Typemoon [443-444] (Patreon)

Chapter 443: The Mystery of Flames

Beep beep.

"Mash has sent a map with intelligence on the location of the leyline node!"

With Da Vinci-chan, Sherlock Holmes, and the other Shadow Border staff all busy adjusting the submarine's equipment, waiting for the initial and final leyline to be in position.

Goredolf Musik, who had been idle all along, took on the role of communications officer. After waking up from a nap, he sat in his seat, constantly monitoring for any incoming intelligence and attempting contacts at specific times.

And this wait finally paid off—it was the location of the leyline node that everyone in Chaldea had been eagerly anticipating!

Although this intelligence was purchased from that detestable woman Goredolf couldn't forget, for the sake of the bigger picture, Goredolf had to grit his teeth and ignore that detail in the report.

With the leyline node secured, Chaldea could finally use the earth's magical energy to replenish the Shadow Border's power.

In his utmost excitement, Goredolf rushed to the workshop and informed Da Vinci-chan and Holmes of this intelligence. The two exchanged a glance and set down their work.

"Sir Alaric and the others haven't returned; they've sent the intelligence directly back."

Da Vinci-chan pulled up the data, quickly glanced at the leyline node locations circled by Koyanskaya, compared them to the terrain captured by the deployed drone Mystic Code, and soon determined the direction and exact position. She then said, "In that case, we'll have to head to the nearest location first—"

"There's a certain risk."

Holmes, pipe in mouth, gazed deeply and said, "Currently, the Shadow Border has remained safe thanks to the barrier and terrain factors. If we prepare to move to the leyline's position, there's inevitably a risk of encountering combat.

And right now, the only combat-capable personnel left in Chaldea is me—"

Relying solely on Holmes's own combat abilities, while he could handle giants, stronger enemies would be beyond him.

With Mash and Alaric, the combat units, not yet returned, even with the leyline secured, the Shadow Border couldn't perform Servant summoning, as it required Mash's Round Table.

"If it's just giants, we should be able to evade them using the Shadow Border's mobility. I can also maintain a barrier outside the Shadow Border to block the giants' senses."

Da Vinci-chan said, "But since we'd be moving constantly, the effect won't be as good as our current stealth state, and it won't fool a Servant like Sigurd."

"Then why not just call Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others back?"

Seeing Da Vinci-chan and Holmes going back and forth, Goredolf looked puzzled and said, "Summon them back, and our combat strength will be sufficient. We can even start the plan directly."

"That still wouldn't be enough. We can't guarantee that Sir Alaric, in his current state, can protect the Shadow Border while repelling Sigurd once."

Da Vinci-chan shook her head and said, "Although producing the Homunculus requires Alaric, there's a buffer period before that. We need them to buy that time outside."

"What are they doing outside?"

Goredolf didn't understand and said, "Technical Advisor, do you have some other combat mission to assign to the investigation team?"

Even Goredolf, by now, had sensed something off.

It seemed Da Vinci-chan had other ideas she wanted to entrust to the investigation team of Ritsuka Fujimaru, Mash, and the others.

"We can avoid giants, but not Sigurd, so we must ensure to the maximum extent that Sigurd doesn't appear here."

Holmes said, "So, how to ensure Sigurd doesn't appear? We have to engage him in a preemptive encounter and hold him off."

"Therefore, Alaric, Ritsuka Fujimaru, and Mash can't return for now."

Da Vinci-chan edited the message and said, "According to Mash's report, they obtained the leyline node location after trading with Koyanskaya, so it's possible they can get intelligence on Sigurd's location.

If we act on that premise, we might be able to hold Sigurd back."

"But there's still risk, right?"

Goredolf retorted, "Previously, Sir Alaric's fight with that masked knight-like Sigurd was quite difficult, wasn't it? Can he fight in this situation now?"

"He can, Mr. Goredolf."

Holmes nodded and said, "If no other factors interfere, Alaric alone can battle Sigurd. Based on time estimates, Alaric should have accumulated quite a bit of magical energy by now, enough for him to unleash most of his power in combat."

"But this is all just talk; let's wait for the frontline report." Da Vinci-chan sent the message and said, "However, we should prepare to head to the leyline node—"

…

Meanwhile.

Far in the Forest of Ice, Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others also learned the true identity of the so-called Lostbelt King.

"The Lostbelt's Scáthach, huh—"

Ritsuka Fujimaru nodded thoughtfully and said, "But with a benevolent divinity?"

The intelligence Koyanskaya provided wasn't much, but it had already unveiled the true face of the Lostbelt King, the sole god, to Ritsuka Fujimaru and the others.

