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Road to Valhalla Chapter 89: What We All Are
"I don't suppose that to be a trick question", was the response Chopper gave me after a rather long pause, "...'cause I'd rather not."He'd finished getting dressed as I emptily stared at him, awaiting an answer. I ended up throwing a rally of questions at him instead, absolutely not the way I'd intended this to go."What about them? Corsen and Wolfe...what exactly happened there? And how'd she die? Why didn't you go back?"He glared at me, perhaps a little taken aback at my sudden curiosity, but gave no answer. Instead, he proposed that we should go sit by the fire. Soon as we'd accomplished that, we started dinner. It wasn't much to go on but we figured since it was our last night out, this much would suffice. We might go hunting in the morning then, I supposed."Are you thinking about something?", I asked, as we had laid down. We'd been silent for far too long and knowing that neither was getting any sleep like this, I just had to ask. Although I'd been exhausted, the supposed ans
Road to Valhalla Chapter 90: There Was A Letter
We were walking down a quiet path in a prairie, with Chopper leading the way. Our pace, complementing our surroundings, had slowed down considerably. This was unnatural for him, but I didn't mind. Although we'd been walking in silence since this morning, only now in this utter quietude did I realize how silent we'd been for so long. The path seemed endless, with him walking in front of me. It wasn't the first time, I was left with all the time in the world to gaze at his broad back. I was seeing him as a wholly different person now. Even the snake tattoos that ran across his arms presented a completely different picture to me. Chopper usually wore half sleeved shirts, I'd noticed his clothes having ripped sleeves, even in winter. He simply preferred it that way, perhaps to display those tattoos so proudly. He had a snake swirling round each of his muscular arms all the way up to his neck where it opened its mouth as if to swallow him whole. Still, the tattoos weren't imposing and at
Road to Valhalla Chapter 91: Jean V.
This man, I could only introduce in a singular way; he was a cowboy. There has never been anything more cowboy than him nor will be. As he stood tall there, greeting us with a grin, fixing his wide brim cowboy hat, with a cigar between his teeth, he indeed looked like he would ride his horse into the sunset.That, at least, was how my first impression of him went. Upon closer inspection, I found him absurdly lanky, and in need of a bath. If the place didn't stink enough, he did. This he later explained with a light hearted statement, followed by a laugh."Got 'em backdoor trots, 'aven't been out much since, y'know", he said.I knew, of course, that he had no such digestive problem but he wasn't a man you could convince in any way.In any case, after he took a closer look at us that fateful afternoon when we first entered his hut, he lost all interest, sinking back into his sofa."Nothin' but dudes...", he muttered, loud enough for us to hear him."Oi!", Chopper was ticked off.Then, a
Road to Valhalla Chapter 92: A Family Man
I had a feeling that our stay with Jean V. was overdue. For one, he wasn't a very zealous host, and living with him, we were no better than vagrants. And while, I wouldn't have had a problem with such a lifestyle, I knew we were imposing on Jean V., he must have wanted to go back to his solitude. He took us around town more than a few times and there was barely any place in Montreuil that we hadn't seen. To my surprise, Jean V. had once held an important position in the city, him being the mayor. He had developed the city to one of the best industrial cities in all of Mercae during his time. Whatever led him to retire to such solitary life now, he didn't say. But I assumed that things like that came with old age. Jean V. was an interesting man. He had a huge love for booze and rarely ate. He smoked two cigars at once and rarely took off his wide brimmed cowboy hat. He had a keen interest in God and in fact, he had been better in terms of his apparel, he might have been able to becom
Road to Valhalla Chapter 93: The Noose Has Been Tightened
I didn't know if we'd be welcomed with open arms or if anyone would have even realized that we'd been gone. I didn't care either way, I was more concerned about myself. What would I be feeling going back to that place? Would I shut myself up or be strong now? Chopper had been kind enough to bring me along, that did take my mind off everything. When I was calmly allowed to think, I was able to understand everything better. Things that had happened were things that needed to happen, although they could have taken place differently. But that didn't matter anymore.Before I knew it, we were already on the trail that led to Valhalla. The trees that provided shade to the trail seemed thicker than they'd ever been. The two of us slowly walked down the path and soon the place was in view. Chopper looked over his shoulder, perhaps affirming if I was still following."I'll go see the hag", he murmured, to which I nodded.Since I was really unsure of what I should sa
Road to Valhalla Chapter 94: First Step of Acceptance
"Once there was an immortal queen, the strongest on all of land. She had seized everything there was, the air, the water, the spirits and the people. But she was kind and loved by her people. The land was prosperous and there was no plague anywhere. Her people sang her praises, revered her, worshipped her and to them, there was nothing greater, and for good reason, for she had a heart of gold. Yet, the queen was bullied by the fate her family. Her house of seven, they were kind to her beyond what she could have asked for. But unlike her, they possessed no greater strength or wisdom.""The queen who had an eternity to live hated her solitude and wished that if only her house of seven, her family could live forever with her, she would preside over her land as a goddess. Riddled in her misery, she searched for an answer which came to her in the form of a sage. The sage was clad in white, with a long beard trailing behind him. He gave the queen the cure of her miserable dilemma. If the qu
Road to Valhalla Chapter 95: The Last Opera
"Goddamn, Lady! What happened to yer face?!", Deli cupped her face and looked closely.The execution was set to begin now. As Lady had informed us, it was in military fashion. It was to be a death by firing squad. The seats were reserved for the military officers, the execution ground looked like an open opera house. We, Valkyries, however, weren't to be seen, despite the secret invitation. We stood way back, behind the chairs, far away from where the convict was to be placed. Lady, who was in shambles, with her slapdash bandages and wounds shut close with a tape, stood up front beside Deli and Chopper. "Nothing really, I slipped!", was Lady's explanation for her condition. I hadn't held back at all, and I didn't even regret it. She'd really made an animal out of me. I bet, if anything, she was feeling victorious right now. In any case, my sole focus was on the execution site. I couldn't wait to see the face of the man who was dying such a death on someone else's behalf. "Do we re
Road to Valhalla Chapter 96: Who is the Little Girl?
