90

Encounter with Trolls

Valkyrie's mount, Pegasus, was undoubtedly a prized target.

Without a word, the three of them silently agreed on a plan.

Forseti extended his middle finger, sensing a strange satisfaction in invoking the Hand of Reckoning.

"Hand of Reckoning!"

Holy light erupted from Forseti, striking Pegasus. The majestic creature, leisurely walking past, froze as anger flashed in its eyes upon Forseti.

"Neigh!" Pegasus snorted loudly, nostrils spewing sparks, and charged towards Forseti like a meteor.

Hela swiftly summoned her longsword, which materialized and flew towards Pegasus's wings. Despite the distance, Pegasus, swift and agile, dodged the blade aimed at its wings, continuing its charge towards Forseti.

Simultaneously, Forseti clenched his fist around Verrigan's hammer and unleashed Judgment!

A hammer composed of holy light and flames struck Pegasus, scorching its fur and staggering it, though not inflicting fatal damage.

"Chi-chi!" Pegasus neighed furiously, accelerating towards Forseti with even greater speed.

Before impact, Hermond intervened, whisking Forseti a hundred meters away in a flash, narrowly avoiding the collision with Pegasus.

"Boom!"

Pegasus collided with a rock, sending debris flying.

Seizing the opportunity, Hela's longsword struck again. Pegasus attempted to evade, but the sword's swift arcs left deep wounds, splattering blood.

"Neigh!" Pegasus cried out in pain, deciding against further combat, and hastily beat its wings to retreat into the distance.

In a swift motion, Hermond soared through the air, creating a sonic boom as he closed the gap and landed on Pegasus's back, gripping its neck tightly.

Pegasus shuddered and neighed in terror.

Hela's longsword flashed once more, carving wounds across Pegasus's wings.

Pegasus stumbled, eventually crashing to the ground with a resounding thud.

Despite the fall, Hermond smiled contentedly, "Luck was on our side today. Capturing a Pegasus right after leaving the assembly point is quite fortunate."

Forseti approached, administering basic first aid to Pegasus before securing its wings with a bandage.

Unexpectedly, Hela remarked, "Pegasus is a creature of intelligence and nobility. Restraining it excessively is unnecessary. A simple chain around its neck will suffice; it won't resist."

Forseti nodded in agreement.

Dragging a high-value creature like Pegasus on the ground seemed undignified, as Hela had suggested. Pegasus, displaying intelligence, did not resist the chain but breathed heavily, clearly still emotional.

They continued through the forest, leading Pegasus onward.

Day turned into night.

Hela, Forseti, and Hermond set up camp, preparing to rest.

"Squeal!"

Suddenly, the sound of a boar's cry echoed through the air. They turned to see a wild boar foraging nearby.

Hermond chuckled, "Forseti, use your Hand of Reckoning spell to draw it closer."

Forseti extended his middle finger, radiating holy light that illuminated the surroundings as brightly as daylight in the dark.

"Squeal!" The wild boar grew agitated, immediately charging towards the source of light—Forseti.

As the boar drew near, Hela summoned her longsword, swiftly piercing through the boar's head.

"So convenient," Hermond grinned, beginning to prepare the boar for roasting.

Hela inquired, "Forseti, what's the name of your spell?"

"Hand of Reckoning."

"Why that name?" Hela queried.

Forseti explained, "It judges all sins. When struck by the Hand of Reckoning, all the wrongs committed in this life flash through their mind, regardless of their scale."

"Unless one is a saint, the spell is certain to provoke a reaction."

Hela was intrigued, "Such a spell exists? Where did you learn it?"

Forseti hesitated momentarily, then crafted a suitable narrative.

He paused, recounting, "My father, Garri, was a warrior who fell from a cliff during battle. Fortunately, he was caught on a ledge where he found an oasis."

"Your father fell from a cliff too?" Hela chuckled, alluding to their own experiences in Jotunheim.

Forseti hesitated, flushing slightly. He coughed, continuing, "There, he encountered an injured monkey in the oasis, its wound stuffed with a book titled 'Light Magic.'"

Hermond, intrigued, commented as he cooked, "So your spells were passed down from your father?"

"No, my father perished before he could learn the first spell. I taught myself from the book he left behind," Forseti added.

Hela pondered, "Your spells seem different from typical magic."

"There are indeed distinctions, but it falls under the category of magic. After all, the power of holy light is also termed 'sacred magic' " Forseti elaborated.

Hermond, tending to the roast, suddenly remembered something and asked eagerly, "Forseti, could you use your Hand of Reckoning on me?"

Forseti looked puzzled, "Why?"

Hermond explained, "I've never heard of such a spell before. I'm curious to experience it firsthand. Surely, it won't have serious consequences, right?"

"No, but you might regret it," Forseti warned with a smile.

"Just a trial. Perhaps you're worried the light will attract trolls?" Hermond teased.

Forseti smiled, "I suspect you're hoping to relive your prying experiences."

As they bantered, a dozen large stones suddenly hurtled from the darkness.

Forseti's expression shifted. Instantly, he summoned the Hand of Reckoning, forming a shield of holy light that deflected the incoming stones.

"Boom!"

Hela's longsword swiped through the air, shattering the stones into pieces. Hermond swiftly evaded the attack and reappeared nearby.

"It's trolls!"

Over a dozen trolls clad in standard armor emerged from the night, charging towards them, shouting, "Die, Asgardians!"

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