It was largely similar to the Scáthach of the Lostbelt that Ritsuka Fujimaru understood.

Her essence was completely different from the Scáthach of Proper Human History; she was a god established only in this Lostbelt, an existence heavily inclined toward queenly qualities.

She exhibited many traits of the Norse giant and mountain goddess—Skadi—who shared origins with the Celtic hero Scáthach.

Rather than a Scáthach with strong Skadi aspects, it was more accurate to describe her as Skadi possessing some qualities of Scáthach.

The name Skadi means Harm-Bringer in Old Norse.

According to the description in the Elder Edda's Grímnismál, she is the daughter of the dreadful giant Thjazi, living with her father in an ancient mansion in the noisy land of Thrymheim.

Later, she married into the Norse gods, thus also known as the beautiful bride of the gods.

Legend has it she is a master hunter in the mountains and a ski expert.

And this god, the sole pillar in this Scandinavian Lostbelt, is the only god remaining on the surface after Ragnarök.

As the Mother of Scandinavia, she loves everything here.

She loves humans, thus non-love means death.

"..."

Alaric fell slightly silent and said, "Then, who is contending with her? Skadi represents the ice and snow covering Scandinavia, so whose flames are those?

No, fundamentally, there's only one god, so the flames must belong to a giant."

"That's a secret, you know? After all, it's my bestie's little secret. If you're curious, Sir Alaric, you could go find Ophelia; she might tell you the answer."

Koyanskaya, not intending to sell this intelligence, chuckled and said, "Of course, I can provide the castle's location for free as an extra bonus~?"

"Fine."

Alaric casually crushed his pipe and said nonchalantly, "I'll visit sometime—"

"Sir Alaric, a message from Da Vinci-chan."

At that moment, Mash, having received the message, quietly approached and informed Alaric and Ritsuka Fujimaru of the details.

Upon hearing this, Alaric immediately changed his mind and smiled, "Miss Koyanskaya, mind if we go together?"

Chapter 444: Ophelia

"I'd be honored." Koyanskaya, not opposed to leading the way, chuckled and said, "Since Sir Alaric plans to head to the castle, allow me to be your tour guide~~"

She had overheard Mash and Alaric's whispers clearly.

Though she didn't know Chaldea's exact purpose, she could roughly understand the idea of buying time to draw magical energy from the leyline.

To buy that bit of time, they were having Alaric and Master Ritsuka Fujimaru take the risk of heading to the Lostbelt King's location, facing the god while also holding back Sigurd.

This was truly—

Super interesting.

With the mindset of providing full service, Tour Guide Koyanskaya led the tourist group of three on the road to the castle.

During the journey, they passed by Village No. 23. Although no demigods like the Valkyries appeared, Alaric vaguely sensed the presences of those young men and women from the morning in the Forest of Ice.

Even though the ritual had been disrupted, they had successfully left the village under the arriving Valkyries' guidance.

Alaric, helpless about this, didn't inform Ritsuka Fujimaru or Mash, because he had detected not just human presences, but far more giant presences.

It was already too late.

Aside from this interlude, Alaric also purchased many magical materials and mana blocks from Koyanskaya, rapidly depleting the value of one tail.

In return, Mash's shield space kept gaining new treasures.

This pleasant journey quietly ended upon sighting the castle standing at the end.

One glance was enough to understand it was a residence for the noble, an ice and snow city built solely for the king to sit enthroned within.

It seemed not designed with fortress functions in mind, merely a superficial structure created to display grandeur in appearance.

"From a design perspective, it should be a modern product, right?"

Mash gazed from afar, constantly examining the castle composed of ice blocks. Chilling air was visibly emanating, as if it were a forbidden zone for life.

Beside her, Ritsuka Fujimaru kept rubbing her hands. Although she had Da Vinci-chan's talisman and the Mystic Code uniform to maintain optimal body temperature, there were limits.

Especially when facing a god's abode.

Faced with even greater mystery, even the talisman might fail.

"This castle is the largest structure in the Scandinavian Lostbelt, you know!"

Tour Guide Koyanskaya dutifully explained, "Or rather, there aren't many buildings here to begin with, because the humans capable of building luxurious structures are already the god's pets~~"

"A city of ice and snow, with an actual living god residing within—this counts as a divine temple, right?"

Alaric gazed at the ice bridge extending from the castle, the sole path to the temple, exuding an air of aloof nobility, as if none should rightfully tread there.

"Mash, where is this place?"

Ritsuka Fujimaru, exhaling visible breath, asked curiously, "That sun is getting bigger and bigger."

"It's probably in the northern Oslofjord of the Scandinavian Peninsula, known as Oslo in Proper Human History."