"It's the end of the world", whispered Grim, as I stared outside the window, at a crimson sky that had only been getting redder every coming day. There was no explanation, no scientist, no wizard could explain what was going on. Nothing had changed, the wind was a little drier now but I didn't think much of it. I looked at Grim who rarely spoke to me, it was odd to find him not seeking a corner to sleep in.He wore a grin, like the end of the world wasn't any of his business at all. I gave him a blank stare without saying anything. I would have spoken, had we not been interrupted by Deli. She shot a stray newspaper my way and walked away. She looked particularly disgruntled for some reason. "Sorcerer killed: Five martyred in a fiery execution", read a headline.The sorcerer? I thought to myself, before reading on."...who had disguised as a woman during the assassination, as reported by eyewitnesses..."I suppressed a laugh, before tossing the newspaper aside. There was nothing to sa
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- Road to Valhalla
Final Chapter: A World Where They Are No Longer
I would like to think to myself that this isn't the end. But seeing as her story went back to where it all started, I realized that my role wasn't saving her at all. I just made sure she'd continue to exist, eternally.In eternal suffering and forgetfulness and new encounters and the last times, in every world, she'll continue to exist.As for me, I couldn't bear to live in a world knowing she was somewhere out there, helpless and torn, just as she'd been when I first found her.When did I first find her?Who can say? I had always been talking about how I wished I'd met her sooner. In fact, I had always known her. Our existences were intertwined so much that I don't think either of us could just pull away and be happy all on our own without thinking of the other.After I'd returned Lady's power to her, I floated away in an empty space for an eternity. I was foolish enough to think that the sorrow would fade away one day. But no matter how long and far I floated away, the memory and th
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 211: The End is The Beginning
It was the coldest I'd felt in ages, and there was an aching heaviness in my head that I simply couldn't seem to shake off no matter how much I walked. I don't know when, how, or why I was walking through the snow towards the top of some hill I didn't even know.For that matter, I didn't remember who I was, how I'd gotten there, or where I was going.And just like that, before I knew it, I had collapsed in a den of wolves. Luckily, it looked abandoned, so I didn't get eaten off right away. I figured it'd be a long, slow death. I found the idea of such a gentle death appealing, despite the fact that I was walking mindlessly just seconds ago.I must have passed out, for when I came to, I was stiff as a rock. And yet, I wasn't that cold anymore. I lifted my head to find myself covered in a bear pelt. Someone had been so kind as to cover me up. And yet, the pelt was rather old and shoddy. Who cared as long as it could keep me warm?I stood up, looking around, getting accustomed to my surr
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 210: Promise
"I didn't imagine we'd ever come to a crossroads such as this", I let out a puff of smoke, standing opposite her."But, as a matter of fact, I always had a feeling we would", Lady answered with her signature smirk."Sure, you did", I said sarcastically.It was surprising at first. But things made sense soon enough. Lady had sent all of us away on a mission. She'd isolated herself at Valhalla. Chopper had left of his own accord. She'd sent Sight to look for him. Deli had gone to see her children. And she bid Lubbock and June farewell. She'd even given her fur coat to June. Grim was on a mission, too. And I was looking for Jean V. to deliver her letter.It was all exactly as it had been back then. When I'd return from meeting Jean V., Lady would already be beyond saving. Back then, all I knew was that the person who sent her that blank letter was the one who came to kill her. I never ventured to find out much else.It all made sense now as I stood be
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 209: No Bells Ring in Heaven
"Must you leave without fulfilling my wish, Seraph?"He had some guts to ask. I looked up at the red sky. There was nothing but barren, burnt land all around us."What else could you ask for?", I looked back at him."You look so old, Seraph", he chuckled, "What exactly did you give the others?"I looked behind me without answering his question. There was no one and nothing."What? It's a long story", I answered without looking at him."We've got time to kill", he grinned."I don't", I said, but went on to answer him anyway, "I gave everyone what they wanted.""Really?"I glared at him, "Yes, really, Grim. I took a fee, of course."He laughed."And what will you take from me?", he asked, grinning.I looked around and then rested my eyes on him."There's really nothing."He seemed to agree."So how'd you manage?""Well, Grim, you could almost call it travelling back through time. Though, it really isn't that. I split the worlds to create new ones. Time doesn't exist for me anymore. Ever
