Chapter 176: The War of Kings

[🎉 Shoutout to Ph4t0m_Abyss for joining patreon. Thank you very much.🤗]

"Hurry, grab your weapons!"

"The palace turrets are ready."

"Those who have their weapons, board the ships immediately."

As Jane Foster was pulled by Thor deeper into the palace, she saw squads of palace warriors, shields in one hand and swords in the other, running back and forth.

"Hey, Thor, what are you dawdling for, let's go."

A burly man wielding an axe waved at Thor.

That was Volstagg, one of Thor's good friends, known as one of the Warriors Three.

This warrior, as robust as a lion, stood out like a giant among a group of palace warriors.

Thus, Thor easily spotted his other good friends nearby.

They were Fandral the swordsman, Hogun from Vanaheim, and the valiant female warrior Sif.

Among them, Sif's eyes slightly changed when she saw Jane Foster.

Thor apologized, "Sorry, I'll be there shortly."

Volstagg, seeing the woman beside Thor, showed an 'I see' expression, winked at Thor, and said,

"We'll meet on the battlefield."

Then he said to the others, "Let's go, if we don't hurry, we'll miss the show."

Watching Volstagg and the others leave, Thor glanced at Jane Foster: "Let's go too."

They arrived at Queen Frigga's palace.

"Mother."

Thor called out, then saw his mother Frigga looking out the window.

Following his mother's gaze.

Thor saw in the distance a large number of dark elf ships and fighters.

And.

That black throne floating high in the sky.

"Strange, it's not Malekith." Frigga slightly frowned, "Who is he?"

"It doesn't seem to be a dark elf."

Jane Foster curiously asked, "What are you looking at?"

"Can you see things that far away?"

"Why do you look so pale?"

Hearing Jane's words, Frigga turned around and saw her son's grave expression.

"What's wrong?" Frigga inquired.

Thor pointed to the throne floating in the distance.

"It's him!"

"It's that guy!"

"Mother."

"That's the man who took the 'Cosmic Cube' on Earth!"

Frigga had also heard her son mention his experiences on Earth.

She knew that a year ago, during a great battle on Earth, the Cosmic Cube was taken by a man who called himself 'The Conqueror'.

"Are you sure?"

"Thor?"

Frigga asked nervously.

If it was that 'Conqueror', she worried that her husband might be in danger.

"I can't be mistaken."

Thor gripped his hammer: "No, I must go to father's side."

"He will need me."

Frigga glanced at Jane Foster: "Go, I promise, this girl won't lose a single hair."

Thor knew there was no time to lose, looked at Jane Foster, then spun Mjolnir and flew out the window!

At this moment.

All of Asgard entered a state of high alert.

One by one, palace warships carrying the warriors of the realm ascended into the sky, countless ships converging like a school of fish returning to the sea.

And at the forefront of this 'school of fish' was naturally the King of Asgard, the protector of the Nine Realms, the All-Father Odin!

This old man, holding the 'Eternal Spear', rode a white steed towards the dark elves.

Although the dark elves had appeared, they did not attack immediately, which slightly eased Odin's mind.

He thought there might still be room for negotiation.

But seeing that the one sitting on the dark throne was not Malekith, the old man couldn't help but be puzzled.

Finally.

Odin rode his steed to a height level with the throne and loudly asked, "Stranger, who are you?"

"Where is Malekith?"

Just as Azu was about to speak.

He saw Thor land on the palace warship closest to Odin.

Thor looked at Azu and shouted, "Father, he is 'The Conqueror'."

"The man who took the Cosmic Cube on Earth!"

Odin's shoulders slightly shook, and with his golden eyepatch, he first looked at his son, then his gaze finally fell on Azu.

"What is going on?"

Azu placed his arms on the armrests, leaned back on the throne, and with a smile, looked directly at the All-Father.

"It's simple."

"Malekith has already... boom."

He made an 'explosion' gesture, his smile radiant: "He is now a thing of the past."

"Now, I command the dark elves."

Thor was shocked.

He hadn't expected that after a year apart.

That man had executed Malekith and become the ruler of the dark elves!

He vaguely felt that the man on the throne had grown much stronger compared to a year ago.

Thor couldn't help but compare himself.

Although over the past year, he had traveled through the Nine Realms, quelling uprisings everywhere.

He himself had grown a lot.

But compared to the man on the throne, there was still a significant gap.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but glance worriedly at his father.

The All-Father was aging.

Whether in spirit or strength, he was no longer the Odin who once roamed the Nine Realms.

Could he withstand that man?

That answer, Thor was unwilling to think about.

Not far away.

On a warship, the Warriors Three and the female warrior Sif shared a boat.

"What's going on?"

"Thor has never been this tense before."

Volstagg took a sip of strong liquor, wiping the droplets from his beard.

"Is that 'Conqueror' really that powerful?"

The swordsman Fandral frowned deeply: "Thor once said he fought 'The Conqueror' on Earth."

"The result was a complete defeat."

Sif said gravely: "He is not the same as he was a year ago."

Fandral glanced at the tall female warrior beside him, not reminding Sif that it wasn't just Thor who had grown.

