Chapter 203

Seeing this lowly mortal dare to mock him once more, Loki felt an uncontrollable surge of anger.

However, at that moment, a chilling aura suddenly burst from his body.

Under the icy stimulation, Loki's eyes flashed red, but he quickly regained his composure.

With the Casket of Ancient Winters keeping his emotions in check, Loki's expression grew cold and calculating as he narrowed his eyes at Joker Eren, his gaze brimming with dangerous intent.

"You're deliberately trying to provoke me?"

Joker Eren's clairvoyance allowed him to detect the fleeting yet terrifying presence concealed within Loki's body.

Realizing what it was, Eren immediately abandoned the idea of extracting a sample of Frost Giant blood from Loki.

Unlike Thor, who had been rendered powerless and could be toyed with, Loki was much trickier to handle.

Despite appearing weaker than the super warriors of Asgard, Loki still possessed the strength of the Frost Giants, far surpassing any ordinary human.

Not to mention…

Asgard was currently under his rule.

With Odin in deep slumber and Thor exiled, Loki had seized power and raided Odin's vault, gathering an arsenal of powerful artifacts.

If Joker Eren's guess was correct, the chilling aura that momentarily burst from Loki—bringing him back to his senses—must have been from the Casket of Ancient Winters.

Though the presence was brief, Joker Eren had clearly sensed its terrifying power.

A power even more dangerous than Mjolnir.

The moment he felt that trace of frost, Joker Eren's instincts had nearly frozen over.

But that was no surprise.

After all, the Casket of Ancient Winters was the ultimate treasure of the Frost Giants, said to possess the ability to freeze entire worlds.

In terms of sheer power level, it was arguably above Mjolnir.

Mjolnir was merely one of the many divine weapons Odin commissioned from the Dwarven King, while the Casket of Ancient Winters was the very essence of the Frost Giants' legacy, containing a cosmic-scale power of absolute cold.

Had Loki fully awakened his Frost Giant heritage, allowing him to harness the Casket's full potential, he would have been an opponent far more dangerous than Thor.

What a shame…

Watching Loki regain his composure, Joker Eren retracted his psychic influence, no longer attempting to manipulate the trickster's emotions.

"Provoke? Hardly. I merely wanted to see if Asgard's shortest-reigning king is even worth my time."

Loki scoffed, his smirk returning.

"Asgard's shortest-reigning king? Are you still trying to provoke me?"

Odin was asleep.

Thor was exiled.

By Asgardian law, Loki had legitimately inherited the throne.

Yet, this mortal was mocking his rule, suggesting it would be short-lived.

If that wasn't provocation, then what was it?

Joker Eren merely shook his head.

"No provocation. Just a statement of fact… about the future."

Before Loki could respond, Joker Eren continued.

"But compared to that guy in there—at least you got to be king. He never ruled a single day."

Hmm?

Loki's expression shifted slightly.

At first, he had assumed Joker Eren was siding with Thor.

But after hearing that last remark… perhaps not.

After a moment of contemplation, Loki narrowed his eyes and asked,

"Who… exactly are you?"

Joker Eren grinned and tapped his chest.

"You, son of Odin, wouldn't be as ignorant as your brute of a brother, would you? Surely, you've heard of Midgard's Sorcerer Supreme?"

Sorcerer Supreme.

Loki's eyes flickered.

He had read about them in Asgard's ancient texts—guardians of Midgard, protectors of its mystical balance.

The strongest among them was said to be a master of time, a seer of the future—someone even Odin respected.

Could this man be one of them?

For the first time, Loki's dismissive attitude faded, and he truly examined Joker Eren.

But then…

A realization struck him.

If this man was a Sorcerer Supreme… then what did his words mean?

Loki's expression subtly changed.

Joker Eren smirked.

Then, reaching into the void, he grabbed something out of thin air.

A moment later, a vibrantly colored umbrella popped into existence in his hand.

Poof!

Joker Eren snapped it open and turned to Loki.

"This isn't the right place for a discussion. If you truly want to know your future, come have a chat with me."

And with that…

Without waiting for Loki's response, Joker Eren stepped into the rain and disappeared into the storm.

Loki's gaze followed him.

After a few moments, he let out a low scoff.

"Hmph. A trickster trying to fool me? We'll see about that."

Casting one last cold glance at Thor—now shackled by SHIELD agents, Loki ultimately turned away…

And followed Joker Eren into the storm.

...

A Hill Overlooking the SHIELD Base

Joker Eren didn't go far.

He climbed to the highest vantage point, from which he could oversee SHIELD's temporary base surrounding Mjolnir.

Holding his umbrella, he stood in the rain, waiting.

Before long…

A smirk appeared on his lips.

He could already "hear" Loki approaching.

"You came."

Loki ignored the greeting, his eyes fixed on Joker Eren.

"What exactly did you mean by your words earlier?"

Joker Eren chuckled.

"Oh? You mean what I said about your future?"

Loki's eyes narrowed.

Joker Eren sighed theatrically.

"Well, since you've heard of the Sorcerer Supreme, then you must also know that our greatest skill is…"

He leaned slightly closer and whispered—

"…observing time and foreseeing the future."

Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, Joker Eren grinned.

