Chương 111: Chapter 111: The Tenant on Earth 

In a massive, sunlit plaza in Asgard, 'Fat Thor' stood holding Mjolnir—newly forged for him by Eitri—and pulled Frigga into a tight, lingering embrace. 

"Remember to eat more vegetables and salads when you get back, Thor," Frigga chided gently, affectionately patting his still-sizable stomach. "I will instruct your Uncle to bring a scale next time he visits your timeline. If you haven't lost a significant amount of weight by then, I'll have him lock you back inside the Mirror Dimension for another round of 'therapy.'" 

"Uh... actually, even if I travel back before Uncle Luke does, it won't give me any extra time to work out. Since we'll all eventually converge at the exact same chronological anchor point in my timeline, from his perspective, I'll basically have had zero time to exercise," Fat Thor offered a highly guilty, awkward smile, attempting to use theoretical temporal mechanics to excuse his lack of cardio. 

"Is that so? In that case, why don't you just stay here in Asgard? I can lock you back in the Mirror Dimension right now for a few months of intense physical conditioning before you go back," Luke suggested, flashing a brilliantly wicked smile. 

"Yeah, I think that's a fantastic idea! Honestly, the Asgardian pastries are incredibly delicious, I wouldn't mind staying a bit longer," Rocket chimed in enthusiastically, clearly eager to watch Thor suffer. 

Rocket was currently casually slinging a terrifyingly massive, high-caliber 'sniper rifle' over his shoulder. 

Yesterday, Odin had personally escorted Rocket into the legendary Asgardian Royal Vault to select his promised reward. However, to Rocket's profound disappointment, almost every weapon in the vault was a highly enchanted, close-quarters melee weapon—swords, axes, maces, etc. Did Odin honestly expect a three-foot-tall raccoon to charge into battle swinging a six-foot-long greatsword? 

Adapting to the situation, Odin had generously allowed Rocket to draft a custom weapon blueprint. Eitri, the Dwarf King, had personally forged the colossal firearm, and Odin himself had inscribed devastating, high-tier runic enchantments into the barrel. Currently, a single, fully-charged shot from Rocket's new toy packed enough raw concussive force to effortlessly blow a small interstellar frigate out of the sky. 

The two time-travelers stood together on the Bifrost platform. 

"I will eagerly await your arrival, Uncle," Fat Thor said sincerely. 

Rocket tapped a few sequences on his wrist-mounted quantum GPS. Instantly, sleek, white-and-red nanotechnology suits materialized, rapidly encasing both of their bodies. With a flash of quantum energy, they vanished completely from the timeline. 

"Oh, fascinating. It appears that in the tragic future, I successfully finalized the development of the Mark 50 Nanotech Armor," Tony Stark remarked casually, popping a small, delicate Asgardian pastry into his mouth. 

"Are you planning to continue focusing your research entirely on nanotech armors then?" Luke asked with a smile. 

"Uh... actually, witnessing that just gave me a significantly more brilliant, infinitely more ambitious idea," Tony's eyebrows danced excitedly. 

"Oh? What kind of idea?" Luke asked, genuinely curious. 

The most terrifying and awe-inspiring aspect of Tony Stark was that you simply never knew where his absolute intellectual ceiling was. As long as you continually expanded his horizons and introduced him to new concepts, his genius would inevitably synthesize something even more incredible. 

"That, my friend, is highly classified. However, I absolutely guarantee it will leave you completely astounded," Tony offered a cocky, secretive smirk. 

"Alright, well, I sincerely hope it merely astounds me, rather than outright terrifying me," Luke muttered, suddenly feeling a strong, ominous premonition. Knowing this paranoid genius... is he secretly plotting to build an 'Anti-Luke' Buster Armor?! 

If he actually builds one, I am absolutely obligated by comic-book tradition to tear it to shreds the moment he deploys it. 

Meanwhile, Frigga gracefully excused herself. Following the chaotic Dark Elf infiltration two nights ago, the Royal Palace was still recovering from the structural damage and political fallout. As Queen, she had an immense amount of administrative work to oversee. 