At this moment.

The All-Father loudly declared: "What is your purpose here?"

This question made everyone prick up their ears.

Then.

Thor couldn't believe his ears.

He heard 'The Conqueror' laugh and say, "I bring peace to Asgard."

Bullshit!

Anyone who believes that is a fool!

A voice in Thor's heart shouted.

Then he saw his father, the King of Asgard Odin, raise an eyebrow.

"Oh, with such a grand invasion, I can't see any hint of peace."

Azu's lips curled into a smile.

"I heard."

"That in the distant past, the dark elves had something in their possession."

"A weapon called the 'Aether', which was taken by you Asgardians."

"As their new king, their ruler."

"They hope I can reclaim what originally belonged to them."

"Therefore, if Asgard can return the 'Aether', we will leave immediately."

Odin firmly stated: "Impossible!"

"We will never hand over the 'Aether'!"

"It is a terrifying weapon capable of destroying the Nine Realms, and in the hands of the dark elves, the Nine Realms would be under constant threat."

"So?"

Azu spread his hands: "In Asgard's hands, can you guarantee it won't be used to destroy the universe?"

"Who can oversee you?"

"Or is it that justice or evil is determined by you?"

"That seems quite unfair."

"Moreover."

"The 'Aether' originally belonged to the dark elves, and Asgard forcibly took it, now claiming it under the pretext of threat, rightfully controlling this weapon."

"Is that appropriate?"

"If we talk about threats, isn't Asgard's 'Bifrost' also a threat?"

"Also a weapon capable of threatening the Nine Realms."

"You can control the 'Bifrost', but the dark elves cannot reclaim their own possession."

"Great All-Father, isn't that quite unreasonable?"

Odin knew, of course, that the dark elf ruler was spouting nonsense.

But for a moment, he couldn't find the words to refute.

Then, he heard Azu continue.

"Thor, Prince of Asgard."

Azu sat on the throne, glancing sideways at Thor on the lower warship.

With a smile.

"Your girlfriend is in Asgard now, right?"

"Jane Foster is currently the host of the 'Aether'."

"Do you think it's appropriate to place a weapon capable of destroying the universe inside your girlfriend?"

Thor was greatly shocked: "How do you know about Jane's existence?"

This was truly unbelievable and hard to comprehend.

Azu said indifferently: "This universe holds no secrets from me."

"Let's continue with our previous topic."

"You should know that your Asgard does not possess the technology to extract the 'Aether'."

"After all, it's not a substance you created."

"But we can, hand Jane Foster over to me, and I will extract the 'Aether' from her."

"This way, I can save her life, and I get what I want, and we can end this peacefully."

Thor couldn't help but look at his father.

Odin said gravely: "We indeed do not have the technology to extract the 'Aether', but we will not hand Jane Foster over to you."

Azu shook his head: "Wise King of Asgard, you speak of peace, but when I offer peace to you, you turn your gaze towards war."

"Are you really willing to see the realm engulfed in flames, countless warriors buried in the sand, just to protect a mortal?"

Azu then raised his voice: "Warriors of Asgard, are you willing to sacrifice yourselves for a mortal?"

His loud voice echoed across the realm, and although the warriors on the warships remained unmoved, their eyes showed subtle changes.

Odin could feel that his warriors were being swayed by the other's words.

He immediately spoke loudly.

"This is not about protecting a mortal!"

"But ensuring that the 'Aether' is not used by those with ulterior motives!"

"There is a decisive difference between the two!"

Hearing Odin's words, the eyes of the Asgardian warriors became firm again.

Azu closed his eyes.

Remained silent.

At this moment, the more he said nothing, the more uneasy the Asgardians became.

Odin suddenly realized that he was being led by the nose, unknowingly drawn into Azu's rhythm.

He immediately shouted.

Breaking the silence.

Said gravely.

"Invader!"

"Now, in the name of the King of Asgard, I order you to leave Asgard immediately."

"Otherwise."

"Asgard will fight to defend our home!"

He pointed out that Azu was an invader, using the words 'defend our home' to inspire the fighting spirit of the Asgardian warriors.

Indeed.

After Odin's words, the morale of Asgard soared.

The warriors roared.

"Expel the invaders!"

"Defend Asgard!"

Waves of loud voices.

Continuously surged into Azu's ears.

Then Odin saw the man on the black throne curl his lips.

His lips moved.

Words came from between them.

"Fight?"

"Then let's fight!"

Azu opened his eyes.

Golden light shone from his eyes!

Immediately, brilliant and scorching high-temperature rays shot from his pupils.

Golden streams rushed forward, aiming directly at Odin!

The All-Father did not retreat.

Odin grunted, raised the 'Eternal Spear'.

The spearhead pointed.

Emitted a silver-white energy torrent.

Then.

The two energies met and collided in mid-air!

At the moment of collision.

Invisible ripples spread out in circles.

These ripples spread to both the dark elf and Asgardian camps.

Whether it was the dark elf fighters or the Asgardian warships.

All shook and trembled.

At this moment.

The two energy torrents in mid-air were at a stalemate, seemingly unable to overcome each other.

