Chapter 377: The Encounter of The Lightning Spirit’s Past
Griselda shifted her gaze towards Lyan, her eyes filled with an uneasy mix of emotions. There was a slight quiver in her voice when she finally spoke, her usual confidence wavering.
"Is this your plan, Lyan...?" she asked, almost accusingly.
Lyan could see how shaken she was, the way her eyes flickered between him and Wilhelmina. He knew this was difficult for her—facing the past was never easy, especially for a knight like Griselda who had once failed in battle, dying alongside her comrades. To her, it wasn’t just death. She carried the burden of leading them into that fate, feeling she had failed everyone who believed in her. The regret was clear, a shadow that clung to her even after all these years.
He watched as Griselda looked upon Wilhelmina and the three Valkyries, their eyes wide with shock. They had lost so much too—their country, their home. The tragedy that had driven them to become mercenaries was all tied to that same war, and Lyan was certain that their paths and Griselda’s were intertwined. He had engineered this "coincidence" knowing it would force them all to confront the truth.
Griselda’s body trembled. It was the first time Lyan had seen her so vulnerable, her usual bravado stripped away, leaving her bare before those who knew her from before.
Suddenly, she felt warmth on her shoulders—gentle hands, reassuring. She didn’t need to look to know who they belonged to. It was Eira and Arturia, the two who had been her constant companions in the Grimoire’s space, despite their endless bickering. Eira, cold as ice, had always clashed with Griselda, yet here she was, silently lending her strength. Arturia, the spirit of knights, understood better than anyone the weight of leadership, the burden of failure.
Griselda’s trembling stopped. She took a deep breath, her voice steadying as she faced Wilhelmina.
"Yes, I am Griselda Alaister Fulmine," she began, her voice growing stronger. "The former Knight General of Astellia Kingdom. And I am here to resolve my sins. I—"
Before she could say another word, a strange glow enveloped her. Not just her, but all the great spirits around her. The light was brilliant, shimmering in hues that reflected their individual elements.
Then, in an unexpected voice that carried a familiar hint of mischief, Cynthia called out.
"I haven’t even bought any of the ’dirty’ toys yet!"