IBHJ Chapter 785

Odin had just finished distributing the five wheels when he made his way through the Nine Realms, finally reaching the Well of Mimir at the very bottom of the World Tree's second root. The three Norns were already there, waiting for him.

The oldest of the three Norns spoke up, "So, you've given away all six origin wheels. Looks like you've made up your mind."

Odin looked at them, his expression calm, and asked, "Norns, you're the goddesses who control fate. I came here for a specific reason. Tell me, can you see what the future holds for us, for this world?"

The three Norns shook their heads. "Ever since the White Titan made this world a target for pruning, we haven't been able to see its future."

"So, what you're saying is that Asgard and all of us will be destroyed, right? Well, that just proves my approach is the right one. This world doesn't have a future anymore. I'm betting everything on another world, hoping that in that other world, we'll find a way."

"I see. That's why you handed out all the wheels. Once the origin wheels and Ymir are gone from this world, it'll speed up the process of destruction significantly. Not to mention when you leave this world, Surtr and the giants will definitely attack Asgard in search for Ymir. By giving the origin wheels to the most powerful magical beasts, you can at least slow them down in gathering the wheels. But there's one thing you've overlooked. That Beast of Calamity has no good intentions whatsoever," the Norn said.

"I know. I can sense his malice. And the Runes of Wisdom have opened my eyes to see that behind that Beast of Calamity, there's an even more terrifying and indescribable evil lurking," Odin said, "This Council must be a gathering place for evil, and it even has the ability to cross dimensional barriers, similar to the Second Magic - it's a sinful organization that exists who knows where. If left unchecked, one day it'll cause an irreversible great disaster. But right now, I have to prioritize my world,"

"So, what's your plan?" the three Norns asked.

"We go all out. Gather all the divinity and charge towards a parallel world. This way, even that Beast of Calamity and the Council behind it won't be able to make a move against us so easily," Odin said. "And before that, I have to make sure that Mímisbrunnr can't fully activate."

Odin took out the water pearl sealing Jörmungandr from his chest and threw it into the Well of Mimir, saying: "The five wheels on the surface of the world can guarantee and keep the world running. And I'm putting this last origin wheel here to ensure that no one else can get their hands on it except me."

With that said, Odin swung Gungnir, and a beam of red magical energy blasted the Well of Mimir. "I'm the only one in the whole world who has drunk from the Well of Mimir and gained its wisdom. This way, even if the giants go to great lengths, they won't be able to activate Mímisbrunnr and get the last wheel! It's just that once we leave, the giants will inevitably attack Asgard. We can only ask the Valkyries and other living beings to form a coalition and hold out until we return."

"We'll definitely save the world, Odin," the three Norns said with a smile.

Odin couldn't help but smile too. It was the first time he'd smiled in ten thousand years. He was filled with hope and anticipation. But even Odin probably didn't anticipate that they, who had chopped down the World Tree, defeated the Vanir gods, and destroyed the White Titan, would all end up dying in Pan-Human History. But no one knew this outcome at the time. Not even the Norns who governed fate foresaw it.

Yes, now Shirou and Skadi had no time to dwell on this point. Because, seeing this, they both knew where Odin had hidden Jörmungandr, that last origin wheel!

"What are you two whispering about down there, Oniichan, Miss Skadi?" Chloe asked the two below in the Well of Mimir. Without coming down, they couldn't see the illusions appearing in the well.

Shirou raised his head and shouted to them, "Run!"

The others were stunned, their eyes widening in confusion. There was no time to explain. Shirou, who had activated the Well of Mimir, had triggered Odin's last insurance. The ocean sealed in the Well of Mimir was instantly released, and endless water surged up from the well, the torrent roaring as it rose.

The water immediately engulfed Shirou and the others, the cold, salty liquid filling their mouths and noses as they struggled to stay afloat. The water from a vast ocean instantly flooded the entire bottom level, the pressure threatening to crush them against the decaying wooden walls!

A huge shadow that had been trapped and roamed inside the water prison slithered, its movements causing the water to churn and froth. Then, with a deafening boom, the water surface exploded, sending droplets and foam flying in all directions. A huge snake head rushed out, its scales gleaming in the dim light. It raised its head and howled.

It was the howl of freedom.

...

Skadi's eyes fluttered open as she slowly regained consciousness. She noticed Shirou sitting close by, his warm hands resting on her belly.

"What do you think you're doing?" Skadi asked, her voice icy as she tried to suppress her anger and embarrassment.

"A huge wave hit us, so I was just helping to squeeze the water out of your body," Shirou explained, straightening up and removing his hands from her abdomen.

"And where's the water now?" Skadi questioned, her face still cold.

He stood up and looked around, avoiding her gaze.

"You know, your blasphemy towards a goddess is more than enough reason for me to strike you down with my blade," she threatened.

"Fair enough. When you're back to full strength and can actually beat me, feel free to cut me down as much as you like."

Hearing this, she clenched her teeth. This guy had clearly noticed her weakened state and was taking full advantage of it. As a proud goddess, she silently vowed to throw this audacious human into an icy abyss he could never escape from. She ground her teeth, fuming inwardly.

Shirou walked over to the cave entrance. "Looks like this cave managed to avoid getting flooded," he remarked, surveying their surroundings.

She joined him at the entrance, gazing out at the raging sea. The endless seawater had already flooded the roots of the world tree.

"I hope the others are okay," Shirou said, his voice laced with concern. The origin wheel had been well-hidden, but what he hadn't anticipated was that Odin had also concealed a massive amount of seawater inside.

The group was caught off guard by the massive waves created by Jörmungandr, and now Shirou had lost contact with Illya and the others.

He then glanced over at Skadi and asked, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Skadi had her hands clutched to her chest, her lips trembling and her breathing labored.

She didn't seem to hear him. Her red lips turned pale and began to frost over, and suddenly, her body crumpled to the ground.

"Skadi! Skadi, hey!"

Seeing Skadi collapse, he instinctively reached out to catch her. However, the moment his fingers touched her skin, he quickly pulled them back. Even that brief contact was enough for him to realize something was seriously wrong with her. But he couldn't just leave her like this. He bent down and carefully gathered the unconscious Skadi into his arms.

Her soft body felt unnaturally cold, not warm like it should have been. Even through his armor, Shirou could feel the bone-chilling coldness emanating from her. He carried Skadi into the cave and gently laid her down, noticing that the frost covering her body had actually frozen the ground beneath her.

"What's going on?" Shirou frowned. He took out the holy lance Rhongomyniad and placed it on the ground, channeling mana into it. The tip began to rotate, generating a significant amount of heat that slowly warmed the icy cave.

He reached out and touched Skadi's forehead, still feeling the unnatural coldness. He removed the cloak from his back and draped it over her, watching as it melted the frost that had formed on her body.

Looking down at the pale-faced woman, he sat down and narrowed his eyes.