But then, Azu smiled, pushed with both hands, and stood up from the throne.

He increased his energy output, raising the solar radiation equivalent.

Instantly, the energy surging from his eyes expanded and strengthened.

If the previous energy torrent was a stream, now it was a raging river!

At the same time.

In mid-air, flames spontaneously rose, the temperature of the space rapidly increased, giving the nearby Asgardian warriors the illusion of facing the sun.

Odin tightened his grip on the 'Eternal Spear', increased his energy output, but the silver-white torrent from the spearhead still retreated step by step.

Just then.

A dazzling blue thunder wave passed by the silver-white torrent, joining it in resisting Azu's golden river.

Thor!

Seeing his father seemingly at a disadvantage, he acted without hesitation, going all out.

Thor raised his hammer, Mjolnir sparking with electricity, continuously shooting out large patches of blue lightning.

Compared to a year ago, Thor's control over lightning had significantly strengthened.

Together with Odin, they barely held off the golden river.

Azu smiled, activated the 'heat vision' explosion effect.

Immediately, the golden river suddenly burst, instantly exploding into a surging wave of fire that almost enveloped all of Asgard!

Boom!

In the loud explosion, both Odin and Thor were blown away.

The All-Father's steed neighed, uncontrollably pushed away by the explosion's shockwave.

Thor, however, withstood the explosion's impact, then spun and swung his hammer, letting it carry him towards Azu.

"Step back."

"Don't join the fun."

Azu smiled, raised his arms, then the 'Bracelets of Power' clashed together.

A loud sound echoed between heaven and earth.

Clang!

The collision of the bracelets unleashed a violent shockwave.

It spread out in a fan shape.

Where it passed, the scene blurred, and folding-like anomalies appeared.

Thor charged into the shockwave, without even a chance to react, was blasted away.

"Ah!"

He shouted, his voice quickly fading away.

Thor was blown away, crashing through several warships, landing deep in Asgard.

He crashed into a palace, then flew out.

After smashing through several palaces and countless statues, he finally landed on the ground.

The ground silently caved in, forming a shallow crater as if hit by a meteor.

Thor lay in that shallow crater, his gaze somewhat dazed, looking at the still dissipating fire clouds in the sky.

He couldn't believe he had just flown so far.

"That guy."

"Has indeed grown much stronger."

Thor lifted his numbed hand, barely gripping the ground, pushing himself up from the shallow crater.

At this moment.

Odin's steed finally stopped, then at a nudge from the All-Father, the steed flapped its wings, charging towards the high black throne in the distance.

Now.

Neither the dark elves nor the Asgardian warriors intervened.

Because they knew, this was a battle of kings, a war of kings!

This was not a fight they could intervene in!

Azu watched Odin charging towards him on his steed.

He sighed.

"Beating up an old man brings no sense of achievement."

As he spoke.

He floated up, leaving the throne.

Suddenly 'poof', he disappeared from his spot.

Reappearing above Odin.

'Teleportation'!

The next second.

Azu spun and swept his leg.

Bang!

He kicked Odin off his steed.

The All-Father shot like a cannonball, drawing a diagonal line in the sky, finally crashing heavily onto the Rainbow Bridge.

Of course.

Such a blow meant little to Odin.

He propped himself up with his spear.

Then saw Azu land on the Rainbow Bridge.

Suddenly a rapid advance.

Passing through ripples.

Elbowing towards his chest.

Odin raised the 'Eternal Spear', using the spear shaft to meet Azu's elbow.

Bang!

Ripples spread out.

The Rainbow Bridge violently shook.

Odin was pushed back by an invisible force, sliding uncontrollably.

The 'Eternal Spear' was incredibly sturdy, almost indestructible.

Even Azu, upon impact, left not a single crack on the spear shaft.

But the tremendous impact still pushed Odin off the Rainbow Bridge, sliding into the city of Asgard.

Only then did Odin stop, then saw Azu flying over.

The old man snorted, thrust the 'Eternal Spear' forward, the spearhead shooting out a silver-white stream.

Azu dodged slightly, but the silver-white stream turned after passing, chasing after Azu.

Azu 'hmm'-ed.

It seemed the 'Eternal Spear' had an attribute similar to 'absolute hit'.

Since he couldn't dodge, Azu stopped.

Swept his arm.

Shattering the silver-white stream.

But then Odin seized the opportunity to charge, the aged All-Father leaped high, thrusting his spear towards Azu's head.

Just as it was about to hit, Azu's body suddenly became ethereal, like a ghost.

Odin passed right through Azu, spear and all.

Then Azu returned to normal, his eyes glowing golden, instantly a golden stream blasted Odin's back, grinding the King of Asgard into the ground.

At this moment.

Distant buildings exploded one after another.

Then Azu saw Thor flying towards him at high speed, Azu stopped emitting the light stream, rose up, letting Thor fly past beneath him.

Azu raised his hand, shooting out several red light bands from his fingers, those bands flashing with mysterious symbols, entangling Thor.

'Crimson Bands of Cyttorak'!

═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═

patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator

🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.

https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y