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 208: A Wonderful World
"I will take death in any way and form it comes to me, anywhere and anytime."That had to be the most brazen statement I'd heard. It took me a bit to take that statement in."You really have no special requests? If I can, I'd like to make it up to you", I sat down and stared at his bloodied face.He shook his head."Make up for what?", he asked.He didn't know me yet to call me "boy" but I suppose that's the way it had to be.I had become better at rewriting the reality. I could write quite far back in certain cases. For example, in Sight's case, I made it so he never met Lady and Chopper on the night he killed the prima donna, Czarna Dalia.Before meeting them he didn't know anything about what he'd been doing. He didn't know what an outcast was, even though he himself was an outcast. Ignorance is indeed the greatest of all blisses. And I thought for Sight, it had to be the biggest saving.Lady was right. People who see things differently are the most dangerous of all. Especially tho
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 207: A World You Deserve
"This isn't what I asked for, Seraph", she complained, fixing her glasses on her tiny nose."I don't get what the hell it is that you want exactly, June", I was beginning to get tired."You don't understand at all", she folded her arms."You're damn right, I don't. What kind of crazy a-""One thing.", she looked at me sternly, "One thing I'm asking for is a place to be happy. Not a mother, not a wife, not a hero, not any of the other things you're trying to come up with.""What'll make you happy, exactly?", I folded my arms and leaned against the wall of Valhalla.Everyone else was off to fend the red sky off. June had been left behind in a protective barrier.She fell silent."How about Lady? Isn't she your favorite?""I could care less about her", she answered, bluntly, "I hate her.""Huh?", I wasn't sure I'd her heard her right."She does everything on a whim. She claims to understand everything when rea
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 206: The Greatest Ordinary Man
"They are waiting for you, Monsieur Lubbock", a dark woman poked her head into the dressing room, "It's almost time for the show."The bajillion young ladies that were powdering his nose scattered away.His face was pink with heat and he wore a long fancy coat. It almost looked odd on his somewhat small figure."I'll be right there", he answered, gussying up in the mirror."Aww, you're leaving already, Monsieur?", some of the girls came up to him.He chuckled modestly."What can I say? The life of the greatest singer in the world isn't so relaxing, my dears.""You might be the greatest singer, but Monsieur is also the life of all women's hearts", one of the cheekier ones commented.Lubbock laughed. He didn't try to hide how much he loved being pampered like this."I'm sorry, girls. My audience awaits!"Saying so, he shot out of the room and hurried towards the stage. Backstage was always heated just before his shows. He was the one star that every theater wanted to have. But he was a
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 205: The Stars in Her Eyes Still Shine
"Do you blame me for mother's death, father?", she asked, placing the empty cup of tea on the little side table.Her father wasn't facing her. He was still locked up in his study, reclining on his chair and looking out of the window at some distance lands.She sat straight, with her back erect. The weight of her gown was enough to tire her but she was made up, as befitting of a noble. She had to look all the more perfect since she was visiting her home for the first time since her marriage."Blame you?", the lord of the house spoke in his grave voice after a while, "I simply don't think you were worth her death. Esme was a wise woman. A level headed, understanding, noble woman."Faye looked at her lap."You refuse to carry out the will of the house of Vlad. You'll go as far as to commit a heinous crime to that end. I'm disappointed beyond measure."Faye pursed her lips. No one but she herself had been hurt the most by what she'd done."Vlad was born to you twice. And yet, you ungratef
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 204: A Nice Dream For Grey Eyes
"Tell you what, Seraph, this one time, I met a girl and she had these enormous scars all over her arms and legs. I couldn't help noticing her, of course. When she told me she did it herself, I couldn't help it. I killed her then and there", he chuckled to himself, "I didn't want to do it, of course. Something just came over me. It wasn't that she told me she did it herself. It was how she said it. She was smiling.""I'm sure she wasn't smiling because she was happy", I answered, with a solemn look on my face."I'm sure of that too. I was sure of it back then too. That's probably why I killed her. But do you know how many people I've saved?"He looked at my face. I stayed silent."I've saved more people than I've killed. I've been counting since the beginning. I know, for sure, that my atonement is over. At least, it ought to be. But does it look like I'm still repenting?", he asked, smiling vaguely, knowing my answer."You do.""That's because I am. No matter how many I save...the ato
