"Then what about my father? Are we just going to let Loki do whatever he wants?" Thor asked urgently.
The soldiers did not dare to hide the truth and answered immediately, "Your Highness, Prince Loki has announced that the Allfather is unwell and currently recuperating. He has already ascended the throne as king."
"That bastard!"
Anger flashed across Thor's face. With his blood surging, he swung Mjolnir forward and was instantly carried through the air toward the palace of Asgard.
The Warriors Three and Lady Sif hurried after him, leaving only Lucas behind.
The squad of Asgardian soldiers did not resume their patrol. Instead, they watched the unfamiliar man—who had returned with the crown prince—with wary eyes.
Lucas simply smiled indifferently and sat down on the ground.
A moment later, he even closed his eyes, leaned against the platform, and began to rest.
Seeing this, the soldiers finally let out a sigh of relief, though they did not leave their posts.
Less than two minutes passed before Lucas suddenly opened his eyes.
Four Frost Giants emerged from the shadows. Each stood over two meters tall, their bodies covered in deep blue skin.
One of them was noticeably larger than the others, clearly their leader.
They quickly moved behind the patrol. The Asgardian soldiers reacted at once and tried to fight back.
However, the strongest Frost Giant opened his mouth and unleashed a blast of icy breath.
The soldiers were instantly frozen solid, unable to move.
Just as the Frost Giants prepared to continue their attack, four sudden beams of energy pierced straight through their heads.
Lucas lowered his hand. As the four massive bodies collapsed one after another, he stood up and walked toward the frozen soldiers.
With a wave of his hand, streams of energy melted the frost covering them.
It had to be said—the physical constitution of Asgardians was truly formidable.
Had ordinary humans on Earth been frozen like this, even survival would have come at the cost of severe injury.
After all, damage caused by freezing and thawing cells could not be resolved by simple melting.
Yet after being freed, the four soldiers merely felt slightly cold. No other abnormalities appeared.
"Thank you very much," the soldiers said gratefully after regaining their senses.
"It's nothing," Lucas replied calmly. "But you should check other areas. There may be more of those creatures."
"You're right."
The soldiers no longer paid attention to Lucas. They hurried out of the Rainbow Bridge control chamber, boarded the ships docked nearby, and flew rapidly toward the palace.
Lucas remained standing at the far end of the Rainbow Bridge.
He had no intention of leaving before everything was settled.
After all, the Rainbow Bridge was essential for his return. He could not allow anyone to destroy it.
As he expected, Loki would come here—just like in the film—intending to use the Rainbow Bridge as a planet-destroying weapon.
He planned to annihilate Jotunheim in one decisive strike, proving that he alone was the true king of Asgard.
About ten to twenty minutes later, a mounted figure appeared at the opposite end of the Rainbow Bridge, galloping rapidly toward Lucas.
"So, he's finally here," Lucas murmured.
He clearly saw Loki, wearing his horned helmet atop his steed. Loki, in turn, also saw Lucas standing on the bridge.
"Move aside!" Loki shouted angrily.
Lucas merely shrugged, making his position clear—he would not allow the Rainbow Bridge to be damaged.
"If you don't move, I'll kill you!"
Without hesitation, Loki raised Gungnir and aimed its tip at Lucas.
Energy surged into the spear, and with a brilliant flash, a scorching beam shot straight toward him.
Lucas responded without retreat. He raised his hand and fired a ki blast.
The two attacks collided midair, instantly throwing the surrounding space into violent turmoil.
The shockwave forced the sea beneath the Rainbow Bridge to part, only to be hurled skyward by the ensuing force.
After a brief calculation, Lucas thrust his palm forward.
The ki blast surged several times in power. The beam, once only as thick as an arm, expanded to more than twice its size.
Gungnir's destructive energy was overwhelmed and sent crashing back, blasting Loki and his mount dozens of meters away.
"Loki!"
Thor arrived at that moment and rushed toward the fallen figure.
Despite everything Loki had done—even his attempt to kill him—the bond of brotherhood forged since childhood remained unbroken. Genuine concern appeared on Thor's face.
"You're still just as easy to deceive, my brother."
Loki suddenly opened his eyes, sneered, and vanished into an afterimage.
The real Loki reappeared behind Thor, Gungnir in hand.
Thor sensed the danger, but Loki only smiled mysteriously.
In the next instant, he swung the Eternal Spear, sending Thor flying off the bridge.
"Loki!"
Thor clenched his teeth and forced himself back onto the Rainbow Bridge. He shouted, "Stop this now! It's not too late to turn back!"
Loki looked down at him coldly. "A mistake? You don't understand my purpose at all."
"You want to use the power of the Rainbow Bridge to completely destroy Jotunheim," Thor said.
Loki burst into laughter. "That's right!"
"As long as I wipe out Jotunheim with the Rainbow Bridge, all of Asgard will know who the true king is!"
Thor frowned deeply. "No. You can't do this. There are countless Frost Giants on Jotunheim. They'll all die!"
"My poor brother," Loki said mockingly. "When did you become so weak?"
"Not long ago, you couldn't wait to beat those creatures senseless."
"I see now—it must be that woman from Midgard."
Loki laughed loudly. "Don't worry. After I deal with Jotunheim, I'll go to Earth and personally take good care of your woman."
At those words, Thor's fury finally erupted.
With a thunderous roar, lightning surged through his body, transforming into a faint golden radiance.
_____
T/N:
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