The moment the magic circle appeared; an inexplicable aura of terror filled the entire great hall.
Odin, seated on the throne, instantly looked grim, his face twitching uncontrollably.
"She... she's coming back!"
Odin spoke with a slight tremble in his voice.
Thor, standing nearby, widened his eyes in excitement.
"Is it my sister? Is my sister coming back?"
As for Su Ye, he only cared about one thing—how Hela looked. Was she like the aged, faded version from the movie, with only her legs still worth looking at? Or was she like the comic version, captivating and mesmerizing, exuding both dominance and charm?
Soon, a figure stepped out of the portal. Her long hair flowed freely, her smoky eye makeup was dramatic, and her slender, tall figure remained unchanged. However, the aged face and wrinkles that even heavy makeup couldn't conceal in the movie were now completely gone.
Instead, what replaced it was a face brimming with collagen, so fresh and youthful that it seemed like a gentle pinch would make it ooze with moisture.
The biggest difference from the movie version was that this Hela unconsciously leaned backward as she walked, radiating an overwhelming queenly aura.
But the key point wasn't about striking a pose or showing off her aura.
The main issue was that Hela's evil presence was too grand, to the point that if she didn't walk in this posture, she might just tip over.
There's an old Stephen Chow movie called The Magnificent Scoundrels. The female lead, jealous of the massive assets of the supporting actress, undergoes surgery, only to end up with such a burden that she can't even stand straight.
Hela wasn't quite that exaggerated—but not far off either.
Anyway, just looking at her made people instinctively want to lend a hand to support her.
After Hela stepped out, Odin and Thor's reactions were noticeably different from before.
Odin suddenly let out a deep sigh, his face showing relief, as if a stone that had been hanging mid-air for an eternity had finally landed safely.
Before seeing her, Odin had believed that the rift between him and Hela was insurmountable, like a thorn forever lodged in both their hearts.
But now, seeing Hela—his daughter whom he had been separated from for over a thousand years, the very daughter who had once fought beside him to conquer the Nine Realms—
Odin suddenly felt that his past decision might have been a mistake.
Hela had ambitions. She wanted to achieve more outside the Nine Realms. Since she had the drive and youth on her side, why not let her pursue it?
As an old man, he could have simply stayed behind, safeguarded the Nine Realms, and cheered for Hela from the rear. Why did he have to be so stubborn, making everyone unhappy and even going so far as to imprison his own daughter?
Looking back now, Odin realized that Hela was, in fact, the one who resembled him the most.
The young, ambitious, and brilliant Odin, who had expanded territories and carved his name into legend across the Nine Realms and the entire universe.
And then, looking at Thor—the son he had placed so much hope in—he was nothing but a big goof!
He went to Earth, brought back a mortal girlfriend, got himself caught up in that "C" organization, and wasn't even an official member—no benefits, no insurance, nothing!
This was an utter disgrace to Asgard.
Meanwhile, Hela had never once bowed, even to her own father.
The difference was night and day!
Looking at Thor again, Odin couldn't even bear to watch.
Could you at least manage your facial expressions? Look at your mouth—you're drooling, for crying out loud!
Turning your brother into a sister and bringing her back was already outrageous enough, and now you're drooling over your own sister? Hela is your biological sister!
What exactly are you trying to do?!
Are you seriously trying to follow in the footsteps of Zeus, that old pervert?!
Meanwhile, Thor had completely lost control of his facial expressions. His mouth was so wide open you could see his molars.
But unlike what Odin thought, Thor wasn't actually fixated on Hela's looks or figure—he was more focused on her power.
Thor had always believed that aside from Odin, he was the strongest in Asgard.
So even though he had left Asgard, found love and friendship on Earth, joined the great and united "C" organization, and learned that there were countless things to do in the universe—
In the end, he still chose to return to Asgard—a place smaller than a city on Earth, with barely ten thousand inhabitants—spending his days watching the sun rise and set in boredom.
He didn't enjoy this kind of life.
But because he was Asgard's undefeated war god, Odin's son, and the future king, he had no choice but to stay—no matter how unwilling he was.
But now, Thor finally saw hope—the possibility of shedding this heavy burden.
Hela was so powerful, and her strength was bound to Asgard itself. As long as Asgard existed, her power would never wane, and she would never die.
That being the case, of course, the throne of Asgard should go to Hela!
Hela wouldn't destroy all of Asgard just to end her own life, would she?
No more discussion—decision made.
Inhale!
Over there, Hela took a deep breath, savoring the feeling of breathing in her homeland's air once again. Though things had changed, Asgard was still Asgard.
This was where she had once begun, but it would not be her end.
Hela's destination was the vast stars and the endless sea!
But for now, she needed to reclaim her starting point—taking it back from the old man who had imprisoned her for a thousand years and from those ignorant brats who had no understanding of her power.
"You all, kneel befo—"
Hela took another deep breath, preparing to unleash her fury and declare her sovereignty—only to see that the tall man wielding the hammer, the hammer she herself had once used, the supposed heir to Asgard, had already knelt down.
"Welcome back, Sister Hela!"
Saying this, Thor didn't even hesitate—he dropped his hammer onto the ground, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together like a loyal subject.
Hela was completely dumbfounded. What the hell? Why was he kneeling already? She was about to make him kneel, but had she actually said anything out loud?
Was this some kind of mind-reading trick?!
Or… was this one of Odin's schemes?
Uncertain, Hela turned to look at Odin, who sat upon the throne. But to her surprise, his face bore the same expression of complete confusion.
It seemed that this old man had no idea that this foolish son was going to pull a stunt like this. Which meant—this wasn't part of some grand scheme. This was Thor's own idea?!
