"A bunch of useless trash. An entire army of Chitauri wiped out on a tiny planet like Earth?!" Thanos's face was dark with fury.
"My king, if everything had gone according to plan, this should not have happened. But something unexpected occurred on that planet," Ebony Maw said respectfully.
"Unexpected?" At this point, Thanos still had no idea what had happened on Earth, nor of Roland Phils's existence.
"Yes. From the last fragments of information we received from the Chitauri, there was mention of a special being." Ebony Maw raised his hand, projecting a holographic image.
In the image, a woman stepped through the void, her every move tearing space apart as she effortlessly destroyed hundreds of starships.
This woman was none other than Bismarck, Roland's first saint.
"How interesting. Since when did Earth produce such a woman? Does she intend to replace the Sanctuary in guarding that weak little planet?" Thanos's expression shifted into curiosity.
As one of the universe's conquerors, an Eternal of terrifying might, he had no reason to fear her. In his mind, her strength would never surpass his own.
"My king, it is not just her. That planet is being guarded by more than one such being. They form an organization," Ebony Maw explained.
"What organization?"
"They call themselves the Church of Life."
"The Church of Life?"
"Yes. This church has taken the role of protector in place of the Sanctuary. And behind them is a being they worship, one they call the God of Life."
"The God of Life? Hah, like those hypocrites from Asgard?" Thanos's amusement deepened.
"Similar, but stronger. According to our findings, this God of Life cannot be underestimated. My king, we should not take this lightly." Ebony Maw lowered his head.
"If even you take them seriously, then they must be extraordinary. But it does not matter who they are. Anyone who dares oppose me will meet only one end: annihilation." Thanos's tone was calm, but the power radiating from him twisted the very space around his throne.
"Tell that Kree boy to move faster. If he fails in what I ordered, not only will our agreement be void, but he will be destroyed as well."
With that, Thanos vanished from his throne in an instant. Only then did the Black Order dare to raise their heads.
...
Inside Roland's divine realm.
The ship girls had gathered, all eyes on Bismarck floating in the air with her eyes closed. Gray streams of corruptive energy circled her body.
Ever since becoming a saint, Bismarck had been nurtured constantly by Roland's divine power. Now, the time for her breakthrough had arrived.
Under his guidance, a spark of divine force slowly condensed within her. Because she had no priesthood before, she needed to choose the aspect that defined her. For her, it was clear. Her essence was already bound to the power of Decay.
The streams of divine force cleansed her body, merging into one complete power.
A divine spark was born. Bismarck's soul and body transcended into an entirely new realm.
She had become a true god, a Primary True God.
Thunder rumbled. The Decay surrounding her transformed into an immense divine aura. The sea beneath surged violently, waves rising into a storm. Plants along the shore withered in moments, stripped of life.
Decay consumed all. That was her power.
But then, another force far greater descended from above. A torrent of life energy fell upon the land. Instantly, the trees and flowers revived, and the raging sea calmed.
Roland appeared before her, his presence steady and serene.
Seeing him, Bismarck knelt with reverence. "Thank you, my lord, for allowing me to step into this higher realm." Her voice trembled with emotion.
The difference between a Demigod and a True God was immeasurable.
"This is the result of your own effort. I merely pushed you along," Roland said with a faint smile.
"Without you, there would be no Bismarck. Everything I am belongs to you," she said firmly.
"Our lord's glory is boundless. Everything we are belongs to our lord!" the other ship girls knelt together, their voices united.
Roland nodded in satisfaction. His form faded, leaving behind only his divine decree echoing in their minds.
"We obey your command," they all responded with devotion.
...
In Asgard's throne room, Odin sat in silence, his presence heavy with authority. Guards dragged in Loki, bound in chains.
After Bismarck had struck him across the universe, Loki had drifted aimlessly for nearly a month, nearly perishing. Heimdall had found him with his all-seeing gaze and brought him back.
"Loki!" his mother cried out in worry, her voice full of tenderness.
Loki gave her a bitter smile. "Mother, do you still feel proud of me?"
"Child, please do not make things worse. Let go of your anger," she pleaded.
