278

Planet Devourer

Acquiring the purple lotus in Svartálfheim heim took considerable effort, nearly delaying the setup of Tyrande's Youth. The following morning, Forseti hurried to a port on the Sea of Marmora.

There awaited the Thunder Boat, where Hela had already boarded, standing at the prow, gazing into the distance at the rushing Sea of Marmora.

As one of Asgard's most mystical and renowned sights, the Sea of Marmora flowed endlessly, day and night, forming a vast expanse of celestial mist in the starry sky.

Although Asgard itself was city-sized, legends claimed that the sea's waters, over countless eons, equated to the mass of a vast planet within the universe.

Every envoy and god visiting Asgard for the first time marveled at this endless sea suspended amid the stars. Even Asgardians found themselves captivated by its beauty.

"Your Highness." Forseti approached Hela's side.

"Embrace me," Hela commanded.

"Yes."

As a skilled warrior, Forseti dutifully obeyed, encircling the commander's waist.

Hela nestled against him, and the two silently observed the sea and the rising sun.

"Oh, by the way, Your Highness, this is for you." Forseti produced a crystal bottle containing a cool, light blue liquid—the Tyrande's Youth.

"What's this?" Hela inquired, examining the crystal bottle.

"A rare potion that can preserve one's youth indefinitely."

"Really?" Hela was intrigued but showed little concern for eternal youth.

"Absolutely," Forseti assured.

Hela accepted Tyrande's Youth with a smile. "Thank you."

Their respite by the sea was brief. As the sun's rays strengthened, the Asgardians busied themselves, and soldiers with assigned tasks hastened to their posts.

The Bill was the first to arrive at the Thunder Boat, his awkward steps audible from afar. Upon seeing Hela and Forseti, the two were already in a superior-subordinate dynamic.

"Your Highness," the horse-faced Thor greeted.

Hela nodded. "Bill, Heimdall has used the Allsight to designate a selection of planets for the korbinites. Today, we will inspect them to choose a new korbin star."

"Thank you, Your Majesty Odin." The horse-faced Thor bowed.

Soon, their fellow soldiers joined them aboard the Thunder Boat, and the vessel set sail, leaving the Sea of Marmora behind, venturing into the vastness of the cosmos.

After a space jump, a blue-green planet appeared ahead. The Thunder Boat landed near a body of water on the planet's surface.

"Roar--"

Upon landing, a dinosaur-like creature roared.

However, in the presence of Asgardian gods and the cyborg horse-faced Thor, this beast posed no threat and was eventually seasoned with cumin by Forseti.

"No civilized races inhabit this planet, only creatures like these," Forseti remarked, offering barbecue.

"Not bad, but the oxygen content is too high for my people," Beta Ray Bill commented.

Hela nodded. "Let's proceed to the next planet."

"Roar."

A sudden sound drew their attention.

They turned to see a humanoid creature with fur, approaching cautiously and curiously observing the Asgardians while eyeing the savory barbecue.

This creature walked upright, its eyes distinct from those of the beast—a true primitive.

"It appears this planet is on the cusp of developing its own inhabitants," the bill observed.

"Would you like some?" He offered the skewer.

After a moment's hesitation, the savage ran over, gestured gratitude, and devoured the barbecue.

Forseti had a sudden idea. He infused a holy light into the wooden staff on his shoulder.

Unaware, the savage continued enjoying the meal, oblivious that his simple staff had become the most formidable weapon on this planet.

After the barbecue, they returned to the boat, and the Thunder Boat lifted off, ascending into the sky.

Watching the massive warship take flight, the savages below looked on in awe, gazing at the sky for a long while...

The Thunder Boat arrived at the second planet and landed for inspection.

"It greatly resembles the korbin star!" The horse-faced Thor exclaimed upon landing, excitedly. "This could be the new home for the korbinite!"

"There are a few more planets to survey before making a decision," Hela advised.

Beta Ray Bill nodded. "Understood. I'll get started."

Over the next few days, they visited each planet aboard the Thunder Boat. Despite thorough comparison, the horse-faced Thor ultimately selected the second planet as the new home for the Korbinites, christening it "New korbin."

Returning to the New korbin star, they planned to establish an initial outpost to facilitate the korbins' future settlement.

Unexpectedly, shortly after landing, a figure descended like a meteor from the heavens, piercing the Thunder Boat with astonishing speed.

"Boom!"

"Who goes there?" Everyone's expression turned grave.

In the sky hovered a translucent, silvery figure, its features indistinct, akin to crystal.

"I am the herald of the Planet Devourer, Stardust," the figure announced.

Forseti and Beta Ray Bill hadn't been present when Odin had a confrontation with Stardust during their mission to mine Uru ore. Naturally, they didn't recognize him now.

But Forseti was surprised.

While knowledge of the Planet Devourer was scarce in this life, in his past life, Stardust's name was synonymous with dread. Encountering Stardust here was unforeseen.

Stardust continued, "This planet is already designated for consumption by the Planet Devourer, including its inhabitants—you. But do not despair; it's a fundamental law of the universe. Without the great Devourer, the balance of the cosmos would collapse."

Hela frowned. "We are Asgardians, not natives of this planet."

"Asgardians?" Stardust paused, then fell silent.

His translucent form shimmered, concealing his countenance from view.

After a moment, Stardust spoke again. "I see. I will seek counsel from my master."