269

Chapter: Crusade against Muspelheim

After months of collection, the cargo hold of the mining ship brimmed with gray Uru ore—large and small, enough to weigh dozens of tons at a glance.

Despite its abundance, these were raw ores needing complex smelting to become Uru metal.

"How much Uru metal can we extract from these ores?" Odin inquired.

Eitri replied, "About one in a thousand."

Beta Ray Bill interjected, "So, most of these ores will turn into waste, with only a fraction becoming Uru metal?"

"Yes, precisely," Eitri nodded. "The gift from King Odin is among the rarest and most precious in the universe."

Returning to Nidavellir, the mining ship unloaded its Uru ore cargo, handed it to a team of dwarves for sorting, casting, and tempering—a process both intricate and time-consuming.

After over a month, most of the ore had been refined into waste, leaving behind only a small amount of essence and a few silver metal ingots.

"This is Uru?" Forseti, Beta Ray Bill, and others gathered around Eitri, inspecting the metal ingots he held.

Despite its origin in stellar cores, Uru looked unassuming—a silver-gray metal, lightweight compared to most Asgardian metals. The few ingots barely totaled 34 pounds, akin to Mjölnir's weight.

Yet, Uru's distinct magical affinity distinguished it from ordinary metals. Forseti could feel its potent connection to magical energies merely by touching an ingot.

With preparations for forging underway, Odin received word and arrived at Nidavellir via the Rainbow Bridge.

"Place them in the forge, Eitri," commanded Dwarf King Sindri.

Eitri approached the furnace and inserted several Uru ingots.

The king activated the machinery—a colossal steel apparatus surrounding a neutron star. The steel rings rotated and aligned with a resounding boom, channeling the star's intense light and heat.

Although dwarf-forged, these rings not only harnessed but also contained the neutron star's power. Without them, its energy would surge uncontrollably, a force few could withstand.

In awe, the dwarves ceased all activity, fixated on the synchronized rings and their radiant heat.

Aligned, a searing beam shot from the neutron star, coursing through the rings' mechanisms and into the furnace.

The immense heat liquefied the Uru ingots within minutes, transforming them into a vibrant amber-like liquid.

The Dwarf King prepared the warhammer mold and poured the molten Uru.

The resulting hammer, akin to Beta Ray Bill's Mjölnir, featured a squat handle and a simple yet distinctive design.

King Sindri then encircled the wooden handle with silver threads, sourced from the Oak King—deceased under mysterious circumstances.

Inserted into the mold's groove, the handle fused with the Uru still solidifying.

As the hammer head and shaft melded, a wave of energy surged from the mold.

The Dwarf King gestured to Odin.

Odin unleashed lightning from his fingertips, charging the hammer through its handle. Thunder crackled, shattering the mold and revealing a thunderous warhammer in Odin's grip.

As if conjured, runes etched across its surface, proclaiming, "He who wields this hammer shall possess the power of thunder."

"Bill, accept this. It is your honor," Odin relinquished the hammer, propelling it toward Beta Ray Bill.

Grateful, Beta Ray Bill caught the hammer, knelt, and declared, "Thank you, Majesty Odin!"

"Haha, Bill, take it to Muspelheim. Let Surtur's minions taste the power of the Thunder Hammer," Odin commanded with a grin.

Before departing, the Dwarf King halted Odin.

"What now? Insufficient forging fees?" Odin quipped.

The Dwarf King regarded him seriously, then spoke, "Odin, are you truly set on attacking Surtur?"

"If he refuses Asgard's rule," Odin affirmed.

"I question the wisdom in this. Surtur has posed no threat to the Nine Realms, warranting our attention," the Dwarf King advised.

"Asgard's future extends beyond mere realm governance," Odin reassured, patting the Dwarf King's shoulder before departing without further words.

Days later, Forseti and Beta Ray Bill traversed the Rainbow Bridge to Muspelheim—the lone realm resisting Odin's reign.

Hela oversaw the invasion of Muspelheim.

Upon arrival, Forseti and Beta Ray Bill reported to Hela, who eyed the Thunder Hammer, reminiscent of Mjölnir, with unease. After a few words, she dismissed Beta Ray Bill, leaving Forseti alone.

"Your Highness, what troubles you?" Forseti inquired.

Hela gripped Mjölnir and mused, "Forseti, why do you think my father enacted such an enchantment?"

Forseti shrugged, "The simplest explanation is that King Odin, like most, venerates heroes and justice."

"Is it truly that straightforward?"

Forseti nodded, "Your Highness, with due respect, you often scrutinize Odin's actions with undue sensitivity. Without evidence, the simplest explanation remains the most reliable."

"Man's inclination to venerate heroes is ingrained," Forseti added.

Hela fell silent.

After a pause, Forseti smiled, "Commander, may I request permission to embrace you around the waist?"

---