Chapter 26: One Last Day as a Beast

"Hela Odinsdottir, I suggest you cooperate. Otherwise, there is an 80% probability that Woz will initiate disciplinary measures against you."

On the massive warship, a holographic projection of a blue, raccoon-like robotic cat hovered in front of Hela, who was tightly restrained within a magical containment field. Eight mechanical arms held her firmly in place as the projection delivered its warning, its adorably round face at odds with the stern message it conveyed.

"I'm more curious about the remaining 20%."

Hela, deprived of her freedom, gazed down at the tiny-legged robot that barely reached her waist. Her voice was soft but carried an unmistakable depth.

"The remaining 20% involves dressing you up as a sandbag and placing you in the gravity training chamber for Prince Lothar to use as a sparring partner." Woz lifted its round, stubby hand, reading from a glowing screen with an almost bureaucratic monotony.

"Woz has activated Prince Lothar's rapid healing protocol. He will emerge from the nutrient chamber in twenty minutes. You would do well to think carefully." Stowing away the screen, Woz blinked its large eyes at Hela's impassive face before adding, "Prince Lothar is extremely fierce. If he gets angry, it will be too late for you to reconsider."

"Are you really just an AI?" Hela ignored the warning, instead scrutinizing Woz with interest. The holographic feline had appeared the moment she repeatedly refused to cooperate. The way it spoke, the way it reacted—none of it seemed like the behavior of a mere artificial intelligence. To Hela, it was indistinguishable from an actual living being.

A machine with this level of autonomy, and it was content serving on a warship? What a waste of potential.

"Woz is a domestic robotic assistant designed by Lord Thanos, modeled after the Dora Star home service units. My primary function is to manage Prince Lothar's daily needs while he is away from home." Woz puffed out its chest with pride as it clambered onto the control console, its round face brimming with self-satisfaction.

"So, Hela Odinsdottir, you now have seventeen minutes left to decide." Unmoved by the attempted distraction, Woz waved its chubby hands across the console, still focused on locating the Frost Giant King, Laufey.

As the undisputed ruler of Jotunheim, Laufey had not completely erased his presence from the universe. Woz quickly found relevant data on Jotunheim and its king within Ebony Maw's archives.

"Without precise coordinates, you won't be able to set foot in Jotunheim," Hela interjected, asserting her value. Watching the robotic cat genuinely attempt to pinpoint Laufey's location, she suddenly reconsidered her stance.

"Unless Jotunheim willingly reveals its position, you will never breach its royal palace without the exact coordinates." Her demeanor shifted, and she readily supplied the precise location, drawing from her past visits alongside Odin.

More than that, she no longer resisted providing the necessary magical energy to unseal the Chitauri forces.

The magic that had barely begun to replenish within her was once again drained by the containment field under Woz's control. The ship's simulated magical circuits flared to life as Hela's energy surged through them, amplifying the effect and unleashing a shockwave that reverberated through the ranks of frozen Chitauri soldiers.

Before their very eyes, the ice encrusting the Chitauri warriors melted away at an accelerated pace. Soldiers who had been trapped for so long finally reclaimed their freedom.

By the time Lothar emerged from the nutrient chamber, The Other was pacing back and forth in front of the now-bound Hela, his brown robes fluttering as he murmured self-importantly. From the way he carried himself, it was clear he was relishing the moment.

"Target located: Frost Giant King Laufey." Woz's voice rang out.

The Other shuddered at the sound, immediately spinning around. His gaze landed upon Lothar, who had donned a sleek black combat suit, his presence radiating power.

"Prince Lothar," The Other quickly bowed, his previous smugness vanishing under Hela's scornful, dead-eyed stare.

Lothar gave The Other a cursory glance before shifting his attention to Woz, whose hands were rapidly navigating the control console. His voice was steady. "Did you find it, Woz?"

"Prince Lothar, according to Ebony Maw's archives, the Frost Giant King Laufey is exceptionally formidable, especially within Jotunheim's royal palace, where he can unleash his full power. Based on our analysis, it is not advisable for you to go there now."

"Laufey is not my target."

Seated upon the command chair, Lothar dismissed Woz's concerns. As he had stated, his objective was not Laufey—it was the artifact in Laufey's possession: the Casket of Ancient Winters.

He did not know Laufey personally, but he had encountered the name in Ebony Maw's records. Alongside that name was a brief entry on the Casket of Ancient Winters, one of the Frost Giants' most powerful artifacts.

According to Ebony Maw, the Casket's power might prove invaluable in achieving Thanos' grand plan of halving the universe's population. Perhaps. Thanos had yet to act upon it, preoccupied with solidifying control over the Centauri system while the Nine Realms remained embroiled in Odin's relentless wars.

That was why Lothar had set his sights on Jotunheim.

He had encountered the Frost Giants. He had encountered Laufey. This meant he now had the opportunity to claim the Casket and present it to his adoptive father, Thanos.

And so, Lothar intended to act.

This was also his response to Laufey's earlier provocation.

"Target confirmed: Jotunheim Royal Palace. Initiating space jump."

Lothar's unwavering determination was met with Woz's absolute obedience. Carrying the remaining half of the Chitauri fleet, the warship flew a short distance before vanishing from the bloodstained plains.

—

The Jotunheim Royal Palace was an expanse of endless frost and ice.

A powerful ripple coursed through the landscape as the interstellar fleet descended upon the snow-covered terrain.

"Prince Lothar, we have arrived."

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