Saint Seiya Cloth Forger - 160/161 (Patreon)

Chapter 160: Asgard

Asgard.

An aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing descended onto the plaza in front of the statue of Odin at Valhalla Palace.

Saori Kido stepped off the plane accompanied by Seiya and the others.

"So this is Asgard?"

"Wasn't this place supposed to be covered in ice and snow all year round?"

"And that giant tree. Is that the Forbidden Tree Ryosho mentioned, the World Tree?"

"It's huge!"

Seiya and the others looked around in amazement.

Although they were in the far north, there was no trace of cold.

On the contrary, the weather here felt much like the Sanctuary, with bright sunshine and the warmth of spring.

Deep in the mountains behind Valhalla Palace, an enormous tree towered into the clouds. Even from the palace grounds, it could be seen clearly.

Seven massive branches extended from its trunk. Each thick limb was covered in dense foliage and supported a palace of its own.

Another enormous palace rested atop the crown of the tree.

Saori Kido raised her head and looked at the statue of Odin. After gazing at it briefly, she turned her attention toward the World Tree.

Her brows drew together slightly as she sensed the network of roots spreading through Asgard, along with the strange and sinister pulses emanating from them.

The situation was even worse than she had imagined.

Wherever the people of Asgard gathered, the World Tree's roots grew especially dense.

Worse still, those roots were constantly drawing energy from the earth and even absorbing the life energy of every living creature upon it.

Just as Loki had said, the World Tree was fully capable of devouring the people of Asgard and rapidly bearing its evil fruit.

But clearly, Loki was not satisfied with that alone.

Although the lives within Asgard were enough for the World Tree to bear fruit, the Eternal Spear growing within it would probably not be powerful enough to satisfy him.

He didn't merely intend to use the Eternal Spear to seize control of Asgard. He also coveted the Sanctuary, the entire Earthly Realm, and even Poseidon's Marine Realm and Hades's Underworld. Perhaps he even dreamed of challenging the Gods of the Heaven Realm.

And if he wanted to fulfill those ambitions, Athena's divine power was indispensable.

While Saori Kido was deep in thought, Asgardian soldiers quickly surrounded them with weapons in hand.

Seiya, Shun, Hyoga, and Shiryu immediately moved in front of Saori Kido to protect her.

"Heh, heh, heh... Athena, you really did walk straight into the trap yourself. I honestly don't know whether I should praise your noble character or mock your foolishness..."

The sound of clashing metal rang out as a God Warrior clad in a black dragon-shaped battle suit emerged from between the soldiers as they parted.

The man had dull, lifeless eyes, with several strands of white hair protruding from beneath his helmet. His gaze was sinister, and his face looked vicious. Although he wore a smile, there was nothing pleasant about it. His presence only sent a chill down the spine.

Fafner placed one hand against his chest, bowed, and chuckled.

"Níðhöggr Fafner greets you, Athena. I've been waiting here for quite some time."

Saori Kido frowned slightly and spoke with calm authority.

"Where is Andreas? Take me to him."

"Of course, of course... but before that..." Fafner licked his lips and rubbed his hands together, greed written plainly across his face. "Athena, I was hoping you might grant me a single drop of your blood... or if that's inconvenient, I can take it myself."

"You bastard..."

"Saori-san... Athena isn't someone the likes of you can profane!"

The moment Seiya heard those offensive words, he clenched his fists and shouted angrily.

"You had to bring your own Goddess here as a hostage, and Athena's Saints still have the nerve to bark at me?" Fafner turned toward Seiya and mocked him without restraint. "Don't forget where you are. This is Andreas-sama's Asgard. Athena's Saints have no place to speak here."

"What did you say...?"

Seiya couldn't tolerate such provocation. Without hesitation, he threw a punch.

"Pegasus Meteor Fist!"

Fafner instantly drew his double-headed spear and spun it rapidly, blocking every one of Seiya's attacks.

"I was wondering how impressive you'd be. Fists that slow hardly deserve to be called a Meteor Fist."

