Chapter 55

## Chapter Chronology

**Taboo** is the 55th chapter of the "*Shuumatsu no Valkyrie: Record of Ragnarok*" manga series.

## Summary

As she walks back to her room to choose the next fighter, Brunhilde realizes that Buddha's victory has unnerved the Gods and that they now have a chance to take the lead. Göll says it's a relief that though he was badly hurt, Buddha will be able to make a complete recovery. She says he must have a lot of vigor in order to work past his wounds and Brunhilde says she expected nothing less.

She opens the door to her room, only for her and Göll to be shocked to see another Brunhilde in the room, going through the different fighters. The fake Brunhilde cordially greets them and as Göll wonders why there are two Brunhildes, the real Brunhilde displays an angry face.

Brunhilde questions why "Nostradamus" is wearing her clothes. As Göll recognizes that name belongs to the greatest "Prophet of the Century", the fake Brunhilde takes off their disguise, revealing Michel Nostradamus. After clearing his throat, Nostradamus dramatically declares that he has prophesied that the Gods will win Ragnarok. While Brunhilde remains stoic, Göll begins freaking out that Humanity is destined to lose. Nostradamus begins laughing, revealing that was only a joke and an upset Göll asks Brunhilde what's wrong with him. Brunhilde calls Nostradamus the "Most Obnoxious Man in All of Human History" before also revealing he's really strong, much to Göll's disbelief.

Calling Nostradamus a moron, Brunhilde threatens to take him off Humanity's roster and send him back down to Helheim if he goes too far with his pranks. Nostradamus then seemingly begins to cry and begs Brunhilde not to send him back there because he was put through unimaginable torment. Brunhilde tells him to stop the fake acting and points out that if Nostradamus really wanted out of Helheim, he would've broken out on his own, even if it meant killing the guards. Smiling, Nostradamus says she's right and admits there's just a certain *je-ne-sais-quoi* about Helheim, that makes it so appealing to him.

Göll questions why Nostradamus, a Human, was in Helheim and Brunhilde reveals that Nostradamus ended up becoming the only Human sent down to Helheim because he broke the Gods' taboo.

Göll asks what he actually did and Brunhilde tells her that he destroyed the Bifröst, much to Göll's surprise. In the three-layered world of Valhalla, Midgard and Helheim, there exists a gate between Valhalla and Helheim. On Valhalla's side, the gate emits darkness. On Helheim's side, the gate emits iridescent light. The gate of rainbow and darkness: that is what is known as the Bifröst. Long ago, Valhalla and Helheim were at brutal war with one another. In order to stop each side from invading, they built the Bifröst.

Any who passed through the gate on Valhalla's side and went into Helheim, was forbidden to return. The only ones who can freely use the Bifröst are the Chief Gods, such as Zeus, Hades, Odin and Shiva. By all means, the Bifröst is known as the lid to the cauldron of Hell. Göll nervously asks why Nostradamus did such a thing and the prophet claims that he didn't get to destroy the whole thing since he was stopped before he could do so. He admits that he was just curious to see what would happen if the Bifröst was destroyed and Göll calls him a sinister criminal for kicks. Brunhilde then asks Nostradamus why he is even here in the first place.

Nostradamus says he wanted to know if he's going up next but Brunhilde reveals she's saving his turn for much later, for he is her Joker. Brunhilde suddenly gets a notification on her phone and she looks shocked to see what's on it. Both Göll and Nostradamus look at the screen to see the Gods have announced that Hades is going up in Round 7. Nostradamus is excited to see that Hades is the one going up while Göll claims there isn't any Human who can beat Hades. Brunhilde reveals there is only one who can and calls it best to use a ruler against a ruler.

Selecting an image, Brunhilde picks "The King Where It All Began." Elsewhere, a wall breaks down. Walking through the holes he made in all of the previous walls as well, a blindfolded man sees that this isn't his waiting room either. He wonders where it could be and looks down the corner to see doors to a room labelled, "VIP Section", which makes the man assume that the room is his. Inside the VIP room, Ares says he can't believe Hades volunteered to go next and admits he wanted to live up to Hermes' expectation.

Hermes laughs and asks if Ares thought he was being serious, calling it close. Though initially flustered, Ares says that Hades going up makes it a sure win and looks at how the arena was changed to fit Hades. The arena has been changed back into a circular shape and is dotted with skull-like decorations covering the entrances and four skeleton-like pillars with fire on top. Hermes wonders what kind of Human is going up now but Ares haughtily claims that doesn't matter as any Human will end up grovelling before Hades' feet. Suddenly, the two notice the man from earlier walking in and sitting down in Hades' seat, calling it splendid. Ares asks Hermes who he is and after Hermes guesses he's a lost Human, Ares tells the man he can't be here as this is the Gods' VIP section. He attempts to get the man to stand up to guide him to Humanity's section of the crowd but the man easily flips Ares over with no effort.

Hermes stands in front of the man and wonders who he is, since he dealt with Ares so handily. The man suddenly orders the two Gods to humble themselves, much to their shock. He then arrogantly claims that it doesn't matter whose room it is: he is the Emperor. Thus, wherever he sits, is his throne. It's revealed the blindfolded man is the First Emperor of China: Qin Shi Huang.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Göll
* Brunhilde
* Michel Nostradamus
* Qin Shi Huang
* Ares
* Hermes