"Worse?" Loki sneered.
"Enough," Odin interrupted coldly. "I will speak with the prisoner alone."
His mother reluctantly left.
Loki smirked at her retreating back. "I don't understand why you didn't just let me die. Wouldn't that be easier?"
"You bring war, ruin, and death everywhere you go. Do you not see the weight of your crimes?" Odin roared, his fury spilling into the hall.
"And when you conquered, was it different? Without war, I would not even be your son. I went to Earth to rule as their god, just as you once did," Loki mocked.
"We are not gods. We are born, and we die, just as mortals do," Odin said sternly.
"True, we only outlive them by five thousand years," Loki sneered.
"You act only out of jealousy, seeking a crown you do not deserve," Odin said sharply.
"It is my right. I am a king!" Loki shouted.
"Your so-called right should have died with you in the icy wastelands. If I had not saved you, you would not be here to hate me," Odin said, his voice filled with anger and sorrow.
"Then kill me quickly. I am not unwilling to obey you. I simply refuse to listen," Loki spat.
"Your mother begged for your life. I will grant her that. But you will never see her again. You will spend the rest of your days in a cell."
"And Thor? You mean to let that fool be king while I rot in prison?" Loki demanded.
"Thor will restore the order you shattered. He will be king, ruler of the Nine Realms," Odin declared.
"Foolishness! You are an unfit king. This is not justice!" Loki screamed.
"You lack the character to rule. That is justice," Odin said coldly, waving his hand. Guards dragged Loki away to the dungeons.
When the hall was empty, Odin collapsed heavily on his throne, drained of strength.
Locking his own son away with his own hands—few could understand such pain.
He thought of another child, his firstborn, Hela. Was this a curse from fate? Were all his children doomed to rebel against him?
A ripple of space spread through the hall. Time itself froze. Only Odin remained free.
His eyes widened in shock. This was Asgard, the realm of the gods, surrounded by wards and enchantments. With the Bifrost broken, no one should be able to enter.
Except one.
The figure who stepped from the distortion confirmed it. The God of Life, Roland Phils.
"Locking your child in chains must weigh heavily on you," Roland said with a calm smile.
"Only a few days have passed, yet your power has grown beyond imagination. Truly astonishing," Odin said respectfully.
"I should thank your son. Without him, I would not have advanced so quickly," Roland replied with playful mockery.
Odin's expression stiffened. "My son has brought you trouble. I am grateful you spared his life."
Roland was now a Mid-tier True God, wielding 4,590 divine strands of power. Among his peers, he was already a giant. Odin knew he was no match. Against such a being, respect was the only choice.
"Words of gratitude are not enough. You know why I am here," Roland said, his smile carrying both weight and demand.
Odin sighed and nodded. "We had an agreement. I will honor it. But I also ask a favor in return. If you grant it, I will gift you another treasure."
"You wish to speak of the curse hanging over Asgard, do you not?" Roland said lightly.
Odin froze, stunned by how easily Roland saw through him. He had not uttered a word, yet the man had already pierced his heart.
"As expected of the God of Life. Nothing escapes your sight. Yes, it is about that. My time is short, and Ragnarok approaches. I have searched countless futures, and only you stand as the one who can change our fate. I beg of you," Odin said, bowing deeply.
The sight would have left others speechless. The All-Father himself, bowing to a young god.
But Odin knew well. Power ruled all. And Roland's power had already surpassed him.
"I can shield you from Ragnarok, but a mere Eternal Flame is not enough," Roland said calmly.
At the mention of the Eternal Flame, Odin's suspicion vanished. Roland truly saw everything. He had never even spoken the name aloud.
"Then, what do you want?" Odin asked cautiously.
"Simple. Everything," Roland said with a faint smile.
Odin hesitated, then let out a bitter laugh. "I understand. Come with me."
To offer up the treasures of Asgard in exchange for survival may seem foolish. But Odin knew that if Ragnarok came, Asgard would be destroyed anyway. What good would those relics do then?
Better to hand them over, securing Asgard's future and giving Thor a powerful ally once Odin was gone.
It was the only choice he could make.
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