CHAPTER 227: CHAPTER 228: FATHER AND DAUGHTER, FACE TO FACE

Whoosh!

Outside the Penal Zone, Lothar’s figure suddenly appeared in front of The Other, just as the latter was in the middle of breakfast.

His face was calm, unreadable.

"Prince Lothar."

Woz, still flipping through the databanks beside him, immediately stood up and projected all the intel he had found in front of Lothar.

"That’s all?"

Choosing to bury Hela’s words deep within his heart, Lothar reached out and took the food The Other had handed him with practiced deference. A flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.

"Yes, Prince Lothar. Regarding Odin’s past actions, Woz found very little information in Lord Thanos’ archives."

As an artificial intelligence lifeform personally created by Thanos, Woz’s access was entirely dependent on the scope of the Mad Titan’s own databases.

And as for Odin’s recent solo confrontation with the Celestials? That intel clearly hadn’t been included in the archive, either because it was too recent or because Ebony Maw, the Black Order’s intelligence master, had failed to gather it.

"I see..."

"Woz, keep a close eye on Hela for me."

Always mindful of the fact that he was technically still under disciplinary confinement, Lothar entered the gates of the Penal Zone, carrying the ample food prepared for him by The Other.

The guards stationed around the Penal Zone stood at a distance, their eyes trained downward, maintaining a façade of neutrality as they turned a blind eye to Lothar’s blatant "confinement breach."

"Lord Thanos, why did you allow Lothar to hand over the Mind Stone to Odin’s daughter?"

Within the Black Quadrant, Ebony Maw, standing loyally beside Thanos, gazed at the screen where Lothar had just disappeared into the Penal Zone, his voice tinged with confusion.

The Infinity Stones were, after all, instrumental to Thanos’ lifelong ambition.

It didn’t matter that Hela claimed it was only a loan. Knowing Odin, that wily old schemer, who could say what might happen once he realized his daughter now held the Mind Stone?

"’Hand over’?"

"No, this is merely a necessary test."

Thanos didn’t care how Hela used the Mind Stone. What truly concerned him... was Odin’s reaction.

"Would a benevolent emperor, who embraces virtue and cherishes all life, truly strike down his own daughter?"

The question hung in the air, enigmatic and chilling, leaving Ebony Maw momentarily speechless.

"Recall Proxima Midnight, Cull Obsidian, and the General of the Black Order."

"You will personally lead a squad. I want every path around the Penal Zone completely sealed off."

"From this moment on, until I say otherwise, Lothar is not to take a single step outside. Understood?"

Thanos never bothered to explain himself to his subordinates. One command after another left Ebony Maw stunned and reeling.

He wanted to ask why, but when his gaze met Thanos’ unchanging, impassive face, he forced the question back down. He bowed respectfully. "Understood."

The former Black Order would be fully mobilized, just to contain the Fifth General of the Black Quadrant within the Penal Zone?

Brimming with unanswered questions, Ebony Maw faded from view.

Odin...

Only after Ebony Maw’s departure did Thanos open a file that only he had access to, top secret, encrypted and sealed.

Odin’s profile photo glowed faintly in the dim light.

Beside it, a rectangular object pulsed with a faint blue glow:

The Space Stone.

...

Jotunheim, Borderlands.

Snowstorms howled across the icy expanse, Jotunheim’s signature climate. It was under these frigid conditions that the Frost Giants had once proven themselves the greatest obstacle to Odin’s conquest of the Nine Realms.

"Laufey. I’ve come."

"As you can see, alone."

Odin stood amidst the snow, arms spread wide, a gesture of peace. His Destroyer armor, fully restored, was nowhere in sight. The fabled Gungnir, his Eternal Spear said to never miss its mark, also absent.

Just a simple tunic. One man. Two hands.

Odin had marched boldly into his archenemy’s domain.

"Odin."

The frigid air crystallized with a single word. Laufey’s towering figure slowly emerged from the snowstorm.

The ancient strength in his bloodline had not diminished since losing the Casket of Ancient Winters, on the contrary, it had grown stronger.

Especially after he secretly returned to Jotunheim during the brief awakening of the World Tree, disturbed by Lothar’s Super Saiyan transformation, and successfully siphoned a portion of its power. His strength had surpassed even the resurgence he experienced during his second bloodline awakening.

"We need to talk, Laufey. Talk about peace."

Even standing alone, Odin’s gaze remained composed and unwavering.

"Peace? Between me and you? Between Asgard and Jotunheim?" Laufey scoffed.

He knew exactly what kind of man Odin had once been, a relentless warlord to his core.

To believe that Odin had come here now to genuinely seek peace? Ridiculous.

He’d sooner believe that his future son would turn out utterly incompatible with Frost Giant heritage.

Ever since returning to Jotunheim, spurred by jealousy of the next generation, Lothar and Hela, Laufey had been spreading his seed far and wide. Yet not one of his prospective mates had shown signs of pregnancy.

"I know that in my current state—"

"King! We have a problem!"

"It’s the Asgardian army! Odin’s daughter Hela is leading an invasion!"

The shout from the Frost Giant sentries cut Odin’s plea short.

"What?!"

"All units! Target, Laufey!!!"

Crimson light tore through Jotunheim’s skies as Hela’s furious battle cry rang out.

The Asgardian forces, bolstered by the Mind Stone’s power, had surged forward with explosive strength!

The Frost Giants’ defensive line was instantly torn apart by the unstoppable assault led by Hela and her elite commanders.

Blood-soaked war cries. Lives cut down like wheat.

The torrent of war had once again descended upon Jotunheim, shattering what fragile peace remained.

"This... this is your idea of peace, Odin?!"

Laufey sneered coldly, then raised his hand.

A unified army of Frost Giants surged from every direction.

"No! Laufey!"

Odin’s face contorted with fury. He had never imagined that his daughter would march an army into Jotunheim now of all times.

"Hela! Cease this at once!"

His roar shook the realm itself. Time itself seemed to stutter across Jotunheim in the wake of Odin’s fury.

A terrible divine presence erupted from him, an aura forged in battle against the Celestials. Since recovering from his wounds, Odin had clearly reached new heights of power.

Though not tall in stature, his form stood alone between two armies, and with sheer divine might, he split the battlefield in two.

This power... So he has grown stronger, too. Laufey, having summoned the World Tree’s power to shield his forces, prepared for war.

"Hela! What are you doing?!"

Odin’s voice roared with fury as he looked upon his daughter, her brow adorned with the gleaming Mind Stone.

"I’m securing Asgard’s eternal peace... my way, Father."

Her armor soaked in blood, Hela flexed her fingers, shielding the commanders who had followed her into battle. She spoke clearly, each word deliberate.

"Hela!"

Odin could contain himself no longer. The pressure of his unleashed power blasted outward, the skies trembling in response. Hela’s eyes lit with admiration.

Yes. This was the father she knew, the one who had led her onto the path of conquest.

"Do you even know what you’re doing?!"

"I don’t."

"But I do know what you’re doing, Father."

Hela stared him down without flinching.

"Peace bought through begging? That’s not the kind of peace you taught me as a child."

"We are supposed to be the undisputed sovereigns of the Nine Realms."

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