– Kugugugung—!!
In the midst of their sprint, an earthquake struck, causing Kirhas and Fernandez to stagger and momentarily regain their balance. The demons chasing them couldn’t maintain their speed and tumbled over in a chaotic heap.
They had bought some time, but Fernandez couldn’t run anymore. Something felt ominous. His instincts were screaming warnings like mad.
No, it wasn’t just his instincts—it was the divine blood of Diemonica flowing through his veins, sounding the alarm. It felt as if it was screaming in terror.
Thump, thump. His heart raced. Fernandez swallowed hard as he glared at the epicenter, Yggdrasil. Just as the earthquake seemed to subside, a trumpet sound tore through the sky.
– Booooo—!!
A deafening roar echoed across the heavens. Hearing this, Botan, who was tied to Fernandez’s waist, spoke softly.
[That’s Gjallarhorn.]
“Is that the name of the monster making that sound?”
[Monster? No, it’s a trumpet. The trumpet Heimdall carries. It’s only blown when the entire Aesir faces a crisis. In all of history, it’s never been sounded before.]
A crisis for all of Aesir. If the threat was so great that it reached even those who had fled to a safe dimension through Bifrost, there was only one explanation.
This was a sign of Ragnarok. But they hadn’t reached Yggdrasil yet. If Loft had made the first move, it was because they were too late.
Time—always the most precious and irreplaceable resource.
– Kugugugung!!
Once again, an earthquake swept across the land. Simultaneously, the sky, covered in dark clouds, split open, and light began to pour down.
Over the vast plains facing Yggdrasil, over the destroyed and burning land, sunlight began to shine. Along with the earthquake, it illuminated the earth—
[Bifrost is opening.]
And beneath the light, a legion revealed itself.
The dagger that had cleanly severed Karadphelin’s neck smoothly turned and touched Heimdall’s throat. Heimdall, without a hint of panic, stared down at Loft.
The earthquake caused the bridge leading to the sanctuary to collapse. Mercury bubbled and boiled, and the once-blue sky began to glow with the light of sunset.
[What is this?]
“That’s not enough. Open all the gates. Every single one. Every dimensional gateway Bifrost can reach.”
Loft glared at Heimdall with burning eyes. Heimdall silently looked back at Loft. Soon, he spoke in a grave voice.
[Botan and you had a different plan.]
“Of course, my friend.”
[Your goal is the destruction of this world?]
“Destruction? Ha, hardly. Who would want that? If everyone just died, the boredom afterward would be enough to make me want to kill myself just thinking about it.”
Loft laughed, clacking his jaw. Heimdall frowned and turned his gaze to Thor, who stood beside him.
[Why are you silent? Are you satisfied with this, brother?]
[I don’t know.]
Thor scratched his head and sighed. He clicked his tongue and took a step back from Loki and Heimdall.
[We were living well, and suddenly Ragnarok happens. Father turns his back and summons demons, causing chaos, and my brothers all lose their minds and head to Midgard. What am I supposed to believe, brother? Were you ever honest with me? No one ever told me that the dragon’s heart was the seal of Jormungand.]
[I… did it for everyone!]
[How sad, brother. The fact that your ‘everyone’ didn’t include me. Well, it’s fine. I made a promise to fulfill just one thing. The rest doesn’t matter anymore.]
Thor shrugged. Loft chuckled at his words.
“Just one thing? What is it, brother?”
[Before falling to Hell, Father left me with one command.]
“Oh, Botan. What was it?”
[Kill Jormungand.]
Loft burst into laughter. The last piece of uncertainty had vanished.
Killing Botan’s children in front of Thor was an extremely dangerous move. The royal family of Aesir was generally close-knit.
But even rocks are eventually worn down by rain. Loft had spent a long time driving a wedge between them.
As a result, Thor no longer tried to stop him from killing his own brother.
Loft whispered to the panicked Heimdall.
“I’ll take the key to Bifrost.”
[Thor!! This is a misunderstanding—!]
– Sssk.
Before Heimdall could finish, Loft thrust a dagger into the gap in his armor. A jolt of energy surged through his body. Blue sparks crackled and rose from his entire being.
Loft hummed as he pulled out the dagger. Heimdall’s body twitched and trembled.
“What a harmonious family. Just as the gods have always been.”
