The violent shockwave from the explosion sent Malekith flying.
Aaron rushed forward without hesitation, caught Malekith, and pressed the muzzle of his Flintlock Gun against his temple.
"Sorry," Aaron said casually. "I really can't let you take the Queen away."
"Malekith." Algrim, the Cursed Warrior, immediately panicked and clamped a hand around Frigga's neck. "Release him."
"I'll return those exact words to you." Aaron kicked Malekith behind the knee, forcing him to half-kneel on the ground. "Release her."
"You first." Algrim tightened his grip, lifting Frigga into the air. Her face had turned red from her difficulty breathing. "Or I'll kill her."
Aaron pulled the trigger without hesitation. The bullet instantly pierced Malekith's left arm, and black blood dripped onto the floor.
"Ah!" Malekith let out a pained howl. "Midgardian, you deserve to die."
"Shut up." Aaron pressed the gun against Malekith's head again. Feeling the cold muzzle, Malekith immediately chose to submit.
He had yet to reclaim the Aether, return the universe to darkness, or make Asgard pay the price. If he died so muddleheadedly, wouldn't the Dark Elves' thousands of years of hiding have been for nothing?
"Try threatening me again." Aaron shouted. "I'm not an Asgardian. I just don't want Frigga to die for certain reasons.
"In other words, whether she lives or dies isn't all that important to me."
"Gaius..." Heimdall hesitated before speaking. "Frigga is Asgard's Queen."
"Brother, could you stop talking for a moment?"
Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly. Do you really need to remind me of that?
This is a negotiation! Momentum is what matters most. You're making them more confident—how am I supposed to negotiate like this?
"Hahaha! Algrim, don't worry," Malekith said calmly. "This is Asgard. The Asgardians won't let their Queen be harmed."
Aaron slapped Malekith across his pale face.