Chapter 163: You've Changed
Meanwhile, Tony returned to his estate, had a hearty meal, and then eagerly dove into his research on Uru metal.
This metal possessed both incredible hardness and malleability; if it could be adapted for his Iron Man suit, it should withstand the Void Mode without breaking.
After all, he had used eighty percent of his Void Rays and still couldn't penetrate the Uru metal armor, so it was safe to say it could handle Void Mode.
After dealing with the Destroyer, Harvey returned home and took his car out for a joyride.
Thor's issues were of little concern to him; given Thor's nature, even in his fury, he wouldn't kill Loki. Most likely, he'd just imprison him.
That's why Harvey couldn't be bothered with Asgard's problems.
However, with this incident, it wouldn't be long before Loki would come to Earth to stir up trouble.
Harvey's appearance and his dismantling of the Destroyer had frightened Loki considerably.
He never expected anyone could take down the Destroyer so easily.
After all, the Destroyer was far more formidable than Thor's hammer. While it lacked advanced intelligence and was merely a war automaton, its strength was unquestionable.
If the Destroyer were unleashed in Asgard, only his father Odin could stop it.
Neither he nor Thor had any means to counter the Destroyer.
When Loki next went to Earth, he would have to think carefully; he couldn't afford to provoke Harvey.
However, knowing that Thor would soon return, Loki made his way to their father's chambers.
He knew Thor well; as long as they were in the presence of their father, Thor wouldn't dare make a move.
Not long after Loki arrived at Odin's quarters, Thor followed closely behind.
"Thor, why are you back?"
Odin's mother, Frigga, exclaimed in surprise at Thor's arrival.
"Mother, I'll explain everything later."
Thor gripped Mjolnir, remaining on high alert. He offered a reassuring glance to his mother before focusing on Loki.
"Brother, I'm glad you're back."
Loki sidled away with a grin upon seeing Thor.
"Glad, huh? If you were really glad, would you have sent the Destroyer after me?"
"In the past, your harmless pranks were one thing, but this time sending the Destroyer to kill me is crossing the line!"
Thor scolded Loki, his expression dark and menacing.
"Loki, did you do this?"
"Thor is your brother!" Frigga said, incredulous, looking at Loki.
"We're not blood-related."
Loki, seeing Thor show no mercy, revealed the truth before their mother, and feeling her gaze, continued.
"Although we're not related by blood, these years, I have always been treated the same by you and your father…"
"I allowed you to become king, didn't I?"
Frigga's face fell, filled with sorrow as she processed Loki's words.
"…"
Loki's expression faltered at her statement, and he vanished in an instant.
"Loki!"
Realizing what had happened, Thor rushed after him.
The commotion in Odin's quarters roused him from his slumber, opening his eyes.
Even though he wished to remain in Odin's Sleep to stabilize the growing power within him, the crumbling relationship between his sons forced him to awaken.
And this forced awakening only made the tumult within Odin even worse.
"My dear, why are you awake? You need to stabilize your power!" Frigga exclaimed, startled.
"If I sleep any longer, with Loki's temperament, one of them will end up dead," Odin replied, sitting up and coughing slightly.
"I don't think you want to witness that scene either, Frigga."
After hearing his words, Frigga's emotions became complex and painful. After a moment of hesitation, she urged, "You must go and come back quickly."
Receiving his wife's approval, Odin nodded, donned his kingly armor, and began his journey to the Bifrost.
Thor could guess Loki's intentions, and Odin could do the same.
Upon his arrival, he found Loki and Thor engaged in a heated argument on the Bifrost.
"Why have you become so weak after just one trip to Earth?" Loki shouted.
"By destroying Jotunheim, Asgard's borders will be safe forever!"
With his plans thwarted, Loki roared in frustration at Thor.
"Loki, I understand now—you desire to stand equal with me."
"But achieving that is not solely about annihilating the Jotuns to maintain Asgard's dignity."
Thor earnestly attempted to reason with the increasingly obsessed Loki.
"What's more effective and secure than total annihilation?"
"Do you think we can just join forces? Don't be ridiculous!"
"If the Frost Giants return, how can you guarantee the safety of the Asgardians?"
"Answer me!"
Loki shot back, deeply offended by Thor's words.
In the past, he had never understood why he and Thor, both sons of Odin, possessed such differing levels of power.
After learning the truth, he realized his roots as a Frost Giant came with inherent shortcomings. Unlike Thor, he hadn't been born with unmatched strength.
Thus, he yearned for the admiration of the Asgardians, to gain the approval of both his father and mother.
To earn this, he needed to accomplish something grand that would be celebrated by countless Asgardians.
Eradicating Jotunheim to eliminate the threat of the Frost Giants invading Asgard was a feat worthy of legend.
Even when Thor returned, he hadn't worried too much.
He believed Thor would share his vision of removing the Jotun threat.
But to his shock, Thor returned from Earth a changed man in less than half a month.