A high schooler on his walk home. A flash of light. And then—clouds. Endless white clouds, floating islands of marble, and a colossal arena filled with gods.
Kanata Crow has been pulled into Valhalla, the stage of Ragnarok—the final thirteen-round battle between gods and humanity, where a single loss could mean extinction. He doesn't know why he's here. He doesn't know how he arrived. But as he watches Thor, the God of Thunder, clash with the legendary Lü Bu Fengxian, he witnesses something no
Record of Ragnarok: Shadow of the Einherjar - Secret Talks in the Underground Archive and the Worst Night
The white walls of the Valkyrie Hall caught the twilight and glowed a faint rose. The cloud sea of the heavens was nothing like the sunsets of the lower world—it was quieter, and its colors held a distant chill. Kanata Crow walked behind Göll, swallowing hard again and again.
(So I'm about to meet the eldest sister of the battle maidens.)
His messy black hair stirred in the heavenly breeze. His light-brown eyes were just a little damp with nerves. Yesterday, he'd made a promise with Göll—that they'd go see her big sister. He'd nodded readily enough then, but now that he stood before the hall, his legs threatened to give out.
"Kanata, are you okay? You're white as a sheet."
Göll turned around and peered anxiously into his face. Her fluffy chestnut hair shone gold in the setting sun. The little white wings on her back fluttered nervously.
"I-I'm fine... I think. Probably."
"It'll be okay. My big sister looks scary, but she's really kind."
Göll said it with a bright smile. But the corners of that smile were trembling, just slightly. Kanata could tell Göll was nervous too.
The two of them passed through the heavy doors of the Valkyrie Hall. Inside it was cool, and dim without the outside light. Strange patterns were carved into the high ceiling. Their footsteps echoed far too loudly.
"This is right in front of my sister's room. When you go in, you have to say 'excuse me.'"
Göll told him in a small voice. Kanata nodded.
Göll gently knocked on the door.
"Big sister, it's Göll. I've brought Kanata."
A moment of silence.
"...Come in."
The voice that answered was clear—and left no room for argument. Göll timidly opened the door.
The room was larger than he'd expected. Bookshelves lined an entire wall, packed tight with countless volumes. The evening sun through the window backlit the woman standing in the center of the room.
Long, straight silver hair. It reached her waist and rippled softly despite the still air. Sharp violet eyes that betrayed nothing. On her back, a pair of fine white wings a size larger than Göll's.
Brunhilde. Eldest of the thirteen Valkyrie sisters. The one who had set Ragnarok in motion.
Kanata stood frozen in place.
(So this is her...)
Brunhilde fixed her gaze on him. It pricked at his skin. He was being sized up. Appraised. Something cold crawled down the back of his neck.
"...Hmph. So this is the human who wandered into the heavens."
Brunhilde slowly approached. One step, then another. With each step, the air grew heavier. Kanata felt his breathing turn shallow.
"How interesting. An ordinary human with no special power, transferring into the heavens in the middle of Ragnarok."
The corner of her mouth twisted, just slightly. He couldn't tell if she was smiling or mocking him.
"Um, I honestly have no idea why I'm here..."
Kanata's voice shook.
"No idea? Heh. I'm sure you don't. The only one who knows why you're here is probably me."
Brunhilde stopped right in front of him. Her violet eyes bored into him as if seeing straight through to the bottom of his soul.
"You watched the first round at the Valhalla Coliseum yesterday, didn't you? The fight between Lü Bu Fengxian and Thor."
"Huh—oh, yes. I saw it. It was incredible..."
"How did it feel? Watching the clash between a god's power and a human soul up close."
Her voice was quiet. But behind that quiet lay a probing sharpness.
Kanata swallowed hard.
"...Honestly, I was scared. But the moment Lü Bu wounded Thor, my chest went hot. I thought—humans can do it too, if they try."
At his words, Brunhilde's eyes flashed for just an instant.
"Ahahahahaha! Interesting! You're interesting!"
