An Invitation from an "Old Friend"
A little further back in time, Ortlinde encountered this rather special "Valkyrie". According to Skadi, the Valkyrie here are basically mass-produced, and although there are some minor differences, this one is clearly different.
She's so intelligent, completely unlike those machine-like creatures. Her response is that she considers herself a "failure." Despite possessing such intelligence, she doesn't have the powerful abilities of other second-generation Valkyrie.
"Oh? Is that so? How generous of you, even giving you a magnificent horse like Gullfaxi. That's wonderful! I'd love to touch its mane; it looks like it would feel amazing."
The white-haired Valkyrie and Ortlinde chatted very congenially. Ortlinde turned her head and glanced at Gullfaxi. She shook her head. As a divine steed with the strength of 750,000 horses, she could naturally sense that the white-haired Valkyrie in front of her had no ill intentions towards her master.
Otherwise, in just a moment, this creature would become its hooves.
"Sigh, I really envy you. If it were before, the sight of you riding it would have captivated everyone. You might even have made Sigurd abandon your sister."
What nonsense are you talking about!
Hearing this, Ortlinde was slightly annoyed. Although Brynhildr had given up her duties as a Valkyrie, she was still the elder sister of the Valkyrie.
But before he could utter a word of rebuke, the white-haired Valkyrie changed the subject, saying with a mocking smile:
"Oh, sorry, sorry, I shouldn't have said that. After all, you already have a favorite warrior in mind, right?"
These words made Ortlinde swallow back what she had prepared. Then her eyes dimmed slightly. The two had already walked some distance toward Skadi's temple. On the way, Ortlinde saw a man and a woman who lived there, cuddling together.
Both of them are ordinary people living here, so it's understandable that they got together.
"How could such a thing be possible?"
"Hmm? Isn't there already a role model like Sister Brynhildr? You should learn from her, learn from her!"
"That's enough... I mean..."
Ortlinde glanced at the couple every now and then, and then the white-haired Valkyrie instantly understood.
"Oh, is that so? You're really making trouble for yourself."
"What?"
"We've already given you Gullfaxi, which even Odin coveted. Isn't the meaning obvious?"
Ortlinde was somewhat puzzled, and then the white-haired Valkyrie whispered in her ear:
"I don't need a mount like Gullfaxi, you're the one who really wants a mount!"
Ortlinde's cheeks instantly turned as red as an apple. She shoved the white-haired Valkyrie away, saying with a hint of annoyance, "What are you talking about? That's ridiculous."
"Oh, how innocent you are! I love innocent girls like you the most. But, do you really not have those feelings in your heart? If you hadn't met him, what would you be like now?"
Her words seemed to possess an alluring magic, making one feel almost ethereal. The white-haired Valkyrie leaned close to Ortlinde's ear and whispered:
"Don't you want to try? To snuggle together like that couple in the deserted wilderness. Oh, how broad the back of the Gullfaxi horse is, broad enough for you two to ride right up..."
Gullfaxi, far away, suddenly shivered. Looking around, he found nothing that could harm him, and sensing that his young master was also safe and sound.
The horse shook its head slightly and continued eating the hay that Ortlinde had prepared for it; the grass in Valhalla tasted wonderful.
Ortlinde, her face flushed with embarrassment, spoke in a voice like a boiling steam engine as she shoved away the white-haired Valkyrie who had come close to her.
"Waaah! Stop talking!"
"Hehe, are you tempted?"
"No... no, that's too reckless... this kind of thing..."
Even so, Ortlinde couldn't help but imagine the scene... Gullfaxi could also unleash bursts of speed instantly; what if he suddenly accelerated at his absolute limit...?
"Ortlinde, what are you doing?"
Bai Mo's words came abruptly from beside her, startling Ortlinde so much that she jumped up. Bai Mo narrowed his eyes; it was the first time he had ever seen Ortlinde's little wings flap so quickly.
"No, no, no, I was just talking to a Valkyrie I just met... wait, where did she go?"
Ortlinde turned her head to look, but the white-haired Valkyrie had already disappeared. Bai Mo, on the other hand, stared calmly in a certain direction, then patted Ortlinde on the head.
"Alright, we've all been waiting for you, go on your way."
Upon hearing this, Ortlinde belatedly rushed over. Bai Mo, walking behind her, watched her hurried figure and smiled, "There's no need to be in such a rush."
Then, he looked in a certain direction.
His senses swept in all directions, confirming that there was no arrangement by Fran within Skadi's barrier. At the same time, Fran's Valkyrie avatar seemed to have no intention of leaving, even waving towards the void as if greeting an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time.
Bai Mo couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
Skadi, that guy, didn't even realize his house was haunted...