Bryn gestured at Asterios with her eyes and he gracefully walked to stand in front of her. Skodul and Krev both lifted the decorative helmet and brought it above his head. Bryn placed her palm on the forehead section and they all lowered it onto Asterios.

  After it was fully seated on his head, they took their hands away and he turned around to face the crowd, which exploded in cheers again. The golden helmet didn’t exactly go well with his black and red armor but no one paid any mind to that. It was just a symbolic piece of equipment, like a trophy or something, most likely never brought to battle.

  Asterios waved at the audience for a little while and smiled openly, though it was impossible for anyone to notice that detail behind the front of the helmet. Miria’s eyes sparkled like stars as she applauded them the strongest out of his companions, causing him to chuckle. Everyone had a proud expression on their faces.

  “But, this is not the end.” Bryn’s unexpected continuation quickly silenced everyone once more. “We might have finished the tournament and selected the new Champion, yet there is still something of extreme importance that I have to announce. I ask everyone here to listen closely to what I have to say.”

  Some hushed murmurs traveled through the rows in the audience but the spectators quickly focused on the raised platform.

  “The War Games have not been held right now without a reason. Naturally, one of them was our favorable situation and improved living conditions, but that’s not all. Besides helping us with food and other necessities, Asterios offered to lend us a hand in one more matter. He wishes to fulfill something that has been nothing more than a dream to us since the great cataclysm.”

  Everyone waited with bated breaths at the revelation as Bryn made a long, silent pause to raise the tension even more.

  “Soon, we are going to launch a counter-offensive on the Descending Spire and reclaim it from the hands of the vile Scourge once and for all!”

  Gasps of shock and disbelief filled the air, possibly even louder than some of the cheers earlier. It wasn’t that unexpected. It was quite a sensitive and important topic amongst the valkyrjas, especially those living in Tyr and being part of the armed forces.

  “Asterios offered to lend us his power to clear out the monsters occupying our sacred site and return it to us, its proper owners,” Bryn continued and the crowd went silent again. “This tournament was also for him to fare against our best warriors and gauge the strength of our army so that he can have an accurate grasp on our might.”

  She paused once more and ran her gaze over the audience.

  “You have seen what he can do with your own eyes. He clearly doesn’t need normal fighters like us to succeed. He is a legendary Dragon, capable of annihilating thousands on his own. Yet, he understands our desires and gives us a chance to fight for what is ours alongside him. He doesn’t want to use us as meat shields either, taking the front alone, supported only by his trusted allies. In his plan, we have only one role, which is to secure the Descending Spire right after his squad clears it out for long enough for them to activate the Tyr’s Aegis and turn the Spire into a safe land for us and all the coming generations!”

  The foundations of the arena shook heavily as hundreds if not thousands of riled-up women roared in unison. Many Valkyrs and Valkyries stood up and cheered at the top of their lungs, with their wings flapping fiercely behind their backs. Someone must have started to slam their feet on the ground as a deep, even thudding filled the arena after literally everyone joined in on it. The intensity of it was deafening. If the coliseum was made of anything else than metal, it could have crumbled to pieces under such an insane assault.

  “Now, what are you going to do?!” Bryn raised her voice and channeled more mana into the artifact to speak over the thunderous noise. “Are you going to waste this chance for easy revenge? Are you going to sit at home while knowing that an outsider is fighting for our cause? Are you going to send out our hero alone to do all the dirty work for us? Are we that kind of people? Who is going with me?!”

  “I am!” Skodul shouted loud enough for the artifact to pick it up, joining in on the thudding with her own feet and weapon.

  “And so am I!” Krev did the same.

  An unintelligible mess of words shook the air as the valkyrjas below them shouted their answers in complete disarray. Even though nobody could understand a word, it was clear that they were agreeing. At least the vast majority was, drowning out those who still opposed the idea.

  “Then go now and spread the news to everyone you meet! Travel back to your ARKs and let them know that Tyr is going to fight for our freedom and reclaim what is rightfully ours! Let them know about our hero and Grand Champion who will be leading the assault! Let them know that we will be passing through all the ARKs on the way to Odin and accepting anyone willing to be part of this historic event with us! Let them know that the time of liberation is now!”

  “Uraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

  The audience roared in complete unison once more and numerous valkyrjas set off from their seats. The arena drowned in the noise of flapping wings as the women launched themselves into the sky. Many of them circled the pillar and the platform where Asterios and the others stood before heading further up and disappearing to the sides. To him and the girls, it looked like they were in the eye of a feathery cyclone for a good two minutes.

  As the noise gradually calmed down, Miria sneezed loudly from a feather landing on top of her nose. Everyone chuckled at her as she blushed shyly, giggling alongside them. Bryn showed a wide smile as she looked up into the sky, following the last people leaving through the open roof.

  “I don’t think I remember witnessing a mobilization like this ever before.” Krev laughed openly as she stepped closer to her.

  “It’s said that only a true Sky Queen can move the hearts of so many people.” Skodul smiled proudly.