Luke and Tony strolled leisurely away from the Bifrost Observatory, chatting comfortably. 

"By the way, why exactly did Loki personally request you to completely redesign and overhaul the Royal Palace's internal security systems?" Luke asked, suddenly remembering the bizarre contract Loki had discussed with Tony yesterday. 

"Because the absolute heart of their kingdom was violently infiltrated by highly hostile, elite assassins, and they literally had absolutely no idea until the bombs went off! Honestly, part of the blame falls on us. That little photostatic mask prank we played on Pepper in the royal guest wing made Loki incredibly paranoid. He suddenly realized how ridiculously easy it would be for a shape-shifter or a disguised infiltrator to cause catastrophic damage inside the palace." 

"Are you absolutely certain about that?" Luke raised an eyebrow. Isn't Loki literally the God of Mischief? He practically invented sneaking around the palace disguised as other people! Did he just aggressively shoot himself in the foot by demanding a flawless security system? 

Tony nodded emphatically. "I honestly assumed a highly advanced, ancient alien civilization like Asgard would possess comprehensive, state-of-the-art surveillance technology monitoring every square inch of their territory. Instead, I discovered their entire security apparatus relies almost exclusively on manual, visual patrols by guards holding spears!" 

Tony gestured back toward the massive Observatory they had just left. "Their absolute best, most sophisticated early-warning system is literally just Heimdall standing on a bridge staring really hard at space!" 

"Please try not to aggressively project modern, human technological paradigms onto ancient, magic-based cosmic civilizations," Luke sighed helplessly. 

Tony shrugged unapologetically. "Regardless of their traditions, they ultimately realized they desperately needed a modern, automated security grid, and they formally requested the absolute best in the universe to design it. Currently, F.R.I.D.A.Y. and S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. are running a comprehensive, millimeter-perfect architectural scan of the entire palace complex. Once I get back to Earth and analyze the structural data, I am going to transform this golden castle into an absolute, impenetrable fortress. Not even a cosmic fly will be able to get inside without my authorization!" 

"Naturally," Luke nodded. "I have absolutely no doubt regarding your capabilities. Mostly because Asgard doesn't actually have flies." 

"It was a metaphor, Luke," Tony sighed in deep exasperation. "I have designed and implemented some of the most sophisticated, impenetrable security systems on the planet! Could you please afford my engineering genius a microscopic shred of respect?!" 

"Alright, alright. I'll trust you this once," Luke chuckled. However, mentally recalling how frequently S.H.I.E.L.D. agents casually broke into Tony's 'impenetrable' Stark Tower and Malibu mansion in the movies, Luke actually felt significantly less confident in Asgard's future security. 

Seeing Luke's highly skeptical expression, Tony waved his hand dismissively. Just then, his two AI-controlled Iron Legion drones, S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. and F.R.I.D.A.Y., flew down and hovered beside them. 

"Boss! We have successfully completed a highly detailed, 100% comprehensive structural scan of the Royal Palace! A perfect, 1:1 digital holographic model has been compiled!" S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. reported eagerly, acting remarkably like an overly enthusiastic golden retriever bringing back a frisbee. F.R.I.D.A.Y., conversely, simply hovered silently, projecting an aura of cool, efficient professionalism. 

"Excellent work. Alright, pack it up. We are heading back to Earth," Tony clapped his hands, turning to Luke. 

"Do you want me to draw a portal for you?" Luke offered, raising his hand. 

"No thanks. I've decided to take the Bifrost. I want to personally record the localized quantum and spatial data generated during the transit," Tony replied, then paused. "What are your immediate plans?" 

Luke thought for a moment. "I need to discuss a few strategic matters with Odin. Once that's settled, I'll just portal directly back to my apartment. I absolutely despise using the Bifrost; leaving a massive, highly visible scorch mark on the ground is way too flashy and attracts too much attention." 

Luke knew exactly what awaited him back on Earth: endless, suffocating mountains of diplomatic requests and administrative red tape from the various national governments desperately trying to curry favor with the 'Lord of the Earth.' 

I really need to figure out exactly when the Ancient One plans to officially retire so I can forcefully drag her into my new planetary administration... 

