Before long, a look of confusion crossed Lucas's face.
That confusion quickly turned into a frown, as though something had deeply dissatisfied him.
Whoosh—
Lucas suddenly flicked his right hand to the side.
In the next instant, the spectator stands to his right exploded with a deafening roar. A massive section collapsed outright, and beyond the breach, a ravine more than ten meters wide stretched outward for over a full kilometer.
Everyone who witnessed the scene inhaled sharply.
That was an entire street—buildings and people alike—erased in an instant.
Among all present, Starbreaker felt it most clearly. Being closest to Lucas, he had sensed the terrifying power released in that casual motion.
The moment Lucas swung his hand, an overwhelming surge of energy poured out—so vast that it left Starbreaker shaken to the core.
A casual strike like that…
Then what kind of devastation would follow if he truly fought seriously?
'He wasn't lying. Compared to him, I really am far too weak.'
At that moment, Starbreaker was completely convinced. This was no longer a gap of skill—it was the difference between a rabbit and a dinosaur.
Lucas withdrew his hand, frowning slightly.
"As I thought… my control over energy has degraded too much."
For Lucas, power meant perfect control.
Anything less was like a child swinging a heavy axe—dangerous, inefficient, and potentially self-destructive.
Only by mastering one's strength completely could true power be unleashed. Otherwise, it was nothing more than an illusion—like a reflection in water, or drifting duckweed without roots.
"My current upper limit should be somewhere between Super Saiyan and pseudo–Super Saiyan."
Lucas had a clear understanding of his own strength.
"It's a pity I don't have the King Kai Kaio-ken."
There was a trace of regret, but he quickly let it go. After all, that kind of ability was practically a bug—who even knew whether it could truly exist in this universe?
Even so, his current level of power already far surpassed that of ordinary lifeforms.
If he truly reached Super Saiyan, his strength would enter an entirely new realm—though even he didn't know just how high that ceiling was.
Letting out a breath, the flames of energy surrounding Lucas dissipated.
As Starbreaker watched in confusion, Lucas floated upward and headed straight toward Hela's viewing chamber.
"I knew you'd come to save me," Hela said calmly, lounging on the sofa as she looked at him.
Seeing her so relaxed, Lucas chuckled as he landed.
"If I'd known you were this comfortable, I wouldn't have ended the fight so quickly."
"Oh no," Hela replied with a smile, crossing her long legs. Her fingers idly twirled a lock of hair.
"I'm very happy. No one has ever done something like this for me."
"Well then," Lucas laughed, "should I kneel and say something like—'Oh, my noble queen, your loyal warrior has slain all who stood in your way'?"
"I wouldn't mind at all," Hela replied softly, her tone and expression so alluring that even professional succubi would feel inferior.
In truth, over the past two months, the relationship between Lucas and Hela had changed profoundly.
Hela had been imprisoned in Hel for more than a thousand years—alone. No one to speak to. No companionship. Only endless isolation.
The damage such solitude inflicted on the soul was immeasurable.
In the cinematic universe, when Hela was released, she hadn't immediately slaughtered everyone. Instead, she tried to persuade the people of Asgard to submit.
The Hela of the past would never have tolerated such hesitation.
Her later words and actions proved that her heart had already been worn down, just as Odin had anticipated. The thirst for slaughter had been dulled—though not completely erased.
And then there was Lucas.
The first human she had ever met since her imprisonment.
A man who could fight her, talk with her, live alongside her, and battle beside her—for two full months.
Unavoidably, she had developed feelings she herself didn't fully understand.
And Lucas, during the time he had fallen unconscious, had still retained faint awareness of his surroundings.
He didn't know the details, but he remembered the intensity of the battle Hela had fought against the Grandmaster's fleets to protect him.
Without realizing it, she had already taken a place in his heart.
Lucas stepped forward and extended his hand toward her.
"Then, my queen," he said gently, "would you like to leave with me?"
"Of course," Hela replied with a smile, placing her hand in his.
Together, they left the viewing chamber—and the arena.
"What do you plan to do now?" Hela asked as they walked.
"Return to Earth," Lucas answered. "And you?"
"Return to Asgard," Hela said, her eyes filling with anger and killing intent.
"To reclaim what is rightfully mine."
Lucas blinked, then said calmly, "Hela… even if you take that throne, what does it truly give you?"
"I will prove to that old man Odin that he was wrong—and that I was right!" she snapped.
"He defeated you and sealed you away because you had already descended into madness," Lucas said evenly.
Without pausing, he continued,
"It's true that Asgard's armies conquered nine realms back then. You were unrivaled for a time."
"But there are always greater powers beyond."
"Kree Empire. Shi'ar Empire. Even Apokolips—those forces were already watching Asgard."
Hela snorted.
"So what? If they don't submit, I'll crush them all beneath my army of the dead!"
Lucas shook his head.
"You underestimate them. Forget their technological civilizations—just the ruler of Apokolips alone is beyond what you can imagine."
Hela frowned.
"You're telling me the truth?"
"Yes," Lucas replied.
"I can't say his name freely, but his strength now likely surpasses both you and Odin."
He continued,
"Do you think Odin stopped expanding out of mercy?"
"For a king, conquest and eternal glory are irresistible."
Realization dawned on Hela's face.
"No wonder… after stabilizing the Nine Realms, just as he was preparing for another war, he suddenly ordered a halt."
"And instead, he obsessively searched for the so-called Infinity Stones…"
Lucas nodded.
"Exactly. Otherwise, with Odin's temperament, do you really think he would have bowed his head so easily?"
_____
T/N:
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