Persuasion

"Though the benefits are great, the answer remains the same: Asgard will not betray its friends."

Thor thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I’ll find a way to become the fifth Elder. When that happens, I can still revive Asgard."

"You can’t become the fifth Elder."

Little Hela said bluntly, "Asgard is too weak. No one will support you. Of the five Elders, aside from that super powerhouse, the other four must all represent the universe’s top forces. Only then can they command respect."

"How will we know if we don’t try?"

Thor said unwillingly, "Either way, I won’t betray my friends."

Sif and the Three Warriors also said, "That’s right. We won’t betray our friends."

Little Hela sighed and asked, "Thor, what do you think is Asgard’s greatest threat?"

Thor immediately answered, "Of course Hela."

Little Hela shook her head. "I mean a force, not an individual."

"A force?"

Thor thought for a moment, then shook his head. "There aren’t any forces in the Nine Realms that can threaten Asgard. Whether it’s the Frost Kingdom or the Blazing World, neither is worth mentioning."

"You forgot Earth, Thor. Asgard’s greatest threat now is Earth."

"Earth? How is that possible? Your Master Bert and I are good friends."

Thor was stunned for a moment, then repeatedly shook his head. "Your Master saved Asgard only three months ago."

"I’m talking about Earth, not my Master. Earth has entered the fast lane. Once the Earth Federation is established, Earth will immediately begin expanding."

Little Hela said, "When that happens, the first target Earth deals with will be Asgard."

Thor was puzzled. "Why? Asgard and Earth are allies."

"Because Asgard is Earth’s suzerain state, and because Asgard can enter Earth at any time through the Bifrost."

Little Hela said, "There’s an old saying in the East: how can one allow others to snore beside one’s bed? Before Earth expands, it will definitely settle Asgard first.

"Of course, they won’t destroy Asgard. They’ll only force Asgard to join the Earth Federation and become one of their own."

"Join the Earth Federation?"

The five of them shouted furiously at once, "Impossible! How could Asgard join the Earth Federation and become Earth’s vassal?"

Fandral snorted. "More than a thousand years ago, when I went to Earth, those Earthlings knelt on the ground and called me a god. They were practically slaves. How could I become the vassal of slaves?"

The dwarf also said, "Exactly. Earth has always nominally been our territory."

"With that mindset, how could Earth possibly not deal with you first?"

Little Hela said, "Earth was indeed miserable in the past, but now it has developed. Its high-end strength far surpasses Asgard’s."

The five fell silent. Though they did not want to admit it, Little Hela was telling the truth—even without counting Blood God, Earth’s top-tier strength still surpassed Asgard’s.

Thor stubbornly said, "Bert won’t betray his friends. He won’t attack Asgard."

"Master certainly won’t attack Asgard, but Earth will. This is the trend of the times, and even Master can’t stop it."

Little Hela shook her head. "Thor, there is no friendship between nations. There are only interests."

Thor fell silent again. He knew Little Hela had a point, but he did not want to accept it.

He did not want to accept that Asgard could not defeat Earth, did not want to accept that Earth would attack Asgard, and even less did he want to accept that they would become enemies of the Super Heroes.

"So, Thor, this time you must join the Shi’ar Empire’s camp and compete with Earth for an Elder seat. This is Asgard’s last chance."

Little Hela said, "Success means Asgard rises. Failure means Asgard becomes a member state of Earth."

Thor grabbed his hair and said irritably, "I don’t want to become enemies with Earth. We’re clearly allies, so why do we have to become enemies?"

"Because reality isn’t a fairy tale. Between Asgard and Earth, only one can become king."

Little Hela said, "Thor, whether you fight or not is your own decision. This isn’t betraying your friends. It’s fighting for your nation. Don’t forget, you are the King of Asgard.

"Also, my Master won’t blame you over this. He’ll understand."

After saying that, Little Hela left with the two Valkyries, leaving only the five silent figures in the room.

On the way, Valkyrie could not help asking Little Hela, "Hela, will Thor join the Shi’ar Empire’s camp?"

"He will. My little brother may not have much of a brain, but he has a strong sense of responsibility."

Little Hela nodded with certainty. "Besides, Asgardians will never willingly become Earth’s vassals."

Brunhilde looked at Little Hela and asked, "Hela, what exactly are you trying to do? Make Asgard rise?"

