The entire Avengers team joined forces, but they still failed.
Fortunately, Nolan had held back.
None of them suffered any serious injuries.
Even so, Nolan's strength left a deep psychological shadow over them.
Especially for Ant-Man.
He had no prior connection with Nolan, and he was the first to attempt a breach, which had seriously displeased Nolan.
As a result, he was the most heavily injured.
Now he could only swallow his frustration in silence.
Demanding compensation from Nolan? That was simply unrealistic.
The Avengers, in theory, were also a public welfare organization. No one was going to pay for his injuries.
Several members had even fallen unconscious.
After some time, Steve Rogers slowly regained consciousness.
He let out a helpless bitter smile.
"Damn it, I knew this would be the result."
Even though he had expected it, he still had no other choice.
At the very least, their intervention ensured this situation would not escalate into a diplomatic crisis so easily.
Because they had acted.
What followed would become a private matter between Nolan Locke representing Locke Technology and Asgard.
Nolan shrugged.
"Honestly, you brought this on yourselves."
Steve Rogers' expression darkened, but he said nothing.
Because it was true.
The Avengers eventually withdrew.
Tony Stark looked at them leaving and said to Nolan:
"Even though this was approved by Odin himself, Nolan, you still need to be careful. Otherwise, I'm really worried this could turn into an interplanetary war."
"Don't worry. You know me," Nolan replied calmly.
Tony Stark thought to himself but didn't say it out loud.
I do know you. That's exactly why I'm worried.
He shook his head, lowered his helmet, and flew away.
He was done with this situation.
With Nolan Locke here, it was better for him to go back and upgrade his armor.
The stronger Nolan became, the more it pushed him to improve.
Even though he no longer intended to compete with Nolan, that didn't mean he would stop evolving.
Asgard
Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, and Sif walked together.
Their expressions were solemn as they headed toward the Bifrost.
They arrived at Heimdall's location.
Heimdall still stood guard within the Bifrost realm, his gaze solemn as he watched over the Nine Realms.
"Heimdall, where exactly have Thor and Loki gone?" Sif asked.
Heimdall did not respond.
Seeing his silence, the others grew anxious.
Volstagg suddenly drew his sword and shouted:
"Thor has been missing for too long! We cannot wait any longer! Heimdall, if you know where he is, tell us! Otherwise, we will use force to make you speak!"
Only then did Heimdall hesitate slightly.
Finally, he spoke slowly.
"Thor escorted Loki to Midgard."
"According to Loki's confession, Odin, the All-Father, is somewhere on Earth."
The four exchanged glances and immediately made their decision.
They stepped toward the portal.
"Asgard needs its king. Heimdall, send us to Midgard. We will bring Thor back."
With Heimdall's sword rotating, the power of the Bifrost erupted.
In the next moment, the four disappeared from Asgard.
Heimdall shook his head helplessly and returned to his post.
People always underestimated his perception.
Few understood that while Odin's plan might deceive everyone in Asgard, it could not deceive him.
He knew very well that this was Odin's trial for his sons.
If they had asked, he would not have stopped them. He would have even told them Thor's exact location.
But since they did not ask, he did not speak.
His duty was to see, not to speak.
Silence was the reason he remained at his post.
The Bifrost delivered them to Earth.
They appeared directly inside S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
Maria Hill stared at the sudden appearance of the four warriors, startled.
She recognized them immediately through S.H.I.E.L.D. records.
Asgard had indeed responded.
The disappearance of both princes had triggered an immediate reaction.
"It seems Asgard did not wait long before sending people," she said coldly.
Sif frowned.
"We are here for Thor."
"According to Heimdall, he has been on Earth for too long and has not returned. We suspect the Earth may have taken hostile action against him. If necessary, Asgard will use force, even war, to retrieve our prince."
Her tone was firm and uncompromising.
Maria Hill felt a chill in her heart.
Taking a deep breath, she replied:
"We already have information on Thor and Loki."
"In fact, we have been waiting for Asgard's arrival."
"They are currently being held."
"But this is not an official government action."
