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It was unclear how much time had passed.
Thor's consciousness gradually returned.
He opened his eyes and found himself lying in the transparent bottom cabin of a spaceship.
Through the glass, he could see the woman who had ambushed him sitting in the pilot's seat, operating the ship while muttering into a communicator.
"This is Scrapper 142. I need to see the Boss. I've brought him something good—top-shelf merchandise."
Thor struggled to sit up and angrily pounded on the cabin wall.
"Where are you taking me?" Thor demanded loudly.
The woman turned a deaf ear and continued piloting the ship.
Seeing the woman wouldn't speak, Thor's anger flared, and he roared:
"Answer me, woman! I am the Son of Odin, Thunder God Thor! Prince of Asgard! You've messed with the wrong person!"
Hearing this string of titles, the woman finally looked down at Thor, who was raging helplessly in the bottom cabin.
She gave a disdainful chuckle and said, "Then I am deeply sorry, Your Highness."
After saying that, she pressed the remote control in her hand again.
"Urgh, urgh, urgh, urgh, urgh—!"
A strong sense of numbness surged through his entire body again, and Thor rolled his eyes back and passed out once more.
...
Vought Tower, inside Homelander's office.
Miss Skynet was reporting the work progress in an orderly manner.
"Sir, the plan is proceeding very smoothly."
"The news that Homelander fears a special metal called 'Black Steel' has already been spread through the woman known as Black Sky."
"Now, those members of the Glory Society are convinced that Black Steel is the deadly metal that can perfectly restrain you."
"They are frantically mobilizing funds and manpower, searching everywhere for the whereabouts of Black Steel."
"Good. Has the merchandise been distributed?" Homelander asked.
"According to your instructions, I have dispatched twenty T-1050 Ti Terminators."
"They are currently mixing into several of the World's largest underground black markets, posing as arms dealers, antique smugglers, and grave robbers, selling Black Steel in a low-profile manner."
"And the transaction methods are flexible; some only accept bearer bonds and cash, some only accept antiques and precious metals, and others only accept treasures with strange powers or magic items for barter."
"Good! Very good!" Homelander leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily.
He understood the psychology of those old fossils too well; faced with the fear of death and losing power, they would cling to even a one-in-a-thousand chance like a life-saving straw.
"In order to deal with me, they will surely spare no cost and empty their coffers to buy these specialty products from Apocalypse."
Homelander looked smug.
"The Glory Society have ruled the underground World for centuries and have hoarded countless wealth."
"It is time for these treasures to change owners."
The smooth progress of the plan put Homelander in a great mood.
He wrapped his arm around Skynet's waist, pulled her into his arms, and prepared to do some things he loved.
Miss Skynet leaned into Homelander's embrace and smiled charmingly.
Her fingertips gently undid the first button of his shirt, followed by the second.
Just as she was about to undo the third button, her movements stopped.
"Sir, an unauthorized unknown life form has been detected entering Vought Tower." Skynet's voice returned to its rigorous tone.
Homelander snorted coldly and let go of Skynet.
"Let me see which guy is seeking their own death."
He raised his right hand, pressed two fingers together against his forehead, and whispered a spell.
"The Ancient Body of Hoggoth, grant me sight!"
As magic surged, golden magical patterns intertwined on Homelander's forehead, quickly outlining a pattern resembling an eye.
When Homelander opened his eyes again, his super vision had transformed into the All-Seeing Eye.
Everything around him was revealed in minute detail; no disguise, illusion, or spatial shift could hide from it.
After seeing who it was, the coldness in his eyes dissipated, and he smiled again.
"We have an honored guest." Homelander turned to look at Skynet and patted her on the bottom, "Go handle your work first; we'll continue playing later."
"Leave the door open on your way out."
Miss Skynet showed a hint of regret, but nodded obediently.
"Very well, Sir."
She buttoned up her shirt and walked out of the office with light steps.
Homelander poured himself a glass of milk and waited quietly for a few minutes.
A breeze blew, and the office door closed gently.
Homelander looked at a patch of empty air and smiled, "Your Majesty, Queen of the Gods, since you are here, don't hide anymore."
A ripple of magic spread through the air.
Frigga's figure slowly appeared.
She wore a gorgeous ruffled gown, as graceful, luxurious, dignified, and elegant as ever.
"Your mastery of magic has improved very quickly, Anthony," Frigga smiled.
"I'm very happy to see you again, Frigga. You still look as radiant as ever."
Homelander opened his arms and greeted her enthusiastically.
The two embraced.
Frigga made no unnecessary small talk and even gently adjusted Homelander's collar.
"You always look so full of energy."
"Maintaining World peace requires a good physique." Homelander smiled and got straight to the point, "You traveled across the sea of stars to come to Midgard, not just to see me, right?"
"Did something happen to Asgard?" Homelander asked.
The smile on Frigga's face faded, and a layer of gloom clouded her brows.
"It is about Thor and Loki."
"Are they fighting again?" Homelander joked casually.
"It's worse than that." Frigga shook her head, "I learned from Heimdall that Loki has been kidnapped by Thanos. Thor has gone to Sakaar alone to rescue him."
Frigga lowered her eyes, her palms tightening slightly.
"I am very worried. Thanos is no ordinary enemy, and Sakaar is no ordinary realm; it is filled with unknown threats."
Frigga looked at Homelander with earnest eyes.
"Anthony, I learned from Odin that you have studied mystic arts and possess the ability to break through spatial limitations. I hope... you can go and help Thor."
After listening, Homelander did not agree immediately but retorted, "Isn't that old man Odin going? He is the All-Father; wouldn't rescuing his own son be easy for him?"
Frigga sighed.
"Odin cannot leave the Nine Realms. Once he leaves, his suppression of Hela's divine power will fail, and she will immediately break free. Asgard will also face true destruction."
Homelander fell silent.
He put down the milk glass, walked to the window, and turned his back to Frigga.
"Frigga, I really want to help you, truly." Homelander's tone sounded conflicted, "But Midgard is not stable right now either; Dormammu has already set his sights on this place. As the Guardian of Midgard and the God of Mankind, I have reasons why I cannot leave."
Homelander turned around to face Frigga and comforted her softly:
"Moreover, you should have more faith in Thor. He is no longer the person he once was. He has awakened the power of thunder, and wielding the Stormbreaker I gave him, his strength is no longer what it used to be."
"He will be fine; he can handle it all."