35

Hand of Reckoning

Similar to the Frost Giants, trolls are also archenemies of the Aesir.

In some ways, the animosity between Aesir and trolls runs deeper than that with the Frost Giants, especially since trolls originally inhabited Nornheim, now predominantly Aesir territory.

The core conflict in Nornheim remains the ongoing feud between the Aesir and the troll clans.

To trolls, Aesir are seen as invaders who usurped their homeland. Though trolls in Vanaheim and Nornheim aren't unified, their hatred for Aesir is unanimous.

Upon encountering their sworn enemies, these trolls were fiercely territorial. Upon sighting the herb collection team, they were prepared to fight to the death.

Numerically, the herb collection team held an advantage with around 30 members, including a medical team. While most doctors lacked combat skills, they did not significantly weaken the team's strength.

"Prepare for battle!" Scala's demeanor turned grave as lightning crackled around him, reminiscent of future generations' Thunder God.

With lightning formed into a sword-like bolt in his hand, Scala hurled it forward.

Yet, the individual combat prowess of the trolls was clearly formidable, surpassing that of the Scrins.

Despite Scala's impressive display, one particularly robust troll charged fearlessly ahead, seemingly leading the group.

Roaring, the troll leader swung his mace, meeting Scala's thunderous bolt head-on.

*Boom!*

The thunder exploded upon impact, sending sparks flying and scorching the troll's arm, leaving a trail of searing smoke.

"Scala from the Third Camp—I know of you, the one who saved Odin's life," the troll leader spoke with gritted teeth. "Let me test your strength!"

"Hmph!" Scala retorted tersely, surprising many by drawing two machetes from nowhere—one in each hand—and charging forth!

Forseti was taken aback.

What in the... Isn't he supposed to be a mage? Why is he suddenly wielding dual machetes?

Scala and the troll leader clashed fiercely, their battle filled with exchanges of blows. Despite Scala's inferior physicality compared to the troll leader, his advantage lay in harnessing the power of thunder.

"Attack!"

*Clang, clang!*

Simultaneously, both sides clashed—swords flashing, lights dancing, shadows weaving—as shouts and battle cries filled the air.

Troll combat prowess rivaled that of the Aesir. With the herb team's numbers not significantly larger, victory or defeat would inevitably lead to heavy casualties.

"Aargh!"

Soon, a cry rang out—the first casualty among the herb collection team, slain painfully by a troll wielding a massive axe.

While the troll met its own demise at the hands of other soldiers, the sight left Forseti gritting his teeth, his mind racing.

Trolls were no Scrins. Even with Holy Light spells and Fist of Verigan, Forseti couldn't easily defeat trolls in direct combat.

To turn the tide, he needed a strategic edge.

Forseti swiftly decided, extending his left hand. Radiant golden light, blindingly brilliant like the sun, emanated from his fingers.

He pointed at a troll.

**Hand of Reckoning!**

The Hand of Reckoning itself wasn't lethal but forced its target to confront every misdeed, small or large, in an endless, torturous cascade.

At Forseti's gesture, the troll froze in place, caught in a whirlwind of emotions—anger, shame, hatred—all surfacing on its contorted face. Its weapon-wielding arms stalled mid-swing.

With a fierce grimace, the troll attempted to turn and face Forseti behind it.

In that moment, a nearby Aesir soldier seized the opportunity, swiftly severing the troll's right arm with a sword.

"What—"

The pain of losing its arm snapped the troll back to reality, but it was too late. Defenseless without its limb, the troll fell swiftly to the herb team's soldiers, dispatched in mere moments.

Witnessing this, Forseti smiled, repeating the maneuver with another troll.

**Hand of Reckoning!**

Like its predecessor, this troll too froze under the Hand of Reckoning's influence—its movements halted, ensnared in an emotional maelstrom, unable to extricate itself.

By the time it regained its senses, it was already doomed, swiftly dispatched by the herb team's soldiers.

Again!

Forseti exulted, unleashing several consecutive Hands of Reckoning. Each aimed at his designated enemies, ensuring swift demise at the soldiers' blades.

Only as the Holy Light's power neared exhaustion did Forseti cease, settling to rest on the ground.

In a short span, nearly half of the trolls perished under the Hand of Reckoning's influence, tipping the battle's scales dramatically. What was once a stalemate rapidly evolved into a decisive defeat for the trolls.

Enraged and shocked by Scala's prowess, the troll leader's gaze shifted to Forseti, still seated and recovering, teeth grinding with intense hatred...

Though unfamiliar with the Hand of Reckoning's workings, as Forseti unleashed the spell, it shone brilliantly—the brightest presence in the skirmish.

Trolls, despite their reputation for brutishness, were far from the mental simplicity of Scrins. How could they not discern Forseti's trickery?

Surveying his dwindling comrades and sensing impending defeat, the troll leader's resolve wavered.

*Boom!*

Scala seized the opportunity, landing a thunderous blow to the troll leader's chest.

"Aagh!" The troll leader cried out, flung backward as lightning struck. His mace slipped from his grasp.

Struggling to rise, consumed by intense hatred and fury, the troll leader's eyes fixed on Forseti, who had risen from his resting place.

Sensing the chilling gaze, Forseti's alarm surged, hastily getting to his feet.

Almost simultaneously, the troll leader roared, leaping forward, massive fist raised like a basin, aimed squarely at Forseti. "Die!"

Forseti dodged desperately, but the troll leader's madness propelled him into a frenzied onslaught, swinging his colossal fists like a whirlwind, driving Forseti to the brink.

Just as he found himself cornered, with the troll leader's heavy blow imminent, Forseti called upon his divine power.

**Divine Blessing!**

A fundamental defensive spell, Divine Blessing instantly enveloped Forseti in a faint, protective golden aura.

*Boom!*

The troll leader's mighty blow struck, sending Forseti reeling.

Trolls' strength exceeded that of the Aesir, and as their leader, his punches packed devastating force.

Under the relentless assault, Forseti's senses blurred, internal organs shaken, vision flickering with golden stars until he finally lost consciousness.

"Damn..." The troll leader panted heavily, poised to deliver several more blows, but the opportunity slipped away.

Heimdall leapt forward, wielding his longsword.

With a swift, cold strike, the troll leader's head rolled to the ground, blood spraying.

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