Mash hesitated and said, "Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway, serving as Norway's political, economic, cultural, transportation center, and main port. It's also the seat of the Norwegian royal family and government.

It's said to be one of Europe's wealthiest, safest cities with the highest standard of living, and one of the happiest cities in the world."

"Oslo, huh? That's a nice spot."

Alaric nodded and said, "This temple sure knows how to pick a location. Miss Koyanskaya, how do we get in?"

"Just walk right in~~"

Koyanskaya winked and smiled, "There's no such thing as a back door~"

"Then it seems there is one."

Alaric assessed his current magical energy reserves. If he encountered Sigurd again, he might not be unable to fight. As long as it was within his Spirit Origin's tolerance, releasing magical energy could close much of the gap.

Although he knew there were backdoor-like passages, Alaric still chose to enter the castle through the front gate.

"We've entered a vast space like a grand hall."

Mash, walking at the front, looked tense and said, "Magical energy reactions around—there's powerful magical energy in the surrounding area, almost as if the entire castle is emanating magical energy. And it's highly similar to the Age of Gods' True Ether from Mesopotamia; it's an Age of Gods environment!"

The magical energy pervading the Scandinavian Lostbelt was indeed strong, but it still fell short of a true Age of Gods. But here was different; as someone who had experienced Mesopotamia, Mash could affirm it was an environment filled with True Ether!

"..."

Alaric's gaze narrowed, directed at the figure seated high on the throne.

The voice of the god descended.

"That's correct."

The sole god thus declared the truth: "This city of ice and snow was constructed by my magical energy. In other words, you are like standing in my belly.

See, you can't sense the presence of the Servant beside you, right? After all, this is solidified Scandinavian snow. But you can try continuing to use your authority to seize my power."

"This voice is—!"

Upon hearing it, Mash's gaze narrowed, and like Alaric, she looked toward the figure seated high on the throne.

"The so-called god—"

The sole god said thus: "Is eternal, is absolute.

Since ancient times, humans have found gods in all things of the world. But in my world, my Scandinavian Lostbelt, there is only the sole god."

"If god is all-encompassing, so am I;

If god is higher power, so am I."

The god who had risen emanated boundless divine might, a terror surpassing human intellect, occupying vision, hearing, and smell.

"I've heard that the gods of Proper Human History have vanished, reduced to Divine Spirits, and most humans cannot see their forms. How painful it must be to survive in such a world?"

The god who held utmost love for humans showed sorrow and said, "You must hide objects of reverence in your hearts and rely on so-called idols. But—here, there is me."

The god, like ice and snow, thus declared: "I permit you to bow before me. Children of man, let Scáthach-Skadi grant you love."

It was a gaze as gentle as a mother's, though as a god, her appearance was more youthful, yet under this aura, she seemed more like an elder.

The deep purple gown displayed utmost nobility, with slender jade feet in black stockings faintly visible under the hem, a form so perfect one could find no fault.

And this existence left Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash frozen in place. They had naturally seen Scáthach before, so upon seeing Scáthach-Skadi, they were shocked by this impactful sight.

"It's really Scáthach—"

Ritsuka Fujimaru murmured, "This is truly astonishing. What would Cú Chulainn think if he saw this?"

"Hm? Why react only to the name of an individual in my composition?"

Skadi looked puzzled but soon realized and smiled faintly, "Ah, yes, I've heard. The Crypter said you've encountered Servants from Proper Human History, like the Celtic female warrior named Scáthach? Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with her origins."

This was quite normal, for though Skadi was a god, she was not omniscient or omnipotent—merely a god.

But—

"But I know you quite well."

Skadi's gaze swept over Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash, finally resting on the ever-silent Alaric, and said, "You fight valiantly within that iron block called the Shadow Border, right? You've even rescued my beloved children of humanity, though there seems to have been a misunderstanding in Village No. 23.

I forgive, I forgive it all. I will grant you love as well.

It's impressive you survived the assault of the demonic sword. Thus, inflicting pain on living beings again is not my intention."

"Is this the love of a god?" Alaric asked calmly, "Skadi, may I ask how you plan to deal with us?"

"I permit you to survive in Scandinavia. As a god, I grant you only two things."

Skadi said matter-of-factly, "Non-love means death.

Since I've decided to grant you love, I won't kill you. Ah, but—"

At this point, Skadi suddenly showed a subtle expression and said, "I won't tell you the location of the Fantasy Tree. Give up."

"!"

Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash, not expecting Skadi to mention the Fantasy Tree at this moment, were slightly stunned, immediately feeling a sense of foreboding.

Meanwhile, Alaric quickly pondered.

