CHAPTER 29

Hela received news of Rhodes' successful plea and hurried to the Hall of Valor.

She also attempted to persuade Rhodes.

"The battle situation on the front lines is exceedingly perilous now. It's better for you to remain at the Temple of Valor to train these heroes. The Temple of Valor needs you."

"You'll be in even greater danger if I don't go."

Rhodes firmly rejected all of Hela's persuasions.

This time, Hela was at a loss for words.

She knew it would be challenging to convince Rhodes, but seeing his determination, she felt the same emotions welling up inside her.

Hela wasn't entirely sure, but maybe this was what it felt like to be protected?

Bell swiftly organized a team, selecting the 2,000 best-trained soldiers from the Valhalla warriors. The remaining Valhalla warriors were of average skill, and Rhodes had no intention of bringing them along.

Rhodes handled these matters at the Temple of Valor and allowed them to continue their regular training. Any newcomers who found it challenging would have to adapt or face the consequences. As long as they didn't perish, they would train until they improved.

Rhodes was confident that, with proper training, he could shape any individual into a capable warrior.

"Alright, since that's settled, let's depart."

The remaining three and a half legions commanded by Rhodes and Hela assembled.

These 14,000 Asgardian warriors armed themselves and set off to other realms for battle.

Their destination this time was Muspelheim, the realm of flames and the homeland of the Flame Giant King, Surtur.

It also harbored the largest population of Flame Giants.

If they wished to curb the influence of the Flame Giants across the other Nine Realms, focusing on their homeland, Muspelheim, seemed like the logical choice.

If there were any issues in the Flame Giants' homeland, they would likely redirect their forces, possibly weakening their presence in other realms.

Heimdall, stationed on Asgard's Rainbow Bridge, activated its power to extend the Rainbow Bridge toward a distant location.

Leading a group of Asgardian soldiers with hands placed over their chests, Guardian God Heimdall spoke.

"Esteemed warriors, congratulations on your victorious return. Asgard shall never forget your contributions. Congratulations in advance on your forthcoming triumphs. Asgard awaits you with feasts and wine."

Hela, too, placed her hand on her chest and proclaimed solemnly.

"The glory of Asgard endures eternally, and Asgard shall stand forever."

"The glory of Asgard endures eternally, and Asgard shall stand forever," many Asgardian fighters from Hela's legion echoed, reciting the blessing before their expedition, bolstering their morale.

Rhodes joined in, though his inner thoughts took a different turn.

Regardless of whether it was Ragnarok's doing or Thanos', Asgard had already faced utter destruction. However, one way or another, Asgard's fate was sealed.

In comparison, the eternal Asgard and the somber, gritty Gotham City had their own resemblances.

Rhodes and Hela led the legion, walking side by side at the head, traversing the Rainbow Bridge.

The familiar sensations of displacement and weightlessness washed over them once more. Rhodes had grown accustomed to this feeling, having experienced it several times before.

With what felt like a brief pause in the fabric of space and time, Rhodes, Hela, and the legion emerged in an unfamiliar world.

Perhaps this place was known to Hela, but it was Rhodes' first time here.

Rhodes took in the surroundings.

High mountains, flowing rivers, the suspended realm of Asgard, and the grounded courtyard—all of Muspelheim and Jotunheim were harsh environments.

It was no wonder the Frost Giants and Flame Giants had sought to conquer Asgard; their own realms offered such grim living conditions.

Living in such an environment was akin to residing in a pit. The gray sky never saw sunlight, and darkness extended as far as the eye could see. Rhodes lightly tapped the ground with his boot, and it felt as hard as gravel. No plant could survive in such desolation.

Above, a gray smog enveloped everything, blotting out the sun, preventing any moisture from remaining. In the distant horizon, volcanoes continuously spewed dark red light and emitted muffled eruptions.

Muspelheim's sky remained perpetually shrouded in volcanic ash.

The air bore the scent of sulfur, and magma flowed continuously from the volcanoes, releasing harmful gases. The greenhouse effect was pronounced, making it impossible to glimpse the sky for days on end.

The sweltering air bore the potential to roast a person alive into a mummified husk, suffocating them amidst the heat and darkness. These factors rendered it inhospitable even for Asgardian warriors. In such an environment, no creature, plant, or drop of water could persist.

Only the Flame Giants, comprised of scorched earth, ash, and lava, could endure this harsh realm. Yet even they found their existence far from comfortable.