Not bad. The younger generation was different from the stubborn old fool. He sure knew how to read the situation and act accordingly!
"You are…?"
"Sister, I am Thor, the God of Thunder, wielder of Mjölnir, and the first in line for the throne of Asgard. But now that you have returned, you are the rightful heir, and I willingly renounce my claim to the throne!"
Thor said this with absolute sincerity, and Hela was completely stunned.
What? Was this some kind of reverse psychology? Was he tricking her?!
The King of Asgard?! The ruler of the Nine Realms?! You're just giving that up?
You think this is some cheap cabbage in the marketplace?!
If the throne was this worthless, then did I just suffer a thousand years of imprisonment for nothing?!
And Odin! Say something! Step in and stop your idiot son!
With this kind of attitude, even if I become Asgard's ruler, it won't feel like an achievement at all!
Odin, standing to the side, looked even more baffled than Hela. Wasn't he, the reigning God-King, supposed to be the one handling matters of succession?
Yet, here was Thor, unilaterally renouncing the throne.
This left Odin completely speechless.
What could he do?
Refuse him?
"Uh… well…"
"Father!"
Thor stepped forward and helped Odin to his feet.
"Since Sister has returned, Asgard should rightfully be hers again. Her power is bound to Asgard itself, so I trust that she will take good care of Asgard's people."
"You once said that for thousands of years, you exhausted yourself to protect Asgard. Well, now you can finally let go of that burden. Let me take you on a journey through the universe!"
"Let's go see what the universe that Sister once wanted to conquer actually looks like."
Saying this, Thor didn't wait for a response—he just helped Odin up and got ready to leave, not even bothering to take his hammer.
"Sister, from now on, the throne and Asgard are yours. The people of Asgard may have forgotten about you, but don't worry—Father and I will announce your return to everyone, and they will remember your achievements!"
After saying this, Thor didn't give Hela any chance to react. He immediately used his lightning powers to start a global announcement across all of Asgard.
"People of Asgard!"
Thor shot a glance at Su Ye, and in an instant, his voice echoed inside the minds of every Asgardian.
"I am Thor, your God of Thunder. And today, I will tell you all a story from the distant past."
Not only did all of Asgard hear his voice, but even Hela—who had just returned—heard it echoing in her mind.
"A long time ago, when our world consisted only of Asgard, there was a warrior known as Asgard's God of War—the most powerful warrior in Asgard and across the Nine Realms, and the most trusted ally of King Odin."
"Her name alone was enough to make even the children of Jotunheim too afraid to cry out loud."
"She was the daughter of King Odin, the Crown Princess of Asgard, and the rightful heir to the throne—Hela Odinsdottir!"
"For thousands of years, she fought bravely in battle, expanding Asgard's dominion and securing vast territories for our people!"
As Thor spoke, the mental seal that Odin had placed in the minds of Asgard's people began to loosen. Memories of Hela started resurfacing in their minds.
So... we once had a princess so powerful that even the Nine Realms dared not make a sound in her presence?
Why had we forgotten her for so many years?
"Thousands of years ago, she fought alongside our King…"
Thor continued recounting Hela's past glory, while Su Ye projected these words into vivid images inside the minds of the Asgardians.
What they saw were scenes that should have been immortalized in myths and history.
Among countless enemies, a woman with a horned helmet, clad in black armor, wielding Mjölnir itself, rode atop a massive wolf and charged into battle.
Wherever she passed, be it Frost Giants or Fire Giants, none could withstand a single strike—every last one of them was slain under the might of Mjölnir.
The entire scene was pure, unfiltered brutality.
It was only due to Hela's unparalleled ferocity that Asgard had secured its place as the ruler of the Nine Realms and maintained its dominance for millennia.
Asgard's prosperity today was undeniably built upon Hela's contributions.
"And so now, in the name of Thor, God of Thunder, I renounce my claim to the throne and officially welcome back Queen Hela as the rightful ruler of Asgard!"
"Flowers!"
"Applause!"
As Thor finished speaking, all of Asgard erupted into cheers.
"Queen Hela!"
"Queen Hela!"
"Queen Hela!"
The scene was as electrifying and enthusiastic as it could possibly be.
And before Hela could even process what had just happened, Thor called upon Heimdall—the Bifrost descended from the sky, and in a flash, Thor and Odin were gone.
"..."
Hela stared at the now completely empty great hall, utterly speechless.
"J-just now… what the hell just happened?"
Su Ye shrugged.
"As you can see, Lady Hela, you are now the ruler of Asgard. Surprised? Happy?"
Hela turned her head to look at Su Ye.
"And who are you?"
Su Ye smiled and introduced himself.
"As you can see, I'm just an ordinary, completely unremarkable human from Earth—or as you Asgardians call it, Midgard. I came here to discuss an alliance with Asgard."
With Thor and Odin gone, and Asgard having so readily accepted a new ruler, Hela—who had been holding onto her anger for thousands of years—felt as if she had just punched a pile of cotton.
But this grudge had been brewing inside her for millennia. If she didn't vent it, she wouldn't be able to move forward.
And the reason Su Ye had stayed behind after Thor left was precisely to help Hela vent this frustration.
"Midgard? That primitive backwater?"
Hela scoffed.
"And you, a mere savage from Midgard, think yourself worthy of discussing an alliance with me, the King of Asgard? You must be utterly delusional!"
Seeing Hela's arrogance in full force, Su Ye clapped his hands together.
"Yep, you're absolutely right. We were going to discuss an alliance, but now that you're the new ruler, that plan is no longer relevant."
"Hmph! At least you know your place," Hela snorted proudly.
But then Su Ye continued speaking.
"What I do want to ask now, Your Majesty, is—would you like to become my personal maid?"