The departing Hela did not return to her bedchamber but went to the Bifrost Bridge.
At the Bifrost Bridge, Hela slowly entered and instructed the many guards inside the console. "Open the Bifrost Bridge, I want to go to Kamar-Taj in Midgard."
Several Guardians looked at each other, but all stood still, not daring to act rashly.
Seeing this, Hela's tone cooled, taking on a murderous intent. "What? You don't recognize me? Or do you not understand my words?"
"Your Highness Hela, please calm your anger."
At this moment, a bald man holding a broom and sweeping quickly spoke up.
He put down the broom and held out his right hand, signaling Hela to calm down. "They just don't have control of the Bifrost Bridge, they didn't intentionally defy Your Highness."
The bald man's reaction caught Hela's attention, especially his holding a broom and his actions being out of place with the surrounding guards.
"Who are you?"
"Skurge, Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge."
When mentioning his title, Skurge proudly puffed out his chest.
"Hmm, a gatekeeper." Hela nodded noncommittally.
The Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge, in Asgard, held a low position but significant power, so he was naturally not just a simple gatekeeper.
Hela said this merely to set the stage for what was to come.
She then instructed again, "Open the Bifrost Bridge, I want to go to Kamar-Taj in Midgard."
"Gladly at your service."
Skurge smiled humbly and jogged to the center of the Bifrost Bridge.
He grasped his sword, manipulating the Bifrost Bridge to shoot out a rainbow light.
The rainbow light instantly traversed an enormous distance, pointing directly at Kamar-Taj.
The Bifrost Bridge opened, but Hela did not enter immediately.
She stopped and looked at Skurge. "Tell me about yourself, Skurge."
Faced with Hela's somewhat unconventional approach, Skurge was a bit at a loss.
He hummed, then said, "My father was a stonemason, my mother was a—"
"Stop, I have to interrupt you. What I mean is..."
Hela interrupted Skurge, asking with a half-smile, "What is your ambition?"
"I want to find an opportunity to prove myself."
Hearing Skurge's answer, Hela couldn't help but smile.
"I can give you an opportunity."
Without waiting for Skurge to react, Hela continued speaking to herself.
She began to paint a grand picture for Skurge. "When I was young, every great Kingdom had an executioner. The role of this character was not only to execute people but also to carry out the King's will. Of course, it was mainly to execute people. But no matter what, it was a supreme honor."
Saying this, Hela used herself as an example.
"I was once Odin's executioner, and you will be my executioner. Now, guard the Bifrost Bridge well for your King."
With that, Hela stepped towards the Bifrost Bridge passage, leaving Skurge standing there stunned.
Recruiting Skurge was Hela's spur-of-the-moment decision, recruiting an executioner was not.
The successful but not entirely successful coup that took place today made Hela realize the importance of creating her own direct lineage.
During that coup, Hela had already successfully intimidated the people of Asgard.
She only needed the military to submit, and she could then ascend to the throne of King of Asgard. But unfortunately, the warriors of the Asgardian Military resisted her pressure.
There were many reasons for choosing Skurge.
The most important point was his position.
The Bifrost Bridge, one of Asgard's most important artifacts.
Hela would not feel at ease without it under her control.
Leaving aside other matters, if she failed to gain control of the Bifrost Bridge, once she left Asgard, her path back to Asgard might even be cut off.
Of course, there were other ways to return to Asgard, but this would undoubtedly involve many twists and turns.
...
"Strange, another large group of extra-dimensional creatures is assaulting the Sanctum Sanctorum's array."
"Damn it, why have the extra-dimensional creatures attacking the array suddenly increased so much recently?"
Strange sat up from his folding chair, rubbed his temples, and then walked quickly to the array's control panel.
Then, he formed hand seals, muttered incantations, and manipulated the array to repel wave after wave of attacks from the interdimensional magic creatures.
This job was not difficult for Strange. In fact, Mordo could also handle it. But the difference between Strange and Mordo managing the array lay in the success rate of intercepting extra-dimensional creatures.
With Strange managing the array, only a very small number of weak extra-dimensional creatures might slip through the defenses and enter Earth.
With Mordo managing the array, that number would be much higher.
A moment later, the extra-dimensional creatures retreated.
Strange let out a long breath, slowly stopped his movements, and walked towards the folding chair to catch up on sleep.
Such scenes had been happening frequently during this period.
Strange had no choice but to move his residence to the main hall where the array control panel was located, resting during fragmented periods.
If he truly went without sleep, even the Sorcerer Supreme might die suddenly.
At Kamar-Taj, a rainbow light suddenly descended from the sky, and many sorcerers immediately noticed it. There was no avoiding it, the commotion of the Bifrost Bridge tearing through space was simply too great.
Hearing the noisy commotion outside the hall, Strange reluctantly opened his eyes, got up, and walked out of the hall where he managed the array.