Rhodes pondered aloud, "Is this a place for anyone to dwell? Here, the sun never shines. When compared to the thriving halls of Asgard, this place is tantamount to hell."

Of course, Hela's Underworld represented true hell, a realm exclusive to the deceased.

As Hela's legion entered this realm, replete with noxious gases, heat, and ashes, she instructed her troops.

"Everyone, don your Asgardian helmets and secure the perimeter to prevent Flame Giants from closing in."

"Yes, Commander!"

The Asgardian warriors retrieved round, white-and-blue helmets from their Asgardian technology armbands and placed them on their heads.

A notification chimed in Rhodes' mind: "The host [Rhodes] has evolved [Super Heat Resistance]."

Rhodes extended his arms, perplexing Hela, who couldn't fathom his intentions. She had grown accustomed to Rhodes' employment of extraordinary abilities in dire situations.

Rhodes executed his plan. "Although these Asgardian helmets can protect you briefly, they create a group of conspicuous individuals in this realm, appearing as a sea of blue. Flame Giants would have to be blind not to notice them in this fiery landscape."

"Instead, we have something better."

Hela observed in bewilderment as Rhodes continued his actions.

A notification chimed again: "The host [Rhodes] has evolved [Cold Sensation Aura]."

Rhodes addressed the troops. "Remove your helmets; they are unnecessary now."

"Under the protection of this Cold Sensation Aura, you'll remain untouched by poisonous gases, heat waves, and even resist some fire damage. This will suffice. Save these helmets; they won't be needed."

"Rest assured, as long as I'm alive, this aura will persist. It's much more reliable than these faulty helmets."

Hela responded with a wry smile. These Asgardian helmets had been the result of extensive research by some of Asgard's brightest minds, a significant investment in time and effort.

Hela extended her arm, offering a helmet to Rhodes. "Wear this; it will shield you from the toxic gas and heat. While its energy reserves are limited, it will last for a month, providing some protection is better than none."

Rhodes regarded the Asgardian warriors donning the helmets around him. When they wore these helmets, an energy barrier projected from them, enveloping them in light blue. It granted them protection against poisonous gases and heat.

Rhodes shook his head. "No need for such trouble."

Another notification chimed: "The host [Rhodes] has evolved [Cold Sensation Aura]."

Rhodes raised his arms, leaving Hela puzzled by his actions. Whenever he employed these unfamiliar abilities, they invariably proved beneficial.

Rhodes stretched his arms wide, a faint, almost imperceptible light blue halo enveloping the Asgardian warriors. It moved up and down subtly, nearly invisible if one didn't observe closely.

Rhodes explained, "These helmets offer short-lived protection, but their wearers stand out too conspicuously in this fiery realm. Instead, with this Cold Sensation Aura, they'll remain untouched by poisonous gases and heat. It may even provide some resistance to fire damage."

"Don't worry; as long as I'm alive, this aura won't wane. It's much more reliable than these helmets."

Hela chuckled wryly, realizing that Rhodes considered the Asgardian helmets inadequate. These helmets had required extensive research and development, yet Rhodes dismissed them as inadequate.

With the Cold Sensation Aura bestowed by Rhodes, the warriors moved more comfortably.

Their arduous journey through Muspelheim, with its sweltering heat, had transformed into a breezy seaside vacation by comparison.

Hela and Rhodes pressed on, studying the holographic map as they walked.

The map depicted a partial representation of Muspelheim, highlighting several cities inhabited by the Flame Giants. Nevertheless, Asgard's intel remained limited, as the warriors only had one month of activity in this harsh environment, mostly spent on combat.

The map showed various-sized red dots, each denoting Flame Giant cities. Larger dots indicated cities with tens of thousands of Flame Giants, while smaller ones harbored between one to five thousand. Dense clusters of tiny dots represented gatherings of Flame Giants.

Hela pointed at a specific area on the map and explained, "Our current location is here, and our objective is this city, Hailag. It's a large-scale operation this time. Capturing Hailag will deal a severe blow to the Flame Giants, forcing them to recall Flame Giants from other realms to protect Muspelheim."

"This, in turn, will ease the pressure on our other fronts, preventing joint attacks by the Frost Giants and Flame Giants in at least three realms. Reducing the burden to solely the Frost Giants will be a significant advantage."

"By pulling back at least 40% of the Flame Giants to Muspelheim for this battle, we can shift the overall balance of power in our favor."

Rhodes nodded in agreement.