Climatic confrontation on the second Floor! The enemy is...the strongest Galmon?

Leaving Sexy-Knight unconscious as well as unrestrained, Kanami and Gecko used an old rickety wooden staircase to move up to the second floor of THE TOWER OF DOOM!™

It was a lot brighter in here and much more beautiful. The floor was an elegant marble with fountains depicting Ladykillers gushing forth waters from their...eww!

But Kanami couldn't be distracted by the gross statues for too long. There opponent must be in the room somewhere.

“So you vanquished Sexy-Knight...” The clear and calm voice from the back end of the floor made both Kanami and Gecko gasp.

Before them stood the strongest Galmon of them all.

VALKYRIE

“A-a Valkyrie?” Kanami could barely contain her astonishment. This was the strongest Galmon of them all! She has 99% hit evasion and her own theme song! No seriously, click on the picture if you missed it.

“YOU!” Gecko called out in unrestrained hatred.

The Valkyrie looked upon the two intruders with cool indifference. Her gaze finally settled on Gecko. “Do I perchance know you? I do not believe we have ever met.”

Are you kidding me? Why didn't the merchant mention a Valkyrie! For that matter, how did he even survive that encounter? Even taking Kanami's amazing skill into account, they have no chance of defeating her!

“H-hey Gecko”, Kanami whispered. “Maybe she is talking to two other girls? Maybe if we just quietly...”

“You killed my father!”, screamed Gecko and rushed at Valkyrie. “Prepare to die!”

“Hmph..I admire your bravery...”

With a single, elegant punch, Valkyrie send Gecko to the ground.

“But it might as well be called recklessness.”

“Why did you do it! Why did you kill my father!”, squirming around on the floor, trying fruitlessly to find her footing.

“Hoo? You can still move after my Genocide Punch? Most impressive.”

Gecko coughed up a bit of blood and finally managed to get back on her feet. “Answer me!”

“I do not need to justify myself.”

You know, Kanami could intervene here. Or she could also just stay still.

“You evil Monster, I will never forgive you!” Gecko attempted another kick only to be caught by her leg.

“Your forgiveness is meaningless to me.” Valkyrie casually lifted the flailing Gecko up from her leg, looking at her as if she was an amusing toy. “I would rip out your tail, but it seems somebody has already done that.”

“I did that myself after it was inside a disgusting place!”

“Shut up!”, Kanami whisper-shouted.

“Why did you attack the village! What did we ever do to you?” Gecko weakly tried to hit and kick her. Naturally to no avail.

“You are free to believe what you want. But you should cool your head a bit.” Having apparently seen enough, Valkyrie flung Gecko in the fountain.

Alright, Kanami read enough Shoujo to know where this was going. And this was probably anime only filler. Maybe she should take a nap?

Gecko gasped for air as she slowly tried to pull herself out of the fountain. “Y...you...I...I will...” She sputtered some water, clearly at the end of her strength.

That finally got Valkyrie to smile. “I admire your resilience, but it might as well be called arrogance. There is a darkness in your heart, take heed lest it devours you.”

Kanami had no idea what that meant, but at least it sounded cool.

Unfortunately, that was also when Valkyrie's interest shifted to Kanami. “And what of you, little human girl? Do you wish to challenge me as well?” Slowly, the Valkyrie walked towards her.

Usually Kanami would now say something like: Who are you calling little? But the words kinda stuck in her throat, so the only sound she let out was an “eep.”

“I take that as a no.” A small smile crept on the Valkyrie's face as she stretched her hand out and...patted Kanami's head?

Kanami decided that not moving a single muscle was the absolutely correct action here.

The strongest Galmon was easily capable of crushing Kanami's head like an overripe Suika melon, and yet, she seemed to be oddly gentle. “You appear to be no Monster tamer and yet you travel with a Galmon. How curious...”

“I...I am a ninja!”, Kanami finally managed to squeeze out. “And Gecko is my pupil! S-so you better leave her alone, or else...!”

Don't say or else what. Don't say or else what. Don't say or else what.

“I see.” The Valkyrie nodded. “It appears I have been deceived...”

Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me.

“I will no longer bar your path. If you wish to confront the master of this tower, feel free to ascend.”

“Eh?”

“However, if it is the truth you seek. You shall find it at the ancient ruins of the Horus. I will be waiting.”

Valkyrie punched a hole in the tower and jumped out, vanishing into the deep forest beyond.

“Haa...” Kanami fell to her knee. That was way too scary! That Valkyrie could have knocked her out in one hit! Or even less! But she didn't. Does that count as a win? Kanami was pretty sure it counts! So that means she actually beat the strongest Galmon! Freya will turn green with envy when she tells her this!

But Kanami had no time to celebrate as the splashing noises coming from the fountain made evident that her pupil needs some assistance with the whole staying alive thing.

“Oh no, are you ok?”, Kanami slowly rushed to Gecko preventing her from collapsing and potentially drowning.

“Ugh...I...have...to go after her.”, The Galmon wheezed and coughed.

“Are you sure? She kinda totally destroyed you.” It took a bit of effort but Kanami finally managed to pull Gecko out of the fountain.

“That was because my tail has yet to regrow. Our next encounter shall not be that one sided. I must confront her and learn the truth about what happened.”

Yeah, how about no.

“That sounds like a totally stupid and boring sidequest! Let's just go and beat up Sour!”

“No! I have to learn the truth right this instance! I have to go after Valkyrie, even if it costs me my life!” Gecko grabbed Kanami's shoulder and looked her deep in the eyes. “I beg of you, Master. Please help me.”

Kanami never saw Gecko that serious about anything. She had to admit it was kinda intense and stupid. Mostly stupid though.