Chapter 1013: Chapter 94: How to Awaken Sleeping Beauty?

Midgard, the Alpine Mountains.

Luo En stood amidst the biting cold and blizzard, gazing at the endless towering peaks ahead. He raised his head to glance at a massive black crow perched on a withered tree branch, preening its feathers:

“Mulin, are you sure this is the place?”

“Relax, it’s right here, no mistake!”

The black crow spoke with human words, its tone utterly confident.

In Nordic Mythology, two gigantic ravens often roosted on Odin’s shoulders: one named “Haki,” representing “Thought,” and the other named “Mulin,” representing “Memory.” These two ravens flew daily across the Nine Great Kingdoms and reported everything they saw and heard to Odin without reservation, serving as extensions of his will and eyes.

Furthermore, each raven had its own unique traits. “Haki,” representing “Thought,” was faster and well-suited as a scout; “Mulin,” representing “Memory,” possessed an unerring recollection, essentially acting as a living map.

For this reason, Odin sent the raven “Mulin” to guide Luo En.

With little to do along the way, Luo En couldn’t resist his curiosity and asked the crow, Mulin, about Valkyrie Brynhild’s repeated punishment.

Mulin showed no reluctance and eagerly narrated the events to Luo En.

One day, an old Northern Realm King named Yamguna was preparing for an honorable duel against the young enemy king, Agna. Feeling his advanced age might hinder his chances of victory, the old king secretly prayed to Odin for triumph. Accepting the offering, Odin gladly agreed and dispatched Brynhild, the Valkyrie stationed in the Northern Realm, to act as the duel’s referee, discreetly hinting that she should employ tricks to help the old king claim victory.

For instance, granting Yamguna divine protection or using magic to interfere with his opponent.

However, whether because Brynhild misunderstood or simply ignored Odin’s guidance, she acted completely by the book, officiating as an impartial referee. Based on the duel’s outcome, she declared the younger, more valiant King Agna as the victor.

This crushing defeat left Old King Yamguna utterly humiliated, prompting him to abandon his faith in Odin.

Odin, guilty yet reluctant to lash out directly, vented his frustration on the inept Brynhild. He sealed away her divinity, reduced her to human status, and confined her in a distant castle surrounded by a shield wall atop Heindal Peak in the Alpine Mountains.

After hearing the story, Luo En couldn’t help feeling a bit speechless.

Odin’s penchant for using deceit to secure victory was an old habit.

Brynhild, on the other hand, was famously stubborn and oblivious to social nuances. Sending such an honor-bound Valkyrie to help someone cheat–it’s hardly surprising things didn’t end well.

Of course, it’s also possible Odin wanted to test if Brynhild would submit to his authority.

The result? Both father and daughter ended up losing.

Luo En rubbed his forehead, torn between laughter and frustration.

Considering Hela’s similar fate, Luo En had an inkling that Odin and his daughters were naturally predisposed to conflict.

Nevermind–family disputes are impossible to untangle. Best to focus on rescuing Brynhild first.

Resolving himself, Luo En transformed into a stream of golden light, following the raven Mulin’s guidance straight toward Heindal Peak.

Through the vast snowstorm, a towering and peculiar castle appeared before his eyes.

Layers of sharp ice blades formed walls of knives, covered in azure flames spawned by Runes, enveloping the entire fortress, striking fear into any outsider.

Seeing they had reached their destination, the raven Mulin folded its wings and landed on Luo En’s shoulder, providing an informative explanation:

“This is Odin’s trial. Either Brynhild achieves a breakthrough and escapes from within, or someone courageous enough overcomes the ice blades and flame barriers from outside to awaken her…”

“Speaking of the barrier, its design mimics the workings of the World’s Origin–a structure so sturdy I’ll explain the mechanism precisely to you…”

“As for the awakening method, it’s rather unique. Let me tell you…”

The incessant chatter buzzed in Luo En’s ears, as if a swarm of flies were hovering nearby.

“Shut up!” Unable to endure it anymore, Luo En slapped the raven Mulin, staggering it and putting an end to its racket.

To be fair, this raven was knowledgeable and well-versed in the secret realms and mysteries of the Nine Great Kingdoms, making it an excellent guide.

But its flaw was glaring–it loved gossip and couldn’t stop talking, its mouth running non-stop throughout the journey.

Thus, Luo En strongly suspected that Odin had sent this bird to him partly to avoid being annoyed himself during such tasks.

After receiving a solid slap, the raven Mulin quieted down immediately, hastily shutting its beak and leading Luo En across the fiery sea and bladed walls into the castle’s interior.

Due to the immense magic power accumulated within, the castle presented an otherworldly scene.

Dense thorns covered the ground and surrounding structures, entirely wrapping a tall tower in the distance.

“She’s in there!”

Mulin fluttered ahead while Luo En followed closely, his divine power stirring into action.

The steel-hard thorns along the way posed no obstacle, shattering one by one. The tall tower’s grand entrance swung open effortlessly.

Inside was pitch black. The entire bedchamber was overgrown with dense, sharp thorns.

At the far end, clad in chain armor and wearing a winged helmet, Brynhild lay peacefully on a soft bed entwined with thorns, her eyes shut, deeply asleep.