Chapter 318: The Fourth Power of Wickedness (1)
"Lady Loki had just finished speaking when Schiller turned to Strange with a glance.
Then, Schiller turned back and looked at Peter sitting on the sofa next to him and said, 'Peter, I heard you're good at craftsmanship. Can you help us install a large lightning rod on top of the house?'
'Lightning rod? Why do we need a lightning rod?' Peter didn't understand at first, but as his gaze swept over Lady Loki and he thought of Norse mythology, he suddenly realized.
'Oh, right! Lightning rod! She might actually need a lightning rod. But can a regular lightning rod used by humans really withstand Thor's thunder?'
'If you think a normal lightning rod can't, then can we find a way to create a lightning rod that can withstand the power of Thor?' Schiller patted Peter's shoulder and said, 'Stark has always told me that you have talent in this area. I believe you won't let us down, right?'
Peter nodded seriously and stood up, saying, 'Alright, I'll go research it. If I have any updates, I'll call.'
As he got up, Steve looked at the expressions on Schiller and Strange's faces. He also stood up and said, 'I have to deal with the mess created by those skeletons and necromancy. I'm going to Eddie's place to see if he can write an article to calm the public. You guys continue...'
Saying that, he also left.
After Peter and Steve had left, Lady Loki, who had been sitting upright in the chair, breathed a sigh of relief. She reached out and put on her hood, and only leaned back on the chair after the halo disappeared.
'Alright, the people who haven't passed the moral test are gone. Now it's our time,' Schiller said as he stood up, taking a bottle of sherry from the liquor cabinet.
Strange arranged the transparent glasses and said to Lady Loki, 'The righteous gentlemen have left, now you can tell us the alternate version of the story.'
With most of her face hidden in the shadow of the hood, Lady Loki let out a slight sigh as she placed her hand on the armrest of the sofa. She said, 'To be honest, how did you guys manage it? How did these two find me first? If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have wasted so much time talking.'
'Don't complain. The place where you caused a disturbance was too close to Peter's home. He would definitely investigate. And as for Steve, wherever there's trouble, you'll find him—Captain America.'
Schiller poured drinks for everyone, and Lady Loki leaned forward and took out a box of cigars from under the coffee table. As she cut the cigar, she said, 'That foolish Thor, who only gains strength without gaining brains. If he were to return to Asgard just like that, the situation wouldn't change. What does a new divine position matter? Is Odin not powerful enough? But can he stop the people of Asgard from going down the path of destruction due to their love for war?'
'So, what did you do?'
'I persuaded Thor to stay on Sakaar Star and save the slaves there. Ironically, he thought I had turned over a new leaf and changed my ways, but in reality, I just wanted to keep him there. I have other things to do when I return...'
'I knew there was something strange about your story, how did you conveniently fall into the mines of Sakaar Star and end up in Hela's realm of death? You pinpointed the target, didn't you?' Schiller brought an ice bucket and added ice cubes to the drinks with a pair of tongs.
'Correct, but the part about Sakaar Star is also true. Venom didn't know what he was thinking and insisted on falling in love. Even if Sif will be the future queen, I shouldn't have gotten too close to her because she represents the power of the war-loving faction in Asgard.'
Lady Loki sighed as she leaned back on the sofa and said, 'After coming to Earth for so long, I have come to understand your society. I've realized that Asgard and Earth's societies are almost identical, but the difference is that since we are all soldiers, the entire Asgardian society is built upon a war chariot that cannot be stopped.'
'We are getting close to that too.' Strange took a sip of his drink and said, 'War is the best way to divert internal conflicts. While the vested interests enjoy their benefits, they don't consider whether it will lead the entire nation to destruction.'
Lady Loki snapped her fingers and said, 'Exactly. Asgard is the same. The wheels of our war have been turning for too long, and those who have enjoyed everything during the war are not willing to let it stop. Everything in our society serves conquest. If such a society can last, it would be a miracle...'
'The path of destruction has an end...' Schiller raised his glass and clinked it with Lady Loki's, saying, 'The endless increase in entropy will bring this universe to its end.'
"Because Hela is a very special existence. She used to be the princess of Asgard, and now she is a demonic deity. As I said before, I believe Asgard's vitality lies in the structure of the demonic deities, and she happens to embody both of these identities."
"Correct, if we're looking for a bridge between the two sides, I think Hela is indeed a good choice." Schiller touched his forehead with his hand.
"Perhaps when Hela initiated the war, it was a momentary impulse. After being subdued and imprisoned by Odin, she must have reflected on whether that war was necessary and what it represented..."
"Correct, we talked for a long time near Styx." Lady Loki's tone became somewhat self-deprecating. She said, "Like two stray dogs driven out of their homes, we somehow found resonance with each other. We have a decent understanding of each other..."
"Well, there was definitely some misunderstanding in between. I just felt that I found a kindred spirit, but Hela clearly wanted to take it further..."
"So, did you agree?" Strange eagerly asked Lady Loki.
"No, but Hela doesn't want to give up. I don't know why, but she seems to be highly interested in me. That part of the story I just told is true..."
"Hela's interest in me is a bit too intense. It got to the point where I had to change my gender. Who knows, she can also change her gender."
Lady Loki's voice was filled with helplessness, but Schiller said, "Let me guess, you were inspired by Thor's ascension to a new god. So, when you met someone willing to listen to your great plan, you couldn't help but pour out your wisdom..."
"Lady Loki, have you ever considered that you might be the type Hela likes?" Schiller asked with a mischievous smile.
"Now I know." Lady Loki replied irritably.
Strange, however, was a bit confused. He asked, "Why? How did you deduce that?"
"It's simple. Hela was once a respected princess of Asgard, and Asgard's bravest warriors were at her disposal, but she didn't find any of them attractive. So, it's obvious what type she likes, isn't it?"
"Well, that's not important. Besides, Hela can't just rush into Earth and kidnap me. As long as I stay here, I'm safe."
"Putting aside these emotional matters, what deal did you make with Hela?"
"I hope to further deepen the structure of the demonic deities in the universe. Therefore, I need an opportunity. After she learned about my goal, Hela told me Balder's story and informed me where I can find this former king's eldest son..."
"You've clearly omitted the crucial parts of the story." Strange pursed his lips and said.
"So, what are you planning to do?" Schiller asked.
Lady Loki shook her head slightly and said, "Don't you feel that someone is missing here?"
"You mean..."
Strange and Schiller exchanged glances, then simultaneously uttered the same name, "Nick Fury."
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