Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/Draco_
You can also read on my website:
tlmasters.xyz
I'd really appreciate your support. Every membership helps keep me motivated to continue translating and releasing chapters consistently.
*****
After Frigga departed, Fenech couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
The art of Item Storage wasn't considered a high-powered combat magic, but it had originally been developed for use during military campaigns and marches. This alone suggested that it was by no means a common spell that could be obtained casually. Yet, Frigga had taught it to him with such ease. Perhaps she had no ulterior motive, but Fenech preferred to look at the situation with a bit more complexity.
"Is she expressing an apology because she finally understands the reason behind my actions?" Fenech wondered silently.
However, he felt that even if that were the case, it was likely Frigga acting on her own initiative. Given Odin's stubborn character, he was certainly not the type of person to offer such a gesture. Fenech had to admit that Odin had a wonderful wife. Even if he knew Frigga's underlying goal might be to salvage his attitude toward Asgard, he found himself falling for the kindness. The spell was simply too useful for him. Moreover, during this period, Frigga's arrangements for his daily life had been impeccable, never neglecting a single detail. He made sure to keep these kindnesses in mind.
With a soft sigh, Fenech used the newly learned Item Storage magic to tuck away several items he was carrying. He immediately felt much lighter, prompting him to marvel once more at the sheer convenience of the spell.
Lying on a soft, oversized Asgardian bed, Fenech wondered how Frigga would explain his desire to visit Muspelheim to Odin. If he could resolve this matter and depart without having to see Odin face-to-face again, that would be for the best.
Unfortunately, his hopes were quickly dashed. The very next day, Odin sent a messenger stating that he wished to meet.
---
When he arrived at the royal palace's main hall, the cavernous space was largely empty. Aside from a few guards, only Odin and Frigga were waiting for him.
"Your Majesty," Fenech greeted.
Despite his lingering annoyance with Odin, Fenech still offered a polite salute. After all, they hadn't officially severed ties, and he was currently serving as a representative of Kamar-Taj.
Odin nodded, his face an unreadable mask of divine authority. He sat upon his throne of forged gold, gripping Gungnir tightly. In a deep, resonant voice, he spoke: "Frigga tells me that you intend to travel to Muspelheim and the other realms to seek out challengers?"
"Yes," Fenech replied with a simple nod, offering no further explanation.
Odin scrutinized the young man before him. Though he didn't entirely believe Fenech's stated reasoning, he trusted Frigga's judgment. Ultimately, he spoke: "I will have Heimdall keep watch over you. As long as you do not incite a war, Asgard will no longer interfere with your affairs at will."
"Fine," Fenech agreed. Though he didn't enjoy the idea of being constantly monitored, he understood the reality of his situation. Until he reached a certain level of overwhelming power, he had to accept certain compromises.
After that brief exchange, Odin had nothing more to say.
---
After resting in Asgard for one more day, Fenech prepared to depart for Muspelheim.
Arriving at the Bifrost, Fenech looked at Heimdall, who stood at his post waiting for him. Thinking about how the gatekeeper would be watching his every move, Fenech said with a hint of irritation, "Just a heads-up—don't look when I'm using the bathroom."
Heimdall remained expressionless, choosing not to engage with the joke. Instead, he stared at Fenech and asked, "Are you truly intent on going to Muspelheim?"
"Is there a problem?"
"The environment there is far more hostile than even Jotunheim."
"It doesn't matter," Fenech said, waving a hand dismissively. Harsh environments would only serve to make him stronger.
In its normal state, his 'Incursio' armor didn't possess innate fire resistance. Perhaps this trip to Muspelheim would provide the catalyst for 'Incursio' to evolve once more.
Seeing Fenech's firm resolve, Heimdall stopped trying to persuade him otherwise. He offered one last piece of advice: "If there is an emergency, remember to call my name."
Hearing this, Fenech glanced at him and countered, "Don't you plan on watching me the whole time anyway?"
"I trust you," Heimdall said simply. He turned toward the control console with his sword in hand, leaving Fenech momentarily stunned by the unexpected statement.
A small smile played on Fenech's lips as he shook his head. While Asgardians could be arrogant, they weren't half bad once you became friends with them. Following Heimdall's lead, Fenech stepped up to the teleportation port.
"Don't mess up the coordinates this time. Send me directly near their royal palace."
Wary of a repeat of his previous experience, Fenech gave a specific reminder. However, Heimdall's response caught him off guard.
"If you are looking for their King, then forget it," Heimdall said, shaking his head as he looked at Fenech. "The Fire Giants of Muspelheim disappeared long ago. The original palace has long since fallen into ruin, and even I cannot locate his position. The best I can do is find a place where the Fire Demons congregate."
"Uh..." Fenech was a bit dumbfounded. He really hadn't known about that.
Heimdall noticed Fenech's ignorance of the situation and asked, "Do you still wish to go?"
"Yes. Just send me to where the Fire Demons are!"
Fenech nodded. Even if he couldn't find a major boss to fight, he needed to head over and establish a coordinate marker. These worlds with unique environments might prove useful at some point in the future.
Receiving Fenech's answer, Heimdall said no more. He inserted his longsword into the mechanism and activated the Bifrost. As the brilliant light flared to life, Heimdall's voice rang in Fenech's ears one last time before he entered the tunnel:
"The gathering point is inside a volcano one kilometer to your right. Also, the Fire Demons possess very limited intelligence; they may not understand your words!"
---
Muspelheim was a land of eternal flame. Fenech had tried to imagine it before arriving, but much like his first arrival in Jotunheim, the reality of Muspelheim was far hotter than he had anticipated.
While the sky in Jotunheim was a perpetual, freezing grey, the sky in Muspelheim was also grey—but this was a grey born of ash. Because Muspelheim was covered in active volcanoes, volcanic ash choked the atmosphere and blanketed the horizon.
"Cough! Cough!"
The heavy scent of sulfur in the air made Fenech feel extremely uncomfortable. Lacking natural resistance, he found the sensation of being in Muspelheim far more agonizing than Jotunheim.
"Lower temperature!"
"Purify air!"
Fortunately for Fenech, his 'Golden Ars Magna' worked exceptionally well in Muspelheim, performing almost as effectively as it did on the planet Vormir. He immediately used the magic to improve the environment around him, and only then did he begin to feel human again.
Fenech surveyed his surroundings. Aside from the small bubble of clarity created by his magic, everything further away was a murky, grey haze. He couldn't see a thing.
Seeing this, Fenech couldn't help but frown. While Jotunheim's environment was harsh, you could at least see what was in front of you. Here, everything beyond a few meters was obscured.
At that moment, he felt a pang of envy for Heimdall's eyes. He wondered how the gatekeeper could possibly see through such conditions. Recalling the instructions given before the transport, Fenech sighed, activated his invisibility mode, and began flying toward the Fire Demons' gathering point.
(End of Chapter)