Jane walked forward, and a police officer approached from the other side.
"Are you Jane Foster?" the officer asked.
"Yes, officer," Jane replied politely.
"Do you know that man?" The officer pointed at someone being searched.
"Yes, he's my intern's intern," Jane said awkwardly.
"You trespassed on private property. You need to come with us," the officer said as he reached for his handcuffs.
But the moment his hand touched Jane's arm, a terrifying burst of energy exploded from her body.
The shockwave sent every police officer flying through the air as if they were weightless. Even the police cars nearby were blown away by the force.
The scene stunned everyone present.
Thor was shocked too. He rushed to Jane, who was dizzy and struggling to stay upright.
The police quickly recovered, raising their guns at Thor and Jane.
"Hands on your head, now!" one of them shouted.
Thor glared at them and growled, "She's unwell. She needs rest."
"She's dangerous! We're placing her under arrest," the officer replied nervously.
"I'm dangerous too. Lower your guns before I'm forced to act," Thor warned.
"Dangerous individuals confirmed. Requesting immediate armed backup!" the officer shouted into his radio.
Thor's expression darkened. Just months ago he had fought to protect this world, yet now, these very humans did not even recognize him. Worse, they wanted to arrest him. The feeling was bitter.
He was about to strike when a beam of holy white light suddenly descended from the sky, blocking the path between Thor and the police.
The officers froze, their expressions shifting to reverence.
From within the divine light, a man in the robes of the Life Church stepped forward.
"Leave these two to me. You don't have to worry anymore," he said calmly.
Recognizing him, the officers straightened immediately. "Since Priest Vog has come forward, of course we have no objections."
Because of the Hell Dimension's descent and the Battle of New York, Vog, the Life Church's earthly representative, had risen to become a seventh-rank epic-level powerhouse. His name had spread worldwide. Everyone knew him.
As the chosen representative of the Lord of Life, his status was unrivaled. And since the officers here were also believers of the Lord of Life, they dared not refuse him.
"You two, come with me. Lady Effie wishes to see you," Vog said to Jane and Thor, his tone calm but firm.
He waved his hand, and a glowing space portal appeared before them. Vog stepped inside without hesitation.
Thor hesitated, then helped Jane through the portal.
In an instant, the three of them vanished.
"Farewell, Priest Vog!" the police saluted toward the portal before it faded.
"No wonder the Holy Light Order is so respected. Even the police have to bow to them. If only I could join them," one officer muttered enviously.
Meanwhile, Jane and Thor emerged from the portal into a lavish and quiet room.
"Where is this? And who is Lady Effie? The one I saw on television?" Jane asked curiously, following Vog.
Thor quickly shot her a warning look, signaling her to stay quiet.
Jane had no idea who Effie truly was, but Thor remembered all too well. During the Battle of New York, among those goddess-like women, one of the most powerful had been named Effie. She was a high priestess of the Holy Light Order, second only to Roland Phils himself. Her strength surpassed even his. She was a trusted confidant of the Lord of Life.
She was not someone Jane could afford to offend.
Thor, wary, tried to keep Jane in check. But Jane's curiosity couldn't be contained.
Vog, however, proved more patient and approachable than Thor expected.
"This is the grand estate of the Roland family," Vog explained. "And yes, Lady Effie is the one you mentioned. She is the saint of the Lord of Life, a figure of immense importance. Please remain quiet. Lady Effie values peace."
"Someone so important wants to meet me? But I'm just an ordinary woman," Jane whispered.
"Until today, yes. But that moment has passed. From now on, your identity is no longer ordinary," Vog said meaningfully.
Jane blinked in confusion. "I… don't understand what you mean."
Thor's frown deepened, and he looked at Vog with suspicion, eager to know more.
"You'll understand soon enough. Lady Effie will explain everything. Please wait here," Vog said.
Just as he finished, soft footsteps echoed outside.
The door opened, revealing a breathtaking woman in a flowing white dress, like an angel descended from heaven.
Even Jane, as a woman herself, could not deny her beauty. But it was not just her face or figure, it was her aura. She radiated a sacred purity, untouchable and noble, like an otherworldly celestial.
This was none other than Effie, the steward of the Roland estate.
Now elevated to demi-god status, her power rivaled that of the greatest sorcerers. With her Saint Spirit Ring and Roland's divine blessings, her white magic was even greater than Doctor Strange's.
"You don't understand because you don't yet know what has happened to you," Effie said softly, her voice carrying weight.
She gestured gracefully, and two chairs materialized behind Jane and Thor. "Sit."
