If the Netherworld previously seemed like a blot of ink in the mist within their vision, it has expanded quite a bit now.
The Hel that was beaten back to her original form indeed has the smell of a corpse; if not for her breathing and thinking, she wouldn't be much different from a typical zombie.
"You've achieved Loki's goal with your own actions. Have you thought about what to do next?"
Su Ming maintained his falling posture, and since the change was destined, the future still depends on everyone's choices.
Hel had no strength, but her mind was clear; she originally came here to lose.
She has now lost as she wished, but what to do afterward? She truly hadn't thought about it.
"Don't ask me such questions. I won't do anything you want me to do."
Her voice was very faint, seemingly completely covered by the wind, but her tone was firm.
"Don't speak in such absolutes, why not watch the upcoming show and decide then?" Su Ming patted the Magic Floating Cloak with his Strangulation, suddenly accelerating to land on the ground, throwing the barely alive Hel onto the throne in the Royal Palace.
This throne was specially preserved, after all, it's the symbol of the Netherworld.
Hel's army had returned to slumber after her loss of power. They were like shadows or dark fog, crawling into the ground's cracks.
The Secret Guest was also gathering his troops, but for chaotic Alien Forms, getting them to truly understand orders was tough.
The real approach was simply to open a big Teleportation Gate, driving them all inside, tossing them back to the Hell Border.
For a time, purple and black lights flashed continuously in the ruins, and soon everything returned to tranquility.
The sun came out once more, the pale golden sunlight shining through the broken walls, illuminating everyone. The Secret Guest handed Tyr's head to Deathstroke, who then displayed it to Hel, placing it on the throne's arm like a decoration.
Hel just glanced at the head and continued to look toward Deathstroke without any reaction. Both she and he knew that a single Tyr didn't signify any problem.
Tyr was dead, a person long dead.
The mask receded from Su Ming's head, revealing a smile: "Guess what I intend to do with this head?"
"Nothing more than using another Hell to torture his soul." Hel leaned on the throne, needing support to barely sit up a bit.
Su Ming spread his hands, making a regretful expression: "Then you underestimate me too much. Whether a War God fears torture aside, his suffering is irrelevant to you. Guess again, and consider your own reality."
No matter how much Hel thought, she couldn't fathom what means Deathstroke would use to torture her, so she just raised her head forcefully, watching the black and yellow figure gradually approach.
Su Ming lit a cigarette, watching the light blue smoke rise: "Do you think knowing your origin allows me to replicate a new Nether God in the same way? After all, we have the Infinity Stones, a Warlock, the ability to traverse time, and Loki's cloak. How about transforming Tyr into the new Goddess of Death?"
"!!!"
Hel was stunned, slightly opening her mouth. Turning a bearded hunk like Tyr into a Goddess of Death? Only Deathstroke could think of such a thing.
Though Tyr indeed braided his hair, that was Asgard's traditional attire, and he definitely wasn't suited to become a woman.
But one must admit, Deathstroke definitely had the capability. The conditions to create a god were completely fulfilled - Aesir Race flesh, a tool to reverse causality, a way to traverse time, and a plot to obscure the world's vision.
If Tyr were transformed into a Nether God and sent to the Ancient Era, the young Leia would surely not be a match for War God Tyr.
By then, both would possess the attributes of a Nether God and Lord of Hell, ensuring only one could survive. Such is the eternal struggle in Hell.
Then there's a high probability Hel would fundamentally disappear.
No matter why Loki wrote this story, once Deathstroke added a segment at the end, the entire story would change flavor.
Want to amend a story? Easy, have a younger cousin shoot a sequel for you, and it'd be entirely reasonable. For the Gem in Wade's hand, even the most bizarre events are rational.
This change, assuredly, is not the change Hel and Loki needed.
Hel could indeed do some things for Loki, whether due to nostalgia or being leveraged, she did them.
But never forget she is a god and also a Lord of Hell. In her mind, only she is the most important.
Actually obtaining Tyr's flesh and turning him into the Goddess of Death isn't the best effect; the best choice should be Thor.
Chop Thor up, modify him with the Continuity Gem, and send him back to the Ancient Era, which would undoubtedly be a super weapon for Loki today. Or kill Frigga and modify her; that would be wondrous for Loki too.
Only Su Ming doesn't wish to do things utterly, presently seeing no necessity, but it would make Odin an enemy.
The root of it all is Loki; the problem begins with Loki and ends with him as well.
And only Tyr, this marginal figure, won't hurt anyone after being killed; he won't touch any boundaries, yet he can provide flesh and soul, his strength still good, perfectly capable of restraining the Hel of Leia's era.