  Bryn’s eyes widened as a faint trace of rosiness showed up on her cheeks. “I’m not someone worthy of such an honorable and respectful position… Especially with how many things have been left unsaid… It was nothing more than shady manipulation…”

  The two other valkyrjas grinned at each other and laughed together.

  “We have no idea what kind of a person the first Sky Queen really was. The only thing that we can be sure about is the fact that you have always possessed the necessary qualifications of a good leader. We would have been in deep shit if there was no one to oppose Hilda’s regime or the other narrow-minded Councilors,” Skodul said.

  “They are right,” Asterios joined in, taking off the decorative helmet. “You certainly care for your people.”

  “Sometimes, it’s better to keep a thing or two to yourself until the other side is ready to hear it.” Grea grinned as she stopped by Ast’s side and shot him a glance.

  “Thank you.” Bryn showed a beautiful smile, nodding her head politely. “I honestly expected this to go much worse. We will have to deal with the nagging of the other Councilors after pulling off something like this but we should have secured the most important thing, which is the cooperation of those who will be most involved. And, if we are lucky, the rumors will spread to all the ARKs in no time.”

  “There is only one problem.” Selene chuckled softly, capturing everyone’s attention. “I don’t think the other divisions will now have that many spectators or even contestants after everyone rushed out of the arena like that.”

  “Ah.” Bryn’s mouth hung open for a good moment until she sighed wryly. “This might get really troublesome. I should have waited for the closing ceremony before calling everyone to action.”

  Tina giggled quietly. “I don’t think it would have even half as massive viewership as the finals of the Power Divisions managed to gather.”

  “Don’t worry, Bryn. We will stand by your side no matter what.” Silvia showed a soft smile. “Right, Ast?”

  “Without a doubt.” Asterios nodded. “And the earlier we confront the Council the better. Let’s not give them any time to collect their thoughts and come up with some shrewd accusations.”

  “Alright. I’m going to have to count on you, Master, everyone. Let us depart.” Their Valkyrie friend flashed them a smile and the platform began descending toward the ground.

  Chapter 18

  Good Intentions, Bad Execution

  After the elevated stage reached the ground, everyone stepped off it together and followed Bryn toward one of the exit gates leading out of the arena. A few valkyrjas remained in the audience and a bunch of quieter cheers and applause accompanied Ast’s group as they disappeared in the tunnel.

  Skodul took the lead from that point and the battleground’s manager guided them through the confusing pathways and corridors with pure confidence. It didn’t take them long to reach sizable doors to what Asterios assumed was the place where the Council members had spectated the matches of the Power Division.

  His guess was proven correct as Skodul and Krev pushed one metal wing each and revealed a rectangular chamber with most of the outer wall facing the arena missing. Even from the back near the entrance, the view outside was already incredible. While the people in the room could comfortably sit by a long table and observe fights, those who served them could enjoy the spectacle from any point in the small hall too.

  The arrival of a quite big group introduced some confusion and startled the valkyrjas taking care of the food and drinks, especially when it came to two specific people. Krev and Skodul didn’t seem like common visitors in this area. Though, judging by the faces of the Council members gathered inside, their presence might have been expected to some extent.

  Kara, Rota, Eir, and Hilda were seated on a bench in front of the set-up table, turned to the newcomers now. A few other Council members were either spread around the room or sat by the dining table too. They all stood up slowly as the servants closed the doors behind Ast’s group and their guests arrived closer.

  “You’ve made quite a show back there, Bryn,” Hilda scoffed with a faint scowl.

  “My apologies. I got swept up in the moment. I didn’t plan to cause almost everyone to leave.” Bryn made a polite bow, though a small smile remained on her soft lips. “I’m pretty sure that most of the people should calm down pretty soon and realize that the War Games aren’t fully finished. We should take a break for today and continue tomorrow. That ought to give everyone enough time to share the news with their friends and close ones.”

  “You say that you were swept up but it sounds to me like you are in full control of everything that’s happening.” Kara smirked at her warmly.

  “That just shows how capable of a leader Bryn is,” Asterios joined in with a smile, placing a hand on the Valkyrie’s shoulder. “She doesn’t rest on her laurels but continues to work hard even through unexpected and troublesome matters. There’s certainly a reason why everyone reacted this strongly to her words and it’s definitely not just her eloquence.”

  A slight trace of rosiness tinged Bryn’s cheeks as she glanced at him with a gentle smile too. They exchanged nods and she returned her attention to the four women in front of them.

  “As Asterios said, I can’t suddenly stop or fall behind. This is not the end but just the very beginning. I need to focus even harder if I truly want our dream to be achieved without unnecessary risk. And for that, I will naturally require your help. We need to set our differences aside and join our efforts under the same goal.”

  “It seems that you are going to enforce your plans through any means necessary,” Rota commented with a quiet sigh.

  “That’s kind of funny coming from you.” Krev chuckled in the back.

  “What?” Rota’s brows rose a little in confusion.

  “She is right. I don’t think you should be the one to talk.” Bryn turned her gaze straight to the woman. “Before we actually start working together on this, I think we should make a few things completely clear.”

  “I don’t think I follow…” Rota shook her head softly.

