Su Ming has deceived even the Divine Capital, how could a silly horse stand a chance against him?
At first, the horse doubted him due to some differences in scent and the like, but Su Ming quickly slapped its rump a few times with the 'Eternal Spear'.
Then it confirmed that this was indeed Odin, rubbing its neck affectionately against him.
Actually, the Eight-legged Celestial Horse Sleipnir isn't the only pampered animal in the Immortal Palace; Thor's two goats are also treated very well, even the Prince of the Immortal Palace must personally clean up after them.
Of course, there are those with good treatment, and there are those without.
The Immortal Palace also hosts a pig, Shahrimnir, a legendary enormous boar.
Every night, Valhalla throws a feast, and the Heroic Spirits turn this pig into a super meal for 40 million Heroic Spirits.
Yet at dawn the next day, the big pig would resurrect, growing back to its plump and strong form, then be slaughtered and consumed again at night.
It's said that until the Twilight of the Gods, the pig will never be free from its cycle.
In any case, when Su Ming emerged from the most luxurious stable in history, all three of them had horses.
He immediately galloped across the entire Immortal Palace, bringing two ladies onto the city wall.
The wide city wall resembled an avenue, entirely cast from Uru Metal, originally built by Giants when the Immortal Palace was established.
Though built by different architects, the style of the wall completely unified with the city; splendidly magnificent, extremely sturdy, and compatible with technology.
The wall top about fifty meters wide, the wall standing... Thirty centimeters tall...
Indeed, a city wall only thirty centimeters high, looking more like steps or bases for laser crossbow cannons and other defense structures.
Encircling the entire city, this 'Pathway City Wall' overall abstracted like a sun, or like petals of a flower, crossing blue waters, blending with ports and other facilities.
Seen from high above, the city's outline is breathtaking.
The Immortal Palace doesn't need a wall; it possesses a mighty army, people are its walls.
Facing the enemy head-on in fierce collisions, that's the ultimate ideal of the Immortal Palace warriors—hiding behind tall walls for protection?
That's cowardly behavior.
Besides, the enemies capable of invading the Immortal Palace must be able to fly, the wall would be obsolete even if there was one.
Now the warriors were manning the turret to attack the incoming invaders, various laser beams slicing through the sky, leaving a scorching presence.
The enemies and Immortal Palace warriors seemed identical, both wearing Golden Armor, both piloting Flying Ships, even their tactics were basically the same.
"It's the Vanir Race! They've betrayed Asgard!"
Brynhild noticed the distant ships and warriors, instantly recognizing the enemy, stunned by the conclusion.
The union of the Aesir and Vanir Race is an essential part of Asgard's governance of the Nine Realms, with marriages and technological exchanges between them driving development and economies.
Yet now, no matter who falls on either side, it's a loss for Odin.
No matter who incited the Vanir Race to rebel, this move was indeed clever.
Once both sides are left battered, the mastermind can come out and take all the spoils...
"Asgardian warriors! Hold the front!"
Thoughts racing in his mind, he rode his horse along the pathway, raising his spear high and loudly issued orders.
First let the warriors hold off, see if any clues from the mastermind appear.
The Vanir Race almost entirely emerged, many clearly not warriors, without armor, just wearing robes, wielding simple weapons, jumping off the Flying Ships, charging at the Immortal Palace's positions.
These people appeared unusual, eyes seemingly ablaze, every person faintly glowing with fire.
Hundreds of thousands of troops converged into a sea of flame.
"Divine King's order! Hold the front!"
"For Asgard!"
Where Su Ming galloped past, naturally squads and the like loudly echoed his commands, Immortal Palace warriors also growled in response.
They lined up in military formations before the crossbows, countless spears all pointing at the enemy.
Battlefield gusts blew through, Su Ming felt his blood pumping faster, the soldiers responding like a mountain call and sea wave, truly intoxicating.
No wonder young Odin loved battles, and now Thor is likewise a war frenzy.
Once your words are echoed by hundreds of thousands or even millions, that feeling elevates you, makes you feel like you're on cloud nine, yearn for more.
However, Su Ming remains clear-headed, for one, he's not an Asgardian, he has his own plans. On the other hand, it's not his first day on a battlefield, such atmosphere has minimal impact on him.
No matter what, block the Vanir Race first, while informing other direction guards not to slack, certainly correct.
The World Tree ablaze signals an alert, bait deployed by Su Ming.
Just the bait is too enticing, overwhelmingly effective.
Now, even Warnerheim, originally a staunch ally, has betrayed Asgard, leaving it besieged by enemies on all sides.
