Brilliant, radiant light blossomed across the Bifrost.
Renjie and his group descended once more upon Asgard.
"Welcome back."
Android 18 stood atop a stretch of emerald-green carpet, greeting the returning boss and the others with a cool, indifferent tone.
"Why are you here?"
Renjie walked over in surprise, pulling Android 18 into his arms as he asked in confusion.
He hadn't expected her to appear here at all.
And what followed—
Was even more shocking.
Loki, the God of Mischief, was tightly bound and suspended in midair above the Bifrost.
Loki glared viciously at everyone present.
If not for their interference—
His plan might already have succeeded!
"Loki…?"
Thor frowned in confusion. Seeing his brother in such a wretched state, he couldn't help stepping forward, pity written all over his face.
"Mmnnngh!!!"
Even Loki's mouth had been sealed shut by Android 18.
Yet upon seeing the imposing, heroic Thor—
He could no longer suppress the fury boiling in his heart!
Thor, pained for his brother, tore away the bindings around his mouth.
What greeted the God of Thunder—
Was a mouthful of blood mixed with saliva, spat straight into his face!
"Why?! Why is it you?!"
"Odin gave you everything!"
"The throne! Family! Honor! Power!"
"Even when you made mistakes and were exiled to Earth!"
"He descended personally—just to find you such a powerful teacher!"
Cornered and desperate, Loki looked like a ruined gambler.
He had lost everything—
Including the family he cherished most.
He was desperate.
Unwilling to accept it.
His chest full of resentment, he wanted to vent it all—
Even if it meant dying afterward.
Thor fell silent.
He lowered his head, saying nothing.
He didn't even wipe the blood from his face.
Renjie let out a complicated sigh and stepped forward, pushing Thor gently aside.
Loki raised his head and stared at the Earthling approaching him.
Those pale green eyes—
Venomous like a serpent—
Locked tightly onto Renjie.
He wanted to humiliate him.
Just like he had humiliated Thor.
Spit blood at his face.
But he didn't dare.
It wasn't that Loki feared death.
He feared that such humiliation—
Would drag all of Asgard down with him.
He didn't want to see that happen.
Because no matter how much he hated his brother—
This place was his root.
His home.
Slap!
A sharp, resounding slap echoed across the Bifrost.
Loki's head was violently snapped to the side, his ears ringing violently.
A vivid red handprint bloomed across the cheek of the trickster god.
His mind went blank as he stared blankly at the Earthling before him.
"This slap," Renjie said coldly,
"is on Thor's behalf."
He raised a finger, pointing toward Thor—whose eyes were now bloodshot.
"This useless fool chose the dumbest possible way—just to persuade you to turn back."
"He heard you went to Jotunheim and feared you were in danger."
"So he planned to go alone—"
"To repeat the same mistake he once made!"
"You colluded with the Frost Giants, plotting patricide and usurpation!"
"When that failed, you even sent out the Destroyer Armor to silence witnesses!"
"Do you think you deserve a brother like him?!"
Renjie suppressed his fury as he berated Loki.
"That's not true! I just wanted to—"
Loki widened his eyes, trying to explain his plan—to wash away the charge of patricide.
But another slap landed squarely on his other cheek!
"Enough!"
"Your brother already understands—he is not a qualified king."
"He is arrogant, naïve, impulsive."
"And on the way back—"
"He already made his decision."
"He plans to relinquish the throne."
"To hand it over to the one he trusts most—you."
"He wants to stay on Earth."
"To train with Android 16."
"To become stronger."
"To become Asgard's protector—"
"To protect everyone."
"Including you."
Renjie sighed heavily.
Loki was not pitiful.
He was the textbook definition of someone blessed beyond measure, yet blind to it.
Unable to accept the disparity—
He demanded more.
Never once stopping to consider—
Everything his family had done for him over the years.
"I don't believe you!"
"You're lying to me!"
"Odin never cared about me!"
Loki's cheeks were swollen as he protested hoarsely.
Regret filled his heart.
Jealousy had twisted him beyond recognition—
Costing him everything he once had.
Renjie shook his head in disappointment.
He knew—
If Loki was ever to understand—
An extreme method was necessary.
A razor-sharp nano combat blade dropped from Renjie's smart watch into his hand.
"I am Asgard's Grand Sage."
"My authority stands equal to Odin's."
"Loki—based on your crimes—"
"I hereby sentence you to death."
"Unless Odin personally appears—"
"No one can save you."
"Didn't you say Odin doesn't care about you?"
"Then dare to gamble with me."
Renjie's words left Loki dazed, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
Odin had entered the Odinsleep.
He couldn't possibly arrive.
This was a wager he was guaranteed to lose.
He didn't want to take it.
But this gamble
Would not be canceled by Loki's reluctance.
Renjie raised the nano blade high—
And drove it straight toward Loki's head!
Loki closed his eyes in despair—
Awaiting death.
But
The pain he expected never came.
Confused, Loki opened his eyes and scanned his surroundings.
What he saw next
Shattered him completely.
The Grand Sage's blade—
Hung frozen in midair.
At the very instant it was about to descend
Three arms, almost simultaneously—
Gripped Renjie's wrist tightly.
END OF CHAPTER
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