238
Chapter 238
Even Hela, who had been extremely displeased with Odin, was particularly agitated this time.
It was one thing to criticize Odin, but implying that she shared the same flawed lineage as the Sovereigns was another matter entirely. Hela was fuming, at least outwardly.
The consequences of incurring Hela's wrath are far more severe than those of angering Odin, especially now that Thor had entrusted her with Frostmourne...
This mystical artifact perfectly complements Hela, enhancing her death magic by at least 30%. She can now resurrect and command the undead almost indefinitely. Thor envisages her constructing an ice fortress in the underworld of Helheim, to be named Icecrown Citadel!
Of course, it wasn't a free gift. In exchange, Hela had given Thor the Casket of ancient winters.
This device could freeze the Bifrost and plunge an entire planet into an ice age. In Hela's hands, it had become nothing more than a tool for summoning skeletons—such a waste of resources!
Thor had long been resentful about this.
Unfortunately, Hela acquired the Casket first, so Thor couldn't reclaim it...
Thor wondered whether he was losing or gaining by trading a sword useless to him for a divine artifact of ice.
Regardless, Hela felt she had profited. She was completely satisfied with this weapon.
After learning the backstory of the sword, she was even more pleased...
...
The Gold Coast of Long Island, one of the wealthiest areas in the United States, is opulent in any universe. Though the land here isn't as costly as Manhattan's prime real estate, it's still astronomically expensive.
Amidst this luxury stands an impressive castle.
"Every time I visit here, I can't help but think Thor might be hanged by the Asgardians."
Stark observed the extravagant decorations and the fusion of magic and technology, comparing them to his own lavish sea-view room on the West Coast. He felt his own place was merely a modest abode.
What intensified his envy was that this land no longer belonged to Washington but had been entirely allocated to Thor...
Natalia, who greeted him, chuckled and shrugged. "You don't need to worry about that. Thor financed this palace largely from Stark Industries' dividends, so there's no problem until you go bankrupt."
"Damn it!"
Stark swore in frustration.
He had been tricked into relinquishing his position as the largest shareholder to become the second largest. That had been quite painful.
What made it harder was that, as Iron Man, he needed to conduct extensive scientific research. The cost of the suits alone was enormous. Without Stark Industries' strong foundation, he might have gone bankrupt long ago...
Even so, he invested most of his money in his armor.
"Is Thor not here?"
Stark looked around the grand hall and said, "What a pity! I was hoping to borrow the Mind Stone..."
"The Mind Stone?"
Natalia looked puzzled and asked cautiously, "What do you need it for?"
She added with a hint of concern, "Don't tell me you're planning to use it to create weapons!"
Given that many of the Infinity Stones on Earth had been used for weaponry—Hydra with the Cosmic Cube and S.H.I.E.L.D. with the same—it wasn't an unreasonable concern.
"Ridiculous! I retired from weapons a long time ago. I'm using it for research!"
Stark's face reflected irritation—given his IQ of 250, he could design the most advanced weapons himself, without relying on such external objects.
"Alright then..."
Natalia shrugged, trusting him. Despite his difficult personality, he was a good person and deserving of his superhero title. He was far more reliable than many politicians.
"The Mind Stone was previously in the possession of Lorelai, the woman who could transform the Hulk with a single glance. Thor hasn't had the chance to reclaim it yet. But I'll let him know first."
Stark understood. He thought Thor would be amenable. After all, borrowing it for a few days shouldn't be a problem.
Soon, the video call connected, and Stark rushed to the screen: "Hi, Thor. I... who are you!!!"
"Aren't you... looking for me?"
On the screen appeared a skeleton with green eyes, its white teeth clattering...
Stark recoiled in surprise.
"Hey, Thor, are you with your sister?"
Black Widow, more familiar with the situation, noticed the clue...
"Impressive, how did you figure that out?"
A large hand pushed the skull aside, revealing Thor's face on the screen.
With Frostmourne, Hela's summoned skeletons were clearly more lifelike. They could understand human language and even produce simple sounds.
Hela beside Thor looked on with an affectionate expression.
Black Widow commented calmly, "Although it's just a skeleton, it's clearly different from you. Forget the skull; I'd recognize you even if you turned into ashes!"
Stark felt as if he was receiving romantic advice...
"Hey, Thor, you probably don't need the Mind Stone right now, do you? I'd like to borrow it for a few days—just a week!"
"Um?"
Thor was taken aback, but quickly realized the implication.
"Good grief, are you planning something reckless again?"
Asking to borrow the stone now could only mean a serious research project, likely Ultron.
Truth be told, Thor could have entirely prevented Ultron's creation easily.
However, after some thought, he decided it wasn't worth interfering, as it might not be feasible.
Stark's research abilities were an unsolved mystery in the Marvel Universe. A genius capable of mastering time and space travel might well be able to research Ultron without the Mind Stone.
He might even be able to create illusions outright.