Asgard, deep within the ruins of the Golden Palace.
Hela sat on the throne formed from death energy. Her dark green, form-fitting battle armor gleamed coldly in the deep green light. Black hair fell from either side of her antler-shaped crown, its ends brushing the edges of her pauldrons like two straightened blades of darkness.
Her fingers tapped against the armrest, three times faster than usual, betraying her unease.
Earlier, faced with Iron Man's taunts and provocations, she had arrogantly fired back, dragging that so-called Golden Armor God of War, Yongye, through the dirt.
But after asking around, she had been scared out of her wits!
That Golden Armor God of War did indeed rely on his armor, but he was no weakling. On the contrary, his battle record was terrifying!
He had killed Susanoo-no-Mikoto in moments, leaving not even a fragment of his soul!
Even a Skyfather-level God King could not accomplish that!
Below the throne, the executioner Skurge knelt on one knee, holding in both hands the Sword of Death that Hela had thrown to the floor. His head was bowed, and he barely dared to breathe.
When Hela returned, he had surrendered to save his life and been appointed her Executioner.
Deep down, however, he wanted to stab Hela in the back and protect the people of Asgard. He was a double-dealing turncoat, living a difficult life torn between both sides.
"Skurge."
Hela's voice came from the throne, low and cold, yet its final note carried a tension even she had not noticed.
"Have you gotten to the bottom of how that Yongye fellow killed Susanoo-no-Mikoto so quickly?"
Skurge lowered his head even farther, his voice trembling with fear:
"Your Majesty, I have. Because Doomsday was ravaging Fusang, Nōhime, a Divine Envoy of Takamagahara, went to Earth