The Lie of Ascension, Richard's Arrival

Volstagg the Volatile slammed to his feet, stuck out his neck, and shouted, "My princess, you cannot do this!"

"Cannot?" Hela sneered, pressing against the armrests and slowly standing up from the Bone Throne.

She strode two steps to the edge of the throne, looking coldly down at Volstagg below, her clear eyes radiating a bone-chilling frost.

Fenris the Giant Black Wolf sprang to her feet, glared at the three men below the stage, and let out a deep growl from her throat.

Roar~

Volstagg met Hela's gaze and instantly felt as though his entire soul was about to freeze solid.

His knees went weak, and he fell to his knees with a thud.

"Someone tell me what place this is!"

Hela turned her gaze to Hogun, who had remained silent the whole time. "Hogun, you tell them!"

Hogun bowed his head and replied, "Helheim, one of the Nine Realms, my princess."

"Helheim... Ah, yes, this is Helheim!" A flash of malice and hatred instantly crossed Hela's beautiful eyes.

She flicked her sleeve and turned back to the throne.

"Helheim is the Underworld of the Nine Realms! The destination of all departed souls in the Nine Realms!"

"Thousands of years ago, Odin stripped away part of the laws of death here in order to build Valhalla!"

"Afterwards, he broke his promise and forcibly sealed me away along with the entirety of Helheim."

At this, a sarcastic expression appeared on Hela's face. "As it turned out, Odin blundered! Without Helheim, the Authority of Death over the Nine Realms fell directly into the hands of Hell."

"...Die in battle and ascend to Valhalla..."

"Hahahahaha, what an absolute joke this is!"

The three men of Fandral lowered their heads and exchanged a glance, their eyes somewhat blank.

After laughing for a good while,