Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/Draco_
You can also read on my website:
tlmasters.xyz
I'd really appreciate your support. Every membership helps keep me motivated to continue translating and releasing chapters consistently.
*****
The conflict was localized in Vanaheim, Hogun's homeland. Feny had heard him speak of it before—a realm where, alongside the Vanir gods, lived numerous dangerous, non-humanoid races. The environment was so perilous that some tribes in the region still maintained a nomadic lifestyle just to survive.
Even during times of peace, Asgardian warriors were frequently dispatched there to assist the populace in dealing with predatory species.
Feny didn't spend much time deliberating. Thor was preparing to depart immediately, and Feny eventually decided to tag along. Joining the fray meant a potential windfall of experience points; books could always be read later, but if he missed out on quelling a rebellion, there was no telling when the next opportunity for mass combat would arise.
He found Thor, who was already fully geared up, and informed him of his intention to join the campaign.
"No," Thor replied, surprisingly rejecting the request. "Asgard has no precedent for allowing guests to serve as soldiers. My father would never permit it."
"I don't mind the breach of etiquette," Feny countered, looking Thor in the eye. "Besides, I already planned on visiting Vanaheim to see the sights."
Thor remained firm, shaking his head. "In that case, Heimdall can send you to a secure location, or you can wait until we have pacified the rebellion before you cross over."
Feny felt a headache coming on. Looking at the stubborn Prince, he decided to change tactics and provoke him. "Don't you still want to beat me? Let's turn this into a competition. We'll see who takes down more enemies and who brings peace to the battlefield first. Whoever does better wins the match. How about it?"
In the time since their big duel, the two had sparred several more times. However, those matches were never as intense; Thor had failed to re-trigger his "lightning-eye" state and, consequently, hadn't managed a single win.
Thor had grown smarter, though. Realizing he couldn't overpower Feny, he had started turning matches into contests of sheer endurance. On a few occasions, he had hunkered down defensively for hours, refusing to concede until Feny was forced to call it a draw just so they could go eat.
At Feny's proposal, Thor's eyes gleamed with interest, but memories of his ill-fated excursion to Jotunheim with Loki flashed through his mind. He hesitated. "Why are you so insistent on coming? This war has nothing to do with you."
Feny obviously couldn't tell him he was hunting for experience points, so he offered a more noble, high-minded justification.
"If they can incite a war in Vanaheim, they could potentially do the same on Earth. I want to understand our enemies firsthand so I'm not caught as blind as I was when the Chitauri arrived."
Thor's expression turned solemn. "Heimdall watches over all, and Asgard would never allow such a thing to happen to Midgard!"
"I don't like placing my safety in the hands of others," Feny replied, shaking his head. "Let me come along and help. I promise to follow your command."
Feny had heard plenty of war stories from the Warriors Three lately and had a decent grasp of Thor's "commanding style." It suited Feny perfectly, as it could be summed up in one sentence:
Just charge in and smash things.
Looking at Feny's determined face, Thor wavered. "But the All-Father will not be pleased."
"Don't worry about that. I'll sneak off with you now, and I'll explain everything to His Majesty when we get back."
Feny wasn't worried about Odin's wrath. He had sensed that Odin seemed quite keen on keeping him around; the treatment he'd received—from the food to the accommodations—had been top-tier.
However, Feny remained wary of Odin. Beyond the old king's power, it was his wisdom that Feny feared. Thinking back to the plots of his past life, Feny was troubled by one specific thing: when Odin was near death, why did he choose to go to Earth? Loki's meddling played a part, but even after Doctor Strange helped, why didn't he leave?
Feny didn't believe for a second that Odin was afraid of Loki or lacked the power to depart. He suspected Odin had stayed on Earth by design. He knew Hela would break her seal the moment he died, and returning to Asgard would bring immediate disaster to his people.
He had likely stayed on Earth hoping the Sorcerer Supreme or Earth's defenders would deal with Hela. Feny even suspected Odin had intentionally directed her arrival there. Unfortunately, things hadn't gone as planned—Doctor Strange hadn't interfered in family business, and Heimdall had been replaced at the gates. Ultimately, Asgard was destroyed anyway.
Because of this, Feny stayed vigilant. No matter how friendly Odin seemed, there had to be an underlying motive.
"Heimdall won't agree to it either," Thor pointed out. The Bifrost was Asgard's most convenient transit system, and Heimdall was the ticket-taker; you didn't go anywhere without his say-so.
"No problem. I'll handle him," Feny said with an air of confidence. While others might be a challenge, he felt he had a good chance of swaying the Gatekeeper.
Seeing Feny's assurance, Thor finally nodded in resignation. "Fine. But you must follow orders. And if Heimdall says no, there's nothing I can do."
"Deal!"
Since the main army was still mobilizing, Feny joined Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three as they headed to the Bifrost observatory ahead of the troops. The moment they arrived, Heimdall stared at Feny with a stony expression.
"I will not permit it," he stated flatly.
"When I return, I'll come here with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and keep you company for a whole day," Feny offered.
"Two days."
"Done."
Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three stared blankly at the two as they reached a settlement with such suspicious ease.
"Is something wrong?" Heimdall asked, turning his head toward the group.
Thor snapped out of it and looked at Feny, then turned worriedly to Heimdall. "Are you sure this is alright?"
"It is fine." Heimdall glanced at Feny. He was one of the few who had truly intuited Odin's long-term designs, which was the real reason he allowed it. Without that tacit understanding, no amount of dragon-cuddling would have moved him.
"The situation on the ground is grim. You should hurry," Heimdall added solemnly. Part of the reason he agreed was Feny's power; a sorcerer of his caliber could bring the rebellion to a swift conclusion.
At those words, the group stopped worrying about Feny's presence. Hogun, his face etched with worry for his home, hurried toward the center of the chamber.
Feny and the others followed, standing within the transport circle. Heimdall drew his sword and stepped onto the pedestal to activate the Bifrost.
This was Feny's first time using the Rainbow Bridge. He felt a mix of curiosity and nerves. As the machine roared to life, a powerful suction force suddenly pulled at him, and the world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of light as he was hurled toward Vanaheim.
(End of Chapter)