IBHJ Chapter 829

Skadi reached out her hand, and the four Origin Wheels left by Surtr buzzed and rose from the ground like glowing orbs, settling into her palms. Like flowing water, they merged into her body. She closed her eyes for a moment, slowly feeling the authority of the wheels wash over her. Dazzling light patterns flickered faintly across her graceful figure, making her presence seem to fade away.

Everyone looked at her, surprised. They couldn't sense Skadi's presence like they could before. It was as if she had become a part of the natural world, her existence as subtle and hard to pin down as a gentle breeze or a babbling brook. Just like how people often miss the little details and the delicate balance of nature, Skadi's existence seemed to slip past their senses.

At this moment, Skadi's way of being was incredibly in tune with the natural world - something that could be recognized but not easily grasped by human senses. But there was one person who could still perceive her presence; it was Shirou. Maybe it was because he had devoured the Origin Wheel of Nidhogg that he could still feel her existence, even when others couldn't.

Shirou looked at Skadi, surprise evident on his face. She clenched her hand, her bright eyes flickering with dazzling light, then slightly raised her head to meet his gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips. "My power has been restored."

"That's great news," he replied, genuinely happy for her. With the five wheels gathered, Skadi had replenished her depleted divinity, making her existence more stable and granting her incomparable power compared to before.

Skadi extended her slender hand and placed it on her chest. The next moment, a dazzling ball of light burst out from her chest and landed in her palm.

It was the Black Grail that the Council had originally implanted at this connection point. Sixth Seat had given the Black Grail to Odin, who then passed it on to Shirou in Pan-Human History. In the end, Shirou had given the Black Grail to Skadi, who was still Scathach at that time.

"Take it, Shirou," she said, handing the Black Grail to him. "This way, this connection point won't be a problem anymore."

Suddenly, the sky flickered with dark, ominous lightning. The Black Ring hanging in the sky flashed with black lightning, becoming extremely unstable. It appeared and disappeared rapidly, as if it was about to implode at any second.

"The Black Ring is about to disappear!" Illya said. "Looks like our job in this connection point is over."

"Everyone, we need to get out of here, now!" Chloe shouted, "Without the Second Magic, we'll be stuck in this world and disappear along with it!"

Illya knew the situation was dire. They had to leave the connection point as quickly as possible, or they'd be stranded there, waiting for Chaldea's rescue team to save them.

But this world was different. This connection point world was already on the verge of falling apart. If they stayed here, there was a good chance Chaldea's retrieval team wouldn't make it in time, and they'd disappear along with this world!

"Don't worry," Skadi extended her hand, her eyes glowing with dazzling light. The next moment, a waterfall of light came pouring down from the Black Ring. Everyone stared at the light curtain, their jaws dropping in surprise.

"I can send you back to your world," Skadi said.

"That won't work," Illya shook her head, "Traversing Connection Points requires Second Magic, otherwise, you will be swallowed by the dimensional rift. In this situation, we must contact Chaldea."

"It's okay. I may not have Second Magic, but my authority can help you get through the dimensional wall," Skadi said with a gentle smile.

Having devoured five wheels and gained their authority, Skadi had restored her full divinity. If Bergelmir and Surtr could traverse the dimensional wall and connect this connection point with Pan-Human History, then she could do it too. Now, she could be called the embodiment of Norse Mythology. In terms of divinity, except for the powerhouses on the level of Saver and above, no one was more powerful than her.

With Skadi's assistance, everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Even though this world was on the brink of annihilation, they no longer had to worry about destruction with Skadi's help. The Knights of the Round exchanged glances and then looked at Shirou.

They knew they had to disappear to avoid adding to Shirou's burden. Artoria's eyes fell on Shirou as she said, "I'll be waiting for you at Chaldea, my king."

Shirou nodded, his gaze meeting hers. "Thanks for all your hard work, Artie."

"Being able to help you and having you willing to summon a knight like me and trust my strategies - I already feel very fortunate. See you at Chaldea, my king." As she spoke, her body slowly dispersed, along with the knights and soldiers of the Eternal Kingdom.

Even though they faced incredibly powerful enemies like Surtr and the Fire Giants this time, and their victory was far from glorious, being able to fight alongside their comrades against formidable foes again after thousands of years apart had already filled them with incredible happiness. Perhaps this was redemption for what happened a thousand years ago, and even if it wasn't entirely accurate, it still felt pretty good.

Once everyone had completely disappeared, Shirou turned to Salter. "Well, our mission here is done. How about coming with me to Chaldea?"

Salter nodded without hesitation. "I know I have my flaws, but if joining you means finding the answers I'm looking for, then I'd be glad to go."

Shirou nodded. In fact, after Svadilfari was taken down, Salter had made a contract with Illya to maintain her existence.

It was good that Salter could go to Chaldea. After all, when dealing with a behemoth like the Council, having one more fighter was always better.

Shirou also asked Sigurd, who said, "I've figured out where I need to be and who I need to make amends with." As he spoke, he looked at Brynhildr. Shirou nodded; it was clear Sigurd had a plan of his own.

"Let's go," Shirou said to Skadi.

She looked at him, then lowered her hand, and the light curtain shone on him and the others. Shirou smiled, but his smile faltered as he watched Skadi slowly walk out from the light curtain.

He stared at her, shocked. "Skadi, what are you..."

"That's your world, Shirou, not mine," Skadi said. "I'm sorry, but I'm staying here."

Before he could speak, Chloe had already started cursing, "Are you crazy? This world is about to be destroyed! Are you going to die with this world?"

"You're wrong, Master," Brynhildr said with a smile. "This world isn't going to be destroyed anymore. Just like the many twilights in Pan-Human History, the end of the old world marks the beginning of a new one. The day of destruction is also the day of rebirth. Skadi and I will be here to see this world's revival together, because this is the world Father cherished the most."

Sigurd didn't say a word. He had already mentioned that he'd found where he needed to be. And that place, the person he needed to make amends with, was right by Brynhildr's side.

Shirou tried to reach out and grab Skadi but found himself blocked by the curtain of light. He wanted to break through the flowing curtain forcefully but realized with dismay that the blessing Skadi had given him had suddenly turned into a double-edged sword, its blade now pointed at him. As he struggled against the curtain, he felt an immense, crushing pressure, as if a huge mountain was falling down on his shoulders, restraining his body.

It finally dawned on him that Skadi had made this decision long ago. From the moment they recognized each other, from the moment she indulged and protected him, she had already decided. She wanted to stay in this Norse world!

The goddess's blessing was the goddess's love, but also the goddess's restraint on her beloved.

"Skadi!" Shirou shouted, reaching out to her with reluctance. He was unwilling, absolutely unwilling. This might be his last chance to see the woman who understood him the most. How could he be willing? How could he not feel grief? The woman who feared loneliness the most was going to stay alone in this cold world once again. How could he allow it?

As Skadi watched Shirou leave, she remembered the little boy who used to circle around her.

—"Teacher, Teacher, what's wrong?"

—"I told you, Teacher is not allowed to smile."

—"You know, I love Teacher the most."

Memories of their time together in Fuyuki flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but smile. "This time, make sure to hold on tightly to the happiness in your hands, Shirou. I will always watch over you from here, protecting you from where you can't see, until your life is filled with happiness."