Staring at the figure he had only ever seen in recordings, Odin felt the irritability that had plagued him lately sharpen into a volatile edge.
He didn't find anything particularly wrong with Madam Herta's witch-like attire or her casual use of magic; after all, Asgard was a civilization where sorcery and science walked hand in hand.
The issue lay in where she chose to tear open her portal.
He had always felt a crushing weight at the mere thought of Herta's existence—a pressure that had only intensified since Thor entered the Simulated Universe.
Once Thor returned to Asgard and recounted his experiences within Herta's shop, that pressure had reached its peak.
"I was worried about Asta's situation, so I thought I'd drop by for a look," Herta explained.
She said it with such flat sincerity that Odin and Asta had no choice but to take it at face value.
It wasn't that Herta lacked the tact for diplomacy or worldly affairs; as a genius, she could master anything if she deigned to stoop that low. She simply had no interest in it.
Opening a portal in the heart of a heavily guarded palace would usually provoke any high-ranking official, but now wasn't the time for such grievances.
Herta's casual remark, however flippant, was enough to brush the topic aside for the moment.
As for how her actions would be viewed once the dust settled... well, that would be Asta's problem to deal with.
"These people are here for the Stone, aren't they?" Herta swept her gaze across the room. The throne room had lost its former majesty, scarred by the ravages of battle.
Asgardian warriors and Dark Elf invaders were locked in a chaotic melee, their numbers appearing nearly equal in the fray.
"Indeed," Odin replied, his voice heavy.
Both he and Frigga possessed the gift of foresight. They were both well aware of Frigga's impending death, but knowing it was coming didn't make his heart any less heavy.
In the original threads of fate, it was her death that would break his spirit, leading to his exile to Earth by Loki's hand, turning that realm into his grave and eventually unsealing Hela.
Ragnarok was merely the final domino in that tragic chain of events.
Destiny was inescapable—or so he had always believed. But looking at Herta, a variable who had never appeared in any of his visions, Odin felt an indescribable surge of complex emotions.
This was a departure from the established path. Should he truly continue to submit to fate as he always had?
Seeing the portal magic Herta used to arrive, Odin knew what choice the Sorcerer Supreme had made.
When it came to the understanding of time, Odin doubted anyone held more authority than that sorcerer. And that sorcerer had clearly drawn a line in the sand against the "intended" future.
If that was the case, his own path was clear.
"Malekith's soldiers have breached the palace," Odin stated. "If you don't want him reclaiming the Aether, it's best to take it somewhere his hands can't reach."
"Don't worry, I came here to settle this. I'd hate for a bunch of old bats to interrupt my research later," Herta nodded. "I've brought people with me. Relax, they're more than happy to help out."
It was a clear offer of alliance.
Odin hadn't expected Herta to be so cooperative. Whether as the leader of a civilization or a genius of peerless talent, she was almost too casual. And what did she mean by the "people" she brought?
"Asgard thanks you for your assistance," Odin said after a moment's thought. "Where is the Aether now?"
"Still in that sanctuary of yours. I'd like to just pull the Stone out now, but this environment isn't exactly ideal for that."
Tearing a portal into someone's home was already high-profile enough; whisking away their guest (Jane) as well couldn't be explained away as mere "concern for Asta," even if the object in question was technically part of a trade. After all, the deal hadn't been finalized yet.
As she spoke, Herta gave a casual flick of her wrist.
A black magic staff, as tall as a person and shaped like a key, materialized in her hand.
With a whoosh of purple light erupting from the tip, a Dark Elf soldier attempting a sneak attack was instantly reduced to ash.
No one blinked. Herta's power was expected, and to the three of them, the interruption was beneath notice.
"And where are these reinforcements?" Odin asked.
The words had barely left his mouth when a gold-and-red suit of armor soared into the sky in the distance, clearing out every Dark Elf in its path. Odin recognized them now—the people of Earth.
They had no way of reaching Asgard on their own, so Herta must have provided the transport.
Though they were few, they were high-end combatants, enough to tip the scales of war.
Of course, that "high-end" status only applied because they had been empowered by Herta's shop; if Odin hadn't heard from Thor how much they'd changed, he would hardly have considered them assets.
The physical disparity was staggering. An average Asgardian possessed a body density three times that of a human, giving them the strength to lift thirty tons and the ability to survive in a vacuum.
On primitive planets outside the Nine Realms, they were regarded as immortal. Against that kind of durability, Hawkeye's arrows or Natasha's pistols would be useless, and even Rogers would be sent flying by a single blow.
(Skurge's dual M16s were an exception, having been magically modified with infinite ammo and devastating power).
The Frost Giants and Dark Elves who competed with Asgard possessed similarly absurd physiology, but for the current Avengers, they were no longer insurmountable foes.
Rogers had fully assimilated the Valkyrie Serum, reaching the level of a standard S-rank Valkyrie. Barton and Natasha trailed slightly behind, but they were still formidable enough to outclass a standard A-rank.
Seeing them on the front lines eased Odin's mind significantly. His only remaining worry was his Queen, Frigga.
"Asgard will remember this gesture from the people of The Blue," Odin said.
With his soldiers occupied and unable to command Herta, he had to move himself. But leaving an outsider alone on the battlefield would be a blow to his dignity.
"Malekith is determined to have the Aether. We must guard it closely—perhaps we can set a trap and wait for the rabbit to run into the post."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.