>>282225474 (OP)
Otr leaks (there are two leaks, but the first one seems to be fake, this one is the latest and probably the real one)
Chapter 18 – “Countermeasure”
They arrive at the “Windless Sea Zone,” where six currents of wind and tide collide. From here on, they must travel by small boat—anyone not of the Njordr Clan loses their sense of direction in the mist and risks being lost forever.
Huginn stays behind to guard the ship and its crew. Otr and his senior apprentice sister act as Khuteinn’s escorts.
“You can really steer through this fog?” asks Etupirko, impressed.
“I come here every month. I never believed in spirits, but I suppose I do feel something like gratitude,” replies Khuteinn.
Fylgja reintroduces herself properly. Khuteinn shares that he once longed to be a warrior too, but has since found his own battlefield: if it means protecting the port and fleet, he’ll lend his strength however he can.
Etupirko, quietly: “You used to be such a shallow, reckless flirt… but you’ve become admirable.”
Otr: “I respect you too.”
Khuteinn laughs: “When we get back, I’ll tell you one of my best hero’s tales!” For a moment, camaraderie lightens the gloom.
At last, they reach the grave—only to find the gravestone toppled. Using the rune tablet entrusted to them by Huginn, Wickedhorn’s invisibility is stripped away.
Etupirko keeps calm at the sight of their revealed enemy, steadying the others as she takes her stance.
Wickedhorn sneers: “A ‘countermeasure’ is nothing but a way to hide your fear.” He cloaks himself in Mokkur like armor, leaping in to strike.
Otr moves to counter with the Crimson Blade, but Wickedhorn’s Mokkur-clad arm twists and reshapes… forming a duplicate of Etupirko’s face.
“Stop it… Otr… I’m scared…” the false face mouths.
“Such bad acting!” Wickedhorn jeers, stabbing his own duplicate.
Otr falters, and in that opening, Wickedhorn hurls chunks of rock like a machine gun barrage. Otr narrowly dodges and slashes at Wickedhorn’s left arm.
(1/2)