Vog bowed deeply. "Lady Effie, I'll take my leave."
Effie nodded without looking at him. Her gaze remained locked on Jane.
Within the Divine Realm of Roland Phils, great changes had taken place since he created the four great races.
Generations of new life had flourished. From an initial population of only one hundred thousand, the number continued to rise.
Though still small compared to the outside universe, this growth represented hope. It was the beginning of something greater.
Life, by its nature, would expand exponentially as long as no restrictions were placed upon it. In time, the four races would grow into billions, providing Roland with endless faith.
This faith would serve as the foundation for his rise to even higher realms.
Inside the Temple of Life, Roland sat calmly upon his throne. Behind him stood Bismarck and Akagi, both lower True Gods, serving him with utmost devotion.
The sight would have left outsiders speechless.
For beings of their level, akin to Odin himself, to be massaging Roland's shoulders and feet, was unthinkable. Yet here they were, treating him with absolute reverence.
Such was the power and authority of the Lord of Life.
"Master," Bismarck said respectfully, "as you foresaw, the Reality Stone has appeared. It has fused into a human woman. Effie has already gone to handle the matter."
Roland nodded lightly. "Good. Let her deal with it. Once it is complete, she will be handsomely rewarded."
At this moment, Roland possessed 7,900 strands of divine power. To ignite his Godfire and ascend as a Main God, he required 10,000. With his current daily intake of faith, a single year would be enough to reach that number.
So even without Infinity Stones, ascension was within his grasp.
Yet, treasures like the Infinity Stones were not to be wasted. If one could be claimed, it would only hasten his rise.
Collecting them, however, no longer required him to act personally. His followers were more than capable.
The Power Stone had been secured by Akagi and her group. This time, the Reality Stone would fall under Effie's responsibility.
"Generous rewards?" Akagi's voice turned teasing as she leaned closer. "Master, I too crave your rewards. Do you have another task for me?"
Roland chuckled. "Didn't I reward you just a few days ago? And generously at that. Are you already asking for more?"
"Master, one can never have too many rewards," Akagi replied with a sultry smile. "Right, Bismarck?"
Though usually stoic, even Bismarck agreed. "As much as I dislike admitting it, Akagi is right. Your rewards can never be too many, Master."
Roland laughed softly. "If that's how you both feel, then how could I deny you? There are no tasks at the moment. But rewards… as many as you desire."
Delight lit their faces, and without hesitation, both women moved before him, kneeling in devotion.
Meanwhile, back at the Roland estate, Effie studied Jane Foster with interest.
"What a vast and mysterious power. No wonder even my Lord is intrigued," she said.
Jane and Thor were both confused.
But Thor, sensitive to energy, could sense something unusual within Jane. The surge she released earlier against the police proved it.
"My lady," Jane asked carefully, "what is happening to me?"
"You now host a force strong enough to destroy worlds," Effie explained calmly. "By all rights, your mortal body should not be able to withstand it. Yet you have. My Lord always says, where there is abnormality, there is danger. This power is no coincidence. There is a greater conspiracy behind it. That is why I am here."
Jane's face paled, still struggling to comprehend.
Thor, however, went silent, then muttered, "The Convergence… Could this be connected to the alignment of the Nine Realms?"
Effie's gaze turned distant as she looked through the window, her sight piercing the skies and into the universe itself.
"Yes. With the magic bestowed by my Lord, I have seen it. The Nine Realms are aligning, a cosmic event that happens once in millennia. And within it, I sense a great evil rushing toward us, intent on descending into our world."
"Dark Elves," Thor whispered grimly.
"Oh? So you know of them?" Effie asked, intrigued.
Thor nodded. "My father told me long ago. The Nine Realms are not eternal. They began in dawn and will end in darkness. Before dawn, the Dark Elves ruled all. Their leader, Malekith, wielded the Aether, a weapon of pure darkness. The Aether is a fluid force, turning matter into dark substance. It seeks hosts, feeding on their life force. Malekith once tried to use it to return the universe to darkness. But after a great war, my grandfather Bor defeated him, granting us peace for thousands of years."
Jane's eyes widened. "Are you saying what's inside me is this… Aether?"
Thor nodded grimly. "Ninety percent certain."
Jane's hands trembled. "If what you're saying is true, then I'm in danger?"
Effie's expression hardened. "Not just you. Our entire world is in danger."
Hey guys! If you liked this chapter, please consider supporting with power stone, or join my Patreon for new chapters ahead of the webnovel.
Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations