Kurohane did indeed command Odin to stop, but his command was as if unheard by Danvers. When Odin pulled back Gungnir, his great spear, Danvers unceremoniously threw a powered-up punch to Odin's face. Cheers erupted again from the Valkyries; if they had physical bodies, Asgardian custom would likely have them throwing their boots in the air.
Danvers wasn't finished yet, but a thick energy rope suddenly coiled around her waist. It didn't bind her tightly, but rather served as a firm gesture from Kurohane. Danvers snorted coldly, letting the golden light around her dim, then walked over to Kurohane. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice carrying a deep note of annoyance. "I'm not done fighting!"
"Well, this isn't our fault," Kurohane replied casually. "I was the one who freed Hela, even occupying the prison where she was held. Now Odin, the rightful owner of what was lost, has come to make a claim. Isn't this normal? You, a respectable Captain Marvel, the embodiment of justice, is it okay to rob people?"
"But you're the one who robbed them," Danvers countered, her eyebrows raised. "What does that have to do with me?"
Kurohane was silent for a moment. His eyes widened in disbelief. "Now she's dissociating herself from me! You're still the chief enforcer of my organization, you're abandoning me in just one day?"
"Alright, enough talk. Let me handle it." Kurohane glanced at Danvers, retracted his wings, but his grip on the Spear of Eternity became firmer.
Odin limped over, enduring the pain from Danvers' punch. However, as he passed the Valkyries, he didn't dare to meet their eyes. The Valkyries' gazes were so piercing and full of rage. If only they had physical bodies, they might have already pounced on and torn Odin apart.
"Odin, what's your plan?" Kurohane cut in before Odin could speak. "Do you plan to let your daughter become the new King of Hell, then bring trouble to Kamar-Taj? If I hadn't found it earlier, your daughter would have become the second Dormammu by now!" Kurohane gave him no quarter.
"If my power hadn't grown so rapidly and I hadn't purified this part of the Hell Dimension, you would have caused a great disaster! Now, I officially represent Kamar-Taj to protest against Asgard and demand a detailed explanation from you."
Kurohane was right. Kamar-Taj didn't care who held power on Earth, the Nine Realms, or the Universe. But anyone who dared to associate with an aggressive Dimension King would be labeled as a threat.
Danvers' face showed shock. She never imagined Kurohane could, with just a few sentences, change himself from a robber into a law enforcer carrying out justice. It was truly brilliant.
Kurohane's words left Odin speechless. Initially, he thought Kurohane was just a stubborn youth. But now, he saw how flexible Kurohane's moral standards were, at least, they were very flexible for himself.
Odin was no fool. Even a pig, after living for a thousand years, could become clever. Over his long lifespan, he had seen things far more complex than this.
"Actually, this Netherworld is a dowry I prepared for my future son-in-law," Odin said, changing tactics. "Now that you've accepted the gift, when do you plan to hold the wedding? I think the eighth of next month is a good day on your Eastern calendar!"
Odin avoided getting entangled in the Dark Dimension argument and went straight for Kurohane's weakness. Years ago, he and Frigga had indeed intended to marry Kurohane to Silvie, but there was no interest between them. At that time, Kurohane's power wasn't enough to control Hela. Now, he had improved by leaps and bounds and even transformed the Netherworld into his own dimension.
Even the Valkyrie army prepared for Hela had now pledged loyalty to Kurohane. All the dowry had been taken. It was too late to back down. Odin had to press Kurohane today.
"You're ugly, but you have a beautiful dream!" Kurohane shook his head. "Hela is hundreds of cycles older than me! Even though her face is indeed high-class, I still don't like her!"
Kurohane's expression stiffened, looking angry and frustrated. "This old man's calculations are so cunning! He's practically an evil spirit! So, after all my hard work in seizing a part of the Hell Dimension, now you're telling me not only was the loot taken, but I also have to sell myself and work for Asgard for the rest of my life?"
Odin's plan was so clear in Kurohane's mind: take advantage of the fact that Kurohane couldn't leave the Netherworld at the moment, and fully pull him into Asgard's ranks. If Kurohane married Hela, Asgard would gain two tough fighters. The war-hungry Hela would be more controlled under Kurohane's watch. If Odin died, and Hela inherited the throne, Kurohane could act as a brake on Asgard. If Thor inherited, Kurohane could suppress Hela from usurping his brother's throne.
Suddenly, the atmosphere became weird. Danvers watched leisurely, but Hela wasn't having it. She released her dark green Divine Power, struggling to break free from the Phoenix Force's restraint. But Kurohane quickly summoned another rope of Holy Energy, wrapping her up like a mummy.
Seeing how easily Kurohane suppressed Hela, Odin became even more satisfied with his ideal "son-in-law."
"I know, young men are afraid of marriage, but don't worry, we Asgardians don't have divorce! Our loyalty to marriage is far beyond your imagination. After the marriage, I won't rush you about children. If it's still not enough, how about I add more to the dowry? I can build a palace for you two!"
"Do you think I don't know what Asgard is like?" Kurohane sneered. "You don't have divorce, you only have widows!"
Odin looked sincere. From a modern point of view, he was almost the best father-in-law in the world. He not only gave the Netherworld as a branch company, but also a bunch of capable employees. He was even ready to give a lavish new home.
But Kurohane was no longer the young Chu Nan. He had become a real man with Karina, and gentle girls were more to his liking. He wouldn't even accept a woman as strong as Hela or Danvers.
"Then give me back the Netherworld and Hela!" Kurohane demanded.
"Netherworld? Where is there a Netherworld?" Odin dodged.
Seeing Odin prepared to be unreasonable, Kurohane did the same. "You said it's yours? If you call it, will it answer you?"