Chapter 159: Subdue
Acquiring a useful skill is always beneficial. Although there aren't many enemies in the Marvel universe who use Mind Control, those who do are formidable opponents.
Even if Thor couldn't subdue Lorelei, killing her with Mjölnir would be worth the points spent. At worst, he might be reprimanded by Odin for executing a prisoner.
Thor opened the cell door and walked in under Sif's anxious gaze, removing the restraint device from around Lorelei's neck.
"Huh...huh..."
Finally freed, Lorelei panted heavily as if she had just been rescued from drowning.
After catching her breath, she exclaimed, "It's been too long—six hundred years. This has been the worst torture imaginable. Finally, I can speak freely again!"
Turning to Thor, she asked, "So, Your Highness, are you going to release me just like that, or do you have another plan?"
Thor's indifferent voice responded, "It depends on our upcoming conversation."
Lorelei composed herself, saying, "Speak then. I know you won't pardon me without conditions."
Noticing Sif's vigilant stance outside, Lorelei smirked, "Could it be that His Highness has changed his mind and decided to become my knight again? I'm certainly more appealing than your hammer!"
Sif's anger flared. "Lorelei, if you try to harm His Highness, I have the authority to execute you on the spot!"
Typically, Sif had a good temperament. In fact, those like her, who could get along with Thor, usually had a calm demeanor.
However, Lorelei's behavior seemed to provoke her more than usual. Even though Sif was accustomed to Lorelei's manipulative tactics, she found her dangerous. A seduction by Lorelei would be seen as a grave disrespect.
Does she really believe I can't draw my sword?
Thor stopped Sif with a smile and a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I wouldn't trade a forest for a single tree."
He signaled for Sif to leave, then turned back to Lorelei. "I won't waste words. My sole purpose is for you to surrender to me and never betray me."
With that, he set the restraint device ablaze with a flame, reducing it to ashes.
Lorelei was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood the implication.
With the device destroyed, her only option was to accept his recruitment or...
A mysterious smile spread across her face. "Is that so? Then, I agree!"
"Drip! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: five million bonus points!"
Thor: "???"
So easy?
Sif had been dismissed, yet Lorelei didn't use her abilities to resist!
Thor was prepared to use force if necessary to ensure her submission...
Seeing Thor's expression, Lorelei approached him with a soft smile, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Why, don't you trust me? Don't worry, I just want you to be my knight in a different sense!"
Thor thought, "Sweet."
The system's evaluation of mission completion was quite strict, suggesting that Lorelei's submission was genuine, not merely a pretense.
"Host, I believe you are stronger than this girl: A handsome man with a plan!"
Miss System seemed to admire Thor's strategy.
Thor, puzzled, asked, "Why did you agree so quickly?"
Lorelei chuckled softly. "Because I don't think I can defeat you. Sif may not sense it, but I have a feeling that resisting you would have very serious consequences."
She gently stroked Thor's chin and whispered, "I don't want to gamble. You are the most perfect warrior I have ever seen. My intuition tells me that with you, I won't need any other servants."
"Struggling might offer a chance to control you, but there's a high probability of failure, and the consequences of such failure are beyond my capability."
"On the other hand, surrendering to you involves no risk and is a preferable outcome."
"After all, following the future king of the Nine Realms, or even the ruler of the entire universe, is a far better choice than trying to control a group of useless underlings."
Lorelei's words were sincere, and Thor felt they were genuine.
After being imprisoned for six hundred years, Lorelei had likely lost the inclination to cause trouble. She knew she could not match Asgard's might and had realistic expectations of her position.
Following Thor would ensure that she would no longer be pursued by Asgard and her new status would be legitimate.
Thor checked Lorelei's attributes using his probing techniques and noticed a note.
"Loyalty: Highest. Will never decrease unless the host is completely deceased."
Satisfied, Thor nodded. "Congratulations, you made the right choice."
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