Chapter 47: The Sky-Piercing Spire and the Spear of Eternity

One step, two steps, three steps.

Gentle light streamed through the window, dappling Aldoran’s long hair with shimmering golden highlights.

Aldoran and the young woman ascended the seemingly endless staircase, step by arduous step, making their way towards the summit of the Sky-Piercing Spire.

She could no longer recall how long they had been walking, for whenever she gazed downwards, she saw only an unfathomable abyss.

“Do you feel afraid at such a height?” the young woman walking ahead casually asked Aldoran, her voice so soft that at times Aldoran could barely discern her words.

“I apologize, what did you say?” Aldoran, snapping back to attention, inquired of the young woman.

“I asked if you feel afraid at such a height.”

“No, I quite enjoy this sensation, the feeling of looking down from a great height.”

Whenever Aldoran stood aloft, feeling the caress of the clean breeze, a sense of exhilaration would invariably wash over her.

“Is that so? You remind me of someone I know; he also relished the view from above, and this very tower was once his most cherished spot.”

The young woman, walking ahead, lowered her head slightly, as if lost in a distant memory.

“However, I seem to have trouble recalling his appearance.”

“Might I ask, was he your lover?”

Aldoran thought she heard a soft chuckle, but perhaps it was merely an illusion.

“No, he was not. In fact, he was my father.”

The young woman halted, and over her shoulder, Aldoran could see a pristine white door standing before them.

“My apologies, I seem to have asked an inappropriate question.”

“It’s quite alright, I have long since come to terms with it.” The young woman extended her hand, and as if summoned, the grand door slowly parted before them.

Several tendrils of warm light streamed through the opening, a gentle and pure radiance that, upon bathing Aldoran, evoked a peculiar sense of nostalgia.

It was akin to the feeling of old friends reuniting after a long separation.

A profound and distant longing.

“Across countless ages, I have reconciled myself with many things.” The door continued to inch open, and an uncontrollable surge of radiance poured forth, illuminating the entire spire.

Even the dazzling sunlight outside could not rival this brilliant glow.

A tumultuous wave of nostalgia churned within Aldoran.

She could not pinpoint its origin, nor could she explain why such a sensation arose, but amidst that tide of longing, surging like the ocean, Aldoran felt the urge to weep for the very first time.

An inexplicable sorrow welled up within her.

The light intensified, and within its soft glow, Aldoran perceived a trace of pure power.

Unlike the young woman’s tranquil strength, the power Aldoran felt was one of majesty, sanctity, and inviolability.

A peculiar sense of oppression enveloped her, instilling in her heart a profound reverence.

Aldoran found herself bowing her head instinctively.

Yet, the young woman remained entirely unaffected, gracefully awaiting the moment the grand door would fully open.

Within Aldoran’s right pupil, the markings of a spear involuntarily surfaced.

The pattern of a soaring eagle, typically emblazoned there, was now disrupted and reformed in her eye, revealing a sacred spear.

Her bracelet erupted with light, and the pristine white radiance, as if guided, surged towards Aldoran’s wristband.

Unblemished, pure power instantly filled her body; magical circuits manifested upon her skin, emitting a pale blue glow that instantaneously overflowed the entire spire.

From a distance, the cloud-piercing Sky-Piercing Spire now appeared as a colossal blue pillar, continuously radiating potent magic.

The light was ceaselessly absorbed by Aldoran, becoming an integral part of her burgeoning power.

The entire process lasted for several tens of minutes.

Finally, all the light had been absorbed by Aldoran, her magical circuits shifting from pale blue to a deep azure.

Only then did the turbulent magical energy gradually subside, and at that very moment, the grand door swung fully open.

“Lord Odin,” the young woman declared, “this is my garden, and also the resting place of your spear.” With these words, she stepped through the grand doorway first, with Aldoran following closely behind.

Upon entering, a fragrant aroma wafted forth.

