#326
326. Epilogue4. Valhalla
“Why did you quit being a court mage?”
tadak.
Firewood burned in front of my eyes.
Iolka said as she took off her gloves.
“Hmph, are you asking me? I didn’t have a chance to use my excellent talent.”
“Excellent talent.”
“What? Any complaints?”
“It was useful when making a fire.”
The man leaning against the tree grinned.
The name of the man with the sword at his waist is Belquist. He was an exceptionally strong man whose name was recognized by the Mercenary Association.
Enemy.
A girl squatting by a bonfire bit off a deer’s thigh.
Tender flesh and gravy swam from the girl’s mouth. He had three daggers on his waist and a shortbow behind him. The girl’s name was Jenna Shirai.
“Who are you? I don’t know, so even if that’s the case, you guys would have known.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s just flying flies.”
Iolka sighed.
“I threw away that proud position and came down, but it’s so different from what I expected. I don’t have a chance to use my shining magic here either.”
“Aren’t there many opportunities to grill meat?”
“Don’t take that chance!”
Iolka screamed.
she was dissatisfied After a long and long thought, I made the biggest decision of my life. However, that expectation was miserably betrayed. There was no opportunity to show off the skills he had accumulated.
‘What is this country?’
It’s peaceful.
Even if it is peaceful, it is too peaceful. All kinds of heterogeneous races that fought with humans also signed a peace treaty with the Empire. Even if you wash your eyes and look for the prosperity that has lasted for more than 10 years, you cannot find a group of bandits. In such a situation, what mercenaries could do was extremely limited.
Catching shoplifters.
Find a runaway cat.
Working as a waitress at an inn.
At most, it was a trivial errand.
The last one was because Iolka lost her wallet, so she paid for the lodging.
The reign of Priasis I, Empress of the Silver Crown, also passed 10 years.
Under the rule of the Empress, the people of the empire were enjoying peace and prosperity. Everywhere I looked, there was peace. Children’s laughter echoed incessantly in the streets.
Her name is Iolka Libel Strashur.
He was from an aristocratic family that was once prestigious. After fiercely striving for magic, he rose to the position of a court mage of the empire, but at some point a sense of futility came over him. It felt like I was forgetting something, as if an important part of my life was missing.
So she took on the challenge.
It was to fill something missing in his heart.
However, its identity is still unknown.
“You! Why don’t you answer when you just ask? It’s the basic etiquette to answer when others tell you!”
Iolka pointed a finger at Belquist.
Belquist shrugged and opened his mouth.
“I have nothing to say.”
“Where is that!”
“If I had to say it, it would be boring.”
Belquist raised his head.
The night sky could be seen through the leaves and branches that covered the top.
“This world doesn’t seem right for me.”
Belquist looked up at the moon.
Then, Iolka’s gaze turned to the one remaining.
“Uh, me?”
Jenna, who was chewing on the meat, pointed at herself.
“I… um, bored?”
“Is that why you became a mercenary?”
Iolka said with a dejected expression.
‘what.’
These people are like me.
It must mean that in a peaceful era, mercenaries are something only geeks do.
A woman named Edith, who was said to be the head of the mercenary association, was also strange.
‘It’s a place only for fools.’
Iolka regretted it.
I just came Originally, he must have been enjoying wine and steak in his luxurious mansion.
About a month ago,
the three met by chance in a remote city.
And I accidentally became a colleague.
‘Coincidence upon coincidence.’
Until then, the three had never had a colleague, but this time was an exception.
It was like magic. They couldn’t feel any resentment towards each other. As if we had gone through life and death together in our previous lives.
“So, how long until the ruins are left?”
said Iolka.
It was a week ago that rumors flowed to the three people who were idle because they had no work.
“Valhalla?”
“That’s why you’re here.”
Valhalla legend.
Somewhere in Taoni is the remains of an unnamed god.
Those who pass the test of the ruins can leave for a new world.
But rumors abounded.
Few challenged. Most of the mercenaries thought it was a worthless story and passed it on, but three were different. Soon after, they made a plan and set out on an adventure.
‘I have to prove my abilities.’
You have to show that you are excellent.
that you deserve it. That he is a chosen genius.
‘To whom?’
I don’t know.
Iolka shook her head.
“Hwiyu, I found it.”
After rummaging through her bag, Jenna pulled out a small piece of metal.
A golden badge with a goat engraved on it. Whoops. The badge glowed faintly in Jenna’s hand. Jenna, who was fixing her badge, said.
“There is a reaction. I think it’s close.”
“It’s not fake, is it?”
Iolka looked at the badge suspiciously.
I asked where he got it, but Jenna wouldn’t tell me.
that I don’t remember
“Sister, it’s not fake.”
“I doubt it. Where is such a convenient item. Just having it will lead you to the location of the ruins? I heard you can’t even remember where it came from.”
“That’s because I made great achievements in my previous life…”
Jenna whispered in Iolka’s ear.
“Isn’t that what God gave you?”
Iolka sighed.
And the next day came. The three of them packed up their belongings and went on their way again.
Their location was the Far East of Taoni.
A dense jungle stretched out. If Iolka hadn’t mastered wind magic, they might have died from the scorching heat. Originally, she could only deal with the fire system, but after bone-breaking efforts, she was able to learn the wind system as well.
The three mercenaries followed the light-guided path through the jungle.
Day becomes evening and evening becomes night. The journey from night to morning continued for a long time.
“Is this here?”
Belquist murmured.
High cliffs outside the jungle.
A shabby temple was in place.
“The patterns match too.”
A goat was drawn above the entrance to the temple.
It also fits the symbol of Valhalla. It was the place they were looking for.
Belquist tightly gripped the scabbard on his waist.
“If you pass the exam, you can go to a new world.”
“What are you doing?”
