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[Lava Pirates]

The Dwarves' durability was notably inferior to that of the Asgardians. Despite sustaining multiple blows from rocks, Eitri collapsed to the ground, one hand covering his bleeding forehead.

Forseti hurried to attend to him. Meanwhile, dozens of Musbeirs and various humanoid creatures rushed over from nearby.

All appeared resolute, well-equipped, and robust.

Leading them was a tall, formidable Musbeir. With a stern expression, he pointed at Forseti and demanded, "Asgardian, hand over the Warlock's Eye, or I'll take your head myself!"

As descendants of Surtur, the Musbeirs bore a striking resemblance to him. This leader wielded a giant flaming sword, resembling a miniature Surtur—a fearsome sight.

"The Warlock's Eye?" Forseti pondered.

The Warlock's Eye was known to be ancient and powerful, a name that had crossed Forseti's ears before.

However, he remained skeptical of such exaggerated claims and incomplete information. To suddenly be accosted for the Warlock's Eye left him puzzled and cautious.

"Don't pay them any mind. These lava pirates are nothing but criminals and thugs. Reasoning with them is pointless," Eitri advised.

Surveying the lava pirates before him, Forseti's eyes glowed with holy light as he activated the Eye of Reckoning.

Through its lens, the sins and strengths of these lava pirates were laid bare.

As marauders who pillaged, murdered, and plundered, most were deep crimson with sin, while a few were dark yellow. Only one, who seemed underage and timid, was barely tainted.

Their strengths varied: from the weakest at level one to the pirate chief, wielding the giant sword and boasting fifth-level prowess—an impressive feat among pirates.

Under the soothing glow of holy light, Eitri's wounds quickly mended. He retrieved a warhammer and assumed a combative stance.

With a sharp "clang," Forseti drew the Sword of Demon Slaying and prepared for battle.

The pirate chief appeared momentarily taken aback but quickly retaliated, flames erupting from his sword as he threatened, "You're digging your own grave, Asgardian!"

Forseti sneered. With a surge of fire beneath his feet, he shot forward, brandishing the Sword of Demon Slaying.

Divine Judgement!

The pirate chief raised his sword to parry, but a thunderous boom followed as a burst of radiant light erupted upon contact.

"Boom!"

The tremendous force shattered the pirate chief's sword and dispersed the brilliance of judgement, leaving his arm charred to ash.

With a cry, he hurtled backward, crashing into the obsidian rocks, sending shards flying.

Sword of Justice!

Forseti thrust his sword into the ground, and from beneath the pirate chief, a spear of divine punishment erupted, engulfing him in another burst of radiant light.

"Boom!"

This time, the brilliant holy light consumed most of his body, leaving him lifeless on the ground.

In an instant, the once-boastful pirate chief lay defeated. His crew, about to cheer their leader, froze as if gripped by an invisible force.

"Run—run!"

Panicked, the pirates scattered in all directions.

Forseti couldn't allow them to escape. With renewed speed, holy light surged beneath his feet, and radiant tendrils of divine dedication raced along the ground, swiftly overtaking most fleeing pirates.

Sensing the imminent carnage, Eitri felt compelled to act. He swung his warhammer and charged after the pirates, engaging several in combat.

Forseti pursued for a time until only one pirate remained—a slight figure with minimal sin.

Perhaps due to youth or slight build, this young pirate had shown no inclination to fight from the outset, always staying at the periphery of the fray.

As Forseti closed in, a pirate ship appeared on the horizon.

Most lava-sea vessels were dark and stony, resembling sunspots as they floated upon the fiery red magma.

"Help me!" The young pirate sprinted toward the shore, shouting desperately toward the pirate ship.

Without hesitation, Forseti accelerated, flying ahead to the pirate ship's side, casting holy light upon its surface.

In an instant, the ship gleamed with radiant energy.

After unleashing the holy light, Forseti ascended and, before the startled pirates could react, gestured with a pointed finger.

Holy Shock!

"Boom!!"

The holy light enveloping the ship erupted, a golden sunburst cleaving through its side, tearing a massive hole.

Lava surged into the breach. Though the pirates aboard weren't immediately killed by the Holy Shock, their fate was sealed as the ship listed and sank into the magma below. The pirates met their doom along with their vessel.

The young pirate who had sought refuge ashore froze in terror, contemplating retreat but collapsing to the ground in defeat.

The Magic Floating Cloak rustled behind Forseti as he approached, speaking slowly, "Answer my questions truthfully, and you may yet live."

The young pirate nodded frantically. "Yes."

"Why do you accuse me of stealing the Warlock's Eye?" Forseti inquired.

"Well... it's like this..." The young pirate's voice quavered but steadied as he continued, "Several days ago, an Asgardian stole the legendary Warlock's Eye of Lord Tulos. Tulos commanded his servants, including us, to track down the thief."

Forseti frowned. "Why do you suspect me?"

"We have sketches, but often, even with sketches, it's hard for us to distinguish one Asgardian from another. To us... you all look the same," the young pirate explained, swallowing hard.

Forseti was momentarily speechless.

Yet, upon reflection, Asgardians likely felt similarly when gazing upon the Musbeirs—or perhaps how Asians perceived Africans.

"Where are these sketches of the thief? Do you have them?" Forseti pressed.

"Yes, we each have one," the young pirate replied hurriedly, handing Forseti a sketch.

Taking the sketch, Forseti studied it closely.

The rendering was rudimentary, lacking in detail—a product of someone's memory, evidently.

Such low fidelity in the sketch made distinguishing even among Musbeirs challenging, let alone among Asgardians themselves.

Nevertheless, after scrutinizing it carefully, Forseti felt a flicker of recognition...