Suddenly Brunhilde burst out laughing. A ringing laugh that filled the room. Göll flinched, her shoulders jumping. Kanata stumbled back a step in surprise.
"Yes, that's right. Humans can do it if they try. Wounding a god isn't impossible. You've got a good eye."
Brunhilde's laughter subsided, and she fixed her gaze on Kanata once more.
"Very well. I recognize you as an official spectator of Ragnarok. I grant you special permission to remain in the heavens."
"What...!? Really!?"
"Yes. On one condition. You will only watch. You will not stick your nose into anything unnecessary. Understood?"
Her violet eyes pierced him.
(She sees right through me.)
Kanata knew it in his gut. This woman saw everything—what he was thinking, what he knew. That he'd seen the priest's scroll yesterday. That he'd heard the rumors about the underground archive. That he'd broken his promise to Göll.
She knew all of it.
He was sure of it.
"...Understood. I won't do anything unnecessary."
Kanata lied.
Brunhilde smiled faintly.
"How wise. ...Göll."
Göll, suddenly called by name, straightened with a jolt.
"Y-yes! Big sister!"
"Little sister, you may withdraw. I'm finished speaking with this human."
Brunhilde's voice was cold. For a moment, Göll looked hurt. But she quickly lowered her eyes and gave a small nod.
"...Yes, big sister."
Göll left the room, her shoulders drooping. Kanata could only watch her go.
(Göll...)
A small ache pricked at his chest.
"...That child is still half-grown. She has no time to waste on you. You understand?"
Brunhilde turned her back to him and looked out the window. The setting sun dyed her silver hair red.
"You may go. Your room is the east annex. Sleep there from tonight on."
"...Thank you, Brunhilde."
Kanata bowed deeply and left the room.
Out in the corridor, Göll stood leaning against the wall.
"Kanata... I'm sorry. I couldn't say anything."
Göll's big amber eyes were wet with tears.
"What are you talking about? You're the one who brought me all the way here. Thank you."
Kanata gently patted her head. Her fluffy hair brushed against his fingers.
"But... big sister didn't have to say it like that."
Göll bit her lip.
"Don't worry about it. More importantly—I'm officially a spectator now. Thanks to you."
"Really!? That's great, Kanata!"
Göll's face lit up at once. The tears receded into a smile. The speed of that switch saved him, just a little.
(Göll really is straightforward.)
A warmth spread slowly through his chest.
"Tonight we celebrate! I'll bring sweets to your room!"
"Huh, sweets? They have those in the heavens too?"
"Of course! Sweet treats that the gods eat. They're super delicious!"
Göll flapped her wings happily and laughed.
"But let's hold off tonight. Brunhilde just told me not to do anything unnecessary."
"Oh... right. Big sister would get mad at us again."
Göll's shoulders slumped.
"Next time, then. I promise."
Kanata hooked his pinky around hers.
"Huh?"
"Pinky swear. It's how we make promises in my world. If you lie, you swallow a thousand needles."
"A thousand needles!? No way, that sounds painful!"
Göll's eyes went wide. Then she giggled.
"But if it means I get to make a promise with you, Kanata, a thousand needles might be worth it!"
Her pinky squeezed his back, tight.
(Ah. Her hands really are warm.)
His heart beat a little faster.
"See you tomorrow, then."
"Yeah! See you tomorrow!"
Göll ran off down the corridor, wings fluttering. Her small figure melted into the dusk.
Kanata let out a long breath.
(Right, then.)
He headed for the east annex—the room Brunhilde had assigned him.
It was plain. A single bed, a small desk, a chair. Through the window he could see the night sky of the heavens. The stars were far closer than in the lower world, and far brighter.
Kanata sat down on the bed.
(A spectator, huh.)
Officially recognized. Now he could stay in the heavens without hiding.
But Brunhilde's words wouldn't leave his head.
'You will not stick your nose into anything unnecessary.'
(Anything unnecessary, huh.)
