Tie Them Tighter

Svartalfheim!

Among the Nine Realms, this planet is known as the Dark World, the home of the Dark Elves.

In Norse Mythology, the Nine Realms existed independently, but together they formed a system because of the World Tree.

Midgard, the human kingdom, also known as Earth, is located at the center of the World Tree as the Midgard, with the other eight kingdoms surrounding it like branches of the tree, forming this unique system.

In the Marvel Universe, the so-called Nine Realms are actually nine planets corresponding to spatial nodes, which were grouped into a system due to certain special factors.

For example, every so often, a Celestial Convergence occurs in the Nine Realms, causing spacetime to become chaotic and wormholes to appear between the realms.

In fact, even without the alignment of the nine stars after thousands of years, there are secret spatial rifts connecting the various kingdoms. The second prince, Loki, has mastered a spatial rift that can take you directly from Asgard to Svartalfheim.

This is why nine planets that are not in the same star system, and even the floating continent of Asgard, are included in the same system.

There is some kind of connection between them!

Earth is the most unique among the Nine Realms, serving as a transit point and a strategically vital location with easy access in all directions. Conquering Earth would grant free passage to the other eight realms.

Similarly, we can deduce why Odin was once a tyrant!

For the sake of long-term rule and its own security, Asgard must firmly control the Nine Realms; otherwise, enemies may descend from the sky at any time.

After completely ruling the Nine Realms, Odin began to focus on being a benevolent ruler, because there was no longer any need for war, or rather, no need for large-scale war.

The Nine Realms are self-contained, geographically secure, and possess sufficient resources for Asgard to grow and expand.

Incidentally, although there are Nine Realms, because the spatial system is constantly changing, Odin's territory is far more than nine planets; sometimes it increases, and sometimes it even decreases.

Therefore, the Asgardians often went on expeditions, and Thor and Loki earned their military exploits from these expeditions.

Getting back to the main point, the three warships landed on Svartalfheim, a planet with a withered yellow exterior.

The surface of the planet was as dark as its color; it was overcast and littered with rocks, a desolate wasteland stretching as far as the eye could see, devoid of any signs of life.

The Dark Elves suffered a crushing defeat in a war thousands of years ago, and their homeland was destroyed by the Bifrost, causing the ecological environment here to collapse and continue to be affected by radiation to this day, making it unsuitable for colonization.

Malekith returned to his homeland, only to find it barren and filled with sorrow; his face was etched with bitterness.

His lieutenant, Algrim, shared a similar expression. Including the two of them, the remaining Dark Elves numbered less than thirty, having lost the ability to wage war and feeling utterly lost about the future of their race.

Malekith asked, "Algrim, what will you do if we find the Aether?"

What are you going to do? What else do you want to do? Can't you just behave yourself?

Algrim's eyes widened. The Dark Elves only had so few people left; whatever they did would only lead to the same result.

I'm willing but unable!

Malekith glanced at all his people, shook his head with a self-deprecating laugh, and thought about the earth-shattering battle between Russell, Thanos, and Captain Marvel, feeling like a complete idiot.

"Idiot, you're blocking the way!"

A nonchalant voice came from behind, and Malekith's expression changed drastically. He turned around abruptly and obediently made way for them.

"My master, why did you come down here yourself? It's quite windy and dusty here, and it might get your clothes dirty."

Malekith had a flattering look on his face, and his adjutant Argolim showed a simple smile, standing next to Russell with his chest raised, blocking the blowing sand.

The Dark Elves have fallen into decline and have no choice but to cling to Russell in order to survive. Although Russell doesn't particularly like them, Malekith is convinced that his sincerity will move Russell.

Nearby, Zereel, the first lackey, sensed the threat, cursed the sycophant in his heart, and waved his hand, ordering the soldiers to bring a red carpet and spread it on Russell's inevitable path.

Russell: "..."

He didn't like this kind of behavior; it was like that of villains. But his younger brother meant well, so he couldn't criticize them. He shook his head and stepped onto the red carpet.

Steve, standing behind him, frowned deeply. How could Hydra, a supposedly righteous organization, have expanded its influence to the universe, yet its subordinates consist of nothing but sycophants?

Neither the Dark Elves nor the Chitauri seemed like good guys to Steve.

Suddenly, Steve felt a greater weight on his shoulders. As the Hydra Captain, he had to constantly urge Russell to restore Hydra's upright conduct.

"Sir, there's something I want to say to you..."

Before Steve could speak, Russell replied, "I know what you're going to say. I've already contacted Hydra's Earth base, and Ms. Carter will be arriving here soon."

"Really!?" Steve's face lit up with joy, and he instantly forgot what he was going to say.

"There were quite a few people traveling with you, such as your old friend Howard Stark, do you remember him?"

"I don't remember."

Steve shook his head; apart from Bucky and Carter, he had no recollection of the other names.

To his shame, Russell had single-handedly promoted him to Hydra Captain, helping him transform from a frail, sickly man into a super soldier, yet he had no recollection of him whatsoever, and even harbored some resentment towards him.

Every time Steve thought about this, he felt utterly ashamed. He remembered his girlfriend and brother, but forgot his benefactor. How was this act of ingratitude any different from that of shameless scoundrels like Zereel and Malekith?

Sending Steve back to Earth is definitely impossible; given Hydra's reputation on Earth, if Steve went back, he wouldn't be able to return.

At that time, he will not only lose the Hydra Captain, but also his stable rear base.

Russell decided to bring Carter over. Russell believed that Carter could definitely seduce Steve and make him forget about his home planet Earth.

One lie requires a thousand lies to cover it up, but Russell had no other choice. The Enslavement skill was ineffective against Steve, whose willpower was too strong, completely different from Natasha and Bucky back then.

Upon closer reflection, most of Russell's Enslavement underlings were ordinary people without supernatural powers, and the only one who was even remotely related to a strong person, Jason, was still a child.

"Boss, are we really not going to contact Asgard?"

Natasha asked, "If you want to exchange prisoners for ransom, you should at least let us know. Otherwise, if Odin doesn't know where the exchange will take place, we'll have to wait forever."

Russell chuckled, "No need. This is already Asgard territory. Odin really doesn't know, he's just pretending."

If Odin dares to leave him out of the picture, he'll cut off Thor and Loki's food supply and see who can afford to wait it out!

"Someone, set up a platform and tie the two princes up there... Remember, the eldest prince should be behind the second prince, and tie them up securely."