did you retrieve the chest from Vanaheim?'

'The commander of Idun is bringing it right now. It won't take long.'

The commander of Idun.

The warrior of Idun.

Odin nodded. He turned to look at the other Gods and then ended the conference after some brief words.

Adenmaha didn't speak anymore. She'd loosened her body in a half unconscious state in Tae Ho's embrace, and Tae Ho still clutched Adenmaha tightly and gritted his teeth.

And after some time-

The Black Flash landed on the ground. The moment they landed, a terrible pain swept over Tae Ho and Adenmaha, but it was important that they could arrive on the ground.

'Hey, get down, quickly! Adenmaha is about to throw up!'

Cuchulainn got surprised and yelled. Tae Ho swung his arm rashly while still being in pain to throw the door open and then took Adenmaha and got out of the Black Flash.

"Hup! Burgh!"

Adenmaha, in pain while covering her mouth, threw herself to the ground and started to vomit. Tae Ho calmed himself by taking some air and then patted on Adenmaha's back.

'How terrible.'

Cuchulainn sincerely sympathized with Adenmaha. It wasn't only because she started to throw up in front of Tae Ho.

The place they had arrived was Freya's residence in her legion. The Valkyries and warriors that were waiting for Tae Ho looked at Adenmaha heaving her guts up and Tae Ho who was patting her back.

"Here. Blow your nose."

As Tae Ho gave her a handkerchief, Adenmaha blew her nose with a face filled with pain and embarrassment and then wiped off her mouth with another handkerchief. Her eyes were red.

And one of the Valkyries that had been looking at all of that got courage and said,

"Uh, um. Are you the commander of Idun?"

She knew it but was still asking because of the formalities.

Tae Ho checked Adenmaha's state for the last time and then stood up and faced the Valkyrie of Freya's legion.

"I am the commander of Idun. I received an order from Freya-nim and brought the chest of Vanaheim."

"I am Valkyrie Hrist of Freya's legion. Greetings to the commander of Idun."

The Valkyrie that expressed etiquette to Tae Ho quickly continued to speak.

"Freya-nim is currently in the central hall of Valhalla. We will deliver her the chest of Vanaheim."

The one that was entrusted with it was Tae Ho, so originally, this kind of intervention was a big rudeness; however, the situation was as it was. Tae Ho took out the chest of Vanaheim from Unnir and then gave it to Valkyrie Hrist.

"Thank you. A ship is waiting for you in the dock to bring you to Idun's legion."

Tae Ho nodded once again.

He would rather welcome being able to visit Idun's legion for a moment.

"Let's go, Adenmaha."

Adenmaha nodded once instead of answering and then followed Tae Ho's back. Valkyrie Sigrun and the ship of Idun's legion was waiting for him.

"Idun-nim is waiting for you."

There was no need to say anymore.

The ship started to head towards Idun's residence after boarding Tae Ho and Adenmaha.

< Episode 35 - Great War (2) > End

TL note: Thanks for reading~

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