Chapter 277: Spirit of the Feast
Thor had taken a beating in the fight, but it was unavoidable. He hadn't yet reached his peak strength, and the Cursed Warrior was designed by Malekith specifically to counter Odin and his kin. If the Destroyer had still been around, even if the battle was fought in Asgard, Malekith wouldn't have stood a chance if he hadn't immediately retreated. The arrival of the Destroyer would have assured the defeat of the Dark Elves.
In the original timeline, the Reality Stone would eventually end up with the Collector. But now, it would likely be temporarily handed over to Tony and Banner for study. With them, it was effectively under Harvey's control anyway.
Among the six Infinity Stones, the Reality Stone isn't the most powerful in terms of raw damage. That's not to say it isn't strong—it's just more of a defensive and support-oriented gem. To truly unleash its reality-warping potential, it would have to be used alongside the other five stones, amplifying its effect to the level of changing the entire universe with a snap of the fingers.
Tony was right: a single Reality Stone, limited by its user's strength, can only grant wishes to a certain extent, without guaranteeing absolute fulfillment. But even with partial wish-granting powers, it's already incredibly overpowered.
If Malekith had been stronger—even able to go a few rounds with Tony or Banner—the Reality Stone alone could've worn them down. Harvey believed that rather than Malekith, the Cursed Warrior would have been a more effective user of Reality Stone. However, as leader of the Dark Elves, Malekith would always be the one wielding the Aether, sealing his defeat.
With the Reality Stone in play, Harvey knew it wouldn't be long before the Power Stone emerged. On Earth, most Infinity Stones were either with Odin or in the care of the Ancient One, making them tough to acquire directly. However, when the Power Stone eventually came his way, Harvey was sure to claim it.
Having enjoyed the spectacle in Asgard, Harvey withdrew his gaze from the realm. Odin's worries that Harvey would strike Asgard were unnecessary. Others might not know it, but Harvey was well aware that Odin was nearing his end. Frigga surviving this time might keep Odin from being consumed by grief and rage, which would further destabilize his power and health, perhaps extending his life just a little.
Still, Harvey knew that, short of embracing the Void, Odin's lifespan wouldn't stretch far beyond the decade, given his age and the limits of Asgardian life. When the time came and Odin's life was near its end, Harvey figured he might have a shot at recruiting him. But he wasn't yet sure if recruiting Odin was even the right move.
If Odin were to join the Void, it would significantly strengthen the Asgardian faction within it. And while Harvey was confident he could keep Asgard in check within a few years once he had the Power Stone, bringing Odin in could create complications without much benefit. Better to evaluate Odin's attitude first, as it would be far simpler to guide Thor, who seemed more easily influenced.
As for Asgard's allegiance to the Void, Harvey didn't require their blind loyalty to him personally. What mattered was Asgard recognizing the Void, and that could be applied just as much to Asgardians as to any other followers. However, with Asgard's strength and numbers, Harvey would have to be careful about Odin's role if he joined, as Odin would need to respect the Void's order and not disrupt it.
Harvey glanced at Steve Rogers, who was currently honeymooning with Peggy Carter in Europe. Hydra's purge plan was approaching, and Harvey mused whether Nick Fury would manage to get in touch with Steve. Amused by the thought, he shifted his focus back to his game, waiting patiently.
In the aftermath of the Battle in Asgard
Tony and Banner were invited to remain in Asgard temporarily. They observed a grand funeral ceremony for the fallen soldiers and attended a victory celebration afterward.
Though the Asgardian army suffered significant losses, the citizens were relieved that the Dark Elves, ancient enemies of Asgard, had been vanquished. With their defeat, the threat of invasion was gone, bringing a sense of joy and pride to the people.
In a grand hall, handsome men and beautiful women mingled and conversed. But Tony and Banner stood out. They both knew that flirting with Asgardian women could bring unexpected trouble. Aware of the risks, they decided it might be better to wait until they returned home to seek other romantic pursuits.
So, instead, they turned to the feast, eating with gusto. After all, on Earth, they enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle with five meals a day. But here in Asgard, where meals were limited to three a day, they constantly felt starved. Only Thor's insistence had kept them from leaving for Earth just to satisfy their appetites.
Even if they were starving, leaving at this point would seem ungrateful to Thor, who was hosting them. So they endured, filling their plates at every opportunity.
The sight of Tony and Banner feasting ravenously drew some attention. But instead of disdain, the Asgardians watched with curiosity and admiration. They had heard of Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, whom Thor had specifically invited to aid Asgard. The two had displayed great valor in the recent battle, ultimately killing Malekith. Banner had even teamed up with Thor to take down the Cursed Warrior, cementing their reputation as heroes of the battle.
Besides, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner were undeniably handsome, strong, and heroic—a combination that naturally drew the admiration of some Asgardian women. However, watching the two gorge themselves made them a bit hesitant to approach.
Had Tony and Banner known of the women's interest, they would likely have said, "Thanks, but no thanks." The last thing they wanted was to get entangled with Asgardian women.