Chapter Twenty-One: Blackmailing Siv

The three warriors of the Celestial Palace and Sif were feeling rather frustrated. They had only just been transported here by the Rainbow Bridge and were hoping to find someone to ask for information, but the crowd before them suddenly dispersed with a rush, leaving only those preparing for battle.

Though these weapons seemed extremely primitive to the four from Asgard, the dark muzzles still carried deadly power.

“We are warriors from Asgard. Who among you is the king here?” Fandral called out.

He was met with silent disregard and the sound of bolts being drawn. The eyes of the crowd shifted to the backs of the three warriors.

Seeing the stance, Fandral realized there would be no peaceful resolution today and shouted in anger, “Mortals, who gave you the courage to defy the Celestial Palace?”

Again, there was only silent indifference.

“The passage of time has made you mortals forget the majesty of the Celestial Palace. Let me teach you a lesson, so you may witness the might of Asgard’s warriors.” Fandral drew his weapon and prepared to advance.

Sif grabbed Fandral, rebuking him sternly, “We are here to find Thor, not to start a war.”

“But these mortals are so insolent!” Fandral cried, pointing angrily at the SHIELD agents.

Sif held Fandral back, stepped forward, and raised her voice, “Warriors of Midgard and your king, hear me! We seek the prince of Asgard and request that you lend us four horses. Asgard shall reward you generously in time.”

“Medieval arrogance…” Yang Xin shook his head and stepped forward. “Warriors of Asgard, hear me. Your prince, Thor of the Aesir, is in our custody. If you wish to reclaim him, you must offer something in exchange.”

“What? Thor is in your hands? What have you done to him?” The three warriors believed Thor had been captured and grew furious, drawing their weapons.

“Thor is with them!” Sif’s words halted the warriors in their tracks.

Sif’s heart tightened. Since the other party knew of Asgard—and even their Aesir lineage—it meant they were well informed about their side, while she knew nothing of theirs. Worse yet, Loki lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike…

“We Asgardians have never feared war!” Sif declared forcefully.

“Midgard and Asgard have been allies from ancient times,” Yang Xin replied. “As allies, we must respect each other’s sovereignty and not interfere in internal affairs. Yet you, your prince Thor, and your acting god-king Loki have disregarded these bonds, trespassing on allied territory without formal interstellar notification. At best, this is interference; at worst, it is inciting interstellar war. We have detained Thor—where is our fault?”

“Not only are we blameless, but our actions are reasonable, just, and lawful. We intended, in the spirit of humanitarianism and alliance, to return your prince to your god-king for judgment. Yet your prince refused to leave, and incited conflict between us and your acting god-king, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Is it not fair to request compensation?” Yang Xin spoke, with a serious air, though his words were half nonsense.

“You have already fought Loki?” Sif exchanged glances with the three warriors, joy flickering in their eyes. In this moment of crisis, another ally was welcome.

“Yes, just last night. Though we suffered heavy losses and countless resources destroyed, we managed to drive back your acting god-king. Do you wish to provoke war? Asgard may not fear war, but neither does Midgard! All units, prepare!” Yang Xin’s command rang out.

Under Nick Fury’s silent signal, SHIELD agents cooperated, weapons loaded, poised as if war would erupt at any moment.

“Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding! We did not come to wage war against Midgard, and Loki is not our god-king. He is a scheming usurper. We seek to recover our prince and expose Loki’s treachery!” Sif rushed to explain.

“Is that truly so?” Yang Xin feigned skepticism.

“It is!” Sif replied firmly.

“How can you prove it?”

“I swear by my name, Sif, goddess of earth and harvest, that every word I have spoken is true,” Sif vowed solemnly.

“The name of the goddess of earth and harvest is indeed trustworthy.” Yang Xin waved his hand, and the SHIELD agents lowered their guns, signaling no intent to attack.

“Though the misunderstanding is resolved, our losses must be compensated. After all, we fought for your prince, fulfilling our duty as allies. But the damages…” Yang Xin wasted no time in extorting compensation.

“What do you want?” Sif asked nervously, fearing he would demand some artifact.

“Your standard interstellar warships from Asgard,” Yang Xin gestured with two fingers.

Upon hearing Yang Xin’s request, Sif and the others visibly relaxed. Fandral muttered, disdainful, “I thought you wanted compensation of some real value…”

“Twenty standard interstellar warships from Asgard. No problem. Once we return with Thor, we’ll deliver them,” Sif declared, thumping her chest, as if in their eyes, warships were less valuable than a sword.

Yang Xin was delighted. He had only hoped to get two ships, but the generous Sif had offered twenty.

Yang Xin’s face nearly bore the words “reckless spender.”

Beside him, Nick Fury discreetly signaled “10,” meaning half for each. Yang Xin nodded imperceptibly.

Negotiations finished, the uncle accompanied Thor out of the tent, chatting and laughing.

“Sif, Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun, you’ve come!” Thor was elated, embracing each warmly.

“Thor, we must return to Asgard—Loki…” Sif began, but was interrupted by Yang Xin.

“I’m afraid you won’t be leaving.”

“What do you mean? You intend to detain us?” Fandral roared.

Yang Xin shot the brainless warrior a cold glance and jerked his chin forward.

Suddenly, a Rainbow Bridge descended, and a gigantic figure appeared before them.

“The Destroyer!” Sif and the three warriors cried out in unison.

“Fire support!” Nick Fury, seeing the Destroyer land, immediately gave the order.

Quinjets, helicopters, artillery, and gunfire poured their munitions onto the Destroyer, its form instantly engulfed by the barrage.

“It’s useless. This is King Odin’s armor. These outdated powder weapons not only can’t harm it, they actually strengthen the Destroyer,” Sif shook her head.

Nick Fury immediately activated his Sharingan, observing the battle unfold as Sif had said. When he saw the Destroyer’s face start to shift, signaling a powerful attack, he shouted, “Retreat!”

Quinjets and helicopters turned and fled; SHIELD agents dropped their weapons and bolted. The Destroyer’s energy blast didn’t harm anyone, but it obliterated the artillery positions.

“Add ten more interstellar warships,” Yang Xin whispered in Sif’s ear.

“If you can defeat the Destroyer, not just ten—one hundred, if need be!” Sif was speechless at Yang Xin’s haggling, but under the threat of the Destroyer’s devastating power, she blurted out without thinking.

“You said it. The goddess of earth and harvest would never break her word, right?” Yang Xin whispered intimately.

“I swear by my name, goddess of earth and harvest, as long as you can protect Thor…”

Sif hadn’t finished speaking when her eyes widened. Yang Xin signaled Nick Fury.

“Human Cannon, level one, ready!”

“Human Cannon, level two, ready!”

“Human Cannon, fire!”

“Cosmos!” The warrior Coulson stepped forward.

“Whaa~ Whaa~ Transform!” Starlight flashed beneath the sun, Natasha transformed, appearing as the Bronze Saint of Cygnus.

Scarlet Sharingan spun wildly, three tomoe shifting into scythes—the Mangekyo Sharingan, Nick Fury, entered the fray.

This was Yang Xin’s battle plan—the first wave would be these three.

“Anything can be cut—Laser Saber!” Coulson struck first.

“The brilliance of absolute zero—Diamond Stardust Fist!” Natasha followed.

“A beautiful meteor crossing the galaxy—Destruction, Divine Power!” Nick Fury struck last.