"And I just so happen to have seen your fate, Loki."

Loki stiffened.

Joker Eren's voice turned low and knowing.

"So, Loki… How about a trade?"

Ten Minutes Later…

Loki's expression was darker than ever.

The Trickster God rarely showed his emotions, but whatever Joker Eren had revealed in their conversation had clearly shaken him.

Without another word, Loki turned back toward the SHIELD base, now filled with newfound determination.

His gaze locked onto Thor, still restrained within the facility.

Taking a deep breath, Loki vanished into thin air, using his illusion magic to slip undetected into SHIELD's base.

As Loki moved through the SHIELD facility, none of the agents detected the presence of an invisible intruder among them.

Before long…

Loki, still hidden from sight, arrived outside the holding cell where Thor was imprisoned.

Through the reinforced glass, he saw his brother sitting lifelessly, his once-bright eyes now void of all spirit.

A simple gesture of magic, and the agent interrogating Thor—Coulson—was lured away, unknowingly stepping out of the room.

The moment the door opened, Loki brushed past Coulson, slipping inside without being noticed.

The door sealed shut once more, and with a subtle wave of his hand, Loki shrouded the cell in illusion, ensuring no outside surveillance could perceive his presence.

Thor, whose eyes had been dull and lifeless, lit up the moment he saw Loki.

Sitting up abruptly, he asked,

"Loki? What are you doing here?"

Loki smiled faintly.

"I came to see you."

Noticing Loki's grim expression, Thor's brows furrowed.

"What's wrong? Tell me—was it because of Jotunheim? I will explain everything to father—"

Originally, Loki had planned to lie to Thor—to tell him that Odin was dead.

But recalling what Joker Eren had said earlier, he decided to alter his approach.

Shaking his head slightly, he spoke in a low tone,

"I'm afraid… father can no longer hear you."

Thor's heart clenched.

His expression shifted as he exclaimed, "What?!"

"Before I left Asgard… father fell into the Odinsleep."

Before Thor could react, Loki continued speaking.

"Father is old, Thor. His body can no longer contain the vast power within him. Mother said he should have entered the Odinsleep long ago to recover, but he kept delaying it… because he worried about us. He worried about Asgard."

"That is why he hesitated to start a war."

"But you… you ruined everything."

Loki's voice darkened.

"After dragging us out of Jotunheim, father could no longer suppress the raging power inside him. His body, already exhausted, finally collapsed in front of me and fell into the Odinsleep."

"Mother fears that this time… he may never wake up."

Thor's eyes widened in disbelief.

The father he had idolized as invincible—the mighty Odin—was now so weak he might never awaken?

He struggled to accept it.

But at the same time…

Everything that had happened suddenly made sense.

No wonder.

No wonder the father who had conquered the Nine Realms suddenly seemed so hesitant and overly merciful.

No wonder he had refused to go to war.

No wonder he had banished Thor to Earth after his reckless attack on Jotunheim.

The thought that his father might never wake up sent Thor into a panic.

"Loki! Take me back! I must see father!"

"No."

Loki's response was immediate and firm.

"You know very well that father himself banished you here. I cannot defy his will."

Then, he paused for a moment before adding with a sigh,

"Besides… war with Jotunheim is imminent. Given your current state—powerless and unable to lift Mjolnir—it's far safer for you to remain in Midgard."

"Perhaps… father foresaw this all along. His every action carries deeper meaning."

Thor fell silent, his hands clenching into fists.

Loki shook his head, speaking once more.

"Enough talk. With father in Odinsleep, I have assumed the throne. But without his presence, my rule is weak. The Jotuns, sensing an opportunity, may soon attack Asgard."

"Without father… and without you… Asgard is vulnerable."

Loki's expression hardened, a glint of cold determination in his eyes.

"But don't worry—I already have a plan. Trust me, I will take care of everything."

Saying this, Loki subtly turned away, preparing to leave.

But just as he moved, something small and nearly invisible fell from his sleeve—a tiny spider that silently crawled into Thor's pocket.

Loki's voice was calm as he spoke,

"By the way, since you are powerless now, Midgard may not be safe for you. Take this."

"This is an Eight-Eyed Spider. It will watch over you. With its protection, at least you won't die at the hands of some random mortals."

Thor glanced at the small creature in his pocket.

The Eight-Eyed Spider was a rare Asgardian beast, known for its heightened danger sense.

Though it was small, its venom was strong enough to kill a whale instantly.

For a powerless Thor, it was indeed a useful guardian.

Thor sighed.

"Thank you, Loki… But could you have chosen a different pet? You know I don't like spiders…"

But before Thor could finish his complaint, Loki's figure vanished, leaving no trace behind.

Thor reached out instinctively as if trying to grab his departing brother, but his hand froze in midair before slowly dropping back down.

With a bitter smile, he muttered under his breath,

"Thank you for coming, Loki."

"Goodbye."

Just then…

Coulson re-entered the room, giving Thor a puzzled look.

"Goodbye? I just got back."

Now invisible once again, Loki stepped out of the holding cell.

Hearing Thor's last words, a mocking smile crept onto his lips.

"My foolish brother… You are far too easy to deceive."

(End of Chapter)

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