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Chapter 178: Loki, The Deceitful Leader, and Hela, Who Is Penniless
🕑 Added 2025-03-23 13:30:46 +0000 UTCFor the dwarfs, magic has always been out of reach.
Due to their constitution, their magical abilities seem inherently weak.
It appears that all their ability points have been allocated to forging and drinking.
However, now...
With the help of the neutron star, they are able to tap into the magic net’s energy absorption, feeding a portion of it back into themselves.
The magic power within them increases rapidly, visibly strengthening with every passing moment.
And the closer they get, the faster they grow.
The magic net's absorption rate from the neutron star is astonishingly fast.
With so many individuals sharing the energy, there currently appears to be no limit to how much they can absorb.
Upon realizing this, Eitri quickly rushes forward.
At the same time, he activates the magic net to draw in the surrounding energy.
The sensation of growing stronger is immediate and unmistakable.
And, best of all, there’s no risk of being burned.
He can’t help but feel overjoyed.
"Hahahaha! We dwarfs can finally learn magic! Praise the great god of magic! Praise the gods!"
"Everyone, put your work aside for now and come here!"
"Let’s learn magic together!"
Eitri calls out to his fellow dwarfs.
Across the entire mechanical ring, about 300 dwarfs reside.
All of them are skilled in crafting weapons and armor.
Not everyone can get close enough to the forge to directly absorb its energy, but even at a distance, their magic power is increasing rapidly.
As hundreds of dwarfs gather, the energy radiating from the neutron star is absorbed even more quickly.
And for Eitri and the others who are closest...
They have now reached less than a hundred steps away from the forge.
At this distance, however, walking further is no longer possible.
An invisible barrier lies ahead.
They might find a way to cross it, but first, they must ensure that the magic net’s absorption rate can keep them safe from the overwhelming force at the neutron star’s core.
If anything goes wrong...
The consequences would be catastrophic.
Every dwarf is precious.
The loss of even one of their kin is unacceptable.
Yet, Eitri finds it impossible to ignore the power that this surge in magic brings.
For the first time, it seems that dwarfs might achieve greatness not just in forging and drinking—but in magic as well.
They might finally have the power to protect themselves.
But first, they must cross those last few dozen steps.
Can they do it?
Eitri falls into deep thought.
For a moment, he even forgets about forging the Storm Axe.
Well, he hasn't yet figured out the ideal material for the axe handle anyway.
Without the right handle, the Storm Axe would never reach its full potential.
So, why rush?
There’s no harm in taking it slow.
With that thought, the group of dwarfs decides to enjoy the moment—drinking while reveling in their newfound strength.
Eitri also informs Heimdall of the challenge they’ve encountered.
Heimdall instinctively glances toward Nidavellir.
"What is it, Heimdall?"
"King... the dwarfs are harnessing the power of the neutron star to increase their magic."
Odin frowns at this news.
Have the dwarfs truly found a way to rapidly enhance their magic?
This is not good.
If their magical abilities improve, will they fall out of Asgard’s control?
That is his first concern.
But after some thought, he decides it's unlikely.
After all, their allegiance lies with Thor, and Thor himself has access to magic.
His strength far surpasses theirs.
Still, this revelation leads Odin to consider another matter.
Should he redistribute power among other trusted individuals?
So far, concentrating all strength in Thor’s hands has strengthened the royal family's absolute rule, ensuring that the army remains powerful while the common people stay weak.
But is this beneficial for the kingdom as a whole?
Would it not be better if all Asgardians could wield power, ready to fight at a moment’s notice?
Odin pushes these thoughts aside and refocuses.
"How is the construction of the Storm Axe progressing?"
"Eitri says he still needs to find a suitable material for the handle," Heimdall replies.
"The axe handle, huh..."
Odin doesn’t doubt Eitri’s words.
Forging an artifact is never a simple process.
Even his own spear, Gungnir, took great effort and time to craft.
And the Storm Axe… its power surpasses even Gungnir and Mjolnir.
It was never going to be easy.
Just then, Heimdall suddenly speaks again.
"King, there’s something else you should know."
"Hmm?"
"Loki has convinced the Frost Titans to join him. They are now connected to the magic net, and they're spreading it at an alarming rate!"
!!!
"Loki has lost his mind! He’s actually—ugh..."
Odin stops himself before calling Loki a traitor.
Given Loki’s heritage, what could he even say?
"King, should we intervene? With your order, I can use Bifrost to strike them down!"
Heimdall’s voice carries a deadly edge.
They had previously ignored the Frost Titans because, without Laufey and the Casket of Ancient Winters, they posed no threat.
But now, things have changed.
With access to the magic net, their magical strength will grow exponentially.
And every bit of that power will be funneled back to Loki.
It won’t be long before they become a serious threat to Asgard.
Odin falls into silence.
He struggles internally—should he abandon his benevolent rule and deliver the harshest punishment to the Frost Titans?
It’s a crucial decision.
He closes his eyes, his mind waging a violent battle.
Loki… oh, Loki.
Is this how you strike back at me?
You’re clever.
Odin finds himself both infuriated and impressed.
Loki isn’t even trying to hide his plans—an overt conspiracy, laid out in plain sight.
The only way to end this threat is to exterminate the Frost Titans.
Or wipe Jotunheim from existence.
That would be the simplest solution.
If he does nothing, Loki and the Frost Titans may soon challenge Asgard’s rule.
On one side, a growing threat.
On the other, his millennia-old philosophy of governance.
It’s a difficult decision.
Loki has intelligence, power, and ambition.
And deep down, Odin knows Loki has a love for Asgard.
Truth be told...
If Loki were truly his biological son, Odin would rather pass the throne to him.
But Loki is a Frost Giant.
Even if he is loyal to Asgard, what about his descendants?
Who can guarantee that they will remain faithful?
He is an outsider.
His children may not be Asgardians at all.
If Loki takes the throne, the Aesir will lose their dominion over the Nine Realms.
Odin cannot allow that.
In his mind, Thor remains the rightful heir.
But what should he do about the Frost Titans?
Meanwhile, Loki is completely unaware of Odin’s internal struggle.
At this moment, he is in Muspelheim, manipulating the Fire Giants.
"Connect to the magic net! Learn magic!"
"Storm Asgard! Save me!"
"Connect to the magic net! Learn magic!"
"Attack!"
With these repeated slogans, thousands of Fire Giants sign contracts to join the magic net.
Loki grins as they fall for his deception.
“Save Surtur? Without the Eternal Flame? What a joke.”
“A bunch of brainless brutes.”
“They think they’ll conquer Asgard? In their dreams.”
“When I take the throne, the first thing I’ll do is eliminate them.”
Loki never intended to actually unite the Titans against Asgard.
He’s merely using them to fuel his own power.
After all, he has learned a valuable lesson:
No power is greater than the strength one cultivates for themselves.
With the Fire and Frost Titans now serving him unknowingly, Loki's rise to the throne is inevitable.
Satisfied, he returns to Midgard to check on Hela.
Surely, with his guidance, her progress has been smooth, right?
Meanwhile, Aaron senses the surging energy from the dwarfs, Jotunheim, and Muspelheim.
He is pleased.
“Well done, Loki.”
However, when he turns to Hela, she is still struggling.
Finally, Aaron loses his patience.
"Look, Goddess of Death, if you have nothing better to do, can you leave? My time is valuable."
Hela’s frustration reaches its breaking point.
Your time is valuable? And mine isn’t?
But she swallows her anger.
She needs his help.
The problem?
She’s completely broke.