"What? He blocked the Meteor Fist!"

Seiya continued burning his Cosmo, trying to increase the speed of his punches. Yet for some reason, the more he burned his Cosmo, the faster it drained away.

"Dragonewt Bullet!"

Fafner thrust his double-headed spear forward in an instant. Purple projectiles shot from its tips one after another, striking Seiya and sending him flying backward before he crashed to the ground.

"Seiya!"

Shiryu, Hyoga, and Shun cried out in alarm.

The three immediately attacked Fafner together, but the result was the same.

With their Cosmo constantly being drained by the effect of the World Tree, none of them was a match for the God Warrior Fafner.

"So these are Athena's Saints... Pathetic!"

Fafner lowered his double-headed spear and let out a sinister chuckle before turning toward Saori Kido.

He rubbed his hands together.

"Athena... it seems I'll have to do this myself. Don't blame me."

As he spoke, he approached Saori Kido and reached out to grab her.

"Athena..."

"Saori-san..."

Seiya and the others struggled on the ground as they watched Fafner reach toward Saori Kido.

At that moment, Saori Kido spoke.

Her voice wasn't loud, yet it carried unquestionable authority.

"I said... take me to Andreas."

Fafner's hand froze in midair.

The moment he met the girl's calm gaze, a tremor rising from the depths of his soul swept through his entire body.

His pupils contracted. His body began to shake, and cold sweat poured down his cheeks like rain.

He lasted only a moment before dropping to his knees with a thud.

Trembling, he answered, "Y-yes..."

In the palace atop the World Tree's crown, Andreas sat upon a purple throne dressed in white robes and a blue cloak.

He smiled faintly.

"As expected of the Goddess of War and Wisdom... she is indeed not someone a mere God Warrior can profane."

...

"Athena..."

"Saori-san..."

Seiya and the others watched as Saori Kido prepared to leave with the God Warrior Fafner.

Still lying on the ground, they called after her anxiously.

Saori Kido turned back and gave them a gentle smile.

"Seiya, don't worry about me. Leave this place first and regroup with Ryosho and the others. I believe you'll be able to destroy the World Tree and stop Andreas's ambitions."

"Saori-san..."

...

Elsewhere in Asgard, in a small village.

"Quick! They're just ahead. We can't let them escape this time!"

A group of Asgardian soldiers charged into the village through the wind and snow, accompanied by the neighing of horses.

The once-quiet village immediately erupted into commotion.

The terrified villagers hid inside their wooden houses, cautiously peering outside through narrow cracks in the doors.

They saw a lightly dressed court maiden stumbling through the snow, accompanied by two elegantly dressed young women.

Behind them, Asgardian soldiers were in hot pursuit.

...

Chapter 161: Alberich’s Ambition

Amid the howling blizzard, a horse’s shrill neigh rang out, followed by the rapid clatter of hooves. A white horse came to a stop as its rider pulled back on the reins.

The tall steed reared the moment it was brought to a halt, its powerful forelegs lifting off the ground as it neighed again. When its hooves struck the ground, it snorted, sending clouds of hot breath billowing from its nostrils.

“Alberich-sama, Queen Hilda has fled into the village. She only has two young girls with her now. It won’t be long before we capture her.”

“And then you’ll receive Andreas-sama’s reward!”

An Asgardian Soldier clad in leather armor and a horned helmet reported eagerly, his tone openly ingratiating.

The red-haired Alberich narrowed his eyes and glanced at the Asgardian Soldier.

“Enough nonsense. If you let Hilda escape again, you can answer to me with your heads!”

“Yes, sir!”

After watching the soldier retreat, Alberich tightened his grip on the reins.

Andreas...

Alberich had no intention of remaining beneath another man forever. Once he captured Hilda, he would be able to summon the seven legendary God Robes, gather all Seven Sapphires, and obtain the Balmung Sword.

With the Balmung Sword in his hands, a mere Andreas would be nothing to fear.

