I shall go and see with thee

They stepped through the doors.

Everyone was stunned by the magnificent sight before them.

The castle contained countless exquisitely crafted buildings, every detail brimming with artistic beauty.

Clusters of spires rose from the enormous castle. They looked up, unable to see where it ended.

"What is this place...?"

"It's so beautiful..."

"This palace is even prettier than our royal palace!"

"What are these buildings made of? I can sense powerful magical elements."

They looked around as they walked. Alongside their amazement at the castle's grandeur, a sense of unease crept over them.

Ever since entering the castle, they had encountered no one except the night raven leading the way.

The air of the deserted castle was filled with a mysterious, unfamiliar aura.

They entered the main hall.

A young girl sat upright on the throne at the very center of the hall.

She had delicate features and wore an ornate crown of purple and gold.

Golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her features held a hint of nobility.

Her skin was as white as snow, yet her one visible eye was as vivid as a ruby, shimmering with an eerie red light.

Resting her slender, pearly fingers lightly against her forehead, the girl looked down at the people below her throne with the faintest trace of a smile.

The night raven bowed his head respectfully.

"My lady, your friends have come to visit."

The girl smiled slightly, her uncanny eye gleaming with captivating charm.

"Welcome, all of thee, to my Immernachtreich."

"Here, even the blades of ice demons tremble before the thunder of holy judgment that proclaims destiny."

She rose and descended from the throne.

Reaching out, the girl gently stroked the night raven's back.

She intoned in ornate phrases:

"Let the bells of sanctification toll! The hour of judgment is upon us!"

"Sing praises, ye who cry out for salvation, for the Prinzessin der Verurteilung hath descended upon this realm!"

Though soft and measured, her voice rang out with exceptional clarity in the empty main hall, striking everyone's hearts like a hammer.

Yet no one answered.

There was nothing but silence in the hall.

The others had not understood a single word.

Loki had understood a few phrases, but had no idea how to respond.

Those few sentences, with their lavish wording and wealth of meaning, had utterly stunned them.

They exchanged looks and kept their mouths shut, afraid that speaking would expose their ignorance.

In the end, the experienced night raven broke the deadlock, waving his wings as he addressed them.

"My lady means that she's delighted to see you."

"It's safe here. You needn't worry about the Frost Giants outside."

"My lady will protect you."

Only then did Thor understand what the girl had meant. He did not dwell on it, instead greeting Fischl cheerfully.

"Hello, Fischl. I'm Thor."

"Your pet is amazing! He can talk and even show people the way."

"My grass sheep do nothing but bleat and spit at me, and my green python does nothing but sleep and jab me in the waist."

"What kind of bird is he? Has he been neutered?"

"Could you lend him to me for a couple of days? I'll take him back to Asgard and find him a mate."

"Fischl" was still striking a pose when Thor's outrageous remarks hit her square in the face.

"Find him a... what?!"

Fischl in the game was only a teenage girl. What would she know about such things?

But Lin Ze, an adult, certainly knew.

With his consciousness linked to Fischl's, Thor's unfiltered remarks left him utterly furious.

"I, Fischl von Luftschloss Narfidort, have traversed a thousand universes, yet never have I encountered anyone so utterly! Shameless!"

Fischl glared furiously at Thor, flames blazing in her eyes.

Loki covered his forehead in exasperation, while everyone else's expressions instantly turned painfully awkward.

"Greetings, Your Highness, the noble Fischl. I am Loki Odinson of Asgard."

"Allow me to introduce my elder brother, Thor Odinson, crown prince of Asgard."

"Please forgive my brother's presumption. He was merely so impressed by Mr. Oz's intelligence that he entertained a few misguided notions."

"On his behalf, I humbly beg Your Highness's forgiveness."

He did not dare underestimate the owner of such a splendid castle. Even he felt inadequate before the intense concentration of magic within it.

By now, Thor also realized he had misspoken. He was careless, not stupid. Seeing that something was wrong, he immediately corrected himself.

"Yes, yes, that's what I meant. Sorry."

Fischl took a deep breath, calmed herself, and resumed her noble bearing.

"So, thou art visitors from another world. Then I, the Prinzessin, shall forgive thy ignorance."

She spoke.

"Listen well. He, Ozvaldo von Hrafnavines."

"Is no one's pet, but the loyal companion of me, Fischl von Luftschloss Narfidort."

"The Prinzessin der Verurteilung. Within Immernachtreich, he rules the starry seas and night skies of three universes, sheltering the souls of all fallen heroes beneath his wings of shadow."

"He is not someone thou may casually take away to m... m... mate, or whatever it is!"

Setting aside the extraordinarily long names, Loki was astonished by the night raven's identity.

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness."

Uncertain of Fischl's and Oz's strength, Loki remained extremely cautious.

"Your Highness, there is something I do not understand. Might I ask you to enlighten me?"

Loki spoke.

His voice was low and hoarse.

"I, the Prinzessin, shall bestow upon the ignorant the truths of the mortal cosmos. Thou hast my leave to voice the questions circling within thy heart."

Fischl gave Loki an indifferent glance as she spoke.

"Then, Your Highness, how did you learn of our arrival?"

Loki asked.

Lin Ze thought, The minimap, of course.

Pah.

Fischl answered with perfect composure.

"For I heard the anguished cries and pleas of the thorn-entwined peaks."

"And witnessed the heavens' ceaseless lamentations, woven into the ever-changing tapestry of fate."

Loki: ...

Everyone else: ...

Thor scratched his head. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Fischl shook her head in dismay.

"As expected, those whose eyes are clouded by worldly trivialities can never immediately grasp my true meaning."

"Is there truly not a single person present who can comprehend my words of wisdom?"

"Ah..."

She sighed and said helplessly, "Fools."

"Wait, is she mocking us for being uneducated?"

The injured Hogun asked, draped half-dead over Volstagg's back.

Sif raised her eyebrows.

"Obviously."

Hogun rolled his eyes.

"Oh, that's definitely not my fault. I never went to school. I can't understand the truth."

Carrying him on his back, Volstagg answered in a muffled voice.

"Ignorance is a terrible thing."

Hogun was so angry he nearly jumped off his back.

"I was being sarcastic!!! You idiot!"

Volstagg rubbed his belly, looking delighted. "Free food? That's an option?"

Hogun: "..."

Thor could not stand to see his companions mistreated, so he protested.

"Hey! Keep it simple. Speak a little more simply!"

Loki said nothing, quietly observing Fischl's behavior.

Oz chose that moment to explain to them.

"There was thunder, rain, a collapsing mountain, and an avalanche."

"You woke my lady from her lie-in."

"And so she saw you."

"O... Oz!!!"