Before Loki could even land, his pupils suddenly dilated. An extreme chill radiated from Laufey.
The howling wind carried boundless cold toward Loki.
Loki tried to dodge — but had no ability to dodge. The instant it made contact, Loki's body was frozen solid and crashed heavily to the ground!
"LOKI!!!"
Thor's eyes were bloodshot. His entire body clenched his fists, fury and hatred nearly drowning his consciousness.
Above him, black storm clouds began to gather, and blue-purple lightning cracked through the sky.
Mjolnir, the hammer that had refused to yield to Thor, suddenly began to vibrate intensely. Rising skyward under the astonished gazes of everyone around.
"BOOM——"
The sound of thunder echoed across the heavens.
Outside the tavern, Thor's body was cloaked in lightning.
Sif and the others rose to their feet one by one, joy and excitement plain on their faces.
They knew — Asgard's Thunder God had returned!
Mjolnir's return meant Thor had broken through Odin's seal, found the meaning of being the God of Thunder. The thunder god's armor and cloak once again covered Thor's body.
Thor felt the surge of immense power coursing through his body. He didn't even have time to savor the excitement, let alone spare a glance for Sif, Jane, and the others. The first thing he did was shout toward the sky:
"HEIMDALL!"
"BOOM!"
A blinding rainbow light enveloped Thor, and his body vanished.
Leaving the crowd staring at each other.
Not knowing what to say, they could only keep their eyes on the sky projection.
"Thor wants to use the Bifrost's power to reach the battlefield and help Loki."
Sif suddenly spoke up to explain.
"I noticed."
Jane pointed at the projection in the sky.
"To be honest, I still don't think Loki's character would allow himself to end up in such a dangerous situation. That's not just prejudice based on the impression he gives me."
"It's also his identity as a mage."
"He inherited Queen Frigga's magic, is universally recognized as the greatest mage in the Nine Realms — he shouldn't be fighting in this way."
Sif sighed as she gazed at the projection in the sky.
But there was another possibility: as Asgard's current king, Loki might want to defeat Laufey through direct combat via the projection, displaying Asgard's power rather than relying on magic and trickery.
But no matter what — the war should be coming to an end now.
Thor, having reclaimed his divine power, would surely lead Asgard's warriors to victory in this war.
At the center of the battlefield.
Under Loki's cold gaze, Gungnir pierced through Laufey's chest. Dazzling golden light carried terrifying destructive force, demolishing most of Laufey's body.
That freezing hadn't actually frozen him — the moment of contact, his true self had already moved behind Laufey using his divine power, and by pure instinct, had driven a spear through Laufey's chest.
What had been frozen was only his illusion.
But even so, it still wasn't enough to defeat Laufey enhanced by the death god's power.
Though this was because Loki had been holding back Gungnir's power — after all, his current displayed strength couldn't exceed what the illusion had shown before. But even so, it demonstrated just how terrifying Laufey was right now.
Gazing at Laufey, whose body was regenerating rapidly under the ghostly green flames, Loki's mouth twitched. If it weren't for the fact that this script had outside help planned, he really couldn't imagine how they'd take this guy down.
Then, as if sensing something, Loki looked toward the sky. A blinding rainbow light descended upon the battlefield — and within that light was a power every Asgardian warrior knew intimately.
"Tch. He finally arrived."
"I'll begrudgingly let him have some of the spotlight, considering the plan."
Loki said to himself with a click of the tongue.
If it weren't for having to account for various factors, he wouldn't have wanted Thor to reclaim his divine power at all.
But that said, Loki's heart did feel a certain amount of emotion.
After all, while Baixuan, Aizen, and the others all believed Thor would break through Odin's seal because of the danger to Loki, there was no proof. Loki, while not denying it, hadn't been particularly willing to admit it either.
But now the facts were laid out before him. No matter how unwilling he was to admit it, Thor's feelings for him truly did treat him as an important family member.
"Well, I suppose you've earned what I died for in your future."
Loki thought to himself, a hint of tsundere pride in his heart.
From within the rainbow light came Thor's soaring, elated voice.
"Loki!"
"I'm here!"
Thor appeared before Loki. Looking at Loki, whose body was covered in blood, his face couldn't help but show guilt and regret.
This responsibility should have been his, yet he'd let Loki bear it.
"Mm."
Loki nodded without changing expression.
"Now that you're here, you handle him."
"I'll go assist with eliminating the other Frost Giants."
Saying this, without waiting for Thor's response, his body dissipated like a pile of bubbles.
"Uh—"
Thor opened his mouth. He had so many questions he wanted to ask Loki.
"Thor the God of Thunder?"
"Have you regained your divine power?"
A dark, calm voice rang at Thor's ear. Thor's expression grew grave.
"Laufey — do you know what you're doing?"
"Picking a fight between Asgard and Jotunheim. Invading Midgard."
"You're bringing destruction to Jotunheim!"
"When Father King awakens, you—"
"Heh heh."
Before Thor could finish, he heard Laufey's merciless mockery.
"Awaken?"
"Do you think Odin will have that chance?"
"And why exactly do you believe Odin is even still alive?"
Laufey said carelessly.
Once you'd decided to do something, there was no point regretting it.
Though he didn't know why he'd said that last part, it didn't matter. Odin was going to die by his hands sooner or later anyway — just a matter of time.
"What did you say?!"
Thor's pupils dilated the instant he heard Laufey's words. An expression of utter disbelief crossed his face.
Why would Laufey say something like that?
Could Father King really have met with some accident?! No, no, no — how could that be possible!
Father King was clearly just in deep slumber. How could anything have happened!
Asgard was so safe, and they couldn't possibly find a path to Asgard...
No matter how many excuses he manufactured in his heart, Thor had to admit — his composure was shattered.
But while Thor's heart was unsettled, Laufey's was not.
Gazing at the stunned Thor frozen in place, Laufey didn't hesitate for a moment.
"BOOM!"
A massive fist carrying icy cold like a cannon shell slammed into Thor's body. The violent force detonated against Thor's form with a thunderous roar the instant it made contact.
———
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