Marvel: Umbrella Corporation-Chapter 171: Journey to Jotunheim

Although Luna was still puzzled about Thor's origins, she released him the next day.

She had heard about Jane and the others going to the police station the previous night, which served as a wake-up call.

The Umbrella Corporation was indeed powerful, but it wasn't an official authority. Keeping someone locked up indefinitely would eventually attract trouble.

Of course, if Luna was willing to pay the price, she could have easily made those four disappear permanently.

But she wasn't a villain, nor did she have a murderous nature.

So, she let them go.

Thor, now free, stood watching the sun rise in the east. For the first time, he made a firm decision in his heart—to live out his remaining days on this planet as a form of redemption.

A few hours later...

Thor wandered along a barren road, looking lost. He had no idea where to go or where he belonged anymore.

As he sat on a roadside rock, deep in thought, a black car pulled up beside him.

"Get in."

Thor looked up to see Jane sitting behind the wheel.

The Umbrella Corporation wasn't completely heartless. After detaining Darcy and Eric at the police station the night before, they had released them the next morning.

Jane had also been notified to pick up Thor, which was why she arrived so promptly.

Seeing Jane, Thor's eyes lit up. He didn't hesitate to open the door and get in.

A while later, they arrived at Jane's house.

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Darcy and Eric welcomed Thor warmly, and soon, the four of them settled into an easy rhythm of living together.

...........

Three days later~

In Asgard.

Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, and Sif sat on golden chairs, discussing the situation.

"Loki forbade us from going to Midgard. What do we do?" Volstagg said, unwrapping a bandage from his arm as he stared into the fire.

As an Asgardian, his healing abilities were extraordinary. What would take a mortal three months to recover from had already healed in three days.

Sif stood near the wall, gazing at a portrait of their group from happier times.

"We could go down there ourselves," she suggested.

Fandral and Hogun's eyes lit up at the idea.

"That's right! Even if Loki forbids it, we can still find Thor ourselves."

"But how do we get there?"

"We can ask Heimdall."

At the mention of Heimdall, the three of them turned toward Sif.

Sif smiled knowingly. "Leave Heimdall to me."

With that settled, the four of them made their way toward the Bifrost.

...........

Jotunheim~

Jotunheim was a land of eternal ice and snow, with temperatures consistently below thirty degrees Celsius—and in some regions, they plunged below two hundred degrees.

This harsh climate was the reason the Frost Giants had always dreamed of escaping Jotunheim and finding more hospitable lands.

But ever since Laufey's defeat at Odin's hands a thousand years ago, that dream had remained just that—a dream.

Most Frost Giants born in Jotunheim had never even seen the sun. At this moment, night had fallen over the icy wasteland, and a harsh wind howled through the snowy air.

Loki suddenly appeared in the ruined city of Jotunheim, frowning as he surveyed the desolate surroundings.

Having grown up in the perpetual spring of Asgard, he despised the cold and hated the broken, lifeless ruins around him.

If he had to live here, he'd rather die.

After taking a moment to steady himself, Loki began walking toward the ruined palace.

Despite being called a "palace," the structure was little more than a decaying shell—there wasn't even a roof overhead.

As Loki approached, several Frost Giants emerged from the shadows. They were enormous, towering over him at three to four meters in height.

But they didn't attack—they simply watched him with cold eyes.

Loki ignored them and continued walking. Soon, he entered the dark remains of the palace and stopped before a frozen throne.

Seated on the throne was Laufey, his terrifying presence palpable even in the stillness of the room. One hand rested on his knee, the other supporting his chin.

When Laufey saw Loki, he spoke coldly. "Kill him."

The Frost Giants began moving toward Loki. But Loki remained calm, not even flinching.

"Is this how you treat someone who has done so much for you?"

Laufey's eyes narrowed.

"So... it was you who led our people into Asgard?"

Loki smiled faintly.

"Honestly, I was just looking for some fun."

"I simply wanted to ruin my dear brother's coronation. It was the only way to delay the disaster of his rule."

Recently, Odin had planned to pass the throne to Thor before entering the Odinsleep. To sabotage the ceremony, Loki had arranged for the Frost Giants to sneak into Asgard and cause chaos.

But things spiraled out of control when Thor, blinded by rage, led a reckless assault on Jotunheim.

What followed had been beyond Loki's expectations—Thor had been banished to Midgard.

At the time, Loki had thought his path to the throne was clear—until he discovered the truth about his Frost Giant heritage.

He knew that as a Frost Giant, Odin would never allow him to ascend the throne. That revelation had filled him with despair and driven him to act.

Hearing Loki's explanation, Laufey's crimson eyes gleamed with interest.

"So why have you come here?" Laufey asked.

"I have a proposal," Loki said.

"Go on."

"I can help you and your warriors slip into Odin's chamber during the Odinsleep. You can kill him there."

Laufey's eyes flashed with suspicion. Even he had never dared to plot his father's murder.

This Asgardian in front of him was ruthless—he'd have to be careful around him.

"Why don't you kill him yourself?" Laufey asked.

Loki's smile sharpened.

"Because an Asgardian who kills his father can never sit on the throne. But if Odin dies and I return the Casket of Ancient Winters to you... Jotunheim will rise again."

Laufey's eyes widened in shock.

The Casket of Ancient Winters was the most powerful artifact of Jotunheim.

Its ability to freeze entire worlds was only the surface of its power—there were deeper secrets that only the Frost Giant royal bloodline knew.

If Laufey could kill Odin and reclaim the Casket, the balance of the Nine Realms would shift. And this Asgardian traitor would eventually learn the price of dealing with Frost Giants.

Laufey's gaze darkened. After a moment of silence, he rose from his throne.

"I accept your terms."