But even the Valkyrie sisters alone were not enough. Their plan—one borne of desperation—also required divine cooperation. Only then had Brunhilde glimpsed even a sliver of hope that humans might prevail, however slim.
After a moment's hesitation, she revealed the method.
"So that's it… you Valkyries have truly given everything for humanity's sake."
The First Emperor's voice was calm, but the gaze he cast upon Brunhilde made her feel an overwhelming pressure.
"For Us to participate… it's not out of the question. But I require something in return."
—
Chapter 051: Becoming the First Emperor's Sacred Weapon? Opening Move Selected...
The fact that the Emperor posed a condition rather than outright refusing gave Brunhilde some relief. It meant negotiation was possible. There was hope of enlisting him for the battle of Ragnarök.
"What is Your Majesty's condition?"
She prayed it wasn't an unreasonable one, but still, tension gripped her.
"You… shall become Our sacred weapon."
So that was his request?
It was both within expectation—and entirely out of it.
Of course, if the First Emperor wished to pair with a Valkyrie, he would choose the elder sister. Only she had the qualifications.
And yet… this monarch was surprisingly agreeable.
"Brunhilde is honored to become Your Majesty's sacred weapon."
She didn't waver. No hesitation. She agreed instantly.
No matter what happened, she had to comply for now. His power was overwhelming. Refusal could mean she'd never return.
The moment she accepted, the Emperor's stare became terrifying.
It felt as though he were slicing through her skin, dissecting the very elements that comprised the being called Brunhilde.
No—more precisely, he was dissecting divinity.
He was studying the essence of gods, the difference between mortals and gods, and the nature of demigods.
Was she about to become a test subject?
A chill climbed her spine. Her scalp tingled. Terror surged.
Her pupils shrank. The figure seated at the far end of the hall rose and began walking toward her.
Step by step, he closed the distance until he was within arm's reach.
In that moment, Brunhilde's instincts screamed at her to run.
"Then let Us witness what it means to forge a sacred weapon."
His voice remained soft—almost as if politely suggesting. But the will behind it was absolute.
At such close range, the Emperor's aura enveloped her fully. The pressure was unlike anything she'd ever known.
Trembling slightly, she extended her hand toward the monarch.
But even that simple gesture felt unnatural. Was it courage pushing her through fear—or was her body being controlled by the Emperor's will, compelled through words like a divine command?
"Big Sister…" Lantigris could only cry out inwardly. She wished she could speak aloud, but the Emperor's presence paralyzed her.
"Valkyrie Brunhilde—sacred weapon, formation."
Her voice quivered as it left her lips.
Whether it led to salvation or ruin—there was no turning back now.
And in that instant, she felt herself begin to fuse with him.
No—wait.
She felt as though the Emperor was swallowing her whole.
An energy surged into her body, piercing her garments, seeping into her skin, flooding every cell and even her soul.
Her consciousness blurred. She was being disassembled.
Every aspect of herself that composed the entity Brunhilde was being decoded.
Her thoughts faded.
Then—darkness.
And suddenly—
"Ha—haa!!"
She gasped as if drowning, lungs desperate for oxygen.
It felt like she'd awoken from a nightmare, breath ragged and erratic.
"Big Sister! Big Sister!"
Someone was calling out to her—Lantigris, standing before her.
Though the voice rang loudly, to Brunhilde it felt distant, like her ears had been dulled.
Lantigris' image occasionally split into two and fused again—her eyesight must have been affected too.
After several seconds, things finally stabilized.
"I'm fine."
Brunhilde steadied herself and looked forward.
The First Emperor was no longer before her; he had silently returned to his throne.
"You may return now," he said, with no further words.
And then, a ripple distorted the air.
Their surroundings shifted—refreshing into a new scene.
Though new, it was familiar: the outer world's council hall.
They had been returned. Brunhilde could sense the Akasha System once more.
After surveying the chamber, she stepped back into Akasha.
"Brunhilde-sister, Lantigris-sister!"
A young voice filled with relief and delight rang out.
"Grey…"
Lantigris smiled warmly at their youngest sister, embracing her as she ran into her arms.
"Brunhilde-sister~!"
After hugging Lantigris, Grey pounced toward Brunhilde—
But—
"Lantigris… after the sacred weapon formation just now, what have I become?"
Brunhilde abruptly grabbed Grey's face mid-pounce and tossed her aside. Grey glared with theatrical resentment.
"Wait, Brunhilde-sister—what sacred weapon formation?"
Grey blinked in confusion, then quickly covered her mouth. She'd said too much.
Only the Valkyrie sisters knew about their ability to become sacred weapons.
So if Brunhilde had just performed the ritual… did that mean someone had been summoned to the mortal world?
And if so—who was it?
The First Emperor?
"Huh?"
Lantigris froze, unsure how to respond.
Her sister didn't remember?
"I… I'm not sure."
"Not sure?"
Brunhilde raised an eyebrow.
"When you were enveloped by light, it was blinding. I couldn't see anything. And then, when it faded, you were back."
Lantigris looked apologetic, feeling useless.
"Don't wear that look, Lantigris."
Brunhilde gently stroked her sister's cheek. None of this had been predictable.
Then her expression darkened slightly.
The battle of Ragnarök was about to begin. She could already hear the roar of spectators in the arena.
No more time for detours or historical voyages.
There wasn't even time to analyze the battlefield through a screen. Flat images missed vital details.
Only firsthand immersion allowed one to perceive critical truths.
They'd uncovered several powerful candidates—true trump cards. But should they play one right away?
Besides, those proud kings might refuse to debut in round one.
A monarch would surely prefer the grand finale.
What now? How could she decide?
She had to select someone for the opening match immediately.
—
Chapter 052: His Majesty Sends Me to Represent Humanity's First Battle
The first round of Ragnarök was pivotal.
If possible, Brunhilde hoped to seize victory in this opener—it would set the tone for all that followed.
But the kings she'd found were all final-boss-level fighters.
Summon one now?
Uruk's King—Gilgamesh. Too arrogant. He'd only accept a climactic spotlight match.
And the First Emperor? He was certainly not the type to enter the fray first. He would wait for a god worthy of his stature—someone on the level of a chief deity.
That left King Solomon. Enigmatic and mysterious. Unlikely to volunteer for round one either.
In that case, only her original selections remained.
The first opponent was likely to be Lord Thor—the Thunder God himself, said to possess power equal to a chief deity.
So among her previous choices… who could possibly match him?
That man?
"Big Sister, you're choosing him for the first round?"
On the virtual panel before them appeared a savage-looking figure—his aura radiated brutality.
He hailed from Eastern history.
The strongest warrior of the Three Kingdoms era—Lu Bu Fengxian.
Brunhilde had researched him even before she proposed the Ragnarök gambit in the council.
"Yes."
He had always been her planned opener—a madman to crash the gates.
"Then, Lantigris… I'm counting on you."
Brunhilde's voice was solemn as she entrusted her sister with a weighty task.
"Wait—Brunhilde-sister is asking Lantigris-sister? Does that mean—"
Grey froze as realization dawned. Her expression turned tense.
They were preparing to forge another sacred weapon.
Lantigris was about to become the vessel—the living weapon wielded by Lu Bu.
But… was it truly safe to entrust her sister's soul to that monstrous man?