Record of Ragnarok (終末のワルキューレ)

At long last, seven million years of human history

is about to come to an unforeseen end.

The apocalypse shall not occur from the fallout of nuclear war,

extraterrestrial invasion,

nor catastrophic asteroid collision.

But rather, something else.

The extinction of mankind shall be ushered forth by the will of the gods,

the very beings who created the human race,

and who have now chosen to destroy it.

THE YOUNGEST OF THE 13 VALKYRIE SISTERS GÖLL

Great. It's time now, Brünnhilde. Looks like everyone's ready.

THE COUNCIL OF VALHALLA COUNCIL HALL

ONE OF THE 12 GODS OF OLYMPUS HERMES

Well then, everybody,

it's been some time since we've all been together, hasn't it?

Let the council of Valhalla now begin.

Deities have assembled here from the world over

to decide on the fate of humanity.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL ZEUS

So, let me ask you…

Should we allow mankind to exist for another 1,000 years

and forgive their crimes?

Or alternatively, do we put an end to them for eternity?

By the will of the gods, you will show me what you have chosen.

Over here.

Huh?

I say we finish off the wretched things.

GOD OF DESTRUCTION AND CREATION SHIVA

I've watched them for a millennium,

and I haven't caught any sign of them learning from their mistakes.

Let's give them the old fire and brimstone.

Shiva's right.

Everything is just as he says.

As time goes on, the world becomes uglier and uglier.

GODDESS OF BEAUTY APHRODITE

The sea fills with trash and oil, the forests have disappeared,

and countless creatures have gone extinct.

So, if I may, mankind is out of control.

They have become a cancer that threatens to destroy the earth.

- - Aphrodite speaks the truth!

We should crush them.

It's unforgivable!

An evil, plain existence.

I'm sick of trying to guide them.

Here, here.

Now then, it seems the meeting has reached consensus.

Let the records show that the Council of Valhalla

has managed to agree on a unanimous decision

to end the human race!

Just a moment!

Who does she think she is?

Did that Valkyrie speak up?

THE ELDEST OF THE 13 VALKYRIE SISTERS BRÜNNHILDE

Huh?

What in the world do you think you're doing, sis?

You can't just raise your voice against the all-powerful like that!

Pardon my intrusion, your eminences.

But with all due respect, there's something I'd like to discuss first.

Be silent, Brünnhilde!

SUPREME NORSE GOD ODIN

Bastard, you're nothing but a common demigod!

HUGINN MUNINN

How dare you loosen your tongue in the presence of greatness!

You halfling! Are you asking for a challenge?

I will admit, it's true that the sins of man are indeed unforgivable.

Hey, stop ignoring us!

Despite that fact,

for you to simply wipe them out, well, it just seems quite dull.

Oh.

Consider this, then.

A proposal.

A trial to decide if humans might be worth keeping alive for years to come.

To demonstrate the power and the benevolence of all the gods,

why not put humanity to the test?

What's your plan?

To flood the earth into one big ocean again?

Or are you thinking about starting another ice age to freeze them?

Neither.

Because I've come up with a far more effective method.

-Hmm… -

- What could she be planning? - Tell us your plan, then.

Halfling bastard.

I propose the ultimate trial between the gods and mankind…

the Ragnarok!

No!

You can't be serious.

It's a special provision from article 62, clause 15 of the constitution.

It stipulates the following.

"A final battle between the beast and his creator."

"A one-on-one showdown."

Behold, the God versus Man Final Battle Law,

known as the "Ragnarok."

It is a series of duels between 13 fighters representing the gods,

and the human race.

First side to seven matches wins.

If humanity loses, it would face destruction.

Of course, should man reign victorious,

the gods must let them live for another thousand years.

However, this law has never been exercised in the entire history of civilization.

Their reasoning, that man would never prevail.

THE REASONING

Their success would be impossible.

IMPOSSIBLE

In other words, it's an extra-judicial clause.

A superfluous technicality enacted purely for divine amusement.

Ha!

What are you blabbering about?

Surely even a Valkyrie can comprehend the ridiculousness of that.

Man is nothing in the face of godly power!

What a pointless idea.

I agree.

It's barely even…

I see.

So, the gods have decided to obliterate the human race and be done with it.

To be clear…

you're trying to avoid a direct confrontation with them.

Would you say that's correct?

-Hm? -Huh?

You'd prefer to destroy them without having to fight them yourselves.

Sounds like you'd rather not be put in the same ring.

And if that's true… No, don't tell me…

I might be wrong, but that means…

you're all completely terrified aren't you?

- -

If that's the case, then 1,000 apologies

for my careless outburst, your greatnesses.

Uh, that's a joke, right, sis?

Silly me. Feel free to disregard everything I just said.

Let's forget about that Ragnarok nonsense and get back to it.

Hey, enough kidding around.

Forget about them wiping out mankind,

'cause at this rate they're gonna wipe you out first.

Just hurry up and apologize to them for real.

Say you're sorry, and they might show us mercy!

Huh? What's so funny?

Shouldn't they be mad at us? They're all laughing.

Ah!

Of course, Brünnhilde knew what she was doing.

Just as I thought. The gods have much shorter tempers than humans do.

What a fascinating idea!

A proper Ragnarok.

I must admit, I'm quite pleased you brought it up.

Why, I could almost begin to picture it in my head.

Surely I'm not alone here?

Please, the rest of you are intrigued as well, no?

The mighty wrath of the gods,

overwhelming power,

a gratuitous display of strength and authority.

How very exciting, isn't it?

Tell me, everyone, what do you think?

Let's have a brawl between man and maker!

A death match unlike any the world has ever seen!

And thus, the supreme joust between the eternal

and ephemeral was set in motion.

GOD VS. MAN - FINAL BATTLE RAGNAROK

Hear that, Brünnhilde?

The humans need a vanguard to represent them.

I'll permit you to choose candidates on their behalf.

You do want to assist them, don't you?

A curious inclination for a tragic Valkyrie like you.

A half-god, half-human, who hopes to save mankind

despite having once been slain by them, right?

There's over seven million years of human history.

I will select the 13 most worthy of this particular challenge.

- -

RAGNAROK

VALHALLA ARENA

Whoa, looks like they're almost ready.

So it'll start soon then?

Yes.

There are so many gods here.

I wonder which of them they're going to send out first.

At long last. I've been waiting for this for ages.

THE GUARDIAN OF THE END HEIMDALL

The moment I finally get to blow the Gjallarhorn!

It's time to raise the curtain for the main event!

That's right, the wildly anticipated Ragnarok!

Let's get loud, everyone. Are you ready?

The rules are straightforward.

It's a fight to the death, whether they're human or a god.

The victor shall be decided the moment that one party annihilates the other.

Our first round begins.

Introducing god number one,