One hour of walking through the cave later, they reached what seed like a large empty space, but upon closer investigation, a certain pattern drawn on the floor beca evident.
「Ohh, I’ve heard about this! It has to be the first gate.」
That pattern was actually a magic circle. Bruce looked at it with interest, and then took out a glowing stone from his bag. That was a Guiding Glowstone, obtained from defeating the Fallen Heroes of Twilight.
He placed it in the center of the magic circle, which made all of it start to pulsate with light.
「Now, onto the second gate.」
Bruce muttered that, his voice filled with thrill. A mont later, the light beca so bright it turned everything white, blinding the pair’s eyes.
Slowly opening their eyes as their vision adjusted to the light, they realized they were now in a vast grassland. But they hadn’t left the cave yet, as the ceiling was still covered with stone. Light stread down through nurous cracks, as if trying to break the rock apart and flood the entire space with illumination.
「Ohh, so that’s how it works on this side.」
There were many ways to reach Valhalla, and this was one Mira had not gone through before, so everything was just as new for her as for Bruce.
They were near the summit of the mountain, still inside it, yet sohow standing amidst grass, with warm sunlight streaming in through the cracks in the ceiling.
「What a marvelous sight…」
Bruce looked around, taking it all in, his excitent showing no signs of fading. But barely a mont later, he raised his voice and exclaid, 「There, that has to be it!」 before running off. Ahead of him lay a lake, sparkling in the light.
「Everything he does reminds of myself back then…」
Mira grimaced a little as she followed Bruce, becoming aware of how she had behaved back when she ca to form a Contract with the Valkyries as well.
The lake was roughly a hundred ters wide, with what appeared to be a flower garden growing at its center. Birds flew gracefully around it, all illuminated by streaks of light pouring through the ceiling like spotlights.
「Now, it’s finally ti…」
「Yes…it is indeed.」
A bridge connected the shore to the flower garden at the center of the lake. It was a single ter wide and lacked any railings or support posts—just bare planks laid out in a straight line.
The pair didn’t hesitate to step onto the bridge, making their way toward the flower garden, their intended destination.
「Gatekeepers, would you please appear before us?」
Once there, Bruce looked up and spoke aloud, triggering an almost instant reaction. Waves rippled across the calm lake as wind began to blow, forming a whirlwind that danced around before reaching the flower garden, lifting it into the air and carrying it around.
The raging winds also stripped the flowers of their petals, scattering them together with a vast spray of water. Everything glimred dazzlingly in the light.
「Ohh…」
Bruce was stunned by the spectacle unfolding before them, looking around in amazent, while Mira kept her eyes on the lake’s surface—where two spirits slowly rose from within.
(Back then, I thought they had appeared out of nowhere… but turns out, it was a really simple misdirection.)
Their entrance performance remained the sa, regardless of the path taken to reach this place, so Mira was now able to observe what had actually happened the last ti she was here. The two spirits turned away, slightly embarrassed upon realizing Mira was looking straight at them instead of being distracted by the dazzling petals and droplets.
But that didn’t discourage them for long, as they shifted their focus onto Bruce.
「Was it you who called us? State your reason.」
They sneaked up to Bruce and raised their voices with a slightly forced seriousness. The effect actually workedon Bruce, as he yelped, 「What?! When did they—」 prompting the two spirits to grin like children who had just pulled a prank.
「The reason is none other than to request you open the way to Valhalla! So I may form a Contract with the Valkyries!」
He quickly overca his surprise and answered with a clear, resolute voice. His desire to form the Contract far outweighed the shock of the spirits’ sudden appearance.
The two spirits looked slightly disappointed that the surprise had worn off so quickly, and they almost seed to sulk as they said, 「Then show us you’re worthy to go there.」
「I’ll go first.」
Still in high spirits, Bruce stepped forward, deployed a Binding Arcana Circle, and transford it into a Rosario Summoning Circle.
「Dark Pursuer from beyond, enter this realm.」
Summoning Magic: Tempest
As Bruce activated the summoning spell, a powerful gust of wind rushed out of the magic circle, turning into a tornado that spun wildly before dispersing and revealing a black tiger.
That was Tempest—one of the higher-level summons, known for its considerable strength and ability to move swiftly, aided by powerful gusts of wind.
(Ohh, those eyes and fangs…he’s done a good job raising his. Even the fur looks impressive.)
Bruce had improved greatly since Mira last saw him—thirty years ago, back when he still went by the na Jude Steiner. Seeing how far he had co filled her with a quiet sense of pride, almost like that of a parent.
「Impressive. Your power is deed fit to pass through the gate.」
While Mira examined Tempest’s appearance, the spirits gave Bruce a passing grade. He had been mostly confident in the outco, but their affirmation dispelled the last traces of doubt, bringing a wide smile to his face.
「Now, it’s ti for you there…to…」
After Bruce, it was Mira’s turn to demonstrate her power. The two spirits turned to face her, but as they took a closer look, their expressions shifted to surprise and confusion.
「I sense… sothing powerful within… it’s almost like… the Spirit King…」
「Could it be…but…what?」
They had sensed the Spirit King’s Divine Protection on Mira. The light and water spirits struggled to make sense of it, eventually turning to each other, whispering uncertainly.
「Do you think so? Is it really him?」
「I an, the Spirit King isn’t even…」
「So it’s just sothing similar?」
「But… but what could possibly be that similar to him…?」
It had been many years since the Spirit King secluded himself in his palace, so it was no wonder the two spirits doubted their own senses.
(I guess it’s always faster to do this in these situations.)
Mira, having overheard parts of their conversation, quickly guessed what they were discussing. She stepped forward and gently took hold of their hands.
『Lunanlied, Fontaine, I see you’re both in good health. I’m glad to see you’re still taking your duties seriously and haven’t abandoned your post.』
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