IBHJ Chapter 826

Bergelmir had gathered the Fire Giants together under the pretext of a defensive battle, all for the sake of revenge. This was the reason they were only defending and not attacking Salter. On the surface, it was to protect Surtr, but the real reason for gathering these giants in one place was to make it easier for Kraken to maintain its hunting ground!

Surtr gripped his melted Laevatein, glaring at Bergelmir with pure rage. "Damn monster!" he roared, charging down to the base of Asgard.

Seeing this, Shirou stepped forward, thrusting his lance, the gleaming weapon flashing in the air as it streaked towards its target. Surtr, known for his careful and calculated fighting style, would normally have easily evaded such an attack, but in his blind rage, he failed to react in time. The lance found its mark, tearing through the flesh of his arm and sending a spray of burning blood into the air.

Surtr's face contorted with rage as he charged forward, heedless of the blood dripping from his mangled arm. "Get out of my way!" he bellowed as he raised his good arm, his sword cutting through the air towards Shirou in a vicious slash.

Shirou's eyes narrowed, his body tensing as he watched the blade's deadly arc. He knew better than to try and block the blow directly. Instead, he pivoted on his heel, stepping back just in time to feel the searing heat of the sword as it whistled past his face. In the same motion, he shifted his weight forward, and thrust his lance towards Surtr, the gleaming point aimed straight for the giant's heart.

Surtr's sword swung up in a flash, colliding with his lance in a resounding clash of metal against metal, and a shower of sparks erupted from the point of impact. Surtr's eyes kept flicking towards Asgard, his desperation to get there growing with each passing second.

At that moment, divine light flashed in Skadi's eyes, and strange phenomena began to emerge. Wind and snow swirled together, and the vague phantom of Jörmungandr appeared. A moment later, the snow-white divinity that surrounded Skadi's body began to shift and change, shaping itself into the form of a beautiful and graceful Frost Giant. It was like watching a masterpiece come to life, as every detail of the giant's features became more defined with each passing second.

Skadi then made a surprising move. She withdrew her spirit from Scathach's body, leaving her vessel behind, and entered her true form as a half-goddess and half-giant. She focused her divinity on Gungnir, and it began to change, transforming into a spear of pure, radiant light. Glaring at Surtr, she gripped the spear tightly and charged toward him.

Skadi would never let anyone hurt Shirou. Snow might be cold and pure white, and ice bone-chilling, but her heart burned fiery hot. With a single strike of her spear, she deflected Surtr's sword. Twisting her heel, she swept horizontally with a backhand, hitting him in the chest, staggering him back several steps as he roared in anger.

Shirou glanced over at Skadi, just as she turned her head to meet his gaze. In that brief moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them. They knew what had to be done. Suddenly, his hand clenched tightly around his weapon, and the lance in his grip instantly began to condense and compress, transforming into the legendary Spear of Endless Light. He slowly shifted his body, taking up a stance, and Skadi did the same. The two figures flashed, almost like bolts of lightning, appearing in front of Surtr, their spears striking with the ferocity of dragons.

"Those who dare to stand in my way shall die!" Surtr bellowed as he raised his sword to meet their attack.

....

The clashing of weapons rang out from the top of the World Tree, causing Glodvarr to raise his head towards his king's direction.

Artoria pursed her lips, then tightened her grip on the sword in her hands. With a swift move, she slashed off Glodvarr's right arm in a heavy blow. "Hey, giant! Keep your eyes on me. I'm your opponent!"

"You despicable knight!" Glodvarr roared as he started fighting back.

Meanwhile, down on the ground, the tragic scenes of the Fire Giants kept unfolding, driving Surtr mad. He completely lost his composure, his earlier rationality gone. His only thought was to race down the World Tree to save his people, no longer holding back or worrying about his own safety, going all out.

However, although this increased Surtr's aggressiveness, it also made him lose his previous poise and rationality. Under the joint attack of Shirou and Skadi, he made frequent mistakes and was sent flying, rolling several times on the ground before crashing heavily beside the sky road in a miserable state.

"Ah!!!" Surtr roared as he stood up, his eyes filled with rage, looking incredibly ferocious. However, this Surtr no longer had that special oppressive aura from before. Standing on level ground, he gazed up at the road leading to Pan-Human History. The path to survival was wide open, and he could even rush towards Pan-Human History right now. Shirou and Skadi definitely couldn't stop him. But... his people were still struggling to survive in this dying world.

At that moment, Glodvarr, who was battling Artoria, shouted, "My king, please go! Head to Pan-Human History! You've already sacrificed so much for us, for the fire giants. You've been held back by us for tens of thousands of years, putting our needs before your own. You deserve freedom, a chance at a better life. Please, just go... go to a better place. We'll manage somehow, as long as we know you're safe."

Glodvarr had personally witnessed how the king had transformed the free and scattered fire giant tribes into a kingdom. More than that, he had seen how the king had sacrificed himself for the survival of the fire giants.

Surtr had never been a true fire giant from the start. The fire giants had taken him in and made him their king, but that came at a price. For thousands of years, he had to give up his freedom for the sake of their survival. And now, with the fire giants defeated and unable to even look up at the sky, it was finally time to let this king go.

"My king," Glodvarr begged. "You're free now. Please, just go."

Bergelmir burst out laughing. "Surtr, you've got two choices now. Either die with this world or turn your back on the fire giants and run like a coward!"

Surtr raised his head and looked at the exit that was so close, close enough that he only needed to reach out lightly to touch it. He knew very well that if he wanted to leave now, he could. He had an agreement with the Council, and they would come to support him. But should he leave? Would he leave? He recalled Demonic Bodhisattva's words when she said that in terms of overall dominance, he surpassed Eternal King by quite a bit. But in terms of tenacity, he was far inferior to him.

Surtr closed his eyes, seeming to make a decision. No, not making one. Just reaffirming the choice he'd made a long time ago. When he opened his eyes again, the crazed look was gone, replaced by clarity.

"This is war, so I understand why someone would use all means necessary to achieve victory. So, if both of you want to stop me, then feel free to try." Surtr said calmly.

Skadi gave him a cold, hard stare. Was it really that heartless of her to refuse to let him pass, even after everything she'd seen? After watching his people become a feast, eaten and slaughtered by Kraken?

It's a simple truth: when enemies rejoice, loved ones suffer; when enemies suffer, loved ones rejoice. To protect something, one must destroy something else. Even a savior can't escape this cruel reality.