"What exactly do you mean? And what's this about support?"
With his back to the mural, Shiomi pressed Grímr.
He had just said he was a messenger, here only to tell Shiomi to leave the Lostbelt, return to Proper Human History, and take up the so-called 'Saver' role.
Now Grímr suddenly claimed his second mission was to stay and support Shiomi.
"Didn't I already explain? I originally came as Odin's messenger, manifesting as a Servant, to warn you not to linger here." Grímr spread his hands. "But the god also said your personality guaranteed you'd refuse. When that happened, I was to act as Odin's proxy and help you deal with Britannia."
Aesc considered this. "So, that great god Odin foresaw this from the beginning and made two arrangements?"
The boy hadn't revealed his second purpose right away. Clearly, even if the chance was slim, he had to follow procedure.
"That's right." Grímr pointed to his own eyes. "That god possesses eyes that see across dimensions, and he had a rough idea how his junior disciple would react."
Shiomi could understand.
Back at Singularity F, when the Caster-class Cú Chulainn entrusted Gungnir to him, it was probably because Odin had foreseen the coming restoration of human history. Knowing Shiomi lacked a powerful enough Noble Phantasm, he gave him the spear as support.
At the time, Shiomi hadn't fully realized his authority, so Gungnir had been disguised as a wand of the same material.
Now, letting Grímr provide this so-called support was likely for a similar reason.
"So, everything is still within the gods' plan?" Shiomi was dissatisfied, but powerless.
Grímr smirked. "Don't look at it that way. I can't speak for other deities, but Odin genuinely cares about the future of humanity and the planet. Otherwise, he wouldn't keep stepping in like this."
"I know." Shiomi nodded. "But I don't see the point of you staying. If it's just to strengthen our side, that's fine, but..."
"Marduk's Axe," Grímr cut him off. "Even after three hundred years, you still can't wield that Noble Phantasm. You're only holding it, right?"
"So?" Shiomi raised an eyebrow.
Grímr pointed at him. "In Odin's view, staying here in the Fairy Kingdom, gaining more time and undergoing trials, will serve as the test that leads to unlocking the true power of Marduk's Axe."
"Couldn't Marduk just grant it directly?"
Shiomi already understood Grímr's role—to witness this trial with no clear rules or path—but he still complained aloud.
"That's the power of the King of Gods. Even if you're allowed to use it, without the right qualifications it would only bring ruin." Grímr tilted his chin. "You've already learned what happens when you act recklessly, haven't you?"
"Then there's no helping it." Shiomi turned slightly toward Aesc, who had been listening the whole time. "Personally, I trust Grímr... no, Sétanta. And of course, Odin. From here on, our actions in Britannia will require more reliable allies like this. What do you think, Aesc?"
Aesc thought for a moment. "If Tenkei believes he can be trusted, then I'll trust him too."
"No, the point is—do you yourself trust him right now?" Shiomi smiled.
"Probably." Aesc's tone was cautious.
Grímr pulled a face. "Tch, I knew this would be troublesome. Whatever..."
After scanning the room one last time, he jumped out ahead of them, returning to the Bell Hall outside.
The murals beneath the Bell Hall contained little of value.
Once they confirmed the empty chamber held nothing beyond the murals, Shiomi and Aesc also stepped outside.
"How much do you know about the situation in Britannia right now?"
Grímr, the first to step out, sat on the broken half-wall beside the Bell Hall and asked Shiomi bluntly.
"Well, that depends on which part you're asking about," Shiomi replied.
"How this world came into being," Grímr clarified.
"The gods created land within the Sea of Nothingness for the original Six-Winged Sub-Bells to live on." Shiomi gave a brief summary of what he had pieced together so far. "In these three hundred years, we've traveled across Britannia and had contact with all five existing clans, but our understanding is still very limited."
It wasn't that every clan was hostile. Rather, Shiomi didn't trust them, so he had always dealt with them cautiously.
Apart from suppressing disasters and mediating conflicts, he avoided deep involvement with the fairy clans. After all, if Aesc's identity as a 'Fairy of Paradise' were exposed, it would inevitably bring a host of trouble.
"So, this world really did once have gods." Grímr nodded knowingly.
Shiomi then reviewed the historical information he had compiled so far and explained it again for Grímr.
"The phenomenon of a Star-Eater successfully destroying a planet..." Grímr rubbed his chin. "That's quite a bold hypothesis. But judging from the result, it must mean they never encountered the wielder of the Holy Sword."
"For now, that seems to be the case. But what really happened?" Shiomi looked at Grímr. "After all, I don't have Clairvoyance to see through past and future."
He was clearly alluding to Odin's eyes, but Grímr shook his head.
"Unfortunately, I don't have that piece of information either," Grímr admitted. "I imagine Odin has his own reasons."
"So you mean uncovering the full scope of the past is also part of Tenkei's trial?" Aesc asked with concern.
Grímr nodded repeatedly. "That's probably the case."
"Ah..."
Shiomi let out a long breath.
Today was supposed to be just about witnessing Aesc ring the first Pilgrim's Bell, but it had already turned into something far more complicated.
"Don't overthink it. Haven't you always pushed forward step by step in the dark and still ended up saving the world?" Grímr grinned. "I believe in you, junior brother."
"I believe in myself too." Shiomi pressed his lips together, giving a polite yet subtle smile.
"Good. Warriors from the Land of Shadows should carry that kind of confidence." Grímr burst out laughing. "I'm liking you more and more, junior! We should spar sometime!"
"A battle maniac?" Aesc asked Shiomi, slightly puzzled.
"Pretty much. All of our master's disciples are like that... except me."
"...Really?"
Even knowing he wasn't lying, Aesc still looked doubtful as she asked.
...
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