Perhaps the only reliable allies left are the Dwarves and the Light Elves, although the Dwarves have some combat power with their smithing skills, the scholarly and agrarian Light Elves are better left out of battles.
Earth can also be considered an ally. After all, although Su Ming and The Ancient One have their own plans, they generally stand on Asgard's side. Anyway, only the two of them are informed on Earth...
In short, not only must the frontal charge of the Vanir Race be blocked, but vigilance must be maintained in other directions as well.
The sky, underwater, and the Rainbow Bridge all require defense.
There are many hidden passages surrounding Asgard, some known to Loki, but more are unknown, and Warnerheim's army might have come through one of these.
"Brynhild, find some people to scout the Rainbow Bridge and leave it to Heimdall. I sense there might be trouble there."
Su Ming ran a lap along the Pathway City Wall, ensuring that every warrior saw him, before slowing down to stand at the rear of the battle line, observing the warriors from both sides embroiled in chaotic combat.
He naturally issued orders to Brynhild—after all, he's Odin now, isn't he?
The Valkyrie walked away half-believing, and only then did Su Ming direct more attention to the battlefield to observe the details.
In theory, Asgard's warriors should be stronger. Yet now the battlefront seems fiercely contested. The enemy appears to be in a frenzy, eyes glowing red and charging with unstoppable vigor.
When their weapons strike the Immortal Palace Warriors, blackened scarring appears on the armor, and if their bodies are touched, they immediately suffer burns or catch fire.
"It seems like flame weapons... is it enchantment or some other method?"
He tilted his head slightly to seek an opinion from Gin, who was also mounted and riding behind Su Ming.
"It's fire, but this fire seems to surge from within them. I've never seen anything like it."
Gin was also watching the battlefield. Although she had the urge to capture an enemy from the front lines, she had neither weapons nor armor, and the boss would never allow her to go.
The battlefield's scent drifted with the wind—a mixture of blood and entrails. Gin touched her temple; her blood called for battle.
There was a force and emotion coursing through her chest, compelling her to join the battle.
But she resisted, calmly answering the question, then stood quietly behind her boss. Her allegiance no longer lay with Odin and Asgard.
Su Ming, stroking his beard, looked at the battlefield with his single eye, watching the warriors from both sides falling continuously, screams and explosions echoing ceaselessly.
He was deep in thought.
Fire as a power is quite common in Marvel, with too many characters wielding flames. Besides the currently suspected Surtur, a whole bunch of Lords of Hell possess flame-related abilities.
Moreover, among the Ancient Demon Gods, there are also those representing fire, and making contracts with them through magic could achieve the current effects.
As for who is behind the Vanir Race, it remains unknown, but this attack seems merely a probe, and the beginning of proceedings—the real matters are just starting.
.............
"I have a bad feeling; something must have happened at the Immortal Palace."
Loki said to Thor, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, riding alongside Thor at the forefront of the army.
They had arrived at Surtur's Muspellheim in the morning, a world entirely composed of flame and lava.
Red dust flew everywhere, dyeing even the other planets in the sky a shade of crimson.
Marching here made the time and location indistinguishable; everything around was cloaked in flames and thick smoke, resembling a nightmare deep in Hell.
Moreover, shortly after their advance, Heimdall suddenly recalled part of the group. They also had no idea what had happened.
Something told Loki that something bad was underway.
But Thor didn't think so. His mind brimmed with thoughts of achieving glory in battle and spreading Asgard's honor.
He rode his goat rapidly, with the warriors aboard the flying ships following behind.
The procession was grand and imposing, and it felt fantastic.
Listening to Loki, he spat a mouthful of phlegm mixed with ash to the side and, without much thought, said, "Are you scared? Coward, you can go back to the Golden Palace and cry to Mother."
"Hahaha..."
The Three Warriors immediately burst into laughter, mocking Loki's cowardice. Attacking here was Odin's order, and there was no room for retreat.
Even Sif turned her head to snicker, wanting to appear more ladylike as she harbored affections for Thor and wished to be his wife.
That meant she couldn't act like a tomboy and mingle with Hogan, Vostag, and the others.
Although she also felt something wasn't quite right with the current situation, seeing Thor's excitement made her stay silent.
Sif only wanted to please Thor and make him happy.
But it seemed Thor never regarded her as a woman, still treating her as a comrade just like in childhood. She felt anxious inside but had no solution.
The Three Warriors laughed because while Loki's points held some validity, they knew this mission was a test for Loki and Thor.
Loki's banquet had been a great success, and now, the Will of Fire was known to everyone; next was Thor's test.
The skinny Loki, a god of lies, certainly aimed to shake Thor's confidence, letting himself win the test, truly despicable.