Today, the residents of Stockholm had all gathered on the streets, bearing cameras and smartphones aloft in hopes of capturing the soon-to-be historic scene.
The police in Stockholm and the Swedish military had mobilized to maintain order, clearing a path from the city to the Royal Palace of Sweden.
Every soldier and police officer had a stern expression, and their tension was palpable.
For Sweden, a war had not occurred in many years. While the Swedish military was still well-trained, such an important mission had not been undertaken in a long time. Naturally, every young soldier and police officer was extremely cautious and alert.
The news of the Valkyrie's appearance in the small town outside Uppsala, Sweden, had spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of people worldwide. The recent Antarctic War was still fresh in people's minds, and no one could have expected that a Valkyrie had stayed on Earth.
Although not one of the greatest figures in the Norse pantheon, she was still a goddess. Her reputation was well-established, and now people could actually see a real Valkyrie with their own eyes, making it incredibly exciting!
The news of the Valkyrie's journey from Uppsala to Stockholm had long been spread, and today was the day of her arrival in Stockholm.
"She's here, she's here!"
Someone shouted, and the crowd surged forward. The Stockholm police and military were on high alert, fearing that the crowd might rush and inadvertently collide with the Valkyrie, which could harm their fragile relationship between mortals and the Aesir gods. This was not a matter of ordinary international diplomacy! It was the connection between humans and gods!
Journalists from various countries were ready to report. When they saw the Valkyrie's figure, they put their finely honed journalistic skills to use, finding perfect angles to capture the moment from within the dense crowd.
"This is NBC Television of the United States..."
"British Broadcasting Corporation BBC..."
"Japan's NHK is bringing you live coverage from the front. Look, that's the legendary Valkyrie, a character frequently seen in Japanese anime. Her agile figure, explosive strength, and piercing gaze make her look like an invincible goddess!"
"Hello, viewers. I'm a special correspondent for CCXV in Stockholm. The atmosphere here is very lively. It is said that the entire city has come to a standstill today with work and school suspended. People from all over the city are pouring onto the streets to welcome..."
"..."
Various languages echoed in the chaotic scene, with frontline reporters from all over the world shouting hoarsely. Cameras of all kinds were pointed at the beautiful figure walking down the road, capturing the Valkyrie's graceful beauty.
Balloons floated into the sky, and some enthusiastic individuals held flowers and tried to approach, but the Swedish police quickly stopped them to prevent any major accidents.
Opportunities to see divine beings up close were rare. For example, the Danann gods had fought their way into Buckingham Palace, and other divine beings had appeared briefly and disappeared. However, the sight of a Valkyrie casually walking the streets and alleys was unprecedented, making people eager to have a close encounter with a divine being.
The Valkyrie wore a silver eagle helmet, a tight-fitting suit of armor, and a crimson cape that billowed in the wind. She held the reins of a winged horse, and with each step, she showcased her long and powerful legs.
She seemed oblivious to the onlookers and carried herself as if this were an everyday occurrence. She stared straight ahead, and each step seemed to be meticulously measured, like a model strutting down a runway.
The winged horse seemed to relish the scene, spreading its wings and emitting a clear neigh, which prompted more cheering and photography.
"Truly a Valkyrie, a beauty from every angle!"
After the Valkyrie passed by, people looked at the photos on their phones and cameras and sighed in admiration.
Photography was an art, and photographers were its practitioners. They captured thought-provoking images through their mastery of light, shadow, and composition. But the subject before them was so perfect, that even the most casual of shots seemed imbued with a divine charisma.
Indeed, if you are beautiful, no matter how you are photographed, you will be a beauty.
And this Valkyrie clearly possessed that ability.
"Compared to international supermodels, this Valkyrie is in a league of her own."
"How can you even compare supermodels to goddesses? That's blasphemy, my friend!"
"Hey, the goddess has passed by. Let's go home now. I took some good photos just now, and I need to develop them."
"You're quite audacious, my friend!"
Amid the enthusiastic welcome of the people lining the streets, the Valkyrie made her way to the Royal Palace of Sweden.
King Gustaf and Prime Minister Lofven had been waiting at the palace gates, and upon seeing the Valkyrie, their eyes lit up. They quickly took a few steps forward to meet the goddess.
Then they faced an awkward situation. Should they offer a handshake or a more formal greeting? It seemed that any gesture would be disrespectful!
At that moment, Princess Estelle, who was accompanying the king, performed a very ancient and somewhat unusual ritual. She then fixed her eyes on the Valkyrie, a curious expression on her face.
The Valkyrie smiled gently and nodded at the young princess, regarding her thoughtfully.
King Gustaf and Prime Minister Lofven exchanged glances and saw the excitement in each other's eyes. It seemed that bringing Princess Estelle to meet the Valkyrie had been the right move.
In addition to the fact that this young princess was a believer in the Aesir gods, there was another detail that caught the attention of the king and the prime minister.
There was one more thing on their minds: in legends, most Valkyries were chosen from princesses of various kingdoms. Estelle was indeed a princess, and the king and prime minister bringing her to meet the Valkyrie might not be without ulterior motives. If the Valkyrie took an interest in the princess, it could lead to her becoming a new Valkyrie and ascending to Valhalla!
It was rumored that Princess Charlotte of the English royal family had gone to a magical academy hidden in the Scottish seas to study magic. She had gained exceptional magical talent after eating a golden apple. However, just going to learn magic, how could it compare to the abilities of our princess? If luck favored Estelle, she might become a Valkyrie right away. This would be a step towards becoming a goddess!
Just as the prime minister and king were thinking about this fortunate development, the Valkyrie spoke, "Are you the king of this kingdom? I have something I want to ask you."
With that, the Valkyrie unexpectedly took Princess Estelle's hand and walked toward the Royal Palace of Sweden. King Gustaf and Prime Minister Lofven were elated, their steps floating as they followed the Valkyrie. Meanwhile, among the onlookers, the international special agents from various countries raised their eyebrows.