313

Tønsberg

Odin's smile froze abruptly, and after a long pause, he nodded. "Yes, if I hadn't entrusted half of Asgard's power to Hela back then, no one could have defeated Mangog."

"And now, does she still possess half of Asgard's power?" Frigga asked, seeking clarification.

This time, Odin simply nodded, his expression clouded as he stared silently at the ground, a hint of melancholy on his face.

Originally, when he entrusted Asgard to Hela, he had termed it as a temporary measure, intending to reclaim it later. However, Mangog's remarks had exposed his true intentions, leaving him feeling somewhat embarrassed in front of Hela. He was unsure how to broach the subject of retrieving Asgard's power from her.

But if he didn't reclaim it, Hela, possessing half of Asgard's power, would inevitably ascend to become the next ruling God.

Initially, Hela had been his only daughter, and Odin had thought little of passing the mantle to her. However, after having a son, Thor, Odin desired to see him inherit the throne. Moreover, after more than a millennium apart, Odin's paternal feelings toward Hela had waned.

The situation was becoming a headache for Odin.

Feeling a twinge from his wound, Odin grimaced, clutching his abdomen instinctively as pain shot through him.

"Is it hurting again?" Frigga asked anxiously.

Odin took a deep breath. "Mangog's power prevents my wound from healing. I don't know when—or if—it will ever heal."

Frigga regarded him with concern. "With the Frost Giants rampaging in Midgard, and your condition weakened, can you face Laufey? You have only half of Asgard's power left."

"It's only Laufey; he's insignificant," Odin waved dismissively, though he couldn't meet Frigga's gaze.

After observing him for a moment, Frigga spoke gently, "Odin, as king, you should reclaim Asgard's power."

"Understood," Odin replied tersely before rising and departing.

As he walked, Odin's brow remained furrowed, sighing deeply as he shook his head...

**Earth, London City**

Forseti was drenched in blood as he lowered Rivendell's sword with a weary sigh.

"Crash!"

Ice shards scattered as the blade cleaved through a Frost Giant's neck, its thick skin cracking under the impact, and its head rolling to the ground.

Having dispatched another Frost Giant, Forseti stepped back, retrieving some ice beast meat from the Sanctuary's pocket dimension for Venom to consume, replenishing his mana.

Soon, he reentered the fray, cutting through enemy ranks once more.

The battle dragged on, leaving the nearby city walls in ruins. Piles of rubble lay beneath a blanket of thin ice and snow, painting a wintry scene.

"Fall back!" After sustaining heavy losses without breaching the defenses, the Frost Giants finally ordered a retreat.

Forseti and Bassanga led their warriors in pursuit briefly before turning back. Pursuit was futile; both sides were exhausted, and casualties had mounted.

Back in London, the survivors began clearing the battlefield and tending to the wounded, gradually easing the tension of battle.

"Lord Forseti, when will Asgard's reinforcements arrive?" Flocari approached anxiously.

"The Third Sanctuary has fallen, and more than half of Magdeburg's forces are lost. At this rate, Frost Giants could overrun Earth within days."

Forseti sat upon the snow, contemplating.

After a moment of silence, he replied, "They should arrive soon."

Following the Battle of Mangog, Asgard faced dire straits, barely better off than Earth. Forseti was uncertain when a substantial force would be dispatched.

Unexpectedly, the next day saw the arrival of Hela leading Asgard's army to Earth.

"Your Highness." Stepping out of London Sanctuary, Forseti spotted Hela astride Fenris, the giant wolf.

Fenris had matured, towering over Earth's elephants, its intimidating presence overwhelming. Bassanga and the others, unfamiliar with such a massive wolf, gazed in awe.

Even Asgardians felt Fenris' aura, some Earthlings trembling in its presence.

As Hela dismounted, approaching Forseti, a brief recognition flashed in Fenris' eyes, though after a millennium apart, its fondness for Forseti had faded to distant recognition.

Hela and Forseti clasped hands momentarily before withdrawing, adopting serious expressions. On a battlefield, affectionate gestures seemed out of place amidst preparations for potential death, observed keenly by the Asgardian warriors.

Nevertheless, whispers circulated among them.

"Princess and Forseti seem close..."

"Shh!"

Hela blushed momentarily at the gossip before regaining composure, paying it no further mind.

Forseti introduced her, "This is Bashenga, King of Wakanda, and Flocari, Supreme Mage, descendant of Agamotto."

Having overheard mention of Agamotto, Hela nodded, "Greetings. I am Hela, daughter of Odin."

"Your Highness," Bashenga and Flocari responded respectfully.

Hela turned to Forseti. "I've brought fifteen hundred warriors. How fares the battle in Midgard?"

Fifteen hundred Asgardian warriors!

Bashenga and Flocari exchanged surprised glances. With such reinforcements, the tide could turn swiftly in Earth's favor.

"There are currently three main fronts. Alongside London Sanctuary here, there's Magdeburg in the Roman Empire and the Second Supreme Sanctuary." Forseti produced a map, indicating their positions to Hela.

"Is this where the Frost Giants first breached Midgard?" Hela queried, pointing to a spot on the map.

"Yes, Tønsberg in the Kingdom of Norway," Forseti confirmed, then added thoughtfully, "I heard from Heimdall that Laufey's wife has given birth. Can you confirm?"

"It's true. Fabti bore a son yesterday, as announced by Laufey."

---