Then Alberich himself could truly reign over Asgard and become the true ruler of its lands.

...

“Quick! Seal off the village and search every house. We absolutely cannot let Queen Hilda escape again!”

Outside the house, the clash of weapons mingled with hurried footsteps, making Freya and Lyfia, who were hiding inside, tremble with fear.

A white-bearded old man entered with an oil lamp in hand, panic written across his face.

“Queen Hilda, they’re searching every house. You can’t stay here any longer. Quickly, come with me. There’s a cellar behind the house. Hide there for now.”

“Sir, thank you so much for helping us...” Hilda was utterly exhausted. She looked at the white-bearded old man and thanked him sincerely.

Tears streamed down the old man’s face. “This is terrible! How could they slander you, Queen Hilda, by calling you an Evil God, and even treat you with such disrespect? Have they forgotten everything you’ve done for them?”

Hilda gave him a weary smile. “They’ve only been deceived. This isn’t what they truly want.”

“Ah...”

The old man let out a deep sigh.

Were they all blind?

How could Queen Hilda, who was so kind and gentle, who safeguarded the peace of Asgard and protected its people, possibly be an Evil God?

He still remembered the snow disaster not long ago, when Queen Hilda had braved the bitter cold to personally bring supplies to their village.

If not for Queen Hilda, this village would have ceased to exist long ago!

How could a queen like her possibly be an Evil God?

Those people truly were blind!

The old man led Hilda and the others into the cellar. After sealing the entrance, he hurried back into the house.

Before long, pounding sounded at the door, followed by the crash of pots, bowls, and dishes being smashed.

“Queen Hilda, are you all right?” Lyfia, her long blue hair falling around her shoulders, crouched beside Hilda and took her icy hand, her voice filled with concern.

“I’m fine. I’m just exhausted.” Hilda rested her cold hand over Lyfia’s and gently reassured her.

Freya looked at the weakened Hilda and could no longer hold back her quiet sobs.

Syd, Hägen, Mime, Sigmund, Útgarðar, Fróði, even the Crow Saint from the Sanctuary, had all stayed behind to protect them as they escaped. None of them knew whether they were still alive!

And now the three of them had reached their limit as well. They no longer had the strength to keep running.

“Don’t cry, Freya...” Sitting on the freezing floor, Hilda smiled despite her exhaustion. She raised a hand and gently stroked Freya’s golden hair.

“The Crow Saint has already asked the Sanctuary for reinforcements. I’m sure the Sanctuary will send someone soon.”

“But... but Hägen...” Freya began crying even harder.

“Queen Hilda, your hands are so cold...” Lyfia rubbed Hilda’s icy hands, but no matter how much she tried, she could not warm them. Then she noticed that Hilda’s entire body was trembling. “Queen Hilda, you have a fever...”

Just as Hilda forced herself to insist that she was fine, Alberich’s deep voice came from outside.

“Queen Hilda, I know you’re hiding somewhere in this village.”

Hilda and the others immediately held their breath, listening intently to Alberich’s voice.

“I’ve gathered all the villagers together, and every one of them claims they haven’t seen you.”

“But that doesn’t matter. I’m sure they’ll tell the truth soon enough.”

“Because as far as I’m concerned, they have already sided with the Evil God. That makes them traitors to Asgard!”

“So, starting now, I will execute one traitor who has sided with the Evil God every three minutes, until you come out, Queen Hilda.”

“The countdown begins now.”

“That bastard! He’s threatening us with the lives of innocent villagers...”

“How did we never realize Alberich was such a shameless, despicable man?”

Freya and Lyfia, Hilda’s maid, spoke indignantly.

Hilda’s breathing grew heavier and more labored. She opened her eyes.

“Freya, Lyfia, help me outside.”

“But, Sister...”

“I’m the one they want. I can’t let innocent villagers be dragged into this.”

...

