Odin was overjoyed the moment the frost-covered spaceships appeared behind his fleet.
Two days earlier, when he learned the enemy was approaching, he had quietly reached out to the Frost Giants—just in case. In exchange for their aid, he promised to return Loki after the war.
Of course, Odin firmly believed Loki was already dead. He had no intention of honoring that promise. Once Thanos was dealt with, the Frost Giants would be completely at his mercy.
Moments later, Laufey's projection appeared before Odin. His expression was cold and guarded.
"I hope you will keep your word," Laufey said.
To be honest, he had never wanted to come. But his son was in Odin's hands—or so he believed—and he had no choice but to act cautiously. He only had one son, after all. Loki was meant to inherit the Frost Kingdom.
Odin smiled faintly, confidence dripping from his expression. "Don't worry. Loki is currently in my palace, under heavy protection. As long as you help me defeat the enemy, I will return him to you."
Laufey stared at him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well."
Soon, more than a thousand frost-covered warships surged forward, targeting the enemy's right flank. The choice was deliberate—Heimdall was stationed there, making it far less dangerous than the collapsing left side.
If Laufey could help Heimdall crush the enemy on the right and then sweep inward, the war could still be won.
With the power of an early-stage Heavenly Father, Laufey moved like a force of nature. In mere moments, he destroyed over a dozen enemy ships, forcing Supergiant, Black Dwarf, and Ebony Maw into a hasty retreat.
Yes—Laufey was a Godfather-level being. Even at the initial stage, he could dominate almost everyone present. If he weren't deliberately holding back, the Black Order would have been reduced from five generals to two in record time.
A thousand years ago, wielding the Casket of Ancient Winters—the Frost Giants' sacred artifact—Laufey had fought Odin to a standstill. Odin had even lost an eye in that battle.
Odin spared Laufey's life not out of mercy, but fear. He seized the Casket, stripped Laufey of his greatest weapon, and took his son as a hostage.
Standing outside Sanctuary II, Thanos narrowed his eyes when he saw Laufey tearing through the battlefield.
"So Odin found help after all," he muttered. "That complicates things."
If Odin attacked Sanctuary II while Thanos was away, the consequences would be severe. Destroying a Titan-class warship would cripple the entire offensive and might even allow Asgard to turn the tide.
But if he didn't intervene, the right wing would collapse—and the central formation would soon follow.
Thanos's gaze sharpened as he watched Laufey's icy aura.
"A Frost Giant…"
An idea immediately formed.
He issued a command to Xiao Lan, connecting his projection to the front-line warships. A moment later, Thanos's massive purple projection appeared directly before Laufey.
At the time, Laufey was hammering his fists against a frigate's shield, each strike sending cracks of frost across the barrier. When he noticed the projection, he stopped and studied it cautiously.
He didn't recognize Thanos. And frankly, he had no intention of risking his life for Odin. He was only here for his son.
"Who are you?" Laufey demanded.
Thanos shook his head calmly. "Who I am isn't important. What matters is who you are."
Laufey's eyes narrowed. "I am Laufey, King of the Frost Giants." His voice turned icy. "Watch your tone."
Thanos nodded. "Laufey. I believe I captured a certain young man last year—Loki. He looks quite a bit like you."
He didn't waste time. The battlefield was still burning.
"Your son is in my hands. If you don't want him to die, you'd be wise to reconsider your position."
Laufey froze. His expression shifted from anger to disbelief.
"What? Loki is in your hands? Impossible!"
Seeing his reaction, Thanos immediately realized something. Odin had never told him the truth.
"A year ago," Thanos continued evenly, "my forces discovered Loki after a wormhole suddenly opened. That same wormhole led me to this galaxy."
Laufey staggered back slightly, his voice trembling. "How dare he… How dare Odin treat my son like this…"
Thanos's voice turned colder. "Withdraw now, and you'll see your son within a day."
Laufey raised his head, staring at Thanos with killing intent. "I will verify this immediately. If you're lying to me, I swear I will tear you apart."
With that, he returned to his flagship and ordered a full retreat. Over a thousand Frost Giant warships disengaged and vanished from the battlefield.
Watching them leave, Thanos merely shook his head.
"If Odin weren't holding me back," he muttered, "you'd already be reduced to room temperature."
On the other side of the battlefield, Laufey's projection appeared before Odin almost instantly.
"What is the meaning of this?" Odin demanded. "Why did you retreat?"
The moment Laufey saw Odin, the fury he had suppressed erupted.
Jotunheim was a dead world—ice, snow, and endless desolation. To save his people, Laufey had led them outward, settling new planets and building a growing empire. Everything had gone smoothly… until Odin arrived.
The Asgardians stole the Casket, kidnapped his son, and exiled the Frost Giants back to Jotunheim to rot.
If not for Odin, Laufey believed he would already rule half the galaxy.
He forced himself to calm down and said coldly, "They claim Loki is in their hands."
For the first time, Odin felt genuine panic flicker through him. But his voice remained cold.
"Don't be foolish. You believe enemy lies so easily? Return to the battlefield immediately, and I'll pretend this never happened."
Laufey stared at him. Odin still refused to show Loki. That alone made Thanos's words far more believable.
"I want proof," Laufey said. "Show me Loki. The moment I see him, I'll return to the front lines."
A shadow crossed Odin's eyes.
After a brief silence, he finally said, "Very well. I'll connect to the palace and show you." His voice turned sharp. "But once you see him, you will return immediately—or I will kill him myself."
The lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly.
.....
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