There Are Better Options

If the Frost Giants' homeland, Jotunheim, was an icy hell, then the Fire Giants' homeland, Muspelheim, was a blazing hell that stood in complete contrast to it.

Long, long ago, Asgard went through a mad era of expansion and conquest. Many planets had no power to resist Asgard's great army and submitted one after another at Odin's feet. During that time, Odin had confidently believed that no one in the entire universe could match him. Until he arrived in Muspelheim and encountered Surtur the Fire Giant King.

Muspelheim was the greatest challenge the Asgardian army had ever faced, and Surtur was the most powerful enemy Odin had ever encountered—an enemy he found difficult to defeat.

At that moment, Evenson still held that small cluster of Eternal Flame in one hand, asking Frigga whether he could take it away. Yet instead of agreeing or refusing, she began recounting something that had happened long ago.

Although Evenson could not understand Frigga's intentions, he had no desire to interrupt her. "But even if he had difficulty winning, Asgard still won in the end."

"That's right." Defeating a powerful enemy and claiming victory should have been cause for celebration, yet Frigga wore a bitter smile. "That was because Asgard's most elite forces were all present at the time, and Odin did not face Surtur alone. He had a powerful helper."

"A helper?" Evenson was startled. Odin back then had not been the aging, benevolent emperor he was now, but an iron-blooded Tyrant in his prime. Nor had Asgard's army been made up of these recruits long removed from battle. They had been a killing machine called an army, tightly following behind the Tyrant.

Yet even so, the war in the land of fire was still known as their greatest challenge. Odin had even been