Although Lucas brought three helpers a few days ago, only Mephisto ultimately stayed to help.
However, Strange did not trust Mephisto and did not let him operate the array to resist the extra-dimensional creatures' attacks. He only had him organize another defensive line outside reality.
While this had some effect, the effect was not significant.
So after a few more days of working tirelessly to the point of exhaustion, Strange's dark circles deepened considerably.
At this moment, he was eagerly awaiting Loki's promised Asgardian reinforcements.
Therefore, upon seeing that the source of the commotion was the Bifrost Bridge, Strange, shaking off his weariness, exclaimed, "The Bifrost Bridge... have Loki and Thor finally brought people?"
"No."
Responding to Strange's expectation was a cold female voice.
The Bifrost Bridge's light receded, and a green figure emerged.
And along with Hela's figure came her long string of self-introductions.
"I am Hela, the Goddess of Death. Odin's eldest child, former commander of Asgard, former executioner of Asgard, and candidate for King of Asgard."
"Uh... I am Wong, sorcerer Wong."
"A disciple of Ancient One, librarian of Kamar-Taj, head of external affairs for Kamar-Taj, and assistant to the Sorcerer Supreme."
Wong also introduced himself in Hela's style.
Then he walked towards Hela and asked, "Friend from Asgard, may I ask what your purpose is for coming here this time?"
Hela chuckled, seemingly amused by Wong's previous self-introduction. Then she tilted her chin slightly. "I've come to lead you in resisting the Multiverse threat."
To lead, not to help.
This was Hela's self-perception.
Hela's words were undoubtedly somewhat arrogant, as could be seen from the expressions of the many sorcerers nearby.
Wong frowned and sternly refused, saying, "Under the leadership of the Sorcerer Supreme, Kamar-Taj is capable of doing its own work and does not need anyone else to lead."
Hela chuckled softly. "Heh."
She looked at Strange, a hint of solemnity flashing in her eyes.
There was always a faint, invisible connection between powerful individuals.
But Hela had just defeated Thor, and her spirit was high at the moment. She was confident that her strength was second to none.
"The Sorcerer Supreme? Him? But now, under his leadership, Kamar-Taj seems to need to ask Asgard for help."
Strange's expression darkened.
He slowly began, "Hela, the Goddess of Death? In my Universe, I've heard that name. She was an opponent even Thor couldn't defeat."
"It's just a pity that this opponent whom Thor couldn't defeat was only a fleeting presence, quickly perishing along with Asgard. I'm very curious to know just how much this opponent, whom Thor claimed he couldn't defeat, is truly capable of."
"As you wish, mortal."
Hela raised her hand and swung her arm. A necrosword shot out, aimed at Strange's chest.
Divine light flickered in Strange's eyes. Without any action, a body-protecting spell instantly appeared on him.
Golden-yellow energy flowed, and the protective spell formed a virtual combat suit on his body. Hela's necorsword struck the suit, and with a mere clang, it was repelled. And Strange's body-protecting spell remained undisturbed.
"Hela, you are very strong. But not strong enough."
Crack... Crack...
The Mirror Dimension spread, and Strange pulled Hela into the Mirror Dimension.
Then Strange, mimicking Hela, raised his hand, and a giant red dragon flew out from his sleeve, pouncing towards Hela.
"Is that so? Then you haven't seen my true power yet." Hela chuckled softly.
Then Hela's divine power flowed beneath her feet, forming giant spikes, like a throne, lifting her high above the mundane world.
"Go."
Hela waved her hand, and several giant spikes shot out towards the baring-fanged red dragon.
Just as the giant spikes were about to pierce the red dragon's heart, the red dragon suddenly opened its large mouth.
The next moment, surging energy condensed in the dragon's mouth, and a terrifying dragon's breath erupted, engulfing the giant spikes and heading straight for Hela.
Hela's pupils contracted slightly. She leaped, trying to dodge, but was still a step too slow. The dragon's breath hit the throne beneath her feet, and an explosion roared.
Countless spikes were propelled by the shockwave of the explosion, shooting out in all directions. And Hela, being at close range, bore the brunt of it.
She had to endure both the shockwave of the dragon's breath explosion and guard against the flying spikes. She could only use her cloak to protect her body, reducing the damage she took.
Strange did not press his advantage.
Soon, the shockwave dissipated, and Hela's cloak quickly recovered from its damaged state.
Hela lowered her cloak and then discovered that although Strange hadn't pressed his advantage, he had summoned two more red dragons.
At this moment, a total of three dragons were positioned in three different directions, subtly encircling Hela.
Although it was only a brief skirmish, the stronger and weaker was already quite clear.
Hela was speechless, feeling only discomfort.
If Strange had pressed his advantage just now, she would have had a reason to continue fighting, perhaps seizing an opportunity to turn the tide of battle.
But with Strange voluntarily stopping, she felt it would be improper to initiate another attack.