"But Tyr is also your enemy; he will remember it was you who killed him and he'll still remember me. Even if he returns to the Ancient Era, he won't harm me."
Hel pointed out the flaw, or rather, she pointed out Tyr's nature as a simp.
She was well aware of the obedience and cowardice of simps. Although Tyr was a War God, she was the Goddess in Tyr's heart. How could someone hurt the Goddess of their heart?
Su Ming shook his head, he had already anticipated these things: "The city is so empty, but your memories aren't fierce enough. Have you forgotten what kind of place the Hell Border is? As long as I throw his soul into the endless whispers of Ancient Gods, how long can his sanity last?"
"...."
Indeed, if a person's thoughts can't connect, how can he discern others?
"Honestly, I'm quite curious to see a crazed Tyr turned into a human-demon, shouting 'Hel, Hel!' while killing the one named Leia. It has a Shakespearean tragic beauty..."
Su Ming flicked the cigarette ash, sat on the armrest on the other side of the throne, speaking casually, and even turned Tyr's head to face Hel.
Hel remained silent for a long time before finally squeezing out a few words through her teeth.
"So that Odin is really you; you're the real Devil. You aren't willing to pay the price to be the Lord of Hell, so you choose to control Hell from behind the scenes... What do you want?"
The Secret Guest's ears moved a little but showed no reaction, undoubtedly recognizing Hel's attempt to sow discord. She didn't think she paid any price; on the contrary, living with the teacher was the most joyful.
"Simple, anything that happens in Nine Realms this time, you must act as if it never happened, and you must not disclose any information to anyone, nor help Loki and Thor in the future... And I won't use this method."
Hel suspiciously wrinkled her brow, the condition surprisingly easy, she didn't even have to do anything, just let things pass.
"Just this?"
"Just this."
"No other additional conditions?"
"None. Actually, if it weren't for you standing with Loki this time, I might be willing to talk other business with you."
Su Ming looked sincerely into her eyes and spoke slowly.
Agriculture in Warnerheim is not developed, mainly lacking nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, while in the Netherworld, there are not a few, but plenty of dead bodies and ashes which are natural Golden Fertilizer.
Hel looked at Deathstroke's 'sincere' eyes. She didn't know whether to believe it, as the conditions seemed too generous, like a trap.
Su Ming wasn't anxious, for Hel had no other choice. Even if she could return to the Ancient Era to help herself in the past, the Secret Guest could as well, and could continue the struggle on the timeline.
Indeed, Hel didn't hesitate much; she gently nodded: "I can agree to the condition, but I don't trust you."
"Limited trust is possible, but infinite trust is foolish. You're a smart woman, you understand taking care of yourself." Su Ming nodded, gesturing for Hamill to come over: "Of course, the world is also prepared for smart people. Contracts and agreements are born for this purpose."
Hel gasped violently for a few moments, feeling somewhat breathless as Deathstroke seemed to have been prepared long ago: "Who to choose to witness our contract?"
"Didn't Loki just tell you I was called Deathstroke but never mentioned I am the Supreme Mage of Main Dimension? Haha... Indeed, who needs to ask?"
As Su Ming tilted his head, the Trinity Emperor of Mount Wei, summoned by Hamill, appeared immediately in the ruinous throne room, waiting to witness the vow.
"That damned Loki..." Hel chuckled bitterly, pressing a black blood hand print on the contract Deathstroke had long prepared.
She felt betrayed, in all aspects, falsely sold.
The whole affair felt like a dream. She started contemplating whether helping Loki was just part of his arranged story.
But there was no answer.
Su Ming satisfactorily put away the contract, Hel was settled, even considered peacefully resolved, she would have a role in the next Twilight of the Gods.
Having the Secret Guest kill her and occupy the Netherworld could easily be done, but the resulting void would ultimately need Su Ming to fill in, a blatant loss, killing for momentary satisfaction is not wise.
Su Ming retrieved the cloak from his waist pocket to return it to Hel, who was panting weakly, making others unaware of the situation, wondering if Su Ming did something to the living corpse.
"Put it on, I'll keep your secret as long as you don't choose to oppose me again next time... This one is not in the contract, think of it as a belated meeting gift."
Upon touching the green cloak, half of Hel's decaying body instantly healed, giving her strength.
She didn't rush to put on the cloak but pondered with thought.
Su Ming saw no reason to waste time here; once the matter was settled, he left without lingering at the scene, demonstrating basic mercenary professionalism.
"Secret Guest, Shadow World Tree."
He stated the destination.