The spacious hall was filled with a vibrant array of flowers, some red, some white, all of designs Aldoran had never before encountered.

The flowers were meticulously arranged: a section of blue blossoms resembled a calm, placid sea; a section of pink blooms evoked a forest of cherry trees in full splendor; and a section of dark petals, speckled with other hues, resembled a dazzling, beautiful galaxy.

These myriad flowers complemented each other, forming intricate and stunning patterns.

In that light-drenched chamber, the flowers swayed gently, dancing to the rhythm of the breeze, like graceful performers moving to the soft chime of wind chimes.

At the far end of this floral expanse, where sunlight bathed the space, sat a young woman with a full head of white hair, much like Aldoran’s.

However, six enormous white wings unfurled majestically behind her.

The young woman perched on the windowsill, wearing a monocle.

A pristine white cloak obscured her right arm, revealing only a glint of silver armor.

Her feet, clad in boots forged from divine iron, rested one on the windowsill while the other swung idly.

Aldoran observed the young woman’s left hand, which held a squirrel by its tail, repeatedly tossing it up and catching it.

The squirrel squeaked in terror, desperate to escape her grasp, but the young woman paid it no mind.

Instead, she playfully flicked its forehead with her right hand in a mock threat.

“Vidofnir, are you tormenting Ratatoskr again?” Seeing this, the first young woman called out softly.

The girl named Vidofnir’s ear twitched slightly.

She then turned her head, glanced at the first young woman, then gave Aldoran a dismissive look, before lowering her head once more to continue teasing the squirrel named Ratatoskr.

“You’ve brought someone back again, have you?” Vidofnir poked the squirrel’s belly with her finger, then gave it a sharp, malicious flick, causing the squirrel to immediately shriek in terror.

“Vidofnir, that’s enough. Hasn’t it already apologized?”

Vidofnir let out a soft chuckle, then turned her head towards the first young woman with a hint of interest.

“I say, you’re quite the busybody, aren’t you? This little rascal is always slandering me behind my back; a bit of punishment isn’t out of line, is it?”

“I’ll speak to it properly later. Since it’s already been punished today, please let it go.” The first young woman stepped forward, pleading.

Vidofnir remained silent.

She tossed the squirrel once more, then, gripping its tail, delivered a sharp flick to its head.

Ignoring the squirrel’s pained shrieks, she casually flung it out of the spire, clapped her hands, and stood up.

“What’s the matter? It won’t die anyway, so wasn’t I just helping it get down faster?” The young woman then walked up to Aldoran, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

Aldoran, in turn, observed the young woman, noting that Vidofnir’s eyes were quite unusual; her pupils were hexagonal, each side adorned with a different color, giving them a rather peculiar appearance.

“There’s no need for such a bewildered expression, is there?” Vidofnir turned around and settled back onto the windowsill.

“You’re really quite rude, showing such an expression to a stranger.”

“My apologies,” Aldoran stated, looking at the six-winged young woman.

“Never mind, I don’t particularly care. Tell me, Aldoran, you were brought here by her, weren’t you?” Vidofnir asked, her eyes still fixed on the scenery outside.

“How do you know my name?” Aldoran did not answer, instead countering with a question of her own to Vidofnir.

Vidofnir merely shrugged.

“My ability, much like yours, allows me to perceive the workings of all things. So, are you satisfied with that answer?”

“Please don’t speak like that, Vid. This is Lord Odin,” the first young woman interjected at that moment.

However, Vidofnir remained entirely unconcerned, simply shrugging again.

“Odin, you say? How utterly dull. Didn’t you feel uncomfortable bringing her here?” Vidofnir fixed her gaze on the first young woman, a flicker of pity crossing her eyes.

“Never mind, it matters not to me who she is,” Vidofnir continued, before the first young woman could even reply.

“My duty is simply to observe the world’s workings. So, if this young woman named Aldoran bears the mantle of Odin, then you’ve come for *that*, haven’t you?”