Luke waved goodbye as Tony suited up in the S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y. armor and flew back toward the Observatory. Luke then turned and flew directly toward the Royal Palace. 

Arriving at the massive front gates, Luke was surprised to see Loki walking out of a subterranean service tunnel. Loki's skin was entirely deep, frosty blue, and he was casually holding the Casket of Ancient Winters. 

"Have you finished stabilizing the foundations?" Luke asked with a smile, noting that Loki seemed completely unbothered by openly displaying his Frost Giant heritage to the passing guards. 

Loki noticed Luke and offered a respectful nod, addressing him as 'Uncle.' "The structural damage to the lower pillars has been completely, permanently sealed with absolute zero, unmelting ice. It will hold perfectly until Eitri dispatches a specialized Dwarven engineering crew to physically rebuild the load-bearing columns." 

Luke nodded approvingly. 

Because the massive golden pillars supporting the palace didn't possess any internal magical circuitry or mechanical components, Luke's 'AllSpark' (which he had used to repair the Bifrost) was completely useless for repairing purely structural stone damage. 

The previous night, when Odin had violently rushed off to publicly execute Malekith, the All-Father had casually abandoned his post manually holding up the collapsing ceiling. Luke had been forced to rapidly deploy massive, solid columns of highly compressed dark energy to temporarily support the crushing weight of the palace, feeling incredibly exasperated by Odin's sudden, reckless priorities. 

Luke raised his hand. Deep within the palace foundations, the massive columns of raw dark energy instantly condensed, transforming into thousands of highly compressed, solid Dark Energy Crystals. 

He waited a moment, carefully observing the palace. Seeing that the structure remained perfectly stable and immovable—thanks to Loki's ice—Luke confidently retracted the crystals, absorbing the massive influx of energy back into his shadow. 

"Where is Odin? I need to discuss a few things with him," Luke asked Loki casually. 

"He is currently at the execution grounds," Loki replied, before briskly walking back into the palace. He still had a massive mountain of administrative tasks to handle today. 

Watching Loki hurry away, clearly stressed by his new responsibilities, Luke couldn't help but chuckle. 

"You know, Loki... you really didn't need to orchestrate all those elaborate, complex schemes to steal the throne in the original timeline. Considering how incredibly impulsive and unsuited Thor is for politics, the moment Odin realized Thor was completely incapable of governing, he absolutely would have simply handed the throne directly to you." 

Loki paused and looked back, offering a highly cynical, exhausted smile. "Honestly? Right now, I'm seriously considering abdicating. The sheer volume of mundane, mind-numbing administrative disputes and logistical issues I have to resolve every single day is absolutely infuriating! This is infinitely more difficult and exhausting than commanding an army or planning a military campaign!" 

"Ruling a kingdom is always vastly more difficult than simply conquering one! Keep up the good work!" Luke offered a highly insincere, cheerful wave as he turned and headed toward the execution grounds. 

The previous night, after capturing Malekith and brutally interrogating him to confirm that the Dark Elf invasion force had been entirely eliminated, Odin had wasted no time. He immediately dragged Malekith to the public execution grounds and personally, definitively executed him in front of the gathered Asgardian military, permanently declaring the absolute extinction of the Dark Elves. 

Approaching the execution grounds, Luke spotted Odin from a distance. The All-Father was standing completely still, silently staring down at Malekith's severed head, which was currently displayed on a pike. 

"Mourning the definitive end of an ancient, respected adversary?" Luke asked, walking up beside him. 

"I am simply mourning the profound foolishness of my past self," Odin replied, his voice heavy with ancient regret. 

"Millennia ago, when the catastrophic prophecies of Ragnarok first surfaced, I completely dismissed them as absurd, impossible fairy tales. To prove their falsity, I personally invaded Muspelheim, violently defeated the Fire Demon Surtur, and confiscated his primary source of power, the Eternal Flame. I believed I had definitively averted the apocalypse. But much later, Frigga confided in me. She had vaguely Perceived the true, unalterable flow of the future." 

