Chapter 612: [ War ]

It was chaotic in Norse God City; Asgard.

Ever since the warning for the Monster Horde was broadcasted, everyone rushed home to seek refuge. Ordinary people, even though they were high humans originally, they could not join the battle against monsters and demons such as this.

They were fearful of the monster horde.

It was unfortunate because as soon as a person was diagnosed with a fear of monsters, they would be forced to go for a psychotherapy magic session, led by those from the nature affinity clan like Freyr Family, to overcome their fears afterward and help them remain calm.

The Norse God Council did their best to calm the situation down and within minutes, the streets were empty.

Most of the Norse Gods staff headed to the west of the foothold while a small part of them guarded the east gate. Fortunately, there were only two gates in the foothold so the warriors could gather and focus on these two gates instead of being scattered everywhere.

Elena Balder was one of the current guardians of the Norse God City; Asgard. She was a beautiful middle-aged woman with shining golden hair. She was also the biological mother of Eerika Balder. Her beautiful face was frowning and a bit pale—she had already expected this day would come and had already steeled herself, yet when this moment really comes, she felt as if her body couldn’t help but tremble in sorrow. Is this the end…?

With her vision, she could see the monsters coming out of the Demon Eye clearly. He knew very well that it was at least a disaster-grade horde. It was impossible for her to fight the Calamity Class monsters on her own.

"Should we fight and stand or should we run?" Elena hesitated and finally made her decision.

She gritted her teeth and resolve and firm determination flashed in her eyes.

She clenched her fists and muttered, “Death comes to living, even immortals would have an end…”

Elena sighs mournfully. She then turned around and face the people kneeling behind her, “Relay my orders, all people evacuate to the Last Sanctuary as for all of you!” Then, she stared at them for a moment, pausing. Then, she continued in a low tone, "This war is different from the previous ones. This battle will be extremely deadly. What do you want to do? I won’t force you, as all of you have a family as well!”

“… …”

“I won’t look down on you if you step back this time. Because I know that this war is extremely dangerous! The mortality rate will be 90 percent. And, that is only a conservative estimate. Therefore, anyone who doesn’t wish to proceed… can take a step back. My family and I won’t force anyone to go through with this. So, you can withdraw if you wish. There’s no shame in thinking about your own safety or the safety of your family."

She spoke with the voice of a leader, firm, soft yet also powerful.

Wooooosh. The autumn wind whistled. However, not a single man amongst those present moved. In fact, no one even batted an eyelid.

"This is the last opportunity to withdraw,” Elena smiled faintly. “You won't be able to look back later. It is entirely possible that ten out of every ten people here may die. They'll be gone forever! This is the final opportunity I will give you!"

She proclaimed coldly.

Even still, nobody moved an inch — same as before.

Elena nodded softly, her expression softened and full of warmth. Then, she spoke sternly, "Those who want to join — step forward."

Boom!!! Without hesitation, all the people took a step forward. They had exerted themselves as they had taken this step forward. Their orderly, yet powerful steps had seemed to cause the entire ground trembling.

"Very Good! Nine-out-of-ten may not survive this war. But, you can’t have any regrets now. They say that a warrior who pushes forward despite the troubles — is an iron-blooded warrior! You haven’t forgotten the warriors' code of honor of the Norse Clan, do you…?!” Elena irresolutely muttered a few words. Then, she suddenly looked up with a thunderous expression in her eyes.

Everyone became alert and straightened their backs.

They wanted to listen to Elena’s words very carefully;

"A Norse journey has only one direction.

Glory and splendor in life or death… but no retreat!

We worshipped strength as for those who weak can never rule!

We fill our lives with honor for those had not may as well be dead!

And in our blood runs courage we used to defend our family and kindred from all dangers!!

…And even in death, we should die in honor... for Valhalla awaits us!

Where the brave shall live forever…!!”

… …!!!

There was complete silence.

Pin drop silence but an oppressive atmosphere hanged in the air.

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Everyone's expression was extremely fierce.

Elena’s words had boiled everyone's blood. It seemed that each-and-every pore in their body had erupted with impassioned strength; their eyes emitted scorching brilliance.

“...For those who want to fight, warriors of the Norse pick up your swords—we will have a feast in Valhalla!!”

There was a sharp look in her eyes.

Her gaze swept across each and every people’s face.

Each and every man's breathing was coarse and heavy.

Every man's eyes were brimming with fighting spirit.

“Ooooohhh!!”

“Yes, masterrr!!”

“We will fight for you!! We won’t cower before death!!”

“Let’s meet at Valhalla at dawn!!”

“Brother and Sisters, let’s see each other again at the feast!!”

One after another, cries and cheers full of jubilation and spirit echoed in the entire City. It was like an overbearing power that was pressurizing the entire land. It seemed that time itself had slowed down.

With full vigor and overflowing killing intent, every people clenched their fists and started walking towards the City Wall to prepare for the upcoming war, when a loud shout interrupted their procession, "Wait!"

A middle-aged man had a solemn expression on his face as he waved his hand, "How can we not have wine when we send-off the brave heroes of Norse to war?! I have the best quality wine to match the occasion!"

“Eric Thor,” Elena turned at the man, smiling wryly. “You seemed to be quite late…”

Eric shrugged as he waved his wine cask at her, “Can’t fight without this~” he grinned and then chug a mouthful.

He then snaps his fingers and three people appeared from behind the man; these three individuals each held a wine jar. Then, female servants appeared each was a kingdom-calamity beauty, handing cups to everyone. Then, the wine was poured into everyone’s cups, before raising it into the air.

