144 Parting and Sorrow

Arkhan quickly accepted Thrud's allegiance.

Whether out of some noble sentiment or not, after witnessing her confused and aimless demeanor over the millennia, he indeed developed a desire to liberate her.

So, even if Artoria didn't say it, he would do it anyway. Because he knew he could do it, and doing so was right.

When others are in peril or lost, and you happen to have a way to save them, what's there to hesitate about?

Thrud stood up again, her red eyes filled with a strong determination, instantly restoring the valiant and heroic demeanor of the warrior maiden she once was.

Artoria breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of a smile finally appearing on her face.

"My Lord, please give your command." Thrud said firmly.

"Take us to Bifrost first." Arkhan said while looking at the sky. "I need to visit Helheim."

"Understood." Thrud nodded, turning and leading Arkhan and Artoria toward the direction of the rainbow bridge.

After about twenty minutes, the trio finally passed through Valhalla and saw a vast and boundless sea ahead. However, under the reflection of the sky, the sea's color also turned a fiery red, resembling flowing lava.

"That is Bifrost."

Thrud pointed forward, indicating a wide crystal bridge on the sea, large enough to accommodate over a hundred people walking side by side.

However, like other structures, this crystal bridge also appeared severely damaged.

"What are those?" Artoria asked in surprise.

Many horrifying monsters roamed the crystal bridge. Some looked like giants with dark tentacles covered in teeth and eyes on their backs. Others resembled aggregations of tumors, with exposed brains wriggling on the ground like insect hawks. There was also a giant centipede made of bones, with skulls impaled on its bone spikes and human hands and feet replacing its limbs.

These monsters, emerging as if from the depths of a nightmare, were surrounded by dense black mist. Even from a distance, the palpable aura of death emanating from them was unmistakable.

"When Ragnarok happened, Hela used the properties of Bifrost to reverse the path to Asgard, allowing the dead from Helheim, as well as the giants from Jotunheim and Muspelheim to enter..."

Thrud explained calmly as if narrating an insignificant event. However, her fist was clenched tightly, and her knuckles had a faint tinge of blue and white.

"At that time, the gods were held back on the front lines by powerful enemies. To prevent Asgard from falling, Valkyries and Einherjar fought with all their might, battling the dead and giants continuously for ten days and nights until, in the end, they perished together. These creatures that died on the battlefield were tainted by the aura of Helheim, their souls corrupted, turning them into what you see now."

"So, you're saying these monsters are actually..." Artoria widened her eyes.

Thrud's brows slightly furrowed.

"Yes, among them are those Valkyries and Einherjar who once fought for Asgard."

Artoria fell into silence. Who could have imagined that those warriors who once fought for their homes would change into such a gruesome state?

They were heroes deserving of respect in their lifetime, yet their noble souls were trapped in these bodies tainted by evil after death.

This shouldn't be the fate of heroes.

"Go, Lily..." Arkhan suddenly said. "Let them have their final departure."

"Yes, Teacher!" Artoria nodded solemnly.

With a swift leap, propelled by the power of the Invisible Air, she arrived in front of Bifrost.

The monsters, long dead but unusually sensitive to the breath of the living, halted as she touched down. In unison, they turned and their gaze fixed on the golden-haired girl.

Like beggars starved for ages spotting a steaming loaf of bread, the monsters charged toward her, unleashing insane roars and mutterings.

Artoria, unfazed by the demonic visages, extended her hand, and Excalibur appeared.

"Seal Thirteen—Decision start!"

*Buzz—!!!*

The sword buzzed as countless light particles surged from all directions, storming into Excalibur, elevating its power several notches.

"Lost souls of a thousand years, return to your rightful place!"

"Sheathed in the breath of the planet, a torrent of shining life! Let us end this! EX—CALIBUR—!!!"

Artoria swung the holy sword down, and a grandiose golden pillar of light erupted, flooding the entire world.

*ROAAARRR—!!!*

The monsters wailed in agonizing pain, their bodies rapidly consumed by the light.

As the monsters vanished, ethereal figures remained—pure, white, and ghostly. Some were clad in armor, others with wings atop their heads. They looked at Artoria, smiles playing on their lips, nodding in gratitude.

They glanced around the world, sighed with nostalgia and regret, then dispersed like the wind.

Suddenly, two souls bypassed Artoria and flew straight past her.

Two Valkyries, identical in appearance but one with pink hair, the other with black, hovered in front of Thrud. Warm smiles filled their red eyes.

"Ortlinde... Hildr..." Thrud murmured.

Seeing these familiar faces, Thrud's eyes welled with tears. She reached out to touch her once-dear friends, but all she felt was emptiness.

Witnessing this, her gaze dimmed, while Ortlinde and Hildr wore expressions of regret.

Suddenly, two crimson feathers fell from the void, merging into Ortlinde and Hildr, solidifying their forms.

"Last minute, say what you want." Arkhan said calmly and turned his gaze away.

Ortlinde and Hildr nodded in gratitude, then approached Thrud. One on each side, they embraced her.

Feeling the familiar warmth, Thrud couldn't hold back her emotions; tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Don't mourn for us, Thrud. Death is not the final destination." Ortlinde spoke.

"Believe that in the promised future, we will meet again." Hildr added.

"I know... hiks... I trust you... I trust you... hiks..." Thrud sobbed in response.

""Then it's settled.""

Ortlinde and Hildr spoke simultaneously with a relief tone. While smiling, they gradually dispersed like bubbles.

"AAAHHH—!!!"

Thrud sat on the ground, crying like a helpless little girl.