Odin paused, turning his single eye to look directly at Luke. 

"She foresaw that Surtur was not truly dead. She foresaw that my firstborn, Hela, would inevitably break her seal upon my death, raising an unstoppable army of the dead to slaughter my people. She foresaw that in a desperate bid to defeat Hela, Thor would be forced to deliberately resurrect Surtur, sacrificing Asgard in the process. And thus, Asgard would be violently destroyed by Surtur, fulfilling the exact prophecy I thought I had broken." 

"Upon hearing this terrifying revelation, I was deeply shaken. I immediately returned to the exact location where I had supposedly slain Surtur... only to discover his massive crown was entirely missing. This definitively confirmed the absolute accuracy of Frigga's prophecy. I subsequently scoured every single inch of Muspelheim, but I could find absolutely no trace of him. Furthermore, as the centuries passed, my physical body began rapidly failing, unable to contain the sheer, growing magnitude of my own divine power, forcing me into the Odinsleep. When I awoke, my raw magical power had grown even stronger, but my physical vessel had deteriorated further, drastically reducing my actual combat effectiveness. This slow, inevitable decline forced me to accept that the catastrophic prophecy was absolute and unavoidable." 

Odin finally stopped speaking. 

Luke stared at Malekith's severed head, which was currently being actively spat upon and cursed by passing Asgardian citizens, then turned back to Odin. 

"And now?" 

Odin stood up straight, projecting an aura of absolute, terrifying, cosmic majesty. 

"The creature known as Rocket recounted the exact, horrifying details of Asgard's future. The sudden return of the Dark Elves, the tragic murder of Frigga... everything aligned perfectly with the tragic fate I had resigned myself to. However... your sudden, inexplicable arrival has fundamentally shattered the predetermined timeline." 

"Frigga is no longer resigned to her tragic fate. Furthermore, by utilizing your pure dark energy to actively stabilize and reinforce my failing physical vessel, my body is no longer deteriorating! I can now finally unleash the absolute, total magnitude of my cosmic power without fear of physical collapse! Surtur? He has absolutely zero chance of fulfilling his pathetic prophecy now!" 

"Shortly, I shall command Heimdall to unleash the Bifrost and completely, utterly obliterate the entire realm of Muspelheim! Regardless of where Surtur is hiding within that fiery wasteland, he shall be instantly reduced to subatomic ash! Following that, I shall immediately launch a fleet into deep space, track down this 'Thanos,' and personally execute the coward who dared to slaughter my defenseless people!" 

Odin declared with absolute, unyielding brutality, his voice echoing with cosmic authority. He then turned to Luke, his expression softening slightly. 

"I will ensure those two specific threats are eradicated without the slightest chance of resistance. However... there is one threat I simply cannot bring myself to execute." 

Luke listened intently and nodded in perfect understanding. 

"I completely understand. Once I finish resolving the immediate political situation on Earth, I will personally travel to Helheim and speak with Hela. If I cannot convince her to abandon her psychotic ambitions, I will simply utilize the Space Stone to permanently banish her to an isolated, uninhabited alternate dimension. How does that sound?" 

Odin remained silent for a long moment, staring deeply into Luke's eyes. Finally, he spoke, his voice thick with profound emotion. "Thank you." 

"Don't mention it. We're brothers, aren't we?" Luke casually patted Odin's shoulder. 

"If you ever hear any concrete rumors regarding the current locations of the remaining Infinity Stones during your cosmic crusade, please inform me immediately. We need to secure them before Thanos can acquire them, or taking him down will become significantly more complicated." 

Odin nodded firmly. "I shall utilize Asgard's entire intelligence network. I will depart shortly." 

Having finalized their grand, multiversal strategic plans, Luke drew a Sling Ring portal. He intended to return to Earth immediately to aggressively dismantle the remaining Hydra factions and finally solidify his absolute control over the planet. 

However, the absolute microsecond he stepped through the portal into his small, quiet New York apartment, an unfamiliar voice echoed from directly behind him. 

"Greetings, Lord of the Earth. I have come to formally request asylum, and your explicit permission to temporarily reside upon your planet." 

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