There was a sense of passion and pride in the depth of the man’s eyes. The people of Norse is his pride—they stood with pride even though they knew that they were about to die.

In fact, not a single one of them had cowered.

This is Norse—this is our Norse—even in death, the warrior of the Norse would not cower!!

That was sufficient to earn his, the famous current generation; Norse God of War’s respect.

They stood unchanged in the face of such adversity — whether they had been good men or bad.

And, this made them heroes!

In fact, only such men can be called a Hero!

Heroes don’t have good or bad personalities!

...only bravery!

Eric raised his wine cask and drained it with closed eyes. His lips curled up and shout, "What is today’s death? We Norse, born to die as we have lived—!"

Then, there was a "BANG!"… Eric had thrown his wine cask down. His body appeared tall and lofty as he suddenly floated upwards, and declared with a thunderous voice that is akin to a storm, encompassing the entire City of Asgard, “—brothers and sisters! Elena said right! We will rather die standing than live kneeling!!!”

Booooom!!! a loud and deafening thunderbolt suddenly crashed from the clear blue sky.

Then, another one, and another and another...

“… …”

It was completely quiet on the defense wall.

Under the light of sunset, everyone felt something uncontainable was about to burst out of the soldiers and warriors of Asgard.

Finally —

Someone subconsciously yelled after Eric: “Battle! For our City, People, and Families!”

This little follow up was like a tiny spark into a pond of gasoline.

All a sudden, the blood within all of the soldiers and warriors of Asgard had ignited, burning like an unstoppable flame.

“Fight!!”

“Defend! For our homeland!”

“Attack!! Kill!! Battle!!!”

"Killl!!!"

"Killl!!!"

"Killl!!!"

"For Asgardddd!!!!"

"For Asgardddd!!!!"

"We won't fear DEATHHHHH!!! Asgardians don't fear DEATH!!!"

"We will have a feast in Valhallaaaa!!!"

The entire city shook and was then followed by a deafening cheer.

The chanting roars sent forth a truly spectacular force. Like the most unimaginable magic, it quickly spread around the City Wall. Almost every people of Asgard started roaring.

Morale was skyrocketing!

“Oh my, oh my so rowdy~”

“Ha ha ha, I guess if this time we couldn’t survive again, we surely will see each other at the feast in Valhalla… I guess I will be seeing all of you again. What a frustration~”

“What was meaning the meaning of your words, Old Man Ingmar? You don’t want to see us again? Is that it?”

“Lady Dahlia, you should know if this old man still with this old lady even in the other world, how can I still keep my life till then…?” An old man with a long beard and golden hair laughed loudly.

“You dare say that in front of me you retarded old man!! Do you not want your retarded old life anymore…?!!”

And then another old woman around 60s to 70s descended as well.

“Ha ha ha, Grandma Elin, I’m happy to see you both alive and well.”

“Oh my dear Elena, I’m delighted as well. Having you here in the Clan make us old people free from worries. However, this time I fear…” Grandma Elin sighs as she pulled Elena into her embrace and hugs her. Her tone was full of sorrow.

“I know… but I don’t fear. I have lived life until now with no regrets. Even if I die, I would still raise my chest proudly,”

Elena muttered with a faint smile.

“Oh my dear, you sure have grown so wonderful,” Elin smiled happily as she started stroking Elena’s hair affectionately. “…can’t be helped, that’s the way of the Norse…!!”

"Indeed, the way of the Norse!"

“Please don’t forget us, mom! We will also fight!”

A voice rang out and when the two women turned their heads, there along with a group of youths was Eerika wearing her blue colored battle armor. On her waist was a large two-handed sword, sparkling in a golden light.

“Eerika! Didn’t I order you to evacuate to Sanctuary?” Elena frowned and immediately spoken a with a cold voice.

“No, I won’t run! I will also fight!”

But Eerika grips her fist and rejected such order without hesitation.

“Are you insane?!”

“No!” Eerika gripped the sword’s hilt on her waist and slowly pulled it out. “…I am not a kid anymore, nor anyone among us—we are warriors! If we cower in a fight, where will that put us?! If the Clan gets destroyed, then we will follow it on the grave!!”

Eerika’s body glowed golden, her sword shining brightly and there were no fear nor anxiety appearing on her face.

“—we are not afraid!!”

“Yes! I’m sorry Aunt Elena but we won’t back down and run away!”

“I will join my father in this fight! I’m also the son of the Tyr Clan!!”

“As a descendant of the Great God Thor, how can I show my face to my ancestor if I run away from a battle?! Uncle Eric would beat my ass…!!”

“Ha ha ha haha!!”

The youth was screaming and crying out full of fighting spirit. Seeing this, a gratified look appeared on the old people’s face.

As expected of their descendants…!

Each of them was a Hero that they can be proud of!

Staring at Eerika’s determined expression that doesn’t have any intention of backing out, Elena nodded and sighed, “You stupid daughter… if you can leave here, you can still find that youth and might even avenge our deaths along with him. There’s no need for you to lay your lives here… even without doing this, you all were already the pride of our Clan,”

“No, I fear Sol would be disappointed at me if I run away and leave you all behind,” Eerika grinned.

A dazzling smile appeared on her beautiful, pale face. It was a pure smile, full of contentment.

“And besides, I know that we would still see each other again… this is not the last, nor is it the time of my death—I will surely see him again…!”

“Silly child…” Elena’s eyes turned moist and pulled Eerika to her embrace, hugging the courageous daughter she took pride in.

“That’s right, this is not yet the end…!”

“This Ragnarok—we will surely survive this!”

“That’s right, Mom!”

Eerika smiled happily.

"We will!"

*** ***