129

Chapter 129: Loki's Escape

Thor went alone to visit Frigga, while Loki was left to face Odin's "lesson in love."

After a discussion about "fatherly affection and filial duty," punctuated by Loki's outbursts, Odin delivered his verdict.

Since Odin had sealed away Hela thousands of years ago, love and justice had become his primary themes. Even Asgard's laws had shifted to reflect this, removing harsh punishments such as the head removal and gallows from Asgard's prison system.

Consequently, the harshest punishment now was exile, to desolate regions in the Nine Realms, like Surtur's homeland of Muspelheim.

The next severe penalty was life imprisonment without parole, a fate that now awaited Loki.

Discontented, Loki incited a prison riot that night, causing chaos.

In response, Thor stormed in with his hammer, quelling the uprising by force and killing a third of the rioters.

Loki, the instigator of the rebellion, was exiled to Muspelheim to serve as a laborer.

As an Frost Giant sent to a place as harsh as the Sahara Desert, Loki was understandably dismayed.

Thor came to bid him farewell personally.

"Loki, don't worry. Endure this, and I'll find a way to bring you back!" Thor promised sincerely.

Loki looked at his older brother offering comfort and felt both moved and guilty.

"Don't worry, it will only take a few hundred years at most. When I ascend the throne, I will immediately grant amnesty, and you'll be able to return!"

The prospect of waiting for Thor to inherit the throne was infuriating to Loki. His eyes flashed with anger.

"Let's go; don't waste any more time!" Fandral, in charge of the escort, patted Loki and placed a sign reading "Loki" on the collar of his neck.

Loki felt like a condemned prisoner being sent to his execution.

Heimdallr had been recalled by Odin and resumed his role as the Guardian of the Bifrost. With a serious expression, he activated the portal.

A brilliant energy surrounded Loki and Fandral, forming a rainbow bridge across the universe to a world of fire and magma.

Suddenly, an unexpected event occurred. Loki, bound and restrained, leaped towards the edge of the Bifrost and disappeared into the void.

"Dammit!"

Fandral was caught off guard. By the time he recovered, Loki had vanished.

Attempting to forcibly escape the Bifrost's range teleports one to a random corner of the universe. Fandral, fearing for Loki's safety, hesitated to follow.

This was highly dangerous; a miscalculation could lead to a fatal outcome. Normally, Loki's fear of death would prevent such reckless behavior, which is why Fandral had let his guard down.

Fandral returned, looking troubled, and reported to Thor, who dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

Thor thought to himself, reflecting on the situation. Loki wouldn't have perished so easily. Their next encounter would likely be in New York.

Now that Loki was lost in the universe, he would likely be picked up by Thanos and eventually return to Earth with plans to invade... or perhaps, he would lead the Chitauri in an assault on Earth!

With Loki gone, Thor's story in Asgard was essentially complete, and there was no reason for him to remain. He said his goodbyes and returned to Earth.

Although it was nice to see the Warriors Three after a long time, Thor was frustrated by their superficial concerns. Their constant boasting and focus on wealth and women felt shallow compared to his pursuit of meaningful goals.

"Why are you so focused on money and women? Can't you aim a bit higher?" Thor complained to the system's assistant. "Look at these three—why don't they have any lofty ideals? It's so much better to chase after career and love, like me!"

The assistant tilted her head, hesitated, and said, "But isn't that the same thing?"

"How so? You don't understand!"

Meanwhile, in a temporary base in northern Canada, Nick Fury reviewed reports on the Frost Giants.

The threat had been contained, especially after the arrival of the formidable woman, which seemed to have quelled the situation.

This crisis, though mitigated, was a stark reminder of the dangers they faced.

Nick Fury's concern remained. Although Thor had managed to contain the Frost Giants, not all cosmic races were as friendly as Asgard. More advanced civilizations could pose threats.

The Kree, for instance, had been repelled by Thor and Captain Marvel over a decade ago, but the truth about Ancient One's intervention to prevent a global invasion remained unclear.

If not for Thor, the consequences of the Frost Giants breaking through could have been disastrous.

With Captain Marvel absent and Thor unable to stay on Earth indefinitely, it was clear that they needed to strengthen their ranks. Bruce Banner, for example, had gone into hiding in Brazil after the events in New York.

At that moment, Maria Hill knocked and announced, "Director, a lady is here to see you."

"A lady? Who?"

"Carol Danvers."

Nick Fury looked up at Captain Marvel, whose appearance was unchanged, and marveled at her superhuman abilities.

His own age and baldness seemed even more pronounced in comparison.

"Why did she request a meeting? I thought I specified that this communication was for emergencies only."

Carol Danvers, having seen Nick Fury's reaction, explained, "I initially left a message for Thor. However, since he may leave Earth, and considering the current crisis, I thought it was important to reach out to you as well. I repurposed a Nokia phone for this."