"How could Asgard possibly rise?"

Little Hela laughed. "What part of Thor looks like a ruler capable of restoring a nation? And which of his subordinates looks like a great minister? Those five have nothing but muscles in their heads. Give them better opportunities and better conditions, and Asgard still won’t rise.

"If I truly wanted them to rise, I’d kick Thor aside and become queen myself."

The two Valkyries were stunned. Valkyrie asked, "Hela, what exactly is your goal?"

"It’s simple: make Asgard see reality and obediently become Earth’s vassal."

Little Hela said, "Tomorrow’s tournament will make Thor and the Asgardians understand that times have changed. Earth is now stronger than they are."

Brunhilde frowned. "You’re plotting against Asgard?"

"Plotting? No, I’m doing this for Asgard’s own good. Earth’s rise is unstoppable. Joining the Federation is Asgard’s best path. If Asgard refuses to join, it will have only one ending: destruction by Earth."

Little Hela said, "With Master and me around, Asgard won’t suffer after joining. All they will lose is a little pride."

"To Asgardians, honor is as important as life."

Valkyrie shook her head. Brunhilde could not help asking, "Hela, why did you choose Earth instead of Asgard?"

"Because I’m an Earthling. More importantly, Asgard doesn’t have my Master."

Little Hela said, "From the moment my Master became a Creator God, Earth was destined for glory, destined to rise. Asgard can’t stop it."

The two Valkyries both sighed. Blood God truly made people feel powerless. Let alone Thor, even Odin at his peak would have had to bow in defeat.

A Creator God—what did they think that was? Back in the room, Sif asked Thor weakly, "Thor, what should we do?"

"Tell the Shi’ar Empire that I will participate in tomorrow’s tournament, on the condition that they support me in becoming the fourth Elder."

Thor raised his head, his gaze resolute. "Tomorrow, I will give everything for Asgard. If I win, then naturally everything will be fine. If I lose, Asgard will give up its position as Earth’s suzerain state."

Sif and the Three Warriors could not help sighing. Giving up their position as suzerain state meant giving up Asgard’s glory and becoming Earth’s vassal.

"Thor, no matter what you choose, we will support you."

Sif and the Three Warriors said solemnly. Thor smiled, gripping his axe. "I won’t lose. I am Thor, the God of Thunder."

The next morning, the alliance conference continued arguing. By noon, all the representatives had gathered in the arena, waiting for the tournament to begin.

The Inhuman Kingdom’s lineup consisted of Inhuman Queen Skye, Hulk, Dr. Strange, Captain Marvel, Black Bolt, Iron Man, and Ghost Rider. It was an exceptionally luxurious lineup.

"Tony, don’t you think it’s rather inappropriate for you to be standing among us?"

Hulk looked at Tony with contempt. "Could you please step down and let Doom or Jarvis take your place? This is a god-level battlefield."

Tony snorted. "Do you know the biggest difference between a genius scientist like me and a big idiot like you?"

"Being weaker?"

Hulk pretended to think about it before answering, "Or perhaps, being super weak?"

Everyone could not help laughing. Tony cursed, "You’re the super weak one. Scientists like us are always improving, unlike big idiots like you, who keep standing still."

Damon asked, "You mean your armor has improved again?"

"That’s right. After my tireless efforts, the god-level armor, Godslayer One, was officially born a month ago."

Tony said excitedly, "Today, I’ll let you see the power of Godslayer One."

"Then we really should get a good look."

Everyone was immediately interested. Slaying gods with a mortal body—if Tony could truly do it, he absolutely deserved praise.

"Just sit back and enjoy the show."

Tony said arrogantly, "Times have changed. I, Tony Stark, am super powerful now."

Hulk mocked, "You mean super inflated. Don’t forget your usual setup. Be careful you don’t get slapped in the face again."

Tony snorted with his nose in the air. "Getting slapped in the face is impossible. It’ll never happen in this lifetime."

Captain Marvel Carol asked Skye in surprise, "Are Earth’s scientists really that incredible? Even the Three Great Empires haven’t mastered god-level power, yet Tony Stark managed to develop it?"

"Master once said that Earth is the center of the universe, so anything happening there is normal."