Jenna tilted her head.
Iolka shook her index finger.
“Huh, it’s obvious at least.”
“…?”
“A place full of delicious things!”
Belquist smiled and entered the entrance.
His body disappeared into a dark passageway.
Then Jenna ran in.
“Uh, wait. I’m going to have a meeting!”
Left alone, Iolka stomped her feet.
‘You really don’t even have basic common sense!’
Even if you stay still, you can’t do anything.
Iolka also hurriedly followed.
The magic light in the hallway turned on by itself.
Inside the temple was a wide aisle.
Throughout the aisle, there were carvings of a man with a sword fighting an unknown monster.
The man with the sword, the men behind him, and even the hostile monsters. All of them seemed to be alive and moving.
‘This man…’
Iolka slowly brought her hand to the man pictured on the wall.
“sister!”
“Uh, why, why?”
“What are you doing standing still? I think we’ve reached the end.”
Iolka ran forward.
A wide cavity was located at the end of the passage.
A huge door appeared on the other side of the joint. On either side of the gate stood stone statues of warriors in colorful armor holding swords.
“Is this here?”
“I’m sure.”
Jenna raised her badge.
A dazzling golden light emanated from the badge.
“We’ve finally come this far.”
Jenna smiled.
Kugoong!
Suddenly, a great vibration arose in the cavity.
Iolka, who had been dazed, lost her balance and almost fell.
[Warriors who will join the eternal war.]
The eyes of the statue standing next to the door shone.
A majestic voice echoed from the stone statue’s mouth.
[Challenge.]
Flash.
On the right side of the cavity, a small stone door has arisen.
[Prove it.]
He shuddered.
The stone door opened sideways.
[Those without qualifications cannot set foot on the battlefield.]
You mean to pass the test on that gate?
Belquist looked inside the open door.
The preparations had already been made.
‘I won’t be bored.’
To him, this world was insignificant.
No opponent could satisfy Belquist’s satisfaction. This test will not relieve his sense of futility, but it will provide a brief entertainment. Belquist walked away with his hand on the scabbard.
“You guys are watching. I’m alone…”
“Let’s see, brother said you can do it this way.”
Belquist looked back.
Jenna was fitting a golden badge somewhere on the massive door.
‘What are you doing?’
After struggling for a while, Jenna put the badge into the crack in the door.
Sigh. Quarre.
The huge door on the common front began to open.
[If you pass the warrior’s test, you…]
“End!”
[You guys…?]
“Come on in, everyone.”
[What are you doing!]
A small light came out of the statue’s mouth.
A fairy with two pairs of wings appeared in the blurred light.
The fairy shouted as she dyed her cheeks red.
[How dare you cheat on the test!]
“Hee!”
Iolka was frightened.
“That, monster, monster!”
“It’s not a monster. My name is Isel.”
[Who is Isel! I have a decent name called Frey! Anyway, how do you open the door… Huh?]
The fairy’s eyes widened as she looked around the three of them.
[Why are you here…?]
Jenna closed one eye.
Frey looked at Jenna.
“It’s embarrassing to see you like that.”
[Do you have any memories…?]
“My brother secretly came and went once. He even told me what to do if he wanted to come.”
[Weren’t you trying to stay in the forest?]
“My hands itchy after trying to stay still for years.”
[Stop it!]
Jerking.
The gate was fully open.
Jenna looked at the two people behind her.
“Sisters and brothers, you worked hard. We’ll see you again there.”
Beyond the gate, there was a garden.
In the middle of the garden, I saw a brilliantly shining dimensional gate.
“Jenna Shirai, sortie!
” Belkist and Iolka stared blankly at Zena’s back.
[
Ahhh, it’s me.]
The fairy flew to Belkist.
Stardust sprinkled from its wings fell on his body.
A faint light flashed. ”
…”
His eyes changed.
“Is that so?”
Belquist looked at the portal.
“What is it? What’s going on?” ”
I
tried to live a normal life… but it doesn’t seem to
work
.
” Where did Miss Jenna go? what is that door What is that grotesque fairy!”
“You’ll find out for yourself, Wizard.”
Belquist walked to the portal with his sword hanging down.
Before long, the man’s back was wrapped in light and disappeared.
“I don’t think I need to explain! ”
Iolka shouted, clenching her fists.
Of course, there was no one to listen to her protest.
[You’re left alone.]
The fairy dug into her ears and said plainly.
[Do it yourself or not.]
“Where did the two of you go? ”
[It’s sooty.]
“Cheeky!”
Knowing that I ca
n’t handle
dimensional
magic!
Is there any reason why it can’t be done?”
[I don’t know about the two of you, but you’re going to have to work hard, right? Because you retired midway through.]
“What? Did you just say that I’m a worm with no talent or skills?”
[I didn’t say that…]
“You dare to laugh at me!”
Iolka pointed her finger at the portal.
“Okay! I’ll show the idiot inside the portal the skills of that genius mage, Iolka Libel Strashur!” [Do you know
who it is?]
“That’s it…”
At that moment, a hazy memory passed before her eyes. .
But only for a moment.
“Hey! I don’t care who’s there
.”
Iolka took out a fan from her dress and held it open.
“I’ll let you know. Who I am.”
[Do as you like.]
“Uh-huh-huh! Be prepared.”
Knock out.
Iolka folded her fan.
Then, she walked three steps.
“Oops!”
Stepped on the bottom hem of the dress skirt and fell.
[…] ”
Pretend you didn’t see it.”
He went inside the original door.
Frey sighed as he looked at her from behind.
[It must be noisy again.]
It seems that there are no other guests besides them.
Kurrrrr. The door began to close.
‘Shall I go too?’
Curious as to what might happen,
Frey flapped her two pairs of wings and headed for the portal,
where her hero awaited.