Alberich sat atop his tall horse, looking down at the dozens of villagers who had been gathered in the center of the village. Men, women, the elderly, and children all shivered in the freezing wind as the raging blizzard quickly covered them in snow.

“Grandpa, I’m scared...”

A little boy bundled in thick clothing pressed himself against an old man and spoke timidly.

“Don’t be afraid, child. God Odin will never forgive these demons. Sooner or later, they will face God Odin’s punishment!”

“Hmph. God Odin...” Alberich gave a cold laugh when he heard him, then raised his voice again. “Queen Hilda, you have one minute left.”

As he spoke, he ordered the soldiers to drag the little boy out of the crowd.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!”

The boy cried out in terror. Tears streamed down the old man’s face as he desperately clung to the child, but he was no match for the soldiers. Two of them quickly tore the boy from his grasp and dragged him away.

The cries of the old man and the child echoed through the village.

“Ten seconds left...” Alberich looked around, then signaled for a soldier to raise his blade.

“Five.”

“Four.”

...

Alberich began counting down.

“Alberich, release the villagers!”

Hilda’s weak voice suddenly rang out. She stood alone, supporting herself against the outer wall of a wooden house. Gasping heavily, she fixed Alberich with a stern gaze.

“You finally decided to show yourself!”

“Where are Freya and Lyfia?”

“I’m the one you want. They have nothing to do with this. I know what you’re after. If you don’t want your plans to come to nothing, release the villagers, and leave Freya and the others alone.”

Hilda drew a deep breath and walked toward him step by step through the wind and snow. The freezing wind swept her long gray-blue hair high into the air, and an indescribably sacred presence seemed to radiate from her.

For a moment, even Alberich felt uneasy.

After thinking it over, he gave a cold laugh.

“Very well. As you wish!”

“Take her away!”

Two soldiers quickly stepped forward and reached out to seize Hilda.

“I can walk by myself!”

Hilda gave them a cold glance, and both soldiers immediately froze with their hands suspended in midair.

No matter what had happened, she was still Queen Hilda. They did not dare lay their hands on her so disrespectfully.

The two soldiers withdrew their hands and silently followed behind her.

Hilda began walking away.

“You can’t go with them, Queen Hilda!”

“That’s right! They’ll kill you!”

“Queen Hilda!”

As the villagers watched Hilda being taken away, their anger erupted. Remembering all the kindness she had shown them, they tried to rush forward and save her.

But the Asgardian Soldiers surrounded them with weapons drawn, leaving them no way through.

Hilda turned back and smiled at them.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Take care of yourselves and keep living.”

Only after Hilda had gone some distance did Alberich glance back at the captain of the guard. He drew a finger across his throat and whispered so quietly that almost no one could hear him.

“Kill everyone in this village who saw Queen Hilda.”

The captain of the guard nodded.

For the sake of Alberich’s ambitions, word that Hilda had been captured could not be allowed to spread.

After Alberich left, the captain of the guard raised his blade.

“Don’t blame me. You only have yourselves to blame for seeing Queen Hilda...”

He lifted his weapon and gave the order.

“Alberich-sama’s orders! Anyone who saw Queen Hilda is to be killed. Leave no one alive! And find Freya and Lyfia as quickly as possible.”

With that, he swung his blade down.

At that very moment, the caw of a crow suddenly rang out.

A crow that had been perched on a rooftop for some time suddenly took flight and swooped straight at the captain of the guard.

At the same time, another crow’s cry sounded from nearby.

In that brief instant, a figure appeared among the villagers.

“Who are you?”

“The man who’s going to kill you.”

The cold voice rang out.

The man raised one hand slightly. In an instant, streaks of golden light appeared beneath the soldiers’ feet and shot straight into the sky.

In the blink of an eye, not a single soldier remained standing except the captain of the guard.

The captain stared at the man standing before the villagers, clad in a Cloth shaped like a goat. His pupils contracted sharply.

“Y-you are...”

Shura stood with his eyes closed, one hand raised like a blade.

In the next instant, he brought it down upon the captain of the guard.