Chapter 337 - The Ark Of The Valkyrie's Gesture Of Oath

"I'm stronger than I look. I have seen far worse torture chambers than these. One more wouldn't be enough to scar my eyes any further. You've got Minwoo to thank for that," said Bryan, nonchalantly.

"Well, you were serving under the Five Kings as their primary ȧssistant. From what I heard from Baldwin, Minwoo appointed you to be his ȧssistant during his final years. After Yan talked highly of you, right?"

"Yea, but it was Minwoo that showed me the gory stuff. Yan was afraid that I would have been scarred.."

"Was he right to think so?"

"Yea. I got scared for the first few mission but gradually it became repetitive and boring. I see new torture scenes every day and read about it as well. So, yea, that's how I can take so much of these weird things."

"So, that won't be an issue for you then. I can lead you to the Birthing Chambers. Just be prepared for any outcomes," said Rie, standing.

"Wait a minute, how would we know that you aren't dragging us into a trap?" asked Bryan, still wary about Rie.

Mavislin might have forgiven her but Bryan hasn't forgotten that Rie was still the enemy. For all they knew, she could be faking everything. Bryan glared at Rie as he stood in between Rie and Mavislin. It seemed like he was trying to shield his boss.

"Why would I need to do so?" asked Rie, challenging Bryan's words.

"Because you are part of the kidnappers as well. Why would you just lead us to our place of investigation?" asked Bryan, looking at Rie with uncertain eyes.

"You are right, but I understand that I have been in the wrong. I still am on the fence about helping you two but I have no intention of reverting to my old ways. I don't want to live a lie anymore and I am willing to move forward. And ask of you, Lady Valkyrie."

Rie quickly moved away from Bryan and grabbed Mavislin's hands. This stunned the two as Rie grabbed the Valkyrie's hands to place them on her forehead. It was a gesture of oath and loyalty with the ancient Valkyrie's eyes.

It was how subjects of the kingdom would greet the Empress, by placing their seniors or leaders' hands to their foreheads. But that gesture had two ways to go about it. If it's with a single hand, the right hand to the forehead, it would be to greet that person.

But if it was both hands, it was to signify the person was pledging themselves or whatever they say to the receiving person. Like, swearing an oath or being loyal to the person. This was very rare for Mavislin to see since she was much too young to see such things.

But her mother, who was always transparent, told her about it. And that only the Gladiators would be the ones to do it directly to the Empress. What's more, that there were variations of it circulating the kingdom. For the common thing, the hands had no proper placement.

But for the truly traditional way, for a Gladiator to swear their oath and pledge their loyalty, the hands are to be crossed with one another. Which was exactly what Rie was doing. The fact that she knew of such a sacred thing meant that she wasn't lying.

Mavislin was amazed that Rie knew such a thing to do. It was befitting for the young Valkyrie, seeing that she was supposed to be next in line to be crowned Empress but never got a chance to. Now, she felt the memories rush back as Rie did that.

"That you allow me to be part of your brethren. I understand what I did was wrong and I would like you to see a punishment befitting for me. However, please allow me to be of use to you. Knowing about this gesture, I am well aware that I'm pledging my loyalty to you," replied Rie.

Mavislin felt an array of emotions build up within her. She was almost choking as she was never met with such a situation before. Not much was known about the royals of Valkyries but it never bothered her since she thought would know about it.

The feeling of pride and dignity as someone was swearing to be under her guidance. The memory of it overwhelming her. Like the last time she saw this, it was when her mother was swearing in the new Gladiator. Back then, Benjamin was by her side. Both were mere babies.