“Indeed, we have come to retrieve the Spear of Eternity.” The first young woman stepped forward, completely unperturbed by Vidofnir’s earlier remarks.

“I see,” Vidofnir nodded.

Then, she tilted her head back slightly and began to rummage within her chest.

Before long, a small gem was retrieved from the cleavage between her breasts.

Without even a glance, she tossed the gem to Aldoran.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

“It’s what you seek, your weapon,” Vidofnir said, letting out a scoff. “Who knows?”

“Is that all?” Aldoran asked, holding the spear-shaped gem in her hand, a hint of hesitation in her voice.

She found its acquisition suspiciously effortless.

“Of course. You are Odin; this artifact rightfully belongs to you. I have no interest in replicating those adventure novels where one must first endure trials to claim a treasure.” Vidofnir, unconcerned, yawned, her gaze still fixed on the outdoor scenery, exuding an air of utter languor.

“Since its master has arrived, isn’t it only natural to return it?” With that, Vidofnir ceased answering Aldoran’s questions.

“However, this also bears a seal,” the first young woman added, seeing that Vidofnir seemed disinclined to elaborate further.

“For now, you can only temporarily wield Gungnir; you cannot manifest it in this realm for extended periods.”

“Then, how might I break its seal?” Aldoran meticulously examined the gem.

Its design was remarkably simple, merely an engraved depiction of a spear, with little to distinguish it.

“This,” the first young woman explained, taking the gem from Aldoran’s palm.

A faint pink light emanated, transforming the gem into a surge of energy that flowed into the gem on Aldoran’s wrist.

“With each seal you break on your Mark of Fate, a corresponding seal on Gungnir will also be undone.”

“Boring, utterly boring,” Vidofnir muttered to herself.

She closed her eyes and reclined on the windowsill, seemingly indifferent to their conversation.

“As for the method to unlock the Mark’s seals, you will still need to discover that for yourself.”

The first young woman ignored the discordant voice, offering a faint smile that, in turn, warmed Aldoran’s heart.

“I must still tell you, you are Odin. All trials must be personally endured by you, and all conundrums must be personally unraveled by you.”

“Hmph.”

Vidofnir’s scoff once again reached their ears.

“Vid, you are truly being quite impolite,” the first young woman gently reminded her.

“Boring. Rather than discussing such useless matters here, why aren’t you thinking of saving that young man?” Vidofnir, still with closed eyes, spoke without a ripple of emotion in her tone.

“He is close to death.”

“What?” Aldoran stepped forward. “What did you say?”

“That Frigga, your consort, is close to death, you know.” Vidofnir’s voice sounded as if she were merely discussing what to have for dinner, devoid of any emotion.

“In that case, I urge you to return at once!” Hearing Vidofnir’s words, the first young woman’s eyes flashed, and an anxious expression immediately clouded her face.

She patted Aldoran’s shoulder, her voice filled with urgency.

“Please, please go save him, Lord Odin!”

“But how am I to leave this place?”

“Simply like this.” Vidofnir waved a hand, and a powerful gust of wind swept forth.

Before Aldoran could even react, her vision swam with darkness, and she lost consciousness.

As a gentle breeze stirred, Aldoran’s form vanished completely the moment she collapsed.

“Have you thought of something?” Vidofnir, seemingly aware of the young woman’s current expression, tilted her head slightly.

Her cold eyes, whether fixed on the flowers or the young woman, merely spoke with a hint of pity.

The young woman remained silent, moving to stand beside Vidofnir.

“My apologies, I am always so sensitive.”

“What a fragile person you are. After all this time, are you still dwelling on that matter?”

Petals drifted down as Vidofnir turned her head away once more, utterly unconcerned with the young woman’s reply.

Facing the azure sky, she closed her eyes again.

“And here I thought I might see someone interesting.”

“Boring, utterly boring.”