  “Did you really think that no one would notice such an obvious thing? Did you think everyone would just blame it on bad luck or fate? That people are blind?” Bryn furrowed her brows. “Perhaps once could have been disregarded as such but multiple times? There are bound to be rumors, and they certainly are going to target me as the Power Division’s overseer.”

  “What are you talking about, Bryn?” Eir looked between her two friends, clearly sensing the tension between them.

  “I did everything in line with all our traditions, code, rules, and regulations from the very start. I didn’t take away anyone’s right to be opposed to my ideas or plans. I accepted the risk that things could potentially backfire even though I had complete trust in my master’s prowess. There are things you can’t predict no matter how well you prepare.” Bryn paused for a moment as she stared the other valkyrja down until her own expression turned sad. “And I certainly wouldn’t have expected betrayal.”

  The Council members and servants still present in the chamber all looked between themselves in mild shock. Bryn kept looking at Rota without moving her gaze away and the other woman tried to hold it down even as her eyes widened slightly.

  “I don’t know—”

  “I’m really disappointed in you, Rota,” Bryn interrupted her friend firmly, though they could all see the pain in her expression.

  Rota bit on her lower lip and finally escaped with her eyes to the floor. She didn’t say anything, just stood there in silence. Everyone else besides Ast’s companions wondered what they were talking about. Even Hilda seemed to look at the two with some kind of curious compassion.

  “Master.” Bryn glanced back at Asterios and he nodded.

  A moment later, wisps of black shadow pooled between them and the Council members, catching everyone’s attention. A dark shape rose from it, reaching up to around their chests, and the ominous obstruction slowly receded, revealing a kneeling valkyrja with her hands bound behind her back.

  That sight evoked some murmurs and quiet gasps from the spectators. Eir looked at the woman whose face felt utterly blank and then at Bryn.

  “What is the meaning of this?” she asked.

  “Don’t worry. It’s a lawful detainment. And she is like that due to my master’s summon’s ability,” Bryn replied calmly and stepped closer to the kneeling valkyrja. “Explain yourself.”

  “My name is Hruga. I’m a member of the Third Reconnaissance Platoon serving under the Squad Leader Shara,” the woman answered without moving an inch. “I have been ordered by Councilor Rota to seek Krev the Bloodrain and convince the Champion to take part in the War Games by luring her in with the promise of fighting a powerful outsider. To avoid additional suspicion, I requested my civilian friend to pass the message in my stead. We have successfully completed our task and the Champion signed up.”

  The whispers grew louder as Rota’s face paled slightly. She still kept her gaze directed to the ground, avoiding eye contact with all the people currently directing their gazes at her.

  “Don’t you think that this is a little bit too much for such a minor thing, Bryn?” Kara asked with a hesitant expression. “I get that you might be angry at Rota for bringing Krev in, most likely in hopes that your representative would have lost to her, but even if her methods were questionable, it’s not like we can fault her too much for inviting someone to participate in the event. This forced interrogation feels a bit excessive.”

  Bryn didn’t answer and only glanced at Asterios once more. Another pool of shadow began forming next to the kneeling valkyrja and another woman appeared out of it, in the same state as her sister-in-arms. People seemed to realize what was going to happen next.

  “Explain yourself,” Bryn requested the same thing from the restrained woman.

  “My name is Kadis. I’m an Assistant Auditor in the Citadel. Our department was tasked to prepare contestant entries and draw the pairs for the matches that would take place during the challenges in the Power Division. I have been ordered by Councilor Rota to assure that Krev the Bloodrain would face the Outsider in the first round, and in case she would be bested, everyone from the Outsider’s group would face our strongest warriors in the following battles,” the second woman confessed.

  At this point, a plethora of different gazes were directed at Rota. Some of the valkyrjas present in the room showed confusion, contempt, worry, and a clear lack of understanding regarding the reason behind her actions. Hilda didn’t even try to hide her disgust as she looked at her fellow Councilor.

  “While I agree with your earlier statement, Kara, I don’t think I can let this interference into our sacred ceremony go just like that,” Bryn said, turning to the other woman. “I’m a member of the Council and such matters I just can’t overlook. What do you think would be the people’s reaction when they learned of this? What about those who signed up for the tournament? Especially those who had their pairings arranged instead of drawn?”

  Silence answered her as all the three other members of the Council exchanged gazes. With a serious transgression of such caliber, no one wanted to defend the culprit. It could put a stain on their name or even get them involved in the unfortunate case.

  Bryn sighed heavily and turned to Rota once more. “What do you have to say in your defense?”

  “I… I’m sorry…” Rota replied quietly without raising her gaze. “You were so adamant on going out there that… I couldn’t think of anything to stop you… I don’t think you are aware of how dangerous this operation is… There are so many unknowns… On both sides…”

  “Did you think that I would give up after failing to get the recognition and trust of our warriors?” Bryn asked, slowly walking closer. “I think you are mistaken about something. The army isn’t the core around which my plans are made.”

  Rota said nothing. Her body shivered lightly as Bryn’s hand rested on her shoulder.