"It was a private conflict. Thor and Loki trespassed into Locke Technology. Unable to provide satisfactory compensation, Nolan Locke detained them."
"This has nothing to do with diplomacy. Escalating it will not benefit either world."
Sif let out a cold snort but did not pursue the diplomatic angle further.
Still, she was clearly anxious.
"Even so, why has no one acted? Thor is part of your Avengers. If he is detained, why hasn't the Avengers intervened?"
Maria Hill gave a bitter smile.
"We tried."
"We sent the entire Avengers team."
"The result was… not good."
"Nolan Locke defeated all of them without even wearing armor."
"What?"
Sif's expression changed instantly.
The others were equally shocked.
They had met Nolan Locke before.
Back then, he was just a normal military-industrial businessman.
His weapons were impressive, but the Warriors Three had once fought him directly and held their own.
At that time, without preparation and outnumbered, they had lost.
Even later, after Asgard adopted Locke Technology's weapons, their impression of Nolan still remained that of an ordinary man who built armor.
At most, he was a tech genius in a suit.
But now they were being told he had defeated the entire Avengers team without armor?
That was impossible.
At least, that was what they believed.
Maria Hill then played a video for them.
The recorded battle was clear enough.
Enough to prove everything was real.
It was true.
The pressure hit them instantly.
There was no choice now.
To rescue Thor, they had to go to Locke Technology.
S.H.I.E.L.D. assigned Coulson to accompany them.
Because Coulson was the one person most familiar with Nolan Locke.
For a simple reason: his reputation as a "nice guy."
Coulson smiled wryly.
Another impossible mission.
Hopefully, this wouldn't be too troublesome.
Before they even arrived, Nolan already received the news.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He walked leisurely down to the underground room where Thor and Loki were held.
Thor was furious, pacing like a trapped beast.
Loki, by contrast, lay lazily on the bed, completely unbothered.
"Thor, could you be quieter? You're giving me a headache," Loki sighed.
Thor turned sharply.
"And you're not angry at all?"
Loki shrugged.
"What's the point? I don't think Nolan Locke plans to release us anyway."
That sentence drained all of Thor's anger at once.
All that remained was frustration.
"Damn it… what does that guy want?"
At that moment, Nolan walked in smiling.
"I have good news. Asgard has sent people."
Thor's eyes lit up instantly, but Loki remained calm.
For him, nothing had changed.
Nolan continued lightly:
"Don't get too excited. I never said I would let you go."
Thor's smile froze.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"If you want to kill us, then do it quickly. A warrior dies with honor. I will not tolerate humiliation."
"Ha."
Nolan chuckled.
Just then, he paused slightly.
"Seems like your guests have arrived. You can talk to them first."
He turned to Red Queen AI.
"Bring them over. Keeping them locked up is getting boring anyway."
Soon, the Asgardian group arrived.
Seeing Thor and Loki together, they immediately tensed.
"Release Thor immediately! Or Asgard will not rule out war against Earth!" Hogun shouted.
Nolan glanced at them lazily.
"Do
you think I care about threats?"
"If you want war, go ahead. I'm a weapons manufacturer. That sounds like a great business opportunity."
"You madman!" Sif snapped.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Nolan's expression didn't change.
Threats like this meant nothing to him.
After all, the real decision-makers of Asgard were already involved in his arrangements.
"I'll leave you to talk," he said casually.
"We'll discuss Thor and Loki's release after you finish."
Then he turned and walked away without hesitation.
Thor immediately asked:
"How is Asgard?"
Sif answered seriously:
"Not good. Loki's actions over the past year, and your disappearance, have triggered unrest in multiple realms."
"We are suppressing rebellions, but Thor, you must return soon."
Thor slammed his fist into the wall in frustration.
The reinforced alloy barely even dented.
"I will find a way back," he said through gritted teeth.
"If necessary, I will use diplomatic pressure. I refuse to believe Nolan Locke would risk war between worlds!"
He had grown.
If this had been before, he would never have spoken like this.
But now, he had no choice.
Meanwhile, Nolan listened through hidden cameras, smiling faintly.
He had heard everything.
And his smile only deepened.
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