Based on Skadi's reaction, it could basically be determined that Skadi acknowledged the fact that the Scandinavian Lostbelt was a pruning target and had cooperated with the Crypter Ophelia.

Unlike Russia's Ivan the Terrible, Skadi had most likely allowed the Fantasy Tree to take root, so its growth might be unexpectedly good.

Compared to these two, the Chinese Lostbelt's Fantasy Tree was practically hidden, completely invisible.

Perhaps only the Crypter Kadoc knew its true location; Da Vinci-chan might have some clues too.

Alaric, not dwelling on this issue, stared at Skadi.

As Skadi had proclaimed, within this castle, Alaric's senses were maximally restricted, but in exchange, he gained a relatively superior magical energy environment.

Indeed, the castle was constructed from Skadi's magical energy, and the atmosphere was filled with her mana, but Alaric could utilize it as well.

If battle broke out, he could strike with a thunderous blow right from the start!

"You plan to cut it down, right?"

Skadi smiled faintly and said, "I can't ignore that. Mm, Thrud."

With Skadi's words, a slender figure appeared in an instant—it was an existence not much different from the female warriors they had seen in Village No. 23.

But with just one glance, Alaric could determine it was on a completely different level.

Her lustrous golden hair shone brilliantly, with two petite, adorable wings standing like long ears on her head.

If the female Valkyrie encountered in No. 23 was mass-production level, then the one appearing here was prototype level!

And her name proclaimed it all.

A member of the Valkyries—

"I am here. Are you calling me, goddess?"

Thrud asked calmly.

Not long ago, she had been awakened as the prototype Valkyrie granted to Skadi by the great god Odin, and now she was summoned again upon manifestation.

Skadi looked at Alaric and said faintly, "Capture them. Though it's not yet a flaw, they've begun to form groups. In that case, they should be placed by my side to be properly cherished."

"Understood."

Thrud nodded and said, "Confirming command input, Scáthach-Skadi."

With that, Thrud turned to face Alaric, her cold gaze locking tightly onto the most threatening presence in the room.

Valkyrie—with martial prowess foremost, how could she guide warriors' souls without top-tier combat ability?

"Don't kill them; they too are children living in Scandinavia."

Skadi reminded.

"Then I will attempt incapacitation without killing. Activating Swan Mystic Code, commencing light spear performance release."

The light spear in Thrud's hand burst with brilliance, the power proclaimed by the great god liberated at this moment—it was an existence similar to the Gáe Bolg held by the Child of Light Cú Chulainn.

Upon True Name release, it achieves a sure-hit effect, though lacking the fatal curse on the heart.

"Where's Sigurd? Have him come too."

Alaric said calmly, gazing at Skadi, "Do you expect to take me down with just a Valkyrie?"

Alaric's purpose this trip was to restrain Sigurd, preventing him from striking again. Fighting only a Valkyrie clearly didn't align with that goal.

"Sir Alaric, you must not be careless."

Mash reminded, "Although the castle's peculiarities greatly reduce magical energy sensing, I still feel a pressure different from the mass-production Valkyries."

"Of course, this one is a genuine Valkyrie."

Alaric said casually, "She's one of the daughters of the great god Odin. Don't underestimate her."

"Then we—"

Just as Mash was about to say something, Thrud spoke, "Scáthach-Skadi, to eliminate unnecessary factors, please permit the release of the fire giant.

If fighting alongside the fire giant, the difficulty of suppression without killing the targets will significantly decrease."

"Permission granted, mm?"

Skadi slightly closed her eyes and said, "If you don't say the name, he might not come."

Scorching heat.

Even approaching it made Mash and Ritsuka Fujimaru feel intense heat—in this castle of ice and snow, they felt overwhelming scorching!

"The dragon slayer, Sigurd!"

Mash's expression changed slightly as she said, "Sir Alaric!"

"This is perfect timing!"

Alaric grinned as he looked at the slowly approaching knight, unchanged from their encounter days ago.

"After all, I'm just a so-called knight."

Sigurd snorted coldly and said, "I'm merely obeying the princess I serve to come before Her Majesty the Queen. As Her Majesty said, you've found your way here.

What now, Ophelia? If you tell me to kill, I'll kill."

With Sigurd's question, the girl slowly emerging from behind him made Mash exclaim in surprise, "Miss Ophelia!"

The arrival was none other than one of the Crypters, Ophelia, her slender form carrying an incomparably resilient aura.

"Shut up, Saber."

Ophelia looked at Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash, fell slightly silent, then said, "Your Majesty, could you have Thrud stand down? I'd like to speak with her for a moment."

Once Thrud halted her light spear, she withdrew at Skadi's gesture, leaving the space to Ophelia and—Mash Kyrielight.