Hela's voice boomed across the crater, sharp as a blade.
Ryuuto sighed. "You're right, you are beautiful. But beauty alone doesn't mean I'll marry you—or co-rule your death kingdom. Either way, I'm not interested."
Hela tilted her head, green eyes glinting mischievously. "Then what are you interested in? Men?"
"…"
For a second, Ryuuto was speechless. This woman—this literal goddess of death—had gone from icy queen to… whatever this was. A total switch.
Moments ago, she'd fought like a divine executioner. Now she was flirting like a lunatic. Maybe this was what happened when someone spent eternity ruling ghosts—social skills eroded faster than corpses.
When he didn't answer, Hela continued with a straight face.
"If you prefer men, I can accommodate that. My form is malleable. I can be slim, muscular, pale, dark, even rainbow-colored if you want. Here, I'll transform into a handsome soldier—"
"Stop!" Ryuuto yelled, eyes wide. "Hela, I'm straight! And I already have a girlfriend!"
She blinked innocently. "What does that have to do with me?"
"…Excuse me?"
Her tone was so matter-of-fact it froze him in place.
Ryuuto frowned. "You don't care if your man already has someone?"
"Of course not. Strength defines right. It's normal for the strong to have many women," she said calmly. "But it's ridiculous for the weak to do the same. The number of women a man has should match his power. You defeated me—so you're qualified."
Ryuuto stared at her, deadpan. "Your logic sounds like it came straight out of a cult."
"This is logic," Hela countered smoothly. "Since ancient times, women seek protection. A strong man can protect many. If you don't take them in, weaker men will—and they'll die. Wouldn't that be cruel?"
"…Why do you almost sound convincing?" he muttered.
"Because I speak the truth."
Ryuuto rubbed his temples. She was stunning, terrifying, and utterly insane.
Marriage talk wasn't his thing, but he knew one thing: giving in to Hela would be like hugging a live nuke.
Even with her torn gown and devilish allure, he wasn't falling for that.
"Hela," he said finally, "marriage should be based on emotion, not power or impulse. You dropping this on me out of nowhere? Hard pass."
"Then let's date first," Hela said brightly, like she'd just suggested lunch. "There's nothing urgent in the underworld right now. And this world looks fun. You'll be my guide, Ryuuto. Show me around."
Ryuuto's mind blanked.
How do I uninstall a goddess of death?
Before he could answer, she vanished—snapping out of sight like mist in sunlight.
Just as Ryuuto started to exhale, Natasha Romanoff and Katie Dee returned, clearly having overheard everything.
They looked… horrified.
"You two," came Hela's sudden voice behind them, her hands casually resting on their shoulders, "you're his wives, right?"
Natasha stiffened. "I'm his friend."
Katie crossed her arms. "I'm his sister."
"Oh?" Hela smiled, eyes glinting. "So you're both potential concubines."
"NO."
"NO."
Their voices overlapped like an alarm.
Hela only sighed, as if explaining basic math. "This is a world ruled by strength. Weak women need strong men to survive. Friends becoming lovers is natural. Even siblings marrying isn't uncommon in some realms—it keeps bloodlines pure."
Both Natasha and Katie just stared in stunned silence.
Natasha finally said, "Ryuuto, maybe you should just marry her and rule the Underworld. It might save the rest of us from going insane."
Before he could respond, Hela appeared right in front of him again—so close he instinctively stepped back.
"Hela!" he barked. "Let's pretend I didn't beat you. Just go back to your underworld before your souls start a rebellion!"
She only smirked. "Rebellion? I'm the queen. Souls rise, I erase them. Simple."
Ryuuto exhaled hard. "Alright, then tell me how I send you back."
Her expression softened—too much. "So you don't want to be with me anymore?"
"At least for now."
"Then I should warn you," she whispered, her eyes glowing with cold fire. "If you abandon me, consequences will follow."
"You planning to fight me again?" he said dryly.
"No," she said softly. "I told you before—Odin sent me. He believes you've been summoning souls. That's why I came here. He's waiting for my report back at my palace."
Ryuuto's eyes darkened. "And what exactly are you telling him?"
"I haven't decided yet." She smiled faintly. "Depends on how you treat me."
He scowled. "You know I don't like being threatened."
"It's not a threat," Hela replied sweetly. "Just… a statement of fact."
....
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