Chapter 51: Rumblings of the Future
Morning light crept through the windows of Volundr's study, painting the vast war room in muted gold. His fingers moved with practiced ease, rearranging files atop a long obsidian table. A particular folder lay at the center, marked in a crimson wax seal: "Hero Descendants."
He opened it, revealing two profiles.
Jeanne de Arc. Siegfried.
Two names—burning brightly in the modern Hero Faction. Not affiliated with any Devil house or faction, but dangerous enough to turn tides.
Jeanne de Arc – The Saint's Blade Reborn
Volundr read aloud to himself, voice low, analytical:
"Jeanne de Arc. Possesses the Sacred Gear 'Blade Blacksmith.' Can summon and wield holy swords crafted from her own spiritual energy. Intelligent, devout, but flexible. Not fanatical."
He paused, studying a blurry image of her mid-battle—golden light wrapped around a holy blade, her face calm and resolute even in the chaos.
"A modern saint… but with the will of a general."
He jotted down notes.
'Seek ideological inroads. Appeal to her sense of justice and the need for balance. She will not join evil, but she might follow a just cause—even if Devil-born.'
Siegfried – The Six-Armed Warrior
He flipped to the second profile.
"Siegfried. Descendant of the Norse hero. Possesses multiple Sacred Gears—'Twice Critical' and 'Triaina'—allowing him to wield multiple demonic and holy swords at once. Ruthless. Efficient. Loyal to power."
A cold smirk formed on Volundr's lips.
"You follow strength, don't you?" he mused. "Then I'll show you a strength the Hero Faction can't match."
He studied Siegfried's past missions—elite kills, suppression of stray exorcists, training sessions with other swordmasters. But there were cracks: a mission he abandoned without reason, a reprimand from a superior he never acknowledged.
'Independent streak. Strategic thinker. Potential loyalty shift if properly incentivized.'
He drew a red thread between Siegfried and another note:
"Mercenary Ideals > Religious Allegiance."
Strategic Reflection
Volundr stood back from the map wall, fingers tapping his chin.
"Not yet," he whispered. "I cannot afford to reach too early. But they'll be vital."
He turned to a second board—Peerage Planning.
Beside Caelum's name were blank lines for future recruits. Jeanne and Siegfried sat in the Knight slots, marked in ghostly silver ink.
"They are blades not yet unsheathed… but when they are, I'll be the one who wields them."
Conversation with Caelum
A quiet knock broke his thoughts. Caelum entered, casual in posture, but his eyes keen.
"You wanted to see me?"
Volundr nodded and gestured to the files.
"Have your networks in the Hero territories heard anything about movement from Jeanne or Siegfried?"
Caelum shrugged.
"Siegfried's been active along the European border—training new recruits. Jeanne's been low-key. Some say she's questioning the methods of their current leadership."
Volundr's gaze sharpened.
"Good. Keep eyes on them, but don't make contact. I want opportunities, not alarms."
Caelum smirked. "Planning to snatch saints and legends, huh?"
Volundr returned the smirk. "I intend to shape legends, Caelum. One soul at a time."
Closing Thoughts – Seeds Not Yet Sown
That evening, Volundr stood on his estate's upper balcony, watching the stars twinkle.
Below him, the land was quiet. Peaceful.
But in his mind, battles raged. Future allies fought by his side—Jeanne's light, Siegfried's steel. They were not with him yet… but soon.
"The world changes in ripples, not waves," he whispered. "But I will be the tide that carries them all."
With that, he turned, the wind gently pulling his coat as he walked back into the shadows of his estate—planning futures not yet written.