The scene from yesterday came flooding back. The collapsed passage. The gaps in the rubble. The sealed underground archive. And the priests' secret meeting.
'The outcome of the fourth round will be adjusted on our side. The gods' victory is unshakable.'
(That was definitely not just idle talk.)
Kanata clenched his fist. Sweat seeped into his palm.
(I have to confirm it. Whether the gods are really rigging Ragnarok.)
He stood up.
He looked out the window. Stars twinkled in the night sky.
(I'm going to break my promise with Göll.)
'You mustn't go near the underground archive!'
Göll's serious face surfaced in his mind.
(Sorry, Göll. But this is something I have to do.)
Kanata left the room. The cold night wind stung his cheeks.
He slipped into the narrow passage behind the Valkyrie Hall. The path he'd taken with Göll yesterday. The chalk-white walls glowed pale blue under the moonlight.
There was no one around.
(Too quiet.)
Only his own footsteps echoed through the passage.
At last he reached the collapse site. Rubble lay heaped carelessly under the moonlight.
Kanata picked his way carefully through the gaps.
(The entrance to the underground archive should be just ahead.)
The stairs he'd descended with Göll yesterday. The iron door beyond them.
Holding his breath, Kanata went down the stairs.
Cold air crawled up from below.
One step. Then another.
At last the iron door came into view. An ancient door plastered with countless sealing talismans.
(No one's here... right?)
Kanata stopped in front of the door. He listened.
Nothing.
(Okay.)
He put his hand on the door.
That was when it happened.
Creeeak...
The door swung slowly open from the inside.
"!?"
Kanata ducked hastily into the shadows. He peered through a gap in the rubble.
Light was spilling out from beyond the door.
And then he heard voices.
"...Is the preparation for the fourth round proceeding smoothly?"
A low, authoritative voice.
"Yes. Everything is going according to plan. The gods' victory is unshakable."
"Good. The outcome of the fourth round will be adjusted on our side. Don't let the humans harbor any unnecessary hope."
The blood drained from Kanata's face.
(Adjust the outcome of the fourth round...!?)
His body trembled.
(I knew it. The gods are rigging Ragnarok.)
The secret meeting he'd overheard yesterday. It hadn't been a mishearing, or a dream. Right now, at this very moment, the priests were trying to decide the outcome of Ragnarok in advance.
"...By the way, what became of that human boy? Brunhilde has apparently recognized him as a spectator."
"Ah. Leave him be for now. But if he goes poking around where he shouldn't—eliminate him."
Kanata's breath caught.
(Eliminate...?)
His legs locked up.
He had to run.
He knew it, but his body wouldn't move.
That was when it happened.
Click.
A pebble shifted under his foot.
"...Someone's there."
The air beyond the door changed.
Kanata bolted as if he'd been struck.
He raced up the stairs.
His heart felt ready to burst.
(If they catch me, I'm dead!)
"Stop, boy!"
An angry shout flew after him.
Kanata ran for dear life. He ducked through the gaps in the rubble and burst outside.
The cold night wind of the heavens hit his flushed body.
"Hah, hah...!"
Kanata hid in the shadows and fought to steady his ragged breathing.
(To think I actually got caught...)
Regret came crashing down, delayed.
(Why did I go to a place like that...)
But he had heard it.
The fourth round was rigged from the start so the gods would win.
(That's just not fair. Don't humans even get a chance to win?)
Anger blazed up deep in his chest.
"...He got away. Sly little human."
The voice was getting closer.
Kanata shrank back.
"Listen well—release the familiar beasts. Let them follow the human's scent. Do not let him escape."
"As you command."
An instant later, the ground rumbled.
Doooon...!
Something—something enormous—came running across the ground.
Kanata's body went rigid with terror.
(What was that sound...)
The next moment, a massive shape burst out from beyond the rubble.
Like a wolf—no, like a lion. A huge beast with black fur. Its eyes glowed red. Sharp fangs showed in its mouth.
A famili
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