Even though the space was barely two cubic meters—and couldn't store living beings—it was still unbelievably practical for Antony.
From now on, when he borrowed things…
Right. Borrowed.
He wouldn't have to worry about his skintight suit having no pockets anymore.
For example—purely hypothetically—Infinity Stones.
…
"You continue to surprise me, Homelander," Frigga said with genuine admiration.
"Even in Asgard, very few can grasp spatial magic in such a short time. Your magical reserves are minimal, but your mental strength is extraordinary. Perhaps your unique abilities allow you to perceive matter differently than most."
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty," Antony replied, standing and offering a gentleman's bow.
"This was far more interesting than I expected."
Frigga stepped forward. With a soft flash of light in her hand, a golden gauntlet appeared.
Antony already knew what it was—but he played along.
"This is…?"
"A relic from Odin's vault," Frigga said, placing it on the table.
"A replica of the Infinity Gauntlet."
The six gemstones embedded in it gleamed brilliantly—though all were fake.
"The stones are false," she continued, "but the gauntlet itself is forged from Uru, a prototype crafted by the Dwarven King. It cannot withstand the combined eruption of all six stones—but it can serve as a container. More importantly, it allows you to wield the power of a single stone without suffering energy backlash."
Antony picked it up.
Heavy.
Very heavy.
He slipped it on.
Click—click—click.
The gauntlet adjusted automatically, fitting his right hand perfectly.
"Excellent," Antony murmured, clenching his fist, savoring the tangible weight of power.
"Antony," Frigga said suddenly, her voice drifting, tinged with something unspoken.
"Thor… he is a good child. But too impulsive. Too easily swayed by emotion. If—"
"I'll watch over him," Antony finished calmly, his eyes sincere.
"After all, we're comrades-in-arms."
Frigga studied him deeply, as if trying to see through every layer of his soul.
In the end, she simply reached out—like a mother—and gently straightened the red collar of his suit.
"Fate is a relentless river," she said softly.
"We believe we can change its course, yet often we only stir its waves."
Her voice carried a quiet sigh.
"Farewell, Midgard's… guardian."
Ding!
Special Popularity +5000! (Source: Frigga)
She turned and walked away, her silhouette fading into the golden corridor—lonely beyond words.
Antony watched until she disappeared.
Then he picked up a golden apple and took a savage bite, juice spilling freely.
"What a shame…" he muttered.
"That was practically a final entrustment."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty," he said softly, stroking the gauntlet.
"I'm very good at honoring contracts."
He stored the gauntlet inside his folded space.
-----
Asgardian Dungeon
The prison that held the most dangerous criminals of the Nine Realms.
Loki lounged casually in his cell, lazily spinning a cup in his fingers.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
Guards dragged in a massive, masked prisoner—built like a beast.
Algrim.
The Kurse of the Dark Elves.
He was thrown into the cell directly across from Loki.
Unnoticed, Algrim reached into his body… and pulled out a dark gray stone.
The Kurse Stones.
Crack.
The stone shattered.
A violent surge of dark energy consumed him instantly. His body expanded, skin glowing like molten hellstone, strength multiplying explosively.
"RAAAAH—!!!"
With ease, he smashed through the energy barrier, then began opening the other cells.
Chaos erupted.
Prisoners flooded out, clashing with Asgardian guards.
Loki watched with amusement—and even kindly pointed Algrim toward the exit.
Alarms screamed across the realm.
-----
At the Same Time — Above Asgard
The once-clear sky tore open.
A colossal, black, cross-shaped warship pierced Asgard's defenses like a phantom.
The Dark Elves' flagship—
The Harrow.
Malekith had arrived.
Countless blade-like fighters swarmed out, screaming toward the Golden City.
"Enemy attack! Defend the realm!" Heimdall shouted as he rushed to activate the shield.
The barrier began to rise—shielding the palace.
But the outer civilian districts were not so fortunate.
A fighter crashed into a residential area.
BOOM—!
Homes were obliterated. Fire surged skyward. Screams filled the air.
"My child!!"
"Help!!"
Asgardian civilians fled in terror.
-----
Guest Quarters — Asgard
Antony lay on the bed, eyes closed.
The alarms blared.
He opened his eyes.
"Finally," he said softly.
"Showtime."
BOOM—!
He launched skyward, becoming a red-and-blue meteor streaking toward the heart of the chaos.
-----
Asgard Main City — Marketplace
What was once a place of laughter, wine, and music had become hell.
Dark Elf scythe-fighters screamed overhead, energy blasts raining down like a storm.
Explosions. Screams. Crumbling buildings.
"Run! Run!!"
Civilians fled through rubble with their children.
A massive stone pillar was blasted loose—plummeting straight toward a group of fleeing women and children.
A mother shut her eyes, clutching her child.
But the pain never came.
ZZZZT—!!
Searing cutting sounds filled the air.
She opened her eyes.
Two crimson beams sliced the thousand-ton pillar into fragments.
A red-and-blue blur flashed past—hurling the falling debris straight into advancing Dark Elf soldiers.
BOOM—!
They were annihilated.
The mother looked up.
He hovered three meters above the ground, stars-and-stripes cape snapping in the firestorm.
Golden hair gleamed in the flames.
His smile alone brought instant reassurance.
"No need to thank me, ma'am," Antony said calmly, lowering her to her feet.
"This area isn't safe. Take your child to the palace."
"Y-you are…?" she asked, trembling.
"An Asgardian warrior?"
All around, civilians stared at him, waiting.
Antony raised an eyebrow, activating amplification magic. His voice echoed across Asgard.
"Asgardian?"
He shook his head.
"No. I am Homelander. I am the guardian of Midgard."
"And today—"
"I am also the guardian of Asgard."
"I will save you all."
In that moment, blazing light ignited in the mother's eyes.
…
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New Popularity Map Detected — Asgard Popularity Board Unlocked.
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