Grand General of Asgard was no laughing matter.
That position commanded the entire Asgardian military.
If that woman ever went crazy again, those troops would become her sharpest blade.
At first, Noah didn't understand why Thor would even suggest it. But after thinking it through, he realized Thor had been far more calculating than he appeared.
First-Thor was about to level up.
Once he reached that stage, his strength would be on par with Hela's. What he needed afterward was time: time to adapt, time to learn from Fat Thor, and time to prepare before truly challenging her.
Second-even if Thor lost, it wouldn't be catastrophic.
In the original timeline, Odin had already died.
But now?
Odin had retired voluntarily.
And Odin's prestige was absolute.
If Odin didn't recognize Hela's claim, she would never hold the throne. One sentence would be enough:
"I gave you a chance. You failed. The throne belongs to Thor."
That alone would cause any troops following her to mutiny instantly.
Her position as Grand General would collapse overnight.
"Not bad. Very thorough," Noah smiled, patting Thor on the shoulder.
"You're starting to think like a real king."
"Good choice. You get peace of mind without worrying about her going rogue. You gain motivation to grow stronger. And you keep a powerful general under control. Well played."
"Huh?" Thor looked completely confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"Hela is my sister. She deserves a proper place in Asgard. And she's strong-Grand General is the only role that fits her."
"...That's it?" Noah blinked.
"You just wanted to give her a job?"
"What else?" Thor shrugged.
"She wants the throne, sure-but she can't have it. Grand General works. And keeping her in Asgard was my father's wish."
"...Right," Noah sighed.
"I definitely overthought that."
He shrugged it off.
Thor's decision-making wasn't really his concern anyway. Loki would handle the thinking-he always did. And even retired, Odin wouldn't let things spiral out of control.
If anyone tried to overturn Thor's rule, Odin would step in-just like the Ancient One always did.
Noah turned to find Hermione.
They'd already spent three days at feasts, explored much of Asgard, and seen plenty of its grandeur. But Asgard ruled the Nine Realms, and Noah had no intention of wasting such an opportunity.
This was a vacation.
But just as he stood to leave, Thor called out.
"Wait-one more thing."
Thor rose as well.
"My father asked me to tell you something... about the Valkyries."
Noah stopped instantly.
"The Valkyries," he repeated.
"I understand. I'll go see the King."
He hadn't forgotten them.
This involved two matters Noah cared deeply about:
Resurrection magic.
Soul summoning.
He had promised to find a way to bring them back-but that required locating their souls first.
Odin had already found a suitable place long ago. What he lacked back then was confidence in Noah's capabilities.
Now?
That obstacle was gone.
Thor had taken the throne.
Hela was contained.
The time was right.
Noah was personally fascinated by that realm and the magic involved. There was no reason to refuse.
But just as he was about to leave, the doors burst open.
Loki rushed in.
"What is it?" Noah asked, frowning.
"Actually-never mind. Asgardian business?"
"Wait," Loki said sharply, unusually serious.
"Don't rush."
"Someone's coming."
"If I'm not mistaken... it's Thanos's people."
Noah froze.
"...Thanos?"
He turned back slowly.
"Explain. Clearly."
"That's what I'm doing," Loki snapped, then exhaled and spoke fast.
A short while ago, Asgard's sensors detected an incoming ship.
Because of the coronation festivities, Asgard was at peak readiness. They issued a warning.
The ship responded.
They claimed they required passage to Earth.
Their reason?
Someone there had stolen their property.
They had come to retrieve it.
The envoy identified himself as Ebony Maw.
A notorious sorcerer-cunning, cruel, eloquent.
And more importantly...
A servant of someone no one in the galaxy could ignore.
Thanos.
"Looks like your Stones have been noticed," Loki said with thinly veiled delight.
"So? Need help? Asgard can intercept them for you."
Noah was silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Hmph. Let them come."
"But I'll need help with what follows," he added calmly.
"Especially you, Lord Regent. You'll handle negotiations for me."
"...Regent?" Loki froze.
"What? Since when am I Regent?"
"Since your brother decided it just now," Noah said, patting his shoulder.
"He just hasn't told you yet."
Noah turned to Thor.
"I'll handle this. You take care of everything else."
"And keep an eye on Fat Thor. He's my friend-and he's you. Make sure he feels at home."
Thor didn't speak.
He nodded firmly.
Even without Noah's words, he would have done so. Seeing another version of himself-bloated, awkward, broken-was strange.
But Thor had already decided.
That man had suffered enough.
This was his home now.
Noah smiled and nodded back.
After Loki provided the ship's location, Noah activated his magic and vanished from the palace.
-
"Damn it!" Loki shouted the moment Noah disappeared, grabbing Thor by the collar.
"Regent?! You didn't tell me first?! You didn't tell me first?!"
"You don't want the position?" Thor frowned.
"I can take it back-"
"Like hell you will!" Loki spluttered.
"If you do that, I'll- I'll-"
"You'll what?" Thor cut him off.
"Stop babbling. Go find Hela. She's our Grand General now."
"Let's prepare. I want to see what Noah does."
"...She's the Grand General?" Loki blinked.
"Oh. I see. You really have grown up."
"Enough," Thor snapped.
"You and Noah speak in riddles. Move it, idiot-we're following him."
-
Space rippled.
In the next instant, Noah appeared in the silent, pitch-black void.
Ahead of him, a massive ring-shaped ship cruised through the stars.
Noah looked at it-and smiled with disdain.
A terrifying rhythm pulsed from his body.
A transparent ring expanded outward.
Within it, eight colors intertwined, and six radiant orbs began to orbit him.
Tch.
If I'd obtained the Holy Light earlier, I'd have eight by now, he thought.
No matter.
His gaze hardened.
Whether this was a probe-or desperation-Noah couldn't ignore it.
He was Earth's Sorcerer Supreme.
"You want the Infinity Stones?" Noah muttered.
"Dream on."
"You want to snap your fingers?"
"Try again in your next life."
The six orbs erupted with blinding brilliance.
A wave of incomprehensible mana exploded into the vacuum.
Light tore through darkness.
Before the ring-ship could react, it was swallowed whole.
Space collapsed.
A horrifying black hole formed-devouring everything in that sector.
When the distortion faded...
The ship was gone.
Gone without a trace.