Skye smiled. "The universe’s overall technology is indeed stronger than Earth’s, but in high-end technology and high-end power, Earth is no weaker than them.

"Forget Tony’s armor. Pym Particles alone are enough to make all alien technology pale in comparison. Honestly, I still find Pym Particles unbelievable. They can not only turn ordinary people as small as ants, but also turn them into giants, even granting them a giant’s strength."

Carol was astonished. "That doesn’t sound very scientific."

"Who knows."

Skye shrugged. At that moment, Black Bolt suddenly pointed across the arena. "Thor seems to be over there."

Everyone turned to look and saw the challengers entering—the challenger team was composed of Thor and the Shi’ar Empire’s Royal Guard.

"Thor, you actually became a traitor?"

Hulk shouted in dissatisfaction. The audience could not help covering their ears. This guy’s voice was far too loud.

Thor looked somewhat awkward and dejected. "Hulk, I have to fight. Let’s decide the winner on the battlefield."

"What did you say?"

Hulk wanted to say more, but Tony pulled him back and whispered, "Hulk, don’t blame Thor. For Asgard’s sake, he has no choice but to fight."

As a major capitalist, Tony understood politics fairly well. Thor had to fight. If he did not, the relationship between Asgard and Earth would inevitably reverse.

"For Asgard?"

Hulk did not quite understand. He scratched his head and said, "Fine, I’ll just beat him up later. Don’t compete with me for him."

Thor said indifferently, "Whatever. I’m not interested in that charger."

"When everyone fights later, try to make it as spectacular as possible. To outsiders, the bigger the spectacle, the stronger it looks."

Skye did not take the Royal Guard seriously at all. She said, "As long as I become an Elder, I’ll definitely secure benefits for Earth."

Black Bolt smiled. "Don’t worry. You’ll definitely become an Elder."

At the same time, two cloaked figures appeared in the stands. One of them sensed something and turned to the right, discovering Little Hela watching her.

Hela snorted and transmitted her voice, "Why are you here instead of carrying out official duties on Earth?"

Little Hela sneered. "Of course I’m here to deal with you. Hela, you actually dared to come here? Be careful you don’t leave alive."

"Just you people? Unless Master acts, you aren’t worth my attention."

Hela said disdainfully, "Your Cosmic Alliance will die in its infancy today."

"You’re overthinking it."

Little Hela said, "Master gave us graduation gifts last night. We’re very strong now. Whatever you intend to do today, you won’t succeed."

Hela was dissatisfied. "Graduation gifts! Why didn’t I get one?"

Little Hela asked, "What do you think?"

Hela said, "It doesn’t matter. The gifts Master gave you certainly can’t compare to the gift Death gave me."

"You’ll find out soon enough. Master is incredibly generous."

Little Hela said. She had no intention of exposing Hela, because there was no need. Hela was not someone those fleets could handle.

The only ones capable of dealing with Hela were super powerhouses like themselves. Just as Skye had said, in this universe, quality mattered more than quantity.

Hela said nothing more. She turned to look at her companion and said quietly, "There are quite a few strong people here today. Be careful later."

"I don’t see any strong people. I only see food."

Hela’s companion said blandly, "You have nothing to worry about. The insect generals have all arrived. After today, this universe will lose the courage to resist."

"That’s good."

Hela smiled, though inwardly she was utterly disdainful. You’re just a tool insect. What are you being so arrogant for? Do you really think you’re the strongest in the universe?

At the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, Heimdall’s projection asked Odin, "Are we really going to broadcast this? Though Thor has Stormbreaker, there’s an eighty percent chance he can’t defeat Blood God’s two disciples."

"Broadcast it. Asgard has declined. We must make our people change their mentality and shed their sense of superiority."

Odin sighed. "Earthlings are no longer Asgard’s little brothers."

Heimdall sighed and said no more, ordering the mages to broadcast the tournament.

Upon hearing that Thor would be participating, Asgardians eagerly rushed into taverns to watch the tournament—in their hearts, Thor the God of Thunder was invincible.

"You’re actually preparing to surrender to Earth? Odin, is this what you call preserving Asgard?"

After overhearing Heimdall and Odin’s conversation, Great Serpent angrily questioned, "What are Earthlings? They’re merely natives. The moment they see us, they kneel and hail us as gods, ignorant natives who let us take whatever we want."